Wordless Wednesday - Reading, Roses, and Spring

Source: Digital Photo Collection 2010 - privately held by J. Tracy

Three New Books Added to My Library

Last year, for Mother's Day, one of my sons gave me a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. A good son he is, because he knows how much his mother likes to read. But I have been waiting to use the gift certificate for just the right time and for just the "right" books. Last Monday, the time was right and I made a decision. Not only did I order one book.....I ordered three.

The first book is a slightly controversial one.....Kitty Kelley's newest publication about media great and one of Mississippi's own, Oprah Winfrey.

Not only did I order Ms. Kelley's new book, I also ordered "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Ms. Stockett now lives in Atlanta, and her newest literary work has been on the New York Times bestseller list for several months. I have not read fiction for a number of years, but since the book is set in my native state, and its reviews have been glowing, I decided to make an exception.

Just for fun, I added a third book to the order....."The Politician," by Andrew Young. The latter should be an interesting read - one that addresses a serious matter and allegedly dishes a lot of political dirt.

All three books are scheduled to be delivered by UPS no later than tomorrow afternoon. The next decision will be to decide which new book to read first.

Thank you, son, for your gift......it took almost a year for me to use it, but the time (and the books) were not "just right" until now.

Wordless Wednesday - Natchez Trace Parkway

A portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway near Ridgeland, Mississippi. Photo taken by Ashley Antilley, Freedom Photography.

A Poem for Sunday - "Two Friends, The Red and the White"

Recently, while reading through History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Natchez Indians, available on Google Books, I ran upon a poem entitled "Two Friends, The Red And The White." Although this poignant poem was included in the book to reflect upon close relationships that existed between Native Americans and their non-tribal neighbors, anyone who has ever had a close friend can relate to the thoughts expressed in the words. Since the poet's name was not provided, I am simply referencing its inclusion in the book mentioned above.

Two Friends, The Red and the White

"We spoke of many a vanished scene,

Of what we once had thought and said,

Of what had been, and might have been.

And who was changed, and who was dead;

And all that fills the hearts of friends,

When first they feel with secret pain,

Their lives thenceforth have separate ends,

And can never be one again."

Wordless Wednesday - Ross Barnett Reservoir

Ross Barnett Reservoir With Marina in Background

Photo by Ashley Rennie Antilley of Freedom Photography

Calhoun County, Mississippi Courthouse Fire - 1922

Still on the trail of my Gibson ancestors, today I called the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Mississippi and talked to an individual who works in the Circuit Clerk's Office. Although the clerk with whom I spoke was friendly and willing to help, the information he provided stopped my search before it ever began - the Calhoun County Courthouse burned in 1922. Since I am searching for county records that existed during the mid-late 1800s, this was very sad news. Although I was disappointed, I was not surprised, since burned courthouses seem to have been a common occurrence in many places during the years that open fires were used for warmth.

Tomorrow I plan to contact other courthouses nearby, including the ones located in Yalobusha, Chickasaw, and Carroll Counties. And the search for John P. Gibson and his descendants will continue.