Even though I am a day late The LOFT (Graphic by Kerry Messer) topic this week is Heroes. We all have heroes, don’t we? And the ‘purists’ among us would say that JESUS is their Hero, don’t you imagine? In truth, He is the ONE above all to be honored, recognized and the One after Whom the world would be a better place if we patterned our lives. So purist that I am, :)  I’ll move on to a minor hero of mine. 

Actually, I have yet to personally meet my hero. I expect I will some day in a very special place – the Street there is made of gold. 

His name is George. George Muller (there should be 2 dots over that u). George departed this earth about 53 years before I was born; he having been born in the Kingdom of Prussia in 1805. I have read (click Here) that early on George was a scoundrel until he went to a Bible Study and JESUS transformed him. George’s Autobiography doesn’t dwell so much on his scoundrel days (at least I don’t remember that it does). What makes him one of my heroes is his life of prayer. The way he just believed GOD.  The way he just asked and ABBA answered – unlike anyone else I have ever known. Like I know George Muller, huh? Words, books – powerful tools! They help us know. 

I encourage you to use the link above and read more. Like the breakfast table prayer and the milk truck right on time. Like the fog, the Captain and Quebec prayer. And there is so much more. We could learn so much from the life of George Muller – his Hero was JESUS and no doubt still is. :)

There is a link attached to the picture of the book  (just click it) – in case you would like to get a copy. 

Day 288 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

Graphic by Kerry Messer

Our LOFT
topic this week is My Hometown.  For me that’s Kenton, Tennessee. A place most folks have never heard of and there’s a reason for that – it was small in the beginning and it remains so today. Kenton’s claim to fame is the Home of the White Squirrel. There are approximately four or so other places around the Country that boast White Squirrels but the City Fathers assert Kenton had them first! 

A Book entitled Kenton: Folklore and Fact written in 1972 by Dorotha O. Norton is my source for Kenton’s origin. I was not privileged to be one of Mrs. Dorotha’s English students but my brothers were – they labeled her tough but they loved her. When Mrs. Dorotha moved on to the position of Assistant Professor of English at University of Tennessee at Martin, Mrs. Bonnie Ruth took her place – she was tough too; as well as loved and appreciated. I still remember those book reports with visual aids! 

It is said that Mr. Mack Alphin back in well that date is not certain but it was a good while ago probably in the 1800s, discovered these unusual squirrels, nurtured a pair of them  and they flourished. They became a delight and a nuisance and remain so to this day. As I said, they are Kenton’s claim to fame as evidence by this sign. 

Here, see for yourself they are adorable.  

Per Mrs. Dorotha’s book Kenton’s official survey may have been plotted between the years of 1851 and early 1857. Official records date Kenton’s Post Office as being established May 27, 1852. 

Let me quote here from Kenton: Folklore and Fact: “Never will a day in the town’s history hold more importance for its citizens than that day of the first train in 1857. It was a day of real celebration, and most of the people of the surrounding area came to see that “wonder”. As a part of the day’s festivities, everybody was offered a free ride from the depot in Kenton to The Old Mill and back — a round trip of about four miles!” 

Kenton remains a rural place. My Brother, my Sister-in-law, their daughter and grandson still reside in Kenton and I am looking forward to a visit Home for Thanksgiving again this year. It’s a quiet place, for the most part. People love genuinely and have plenty of stories tell over a good cup of coffee or a Dr. Pepper if you prefer. 

Day 273 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie