In the beginning, the number 13 for Christians signified something good, as the Christ Child received the Magi on the 13th day of life. Then, the downturn of the number 13 began, when there were 13 disciples at the last supper.... Judas Iscariot made the 13th at the table and Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus. I must point out other issues related to the number 13 which scholars always indicate in their writings as being bad signs.... the Jews murdered 13 times against God in the exodus from Egypt; the thirteenth psalm concerns wickedness and corruption; the circumcision of Israel occurred in the 13th year.
The number 12 has always been considered a perfect number. Thirteen is a prime number and that in itself attracts attention. Thirteen is one past 12 which some think it takes matters one step too far past 12. So, in view of this, some think that 13 is a number of transgression.
But we must all remember the good things about the number 13. There were 13 stripes on our flag and the 13 colonies which signify the beginning of the USA. On the $1.00 bill there are 13 stars, 13 arrows, 13 stripes, 13 leaves, 13 olives and 13 levels on the pyramids. The dollar is a good thing so 13 must also be good according to my deductions.
When 13 falls on a Friday, 8% of the US population is afraid of this day. Being afraid of 13 is called triskaidekaphobia. Researchers think that a part of the fear of Friday the 13th is also due to the fear of Fridays. When both fears are combined, the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia.
But today isn't Friday although some of us might wish that it was. Today is Tuesday the 13th, so I say this stuff about 13 being unlucky for today should be declared "BUNK" and rightfully today, Tuesday the 13th day of October, shall be known as a very lucky day for Greenviewanites. Go out and buy a lottery ticket and make a wish on it. Just don't go to a hotel and try to find the 13th floor as it may not be there. But, above all, greet people today as if the day is your luckiest day on earth .... because it might be.
********************
Deaths.
Arnold May, age 80, passed away October 5. Sympathies to the family.
Terry Steinhour, age 61, passed away October 7, 2009. Sympathies to the family.
***************
TAX SALE OCT. 22. Properties for which taxes have not been paid, the taxes will be sold Oct. 22 at the courthouse. Also, delinquent mobile home taxes will also be sold.
************
FLOAT TRIP: The Menard Trails and Greenways will present the annual fall float on the river October 24. Begins at Irwin Bridge and goes to New Salem. In the case of low water, it will begin at Gudgel Bridge. Shuttles are provided and a picnic is provided. Call Scott Hewitt at 217-632-2585 for more info.
*****************
RADIO NEWS: For news about county events, road closings and what to do on the weekend, tune in to 1610 AM.
*****************
FLU SHOT CLINIC: Don't forget the walk-in flu shot clinic, Wednesday, October 14, 1 pm to 7 pm at the county health department.
*****************
RECIPE FROM AN OLD MENARD COUNTY COOKBOOK
If you're looking to make a quick, fall dessert, here's one from an old Menard County cookbook.
Apple Pudding
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, slightly beaten
4 cups apples, peeled and diced
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
Cream the sugar and shortening. Add the eggs, flour and other ingredients one at a time, ending with adding the apples. Grease and flour a pan and pour the mixture into it. Sprinkle either walnuts or pecans on top and bake 350 oven 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
****************
A bushel of apples weighs about 42 pounds. This will result in about 20 to 24 quarts of applesauce. A fully-producing apple tree will most likely produce 20 bushels a year. That's a lot of apples. There is a lot that can be said about apples.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. That's good...let's all eat apples. But think about how life is compared to apples. Life can be shiny like an apple. We can make lots out of life, just like lots of things can be made out of apples. When we take the peel from an apple, the fruit is sweet or tart, just like removing obstacles in our pathway of life....it can be sweet or it can be tart and undesirable.
But the most important things to remember is we aren't an apple dangling from a tree or lying on the ground rotting, each of us is a person, in charge of our own destiny. Live it to the fullest, and don't regret what has happened in the past, only look forward to a better tomorrow. Greenviewanites always look forward to something better.
No comments:
Post a Comment