Walking down a lane through the camp where I was working the summer of 1989, near Roanoke, Virginia, I bent over, picked a dewberry, and stuck in my mouth. Another staff member immediately became alarmed and asked me if I knew what I had just put in my mouth.

Some spices I am privileged to experience from the side line.

That spring evening, my daughter Sara’s softball team was playing the number one, undefeated team in their league. The other team were all 12 years old whereas Sara’s teammates were barely 10. We went in with no illusions of victory. If we were lucky, we may get one run.

At the top of the third inning, Sara went up to bat. At this point, none of ours girls had made it to first base, which was no surprise. At least they looked cute in their red, white, and blue outfits.

The pitcher threw. Sara swung.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Twenty-Eight

For the past nine weeks, I have referenced Bill Hybels book Who You Are When No One’s Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise. In this final article on this topic, I want to focus on the greatest character in all history.

I remember when I worked full time in a sewing factory. My mind would wander while sewing. After you do the same stitching over and over, it doesn't take all your attention to do the job. My mind would wander to wondering what I would fix for supper that evening. My kids were in the lower grades in school and came home about the same time I did. They had a long bus ride.

When you run across a snake, their normal reaction is to get away. But if they feel threatened enough all snakes will bite defensibly. If you are bitten, here are some recommended first aide treatments.

Try to determine if it’s venomous or not. If you’re confident it’s not you can treat the bite like you would a puncture wound. Check with your doctor to see if you might need a tetanus shot booster.

Cedar Ford Baptist Church is big on missions, but Pastor Jeff Leach recently felt God’s call to focus on the mission field right here at home.

“The Lord just woke me up and said, ‘This year, the fish are at the dock,’” he said.

So, along with many other ministry efforts within the church, Cedar Ford is reaching across churches and denominations to help facilitate a community worship and revival, set for 7 p.m. July 30 through Aug. 1, at Luttrell Ball Park behind Luttrell Elementary School. Free food will be provided between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Finance Director Ann Dyer reported that Fiscal 2018 ended within budget and all budgets in balance at Monday night's regular Union County Commission Meeting,

Economic growth for Union County will be the topic of conversation at the 10 July Candidate Forum at the Union County Senior Citizens Center. Sponsored by the Union County Business and Professional Association, State and local candidates have been asked to respond to a number of questions at the 12 Noon forum.

In one way or another, Bill and Debbie Morgan have spent most of their lives involved in UT Extension and 4-H. In fact, that’s where the couple first met, as Agent and Assistant Agent at the Union County Extension Office. And their four kids have gone through the program, inheriting a love of rural life and rural skills from their parents.

“How can you put 85 years on one page?” Wanda Cox Byerley asked me at the end of our interview, right before she asked me who’d want to read it.

I told her I’d do my best, and the audience would probably surprise her.

It’s probably an understatement to call Wanda a walking contradiction. On the one hand, the twice-widowed mother of two and older sister to seven brothers calls herself “tough,” and she is. But in the same breath she’ll tell you how much she loves all seven brothers, all her children, step-children, grands and great-grands, and every student she ever taught.