“There is no Story that can tell the Joy that is brought by the Dinner Bell”

Our home when I was a young teenager was the hub for the extended family.  I lived with my Grandmother and Grandfather along with my Mom.  All the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins, while having their own lives filled with activities, would almost without fail come to our house on Sunday’s after Church for a large set down dinner.  We’re talking large here.  Not uncommon to have 9-10 adults and 4 or 5 children. Everybody would bring some side dish to share with the family.  It was a sight to behold with all the  hub bub and laughing with sometimes sorrow and some crying.  But the thing I remember the most was the Dinner Bell.  Grandma had a wall mounted Dinner Bell in the Butler’s Pantry with the inscription “There is no story that can tell the Joy that is brought by the Dinner Bell”.  Grandma made such a big deal of ringing that Bell when Dinner was served.

With everybody coming to the table and sitting around it, Grandma would first either asked Uncle John to pray or maybe pray herself.  Funny how I can still recall those times with everybody having their eyes wide open as the prayer went forth, impatiently  waiting for the Amen so they could dive into the food. Conversation flowed, laughter reigned, and everybody  talked about what was happening in their life.  I would be questioned by my Uncles and I would listen intently to their talk about some latest exploit.  Such fun to be included in with the big people.

Now I often will quote or paraphrase things from the Bible or other great inspiring works to tie together my sometimes scattered thoughts.  One such quote fits here. It is word of the Preacher from the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 1, verse 9. “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done.  So there is nothing new under the sun.”  So where does that fit in here?  As the Dinner Bell called my family to Dinner, so does the “Tribe Tuesday” call us to our own feast.  Yes feast, because each of us brings something to the table.  Be it information, neat plugins, or just good old encouragement. The feast will be abundant and the conversation will be edifying. I’m getting so excited about Tribe Tuesday that I might just have to have a pee jar next to the computer. I’m old and have to go often and I don’t want to miss anything.  Besides the wife won’t let me put the computer in the bathroom. I know that last bit was more than you need to know, but yes, it’s good to be in a family.  And being in this “Tribe MasterMind” family is just plain good.

Well thanks for dropping in, please excuse messy house here.  It is under construction but will be showing new stuff along with plenty of eye candy to tickle your fancy in the near future.

Tags: Dinner Bell, Tribe Mastermind, Tribe Tuesday