Two Old Crows

Find the Joy
By: Wanda Anderson Pearson

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything; too long. I have been sheltering-in-place as best as I can, and though I was not a ‘road runner’ before this virus came about, this is truly a ‘new normal’ for me. I ask myself if I really ‘need’ this and that from the grocery store before I go. When I do venture out, I strap on my mask and wear disposable gloves. As I drive by Ballard Park, the yellow police tape and absence of children at play always makes me sad. I try not to look, but I cannot stop myself. The traffic, usually thick and heavy is virtually non-existent. Stores are closed for the most part, restaurants no longer have crowded parking lots, even my doctor’s office parking lot is vacant. My church; oh, how I miss my church! I especially miss the two sweet ladies who sit behind us every Sunday, I miss the feel of the hymnal, the choir marching in, the handshake of our pastor, and the smiles and hugs of friends. And mostly, I miss getting to make my monthly trek to Texas to see my sweet, 96-year-old mother and my other beloved family members.

I try not to listen to the news very often as it has become a depressant. I do check daily the number of Corona cases in the areas where my family and I live, but that too brings a heaviness upon my soul. Our house is relatively quiet with just the two old crows and Zoe the Wonder Dog wandering about. The traffic in our small neighborhood is sparse. The groups of children who would usually play together in the streets after school have vanished. I miss the loud, squeaky brakes of the school bus, I miss standing on the sidewalk pointing my finger at the boys who rode their four-wheeler way too fast, (Yes, I am THAT woman!) and I miss hearing them laugh at me from behind their helmeted heads. I miss my beautician. I miss the life I had only a few short months ago. I miss most parts of it BIG! But, having said all of that, there are things that I do not miss, and some of the changes have actually caused a newfound happiness in my life. How about you?

One thing I have noticed on social media is the lack of political posts and the huge increase in devotionals, uplifting messages, humorous pictures, and church services. (I must admit to all of you I am friends with on media, if you ever posted anything about politics, I just scrolled right past your post, and more than likely, I always will.) I find myself watching multiple church services and devotionals each day, whereas usually I would catch a few per week in conjunction with my Sunday church service and Wednesday Bible study. I have delighted in listening to all denominations and hearing the masses lift their voices up to the heavens! My eight-year-old grandson said, “It’s so good that they are putting all of this on the internet because now, EVERYBODY gets to see and hear!” He is smart beyond his years. Yes. It IS so good!

Another fabulous thing I see is people spending more time with their children. As I stated earlier, we live in a small subdivision. When I walked outside this past week, I saw younger children using sidewalk chalk to make hopscotch boards and paint sweet pictures. I enjoyed strolling around reading each note and looking intently at each piece of artwork. One of my older, but younger than me, neighbors walked across the street and proceeded to play hopscotch. He was actually very good at it, and the children, maintaining ‘social distancing’ loved seeing their work put to good community use! However, the next morning I did see him limping a bit. When I inquired, from a safe distance, if he had injured himself, he told me he was currently ‘feeling’ that brief and recent digression to his childhood days! I understood completely.

Parents are walking and riding bikes with their children in our neck of the woods. They are playing catch, football and basketball. Empty nesters are walking their dogs and riding their bikes. People I have never seen before have come out of their dwellings and are gardening, hand-washing their vehicles, and making improvements on their homes and in their yards. Everyone speaks and waves. Our neighbors are calling and texting one another asking if anyone has any needs. People are smiling and genuinely happy to see each other. And, I have also taken notice that the word, ‘virus’ is rarely spoken between them.

I am so fortunate to have a music teacher living across the street. Though her students are taking a break and social distancing, she blesses us with beautiful piano concerts most evenings. I love sitting on the front porch listening to those melodious sounds echoing up and down the lane. For the past few months, I have been attempting to learn how to play the ukulele. I dare not raise my window at this point in my musical juncture, but I am enjoying making a joyful ‘noise’ inside my home. I am learning many of the old church hymns and even though my playing and my ‘croaking’ is not perfect, it pleases me that I am doing something I have always wanted, but never taken or had the time, to do. I have also made a habit of calling my mother every few days and playing and singing for her. She adores those hymns and no matter how badly I butcher a song; she always tells me that I am doing well and it sounds beautiful to her. It is so wonderful and heart-warming that we have this opportunity to sing praises together! If I were still able to make my once-a-month trip home, this special time would not have come into existence. This time with her is a true blessing and one of my most profound joys.

Have you walked outside and noticed the stillness of it all? I do not hear the roar of heavy traffic in the distance, or planes taking off from the nearby airport as often as I did a few weeks ago. I have not heard emergency vehicles screaming. I have not heard the screeching of brakes. I have not heard auto horns honking. I have not heard the rumble of delivery trucks, nor have I heard the distant sounds of heavy machinery. At first, I must confess, it was a bit eerie. But after a few days of quietness I began hearing things I haven’t heard in a long, long time. I hear the difference in each and every bird chirp; I hear their combined symphonies. I hear the wind rustling through the trees. I hear the branches of the pines creak as they rub against each other. From a nearby farm I hear donkeys bray and a cow’s mournful moo. I hear an old hoot owl each evening, and the bullfrogs from the neighboring creek. I hear the honeybees buzzing, and the nervous chatter of the lone squirrel who frequents our backyard. I hear church bells ringing. Most importantly, I hear God’s voice through each of these sounds.

No, unfortunately, He does not carry on conversation with me as you and I converse, but I hear His voice in all of these sounds and I see the glory in His creations. I literally FEEL His presence. I SEE His power in this gift of slowing down and time He has given us. I see people from all walks of life, myself included, appreciating those we often took for granted; teachers and physicians, nurses, and caregivers. I see kindness put into action by the multitudes. I see our country coming together in this viral fight. I see heroes and hope. I see people coming closer to God; coming back home to Him, talking to Him, leaning on Him, and praying fervently to Him.

I hope you too can feel God’s presence amidst this temporary chaos. I pray we all invite Him back in and keep him not as a guest, but as the most important part of our lives. I realize this season is difficult, and at times scary. But, I also believe in my heart and soul that through all of the turmoil, danger, and snares we are currently facing, God will turn things, and people, around and use both to glorify His kingdom. As a Christian, I know we will survive this. We will be blessed by this in ways we do not yet understand. We will grow stronger. We will no longer be a divided people. We will, by His grace and goodness, live through this and share with others the knowledge we have of Him. As someone much wiser than me once said, “I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds the future.”

Keep the faith.
Find the joy.
Pray.
Wash your hands and wear your masks.
Love y’all!
“He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I will seek refuge.” Psalm. 91:4

Tucked away in a tiny corner in West Tupelo is a delight to the senses and a place full of tantalizing tasties; The Talbot House Bakery and Café. I dare say it is the cleanest restaurant I have ever visited. It is comfortable, casual, the staff is superb, and the food is sheer perfection.
A little background information: I have been eating cinnamon rolls for 57 years, so I consider myself a cinnamon roll aficionado. Never have I had cinnamon rolls like I had at the Talbot House Bakery this morning. They are massive in size and monumental in taste. A combination of fiercely fluffy cream cheese frosting, loads of cinnamon and a light, delectable and delicious dough. Pair this with a cup of their awesome coffee (They serve REAL half and half!) and you have a meal that is sure to fill and lift you up.
I confess. I could not help myself. I had to sample one of their Lemon Blueberry Rolls while I was there, and it did not disappoint! Brimming with big, fat, juicy blueberries and topped off with a tangy lemon tartness, it too, provided a happiness all its own!
While we were there, another customer purchased a CinnaPanni. Oh. My. Goodness! It looked and smelled divine; a cinnamon roll with ham and swiss melted inside and topped with a maple coffee glaze, and served with one of their freshly made sides! I cannot adequately describe this. I will definitely be trying this creation!
I am also anxious to try their Pimento Cheese Pinwheels and their Sausage Cream Cheese Rolls. Both of them sound so delightfully decadent!
Tomorrow morning, I plan to go back and get a loaf of their sourdough bread. I could tell a lie and say I was getting it because the grandkids will be in town this weekend, but who am I kidding? I am getting it as much for myself as I am them…I CANNOT WAIT! Oh! And did I mention they have HALF POUND SEA SALTED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES???
Do yourself a huge favor and go check them out! I promise you will so glad you did. Plan to experience sweet treats and an equally sweet staff! Hours, address, their mission statement and phone number can be found in the photos. Y’all! This place is SERIOUSLY GOOD!