Well, here it is, the middle of January and cold, cold weather. According to research, it is the first month of the ancient Roman year, plus the first month of the Gregorian year. The flower of this month is carnation and the birthstone is garnet. I think January slipped in the backdoor on December.

I sent out less greeting cards this past holiday, but I also received around fifty. Having the Bethlehem post office at First Methodist motivated people to send more without having to pay postage.

I know some of my out of state friends, wonder what happened to Shirley? Is she still around? Guess I will have to remember them on their birthdays.

I encountered Jan Thomas one day recently out shopping in town. She told me of their family tradition. She said that she put out big brown shopping bags with family names on them. Members would drop gifts in them weeks before Christmas. To prevent any peeping, she would put towels over them. In talking to Jan, a retired school teacher, she had lived in California and Texas.

Those celebrating birthdays in January are: Ethan Judkins, Jenenne Pettis, Myra Hale, Danny Poss, Tiffany Ludwig, Heidi Webb, Jennifer Hatfield, Marshal Evins, Martha Cooper, Edie Beth Evins, Larry Tatum Randy Johnson, Kiana Driver, James Sherwood, Beth Pafford, Tanner Poss, Benjamin Waggoner, Patsy Judkins, Mary LeFevre, Ginny Miller, Josh Adcock, Greg Judkins, Greg overby, Rita Cripps. Sarah Cripps, and Glen Hendrixson. If you have a family member celebrating a birthday, call and let me know.

Get-well Wishes to Lewis Conklin, Sara Brown, Mary Snow, Hilda Meyers, Jean Meyers, Jane Cantrell and those suffering with the flu. I predicted that when the children return to school after the holidays that the flu bug would hit, big time!

My joke of the week: One friend said to another," you drive and I'll pray. His friend said: What's the matter, don't you trust my driving?" The other friend said: "Don’t you trust my praying?"

Thought of the week: Laugh more and then pray more. Amen.