During the month of October, you can usually count on a fun time at the Bulls’ farm when it’s time to strip the cane and stir the molasses.

“Watch your head” and “duck” may not be the first phrases you think of in the molasses making process, but according to Earl Bull, it may be the most important.
“When that pole comes around you’d better be prepared,” said Earl. “It already got me a few times. Stops hurting after about the tenth time though,” he joked.

Last week, we promised to get right to the context of John 17:16, and so we will. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, plus much more. In John 14:28 and 16:7, Jesus puts it this way, “I go away.” By this, Jesus does not mean He is going from Bethany to Jerusalem and leaving them behind, but rather that He is about to allow Himself to be crucified and die. Now, Jesus has been preparing the disciples for His crucifixion for quite some time. Plus, the Apostle John details for us in John 1 that John the Baptist actually told whoever would listen that Jesus would give His life for sinners.

At your initial exam, you’ll go through your past medical history with the chiropractor, and he or she will determine areas of restricted joint motion, disc injury, muscle spasm, and ligament injury by performing a few simple tests.

Your chiropractor will also look at how you walk, as well as your overall posture. Those details will help him or her understand your body mechanics and how your spine moves.

I remember lots of things that happened when I was seven or eight years old. I do not remember celebrating Halloween during those years on the farm. We had no close neighbors. Halloween wasn't mentioned in school either.

All Saints Day on November 1st is celebrated in the Catholic church. Masses are offered to shorten their departed ones' time in Purgatory. October 31 is All Hallows Eve. We know it as Halloween. Ghosts and goblins supposedly roam the earth causing trouble. Do Trick or Treaters cause trouble? We did.

My husband, Tim, absolutely loves to fish. Me, not so much. I have a difficult time sitting still, I don’t like the quiet either, and I am coordination challenged.

One evening, Tim asked me to go fishing with him and a couple of his friends in Bull Run Creek where it flowed through Papaw’s field. I didn’t want to go, but Tim was insistent and told me I could use one of his fishing rods. He thought if I actually caught something that I would not only understand the thrill of fishing, but I may want to do it more. And that meant he could go fishing more. Boy, was he wrong.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Forty-Two

Ah, dear Reader! You are probably reading this article the week of Halloween, 2018, or shortly thereafter. I’m sure you will be righteously amazed, as I was, that there are those who are afflicted with samhainophobia, the fear of Halloween. I learned this through the power of the Internet.

To give a nod to it being Halloween season, I thought I’d share some stories that, while not spooky, have enough of the paranormal to be interesting. The stories involve people having a precognition, foreknowledge, of a future event before it happens. Several cultures call this having “a vision” and can come in the form of a dream or just come out of nowhere. There is no explanation for precognition, and I’m a stickler on finding an explanation of how and why things work, leaning heavily on science.

When county lines are re-drawn it confuses us all; but, as best as I can tell, Parnick George owned lots of land in the vicinity of Milan Church. Parnick George was the oldest son of Elizabeth and Travis George of North Knox County that later became Union County. The Georges are said to be English, but now that we have DNA testing there is probably much more detail available. Travis George came to what was then North Knox County before 1797. The first census of the United States –1790–lists Travis George as head of household in Salisbury District, Stokes County, North Carolina. This Travis is believed to be Parnick’s father and progenitor of the local George family.

When the heat source is wood or coal embers, use a long-handled wire popper. Put only enough corn in popper to cover bottom. Shake gently to get tender puffy kernels.

When popping on your kitchen range, use a large kettle or deep skillet. Add about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or shortening. Don't use butter or margarine. Add ½ cup popcorn to hot skillet. Cover and shake gently and constantly over medium heat. You can hear when the popping stops. Remove from heat to a large bowl and add salt. 1 cup unpopped corn makes about 5 cups when popped.

For the second consecutive month, the County Commission opened its meeting with a moment of silence. Hugh Kitts, an employee of the Union County Highway Department, was remembered for his service. For the second consecutive month, the election of Chairman was on the agenda. When Chairman England called for nominees for Chairman, Commissioner Jody Smith nominated Commissioner Gary England. Commissioner England respectfully declined and stated that he felt accepting the nomination would continue to divide the Commission. Chairman England again called for nominees.