Back When I Had Attitude

Do you ever look back at yourself and wonder where you went? Parts of your life you have forgotten or wish you could go back to?

I have been fortunate lately that much of myself I thought was gone is suddenly resurfacing with a vengence. In the photo here, I was somewhere around six years old. This was one of the best times of my life and I am glad I am starting to remember things I had forgotten. I had attitude plus in these days (but I always did what my grandma said) :>) She was a handful herself at 5 foot two and a hundred pounds. She taught me to be me no matter what and to follow my heart. Another thing I had forgotten. But this girl is baaccckkk! Love you nana! Look out world. We are going for a spin!



© Joyce (Tidwell) Burns, ChynaMoon Creations 1997-2011

 

 



Warm your heart this Christmas

I can't begin to tell you how much it bothers me that their will be lots of children this December who won't have a Christmas. Nothing! Not a single present, not the comfort of God (as many haven't been allowed in this current society to know him) or the warmth of a family. Children feeling forgotten as everyone worships the power of money and what it will buy. We are fast becoming a country of the haves and have nots. The former forgetting love, hope, charity and compassion. Many go to bed now with hunger, for there is no food. You say there are programs to help these people! But guess what? Many are simply falling through the cracks and no one cares! You think it can't happen to you, but you might be the very next victim of this economy and the thieves who are orchestrating it.

Christmas was and is the birthday of Jesus Christ! These days folks have tried to hide him in all their political correctness but he won't take a back seat to all the false gods you are worshiping and placing before him these days. But try as you might you will never be able to eliminate almighty God!

You say I am one person. What can I do? You can let your one light shine as you may be an inspiration to the next person, like a fire catching up from kindling! Be amazing. Do it!

Let your warmth grow into a blazing fire this Christmas season! Help at least one person. If you don't know anyone who needs your help ask someone! We have a list of 17 children at my work place that no one was helping. There are hundreds.  This is not a huge task. All I'm asking is that you help one person! It won't hurt you one bit. You may find you even like helping others! At any rate I promise it will do your heart good. Best medicine there is for hearts!  So what are you waiting for? 

The Wind Beneath My Wings

My brother, Ronnie was a free lance writer. He wrote a variety of things in his lifetime from local articles to national magazines. He also wrote poems and was working on a novel at the time of his death. He was one of those persons who was so smart that at times he was scary. I fell in his shadow a lot, but I was always content to be there as I was so proud of him. We were always as close as two peas in a pod though there was seven years in our age difference. He looked out for me all his life, I think in part because Dad chose to leave when I was only two weeks old, never to return.

When Ronnie died it almost killed me. I had always written poems and journals but nothing seriously. After his death I started writing in earnest. I think it was partly to feel close to his memory and also to make him proud.

I published a poetry collection last year and have recently had a couple of poems published in anthologies. I have also been entering contests. Today I received notice that I had won first place in one of the categories of the Writers Unlimited Mississippi Poetry Society, South Branch 40th Literary Competition, for a short story I wrote and 1st Honorable Mention for a sonnet called "Winter Moon". I was so excited and happy but all I could think about was wanting to tell Ronnie. I could almost feel him smiling today and it made for a sweet Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful that I had a brother and family that always supported me what ever crazy thing I did. But there was no one like my big brother! He truly was (and is) "the wind beneath my wings". I will always love you and thank you for the gift you have given me to see life with curiosity and a smile.

So Ronnie, this one is for you!

True Friends Have Fur

True friends have fur, four feet, cold noses,

and tails that wag faster than a NASA rocket.

True friends come in rainbow colors,

are different shapes and sizes and personalities.

True friends have deep wrinkles, bright smiles,

and more love in one paw than most of the known world.

Some can also speak!

True friends love you no matter what . . .

They lay a quiet head in your lap when you are sad.

Snuggle up to your back on a cold night.

Share leftover pizza and bring you presents from your yard.

True friends play Frisbee and ball with style, grace and high jumps.

Warn you when you are in danger, and protect you from

anyone who would do you harm.

Yes, true friends have fur and

are usually a cut above people friends.

I love my friends with fur.

From: Life in the Pond, A Collection of Poetry by Joyce Burns

© Joyce (Tidwell) Burns, ChynaMoon Creations 1997-2011

The Path Home

One of my computer art projects. I call it The Path Home.

© Joyce (Tidwell) Burns, ChynaMoon Creations 1997-2011





Exasperation

My mind

is locked tight as a drum

for I can’t stand

one more

ounce

of your insanity today.

How

can you be so blind

to all that is around you?

You

close your eyes,

ears and heart so

tightly,

it’s a wonder

you don’t explode

in a fiery

heap.

What you call

stubborn

is actually

blatant

stupidity,

as you

close yourself

to the thing you want

most!

Sometimes,

my best answer for you

Is no

answer.



Lochinvar

South of Pontotoc, Ms. is a piece of history that over the years has become a legend. There, nestled on a ridge is a beautiful old antebellum home called Lochinvar. It is currently owned by doctors, Forrest Tutor and his lovely wife Janice and they have lovingly become her caretakers and family.

The history of Lochinvar is amazing and can be traced all the way back to Scotland to the Gordon family of castle Lochinvar. The Gordons were very wealthy land owners and after coming to the United States this branch of the family continued to build wealth taking over land that had once been owned by the Chickasaw Indians. This territory became what is currently North Mississippi.

Lochinvar was built for Robert Gordon's young wife, Mary Elizabeth, and no expense was spared. Later when war came, Lochinvar survived the Civil War because of a kindness by their son, Colonel James Gordon and many years later Lochinvar survived an F4 tornado because of the love so many had for her. This time love of the community and the Tutors would come to her rescue, when common sense was screaming bring in the bull doziers.

I was privledged to listen to Dr.Tutor talk about his beloved Lochinvar for almost two hours last week at our local Historical and Geneaology meeting. He even mentioned her ghosts. My tiny blurb here doesn't scratch the surface on the history and stories Lochinvar has to offer. But if you want to know more about one of the most interesting places in the state of Mississippi, I suggest you research and read all about this wonderful lady.

Here's a link to a wonderful book Dr. Tutor has written about his amazing home and her history. I promise you will be both amazed and delighted. http://www.gordonsoflochinvar.com/