Reader Inquiries

I thought I would post some answers to reader inquiries of late. 25. Is an award winning author - Over a decade ago I published a book on local history chronicling the lives of 1500 men from my native county in Georgia who served in the Confederate Army. It is a compilation of their military records and their genealogy. Most genealogy includes grandparents, parents, spouse and children. Also there is a full description of the burial site (marked and unmarked) and pertinent documents from the state and national archives to the battles and Sherman's March through my home lands. I recieved two awards for my work: Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal and Ladies Medal of the Army of Northern Virginia. It was an honor. Each one of those men became nestled in my heart as if they were my own children. I fell in love with many and carry them with me like a whisper of a ghost to this day. Delving that deeply into a person's life has an effect on me. They may have perished over a century ago but inside my mind they are living and breathing every single day. MistressMary - Gracie loves second grade. In the school she is in second grade is the highest level so she is enjoyig being one of the 'big kids'. MistressMary - Colby is enjoying her college studies. She has the minimum full time load this term to ease her back into the classroom style education. She is currently taking English, Math, Psychology, Biology and a Bio lab. She has a great schedule! Tuesday and Thursday 9 - 5. She has caught the eye of a young man and has her first 'study' date with him this week. I have a lot to say on this subject because when I say young man I do mean man. Age 27, although he looks 19 or 20. She has been given the rules and she follows them. I am so glad she is here and not off at school far away where we would not know much of her college life or friends. I have met him in passing on two occassions and he seems respectable, clean cut and descent. However, she is not allowed to accept a ride from him for any reason and there will be no going out dates until he has come to the house, meets Steven and expectations are voiced. Colby is very mature but far too innocent to be left to the whims of a 27 year old man. Tammy - Yes, there is a coffee beer. I have never tried it. It did get great reviews. Perhaps you will try it and give us a heads up. Hoss - It was common when I was growing up to find very old, poor, black women walking along the road edges gathering up the greens of dandelions in a bag. The young greens were a staple in their diet from spring through fall. Dandelions are a bitter green not a bad bitter but still bitter. They can make a lovely mix in a salad or can be cooked in the way one would prepare turnips or collards or mustard greens. The small tender young leaves are the best. Some prefer the more mature greens late in fall after the first frost has settled upon them. It is the same as with collards. Collard loose that strong almost bitter flavor after the first frost has settle` on their leaves. Some of the 'european' mixes for salads that you buy or maybe served in an upper scale restaurant will often have baby dandelion greens mixed in. The root is best when eaten from late fall through spring. The roots require a long slow boiling and a change of water to get them to a milder taste. Just remember if you like a sweeter taste to mix them with potatoes, carrots and parsnips. The yellow flower is also used to make homemade wine. There are many recipes available. I have never tried to make nor have I partaken of dandelion wine. It was common to hear of the old women who made it and drank it as a tonic for good health. If you don't want to be hunter-gatherer you can buy them canned. Many Readers - Over in the sidebar are two references to my email address. You can email me at bigredcouch at gmail dot com. My fingers are beginning to tingle which is a warning I should stop typing. If you have any other questions that I have missed send them to me and we'll do this again one day soon.