Tuesday, March 3, 2015 4:50 pm

By SAVANNAH CUNNICK

I guess the last time we chatted, we pretty much went over the effects of the cold and icy weather that it had on all of us. Still chilly weather regardless and maybe more snow scheduled as we speak. It was predicted to be an abnormally cold winter this year, and for once they got it right! It was a different and exciting experience at first, but now cabin fever is setting in. Hopefully we can be open at the Short Mountain Trading Post again soon, so we can accommodate all of you and have a warm barn for you to explore and search for a unique treasure hidden in the craft booths or up in the Loft. Hang in there. We will be seeing you soon!

The big roar right now as I write this is the Academy Awards show last night! Everyone is chatting about it! I thought for some reason, it was a particularly special show this year. The movies that were nominated for awards were more on the sensitive side this year. Depicting issues that brought on different types of emotions, not only in the awards audience, but in the nation of viewers who happened to watch. From civil rights to boyhood to illnesses to aging to the results of war. Every issue was real and has been or will be experienced by many of us personally. The actors and actresses chosen to play these roles were perfect for the parts and definitely got the message across. There seemed more of a camaraderie within the Hollywood world this year. They were more interested in using their talents to express true and real issues that exist in our day to day existence. Many issues that we choose to ignore, cover-up or have fear of discussing openly. Well, it's about time reality hit the fan and these hidden or ignored issues slap us right in the face. And believe me, if anybody can do it, these talented appointed folks of the acting world certainly can. It's a messy job, but somebody has to do it.

Just remember that no matter what age we are, there is something in that particular era that we are experiencing related to just what these movies are trying to tell us. Inside every older person, there's a younger person wondering 'what happened'? Inside every younger person, there's that question 'why'. Life can be very deep, and most of us try to stay at the shallow end. We would rather have too much too soon, than too little too late.
Well, as we know, it doesn't always work that way. Just throw out a little compassion to our fellow neighbors who are going through some crummy issues...don't be so quick to judge and gossip, to turn your back and expect it to all go away. Take a moment out of your personal busy life and consider how lucky you are and if not so lucky, how to fix it. Drugs, drinking and suicide are NOT the answers. That's why there are these movies spotlighting every issue imaginable in our daily lives that are unbearable, but can be helped by realizing you are not alone and that someone has actually written a script exactly about our situations. Imagine that. Amen.

Uncle Festus merely states, please don't try to change my bad habits, they're all I've got! Martha pipes up and totally agrees with that one! She says that if men weren't so simple, women wouldn't have to be so complicated! Cousin Clyde tells his wife Annie that she brought something into his life that he never had before: her mother. She tells him to not catch a cold from the ice in his heart and to remember that a daughter becomes just like their mother so get ready for the double whammy! I don't know if they are warming up for our next family Thanksgiving or what. Hopefully they go out of town again!

Should we call this good for now, folks. I just know there will be much more food for thought by the time next week rolls around and we chat again! So I am signing off by saying: be safe, be happy, be loving, be thankful, be considerate and helpful to all those around you, Smile, Laugh Always.
Hugs, Savannah