File #499: "Mosaic vol. 1 1993_009.jpg"

MR. ROMANCE
BY EARLENE EVANS
when my husband, Mike, and I were Eirst married, we were so much in love that we didn't even realize how poor we were. The peanut butter lunches, or the pinto beans and cornbread suppers should have given us a hint but we were living off of love. In our eyes we were cich.
One month I wanted to surprise Mike with a candle light supper. I saved all four weeks just to have enough money to buy two candles and two candle holders.
I worked like crazy that day. I cleaned the house until it spackled. I rushed to the old Big K to buy the candles and candle holders. I then hurried home, set the table and cooked supper. I took a long shower, and nearly an hour to get dressed, instead of my usual five minutes. I wanted to look like a nillion dollars.
When I heard him drive up, I hurried and turned off all the lights. I zoomed into the living room, and had just straightened my dress when Mike walked in.
I smiled and said, "Sweetie, I have a surprise for you." Mike looked around, not being to see much except the candles on the table, and said, "what is it, Honey? Did you forget to pay the electric bill?"
On that day I realized, for the first time, that I wasn't married to Mr. Romance!
FAMILY NIGHT OUT
EARLENE EVANS
ay night meat at a sit now, the ones
arive
Priday night Mike and I decided that we were going to take the children out to eat at a "sit down" restaurant. We were tired of the usual burgers. You know, the ones where we wait in line for ten minutes at the, so called, fast food drive-throughs.
We were also tired of pizza on the run, which was usually half eaten before we reached the driveway.
When we arrived, we were seated at our table. We were then given menus. They weren't plain enough for the kids; they had to order from the kiddy menu. Then the waitress came over to our table and, as waitresses do, introduced herself.
Before I realized what was happening, Mike had introduced himselt, me and was introducing the kids. My daughter and I wanted to crawl under the table. We must have turned three shades of red. The waitress was very sweet. She only grinned from ear to ear, instead of saying, "Sir, are you crazy or is this your first trip to a restaurant?"
We enjoyed our meal. Mike must have ordered three extra helpings ot biscuits. I guess they tasted better than my thin, round, rocks that I make from a biscuit recipe. Mike just kept chewing, while spreading more butter and jelly on the other biscuits. When we left his only complaint was that his stomach hurt. Mine would hurt too if I had eaten a table full of biscuits
I imagine that Mary. Our waitress, was happy to see us leave. But, I'm sure that she could tell that we didn't get out very often. I only hope that the 251 tip was enough to compensate for her trouble.


OUR "NO TV" FAMILY DAY
BY
EARLENE EVANS
We started family day this past weekend. My brilliant husband, Mike, decided that one day a week there would be no television at all. We had a hard time deciding which day to give up. We couldn't possibly give up a weeknight and Saturday morning cartoons were a must.
Mike put his foot down! "Tomorrow there will be NO TV. We are going to have fun the way people did before there was television," he said.
Sunday morning came, and after his fifth cup of coffee, Mike finally woke up. We rode the four-wheeler which we made by taking the blade of the riding mower. We swan, played a rousing game of volleyball, and played board games until we could no longer sit.
While the kids and I decided what to do next, Mike skimmed over the paper. As we were turning around to ask Nike to join us in a quick game of tag, we saw this streak speeding across the room. It stopped cold in front of the television set. It was Mikel
We asked him what was wrong. He said, "The Talledaga Die Hard 500 is on!"
We had a terrific morning. The kids never did mention "the tube." We would have had a wonderful day, if only the founder of "No TV Family Day" could have gone all day without Tv.
Weter
*NO
ANOTHER SPRING
BY NADINE FISHER
WITH APOLOGIES TO GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS
As sure as the promise of new life after earth's dornancyWinter, Eden was the promise for all mankind with none of lite's dack dormancy-Death.
Spring is the time of the year when weeds, lush and lovely with their tall green shoots, grow. But soon they choke out all life with their menacing grasp. In Eden the forbidden fruit, pleasing to the eye as it was brought eternal death to all mankind.
Though Thrush's eggs are little, Heaven lovers for careful watch. For man in Eden, Heaven lowered to watch and care.
The Thrush's song pierces the ears as it echoes throughout the timber, but in Eden the sound of lovely song birds glorious warbles can be heard no more.
Heaven's gem, Topaz, descends and kisses the peartree's garments: its leaves and blooms, but Eden's garments of shame and betrayal hid from the one who only sees those clothed in purity and innocence.
The spring lambs race and frolic and have their fair ling". Another lamb, another race: to save mankind sent from Eden's domain.
Spring is a reminder of Eden's joy before sin. "Have, get, before cloy."
Earth's spring is not eternal, but that other spring of eternal life is Christ's promise.
Take His spring while it is now. His spring is for the innocent. The innocence of childhood as is Mayday in girl and boy.
He was born of a virgin, chose to die for all. Our choice to be worthy the winning."