All Aboard The Elite Express

"All aboard!" shouts the conductor.

"Wooo, Wooo, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Wooo, Wooo!" says the train.

The conductor says, "The Elite Express is now departing. If you want to climb aboard, come on!"


Smoke bellows from the stack as Elite Express prepares to leave the station. "Wooo, Wooo, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Wooo, Wooo!" says the train. The conductor looks at his watch and exclaims, "She's right on time!" Then, he heads off to see to his guests. As Elite Express slowly pulls away, the sounds of the train moving down the tracks begins to fill the air...

"Drinklifein, drinklifein, drinklifein, drinklifein, chug, chug, chug, Wooo, Wooo, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Wooo, Wooo!"

Suddenly, Elite Express is racing off toward its destination -- to the TOP! There are no scheduled stops for Elite Express, so climb aboard now for this fast-moving train bound for SUCCESS!!

Oh, by the way, have you met the conductor? Well, you should have already because the conductor is YOU! Yes, that's right! You are most qualified to be the conductor of Elite Express because in order to be a conductor, one must be interested in others, and obviously you are or you would not be aboard this train. The conductor works closely with everyone who climbs aboard his or her train, and he or she is in the right place to make a lasting, positive impression. So, are you ready? Well, come on then!

"All aboard!" shouts the conductor.

"Wooo, Wooo, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Wooo, Wooo!" says the train.

And, the conductor says, "The Elite Express is now departing. If you want to climb aboard, come on!"

The Elite Express is bound for success in health and wealth. It's not the little train that could. It's the BIG train that WILL! We are the elite team inside of Zija International. For more information, visit www.teamelite.ws.

Random Photos

Merry Christmas

Welcome To Las Vegas!


Zija Banquet in Vegas!

Eliah: A Self-Portrait 10_09!

Thanksgiving 2009!

A Big THANK YOU!

A couple of days before the Thanksgiving holiday arrived, I received an e-mail from the folks who keep up with the number of blog visits to my page, telling me that this blog has reached the level of 7,800 visits since Valentine's Day. That is an average of 195 visits per week. I am humbled and just wanted to say a big THANK YOU! I love writing short stories. Thank you for stopping by and visiting from time to time.

The Notorious Meddler

A Reason For Giving Thanks

"Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heros. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom."

I really have a lot to be thankful for. Consider my ancestor, Jacob Speck. Jacob was my 6th great-grandfather. His family overcame a lot just to get to America, where they could enjoy freedom. He played an ultimate role in why am able to enjoy freedom in America in 2009.

Things had turned to the good for Jacob here in the 'land of opportunity.' He had a beautiful young family, including three young children, and no doubt so many hopes and dreams. No doubt, he was thankful for how God was blessing him here in America. His heart had to be overflowing with joy!

Soon after his birth around 1754, Jacob's family came to America aboard the Friendship vessel and lived in Philadelphia. When he was 21-years-old, Jacob married Christine Keefer. Soon after the birth of their second son, Jacob and Christina moved to North Carolina, where they settled at Stokes County, near present-day Danbury.

During the American Revolutionary War, almost every able-bodied man, who was not a part of the Continental Army, joined their local Militia to help protect the settlement in which they lived. At times, these militia troops were also called upon to fight in battles of the revolution. Thus was the case for Jacob Speck. On July 21, 1780, General Horatio Gates was at Camden, South Carolina commanding a force of 3,200 troops. He was joined by the North Carolina Militia, which included Jacob Speck. The British general, Lord Charles Cornwalis, was also at Camden with an army of 2,100. Even though Gates had Cornwalis outnumbered, most of the Americans lacked experience and training. The North Carlina Militia had never been tried. Plus, Gates' army was running out of supplies and many of the troops were not well-rested or fed. Gates was advised NOT to go into battle under the circumstances. But, he ignored the warning.

Just before dawn on August 16th, Gates and Cornwalis found themselves facing each other across a field. The British troops opened the battle as the right flank fired volley's into the militia regiments, causing a significant number of casualties. When the remaining militia looked up, they saw British troops advancing toward them with their bayonets drawn. This tactic had never been used before. The shock of seeing that, added with the fact that the militia realized they did not have bayonets, caused panic to spread quickly and the militia fled before the British regiments reached them. Within a matter of minutes, the whole rebel left wing had evaporated.

What must have been on Jacob's mind that morning as he stood in that field? No doubt he was thinking about Catherine. She was only 16-years-old when they married just five years earlier. Jacob Jr. was now four. Michael had just turned two, and a third son, George, my 6th great-grandfather, was less than two months old.

What must have been on Catherine's mind as she watched her husband leave home to defend their new settlement? It is even harder to imagine what she must have felt afterward. For you see...Jacob did not have a chance to run as did most of his fellow soldiers. In that predawn hour on that warm August 16, 1780 morning, when the smoke and dust from the cannon volley's had finally cleared, Jacob lay dead on the battlefield.

Jacob Speck's story is a sad one, but it reminds me that God never closes one door but that He doesn't open another one, and He always knows what He is doing. Before his death, God allowed Jacob to plant the seed that eventually brought ME into this world. Then, He blessed Jacob by allowing him to see his new son George, my descendant, before he left this world. Surely, before he left home to do battle, Jacob must have looked at his newborn son and thought about George's future...a future that includes me. God is good and this Thanksgiving Day, I really do have a lot to be thankful for.


I know His promise never faileth
The Word He speaks, it cannot die
Though cruel death my flesh assaileth
Yet I shall see Him by and by


The Battle of Camden, South Carolina was depicted in the 2000 movie, The Patriot. The site of the battle is 1.4 miles from Exit 98/I-20 on U.S. Highway 521 North heading towards Camden.

The Battle of Camden, South Carolina.

You can read more about Jacob Speck by clicking here.

A Thanksgiving Day Memory

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17



I stopped today to remember the many things in my life that I am thankful for. God has blessed me abundantly. He caused my life to be open wide and then poured in all these things, and really, I do not deserve anything. Although I have to admit that I do not always take the time to thank God, still I am thankful that He takes time to notice me. I'm surely not worthy of any good gift, much less any perfect gift which I have received. I am thankful.

I remember as a child the wonderful gatherings that took place at the home of my grandparents, when all of my relatives would gather in for a wonderful time of fellowship and feasting. I miss those days a lot and I wish I had them back. The men folk would gather in the living room and the kids would be playing around. The women would all be gathered in the kitchen helping to prepare the meal, and, oh the aroma of the turkey sitting on the table ready to be eaten! The green beans and corn cooking on the stove. The pumpkin pie cooling off on the dessert table. The sweet smell of homemade bread coming from the oven. I remember the great anticipation that would sweep over me as I waited for someone to say, COME AND GET IT! I can vividly recall the joy, the laughter and all of the million other precious moments that was always present inside that home at 601 Hopkins Street. Now, I realize just how precious those times were.

I have always had a really nice, beautiful, loving, everlasting obsession with DUMPLINGS! Legend has it when I was 2-years-old, there was a huge feast at the radio station. While waiting for everyone to arrive, I went AWOL. They found me in Studio B, where a long table sat holding this tremendous feast. I was sitting there, all alone, in front of a big bowl of DUMPLINGS! with a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other. Allegedly, I repeated that same ritual at many other family gatherings, and I am often reminded of those early days as a child when my one and only purpose for showing up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners was for the DUMPLINGS! Ah, who am I kidding....I'm still that way. I still can be found at the table, before anyone else sits down, with a spoon in one hand and a fork in another. Okay, maybe not really, but what a nice thought! Just typing this makes me crave them. The only difference is now I know how important the fellowship is at those gatherings.

The Thanksgiving Day tradition that I remember growing up ended when my grandparents passed away. Whenever I pass by the old homeplace, it always causes me to reflect back on those family gatherings. I would love to be able to go back there just one more time to see their faces, to laugh with them once again and to hug them all. I come from a Christian family, and someone always gave thanks before every meal, and on Thanksgiving Day, we gave thanks to the good Lord for all that he had given us. We always knew what Thanksgiving was about.

Today, as I look around at everything going on in our nation, I can't help but wonder if the true meaning of Thanksgiving has gotten lost. The first Thanksgiving was the Pilgrims giving thanks to God for the blessing of a successful harvest, and then sharing their blessing with others; a symbol of gratitude, generosity, fellowship and more. Where have we gotten to today? Is Thanksgiving Day just a day off from work, or a time to eat? Is it more about an After Thanksgiving Day Sale rather than spending time with loved ones? All of us have so much to be thankful for, if for nothing but the gift of life. On January 1, 1795, President George Washington proclaimed in his famed National Thanksgiving Proclamation that,

"…our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced…"

I am thankful that I am a Christian and that, only by God's grace, I am an American. I am thankful for my Church and my Pastor and for my beautiful children and unconditional love. I am thankful for parents who made sure I was in Church every time the doors were open, and that I had a roof over my head and food (DUMPLINGS!) to eat. I am thankful for a military that protects me, my rights and my freedom. I suffered heart failure a few years ago and praise God, I beat it. So, I am thankful to God for allowing me to enjoy my children a little longer. I am thankful to God for watching over my children when the are away from me.

And, lastly, I am thankful for you, my readers, for encouragement which allows me to continue to do what I love to do - write stories. Thank YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Bless the Lord

"Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

...And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king."

1 Chronicles 29: 11-13; 20

It's A Me, Me World

I wrote a song this morning. It didn't take long at all. The song begins with the chorus...
It's a me, me world
It's a me, me world
And in this me, me world
It's not about you
Okay, then the first verse goes...
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
And then back to the chorus...
It's a me, me world
It's a me, me world
And in this me, me world
It's not about you
Now, here is the second verse...
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
Then it goes to the bridge...
Me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me
And, then back to the chorus...
It's a me, me world
It's a me, me world
And in this me, me world
It's not about you
And, then you repeat the chorus again...
It's a me, me world
It's a me, me world
And in this me, me world
It's not about you
And then you sing the tag...
And in this me, me world and it's not about you

And, there you have it, my new composition. Hope you liked it!

The Roots of the Sexiest Man Began Here

People Magazine announced Wednesday that actor Johnny Depp is the sexiest man on the planet. According to the magazine, the 46-year-old Depp headed a list of 15, catching People's attention not so much for his swashbuckling antics in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, or his freakish charm in "Edward Scissorhands," but his softer side as a family man. "The star has had women swooning since his days as a teen detective on 21 Jump Street, yet it's his devotion to his family that really makes the actor so endearing," People gushed. Depp also won the magazine's "Sexiest" honor in 2003.

Speaking of family, it goes like this: Johnny Depp's 4th great-grandfather was Isaac Tipton Reneau, the legendary preacher of the 1800's, who is buried at Irwin Cemetery in Albany, Kentucky. His granddaughter, Mariba, married John Burks Depp. They are buried at Scottsville. Their son, Oren, is buried at Refuge Cemetery at Eighty-Eight. His son, Oren Laramore Depp, is buried at Owensboro. His son is John Christopher Depp (Betty Sue Depp Palmer). Their son is actor Johnny Depp.

Isaac Tipton's daughter-in-law, Eleanor Means, was the aunt of my great-grandfather William Ezra Means.

What Constitutes Success

He has achieved success who has lived well
laughed often and loved much
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women
the respect of intelligent men
and the love of little children
who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy
a perfect poem or a rescued soul
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it
who has always looked for the best in others
and given them the best he had
whose life was an inspiration
whose memory a benediction

The above poem has wrongly been attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, however, according to the Nov. 30, 1905 edition of the Lincoln Sentinel, it was written by Bessie A. Stanley at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Stanley in response to a contest on what constitutes success carried on by the George Livingston Richards Company of Boston, Massachusetts. The essay was entered in competition with hundreds of others from all parts of the country. When Mrs. Stanley was notified that she had won the first prize of $250 she did not credit the good news and, laughing, told Mr. Stanley he could have half.


(Thanks Robin!)

War on the Homefront

According to Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer, around September 23, 1861, a Federal force of about 400 men, which had made prisoners of Confederate soldiers and citizens sympathizing with the cause of secession, at or near Albany, was about this time routed by a detachment of Confederate troops under Captain Bledsoe and about 60 muskets were captured.

Less than a week later, the Confederates left Albany and camped about 20 miles away, taking much private and public property, incuding more than 30 home-guard muskets and 3,000 rounds of cartridges. In the presence of a foe outnumbering them ten to one, the Russell home-guards occupied the place, replanting and standing by the colors and defiantly inviting an attack. About 300 Federals, of the 12th Ky. infantry under Col. Haskins, arrived on the 28th and were soon reinforced by 500 to 600 cavalry and home-guards. On the 29th, Haskins ordered Capt. Morrison to attack a new Confederate camp at Travisville, 13 miles distant. About 100 troops were surprised there, 2 were killed, 2 taken prisoners and the others escaped. Maj. Brents, with 45 men, was sent to reinforce Morrison, but arrived too late to participate in the attack.

The "Affair at Travisville," as it has become known, was the first military combat incident of the Civil War in Tennessee. It happened not far from where I live.

From the Tennessee Civil War Sourcebook....

Report of Col. William A. Hoskins, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.
Camp at Albany, September 29, 1861.

Sir:
This morning I received information that the Confederate forces were forming another encampment at Travisville, distant from us 13 miles. Accordingly I ordered Capt. Morrison to take the effective force under his command and proceed to that point, and after reconnoitering sufficiently to satisfy himself that the number was not too great to justify an attack, to take them by surprise, order a surrender, which, should they refuse, to fire upon them. In obedience to my orders he proceeded to that point as directed. In about two hours after Capt. Morrison left camp Lieut. Adams joined us, as also the Home Guards of Hustonville Cavalry. I ordered a detail of 15 men from the company under command of Lieut. Adams and 30 from the Hustonville Home Guards, which were placed under command of Maj. Brunets, and he ordered to proceed to Travisville, to support Capt. Morrison in the event he was repulsed; but before reaching that point Capt. Morrison had surprised the camp, finding about 100 troops, which, being ordered to surrender, fled, when they were fired upon and 4 killed, the balance effecting their escape by fleeing to the hills. They also took 4prisoners, 2 of whom, as also 2 horses, were captured by Thomas Huddleston, a private in Capt. Morrison's company; after accomplishing which, to use his own expression, "He looked for more, but they had all fled." Among the officers with Capt. Morrison were Lieut. Miller, Sergeants Hay, Carr, Chilton, Smith, and Howard. The prisoners were brought this side the line, when, after taking a solemn obligation to prove faithful to the United States Government, they were released. But for our timely arrival the Confederate troops, I have no doubt, would now have been in possession of this place, as they were to move in this direction on yesterday.

However, the Confederates did not stay dispersed for long as the following letter dated Oct. 1, 1861 from W.A. Hoskins at the camp at Albany to Brig.-Gen. Thomas indicates:

Sir,
I learn that the Confederate troops are rallying again at Travisville, with the intention of attacking us. From the best information, they cannot muster a force exceeding 1,150. Last night at 9 o'clock our picket guards were fired upon by a party of seven persons within 3 miles of the camp; they returned the fire, with what effect I have not ascertained. None of ours were injured that I know of, though one of the picket has not yet come up. I have ordered a detachment of fifty cavalry to scout the whole country in the neighborhood of the beat at which the pickets were stationed, as also that in which the absent picket was stationed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. Hoskins,
Commanding Post.

Brig.-Gen Thomas' reply dated October 29, 1861:

Gen.:
I learn that they have also a body of cavalry stationed at Travisville, numbering 1,200, which of course will join their main force at Albany, making in the aggregate 4,400. I have no fears from an attack should it come from the direction of the main road leading from Monticello, but apprehend that they may attempt to flank us by crossing lower down the river.

Respectfully, &c.,
Geo. H. Thomas, Brig.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

A sesquicentennial commemoration of the Affair at Travisville is planned for September 2011.

Read more by clicking here.

The Man I've Never Seen

When I heard of Jesus
And all His marvelous grace
Then I believed He died for me
Gave Himself in my place
When I think of Calvary
And what that old cross really means
Then I rejoice with joy unspeakable
For the Man I've never seen

His love is so remarkable
That no hate can come between
I walk by faith for I have confidence
In the Man I've never seen

I'm thankful for His mercy
And the blood that cleansed me from sin
And now I know I have life eternal
I've been born again
I'll see Him in His glory
When He comes to gather the redeemed
I'll stand umong the saints innumerable
Before the Man i've never seen

His love is so remarkable
That no hate can come between
I walk by faith for I have confidence
In the Man I've never seen

I walk by faith for I have confidence
In the Man I've never seen


Darrell Speck, 1968.