TUESDAY'S TICKLES

We've all heard the old adage, laughter is good for the soul. Even in Scripture there is a time for laughter. 

Ecclesiastes 8:15 commends mirth. After weeks of both mourning and celebrating eternal rest of friends, I needed not only a smile to be a curve that sets things aright, but outright laughter. 

Much laughter was delivered right to my home on a previous Tuesday.

Life is short---

Life is short----it is indeed! That's scriptural. "A mere handbreath." (Psalm 39:5)

Mother, who had such a sweet tooth, always finished that adage, "Life is short".....with the wise words of...."so eat dessert first." Which was fine for her because she was 5'8" and weighed 108 at her heaviest.

Maybe that's scriptural, to an extent, as well, according to King Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

For the last few days I've tried to "live out" my mother's "sweet tooth rules/dessert first" wisdom. 

Making a hospital "run" Thursday with a friend, I sought butter rolls at "Miss Peggy's Homecooking (on Cleveland) and when those were unavailable, I made a bee-line for the Trolley Stop Market (on Madison) for the "cake lady's" caramel cake from Westside Bar-B-Que, located in New Albany, MS.

The next day, friend Beth served an unbelievably delicious amaretto freeze, topped with REAL whipped cream. I could eat REAL whipped cream by the spoonfuls. I blame that on Mother as well---it's all she served. Of course, back then, we didn't have Reddi-whip or Cool Whip---only dream whip in a box that never graced our pantry shelf.

 Saturday lunch with hubby at Stoney River (Saddle Creek in Germantown) ended with key lime pie. That was his fault---key lime is his fave and even the crust was delicious in their version. However, I commandeered the REAL whipped cream that topped it off!

Yesterday, the sweet tooth saga continued with bread pudding at Second Line in Overton Square, their only dessert. Though it didn't offer whipped cream, fake or otherwise, this warm pudding with caramel sauce and sugared pecans was topped with homemade ice cream. Oh my!

Can one OD on sweets? This morning I decided to "come off" my sugar streak as I savored a Dove dark chocolate morsel---which is "healthy."

Looking at the wrapper, I saw this message, Quote your Daddy!"

So....here it is......

"I thank the good Lord for everyday He gives me." (Clifton T. Adams, 1922-2011)

That's oh so scriptural (1 Thessalonians 5:18)----regardless of the number of days we are given or the circumstances we are in, we can always say, "Thank you, Lord." 

Thank you Daddy, a man of few words,  for that memorable quote!

Conviviali-TEA

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT)

I followed the advice of the "Preacher" of Ecclesiastes and this morning joined a couple of our local preachers and other members of the household of faith for pickleball. What patience those "pros" showed us---the female beginners. Just "getting" that 0-4-2 was a score was the first stretching I had to do.

A great time for physical exercise--semi-physical for this less competitive one--fellowship and plain ole fun. I thought there was going to be food as well---a real draw for me. But, the "kitchen" that was mentioned was actually just a section of the court. Oh well, it's a little hard to swallow anyway---if your gasping for breath. 

But, I was served a mug full of conviviali-TEA---a cuppa would be too dainty for this crew......yet one I would want to serve others.