2-22-11...THE POT
Brenda and I were like "Lucy and Ethel". If one got into something you could bet the other was right there helping. I was the one who usually did the thinkin' it up. And we both did the doin'. Brenda was quiet and shy and didn't say much. I think because she couldn't talk plain and was teased. When I was four month's old My Parents bought and moved into the house that became home. I grew up happy there. We had only lived in walking distance of the house as the crow flies. The people who lived in our house and we lived in theirs. Each family bought the houses at the same time and we just switched. Daddy wanted this house cause his sister lived just across the pasture. Brenda was 11 month's old then. Of course I don't remember this but the story was handed down . Anyway that was the start of a wonderful loving home. It still sits there today but I only went back one time and it broke my heart to see it. Just bears out the meaning of YOU CAN'T EVER GO BACK. Oh but I can go back in my memories any time I want to. My Daddy worked in the coal mines just up the track. He usually walked because we had no car but I remember him hitching a ride on a slow moving train. That was scary to me.
The house was not much more than a hull very open and cold. Of course there was no indoor plumbing and no electricity. We had a outside toilet and it was not close to the house for obvious reasons. Catalogs were the toilet paper and you didn't want the colored pages, they didn't work well. At night we had a 'slop jar'. Yep that's what they called it. Kinda like a bucket with a lid and a bail for carrying it out. We could pee in it but nothing else.
One night when Brenda was there we were messing around in my bedroom. We were supposed to be in bed but we were still playing. We thought we were being quiet but of course we were not. I thumped Brenda on her ear just being honery. That hurts. I've had it done to me and I knew it hurt but I was being a little terror. I thumped her ear and turned to walk away. Brenda got me around the waist with both arms then thumped my ear. She started to walk away and I grabbed her. Brenda was strong as an ox and pulled lose from me . I had my heels dug in and when she pulled lose I went back like I'd been shot out of a cannon. I had left the lid off of the pot so when I quit stumbling I sat down hard right in the pot. I was stuck in a pot that was half full. I must have looked funny because Brenda got tickled. I wanted out of that pot but knew I'd better not spill it so I was using my bare feet to pull toward the door. Brenda whispered, “Clydene your Mamma is coming, hurry up”. OMG I heard Mamma coming out of their bedroom saying, “ I told y'all to go to bed”. “We are in bed” Brenda lied. Now I'm panicked. I got up, pot and all, and I was moving on. Just as Mamma opened the door the pot turned lose of me and hit the floor. It landed on it's side and rolled across the uneven floor emptying out. It came to rest at Mamma's bare toes. Poor Mamma she didn't even ask us how this happened. She was used to our capers. She sent us after the mop and mop bucket. The mop was soaking in bleach water and ready. Pee was everywhere even under the bed but we cleaned it up slicker than a whistle before we were allowed to go to bed. Mamma threatened a switch if we made another peep. By Golly we made nary a sound the rest of the night.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
TWO DOGS AND FIVE FISH
2-18-11...TWO DOGS AND FIVE FISH
Some of you know about my Poodle Moses. Some of you know that Moses was killed by a car in August, 2010, just a few days after my 66th Birthday. Very few know how I suffered from it.
Just the next day after Moses died all my fish in the aquarium died. The fish may not sound like too much to some but I had these fish for over three years. Same five fish that I got so much pleasure from watching. I didn't even mention to anyone that I grieved over my fish for fear of being called foolish.
I have lost several other dogs over my lifetime but somehow Moses seemed to be the last straw for me. I said never again will I have a dog because losing is too hard. I even decided not to ever love anything or anyone again because I felt like I had lost everything I had ever loved. Foolish? Yep, sure was.
I was offered dogs, told about dogs, and told I needed a dog but I said “No! I can't go through that again. I'm never getting another Dog I always lose them.” I meant that with all my heart. I didn't want to be hurt again. Didn't think I could stand it, didn't want to even try.
One day I was looking for something else on the internet and saw some little Chihuahua puppies for sale. OMG I saw one little cream colored one with a chocolate colored nose. Cutest little puppy I ever saw. For three whole days I just kept going back and looking and kept saying NO! And quickly backed off the site. This went on for several days. One morning I finally decided to e-mail the lady and just talk to her. Yaw Sure! She asked for my phone no. O>>>>>>K.
She talked me in to meeting her at WalMart and she brought four puppies from the same litter. Right up till I saw those dogs I was still saying No, I don't want a dog. NO! She was pushing a female and I wouldn't even look. I was looking at the beautiful little cream color with the chocolate nose. After I took him in my arms I was hooked. This is my dog and I wont put him back. I paid her, she gave me his papers, I said Thanks and headed inside WalMart to get dog supplies. By the time I got home he was KoKo and we had bonded.
A few days later I was finally looking over KoKo's papers. I discovered he was born on 08-24-2010 @ 3:09 PM. Hmmm, That sounded familiar and I think I know why. Yep, My calendar says Moses died 08-24-2010 @ 5:15 PM. Yes I think I was meant to just stumble on KoKo's picture on the web. Some tell me I'm being silly. Heck, Don't matter to me what they think. I know the facts. YEP!!
Some of you know about my Poodle Moses. Some of you know that Moses was killed by a car in August, 2010, just a few days after my 66th Birthday. Very few know how I suffered from it.
Just the next day after Moses died all my fish in the aquarium died. The fish may not sound like too much to some but I had these fish for over three years. Same five fish that I got so much pleasure from watching. I didn't even mention to anyone that I grieved over my fish for fear of being called foolish.
I have lost several other dogs over my lifetime but somehow Moses seemed to be the last straw for me. I said never again will I have a dog because losing is too hard. I even decided not to ever love anything or anyone again because I felt like I had lost everything I had ever loved. Foolish? Yep, sure was.
I was offered dogs, told about dogs, and told I needed a dog but I said “No! I can't go through that again. I'm never getting another Dog I always lose them.” I meant that with all my heart. I didn't want to be hurt again. Didn't think I could stand it, didn't want to even try.
One day I was looking for something else on the internet and saw some little Chihuahua puppies for sale. OMG I saw one little cream colored one with a chocolate colored nose. Cutest little puppy I ever saw. For three whole days I just kept going back and looking and kept saying NO! And quickly backed off the site. This went on for several days. One morning I finally decided to e-mail the lady and just talk to her. Yaw Sure! She asked for my phone no. O>>>>>>K.
She talked me in to meeting her at WalMart and she brought four puppies from the same litter. Right up till I saw those dogs I was still saying No, I don't want a dog. NO! She was pushing a female and I wouldn't even look. I was looking at the beautiful little cream color with the chocolate nose. After I took him in my arms I was hooked. This is my dog and I wont put him back. I paid her, she gave me his papers, I said Thanks and headed inside WalMart to get dog supplies. By the time I got home he was KoKo and we had bonded.
A few days later I was finally looking over KoKo's papers. I discovered he was born on 08-24-2010 @ 3:09 PM. Hmmm, That sounded familiar and I think I know why. Yep, My calendar says Moses died 08-24-2010 @ 5:15 PM. Yes I think I was meant to just stumble on KoKo's picture on the web. Some tell me I'm being silly. Heck, Don't matter to me what they think. I know the facts. YEP!!
Monday, February 14, 2011
FANCY FOOD
2-14-11...FANCY FOOD
I love bananas anyway I can get them. I used to just live for my Mama's banana pudding. I eat southern. Always have always will. Until my second marriage I'd never been out of Arkansas except to Oklahoma to live a few times when a kid. If you want me to go to a steak house with you they better have some pork chops on the menu. My second husband seemed to be from a different world when it came to food. I couldn't cook most of the things he wanted so he cooked usually. I really hated that because I love to cook and I hated him being in my kitchen and me not getting to do anything but clean up.
We traveled a lot. We had a nice home in Kansas but weren't in it a lot. I hated that too because I'm a homebody not a traveler. When he wanted some pukey awful thing that he couldn't cook we went out. I didn't want to appear stupid so I tried things even though I didn't know what it was. It was all yuk.
One day his parents were visiting which was never a good experience anyway. I was not really good enough for their boy as far as they were concerned. Heck they said they couldn't ever understand what I was saying. That was probably a good thing sometimes. They all wanted to go to a big fancy restaurant. I hated it when I was dragged in a place like that. I'm country through and through. I don't need 6 forks and 5 spoons. I don't want a spoon handed to me that's been wrapped in a cloth to keep it cold. I jumped when I took it. Good Grief that was bad enough but when that waiter started scrambling around in my lap I protested only to find out he was putting my cloth napkin on my lap. Well I'm capable of putting a napkin in my lap thank you very much and I don't need it anyway. I was surprised that he didn't try to put a bib on me. I said try!!
They all ordered some fancy drink. I informed anyone who would listen that I didn't drink alcohol, never did, never will and that I wanted a big mug of sweet iced tea. They brought me a tiny cup of hot tea. Now I'm not so country that I don't drink hot tea, I love hot tea, but I wanted iced tea which I told him. He's beginning to ruffle my feathers a bit.
Finally they brought the menus and there was not a thing on that sucker that I would put in my mouth. I had learned my lesson before when I ordered something and they brought me a platter of worms and bugs. Nope I don't want to gag again in front of everyone. I looked at the dessert menu thinking I couldn't go wrong with that.
I ordered something called Bananas Flambe. Hey I love bananas this is gonna be good. The waiter pushed a little cart up beside the table so I could see and assembled the dessert . Heck Fire he even set the thing on fire. I'd heard of that but never thought it really happened.
Oh My Gosh, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. That was the most delicious thing I ever put my mouth to. All caramelized and gooey and yummy. I savored every bite of that wonderful stuff. That little waiter came and brought me a box I suppose to put leftovers in. Leftovers? No leftovers. I devoured every scrumptious bite of that stuff. The waiter was not getting on my nerves anymore. In fact he was a cute boy. You might say handsome.
And about that time it hit me and I knew I wasn't gonna be able to get out of there on my own steam. I was dizzy and sick and miserable and mad at anyone in my way.
I don't remember much else till I woke up hours later with what they told me was a hangover. They were all delighted to tell me I had gotten drunk on my Bananas Flambe. They knew that was going to happen and let me go ahead and eat it on an empty stomach. I enjoyed the stuff, it was delicious, but nope I don't want any more. NOPE!!!
I love bananas anyway I can get them. I used to just live for my Mama's banana pudding. I eat southern. Always have always will. Until my second marriage I'd never been out of Arkansas except to Oklahoma to live a few times when a kid. If you want me to go to a steak house with you they better have some pork chops on the menu. My second husband seemed to be from a different world when it came to food. I couldn't cook most of the things he wanted so he cooked usually. I really hated that because I love to cook and I hated him being in my kitchen and me not getting to do anything but clean up.
We traveled a lot. We had a nice home in Kansas but weren't in it a lot. I hated that too because I'm a homebody not a traveler. When he wanted some pukey awful thing that he couldn't cook we went out. I didn't want to appear stupid so I tried things even though I didn't know what it was. It was all yuk.
One day his parents were visiting which was never a good experience anyway. I was not really good enough for their boy as far as they were concerned. Heck they said they couldn't ever understand what I was saying. That was probably a good thing sometimes. They all wanted to go to a big fancy restaurant. I hated it when I was dragged in a place like that. I'm country through and through. I don't need 6 forks and 5 spoons. I don't want a spoon handed to me that's been wrapped in a cloth to keep it cold. I jumped when I took it. Good Grief that was bad enough but when that waiter started scrambling around in my lap I protested only to find out he was putting my cloth napkin on my lap. Well I'm capable of putting a napkin in my lap thank you very much and I don't need it anyway. I was surprised that he didn't try to put a bib on me. I said try!!
They all ordered some fancy drink. I informed anyone who would listen that I didn't drink alcohol, never did, never will and that I wanted a big mug of sweet iced tea. They brought me a tiny cup of hot tea. Now I'm not so country that I don't drink hot tea, I love hot tea, but I wanted iced tea which I told him. He's beginning to ruffle my feathers a bit.
Finally they brought the menus and there was not a thing on that sucker that I would put in my mouth. I had learned my lesson before when I ordered something and they brought me a platter of worms and bugs. Nope I don't want to gag again in front of everyone. I looked at the dessert menu thinking I couldn't go wrong with that.
I ordered something called Bananas Flambe. Hey I love bananas this is gonna be good. The waiter pushed a little cart up beside the table so I could see and assembled the dessert . Heck Fire he even set the thing on fire. I'd heard of that but never thought it really happened.
Oh My Gosh, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. That was the most delicious thing I ever put my mouth to. All caramelized and gooey and yummy. I savored every bite of that wonderful stuff. That little waiter came and brought me a box I suppose to put leftovers in. Leftovers? No leftovers. I devoured every scrumptious bite of that stuff. The waiter was not getting on my nerves anymore. In fact he was a cute boy. You might say handsome.
And about that time it hit me and I knew I wasn't gonna be able to get out of there on my own steam. I was dizzy and sick and miserable and mad at anyone in my way.
I don't remember much else till I woke up hours later with what they told me was a hangover. They were all delighted to tell me I had gotten drunk on my Bananas Flambe. They knew that was going to happen and let me go ahead and eat it on an empty stomach. I enjoyed the stuff, it was delicious, but nope I don't want any more. NOPE!!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THE BRIAR PATCH
2-7-11...THE BRIAR PATCH
Sometimes I need to go home to make some sense of my life. I'm not talking about the house I live in now but the home I lived in 60+ years ago. Remembering the winter nights of snow cream and fudge parties or the Summer nights of catching lightening bugs in a jar. Day or night Winter or Summer all consisted of walking that little cow path between our house's. We had a trail worn out just as the cow and horse had theirs.
Summers we were up and on that path very early and sometimes I'd meet Brenda half way. On one such day I met Brenda and I said, “Go on back home Brenda I'm going to your house”. To which she replied, “No you go back Clydene I'm going to your house”. We were both stubborn as mules and we had a nose to nose confrontation. Neither of us would give and inch. Brenda shoved me and said “Get out of my way Clydene, I'm going to your house, Mamma said I could”. “Nope you aint Brenda, you better move or I'll slap your jaws”. Neither of us were likely to ever give an inch. We pushed and shoved for what seemed like a long time which resulted in me landing in a blackberry thicket. Oh good grief, that was worse than a patch of glued cockle burs. I was stuck to be precise. Stuck and mad as a hornet. Brenda said, “Clydene I'm going and get your Mamma”. “No you aint Brenda I said I'm going to your house”. For heavens sake here I was stuck in a patch of briars and still arguing about that.
Brenda said “Well I'm going to your house Clydene and you can't stop me”. I don't like to be told I can't do anything so I saw red and as she got close enough I reached out and got hold of her foot and said “No you aint-a-goin' to my house Brenda I'm going to your house”. She screamed bloody murder and tried to kick out. I pulled on her foot and she lost her balance. I guess you know she came crashing down right beside me in the briars. WE WERE STUCK TIGHT Going Nowhere. If you doubt that then please go throw yourself in to a blackberry patch. Honey you aint moving and if you do move the briars will just dig in deeper.
“Now look what you've done Clydene, Help me get up”. “I didn't do nothin Brenda and I aint helpin you up, sides that I aint gonna ever go to your house again”. We were so busy blaming one another and arguing that for a while it didn't register in our brains what a mess we were in. We were both bleeding all over, our clothes were almost shredded and we could hardly breathe without getting stuck. Besides that I guess we got in an ant hill because we had ants crawling all over us not to mention flies and no telling what else.
I think it must have hit us at the same time because we looked at one another and started bellering and squaling. “Clydene we're gonna die and aint nobody gonna ever find us”. I was thinking along the same lines but I wasn't about to admit it to Brenda so I said, “Don't cry Brenda somebody's gonna find us”. And of course somebody did find us though not really who we'd have liked. It was Brenda's Brother Paul and he thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. I tried to pull him in but he was too fast. He did go back and tell Auntie. She came and hollered at Mamma. Mamma came with Norman and very slowly they cut each vine loose from us. And it was a very slow and painful process too. Eu-uh I can feel those briars right now and in fact I still bare the scars. A good reminder to not sweat the small stuff and argue over it. We told everyone the reason we were in the briar patch many years later but they didn't ask at the time so why tell? Merthiolate was the cure all then and if you're not hurting to begin with you better believe you will be. That stuff burns like a red hot poker but it does heal.
Sometimes I need to go home to make some sense of my life. I'm not talking about the house I live in now but the home I lived in 60+ years ago. Remembering the winter nights of snow cream and fudge parties or the Summer nights of catching lightening bugs in a jar. Day or night Winter or Summer all consisted of walking that little cow path between our house's. We had a trail worn out just as the cow and horse had theirs.
Summers we were up and on that path very early and sometimes I'd meet Brenda half way. On one such day I met Brenda and I said, “Go on back home Brenda I'm going to your house”. To which she replied, “No you go back Clydene I'm going to your house”. We were both stubborn as mules and we had a nose to nose confrontation. Neither of us would give and inch. Brenda shoved me and said “Get out of my way Clydene, I'm going to your house, Mamma said I could”. “Nope you aint Brenda, you better move or I'll slap your jaws”. Neither of us were likely to ever give an inch. We pushed and shoved for what seemed like a long time which resulted in me landing in a blackberry thicket. Oh good grief, that was worse than a patch of glued cockle burs. I was stuck to be precise. Stuck and mad as a hornet. Brenda said, “Clydene I'm going and get your Mamma”. “No you aint Brenda I said I'm going to your house”. For heavens sake here I was stuck in a patch of briars and still arguing about that.
Brenda said “Well I'm going to your house Clydene and you can't stop me”. I don't like to be told I can't do anything so I saw red and as she got close enough I reached out and got hold of her foot and said “No you aint-a-goin' to my house Brenda I'm going to your house”. She screamed bloody murder and tried to kick out. I pulled on her foot and she lost her balance. I guess you know she came crashing down right beside me in the briars. WE WERE STUCK TIGHT Going Nowhere. If you doubt that then please go throw yourself in to a blackberry patch. Honey you aint moving and if you do move the briars will just dig in deeper.
“Now look what you've done Clydene, Help me get up”. “I didn't do nothin Brenda and I aint helpin you up, sides that I aint gonna ever go to your house again”. We were so busy blaming one another and arguing that for a while it didn't register in our brains what a mess we were in. We were both bleeding all over, our clothes were almost shredded and we could hardly breathe without getting stuck. Besides that I guess we got in an ant hill because we had ants crawling all over us not to mention flies and no telling what else.
I think it must have hit us at the same time because we looked at one another and started bellering and squaling. “Clydene we're gonna die and aint nobody gonna ever find us”. I was thinking along the same lines but I wasn't about to admit it to Brenda so I said, “Don't cry Brenda somebody's gonna find us”. And of course somebody did find us though not really who we'd have liked. It was Brenda's Brother Paul and he thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. I tried to pull him in but he was too fast. He did go back and tell Auntie. She came and hollered at Mamma. Mamma came with Norman and very slowly they cut each vine loose from us. And it was a very slow and painful process too. Eu-uh I can feel those briars right now and in fact I still bare the scars. A good reminder to not sweat the small stuff and argue over it. We told everyone the reason we were in the briar patch many years later but they didn't ask at the time so why tell? Merthiolate was the cure all then and if you're not hurting to begin with you better believe you will be. That stuff burns like a red hot poker but it does heal.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
KEEPERS OF THE MEMORIES
1-31-11...KEEPERS OF THE MEMORIES
Memories are what makes us who we are Without our memories we would be but an Autumn leaf that floats to the ground withered and forgotten. Each day God gives us in a Blessing and a memory in the making. What I do with my day is up to me and if I waste it that's one of my leafs dying on the ground like so much garbage.
Even bad memories will be somehow good to remember. There is always a hero , an occurrence, or light at the end that will make a good memory and no leaf has died on the ground to be walked on.
I always feel like I have to keep my memories alive or my life has mattered for nothing.
The ones who started and were the keepers of my memories were my Parents. Daddy was ten years older than my Mamma. He was 28 and she was eighteen. Daddy always said he raised Mamma just the way he wanted her.
Daddy's Mother died shortly after he was born and he never knew her. Pappa married again and Daddy had one of those evil step-mothers who hated him. Edith tried to get rid of Daddy. She beat him and even Prayed for him to die. Daddy left home when he was 15 and lived with his sister Ethel. He went in the coal mines to work shortly after that. Even though Edith was mean to Daddy he treated her with respect until she died and we were taught to do the same. After I found out how badly she had treated Daddy I sure didn't want to be good to her but Daddy said I had to because two wrongs don't make a right. Daddy had two sisters and three half sisters. Pappa farmed and he made Daddy quit school in the second grade to help him. Daddy was plowing mules when he was barely able to grip the plow handles. They had enough to eat from the farm but nothing extra.
Mamma had two sisters and three half brothers. They never had enough to eat. They came close to starvation but not because Grandpa didn't try to provide. Mamma was the oldest and had many responsibilities that were too much for a child. The girls had two dresses that Grandma made from feed sacks. They wore one to school came home and put a ragged one on while Grandma washed dried and ironed the good one for school the next day. They survived one whole winter on a 50 # bag of cornmeal. Grandpa managed to get the dry corn and a neighbor ground it for him to make the meal. They had corn meal mush with no sugar for breakfast and fried or baked corn meal cakes for the other two meals. They were made with water, no eggs or milk. They took these to school for lunch and now and then had mashed beans on them. Other kids made fun of them.
Mamma and Daddy both learned to work. They also learned humility, kindness, and high morals. They always wanted us to have more than they had. We had more but not much more. The main and best thing they passed on to us was character and wonderful memories that have kept me going through some hard times. And this is the reason I give my Parents credit for what I am. They were my example and I am eternally grateful. They were the maker of my memories. Thank you Mamma and Daddy. You did a good job always and I love you.
Memories are what makes us who we are Without our memories we would be but an Autumn leaf that floats to the ground withered and forgotten. Each day God gives us in a Blessing and a memory in the making. What I do with my day is up to me and if I waste it that's one of my leafs dying on the ground like so much garbage.
Even bad memories will be somehow good to remember. There is always a hero , an occurrence, or light at the end that will make a good memory and no leaf has died on the ground to be walked on.
I always feel like I have to keep my memories alive or my life has mattered for nothing.
The ones who started and were the keepers of my memories were my Parents. Daddy was ten years older than my Mamma. He was 28 and she was eighteen. Daddy always said he raised Mamma just the way he wanted her.
Daddy's Mother died shortly after he was born and he never knew her. Pappa married again and Daddy had one of those evil step-mothers who hated him. Edith tried to get rid of Daddy. She beat him and even Prayed for him to die. Daddy left home when he was 15 and lived with his sister Ethel. He went in the coal mines to work shortly after that. Even though Edith was mean to Daddy he treated her with respect until she died and we were taught to do the same. After I found out how badly she had treated Daddy I sure didn't want to be good to her but Daddy said I had to because two wrongs don't make a right. Daddy had two sisters and three half sisters. Pappa farmed and he made Daddy quit school in the second grade to help him. Daddy was plowing mules when he was barely able to grip the plow handles. They had enough to eat from the farm but nothing extra.
Mamma had two sisters and three half brothers. They never had enough to eat. They came close to starvation but not because Grandpa didn't try to provide. Mamma was the oldest and had many responsibilities that were too much for a child. The girls had two dresses that Grandma made from feed sacks. They wore one to school came home and put a ragged one on while Grandma washed dried and ironed the good one for school the next day. They survived one whole winter on a 50 # bag of cornmeal. Grandpa managed to get the dry corn and a neighbor ground it for him to make the meal. They had corn meal mush with no sugar for breakfast and fried or baked corn meal cakes for the other two meals. They were made with water, no eggs or milk. They took these to school for lunch and now and then had mashed beans on them. Other kids made fun of them.
Mamma and Daddy both learned to work. They also learned humility, kindness, and high morals. They always wanted us to have more than they had. We had more but not much more. The main and best thing they passed on to us was character and wonderful memories that have kept me going through some hard times. And this is the reason I give my Parents credit for what I am. They were my example and I am eternally grateful. They were the maker of my memories. Thank you Mamma and Daddy. You did a good job always and I love you.
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