Author: Carolyn Tomlin

Horse Motel is Keeping the Barn Door Open

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Bud Sikes checks on one of his Arabian stallions at the Southern Star Horse Hotel in Jackson, Tennessee.

Bud Sikes checks on one of his Arabian stallions at the Southern Star Horse Hotel in Jackson, Tennessee.

I’m extremely excited to have the cover story for the Winter 2015-2016 edition of Tennessee Home & Farm. Here’s an excerpt from the piece, which focuses on a “horse motel” in Madison County:

A well-known motel has the slogan: “We’ll keep the lights on for you.” For Bud and Lelia Sikes, owners of Southern Star Farms in Madison County, it’s more along the lines of: “We’ll keep the barn door open for you.”

Like a layover station for the Pony Express, the Volunteer State is becoming an area where owners and drivers look for overnight lodging before leaving home. Fortunately, they won’t be disappointed. One website lists 48 overnight stables sites and another 65. However, some of those listed are places to ride or train. With the Interstate 40 corridor connecting the eastern and western U.S., equestrians choose this route when transporting horses.  Continue reading →

Christmas Memories

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Holly Tree Gap Road

Holly Tree Gap Road

Early in December, I knew the Christmas holidays were drawing near, as events started happening in our rural West Tennessee community.

Even as a 6-year-old, I felt the surge of excitement taking place among our parents and relatives. Probably the first hint was the Christmas catalog that arrived from Sears, Roebuck & Company. Page after page of wonderful toys invaded my mind, causing me to dream visions of ownership.

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Simplifying Thanksgiving Traditions

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A traditional Thanksgiving dinner (Photo by Ian Freimuth)

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner (Photo by Ian Freimuth)

In this article for the Chester County Independent, I give some tips on how to change up your Thanksgiving plans:

As we grow older, we want to continue holiday traditions we have honored in the past. But with down-sizing to a smaller home or apartment, there is not space to feed or seat several generations of family or friends. However, that does not mean seniors should cancel celebrations or delete holiday events.

Here are some suggestions for keeping Thanksgiving customs while simplifying the usual rituals.

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Nature’s Beauties: Homeowners can bring butterflies back to gardens

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Butterfly on buddleia bush.

Butterfly on buddleia bush.

Here’s an excerpt from my Alabama Living article “Nature’s Beauties” :

Driving down an off-the-beaten path in north Alabama, a driver swerved and stopped immediately in front of me. After hitting my brakes, I realized it was my fault. I should have read her bumper sticker, which stated: I BRAKE FOR BUTTERFLIES.

Ranging in colors from yellow, black, blue, and shades in between, you see them on country roads, in suburban gardens and sunny nature centers. Often, I see them near the small towns of Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals. Driving on the back roads, butterflies (Lepidoptera) flutter above Queen Anne’s lace, black-eyed Susan and purple coneflowers that grow along the roadside. Regardless of how often they appear, one never tires of their beauty. These marvels of nature fly by day and rest with their wings erect. Continue reading →

Feeding Hungry Children: Churches aid Alabama Childhood Food Solutions in feeding 3,000 children

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Photo courtesy of Alabama Childhood Food Solutions

Photo courtesy of Alabama Childhood Food Solutions

The following is an excerpt from my Alabama Baptist article “Feeding Hungry Chidren: Churches aid Alabama Childhood Food Solutions in feeding 3,000 children.”

Jim Jones has spent a lifetime mak- ing a difference. When Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birming- ham, was bombed in 1963, Jones was the nurse on duty. At that time, African-Americans were not admit- ted to UAB Hospital. But when ambulances arrived with injured and dying children on that fateful day, Jones decided to treat everyone. And because of his decision the hospital policy changed. One man made a difference that affected thousands who needed medical care in the years to come.

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Exercises For the Mind

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My piece for the Chester County Independent on “Exercises for the Mind:”

Books filled with puzzles. CDs loaded with educational quizzes. Step-by-step guides to avoiding dementia. All of these may be helpful, but exercises for brain health do not necessarily cost money. Seniors have the power within to utilize resources in our lives that are necessary to maintain brain function. Use a variety of activities to play mind games that stimulate learning. Have fun – enjoy what you do! Follow these ideas to keep your mind sharp and alert. Continue reading →

Coupon Connection: How can you turn your coupon clippings into a ministry?

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(jridgewayphotography)

(jridgewayphotography)

Couponing is an incredibly simple way to make others’ lives easier. I look at the many ways couponing can help those most in need in this piece for Mature Living:

Making a Monday morning visit to an assisted living center, a retired teacher gathered a stack of coupons from several Sunday papers. “Not only do I collect coupons,” she says, “but this gives me an opportunity to connect with the people who live in this community. It’s a small thing but one that is making a difference in the lives of others.”

Instead of only stocking your own pantry, think of ways to provide food, household products, half-priced restaurant meals, and free products as a ministry to others. Put these tips to work for you. Then invite a group of friends to commit to this stewardship ministry and multiply the savings.

Click here to read the full article.

Carolyn Tomlin is a Jackson, Tennessee-based author that has been writing and publishing since 1988. She has authored 19 books and more than 4,000 articles in magazines such as Entrepreneur, Kansas City Star, American Profile, Tennessee Home & Farm, Home Life, Mature Living, ParentLife and many others.  You can purchase her full-length works here.

Riding the Rails: St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway

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A conductor greets visitors at the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway (Carolyn Tomlin)

A conductor greets visitors at the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway (Carolyn Tomlin)

An excerpt from my Missouri Life article “Riding the Rails:”

Some say the days when railroads were king are only a distant memory. However, for the ten thousand people who annually ride the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, those days are very much a recent memory.

Hailing from Cape Girardeau County in the small town of Jackson, the historic diesel locomotive Number 5898 ambles through a short stretch of southeastern Missouri countryside. Along the route, neighbors gather and bring their children to wave at the train. And if they’re lucky, the engineer will blow his whistle as a friendly greeting.

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What Children Need from a Father

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Mississippi Christian Living

The following is an excerpt from my Mississippi Christian Living article “What Children Need from a Father” :

Near a window of our home, I watched as a pair of gray Mockingbirds built a nest in a willow tree. For several days they gathered bits of straw, tiny twigs, and even a length of red yarn found in the yard. When time came for the female to lay eggs and stay on the nest, the male brought her tasty insects. But other than food, he sung to her. Long into the night, he serenaded her with a wide repertoire of melodies. Later when the three fledglings hatched, the parents provided small tidbits of worms. And during a heavy rain they covered the babies with their wings.

Watching, I was reminded of how both mothers and fathers care for their young. As the child grows and develops, “needs” will change. However, some basic requirements remain the same until the child grows into an adult.

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LET’S GET REAL—Rules for Grandparents Who Overspend

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Mississippi Christian Living

An excerpt from my Mississippi Christian Living article on grandparents who overspend on their grandchildren:

Five-year-old “Stephen” couldn’t wait until his next birthday. And who could blame him? On his fifth special day, his grandparents gave him a pony. On the fourth birthday, it was an above the ground swimming pool.

Rolling her eyes, Stephen’s mother responded, “This has to stop. Every year the presents become more extravagant. I can’t begin to imagine what they’ll give for his 16th birthday!” If you’re like this family, you certainly don’t want hurt feeling. And, they’re glad the grandparents want to provide gifts and spend time with their son, as they love him so much.  Continue reading →