So I was reading something...

... that suggested we should remember that every person we see is "a person worth dying for."

Took a few minutes before I got it: the guy was saying we should remember that Jesus died for every person you see. Whether we like them or not.

And that if we remember that every person we see is a person worth dying for, we might treat them differently.

I've come out of a long spell of treating many people as objects. Sometimes strangers, sometimes those we know, sometimes those closest to us. Not good.

Everyone is a person worth dying for.

The guy went on to write to girls. Or dads of girls, big ones and little ones. And to the girls' dates. That each girl should remember that she is worth dying for, and make the guy treat her that way. And the guy should remember that too, and want to treat her that way. And if that's not happening, seeya.

This "worth dying for" stuff sets the bar high. Where it should be. Won't work if you don't work it though. I need to remember this and actually do it, so I felt I should write it down.

Sunday in The Times: More on Centenary's 'new' mascot. VOTE NOW!

Centenary will keep its nicknames of Ladies and Gents, but the school will add a mascot for some fun. Voting continues through Sunday at midnight for Centenary students, alumni, staff and faculty: go to centenary.edu/mascot to vote.

Times readers will be able to voice their mascot opinion through votes Sunday online at shreveporttimes.com.

Here are the school's five finalists. This information is from Centenary's marketing and communications department. The mascot art is by the talented David Wright of The Times, who drew each finalist to scale, more or less.

Explorers
Exploration is the important value embodied by the mascot Explorers, connecting the mascot nicely to the college’s current branding statement, “Explore. Invent. Connect.” Explorers are fearless adventurers and risk-takers, seeking new experiences through open-mindedness and independence. Picture a swash-buckling pirate, a frontier-opening pioneer, a high-tech scientist or a high-flying astronaut — or any and all of these incarnations. The Explorers mascot links athletics with academics by pointing back to our mission statement without being nerdy, silly, or campy; exploration is dignified. The Sioux City Explorers, a minor league baseball team, are often referred to simply as the X’s, an interesting interpretation worth considering. Currently, there is only one NCAA Div. I school using the concept: the LaSalle University Explorers in Philadelphia.

Squirrels
Squirrels are small creatures that are “clever”, “persistent”, “expert climbers” and “thrive in urban environments”. Their abundance on campus and around Shreveport seem to make them a natural mascot possibility. General public opinion is favorable with such iconic popular images as Rocky from Rocky & Bullwinkle, Sandy Cheeks from SpongeBob Squarepants, and Hammy from Over the Hedge. However, don’t let the cuddly images fool you. Squirrels have incredibly sharp teeth and, through gnawing-induced power outages, have brought down the power grids of stock markets, universities, and even cities. Currently, only Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, utilizes the Squirrels mascot.


Catahoulas
Catahoulas, also known as Catahoula Leopard Dogs, are the official state dogs of Louisiana. Catahoulas are usually merle colored animals with eyes of mismatched color — they are described variously as “solid,” “strong,” “independent,” “physical,” “highly intelligent,” and “very noisy.” In addition to the home state connection, the aforementioned attributes positively articulate the Centenary experience and the Centenary community. Though the idea of a dog as mascot (e.g., University of Georgia) may not be unique, the introduction of the Catahoulas offers many one-of-a-kind possibilities for portrayal (whether real and/or animated). The distinctiveness of the Centenary Catahoulas will be translated much like the popular University of Southern Illinois Salukis. There are no current Catahoula mascot references among NCAA or professional athletic teams.

Mud Cats
Flathead catfish, nicknamed the Mud Cats, are a North American freshwater variety of fish found in rivers throughout the Missouri and Mississippi River basins, including the Red River. These fish can grow to weigh up to 120 pounds and are typically found at the bottom of rivers, hence the “mud cat” moniker. There is a connection — although slight — to the already established Shreveport/Bossier community through S/B’s popular minor league hockey team, the Mud Bugs. In the college world, the Mud Cats offer a unique mascot opportunity. So unique, in fact, that one can imagine a “celebrity” potential for the Mud Cats, much like the Banana Slugs of the University of Santa Cruz. The only references found so far are the Mississippi Mudcats (an arena football team) and the Carolina Mudcats (a minor league baseball team). Currently, there is no NCAA Div. I school with the Mud Cats as a mascot.

Fire Ants
Abundant in our geographical region, Fire Ants are small insects that really “pack a wallop” when they sting. These fierce, tenacious creatures rely on teamwork to accomplish their tasks and pop up where you may least expect. Just as their size parallels the smallness of our own student population, and their characteristics of perseverance and might model that of our Centenary community, the maroon color of their bodies will also help associate the Fire Ant with Centenary’s dominant school color (also maroon). The Centenary Fire Ants will be a versatile mascot: cute and funny at one moment and fighting strong the next. An additional benefit to this mascot choice is the infrequent use of Fire Ants as college mascots. Currently, there is only one NCAA school, the University of South Carolina – Sumter Fire Ants in Sumter, South Carolina.

Oklahoma!, where the gravy comes sweepin' o'er the plain

(Ed. Note: In the picture here, Oklahoma is right below the "tes" in "United States.")

From Key Marketing Group and Communications...

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Oklahoma Centennial Cookbook Hits Stores for the Holidays
Famous Recipes from Famous Oklahomans

Oklahoma author Ronnye Perry Sharp - and a host of Oklahoma celebrities - are celebrating Oklahoma's centennial milestone with the release of "Oklahoma's Historical Centennial Cookbook."

Published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises, the book is designed as a collector's item to tell the story of Oklahoma's history and share famous recipes from famous Oklahomans.

Recipes cover a broad spectrum of Oklahoma culinary preferences - from elegant dinner party favorites to native American recipes like Succotash and Pashofa and just about everything in between. Celebrating Oklahoma's centennial, historical notes and facts from the state's 100-year history are weaved throughout the book.

The book includes recipes and contributions from well-known Oklahomans including country music stars Toby Keith and Vince Gill, former OU football coach Barry Switzer, and the entire Washington, D.C. delegation from Oklahoma including Congresswoman Mary Fallin and Senator Jim Inhofe. The list of celebrities continues with OU President David Boren, Native American astronaut John Herrington, Governor Brad Henry, former OU football star Joe Washington, World Wrestling Entertainment announcer and BBQ expert Jim Ross, Oklahoma Centennial Project an d Events Chairman Lee Allan Smith, businessman Bob Funk, Oklahoma restaurateur Hal Smith, and former Governor Frank Keating. Dr. Robert Blackburn of the Oklahoma Historical Society and famed businessman Boone Pickens contributed as well with the book's foreword written by Oklahoma First Lady Kim Henry. Many other well-known Oklahoma personalities from political, educational, business, and entertainment arenas are also included.

A portion of book proceeds will go toward cancer research and muscular dystrophy research, Sharp announced. Sharp explained that as a seven-year survivor of stage-three and stage-four breast cancer, she takes great pride and comfort in knowing that book proceeds will go toward saving lives.

The book is now available at www.tatepublishing.com and any bookstore nationwide or can be ordered through barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, or target.com.

Three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee Bob Burke is the book's contributing author. Burke has earned the title of writing more non-fiction books than anyone in history. He is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.

Tom Flora, the book's contributing photographer, maintains several degrees from photography schools and organizations. Currently he serves as Vice President of the Professional Photographers of the Southwest and will serve as president in 2008.

There's no place like Texas...except, well, Texas

From Linda in Ft. Worth. Thank you Linda. When you come up with a list for Louisiana, send it. (Make sure Punkin Center and Bunkie get on it.)

Texas the FUN state!!

A list of actual places to travel in Texas ..


Need to be cheered up?

Happy, Texas 79042
Pep , Texas 79353
Smiley , Texas 78159
Paradise , Texas 76073
Rainbow , Texas 76077
Sweet Home , Texas 77987
Comfort , Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530
***
Love the Sun?

Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423
***
Want something to eat?

Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155
And top it off with:
Sweetwater , Texas 79556
***
Why travel to other cities? Texas has them ALL!

Detroit , Texas 75436
Colorado City , Texas 79512
Denver City , Texas 79323
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462
***
Feel like traveling outside the country?
Don't bother buying a plane ticket!


Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian , Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Turkey , Texas 79261
London , Texas 76854
New London , Texas 75682
Paris , Texas 75460
***
No need to travel to Washington D.C.

Whitehouse , Texas 75791
***
We even have a city named after our planet!

Earth , Texas 79031
***
And a city named after our State!

Texas City , Texas 77590
***
Exhausted?

Energy , Texas 76452
***
Cold?

Blanket , Texas 76432
Winters, Texas
***
Hot?

Poolville, Texas 76487
Cool, Texas ( Parker County )
***


Like to read about History?

Santa Anna, Texas
Goliad , Texas
Alamo, Texas
Gun Barrel City , Texas
***

Need Office Supplies?

Staples , Texas 78670
***

Men are from Mars, women are from
Venus , Texas 76084
***
You guessed it... it's on the state line...

Texline , Texas 79087
***
For the kids...

Kermit , Texas 79745
Elmo , Texas 75118
Nemo , Texas 76070
Tarzan , Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester , Texas 79560
***
Other city names in Texas , to make you smile..... : :))

Frognot , Texas 75424
Bigfoot , Texas 78005
Hogeye , Texas 75423
Cactus , Texas 79013
Notrees , Texas 79759
Plainview, Texas 79072
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo , Texas 75763
Dime Box, Texas
Telephone , Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079
***
And last but not least. The Anti-Al Gore City

Kilgore , Texas 75662
***
Have a Good Day!
***
P.S. Whoops, left out :

Muleshoe
Cut n shoot,
Hoop And Holler,
Ding Dong,

and don't forget......
Farewell , Texas
***
And, of course, there is a place in Texas that is......

KNOTT , TEXAS
***

Is that a big brick, or are you just happy to see me?...

THE WORDS BELOW ARE FROM THE ACME BRICK FOLKS...This brick is in town today from noon until 2 at Acme's Shreveport Sales Office, 1919 Kings Highway in Shreveport. The Acme Brick folk invite you to go by for a piece of free pizza and a look at the world's biggest brick......

On July 4, 2007, Acme Brick celebrated America’s birthday and Acme’s 116th year in a really big way – in fact over 9,000 pounds big.

At 6 a.m., the staff of Acme’s Denton, Texas, brick plant “delivered” Baby Clay. This “baby” sets all kinds of records because he weighs in at over three tons and is 116 inches long (9 ft. 8 in.) – one inch for every year that Acme has been in business. That makes Clay nearly 3,000 times the size of a standard brick.

This giant brick has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records™ as the world's biggest. The newborn was named Clay because he is comprised of clay materials from each of Acme’s 23 brick plants around the Southwest.

Acme President and CEO Dennis Knautz said, “We think that the creation of Clay demonstrates exceptional expertise among our brickmaking staff. This was a huge, unprecedented challenge for them. It seems fitting that one of America’s oldest and the world’s largest American–owned brick company should produce the world’s largest brick to commemorate Acme’s 116 years in business.” The brick also measures 39 inches tall and 39 inches wide.

Baby Clay is Acme’s fifth attempt to create this world record brick. The first four attempts, beginning in September 2004, were tremendous learning experiences for the determined brickmakers. The crew made adjustments, and the fifth time was the charm. Acme’s Denton plant required 13 months to create Baby Clay compared to the normal time of a week for a normal brick. “I think that the successful birth of Baby Clay also says something about the traditional American values of hard work and persistence as demonstrated by Harland Dixson (Acme’s plant manager); Mack Wilcox, our project manager; and his crew," said company president Knautz.

During October and November, Baby Clay has been on tour, visiting Acme offices and plants in celebration of the company’s 116th birthday. A special trailer was created to accommodate the newborn in his travels. It is anticipated that Clay will be making a number of “guest” appearances in other venues as well.

-30-

Corn Bread: We're Thankful For It

In honor of Thanksgiving, here is the recipe that people request most from me.

This is a slight variation of the corn bread Neva McKay taught me and Reggie Redding how to make when we were high school seniors in her Home and Family Living Class. She was wonderful, and as a food, this corn bread of hers almost matches her. That's how good it is.

Send your roses to me in care of The Times, 222 Lake Street, Shreveport, La 71101. I thank you.

I like to call it Corn Bread That Will Make You Hurt Yourself (or) First-String Corn Bread (or) BCS Corn Bread (or) Super Bowl Cornbread.

· 1 cup self-rising white cornmeal

· 1 cup sour cream

· 1 small can cream-style corn

· 1/2 cup oil

· 3 eggs

· 1/2 tsp. salt

· 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)

· Bacon (optional)

Pre-heat oven 400 degrees. Mix ingredients. Pour batter into hot skillet (heated with a small amount of oil.) Bake about 20-25 minutes.

Options: Put a layer of uncooked bacon in bottom of skillet, pour batter on top and bake. Or, pour half batter into skillet, add cheese, pour in other half and bake.

Then eat 'til you weep.

And for goodness sakes, err on the side of undercooking. You can always cook something more; you can't uncook something. If your corn bread is shriveled up and wrinkled, just go ahead and start pounding it. You've just made stuffing.

T-mail: It's potluck ... so you're in luck!

We are having Thanksgiving potluck here at the salt mines today; I loves me some potluck.

So, I'm feeling generous and reflective (and hungry). And because I'm in a good mood and autumny, I'm posting some pictures forwarded to me. I have no idea where these are from but they are purty. I love a leaf. Not as much as a potluck, but I love a leaf.

Also, see if you can find the misplaced picture...