Friends of Kenneth Magness who live in the valley and nearby are sending special prayers, their love, and best get-well wishes to Kenneth and family. We pray God’s blessings on the Magness family, and may they rely on God and medical help for healing power.
Get-well wishes go to Helen Burt, who is still receiving therapy after her recent surgery at St. Thomas  Hospital.
Her daughter, Debbie O’Conner of Goodletsville, was visiting her mother and fell on ice-covered ground outside her entrance.
An ambulance was called and took her to emergency. Debbie bruised an ankle and is now on crutches. Special get-well wishes go to Debbie.
Hello to Nora Harvey who has been a shut-in for several weeks due to injuries from an accident. Knowing that Nora likes the outdoors, we hope and pray that she is on our mending list. Give us a call and be much better.
According to forecasts, the valley will have several zero to subzero nights this week. Be patient, spring follows a winter.
Last week we wrote about the huge sycamore tree that grew here in the valley and the many opportunities it provided, such as a background for pictures, shelter from rain, etc. We forgot  to mention that it provided a place for children to hide when playing the game of hide and seek.
Do our children of today know how to play the game? It was loved by the children when we grew up. What  happened to the useful sycamore? Don’t know, but our guess is that old age took its toll on the tree and maybe it’s remains were bulldozered down when Lucius Stephens built the dikes in the late sixties.
There are many interesting things to observe and know in the valley. Never having lived near a stream of water, we were eager to learn our surroundings.
The crane is a large bird, with a long neck and legs. Here in the valley the cranes are about about three feet high, and their color is grey. Their wingspread is about six feet. On their foreheads they have a patch of red skin. They can be seen year round, but more often in warm weather.
We have observed these birds standing on one foot in shallow water with their heads thrown back over their shoulders, lazy or asleep.
We believe that they live in the bushes, make their nests and lay one or two eggs.
Our late son, John Frazier, was one of the best fishermen, and he had seen and observed the cranes. He said, and we quote: “I never saw over two eggs in a crane’s nest.”
In the summertime we always sat on the patio about dusky dark and waited patiently for a crane, sometimes two, to fly high above the marshes with their bodies and long legs stretched lengthwise.
We would listen for the honk of the cranes, which was loud and could be heard for a distance up and down the valley.
Nature is beautiful if we just take time to observe. We love the crane and nature.
As January leaves us, we must mention that Lisa Cripps was one year older on Jan. 24, and another daughter, Deborah Ann Fuson of Cabot, Arkansas celebrated her birthday Jan. 25 at her home in Cabot. The Cripps family celebrated with Lisa on Sunday.
Feb. 9 is Love Sunday. Bro. W.D. Thomason will bring a message on the subject of “Love.”
Valentine party in the fellowship hall will be Feb. 12 at 6:45-7:30 pm. Jimmy and Lou Ann Midget will prepare your favorite pizzas. Members bring desserts.
Dry Creek Baptist Church welcomes you to worship. Bro. Donald Owens, Pastor.
“Let not your heart be trouble....I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:12).