We have an abundance of trees and bushes blooming here on the mountain.  Some buttercups are dwindling away.  I've noticed some forsythia bushes that weren't hurt by the cold weather we've been having.  At the home place "Mom's" forsythia bush didn't do as well.

Hope to bring that bush to our house in the future.  I noticed some iris's making a debut at our home place, too. So many beautiful memories of earlier years at home that will always remain with me.

Talking with Burley Bogle on Monday night, he, like me, can't believe all the Bradford Pear trees that are blooming.  Seems like they are everywhere.  Burley's been under the weather lately with his back.  Do keep him in prayer.  His birthday will be March 21st and he will be
"82" years young.  He still loves mules and keeps a few.  He said, "he grew up with mules always on the farm."

Saw Jeff Keaton at the store on Sunday.  He's still the same Jeff we've known for such a long time.  He's definitely a fixture here on the mountain for such a long time.  "Aubrey" nicknamed him "Papa Mouse" and Betty, Jeff's wife, was "Mama Mouse."  When I'm sending out Christmas cards, I just have to address their envelope the way "Big John" had nicknamed them.  It's a tradition I love to keep going.

This coming week will hopefully give us a few days to get some mowing done.  Right now, the ground is just too soggy and there is water standing in people's yards and in ditches.  With us getting several inches of rain it will take some time to get to do outside work.

Rick and Beverly Hubler are doing well.  Beverly visited me on Tuesday evening.  Talked with Kathy Nokes on Saturday.  She's coming along nicely after knee surgery.  We wish the best for you, Kathy.

Let's be praying for the following people:  Cecile Ferrell, Mary Melton, Sepal Pedigo, Joe Gunter, Jeff Brown, Walter and Faye Ferrell, Rose Watts, Jimmy and Faye Hale, Charlie Mai Daniel, the people of Israel, and the family of Greg Laboe in the loss of their loved one.

I got to eat some shepherd's pie the other day.  I really liked it.  I don't believe I've even eaten any before.  It was probably at some of our "Gunter Reunion" but I never got around to every dish that was brought to sample.  A reunion, like a Thanksgiving meal or Christmas dinner, can do havoc on your body with so much good food to devour.  That is okay because you get to be with family and friends for a few hours.  Hopefully, maybe a Gunter Reunion can come about
this year.  Talking about all these get-togethers and the food to be consumed is making me want to snack on something.  Some tuna and crackers will probably tide me over till supper.   The crackers will, I guess, always make me think of Bobby Taylor and the time he hid all
the boxes of crackers from me at Short Mountain Market.  And, to beat it all he was going to charge me $6.00 for a box of the crackers he had confiscated from the shelf before I got to the store.  Bobby was sure a lot of fun and his presence is still sorely missed here on the mountain.  Also, Tammy Davenport, Bobby's sister, a dear friend of our family who always came to our reunions left us too soon.  She was such a joy to be around and helped us all so very much.  She wrote a poem or two to me after Aubrey passed away that I will keep and treasure
always.

How true the statement is to cherish and love those people that God puts in your life, because someday He will want them back.  God's perfect plan we would not live here forever, but the best part for all Christians will come about later when they pass away here, after accepting Jesus Christ, God's son, as their Lord and Savior for we live again being in Jesus's presence for all of eternity.  No one can get into heaven without accepting Jesus for He is the only One that
can save your soul.
     

Got to chat with Ann Warren on Wednesday evening.  Glad to report they are all doing well.  Jimmy Hale doing pretty good last week.  Faye, his wife, is having some health problems.

Palm Sunday is the last Sunday before Easter.  It is the beginning of Holy Week.  The services of Palm Sunday honor Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  According to John 12:12-15, Jesus
rode into the city on an ass, and the people spread palm branches in His path.
     

If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at 615-563-4429.  Have a great day!
     

No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him:  and I will raise him up at the last day.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me has everlasting life.  John 6: 44 & 47