11-11-10...SHE WAS SLOW
If you think you know someone who is slow, You would probably think again if you knew Brenda. OH MY GOSH! was that girl slooooowwwww! Still is. I was always early and I still like to be. All through our school years somehow I got appointed to make sure Brenda was ready and on the school bus. Well my Friends that was an almost impossible task. If we were at the same house it was somewhat easier but still a hard task. When we were at separate houses!!!! Now that was when the trouble came out and grabbed me in the throat. We had to walk up to the corner, turn right and walk to the next corner. Thats where the bus stopped. I'd start up our lane and here would be Brenda, out on her porch in all stages of dress. CLLLYYYDDDEEENNNEEE, hold the bus for me!!!! OOOKKKAAAYYY but hurry up Brenda, I'm gettin' tired of this!! It was the same every morning. Our poor driver was always so patient and waited on her. I know he didn't want to really, made us late for school sometimes. Besides the other kids started griping. I was getting embarrassed myself and had just about had enough of it. One evening I said Now Brenda you better be there in the morning. I'm not a'gonna tell Hollie to wait. Yes you will, You better Clydene. I'm tellin' you I aint gonna do it. We'll just go on and leave you. I guess she didn't believe I'd do it cause of course she did the same thing the next morning. Out on the porch half dressed hollering, CCCLLLYYYDDDEEENNNEEE! Tell Hollie I'll be there in a minute. Well durn her I had got my can plumb full of this and I wasn't gonna do it this time. I'm tired of this stuff, Yep tired of it. I got to thinking though, Now, If Brenda misses the bus she'll get to stay home and I'll have to go to school. Heck fire I'm not a goin' to school and her staying here havin' fun without me. Of course she wouldnta had much fun cause she'd a got in trouble but I wasn't thinking that way. Brenda, you better come on now. I ainta gonna do it today. I see it comin' come on right now, I mean it Brenda, you better come on. I'll wait right here for you, now come on Brenda!!! Well folks she got the point finally and decided I meant what I said so she ran back in grabbed her book satchel and here she came a runnin'. Hurry Brenda!! I'm a hurrin' Clydene, wait a minute. Well she came on all right. Yep she came on. HALF DRESSED!!! There she was in all her glory. Socks, no shoes, slip and sweater, no skirt, sweater on backwards. Oh My Gosh Brenda, you can't go like that! You're not dressed. Oh my Oh My what are we a'gonna do! Brenda I should box your jaws red, that just what i outta do!! Just then we heard the bus honk three times and pull out. We looked up and there that big ol' yellow thing went likety split up the road. There we stood. What'll we do Clydene. Well Brenda how in the heck do ya think I know! I guess we'll just have to stay right here all day. Then when the bus gets here this evening we'll just go on home. Nobody'll ever know. RIGHT?? WRONG!! My Mama heard the bus honking, and knew I didn't get on it. I don't know how she knew that cause she sure couldn't see up there from our house. Come to think of it, I'm still not real sure how she knew, but she knew all right. Yep she knew all right. She bundled my Brother up and here she came up the road. Brenda lets hide! Where would we hide Clydene? Sides I don't wanna. I'm cold. Well Brenda you shouda thought of that when you come up here half nekked' I'm not necked' Clydene, You shut up before I slap your jaws. You sure better not try it by golly I'll throw you in that ditch. No you won't. Yes I will! By then my Mama was there and the jig was up! Oh my gosh was it ever up. Mama was upset, my baby brother was a cryin' and Brenda was even bellerin like an ol' donkey by then. I don't know what you girls think your'a doin' Mama said, but you both get your tails down that road and you do it now. " BUT MAMA" No buts get going. Which we did. You are both gonna get your butts busted good when we get there. WHICH WE DID!! Yep we sure nuff did. Now do you think that all resulted in Brenda turning over a new leaf and gettin there on time? Shoot fire No! She was never on time and never will be. NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!! DURN YOU BRENDA. I STILL OUTTA BOX YOUR JAWS RED!!! YEP I SURE SHOULD! But I wont!!!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
THE FIGHT
11-7-10...THE FIGHT
We sure didn't have a lot when I was growing up but I guess we just never knew that. I thought I was rich, and I was rich just not in monetary ways. My home was old and let in the cold air. But we had a warmth in love that kept that cold at bay. We had feather beds that my Granny made with her own two hands. We saved the feathers from all the chickens we plucked and cleaned for frying. Boy was it ever great to sink down in that bed and cover up with lots of the quilts that my Grandma made. She also made feather pillows. I still have two of those pillows all sealed up in plastic to keep them safe. I can't help but wonder what will happen to them when I am gone, but that doesn't really matter. Young people in my Family just don't have an appreciation for these things the way I do. What a shame, what happened? Now getting to these two pillows. They had to be re ticked when I was about 12 yrs. old due to a pillow fight. And of course Brenda and I had the fight. Not a fun pillow fight, but a knock down drag out fight. I mean we were rip-roarin' mad!! Brenda and I didn't have very many clothes. We had to take care of them because there was no money for more. We knew and accepted that. We often wore each others clothes when we were still the same size. I had a beautiful beaded belt that my Daddy got for me. I was so prowd of that belt. And That belt I would not share. No siree. That was my gift from my Daddy and it was mine. Mama shamed me for it but I wouldn't give an inch. Our parents had taught us to share with each other. They shared, and we were supposed to share. But My Daddy got me that belt and it was special. NOPE, Brenda wasn't a'gonna get my belt. What if she lost it, broke it, lost a bead. NOPE NOPE NOPE! It's mine!!One day Brenda came running in and said "Clydene I want to wear your belt tomorrow." Smart elec. She knew what the answer to that would be. “Well your Mama said I could wear it and I'm gonna”. We were in my room and I figured she was lying like a dog. “Mama didn't say that Brenda, and you know she didn't.” “Yes she did, go ask her if you don't believe me.” “No I aint'a'gonna ask her nothin' cause she never said that and even if she did, you still ainta' gettin' it Brenda, Now get out of here.” Brenda just walked on over to where the belt was hanging and reached for it. Well now let me tell you fire jumped outta' my eyes' and ears. I pounced on her back like a cat, got her around the neck and was a'gonna choke the ever lovin' stuffins' outta' her. We both went down to the floor, I got up first and the only thing I could see to use was Grandma's feather pillow. Brenda still had my belt in her hand and she warped me across the arm with it. Well I really came un-glued then and started warping her with the pillow as hard as I could. I snatched the belt outta' her hands and slung it over my head. She wadna' gonna' get my belt. Nope! It would be over my dead body. Brenda got the other I mean looked like snow a comin' down. Mama was at the door soon as she heard the commotion and got hold of us both at the same time. Now I wuuldna' known that my Mama was that strong but she lifted us both and slammed us down on the feather bed where we sunk in, face to face, nose to nose, forehead to forehead, spittin' and sputterin' feathers. Let me tell you we got our hides busted red with my belt right then and there while we were a' still sputterin in the feather bed. Mamma hauled us back up outta the bed and her face was redder'n' our butts were. She was steamin' mad. Of course with GOOD reason, don't ya know?! My Gosh, that was the worst mess we ever had to clean up. Mamma said “There hadn't better be one little pin feather in this room. I want them all picked up and put in a sack, and you two are gonna' put them in new ticks before the sun sets tonight.” WOOOO, Mama was mad. It wasn't easy but we fixed those pillows and Mama couldn't find nary' a feather left over. Believe me she tried. Now, Mama said she didn't tell Brenda she could use my belt, but I already knew that. Still I looked at Brenda's neck where you could see my claw marks and she was looking at the whelppp on my arm from her warping me with my belt, and we both started cryin' and huggin' and sayin I'm sorry. I guess you're'a thinkin' I let her wear my belt aint ya'. Well I sure nuff didn't right then and there but the next time she asked real polite like I let the little nut wear it. And guess what, She never asked to wear it again. HMMMMM! Now whata you make of that. Don't know but I got my suspicions. Yep!!
We sure didn't have a lot when I was growing up but I guess we just never knew that. I thought I was rich, and I was rich just not in monetary ways. My home was old and let in the cold air. But we had a warmth in love that kept that cold at bay. We had feather beds that my Granny made with her own two hands. We saved the feathers from all the chickens we plucked and cleaned for frying. Boy was it ever great to sink down in that bed and cover up with lots of the quilts that my Grandma made. She also made feather pillows. I still have two of those pillows all sealed up in plastic to keep them safe. I can't help but wonder what will happen to them when I am gone, but that doesn't really matter. Young people in my Family just don't have an appreciation for these things the way I do. What a shame, what happened? Now getting to these two pillows. They had to be re ticked when I was about 12 yrs. old due to a pillow fight. And of course Brenda and I had the fight. Not a fun pillow fight, but a knock down drag out fight. I mean we were rip-roarin' mad!! Brenda and I didn't have very many clothes. We had to take care of them because there was no money for more. We knew and accepted that. We often wore each others clothes when we were still the same size. I had a beautiful beaded belt that my Daddy got for me. I was so prowd of that belt. And That belt I would not share. No siree. That was my gift from my Daddy and it was mine. Mama shamed me for it but I wouldn't give an inch. Our parents had taught us to share with each other. They shared, and we were supposed to share. But My Daddy got me that belt and it was special. NOPE, Brenda wasn't a'gonna get my belt. What if she lost it, broke it, lost a bead. NOPE NOPE NOPE! It's mine!!One day Brenda came running in and said "Clydene I want to wear your belt tomorrow." Smart elec. She knew what the answer to that would be. “Well your Mama said I could wear it and I'm gonna”. We were in my room and I figured she was lying like a dog. “Mama didn't say that Brenda, and you know she didn't.” “Yes she did, go ask her if you don't believe me.” “No I aint'a'gonna ask her nothin' cause she never said that and even if she did, you still ainta' gettin' it Brenda, Now get out of here.” Brenda just walked on over to where the belt was hanging and reached for it. Well now let me tell you fire jumped outta' my eyes' and ears. I pounced on her back like a cat, got her around the neck and was a'gonna choke the ever lovin' stuffins' outta' her. We both went down to the floor, I got up first and the only thing I could see to use was Grandma's feather pillow. Brenda still had my belt in her hand and she warped me across the arm with it. Well I really came un-glued then and started warping her with the pillow as hard as I could. I snatched the belt outta' her hands and slung it over my head. She wadna' gonna' get my belt. Nope! It would be over my dead body. Brenda got the other I mean looked like snow a comin' down. Mama was at the door soon as she heard the commotion and got hold of us both at the same time. Now I wuuldna' known that my Mama was that strong but she lifted us both and slammed us down on the feather bed where we sunk in, face to face, nose to nose, forehead to forehead, spittin' and sputterin' feathers. Let me tell you we got our hides busted red with my belt right then and there while we were a' still sputterin in the feather bed. Mamma hauled us back up outta the bed and her face was redder'n' our butts were. She was steamin' mad. Of course with GOOD reason, don't ya know?! My Gosh, that was the worst mess we ever had to clean up. Mamma said “There hadn't better be one little pin feather in this room. I want them all picked up and put in a sack, and you two are gonna' put them in new ticks before the sun sets tonight.” WOOOO, Mama was mad. It wasn't easy but we fixed those pillows and Mama couldn't find nary' a feather left over. Believe me she tried. Now, Mama said she didn't tell Brenda she could use my belt, but I already knew that. Still I looked at Brenda's neck where you could see my claw marks and she was looking at the whelppp on my arm from her warping me with my belt, and we both started cryin' and huggin' and sayin I'm sorry. I guess you're'a thinkin' I let her wear my belt aint ya'. Well I sure nuff didn't right then and there but the next time she asked real polite like I let the little nut wear it. And guess what, She never asked to wear it again. HMMMMM! Now whata you make of that. Don't know but I got my suspicions. Yep!!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS
11-5-10...THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS
Every year at this time I start getting all misty eyed. It will be easy for me to just sit down and have a good cry. It doesn't take much. A kind word, a harsh word, good memory, bad memory, a smell, a color. In other words, Everything and Anything. Childhood memories can do it for sure. I guess when you get my age those are the most precious memories you have. I know mine are. And Christmas memories are the most precious I have right now. Could be because It is the Christmas season. Christmas Eve always found us in The little Church that I grew up in. We had a Big Christmas tree and our parents ( we found out later) took us each a Christmas package to put under the tree. Santa would be there at the end of the program and each kid got to sit on his lap and he gave us our gift. Down at the end of my driveway there is a little cedar tree. It is loaded with those little white thingies that from a distance make it look like it has snow in its branches. Now that is a Christmas tree in my mind. That is the only kind of Christmas tree we ever had. It was Christmas when that cedar tree was brought inside with that pungent odor all it's own. We didn't have ornaments bought at a store until I was a teenager. After we got electricity in our home we had one little string of lights. Seven bulbs that I just loved to look at. There was this stuff called angel hair, and packets of silver strings called icicles. Daddy came home one day with a sack. Somehow he had gotten a packet of angel hair and one of icicles. Oh Man were we prowd and so were my Parents. We didn't have room for a big cedar tree so it was about 4ft. I think.We all decorated together. I think my parents enjoyed it as much as Norman and I did. As I look back I'm sure it wasn't a gorgeous tree like you see now. It was a special tree and a special time. The icicles and angel hair that Norman and I placed on the tree was not neat but globs hanging haphazardly here and there. Mama and Daddy just left it the way we placed it and told us how pretty it was and what a good job we were doing. We didn't get the tree until two days before Christmas. Since cedar was so flammable Daddy said we couldn't chance it catching fire. When we went out to cut the tree was always special. Mama would save a lard bucket. Daddy put gravel in the bottom of the bucket and filled it with garden dirt all around the trunk of the tree. We could keep water in the bucket so the tree didn't dry out so fast. Everyone got something from everyone. If it cost a nickle or a penny it was fun and very appreciated. Each family had Christmas at home then visited later in the day. But Christmas was home and family. That was our traditions and all we knew. I'd love to have an old time Christmas like that again. I no longer have a live cedar tree but I did as my Son was growing up. Now I bring in some cedar branches so I can smell Christmas. What a treat to have that smell in my home once again as I go down memory lane. YEP!!!!!
Every year at this time I start getting all misty eyed. It will be easy for me to just sit down and have a good cry. It doesn't take much. A kind word, a harsh word, good memory, bad memory, a smell, a color. In other words, Everything and Anything. Childhood memories can do it for sure. I guess when you get my age those are the most precious memories you have. I know mine are. And Christmas memories are the most precious I have right now. Could be because It is the Christmas season. Christmas Eve always found us in The little Church that I grew up in. We had a Big Christmas tree and our parents ( we found out later) took us each a Christmas package to put under the tree. Santa would be there at the end of the program and each kid got to sit on his lap and he gave us our gift. Down at the end of my driveway there is a little cedar tree. It is loaded with those little white thingies that from a distance make it look like it has snow in its branches. Now that is a Christmas tree in my mind. That is the only kind of Christmas tree we ever had. It was Christmas when that cedar tree was brought inside with that pungent odor all it's own. We didn't have ornaments bought at a store until I was a teenager. After we got electricity in our home we had one little string of lights. Seven bulbs that I just loved to look at. There was this stuff called angel hair, and packets of silver strings called icicles. Daddy came home one day with a sack. Somehow he had gotten a packet of angel hair and one of icicles. Oh Man were we prowd and so were my Parents. We didn't have room for a big cedar tree so it was about 4ft. I think.We all decorated together. I think my parents enjoyed it as much as Norman and I did. As I look back I'm sure it wasn't a gorgeous tree like you see now. It was a special tree and a special time. The icicles and angel hair that Norman and I placed on the tree was not neat but globs hanging haphazardly here and there. Mama and Daddy just left it the way we placed it and told us how pretty it was and what a good job we were doing. We didn't get the tree until two days before Christmas. Since cedar was so flammable Daddy said we couldn't chance it catching fire. When we went out to cut the tree was always special. Mama would save a lard bucket. Daddy put gravel in the bottom of the bucket and filled it with garden dirt all around the trunk of the tree. We could keep water in the bucket so the tree didn't dry out so fast. Everyone got something from everyone. If it cost a nickle or a penny it was fun and very appreciated. Each family had Christmas at home then visited later in the day. But Christmas was home and family. That was our traditions and all we knew. I'd love to have an old time Christmas like that again. I no longer have a live cedar tree but I did as my Son was growing up. Now I bring in some cedar branches so I can smell Christmas. What a treat to have that smell in my home once again as I go down memory lane. YEP!!!!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
JUST SOME THOUGHTS
11-3-10...JUST SOME THOUGHTS
This time of year is always so hard for me. Memories of what was and never will be again come pouring in so fast I can't contain them. The rest of the year is much easier because my mind can overpower the bad with the sweet memories of my youth. I can reach in the deep part of my heart and pull out such beautiful memories that sustain me. The four months coming up make that very hard to do. November, December, January, and February always tear down that wall of protection I have placed on my heart. The glue that holds breaks and the cracks of my heart no longer holds. The memories that overflow my being now are Dark and foreboding, harsh and cruel. This should be a peaceful and serene time. The year coming to an end, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a fresh new year beginning. It should be and is usually for many. I tried so hard for so many years to make it so for me. I finally gave up and decided to just roll with the flow so to speak. Live for today. Yesterday has passed me by, I can't fix it. Tomorrow will come and I'll deal with that, tomorrow. Can't fix that today either.
So if the memories that come to me today aren't pleasant so be it. They are mine to do with as I please. They happened to me, I dealt with them then and I will deal with them now. I must deal with them in my way, and in my time. If I cry, I cry. If I pull in and discuss things with my best friend, Who is God, and just stay quiet and alone then that is the way I handle it that day. My best friend is always there and He Listens when no one else will. Today I have chosen to come to my un-seen friends all over this big and great world and open my heart. I'm sad and my heart is hurting. Soon after Christmas is my only Child's Birthday. Richard loved Christmas and Thanksgiving. His gray eyes would sparkle and dance. Richard never asked for much. I'll never forget the time he came to me with a catalog and asked, “Mamma do you have enough money to get me these three things for Christmas”? I didn't know how but I knew I would move Heaven and Earth to get those things for him, and I did. So while my memories of Richard are sweet and precious they still tug hard at my heart. They make me vulnerable to hurt and I cry a lot. If I seem to be neglecting my friends and family it is not intentional. It will pass. Please bear with me.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
I washed your sweet face and kissed tears from your eyes.
Let you do some things while I sat and cried.
I doctored skinned knees and cooked favorite meals.
Only a Mother could know how it feels.
I watched you grow and guided your first steps.
Had to turn loose when you no longer needed my help.
I baked a million cookies and poured the pop.
As long as I lived I never wanted to stop.
I sat many nights beside you when you were ill.
Then Prayed my Thanks to God, you were once again well.
As I watched you cry or watched you at play.
I didn't think of the time when you'd be away.
I liked to watch your every move, catching you before you fall.
Choosing your friends for you.
The day I watched you go off to school, me crying like a fool.
Never knowing then that worse was to come.
I was to lose you for good, my only Son.
I still cry, but you are still here with me it seems.
You are here in my heart, You are here in my dreams.
I miss you so much, but you're here in a way
You left Mama so much behind
like sweet things you would say.
Your smile is in the stars that twinkle in the night.
I see your sweet face in the sun smiling and bright.
I feel your touch in a puppy so fluffy and sweet.
Your kiss in the whisper of a breeze on my cheek.
Clydene Overbey 1988
This time of year is always so hard for me. Memories of what was and never will be again come pouring in so fast I can't contain them. The rest of the year is much easier because my mind can overpower the bad with the sweet memories of my youth. I can reach in the deep part of my heart and pull out such beautiful memories that sustain me. The four months coming up make that very hard to do. November, December, January, and February always tear down that wall of protection I have placed on my heart. The glue that holds breaks and the cracks of my heart no longer holds. The memories that overflow my being now are Dark and foreboding, harsh and cruel. This should be a peaceful and serene time. The year coming to an end, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a fresh new year beginning. It should be and is usually for many. I tried so hard for so many years to make it so for me. I finally gave up and decided to just roll with the flow so to speak. Live for today. Yesterday has passed me by, I can't fix it. Tomorrow will come and I'll deal with that, tomorrow. Can't fix that today either.
So if the memories that come to me today aren't pleasant so be it. They are mine to do with as I please. They happened to me, I dealt with them then and I will deal with them now. I must deal with them in my way, and in my time. If I cry, I cry. If I pull in and discuss things with my best friend, Who is God, and just stay quiet and alone then that is the way I handle it that day. My best friend is always there and He Listens when no one else will. Today I have chosen to come to my un-seen friends all over this big and great world and open my heart. I'm sad and my heart is hurting. Soon after Christmas is my only Child's Birthday. Richard loved Christmas and Thanksgiving. His gray eyes would sparkle and dance. Richard never asked for much. I'll never forget the time he came to me with a catalog and asked, “Mamma do you have enough money to get me these three things for Christmas”? I didn't know how but I knew I would move Heaven and Earth to get those things for him, and I did. So while my memories of Richard are sweet and precious they still tug hard at my heart. They make me vulnerable to hurt and I cry a lot. If I seem to be neglecting my friends and family it is not intentional. It will pass. Please bear with me.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
I washed your sweet face and kissed tears from your eyes.
Let you do some things while I sat and cried.
I doctored skinned knees and cooked favorite meals.
Only a Mother could know how it feels.
I watched you grow and guided your first steps.
Had to turn loose when you no longer needed my help.
I baked a million cookies and poured the pop.
As long as I lived I never wanted to stop.
I sat many nights beside you when you were ill.
Then Prayed my Thanks to God, you were once again well.
As I watched you cry or watched you at play.
I didn't think of the time when you'd be away.
I liked to watch your every move, catching you before you fall.
Choosing your friends for you.
The day I watched you go off to school, me crying like a fool.
Never knowing then that worse was to come.
I was to lose you for good, my only Son.
I still cry, but you are still here with me it seems.
You are here in my heart, You are here in my dreams.
I miss you so much, but you're here in a way
You left Mama so much behind
like sweet things you would say.
Your smile is in the stars that twinkle in the night.
I see your sweet face in the sun smiling and bright.
I feel your touch in a puppy so fluffy and sweet.
Your kiss in the whisper of a breeze on my cheek.
Clydene Overbey 1988
YESTERDAY'S DREAMS
11-2-10...YESTERDAY'S DREAMS
It seems like most days now I go running down that dirt road that leads to a dead end. There is black shale on that road and I am barefoot. I don't notice the sharp shale grinding in to my feet or that my feet have become black and maybe hot from the sunshine. All I see is two houses to the left of me and a train going by on the track at the very end. The house's are very close, In hollering distance. There might be a couple of kids in each yard but most likely there will be four kids in one of the yards together. Sometimes those kids might be squabbling over something but most times they are laughing and playing together.
As I get a little closer my heart beats in anticipation and fills with longing to hurry and be there in their midst. A big Collie dog with a limp comes to welcome me with his tail wagging so fast that his whole body is moving.
At the second house I see a woman on the porch calling to the kids to come on in “supper's ready”. She doesn't have to persuade them much, they've been playing hard all day and they are hungry.
I think to myself, Well she didn't ask me but she looks so welcoming I know she won't mind so I go on in and get ready for supper with all the rest. There are some more folks who also come to the door and they are welcomed as the Woman says 'Sit down and I'll get you a plate. There is plenty.
There is a square home made table that I know that kind tired looking man made with his hammer, hand saw, and nails. An oilcloth is covering the rough lumber. It has yellow daisies covering it and I think it is so pretty.
On the table is a large pan of pinto beans with some kind of meat in them sometimes but usually not. There is a huge bowl of fried potatoes and I know no one will ever fry potatoes as good as those. A big skillet of cornbread sits on a dishrag piping hot, a bowl of red sliced onions and that is usually all there is.
The floor of the kitchen is not level. In fact the table is slanted so far on the uneven floor that the girl knocks over a glass of something and it runs right down in to the lap of the man across from her. He jumps up and the lady starts cleaning up the mess.
I'm thinking, Boy that girl is in trouble now but strangely the man and woman just smile at her and say “Eat your supper honey, and be more careful”.
What a beautiful scene all of this is as it flashes through my mind. So real that I can feel the dirt on my feet and smell the beans and cornbread, fried taters and red onions. Only to realize that here I sit looking out at a very different scene, and none of that is real. Kind of sad until I remember that I can go again anytime I wish and once again be drawn in to that wonderful place that I can call mine. This makes me smile as my heart fills with such wonderful memories of a place exactly like that. Knowing that I grew up there and it all was and is mine makes me overflow with gratitude.
It seems like most days now I go running down that dirt road that leads to a dead end. There is black shale on that road and I am barefoot. I don't notice the sharp shale grinding in to my feet or that my feet have become black and maybe hot from the sunshine. All I see is two houses to the left of me and a train going by on the track at the very end. The house's are very close, In hollering distance. There might be a couple of kids in each yard but most likely there will be four kids in one of the yards together. Sometimes those kids might be squabbling over something but most times they are laughing and playing together.
As I get a little closer my heart beats in anticipation and fills with longing to hurry and be there in their midst. A big Collie dog with a limp comes to welcome me with his tail wagging so fast that his whole body is moving.
At the second house I see a woman on the porch calling to the kids to come on in “supper's ready”. She doesn't have to persuade them much, they've been playing hard all day and they are hungry.
I think to myself, Well she didn't ask me but she looks so welcoming I know she won't mind so I go on in and get ready for supper with all the rest. There are some more folks who also come to the door and they are welcomed as the Woman says 'Sit down and I'll get you a plate. There is plenty.
There is a square home made table that I know that kind tired looking man made with his hammer, hand saw, and nails. An oilcloth is covering the rough lumber. It has yellow daisies covering it and I think it is so pretty.
On the table is a large pan of pinto beans with some kind of meat in them sometimes but usually not. There is a huge bowl of fried potatoes and I know no one will ever fry potatoes as good as those. A big skillet of cornbread sits on a dishrag piping hot, a bowl of red sliced onions and that is usually all there is.
The floor of the kitchen is not level. In fact the table is slanted so far on the uneven floor that the girl knocks over a glass of something and it runs right down in to the lap of the man across from her. He jumps up and the lady starts cleaning up the mess.
I'm thinking, Boy that girl is in trouble now but strangely the man and woman just smile at her and say “Eat your supper honey, and be more careful”.
What a beautiful scene all of this is as it flashes through my mind. So real that I can feel the dirt on my feet and smell the beans and cornbread, fried taters and red onions. Only to realize that here I sit looking out at a very different scene, and none of that is real. Kind of sad until I remember that I can go again anytime I wish and once again be drawn in to that wonderful place that I can call mine. This makes me smile as my heart fills with such wonderful memories of a place exactly like that. Knowing that I grew up there and it all was and is mine makes me overflow with gratitude.
Monday, November 1, 2010
THE FACTS OF LIFE
11-1-10...THE FACTS OF LIFE
The young girl stood so straight and true.
Shoulders erect, eyes of blue.
Proud in stature, fair of face
and curls that hung clear to her waist.
She was carefree, happy, pure of heart
Fresh and pretty, lively and smart.
Nothing that hurts, nothing to fear.
She's young, she's unspoiled and held so dear.
Fresh and new gets ruined one day,
when age creeps up and has it's way.
On the face are lines and splotches and grooves,
Gravity kicks in, straight becomes stooped.
And what once was there, now here has moved.
Long hair that was black as the dark of the night
Is short and stubby and mostly all white.
But in her heart she's still young and gay,
And that girl is there, she's here to stay.
Clydene Thomas Overbey
The young girl stood so straight and true.
Shoulders erect, eyes of blue.
Proud in stature, fair of face
and curls that hung clear to her waist.
She was carefree, happy, pure of heart
Fresh and pretty, lively and smart.
Nothing that hurts, nothing to fear.
She's young, she's unspoiled and held so dear.
Fresh and new gets ruined one day,
when age creeps up and has it's way.
On the face are lines and splotches and grooves,
Gravity kicks in, straight becomes stooped.
And what once was there, now here has moved.
Long hair that was black as the dark of the night
Is short and stubby and mostly all white.
But in her heart she's still young and gay,
And that girl is there, she's here to stay.
Clydene Thomas Overbey
CLUBS
10-31-10...CLUBS
We didn't have a lot of toys and things to play with when we were growing up so we had to improvise big time. Brenda and I decided we would form a sewing club. The boys, not to be outdone, formed a building club. We asked for the things we would need. Grandma gave Brenda and I some old scraps too small for her quilts and a needle each, some thread, and we even got a shiny thimble each. Daddy got some lumber scraps and one old hammer and some used nails which the boys had to pull out of the boards. Boy Howdy we were in business. Grandma showed us how to sew all the little pieces together in lots of layers to make pot holders and we went to work. We had cigar boxes to keep our 'stuff' in and were cautioned to keep it put up. Now girls you can't have any more so be careful and not lose those things. OK Granny, we wont. We did good for a few days then we got bored and wanted some 'pretty' colors to work with. Now girls I don't have any more Granny said. I told you that to start with. Well shoot fire Brenda, she's got mor'n enough. No used to be so stingy. Heck I know where she has a old dress of mine that is tore. We'll get that, it's pretty red and white. Now Granny was gonna' fix that dress for me to wear, but somehow I'd forgot that fact. We snuck' in the room where Granny kept her stuff'. There it is Brenda, get it and I'll get her scissors to cut it up with. Which we did. Never for any reason were we supposed to touch Grannies scissors. NEVER NEVER!! We'll hurry and get the dress cut up then we'll put the scissors back Brenda, Granny'l never know. Granny's scissors were very sharp and to be used only by her. She made quilts, sheets, and most of our clothes. Well the first thing I did was cut right through that dress and in to the dress I was wearing. Now I had two ruined dresses. Oh well this is just an old ever-day dress Brenda, It is green so now we'll have two colors. WHOOOPPPEEE! I went and put on another dress (we didn't wear pants then) and we ran in Mama and Daddies bed room. We sat down there and threaded our needles. I lost mine right away. We looked and looked. That durn needle was flat out gone. We were afraid to go back to Grannies scraps to hunt another needle. You cut and I'll sew Brenda. No I wanna sew. OK we'll take turns. Brenda we better go put the scissors back we got plenty cut . Heck fire Brenda had her dress cut now and it was yellow. We gathered up sewin' stuff' and put it away and went to Brenda's house so she could get another dress on. Before we left we heard Daddy saying, Boys, I picked up a bunch of nails in the yard, and WHERE IS MY HAMMER? Seems they had not been doing very well on their club business either. We decided we better kinda lay off our sewing club for a few days. Daddy started to get in bed that night and kinda scooped up that blamed needle I had lost with his knee. WOOOPPPS, THEM DURNED CLUBS ARE GONNA COME TO A SCREECHING HALT!!!! The next morning Granny was lookin' for the dress to fix, and first thing she noticed was somebody had been in her sewing boxes. Now how the heck did she know that? Huh? Also that morning Mama found some pieces of the dress material in the bedroom floor. CLLLYYYDDDEEENNNEEE, GET IN HERE. Well it didn't take much detective work for it to be all figured out. Parents and Grandparents are just too dad blamed smart aint they? We all not only got spankings but Grandma Patched the one dress that survived with all the colors of the other dresses that were ruined and Brenda and I had to take turns wearing it to School. Me first grade, Brenda second grade. We only had to wear it one time but that was ENOUGH! Yep sure was. It was so hard for our Parents to keep us clothed then. Daddy worked hard and always provided for us but we never had extra. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We deserved every spanking we got and shoulda' got a lot more of them. We reaped the cream of the crop when we got our wonderful Parents. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!!!! NOPE!
We didn't have a lot of toys and things to play with when we were growing up so we had to improvise big time. Brenda and I decided we would form a sewing club. The boys, not to be outdone, formed a building club. We asked for the things we would need. Grandma gave Brenda and I some old scraps too small for her quilts and a needle each, some thread, and we even got a shiny thimble each. Daddy got some lumber scraps and one old hammer and some used nails which the boys had to pull out of the boards. Boy Howdy we were in business. Grandma showed us how to sew all the little pieces together in lots of layers to make pot holders and we went to work. We had cigar boxes to keep our 'stuff' in and were cautioned to keep it put up. Now girls you can't have any more so be careful and not lose those things. OK Granny, we wont. We did good for a few days then we got bored and wanted some 'pretty' colors to work with. Now girls I don't have any more Granny said. I told you that to start with. Well shoot fire Brenda, she's got mor'n enough. No used to be so stingy. Heck I know where she has a old dress of mine that is tore. We'll get that, it's pretty red and white. Now Granny was gonna' fix that dress for me to wear, but somehow I'd forgot that fact. We snuck' in the room where Granny kept her stuff'. There it is Brenda, get it and I'll get her scissors to cut it up with. Which we did. Never for any reason were we supposed to touch Grannies scissors. NEVER NEVER!! We'll hurry and get the dress cut up then we'll put the scissors back Brenda, Granny'l never know. Granny's scissors were very sharp and to be used only by her. She made quilts, sheets, and most of our clothes. Well the first thing I did was cut right through that dress and in to the dress I was wearing. Now I had two ruined dresses. Oh well this is just an old ever-day dress Brenda, It is green so now we'll have two colors. WHOOOPPPEEE! I went and put on another dress (we didn't wear pants then) and we ran in Mama and Daddies bed room. We sat down there and threaded our needles. I lost mine right away. We looked and looked. That durn needle was flat out gone. We were afraid to go back to Grannies scraps to hunt another needle. You cut and I'll sew Brenda. No I wanna sew. OK we'll take turns. Brenda we better go put the scissors back we got plenty cut . Heck fire Brenda had her dress cut now and it was yellow. We gathered up sewin' stuff' and put it away and went to Brenda's house so she could get another dress on. Before we left we heard Daddy saying, Boys, I picked up a bunch of nails in the yard, and WHERE IS MY HAMMER? Seems they had not been doing very well on their club business either. We decided we better kinda lay off our sewing club for a few days. Daddy started to get in bed that night and kinda scooped up that blamed needle I had lost with his knee. WOOOPPPS, THEM DURNED CLUBS ARE GONNA COME TO A SCREECHING HALT!!!! The next morning Granny was lookin' for the dress to fix, and first thing she noticed was somebody had been in her sewing boxes. Now how the heck did she know that? Huh? Also that morning Mama found some pieces of the dress material in the bedroom floor. CLLLYYYDDDEEENNNEEE, GET IN HERE. Well it didn't take much detective work for it to be all figured out. Parents and Grandparents are just too dad blamed smart aint they? We all not only got spankings but Grandma Patched the one dress that survived with all the colors of the other dresses that were ruined and Brenda and I had to take turns wearing it to School. Me first grade, Brenda second grade. We only had to wear it one time but that was ENOUGH! Yep sure was. It was so hard for our Parents to keep us clothed then. Daddy worked hard and always provided for us but we never had extra. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We deserved every spanking we got and shoulda' got a lot more of them. We reaped the cream of the crop when we got our wonderful Parents. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!!!! NOPE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)