Tuesday, December 23, 2014 2:35 pm

By CAROL GUNTER

Wanted you to know some news about Bernie Braswell. On Friday, December 12th he had open heart surgery at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. He is doing really well and is sitting in a chair around three hours a day. Everyone rooting for you to get back home Bernie. Do keep Bernie in your prayers as he recovers.

A lot of people showed up for Clyde and my birthday bash on Saturday, December 13th. Was a night of celebration and fun for all that were there. Clyde and his Bluegrass Band entertaining us for a few hours at Short Mountain Market for this joyous occasion.

The oldest musician there was Harry Smith, age 93 playing the guitar. Mr. Smith had played with Grandpa Jones and other country stars back in the day. Mr. Smith and Clyde go back a long way and are good friends.

A beautiful birthday cake on one of the tables for Clyde and I. I sure didn't know several of the people there, but a few I did. Billy Nichols and wife Melba - and there was a couple there Ronald Johnson was his name and his wife.
Some notables to mention there were Steve Melton, Joe Underwood, James Prater, Gerry Nokes, Bo Asbury, Clark Lance (in his hunting outfit - he had to stop and see what was going on with such a large crowd there at the store). We enjoyed your company, Clark, next year maybe I can coax you into some of your famous cooking you're known for. That should win him over shouldn't it? Bragging on someone usually gets the results you want most of the time.

All joking aside, I've eaten Clark's outdoor cooking and it is to die for. Others there Ruth Brown, Burley Bogle, Kathy Noes, Gloria Stewart, Brad Hall, and A.J. and Brenda Neal to name a few. Should have had a registry - maybe next year we will do that so no one is left out in the column who made it to the shindig. To all those in Clyde's band Bill, Jeff, and Nick (his sons), Ernest and Dean Rabley, you did a fantastic job.

The question that was on so many minds was where was Bobby? Don't know why he was a no show. He's definitely got some explaining to do.

Some people still didn't know about this birthday party again this year. We are simply having a failure here of getting the word out to the masses of people that would come. I guess this is a "failure to communicate" as in that movie Cool Hand Luke that Paul Newman was in. Only heard about the movie - as I was a mere babe way back then as you probably already knew.

December birthdays to tell you about: Joe Hullett 8th, Clyde Nokes, Harold Warren (my twin brother) and yours truly 13th, Paul Stanley 22nd, and Jesus Christ 25th our Lord and Savior.

December anniversaries of note: Ray and Joann Braswell 21st (29 years), Rex and Sepal Pedigo 22nd (47 years), Houston and Martha Parker 26th (39 years).

Merry Christmas to all of you and remember the most important one of all Jesus Christ as you celebrate with your loved ones and let Him be at the center of each get together now and always. Thank Him for His wondrous love and mercy He has given unto you, if you have accepted Him as your personal Savior. Nothing like that feeling you got, when you turned your life over to Jesus, was there? "And you knew without a shadow of a doubt," you were forgiven. You were saved! A day so many of us will never but never forget.

Some people we need to uplift in prayer: Lou Davis Higgins, Edith Miller, Denise Stanton, Jeff Brown, and Carlon and Mai Nell Melton.

If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at (615) 563-4429. Have a great day!

But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy: and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy Holy Temple.
Psalm 5:7