The definition of “manifest” is: Obvious or apparent. The definition of “destiny” is: fate or future. Your “manifest destiny” would mean your obvious fate.
My wife, Lynn, has some Native American bloodlines and is very interested in that segment of her ancestry. I’m rather fond of history and have always had a keen interest in these “native” folks that were the first to settle in this beautiful land.
Last week, I wrote about some pink and red sweets that are sure to brighten up Valentine’s Day. So, I thought I would dedicate this week’s column to yummy chocolate treats that are great to share with your loved ones this week.
One really fun family activity — and something we did when I was growing up — is making Hershey’s s’mores. You don’t have to be camping out to enjoy these traditional goodies. Many families have fireplaces (gas or wood) or the new-fangled fire pits. If you have either, unwind a wire coat hanger and use it to toast the marshmallows. If you have neither, you can “toast” the marshmallows in your microwave. I found that method on the inside of a package of Hershey bars. Just remember that all of the graham crackers and chocolate squares should be halved and ready to receive the piping hot marshmallows, and that s’mores should be eaten quickly after you make them.
By WES MURPHY
The neighborhood I grew up in during the 1960s had six houses along that side of the road. Two out of those six houses had bird dogs in the back yard. When people talked about bird dogs or bird hunting back then, it was understood that they were talking about quail. Some people called them partridges, but they meant quail as well.
I had several great uncles who owned and trained both bird dogs and horses for quail hunting over near the town of Elloree, and I knew several other people who quail hunted as well. I can remember watching our neighbor, Julian Ethridge, clean birds on the tailgate of his pickup truck like it was yesterday.
Since President Obama’s State of the Union Address and the election of a Republican senator from Massachusetts, there has been a pause in the health care reform debate in Washington, D.C. Perhaps this is a good chance for reflection, reassessment and to perhaps put forth some new ideas from both sides of the aisle — Republican and Democrat. To help us understand health care reform, it would be a good idea to clarify the terminology being used by politicians.
For example, the president or a senator may say that he or she is leaning towards the “left” on a particular issue or leaning towards the “right.” And some say they are in the “center.” Well, what does all of this mean?
Audacious self-help is to be daring and adventurous in pursuit of personal objectives. President Barack Obama aptly cultivated an “Audacity of Hope” esprit de corps in pursuit of the U.S. presidency in 2008. His desire was a realization.
A lofty presidency is not a desire or quest for most people. What they desire is a balanced life relatively free of worrisome conditions … conditions caused by living. While assistance is often times required, audacious self-help embraces a personal doorway.
The news is buzzing about the release of Jenny Sanford’s book, detailing the life she shared with Mark Sanford, the painful revelation of his affair and the ensuing decisions she has made in its aftermath.
In the majority of marriages, excepting those in which abuse is an issue, the relationship is a continual marathon of learning to place another’s needs above your own and to share responsibility for the state of the union. The marriage relationship, more than any other, challenges our selfish natures at their very core. No relationship is more intimate; no relationship is more joyful; no relationship is more painful; and no relationship deserves a deeper and abiding ability to deny self.
We all watched the media circus when S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford went missing. Returning on June 24, 2009, a tearful Sanford publicly admitted he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his wife, four sons, supporters and constituents.
“What a hypocrite!” I thought as I recalled him declaring Clinton’s philandering “reprehensible” and voting for impeachment following the Lewinsky scandal.
With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, thoughts of love abound in everyone’s mind — romantic love, love for family and friends, and agape (Christian) love for others.
I started preparing for Valentine’s Day this past weekend, picking out cards, candy and small gifts for the many special people in my life. Then, I thought about stirring up some treats for the folks I love.
A woman’s priorities change through the years. When you’re a teenager, you are obsessed with your hair, makeup, clothes and dating. Then you get married and when the children come along, fashion and fun temporarily take a back seat as you contend with changing diapers, deal with tantrums and try to keep your cool when all about you is in disarray.
My friends and I were recently discussing how much we are becoming like our mothers. My mama and her four sisters were the world’s most perfect housekeepers. As they say, you could eat off their floors. A large part of Mama’s day consisted of cleaning, ironing and cooking. In fact, she used to plan our family’s dinner before we’d finished our breakfast. In those days, there was no permanent press clothing, so Mama’s busy schedule included the daily ironing of almost everything my daddy and I wore.
