Reading Old Reading New
By Roger Barbee
When younger, I never paused long enough to re-read a book because, charged by my youthful ignorance, I felt the need to rush on in an attempt to learn as much as possible. After all, as a child from the Mill Hills of North Carolina, I was a late starter and felt a strong need to catch up; but recently I decided, for some unknown reason, to re-visit some of my earlier, favorite reads. The first one that I removed from my library shelf holding special books was, All the Strange Hours, The Excavation of a Life, the autobiography of Loren Eiseley. I was not disappointed in my re-reading and found much that I had forgotten and late in the book I read Eiseley’s words that caused me to feel better about my decision. He writes in Chapter 23, The Coming of the Giant Wasps, “I was getting old enough to want to rethink what I had learned when I was younger,” and “I have come to believe that in the world there is nothing to explain the world.” Perhaps those words resonate because they are late in the book, as I write, but nevertheless, I felt a bit of validation, and no less from such an intellect.
Having finished Eiseley’s great book, I must choose my next re-discovery. The paperback copy of Parallel Lives, Phyllis Rose’s grand examination of five Victorian marriages draws my attention, and I note that this copy is one purchased to replace the fine hardback that has gone the way of several books-given away or loaned to a forgetful friend. It carries no marks of mine, so it sits, waiting to be read as a new copy and studied.
However, because a sister and dear friend are engulfed in their own choice—how to live as they fight their personal cancers- I wonder if I should explore once more a well-worn hard back, Intoxicated by my Illness, which was published two years after the death of its author, Anatole Broyard. I thumb through the copy, seeing my margin tics and underlining and wonder if examining Broyard’s words will enable me better help my sister and friend? I think it may when I read this un-marked sentence of Broyard: “The important thing is the patient, not the treatment.” I may not re-read the book just now, but I’ll remember his wisdom as I try to form feeble words for her and him as poison cocktails are pumped into their bodies.
While Broyard writes of life and its shared end, Patrick Lane in What the Stones Remember, writes in this memoir how he, at the age of sixty, spent his first sober year in his British Columbia garden. It would be easy to write that Lane’s garden is simply metaphor, but he writes, “My garden is a living place, not just a showroom for flowers and plants.” His memoir offers a poet’s prose examining life and how it should be lived. A good re-read for sure.
Yet across the room are two shelves from which several books, fiction and non-fiction, call. One that I used to teach to high school juniors and seniors is A Gathering of Old Men, by Ernest Gaines. The novel recounts the story of a sheriff who, upon arriving at the murder of a white farmer at his father’s Louisiana sugar plantation, encounters a young white girl, over a dozen old, Black men holding ancient shotguns, and a murder to solve. Over the course of the novel the reader hears the story of each of those old men that explains why he is the one who shot the young overseer. In an era when White Privilege is denied, it seems like a good time to re-visit Gaines’ searing story.
Not wanting to seem like a literary prize that publishes a long or short list, I will cease my ramble around my modest shelves. However, this musing has helped my decision. Eiseley gives good advice, and I will heed his words. I will, for the first time in my reading life, read two books simultaneously—one an old favorite and a few ones that are unexplored. Well, simultaneously is not quite correct: I will spend most of my time with the favorites and sprinkle in the new ones. After all, Eiseley warns that no explanation is to be found here, but I will enjoy the journey into what Rufus Jones describes as “the awe and the wonder of the beyond.”
Catawba Runner Among Nation’s Elite
By David Freeze
Catawba College track and field senior Winfred Porter has garnered national attention by qualifying for the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Staten Island, N.Y. Porter, from Loxahatchee, Florida, will compete in the 60-meter dash after running 6.71 seconds for the distance. There are 21 entries at the Ocean Breeze indoor track facility that includes other top college and professional athletes including an Olympic medalist.
Porter’s event will be shown on NBC Sports. He is scheduled to run his preliminary event at 1:19 p.m. on Saturday with the finals set for 2:54 p.m. at the Ocean Breeze indoor track facility. Jason Bryan, Catawba’s head coach for track and field/cross country, said, “We want to get this out there and let people know. This is huge for Winfred, our program and Catawba College.”
Back home, we have just worked through another cold snap with some winter weather this past week. Here are some great reasons to continue to run or exercise outdoors during the winter. Cold weather makes for better endurance, but we have to remember that hydration matters just as much in the winter even though we don’t always think as often of drinking water. I can tell on my early morning runs that heat and humidity are just a fleeting memory, or a future problem. A good chilling walk out the door makes for quicker starts and better cardiovascular output, along with the ability to work out longer. I have added distance to many of my runs recently.
Better sustained energy levels are another benefit of the cold weather. Cold air can also improve oxygen uptake which improves performance. In fact, you’ll soon realize that the workout begins to provide comfortable warmth if dressed properly. In winter running, a good rule of thumb is to dress as if the temperature is 20 degrees higher than the actual air temperature. On most days, unless wind is a big factor, you will still warm up and sweat some but not overly so by following this formula. You’ll likely burn more calories due to a higher metabolic rate.
Exercising in the cold makes for better immunity during cold and flu season. Moderate cold-weather running can reduce the likelihood of respiratory infections otherwise.
Cold-weather running or walking also aids in improved mental health as it has been shown to alleviate depression and anxiety. Running in general has long been called the best free mental therapy available. Endorphins released during the cold improve mood and focus, especially since the body isn’t having to work to battle heat and humidity. Persevering through less-than-ideal conditions in training can prepare you to cope with any forecast come time for your next workout. It is easy to get a sense of being mentally tough with a can-do attitude and a burst of confidence from conquering your own hesitation to do the workout that afterwards makes you glad you did.
Midday cold-weather exercise will add to the absorption of vitamin D, a nutrient that most of us need to supplement during the winter and one that can be a difference maker in mood and overall wellness.
Once the run or other exercise is over, the effects of the cold weather effort will aid in reduced inflammation and improved recovery, allowing for less muscle soreness and the need to plan easy days.
The upcoming beginning runners class begins on March 11 at the Salisbury P.D. at 6 p.m. Sponsors are Salisbury Parks and Recreation, Salisbury Rowan Runners, Novant Health and the Salisbury Police Department. Our next race locally is the Mt. Hope Church Run for Missions 5K and Fun Run at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, March 29. Look for more information on these and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.
Lynna’s Letter “F”
By Lynna Clark
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7
I used to live in fear. Even though I knew the Lord, I allowed fear to control me in every aspect of my life. Eventually I went to counseling and a very wise man pointed out this verse. For if fear is not from God, then where was it coming from? Was it of my own making? Or maybe the very pits of hell.
Hebrews 2:15 reveals that when Jesus died for us, He set us free from the fear that has kept us captive all our lives. Finally it dawned on me. Why would I choose to be a slave to fear when Christ has set me free?
Fear is a stalker and can easily rob us of rest. Instead let’s choose faith: the confidence that God truly has our best interest at heart. According to our verse for today, that is also the key to a sound mind. Wouldn’t that be nice!
God’s Ways are Amazing
By Ed Traut
1 Samuel 17:50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
- Without a sword – not with conventional methods or the expected tools or weapons.
- So often, God will do things beyond our comprehension just to show that He can.
- We cannot depend upon our natural resources or strengths. We look to God. He may use what we have, but He certainly has resources we can’t dream of.

Prayer: Lord, how grateful I am that I can look to You and not have to understand or even ‘work it out’but know that You have a way and You will give me victory in any way You choose, You will break through for me. I bless You today. Amen.
Ed Traut
Prophetic Life
The Birthday Party
Steve Hartman found a boy that had a very unusual request for his birthday party. Yes, there is still goodness in the world. Watch and enjoy!!
Revolving Doors
By Ashlie Miller
What comes to mind when you envision a revolving door? For many, these doors are portals, evoking childlike wonder – well, unless you are an impatient business person needing to get into or out of your building and get stuck in one in such awe.
Or your mind could go to something more jaded, considering the many businesses whose employee retention looks like an ever-rotating system of revolving doors. Gone are the days of young employees entering a small business and staying with a sense of loyalty and hope of slowly moving up the ladder. Today, any discomfort or challenge is reason enough to leave even a good company.
Many times in life, we often look at proverbial closed doors as securely locked, vaulted doors that prohibit future access. How frequently have you encountered a young, green student considering a college, a job opportunity, or an internship who sounds dejected because currently all positions are filled? It happens more frequently than likely expressed. But wisdom and time remind the seasoned that often spaces open up – someone’s life drastically changes due to a death in the family or an illness, a better opportunity presents itself for them, or they are not a good fit for an establishment. The list can go on with the vast number of situations that are unique to each individual. The persistent young heart sees these once-closed doors for what they are – a revolving door of opportunity.
It is not limited to the young either. Even this week, I had a relaxed meeting with a friend sharing the blessing of an ideally suited job that blessed her family and became available to her because a spot opened up – one that seemed securely locked in for another. After months of thinking the door was closed, she felt a nudge to pursue the position. A revolving door made space for her.
Are you feeling dejected because the path that seemed so sure for you seems blocked? Perhaps God is working in the life of the person currently occupying your seat. They have a journey, as well. While I am not suggesting that you pray they are fired or something bad happens to them, perhaps you can pray that God’s will be done in their life and yours. Pray they can see where God is leading them or whether or not they are suited for the position or path. Pray that the one over the position (an employer, a guide, a trainer, etc.) can quickly assess this person and their gifting and challenges and how they fit within the company, ministry, organization, or team.
Do you see the dimmed eyes of a once-hopeful pursuer of a dream? Encourage them to keep dreaming and practice the art of persistence and growth.
The door may be revolving.
Ashlie Miller and her family live in Concord, NC. You can email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.