1.0The News Journalhttps://qa.thenewsjournal.netrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="6Ro6uUnz3J"><a href="https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/may-the-force-be-with-you/">May the force be with you</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/may-the-force-be-with-you/embed/#?secret=6Ro6uUnz3J" width="600" height="338" title="“May the force be with you” — The News Journal" data-secret="6Ro6uUnz3J" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Bena-Mae-mug137.jpg200228May the force be with you A minister has to be able to read a clock. At noon, it’s time to go home and turn up the pot roast and get the peas out of the freezer.” Garrison Keillor. Years ago when I was visiting my mother in the nursing home in Corbin, I would pop a cassette into the record player in my car when I started the climb up I-75 leading to Jellico and listened to a recording of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion. Dodging 18-wheelers going up the mountain was a little nerve-wracking and I needed the calm of listening to the fictional tales of Keillor’s Lake Wobegon where “the women are strong, the men are good-looking, and the children are above average.” I have been a fan of Keillor’s for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to have been among his fans when he made an appearance in front of hundreds of other adoring fans in Knoxville a few years back. I have read all his books and taped many of his radio broadcasts on NPR, so his retirement from A Prairie Home Companion will not be a total loss to me as I can still read and listen to this man who is a cross between other great American humorists like Will Rogers and Mark Twain. I could say more, much more about this man who entertained us for decades with his heart-warming, down-home humor. And music that ran the gamut from classical to gospel, to jazz to country (he was a good friend to guitar picker Chet Atkins and had him on the show frequently) but space will not permit. So I leave you with a piece he wrote, and which I shared with you sometime ago. It’s called… METHODISTS, GOD LOVE THEM We make fun of Methodists, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, and also their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in New York City to sing along on the chorus of “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” they would look at you like you had asked them to strip down to their underwear. But if you do this among Methodists, they’d smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach. And down the road a-piece. I do believe this. People, these Methodists who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you’re in deep distress. If you’re dying, they will comfort you. If you’re lonely, they’ll talk to you. And if you’re hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad. Methodist believe in prayer but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Methodist like to sing except when confronted with a new hymn that contains more than four stanzas. Methodists believe in miracles, especially during their stewardship programs or when passing the plate. Then there’s this, you know you are a Methodist when it’s a hundred degrees with 90% humidity and you still have coffee after the service. Donuts are a line-item in the church budget, just like coffee. And finally, when watching a “Star Wars” movie and they say, “may the force be with you” Methodists will respond, “and also with you.” May the force also be with you Mr. Keillor. And thank you from your millions of fans. Don’t cha just love ‘em. FRIED GREEN TOMATOES from Southern Living Ingredients 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 cup cornmeal 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 medium-size green tomatoes, cut into 1/3-inch slices Vegetable oil Salt to taste Preparation Combine egg and buttermilk; set aside. Combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl or pan. Dredge tomato slices in remaining 1/4 cup flour; dip in egg mixture, and dredge in cornmeal mixture. Pour oil to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch in a large cast-iron skillet; heat to 375°. Drop tomatoes, in batches, into hot oil, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels.       [/fusion_text]