ARTWORK AND BOOKS

As a long time resident of Harts Corner and the owner of the only cafe, I couldn't be more proud of my hometown. We've come through some hard times and we've come out even better on the other side. The town has managed to settle down and we are a community of happy folks--well, for the most part. This is the Christmas season so we won't talk about the lesser fine points.

I hope all of you have come to see the community tree, the colorful wreaths, and the sparkling lighted candy canes along Main Street, and strolled along for a close-up look at the lovely job our merchants have done with their windows. Carolers will stroll along our streets on Saturdays, one of the farmers has started a horse-drawn carriage opportunity which will run right up to Christmas Eve, and we are really excited about the business campaign that rings the bell to shop locally. Did you know you can buy most everything you need and want for a beautiful, great Holiday Season right here in Harts Corner? Get out there and look.

Did you see all the beautiful seasonal artwork on windows around town? It was all done by our newest resident, Megan Crandall. along with her baby son, Jeffrey, she's made a real impact on Harts Corner. She's a great mother, a wonderful caterer (she practically runs this new venture of mine) and, as we found out when she volunteered to paint the windows of the Blue Moon, an outstanding artist.

Mz Barbara has already put Megan in the new book she's beginning to work on. I hope she manages to bring this young woman's story to light as well as she did in "The Blue Moon Cafe." And we're going to see more of Aunt Lutie (ghost, spirit, haunt, whatever you wish to call her) and her appearance to me and several others; her wisdom and guidance will always be needed in this town. The book that's going on sale in January brought all of us into the spotlight (some of the folks kind of wished she hadn't been so honest when telling the story of that time in our town's history) and I think she got the town, warts and all, right as right could be.

Speaking of books, did you know if a book is published in December that on January 1 of the New Year, it is considered an old book? I knew the shelf life of books is about two weeks if any author is lucky but learning that you're book is dead-on-arrival if published in December was a bit of a surprise. So Mz Barbara and Gina put too good brains together and decided not to kill the book.

"Aunt Lutie's Blue Moon Cafe" will be released in January 2013. Sorry you can't give it as a Christmas gift to all those hundreds of reader/relatives/friends (we all wish we could shower books on folks, don't we?) this year but it'll read just as good in January.

Believe me, the waiting will be worth it.  

BABY JESUS

You know me, folks, I'm Pastor Micah. I'm no TV evangelist, nor a blogging one either. MM got me involved in this thing, along with that author lady, Mz Barbara. And they both think I have a place here because the residents of Harts Corner are precious souls. If there is one of them who doesn't know about our little church then my having a message of some sort on this Internet thing is worth it.

We've set up our creche (manager to many of you) scene today in front of the church. The figurine's are life-sized, very impressive even from the street out front. If you walk up to the scene and don't know much about the Holy season, you'll find the Biblical verses telling the story posted nearby. Oh, and by the way, our church doors are open daily from sunrise to sunset so if you need come time alone with your thoughts and prayers, come right on in.

Speaking of the figurine's, take a close look at Baby Jesus while you're there. He's got a few scratches here and there. That's because he's been pulled out of his cozy hay bed more than once. One year some rowdy teenagers from over Crockett way thought it would be real fun to steal him and dump the precious little lamb in a hog trough; it took a brave soul and a lot of soap and water to clean Jesus up, leaving a few marks from the heist.

Once Jesus disappeared and a church family sheepishly appeared with the figure. Their six-year old son confessed by explaining he wanted to keep Baby Jesus dry on an unusually wet day. When about three years old one of Lester and Cora Skaggs grandaugthter's brought the baby quilt Cora had made for her when she was born, and wrapped Baby Jesus in it--"to keep the baby warm."

Tonight we'll turn on the spotlight set out to show our creche thought the Christmas season. When you folks head to town for the tree lighting, or to view it later, don't forget to stop by First Baptist and enjoy the scene the Three Magi found when they followed the star.

I'll be the welcome-committee, the guy bundled up in a heavy coat with red wool cap and scarf, and snow boots with flashing lights on the soles (my grandchildren's gift last year). And, please, if my back is turned while greeting people don't run away with Baby Jesus.

BRIGHT LIGHTS IN HARTS CORNER

I've got some exciting news. Harts Corner is decorated for Christmas. My town, the town that has become the best thing that ever happened to me, Harold Coburn, is wonderfully beautiful and I had something to do with making it look that way.

You know, for years, I've been the street cleaner of this town. You didn't know? Well, it's right there in Miz Barbara's book about how I was pretty messed up after Korea, roamed around a lot as a lost soul, like a lot of guys do after all these wars we get ourselves into. When I woke up in the Psych Ward of a hospital in Temple after a full-blown black out, I felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown all over me. I woke up to what a lousy life I was livin'.

I dried out and hit the road, going just a short piece down the road before I found Harts Corner where kind people accepted me, allowed me to keep their streets clean, sell the bottles I collected to supplement my disability money, and even offered me a roof over my head for a little caregiving. I met MM and she introduced me to Jewel Tate and that made life more than worth taking care of. And this year, this town sort of crowned me with new glory. I was asked to decorate the streets for Christmas.

Sam McCrory has beendoin' this prettyin' up forever. It was a no-brainer that he had the job; he had the only truck suitable to put ladders on the bed in order to reach the one stop light, the dozen or so lamp posts, and the top of the community Christmas tree to place the star on top and wind the lights around the upper branches. This year Sam decided (we all figured his wife made the decision for him) that he was getting too old to shimmy up that ladder. So he asked me if I wanted the job.

Did I ever! Who wouldn't want to put all those colored lights up and down the street, hang those ornament-covered wreaths from lamp posts, and place the big candy canes around the courthouse grounds? With Sam's supervision, I went to work immediately. It ws not easy--that Sam had done an amazing job all those years. But with his supervision and the use of his truck, I decorated the town.

If you want to see something downright breathtakin', pay a visit to Harts Corner at 6 o'clock tomorrow night. Bethy Rose is gonna hit the switch to light up the most beautiful corner of the world--at least I think it is.

Hot chocolate and gingerbread men will be provided by the Blue Moon Cafe, so come help us celebrate the official beginnin' of Christmas in Harts Corner. 

Apologies from Mz. Barbara

I've been away from you so long that I feel I owe you a big-hair apology. It's not that I don't love chatting with all of you, letting my characters tell you all that is going on with them in Harts Corner. It's just that I have suffered a loss that no mother wants to ever face.

On October 6, after a two-year illness, my only son died at the age of 48. I spent a week with him before that and we made the best out of a bad situation; chuckling over his childhood photos, talking about his antics, about our lives together, and cementing the love we felt for each other. He insisted he didn't want me there when he died--and, knowing his dearest friends were there to care for him, be there for him right up until the end, I agreed to his final wish.

It has been a hard two months. There have been many times I've sunk to my knees in tears; other times I've smiled at the memories of him. I didn't think I could face the holidays but have managed to bake cookies and make candy and send off the usual Care Package I always sent to Eddie and his boss/housemate this time of year. I have long called David my second son and he has called me Mom. I slowly put up the tree and decorated the house. I just recently made calls to several neighbors and a few friends, asking them to attend a small Open House--trying to carry on the traditions Eddie had shared when at home and when visiting.

I've neglected Harts Corner but it's now time to get back in touch with those fine people who have been so comforting, have listened to my anguish, and have allowed me this time by waiting patiently for me to start listening to them again.

Thank you all for your understanding.

Untie the Knot in Your Panties!

This is Cora Skaggs bringing you up-to-date on some happenings around here. One has to do with your jawin’ about not havin’ this book out, not being able to read about all these people already, and I’ve even heard some comments like “Why don’t you get off your butt and get that book out to the readers?”

Now, most of you know that Miz Barbara is the one who has taken down these words from Mary Margaret Butler to make up this book, “Aunt Lutie’s Blue Moon Café”. What most of you might not know is that this is a very hard job, especially when MM lived in another era—1966 was a different world. And though Miz Barbara lived them times and knew what was goin’ on around her real well—she was raisin’ two kids, seeing all those body counts in Vietnam, and trying to keep a worthless man on the right path (it didn’t work) and had her own trials to bear—that was some time ago. Do you remember everything that was around then? No? Well, Mz Barbara and Mz Regina (she’s the lovely lady publisher/editor of this book (Mockingbirdlanepress.com) ) are havin’ one heck of a time gettin’ all this timeline stuff straightened out. I know for a fact that if one of you found one mention of a lady wearin’ sweats or Willie Nelson appearin’ in a place that wasn’t there yet, these two ladies would hear about it big time. You’d never let them live it down.

Not that there might be something missed, mind you. Them big New York publishers miss stuff all the time. I’ve read it and it ain’t pretty when we find it. But let’s give these authors and their editors a break—they do not sit up there with God. They are human. You are goin’ to get a great story here, filled with love and laughter among folks in a neat community, mystery and romance—for a much cheaper price, too, than those big mucked-muck author’s books from New York City (does that sound like a salsa ad—oops, probably didn’t have that stuff in a jar back then either, did they?).

What I’m tryin’ to say here is this: Have patience. Reread “Gone With the Wind” or something with 800 pages. Go shoppin’. Have a piece of pecan pie. Or if you want me to say it like Aunt Lutie would have, here it is: Quit you snivelin’! Untie those knots in your panties! Wait!

Bess and Garrett's Snuff

Good afternoon to all you lovin' folks. I hope your day is goin' as good as mine. I've been up since first light, saw  Old Man Sun come up over those piney woods, watched the rabbits come into their tray of lettuce leaves from my garden, and listened to the call of the wild birds near the swamp. And the day just kept gettin' better from then on.

Mary Margaret came out for a visit and lunch. She's grown up to be a lovely woman and, one day when she gives up the fight, she'll accept Miguel's proposal, settled down, have those babies, and fulfill all of her aunt's dreams. She didn't know that Lutie Mae was sittin' right there at the table with us, just beamin' at her niece, the love shinin' from her eyes, her pride so thick in the air, I's surprised MM didn't feel it. Of course, Lutie Mae only lets MM know she's around when it suits her purpose--and usually that's not to MM's pleasure at all.

She brought me a supply of my favorite things, one of them a "goodie" she claims will put me in an early grave. I laugh and asked her just how old she thinks I am; I already have one foot in the grave according to those science people. That Garrett's Snuff is my last bad habit left. I gave up bourbon a long time ago, I no longer chase men with my dancin' shoes flyin', and I think I'm allowed one tiny sin.

Well, some might same them movie magazines she includes in the sack of stuff is harmful to my senses. I get a big kick out of the wild stories of those movie people's lives, love to see the glittery clothes the women wear, and check out the muscles of the men. I enjoy the stories of the old actors--they were much better than this new bunch, you know. Give me Gregory Peck anytime. MM says this is all just trash but her aunt, my deceased best friend, and I loved to go to the movies and read these magazines. Lutie Mae took me to the movies once a week for many years. She sat in the balcony with me because in those days, folks still frowned upon we coloreds mingling with them. It didn't bother her; she giggled, clapped, cried, and laughed right along with me, the same as those people below us.

MM brought me a large tin of chocolate chip cookies, too. I used to love Lutie Mae's oatmeal cookies but when MM brought me the first batch of these, my loyalty quickly changed. They will make a right nice dessert along with my chicory coffee later tonight. I've got to let the gumbo we had for lunch settle.

Gumbo? What kind? Well, you could make it with chicken or shrimp--sometimes I use a combination of both. It's MM's favorite. She fixes it for her catering dinners, but she says it never tastes as good as mine. Share the recipe? Why, Chil', I'm happy to do just that.

Chicken or Crab Gumbo

2 c. butter                                          1 c. stewed tomatoes
1/4 c. sliced onion                             1 tsp. chpd. parsley
2 Tbsp. diced green Bell pepper       2 c. chicken stock
1/4 c. diced celery                             1 c. fresh or frozen okra
2 c. cooked chicken or crab              Salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, melt the butter. Add the onion, green peppers, and celery, and saute for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are lightly browned.

Add the okra, tomatoes, parsley, chicken stock, and chicken/crab to the soup pot. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring constantly to blend thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper.
***
I puts a small portion of cooked rice in the bottom of the bowls and ladle the soup over that. Served with a green salad and hot bread (French or yeast rolls), you have the best meal ever.

MM SAYS ALL'S WELL IN HARTS CORNER

The proprietor of the Blue Moon has finally come up for air. It's been a busy summer. When I added catering to the offerings at the cafe, I hoped it would grow into a nice sideline business. That little adventure has about run me ragged this summer.

Laurel Cameron, the Skaggs granddaughter from over Lovelady way, drove over to look at pictures of wedding cakes, reception hall decorations, and food I'd done for others. She was a joy to work with and a beautiful bride. She had friends who were getting married, giving baby showers, or doing some other party giving, so I was swamped with jobs. All these were added to a garden party for Livy Vandergriff, a birthday party for Jewel's grandson, and a pizza/dessert party for the football team at the end of summer's practice. Man, those teenagers can eat.

The one gig I didn't get was to host a wedding reception for Jewel and Harold. I guess I didn't set a very good example when Miguel moved into the house with Bethy Rose and I, because she moved in with Harold soon after.

That carriage house at the Judge's where Harold lived, was not very big so it was expanded with a second story holding two bedrooms, a new bath, and lots of storage cabinets and closets. Downstairs the kitchen was expanded by knocking out a wall to the one bedroom down there. That added some room at one end of the living room for a nice dining area. And when Jewel added her quilts and other decorative talents, that place became the cutest love nest around. Still, it didn't seem to spur those two toward the aisle.

Miguel drives off early each morning for the first patrol of the day before opening the Sheriff's Office. That is if Maude Crowley doesn't beat him to it. The Department dispatcher, I swear, knows everything that happens in Harts Corner before the dust settles.

Bethy Rose has made it through the first week of school without running away from home, turning my hair gray, or her love life (at age nine?) ruining her entire life. I think I overheard her telling a friend that Jason spoke to her yesterday. Praise the Lord! This household may survive in spite of itself.

Anyway, things are running pretty smoothly in town. And, to tell you the truth, that makes me more than a little nervous. I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop.