A Gulf Coast Breeze by Tommy Barnes

The smell of salt water, shrimp, gasoline, and creosote-soaked dock boards permeated the air. Karen sat on one side of the front seat in the old wooden boat, bundled to the neck in her life preserver, extending one hand over the side of the boat, tickling the water with her fingers. Cathy sat on the other side of the front seat, silently watching other fisherman leave the dock and head out toward the open water of Galveston’s East Bay.

One family’s fishing trip. Mom claimed her usual spot, sitting on the bow of the boat looking back impatiently toward Dad as he pulled the starter rope. I sat on the dock holding the boat with my feet. And I watched as Dad took the straw hat from his head, wiped his brow with his shirtsleeve, pumped the gas tank, and gave the starter rope one more sharp pull.

As the motor fired off, we all seemed to breathe a comfortable sigh. None of us, except Dad, ever knew for sure if the old motor would run. And no one worked any harder than Dad, making sure we had a good early start on a morning fishing trip.

Two parental natures. A slight southeasterly breeze carried the ocean scent far inland to prompt this simple snapshot of one of my earliest memories—a memory of three siblings, caught between two parental natures. One sat on the bow of the boat with agitated impatience. The second worked in the back of the boat with unwavering confidence that the motor would start, so a day’s fishing would begin.

Three unique siblings. Sitting on the dock with my feet in the boat, I felt somewhat irritated that Dad would never buy a new motor. My silent irritation often resulted in me not fully committed to getting into the boat. Having been there when the motor didn’t crank, I always wondered what would happen if we got out into the bay, and the contrary, old motor wouldn’t crank, when it was time to go home.

Karen sat quietly in the boat, apparently unruffled by Dad’s efforts to crank the motor, exhibiting an almost indifference to the whole scene. Cathy, just being herself, displayed mannerisms and patience that seemed more aligned with Dad than Mom.

A family legacy. Recalling the moment, my thoughts turn to the patience of our dad, and the polar-opposite temperament of Mom. Characteristics and beliefs of both were passed down to our generation. Some inherited characteristics remain relatively intact, while others tempered our personal life choices, resulting in each of us weathering commitments to relationships, spouses, extended families, and faith—believing that Christ will complete the work He began in us during those early years.

© 2009 Tommy Barnes All Rights Reserved.

Photos/Barnes family

Gene T. ‘Tommy’ Barnes, a retired Safety Professional with ExxonMobil, addresses topics about his faith, family, and life as viewed through work, family, and hobbies. Tommy and his wife, Penny, live in Southeast Texas. They have three married daughters and four grandchildren.


Did Tommy's story remind you of one of your own fishing or family stories? We'd love to hear your stories! Post your comments here, or send your stories to kj@karenjordan.net.

Debbie’s Black Bean Dip

My friend, Debbie Davenport, gave me this delicious black bean dip recipe. She suggested making it with low calorie sour cream and serving it with veggies, if you’re watching your calories. I tried it on my fajitas…yummy!


Debbie’s Black Bean Dip

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup Picante Sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Place drained and rinsed black beans, picante sauce, sour cream, and cilantro in a blender and puree until smooth. Spoon dip into a bowl. Serve with chips, veggies, or your favorite crackers.


Do you have a favorite dip recipe that you would like to share with our readers! Send your recipes to kj@karenjordan.net.

Meemee's Chicken Salad

I posted this chicken salad recipe on BLESSED during the holidays. But it's great for picnics, too. So, I hope you enjoy serving it this spring and summer as well. A special thanks to my mother-in-law, Mary Jordan.

Meemee's Chicken Salad

3 chicken breasts (cooked and finely chopped)
3 tops of 1-2 green onions
1/2 cup pecans (finely chopped)
mayo (as desired)
salt (as desired)
1 loaf of bread (or serve with crackers)

Combine chicken, green onions, and pecans.
Add mayo and salt (as desired).
Spread chicken salad on bread.
Cut sandwiches in narrow strips (with or without crust).

Thanks, Meemee for sharing your chicken salad recipe with Barnes Legacy. 

Do you have a favorite chicken salad recipe?

Easter Story Cookies

Erica Price Patterson discovered these Easter Story cookies at http://www.parentpundit.com/ by Katherine Prouty.

 

Katherine Prouty’s Easter Story Cookies (http://www.parentpundit.com)/

 

When you make these cookies, you reinforce the events of Easter with your children. It is great tradition to start with your family. There are many variations. Feel free to change the explanation of the symbols to another part of the story if you wish. You can use chocolate chips in addition to nuts. The cookies are great. (I have also made low carb versions of these using Splenda.)

 

To be made the evening before Easter. (Preheat oven to 300)

 

You neeed:

 

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

zipper baggie

1 cup sugar

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

 

1. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break

into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

 

2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

 

3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

 

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

 

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

 

6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

 

7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

 

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

 

9. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

 

10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

 

© Katherine Prouty @ http://www.parentpundit.com/

 

Thanks again to Katherine Prouty at http://www.parentpundit.com/. Check out her blog--she's got some great ideas there!

 

Please note. Permission to republish online is granted on the condition that you provide and cite the web address, the author name, and notify (Katherine Prouty) where it has been published."

 

Wikipedia Commons Photo/Toelstede (Wikipedia-Name Nyks) Easter eggs

 

Erica Price Patterson's link

 

The Patterson's

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