John “Coon” Miller smiled as he mounted the chestnut drawn buggy bound for his homestead on the Bull Run Creek. He was finished spending the day at his tavern on the Cumberland Gap Road. Long ago, he had had the log structure constructed for the weary travelers who came from Knoxville on their treacherous journey to the Upper Cumberlands. It was now a popular overnight lodging for passersby and a great place to catch up on the local news. Today had been a long day and he was past ready to relax for the rest of the evening.

The song of Eddy Arnold’s “Christmas Can’t Be Far Away” reminds me that spring can’t be far away. We’ve had a rough winter with the biggest snow (which started January 14) since the blizzard of 1993.
The snowstorm of this past January left ten inches on our deck. The temps went down below zero for two nights, but we made it through, and now let’s hope we have a long spring this year.

2 Corinthians 4-7 is actually a continuation of Paul’s expression of true love to the Church at Corinth. The Apostle is serving the Corinthians by sacrificing his worldly fame to tell the whole truth of the Gospel. As many commentators before me have already said the message of the Cross of Christ is a paradox. Jesus told the brothers James and John in the presence of their Mother that Greatness in Heaven is obtained via becoming a servant. Jesus ushered in his Kingdom, by becoming a servant obedient to a death of crucifixion. God’s love for the world is his good news.

Sycamore (Planatus occidentalis) is a very common tree in our area and easy to find growing along streams and lakes. It is also one of the easier trees to identify in the woods because all of its identifying features stand out.
The leaves of sycamore are large, and as broad as they are long, with a big-toothed edge. The leaf also has a fuzzy underside that can be a source of respiratory irritation. The fruit forms in the fall as a cluster of seeds forming a perfect brown ball about an inch or two in diameter, hanging from a long stem and persisting into winter.

It’s a good thing my mom is brave because she’s the one who taught me how to drive.
It’s funny how different my mom and I are. For instance, driving came natural to her. Before she had her driver’s license, she was driving trucks and tractors across Papaw’s farm. Sometimes when Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle wanted an ice cream, she would give my then-12-year-old mother money for one. My mom would hop on the tractor and drive up to the store and buy her ice cream.

Salmon likes to be sweetened. Honey will do just that. Try this easy recipe. Place salmon filet on 7- x 10-inch rimmed baking pan. Drizzle olive oil over salmon. Season with salt and pepper. Place lemon slices end to end on filet. Drizzle with honey. Bake in preheated 450 F oven for 15 minutes or less. Do not overcook salmon.

And the LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel,
and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years,
until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD,
was consumed.
--Numbers 32:13 KJV

I have mentioned in a previous article about my love for animals and listed some of the animals that I love. I thought this month I would expand on that and tell you a little more about them and why I love them. I will start with my absolute favorite animal.
My favorite animal on the planet is the bettong. Have you ever heard of this animal? I had not heard of it until I saw it on an episode of the Rachael Ray show.

By Robert Wyrick
To the best of my recollection, it was the winter of 1953 when my cousin Ralph came up from his home in Loyston to my place in Hickory Valley to spend a few days to help my daddy in his radio repair shop.
Now, as my luck would have it, Ralph brought along Old Rattler, his blue tick hunting dog. At the time, Rattler was known far and wide as the best possum dog to ever roam the hills of Union County.

The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest allows youths to highlight their exceptional presentation abilities in a supportive environment. Youth learn from professionals as well as their fellow 4-H members.
On February 6th, 2024, 4-H member grades 4-8 gathered at Horace Maynard Middle School for the annual County Public Speaking contest.