1-19-10...A GOOD NAME
In my part of the world 'kin folks' stick together and if someone is lucky enough to be brought in to that circle then it was the same for them. Now we were not like the Hatfields and McCoys by any means but we defended what was ours. Still do. Kin was kin and most times whole neighborhoods fit in to that category.
WE were always very friendly and welcomed new comers but we kept a part of ourselves back in private till we learned we could trust them like 'kin'.
Hardly ever did we have anyone in our midst who didn't belong there but I remember one time when we did. Mamma and Daddy always welcomed anyone to our table and to our humble home. We always had someone in our house staying a spell. Cousins, Aunts ,Sisters etc. One day a young man showed up on our doorstep. He had an Army Uniform on and nothing else. I mean not a dad blamed thing, not even a penny in his pocket. He said he was on leave and that he was one of Daddy's distant cousins' son. I think Daddy knew that there was a rat in the meal but he let him stay. I can't remember his name but I remember him well. He never took a bath or even washed his hands and face. He was getting raunchy with the same clothes on day in and day out. Mamma tried to get him to wear something of Daddy's just long enough for him to take a bath and for her to wash those stinking clothes. You talk about body odor, now that was straight from the body I'm here to tell you.
He refused to take that uniform off and it was rotten right along with the rest of him. He slept in it and at first he slept with Norman but Mamma finally declared her 'Baby' was not going to sleep with a stinking thing like that. Therefore Norman slept on the floor.
Mamma had finally come to her wits end and told him flat out to either take a bath or stay out in the barn. He didn't take a bath and he didn't stay out in the barn because he was picked up that evening and hauled off by the most scary three men I had ever seen in my life. Daddy said, “He's going to the brigs because he was AWOL”.
Come to find out he wasn't a bit of kin to us but he had met someone who told him how welcoming my parents were so when he took off from his base he headed straight for our house.
Later that evening after Mamma got all the stinch out of the house and we were all in the front room Daddy said,”Kids A good name means a lot in this world. You two have a good name and I'm trusting you to keep it that way”. I didn't really understand that then but later I did. To have a complete stranger hear about the Thomas' several hundred miles away and to make a beline to our home when he was in trouble. Now that is something that is not taken lightly. It would have just been nice if the one that came to us for help was not a runaway from the military, and if he would have just not stunk up our house like he did. Nothing worse than odor from a dirty body. NOPE!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
THINGS ARE SO DIFFERENT
1-18-10...THINGS ARE SO DIFFERENT
Things are different here in the country, there is just no getting around it. I've lived in big cities, medium sized cities, and small towns. It is just different down where I grew up. Of course the fact that I grew up in the 50's makes a big difference. Also the fact that I grew up poor as a church mouse, (whatever that means) makes the biggest difference I suppose.
Kids today don't know how good they have got it. Most of them either don't believe, or can't comprehend how it was then. When they get up in their warm homes, go to the heated modern bathroom, ride in a warm vehicle to a warm modern school, that is all they've ever known. In the hot weather it is the same. They never have to be hot unless they choose to. There was no relief anywhere for us. I think I am lucky really for having experienced both worlds. I guess I take these things for granted also at times but all I have to do is think back a few years to know the difference.
One morning I was up getting ready to catch the bus to school. The house was extra cold that morning because the gas pressure had gone down so low there was hardly any flame in the stove. Mamma had to cook on that little bit of heat and it took longer. She got up a lot earlier to do it because she knew the pressure was down during the night.
There was snow on the ground and Daddy had already left for the coal mine where he worked long before daylight. Norman was two and he got up out of his warm bed and wanted breakfast. He didn't understand of course that I needed to eat so I could catch the bus to school. I was also whining because I was cold I guess. At six I was learning the way of things but that morning it was just too much. Poor Mamma, I remember her standing there at the stove with Norman and I both complaining. How horrible that had to be for her.
I finally got my warm oatmeal and Mamma bundled me up. I started off to the bus stop which was about the same as two city blocks now. No phones or even announcements on the radio then to let us know there was no school that day because of the snow.
Brenda was not there but she was always late so at first I didn't pay much attention to that. She was sick that day and never came. Problem was neither did the bus come.
I don't know how long I stood there waiting but I suspect it wasn't long till I went back home. My shoes were caked with snow. I took them off on the porch and went in to the little stove with not much heat still. I took my socks off and sat in front of the stove with my feet close. It hurt and I started crying. Mamma put Norman down and wrapped my feet in towels. My feet had frost bite on them. No going to a Dr. I was taken care of right then and there, that was the way of it. I don't remember what all she did but I remember warm water and towels. My heels turned white a few days later and finally peeled off. It wasn't a fun ordeal for any of us but that was the way of it then. We took care the best we could and we did OK.
That is just one of the many things that were different then. It was never easy but it was what we knew so that was that. I can't help but think that young people and kids now have missed a lot by not experiencing some of the things we did. They don't have any reason to appreciate what they have because they've never known any other way. I think that is Sad
Things are different here in the country, there is just no getting around it. I've lived in big cities, medium sized cities, and small towns. It is just different down where I grew up. Of course the fact that I grew up in the 50's makes a big difference. Also the fact that I grew up poor as a church mouse, (whatever that means) makes the biggest difference I suppose.
Kids today don't know how good they have got it. Most of them either don't believe, or can't comprehend how it was then. When they get up in their warm homes, go to the heated modern bathroom, ride in a warm vehicle to a warm modern school, that is all they've ever known. In the hot weather it is the same. They never have to be hot unless they choose to. There was no relief anywhere for us. I think I am lucky really for having experienced both worlds. I guess I take these things for granted also at times but all I have to do is think back a few years to know the difference.
One morning I was up getting ready to catch the bus to school. The house was extra cold that morning because the gas pressure had gone down so low there was hardly any flame in the stove. Mamma had to cook on that little bit of heat and it took longer. She got up a lot earlier to do it because she knew the pressure was down during the night.
There was snow on the ground and Daddy had already left for the coal mine where he worked long before daylight. Norman was two and he got up out of his warm bed and wanted breakfast. He didn't understand of course that I needed to eat so I could catch the bus to school. I was also whining because I was cold I guess. At six I was learning the way of things but that morning it was just too much. Poor Mamma, I remember her standing there at the stove with Norman and I both complaining. How horrible that had to be for her.
I finally got my warm oatmeal and Mamma bundled me up. I started off to the bus stop which was about the same as two city blocks now. No phones or even announcements on the radio then to let us know there was no school that day because of the snow.
Brenda was not there but she was always late so at first I didn't pay much attention to that. She was sick that day and never came. Problem was neither did the bus come.
I don't know how long I stood there waiting but I suspect it wasn't long till I went back home. My shoes were caked with snow. I took them off on the porch and went in to the little stove with not much heat still. I took my socks off and sat in front of the stove with my feet close. It hurt and I started crying. Mamma put Norman down and wrapped my feet in towels. My feet had frost bite on them. No going to a Dr. I was taken care of right then and there, that was the way of it. I don't remember what all she did but I remember warm water and towels. My heels turned white a few days later and finally peeled off. It wasn't a fun ordeal for any of us but that was the way of it then. We took care the best we could and we did OK.
That is just one of the many things that were different then. It was never easy but it was what we knew so that was that. I can't help but think that young people and kids now have missed a lot by not experiencing some of the things we did. They don't have any reason to appreciate what they have because they've never known any other way. I think that is Sad
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
THE PIG TRAIL
1-14-10...THE PIG TRAIL
called this because our state mascot is the big red razorback pig
Talk about a difference in people based on where and how they were raised. A stretch of road called The Pig Trail, (yes it is, I'm not making that up) winds up a very crooked and hilly area just up the road from me. Now it is paved nicely. There is a Lodge on the top that is beautiful and draws people from all over the USA. I went there twice to a Ladies retreat. The Pig Trail is the only way to get in there.
There is a big body of water that runs through there and lots of off roads that are made for two wheelers and people going to the water. Well recently because of so much rain in the area the Pig Trail caved off about nine miles above my home. They had to close that stretch of road for repairs. Man what a wasp nest this knocked down from out of town travelers. They come up here in their fancy cars. Fancy cars are Ok but not for the outer parts of the Pig trail. Most of these fancy cars have GPS trackers in their cars to help them get where they are going. When the road got closed there were signs saying a detour was ahead. Well these people not knowing our area and especially not knowing the Pig Trail relied on their GPS's or whatever they are called instead of the detour laid out for them.. (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong on what those things are called). I guess those things are really nice to have for traveling and give the best routes to take. HEY now those smart devices don't know a dang thing about the roads leading off the Pig Trail. Some of them aren't even roads but glorified paths through the woods.
My Gosh our local Sheriff's Department has been about worked to death rescuing people from the "roads" that their devices sent them on. One drove right off in a big slush pit where the two wheelers ride. One drove on to one of those glorified paths and very quickly got lost and stuck in a narrow and low spot. Heck when the rain was producing flash floods a bunch of them had to spend the night on top of a rest room, (glorified privy) and were rescued the next day. If they happen to have working cell phones and reach 911 they don't know where the heck they are so they can tell the rescuers. Phone companies have been asked to locate the ping from the phone and point the rescuers in the right direction.
Part of the road was reopened yesterday morning but three more people were rescued this morning out of a gully they drove in to.
I have been having a ball keeping up with the news about where some of those GPS's take people. It is down right funny to me and no one has been hurt so far. I sure hope there are no bad results from this but people need to learn that in some places they better listen to a human who knows and not go off half cocked on a glorified road or path. Sign after sign directs them to use the marked detours. Why do some people not know that a human mind is often preferred over a machine. And why in the heck can't people follow directions? I guess they know I need some giggles. TEE HEE YEP!!
called this because our state mascot is the big red razorback pig
Talk about a difference in people based on where and how they were raised. A stretch of road called The Pig Trail, (yes it is, I'm not making that up) winds up a very crooked and hilly area just up the road from me. Now it is paved nicely. There is a Lodge on the top that is beautiful and draws people from all over the USA. I went there twice to a Ladies retreat. The Pig Trail is the only way to get in there.
There is a big body of water that runs through there and lots of off roads that are made for two wheelers and people going to the water. Well recently because of so much rain in the area the Pig Trail caved off about nine miles above my home. They had to close that stretch of road for repairs. Man what a wasp nest this knocked down from out of town travelers. They come up here in their fancy cars. Fancy cars are Ok but not for the outer parts of the Pig trail. Most of these fancy cars have GPS trackers in their cars to help them get where they are going. When the road got closed there were signs saying a detour was ahead. Well these people not knowing our area and especially not knowing the Pig Trail relied on their GPS's or whatever they are called instead of the detour laid out for them.. (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong on what those things are called). I guess those things are really nice to have for traveling and give the best routes to take. HEY now those smart devices don't know a dang thing about the roads leading off the Pig Trail. Some of them aren't even roads but glorified paths through the woods.
My Gosh our local Sheriff's Department has been about worked to death rescuing people from the "roads" that their devices sent them on. One drove right off in a big slush pit where the two wheelers ride. One drove on to one of those glorified paths and very quickly got lost and stuck in a narrow and low spot. Heck when the rain was producing flash floods a bunch of them had to spend the night on top of a rest room, (glorified privy) and were rescued the next day. If they happen to have working cell phones and reach 911 they don't know where the heck they are so they can tell the rescuers. Phone companies have been asked to locate the ping from the phone and point the rescuers in the right direction.
Part of the road was reopened yesterday morning but three more people were rescued this morning out of a gully they drove in to.
I have been having a ball keeping up with the news about where some of those GPS's take people. It is down right funny to me and no one has been hurt so far. I sure hope there are no bad results from this but people need to learn that in some places they better listen to a human who knows and not go off half cocked on a glorified road or path. Sign after sign directs them to use the marked detours. Why do some people not know that a human mind is often preferred over a machine. And why in the heck can't people follow directions? I guess they know I need some giggles. TEE HEE YEP!!
PATIENCE???
1-13-10...PATIENCE???
Patience is a virtue they say but I sure don't have much of it sometimes. Presistance is the one I am better at. You know, If at first you don't succeed try, try, again. Yeaw, sure. If at first I don't succeed I get flustered, if the second time I still don't succeed I get a full blown case of presistance by golly.
I have lots of evidence of that too. Some very recent. I get rip roaring headaches sometimes through no one fault but my own.
I was mad as an old wet hen one day at my husband. I was trying to make up my bed and I was thinking I'd like to kick his pants. I kicked my foot out pretending I was kicking the snot out of him and my foot came in contact with the bed rail. OMG!!! I thought for sure I had broken my foot but it turned out just a toe was damaged. My little pinkie turned black by the next day and swelled up till I couldn't get a sock on much less a shoe. Pain pills please!!
Then there was the time I was hurrying to chase him down so I could give him a big piece of my mind and ran smack dab in to the door as he shut it. BIG TIME HEADACHE. Pill time headache.
I was using my electric mixer one day whipping up chocolate cake batter when he said I was making so much noise he couldn't hear the TV. I raised up my hand to lay down the law to him. Thing was I still had the mixer in that hand and it was still running. Chocolate batter all over me and everything else. Hey, has anybody got any potent pain pills handy?
If he complains about something that I have done my best at and says , "Mamma never did it that way", now that's coming completely unglued time, killing a man time, the worst headache I ever had time, give me a whole bottle of them darn pills time!!!
Hey, Now I know why I have so many headaches. Anyone got any suggestions?
Patience is a virtue they say but I sure don't have much of it sometimes. Presistance is the one I am better at. You know, If at first you don't succeed try, try, again. Yeaw, sure. If at first I don't succeed I get flustered, if the second time I still don't succeed I get a full blown case of presistance by golly.
I have lots of evidence of that too. Some very recent. I get rip roaring headaches sometimes through no one fault but my own.
I was mad as an old wet hen one day at my husband. I was trying to make up my bed and I was thinking I'd like to kick his pants. I kicked my foot out pretending I was kicking the snot out of him and my foot came in contact with the bed rail. OMG!!! I thought for sure I had broken my foot but it turned out just a toe was damaged. My little pinkie turned black by the next day and swelled up till I couldn't get a sock on much less a shoe. Pain pills please!!
Then there was the time I was hurrying to chase him down so I could give him a big piece of my mind and ran smack dab in to the door as he shut it. BIG TIME HEADACHE. Pill time headache.
I was using my electric mixer one day whipping up chocolate cake batter when he said I was making so much noise he couldn't hear the TV. I raised up my hand to lay down the law to him. Thing was I still had the mixer in that hand and it was still running. Chocolate batter all over me and everything else. Hey, has anybody got any potent pain pills handy?
If he complains about something that I have done my best at and says , "Mamma never did it that way", now that's coming completely unglued time, killing a man time, the worst headache I ever had time, give me a whole bottle of them darn pills time!!!
Hey, Now I know why I have so many headaches. Anyone got any suggestions?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
PROGRESS?? NOPE!
1-9-10...PROGRESS?? NOPE!
As I sit here feeling sorry for myself this morning over frozen water pipes I started looking back to my childhood when there was no water in the house ever. No bathroom or bathtub to worry about freezing up. The pot was still out back in a little shanty of sorts that my Daddy built with a seat with a hole in it and a dug out spot underneath. The well was still out there to draw water from and it never froze up. If we couldn't get to town we had taters and onions under the house and meat in the smoke house. Then there was the kitchen pantry full of canned goods in quart jars that Mamma has harvested out of Daddy' garden and stood over a hot stove and pressure cooked them. Heck we had the whole thing taken care of right at our fingertips. We even had a bath tub in the back room. The water was heated on the kitchen stove and we were set to go.
Seems to me we were set up better then than we are now. I am at a loss this morning. Can't wash my dishes without water even with that shiny white dishwasher setting there. Can't take a bath, in fact can't even get me a drink of water. Can't flush the commode so must use a pot and carry it out in the cold to dump it just like I did back then. I guess it was just easier then because it was the way of things. At least we have a nice potty chair to set on. I'd hate to think about me getting down on those slop jars we used to use. I couldn't get in the old tub we used then either now that I think on it.
On cold frosty mornings like this one Mamma and Daddy were up getting prepared before they woke us. There would be warm water in the wash pan to wash our hands and face. The bucket beside the wash pan had water to drink There would be a hot breakfast on the table also. Heck we had it good then. Of course I know my Parents didn't have it as good as we did but at least they weren't absolutely shut down like I am now. The essentials were there just like any other morning and no frozen pipes. Progress? Heck this Morning I'm not liking this darn progress one little bit. NOPE!!!
As I sit here feeling sorry for myself this morning over frozen water pipes I started looking back to my childhood when there was no water in the house ever. No bathroom or bathtub to worry about freezing up. The pot was still out back in a little shanty of sorts that my Daddy built with a seat with a hole in it and a dug out spot underneath. The well was still out there to draw water from and it never froze up. If we couldn't get to town we had taters and onions under the house and meat in the smoke house. Then there was the kitchen pantry full of canned goods in quart jars that Mamma has harvested out of Daddy' garden and stood over a hot stove and pressure cooked them. Heck we had the whole thing taken care of right at our fingertips. We even had a bath tub in the back room. The water was heated on the kitchen stove and we were set to go.
Seems to me we were set up better then than we are now. I am at a loss this morning. Can't wash my dishes without water even with that shiny white dishwasher setting there. Can't take a bath, in fact can't even get me a drink of water. Can't flush the commode so must use a pot and carry it out in the cold to dump it just like I did back then. I guess it was just easier then because it was the way of things. At least we have a nice potty chair to set on. I'd hate to think about me getting down on those slop jars we used to use. I couldn't get in the old tub we used then either now that I think on it.
On cold frosty mornings like this one Mamma and Daddy were up getting prepared before they woke us. There would be warm water in the wash pan to wash our hands and face. The bucket beside the wash pan had water to drink There would be a hot breakfast on the table also. Heck we had it good then. Of course I know my Parents didn't have it as good as we did but at least they weren't absolutely shut down like I am now. The essentials were there just like any other morning and no frozen pipes. Progress? Heck this Morning I'm not liking this darn progress one little bit. NOPE!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
GRANDMA'S CROCK
1-7-10...GRANDMA'S CROCK
Grandma had two crocks with lids. They were about three gallon containers. She used them constantly. She made buttermilk, sour pickles, churned butter, made sauerkraut. When a hog was killed and the sausage was made she cooked patties and packed them in the crock with hog grease. They kept all winter. I know there were other things she used them for but you get what I'm saying. The crock was essential to our survival it seemed.
I loved those sour pickles, and I mean they were sour. I would remove the lid and fish out a big pickle and munch on it. My mouth is puckering now just thinking of those good pickles.
But you know me. I couldn't do anything without making mischief and I almost really messed up one evening. Brenda was there and the two of us could get in messes together that would never happen with just one of us. We were not supposed to put our hands down in the crock at all. There was a slotted spoon for that. But of course we did just what we were not to do. Not being satisfied to go one at a time we both soused our arms up to our boney little elbows in those pickles. But that was not even the worst of it. We both seized on the same big pickle at the same time. Yep, no one but us could have done that. We were both stubborn too so we both hung on for all our mite. Neither of us would turn the pickle loose to take our hand out and both would not come out at the same time. We kept messing around till we turned that blasted thing over. Good Grief Brenda now you done it and I'm tellin' too. No you done it. After we carried that on for a while we finally decided that we were in for it unless we could do something fast. Well heck fire all of them didn't spill so we just picked um up and put the suckers back in the crock. Yep we did!! We set that crock up and noticed that a lot of the water spilt out too so we got some water and poured in. I saw Grandma put salt in there so we got some salt and poured a bunch in. Heck no one will ever know the difference. Ha That's what we thought. First time Grandma opened the crock there on top was sticks and all kinds of trash. She took some pickles out in a bowl and brought them in. When we had supper someone took a bite of pickle and I guess it didn't taste good. The jig was up. No use in me not telling the whole story because everyone was looking at me and I knew they knew by golly. Grandma was upset and Mamma was past upset. It was tanning the hide time. Yep I heard Grandma say to Mamma later, Well I'm just glad they didn't break the crock. I think she saved most of the pickles too. Another near disaster was in the books. Oh My Gosh!!!!
Grandma had two crocks with lids. They were about three gallon containers. She used them constantly. She made buttermilk, sour pickles, churned butter, made sauerkraut. When a hog was killed and the sausage was made she cooked patties and packed them in the crock with hog grease. They kept all winter. I know there were other things she used them for but you get what I'm saying. The crock was essential to our survival it seemed.
I loved those sour pickles, and I mean they were sour. I would remove the lid and fish out a big pickle and munch on it. My mouth is puckering now just thinking of those good pickles.
But you know me. I couldn't do anything without making mischief and I almost really messed up one evening. Brenda was there and the two of us could get in messes together that would never happen with just one of us. We were not supposed to put our hands down in the crock at all. There was a slotted spoon for that. But of course we did just what we were not to do. Not being satisfied to go one at a time we both soused our arms up to our boney little elbows in those pickles. But that was not even the worst of it. We both seized on the same big pickle at the same time. Yep, no one but us could have done that. We were both stubborn too so we both hung on for all our mite. Neither of us would turn the pickle loose to take our hand out and both would not come out at the same time. We kept messing around till we turned that blasted thing over. Good Grief Brenda now you done it and I'm tellin' too. No you done it. After we carried that on for a while we finally decided that we were in for it unless we could do something fast. Well heck fire all of them didn't spill so we just picked um up and put the suckers back in the crock. Yep we did!! We set that crock up and noticed that a lot of the water spilt out too so we got some water and poured in. I saw Grandma put salt in there so we got some salt and poured a bunch in. Heck no one will ever know the difference. Ha That's what we thought. First time Grandma opened the crock there on top was sticks and all kinds of trash. She took some pickles out in a bowl and brought them in. When we had supper someone took a bite of pickle and I guess it didn't taste good. The jig was up. No use in me not telling the whole story because everyone was looking at me and I knew they knew by golly. Grandma was upset and Mamma was past upset. It was tanning the hide time. Yep I heard Grandma say to Mamma later, Well I'm just glad they didn't break the crock. I think she saved most of the pickles too. Another near disaster was in the books. Oh My Gosh!!!!
LOVE IS WEALTH
1-7-10...LOVE IS WEALTH
WEALTH IS NOT VALUEABLE
BUT LOVE IS
It is brutally cold here today. The wind is blowing 35-40 MPH and the wind chill is supposedly at a dangerous level. It is just hard to stay warm. I am thinking about the house where I grew up. Very open and airy if you get my drift. As I set here in a good tight house and I'm cold I just can't imagine the winters in that wonderful house that was my home. We had lots of love but even though the song says it does, love don't keep you warm. I remember when Norman was small he slept in the bed with Mamma and I slept in the bed with Daddy because they were afraid we couldn't stay warm. The little heater was like a drop in a bucket when it came to heat but I guess it kept us from completely freezing to death.
On cold winter nights like this one will be we all slept together. Daddy set one of the iron beds up in front of that little stove and we all slept there. I remember how warm and safe I felt. There were very cold nights when the pressure would go down or the gas would freeze up. Daddy had to watch so the stove didn't come on and gas us. I don't imagine Daddy slept much most nights.
If you left a little bit of water in a container anywhere in the house it would freeze up tight. No way did we ever step out of the bed with bare feet like I do now. We were warned by our parents to never do that. Well of course you know 'miss try it or bust me', I did it one morning and there was frost on the floor. Never did that again.
Daddy had to go out before daylight and bring in water, slop the hog, feed the horse, cow, and chickens. I cry now to think of that dear sweet man having to do that. Mamma would carry Norman on her hip and cook breakfast. I can remember seeing her shaking from the cold. Years later after Daddy was gone Mamma had a nice snug apartment with central heat and air. She would often say, "Oh how I wish you kids could have had this growing up. Or I wish Clyde was here to enjoy this. After Norman and I were out on our own they were able to make some improvements on the old house but it was still old and was never perfect. I was so happy for them and so proud that they were my Parents. I told Mamma one day when she was wishing for us, "Mamma Norman and I had the very best of everything and we didn't have any reason to want for more. The way we grew up with Daddy and you in that wonderful house that was a home made us what we are today. I wouldn't have it any different". She cried when I said that just the way I am crying right now.
WEALTH IS NOT VALUEABLE
BUT LOVE IS
It is brutally cold here today. The wind is blowing 35-40 MPH and the wind chill is supposedly at a dangerous level. It is just hard to stay warm. I am thinking about the house where I grew up. Very open and airy if you get my drift. As I set here in a good tight house and I'm cold I just can't imagine the winters in that wonderful house that was my home. We had lots of love but even though the song says it does, love don't keep you warm. I remember when Norman was small he slept in the bed with Mamma and I slept in the bed with Daddy because they were afraid we couldn't stay warm. The little heater was like a drop in a bucket when it came to heat but I guess it kept us from completely freezing to death.
On cold winter nights like this one will be we all slept together. Daddy set one of the iron beds up in front of that little stove and we all slept there. I remember how warm and safe I felt. There were very cold nights when the pressure would go down or the gas would freeze up. Daddy had to watch so the stove didn't come on and gas us. I don't imagine Daddy slept much most nights.
If you left a little bit of water in a container anywhere in the house it would freeze up tight. No way did we ever step out of the bed with bare feet like I do now. We were warned by our parents to never do that. Well of course you know 'miss try it or bust me', I did it one morning and there was frost on the floor. Never did that again.
Daddy had to go out before daylight and bring in water, slop the hog, feed the horse, cow, and chickens. I cry now to think of that dear sweet man having to do that. Mamma would carry Norman on her hip and cook breakfast. I can remember seeing her shaking from the cold. Years later after Daddy was gone Mamma had a nice snug apartment with central heat and air. She would often say, "Oh how I wish you kids could have had this growing up. Or I wish Clyde was here to enjoy this. After Norman and I were out on our own they were able to make some improvements on the old house but it was still old and was never perfect. I was so happy for them and so proud that they were my Parents. I told Mamma one day when she was wishing for us, "Mamma Norman and I had the very best of everything and we didn't have any reason to want for more. The way we grew up with Daddy and you in that wonderful house that was a home made us what we are today. I wouldn't have it any different". She cried when I said that just the way I am crying right now.
HOUSE vs HOME
1-6-10...WHAT MAKES A HOUSE A HOME
There are so many differences between a house and a home. A home has to be full of people but that's not enough. There has to be love, understanding, respect, closeness, etc.
I had a friend once who lived alone with her Mother. Her name was Pamela. She was beautiful. I was only 8 but I knew she was beautiful. Like a little China doll with clear blue eyes and beautiful curly blond hair. Pam always had money to spend at the school candy store. She had the most frilly beautiful clothes I had ever seen. And Pam had something else that was more important which was a loving spirit. Pam came home with me lots of evenings from school and spent the night, sometimes two or three nights. She loved to come to my home. I didn't really understand that because we didn't have a inside bathroom or any other of the conveniences that Pam had at her home. Pam lived in a big white house with tall pillars, a wrap around porch with big chairs and flowers all over. Her room inside that house was all pink and fluffy with stuffed animals and everything that a little girl could ever imagine wanting. Yet Pam wanted to be at my house. I was never at her home except for a few times. I didn't really understand why I wasn't invited.
One day Pam told me that she wanted me to come to her house after school. I told her that I couldn't go without asking first so I'd have to wait until the next day. Pam told me that she never had to ask, she just came when she wanted to and stayed as long as she wanted to. The next day Mamma said I could ride the school bus home with Pamela and stay a while and play but that I couldn't stay all night. She said my Daddy would come and get me before dark. I didn't really mind not getting to stay the night. The only place I wanted to stay the night was at Brenda's.
We got off the bus the next evening and walked up the lane to Pamela's house. We couldn't get in. Pamela rang the doorbell over and over then she started hollering for her Mamma to come open the door. No one came and I was scared. I told Pam that I wanted to go home. Of course it was too far to walk so I was stuck. Pam said don't worry my Mom will let us in after a while. That I didn't understand. It was cold and if Pam's Mom was in the house why did she lock Pam out.
About an hour later , which seemed a lot longer, the door was finally opened and her Mom was standing there looking terrible I thought. She was in a robe and looked like she had just gotten up. As soon as she opened the door she started cursing Pam and slapped her. She said “Pam I have told you over and over not to keep knocking on the door when it is locked”. I told her to leave Pam alone because my Daddy would be there soon and she better not be slapping her when he got there. She pushed Pam in the door and shut it in my face. It wasn't long till my Daddy got there. I ran and told him what had happened. He put me in the car and told me to stay there. He knocked on the door but no one ever came. Daddy was mad but all he could do was to keep me away from Pam's house. The law wasn't even thought of . Back then that was the way of it. The law did not interfere in family matters.
Pam didn't come to school the next day or the next. When she came back a man was with her. They got all Pam's things out of her desk and I never saw her again. I have no idea where they went or who the man was but the big fine house had a for sale sign on it soon after that.
It was years later that I figured out what might have happened but I don't know and Mamma and Daddy never would tell me if they knew.
That was when I understood that I had a warm loving home but Pam just lived in a big fine house. Quiet a difference. Yep and a good difference.
There are so many differences between a house and a home. A home has to be full of people but that's not enough. There has to be love, understanding, respect, closeness, etc.
I had a friend once who lived alone with her Mother. Her name was Pamela. She was beautiful. I was only 8 but I knew she was beautiful. Like a little China doll with clear blue eyes and beautiful curly blond hair. Pam always had money to spend at the school candy store. She had the most frilly beautiful clothes I had ever seen. And Pam had something else that was more important which was a loving spirit. Pam came home with me lots of evenings from school and spent the night, sometimes two or three nights. She loved to come to my home. I didn't really understand that because we didn't have a inside bathroom or any other of the conveniences that Pam had at her home. Pam lived in a big white house with tall pillars, a wrap around porch with big chairs and flowers all over. Her room inside that house was all pink and fluffy with stuffed animals and everything that a little girl could ever imagine wanting. Yet Pam wanted to be at my house. I was never at her home except for a few times. I didn't really understand why I wasn't invited.
One day Pam told me that she wanted me to come to her house after school. I told her that I couldn't go without asking first so I'd have to wait until the next day. Pam told me that she never had to ask, she just came when she wanted to and stayed as long as she wanted to. The next day Mamma said I could ride the school bus home with Pamela and stay a while and play but that I couldn't stay all night. She said my Daddy would come and get me before dark. I didn't really mind not getting to stay the night. The only place I wanted to stay the night was at Brenda's.
We got off the bus the next evening and walked up the lane to Pamela's house. We couldn't get in. Pamela rang the doorbell over and over then she started hollering for her Mamma to come open the door. No one came and I was scared. I told Pam that I wanted to go home. Of course it was too far to walk so I was stuck. Pam said don't worry my Mom will let us in after a while. That I didn't understand. It was cold and if Pam's Mom was in the house why did she lock Pam out.
About an hour later , which seemed a lot longer, the door was finally opened and her Mom was standing there looking terrible I thought. She was in a robe and looked like she had just gotten up. As soon as she opened the door she started cursing Pam and slapped her. She said “Pam I have told you over and over not to keep knocking on the door when it is locked”. I told her to leave Pam alone because my Daddy would be there soon and she better not be slapping her when he got there. She pushed Pam in the door and shut it in my face. It wasn't long till my Daddy got there. I ran and told him what had happened. He put me in the car and told me to stay there. He knocked on the door but no one ever came. Daddy was mad but all he could do was to keep me away from Pam's house. The law wasn't even thought of . Back then that was the way of it. The law did not interfere in family matters.
Pam didn't come to school the next day or the next. When she came back a man was with her. They got all Pam's things out of her desk and I never saw her again. I have no idea where they went or who the man was but the big fine house had a for sale sign on it soon after that.
It was years later that I figured out what might have happened but I don't know and Mamma and Daddy never would tell me if they knew.
That was when I understood that I had a warm loving home but Pam just lived in a big fine house. Quiet a difference. Yep and a good difference.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
DAD BLAMED BIG TOE
1-5-10...DAD BLAMED BIG TOE
Well by golly I thought I'd lost my touch but today showed me I had not. My touch at being a klutz is what I'm talking about. Good Grief I have been a total disaster today. I guess I should have not gotten up because I sure didn't want to.
During the night I kept bumping my big toe and it was sore as heck. Now what I thought, is my big toe gonna fall off. Well I wouldn't doubt it!! I can't see my toes anymore so there might be a dad blamed leech hangin' on it and I'd never know. When I got up this morning I went stumblin' and shufflin' through the house as usual and stumped my sore toe on something. I'm tellin' you right now I almost let my tongue slip. I was thinking Well I do stump my toes a lot.
I got in the bathroom and sat down on the pot but I couldn't get my foot up so I could see my toe over my belly. In that process I hit it on the vanity cabinet. OUCH! I had to bite my tongue this time. I could just catch a glimpse of that toe. I can get my left leg up a little farther than the right one so why in the heck wasn't it the one that was sore. Good Grief!! I got in every position imaginable but no way. I thought well just forget that. It can't stay sore forever. I started out to the Kitchen to get my first cup of coffee. Now have you ever started to open a door and get your toe under it? I did by golly, and hit my head on that door too. Well if this keeps up the only way I'm going to be able to control my tongue is to cut the dang thing out. That durn toe was sure feelin' funny now I thought. Wonder if the thing is even still there, maybe I ought to shine my flash light around and see if it's laying somewhere. Now I finally figure out that after I turned the bathroom light off I shoulda' turned the flashlight ON, cause Don left his dad blamed shoe in the middle of the floor and you know what happened. If you don't GOOD, I aint gonna tell. Got my coffee and got out to my recliner, took my slippers off, put my recliner up, shined the flashlight on my toe, “OH MY GOSH, That's the ugliest toe I ever saw in my life. The toenail was cracked and jagged, and had been bleeding. I've got a blamed ingrown toenail I do believe. I remembered having them from stumping my toes so much when I was a kid and knew what had to be done. I gotta soak my foot in warm salt water to soften it so somehow I can get that toenail outta my durn toe. I went back in the bathroom, got a plastic pan, fixed up my water, and soused my foot in there. “OwwEe. Couldn't control that flappin' tongue that time, Nope couldn't do it. I soaked it till the water was cooled off, put some cortisone cream in the end of a sock and stashed that foot in the sock. Now I thought that was genius because I couldn't get my foot up high enough to put the cream on the toe. I wore that sock all day and when I took a shower a while ago it didn't seem sore. I put another cortisone packed sock on and I'm gonna sleep in that. Maybe it wasn't an ingrown toenail but just a too often stumped toe. I need to get over to Carol Ann's and get a complete working over any way. She will check my toes then. Till then I gotta quit stumping my toes. YEP!!!
Well by golly I thought I'd lost my touch but today showed me I had not. My touch at being a klutz is what I'm talking about. Good Grief I have been a total disaster today. I guess I should have not gotten up because I sure didn't want to.
During the night I kept bumping my big toe and it was sore as heck. Now what I thought, is my big toe gonna fall off. Well I wouldn't doubt it!! I can't see my toes anymore so there might be a dad blamed leech hangin' on it and I'd never know. When I got up this morning I went stumblin' and shufflin' through the house as usual and stumped my sore toe on something. I'm tellin' you right now I almost let my tongue slip. I was thinking Well I do stump my toes a lot.
I got in the bathroom and sat down on the pot but I couldn't get my foot up so I could see my toe over my belly. In that process I hit it on the vanity cabinet. OUCH! I had to bite my tongue this time. I could just catch a glimpse of that toe. I can get my left leg up a little farther than the right one so why in the heck wasn't it the one that was sore. Good Grief!! I got in every position imaginable but no way. I thought well just forget that. It can't stay sore forever. I started out to the Kitchen to get my first cup of coffee. Now have you ever started to open a door and get your toe under it? I did by golly, and hit my head on that door too. Well if this keeps up the only way I'm going to be able to control my tongue is to cut the dang thing out. That durn toe was sure feelin' funny now I thought. Wonder if the thing is even still there, maybe I ought to shine my flash light around and see if it's laying somewhere. Now I finally figure out that after I turned the bathroom light off I shoulda' turned the flashlight ON, cause Don left his dad blamed shoe in the middle of the floor and you know what happened. If you don't GOOD, I aint gonna tell. Got my coffee and got out to my recliner, took my slippers off, put my recliner up, shined the flashlight on my toe, “OH MY GOSH, That's the ugliest toe I ever saw in my life. The toenail was cracked and jagged, and had been bleeding. I've got a blamed ingrown toenail I do believe. I remembered having them from stumping my toes so much when I was a kid and knew what had to be done. I gotta soak my foot in warm salt water to soften it so somehow I can get that toenail outta my durn toe. I went back in the bathroom, got a plastic pan, fixed up my water, and soused my foot in there. “OwwEe. Couldn't control that flappin' tongue that time, Nope couldn't do it. I soaked it till the water was cooled off, put some cortisone cream in the end of a sock and stashed that foot in the sock. Now I thought that was genius because I couldn't get my foot up high enough to put the cream on the toe. I wore that sock all day and when I took a shower a while ago it didn't seem sore. I put another cortisone packed sock on and I'm gonna sleep in that. Maybe it wasn't an ingrown toenail but just a too often stumped toe. I need to get over to Carol Ann's and get a complete working over any way. She will check my toes then. Till then I gotta quit stumping my toes. YEP!!!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Grandma Made The Covers
1-3-10...Grandma Made The Covers
Grandma made the quilts that covered us each night.
She sewed the pieces together with needle thread & might.
She made the feather bed where we lay our selves down
The pillows stuffed with feathers, were passed all around.
We were tucked in and covered, clear up to our nose
till' we looked like a cocoon from our head down to our toes.
We slept warm and snug in that ol' cast iron bed, with springs
that would squeak every time you moved your head.
Many quilts were piled high, hot bricks for your toes.
Some Vicks upon your chest, your back and your nose.
You'd lie there warm as toast, till nature would kick in,
Unwrapped you would be then do it all again.
There were so many quilts that if you moved and squirmed
you'd be liable to get tangled at least until you learned.
But the very worst thing I think that you could do
would be to turn over with so many covers on you.
One night I flopped and flounced moving all about
lifting up those covers and that's when I found out.
When you are weighted down with covers and you try to move,
your like to wind up on the cold floor with them on top of you!!!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
THE VALENTINE CARD
12-30-09...THE VALENTINE CARD
My Best Valentines Day
Oh my how we kids looked forward to Valentines Day in school. On the Friday before the big day we all got to have a party in our room and we could give and receive valentines. Each teacher would get a big box and decorate it real pretty, cut a slot in the top and we got to drop our cards in when we got to school that morning. In younger grades Mothers mostly got the cards ready for us and we never thought much about it except we were having a 'party' on a school day.
I think my third year was the one where I wanted to make my own cards out. I was starting to 'claim' (what we called it) a little boy in my class. Cutest little guy you ever laid eyes on with the sweetest smile you ever saw. Why By George my little 8 yr. Old heart fluttered every time I saw him. Trouble was all the girls in the class had the same crush on him.
I was determined that year that my Valentine to him was going to be the best Valentine he had ever received in his life. The prettiest, the most colorful, most glittering card in the store. Yep I was going to be the girl to win his heart all right. I was sure of it.
I got my bubble burst though when Mamma told me I needed to make my Valentines this year. “Clydene I'm sorry but we just couldn't buy them. We don't have enough money this year”. Oh My Gosh, I just knew my life was ruined. “Mamma I can't take home made cards to school” I wailed. “Clydene I know how you feel but it can't be helped and I said I'm sorry. Your Daddy is sorry too. Don't make him feel worse than he does about it”. That did it. I would never want to do anything to hurt my Mamma and Daddy. I just decided I wouldn't go to school that day, I'd say I was sick. Mamma saw through that one fast and another bubble broke. Mamma had gotten some red paper somewhere. I think it was on a Christmas package someone gave us. It was all shiny and beautiful. I sure wasn't very keen on the idea but I went along hoping that somehow I'd get out of having to take those cards to school. I didn't want to disappoint Mamma so I decided to just go ahead and do the best I could. With Mamma's help we cut out red hearts from the pretty paper. Daddy could take white paper and scissors an cut pretty things like magic. He'd fold the paper, make a few slits and there you go, snowflakes. I had some school glue in my book satchel. Daddy made some figures standing in a row with his magic scissors. We cut them apart and glued one on each valentine and I wrote the name of my classmate on that. We glued the snowflakes on, and I think some other stickers my Brother who was 4 got to stick on. Don't know where Mamma got those. I was beginning to feel better about my Valentines.
On the big day I proudly dropped my cards in the pretty box and waited. I can't remember how they were handed out but they were. I was looking around for someone to open mine. Someone said, “This aint no valentine Miss Hogan”. Oh no I thought, Oh My no. I wanted to get up and run away.
Miss Hogan went and took the home made valentine and said, “Why this is the most beautiful card I've ever seen Clydene. Class look, Clydene made this all by herself. Isn't it pretty”. She held it up to the light and indeed it was pretty. Everyone started ohhing and awing, and I was on Cloud nine for a while. What made it even better was the fact that the teacher announced that we would all make our cards next year, and “Now kids wont that be fun”? Oh yeaw oh boy yes it will.
That is the Valentines Day I remember most in my life, when a home made card that my whole little family was in on making was the hit of the day. (Thanks to Miss Hogan)
My Best Valentines Day
Oh my how we kids looked forward to Valentines Day in school. On the Friday before the big day we all got to have a party in our room and we could give and receive valentines. Each teacher would get a big box and decorate it real pretty, cut a slot in the top and we got to drop our cards in when we got to school that morning. In younger grades Mothers mostly got the cards ready for us and we never thought much about it except we were having a 'party' on a school day.
I think my third year was the one where I wanted to make my own cards out. I was starting to 'claim' (what we called it) a little boy in my class. Cutest little guy you ever laid eyes on with the sweetest smile you ever saw. Why By George my little 8 yr. Old heart fluttered every time I saw him. Trouble was all the girls in the class had the same crush on him.
I was determined that year that my Valentine to him was going to be the best Valentine he had ever received in his life. The prettiest, the most colorful, most glittering card in the store. Yep I was going to be the girl to win his heart all right. I was sure of it.
I got my bubble burst though when Mamma told me I needed to make my Valentines this year. “Clydene I'm sorry but we just couldn't buy them. We don't have enough money this year”. Oh My Gosh, I just knew my life was ruined. “Mamma I can't take home made cards to school” I wailed. “Clydene I know how you feel but it can't be helped and I said I'm sorry. Your Daddy is sorry too. Don't make him feel worse than he does about it”. That did it. I would never want to do anything to hurt my Mamma and Daddy. I just decided I wouldn't go to school that day, I'd say I was sick. Mamma saw through that one fast and another bubble broke. Mamma had gotten some red paper somewhere. I think it was on a Christmas package someone gave us. It was all shiny and beautiful. I sure wasn't very keen on the idea but I went along hoping that somehow I'd get out of having to take those cards to school. I didn't want to disappoint Mamma so I decided to just go ahead and do the best I could. With Mamma's help we cut out red hearts from the pretty paper. Daddy could take white paper and scissors an cut pretty things like magic. He'd fold the paper, make a few slits and there you go, snowflakes. I had some school glue in my book satchel. Daddy made some figures standing in a row with his magic scissors. We cut them apart and glued one on each valentine and I wrote the name of my classmate on that. We glued the snowflakes on, and I think some other stickers my Brother who was 4 got to stick on. Don't know where Mamma got those. I was beginning to feel better about my Valentines.
On the big day I proudly dropped my cards in the pretty box and waited. I can't remember how they were handed out but they were. I was looking around for someone to open mine. Someone said, “This aint no valentine Miss Hogan”. Oh no I thought, Oh My no. I wanted to get up and run away.
Miss Hogan went and took the home made valentine and said, “Why this is the most beautiful card I've ever seen Clydene. Class look, Clydene made this all by herself. Isn't it pretty”. She held it up to the light and indeed it was pretty. Everyone started ohhing and awing, and I was on Cloud nine for a while. What made it even better was the fact that the teacher announced that we would all make our cards next year, and “Now kids wont that be fun”? Oh yeaw oh boy yes it will.
That is the Valentines Day I remember most in my life, when a home made card that my whole little family was in on making was the hit of the day. (Thanks to Miss Hogan)
A TRIBUTE
12-29-09...A TRIBUTE
A tribute to Miss Whitley
and other barren women
She gathered up her partners
and down the road they trod.
Their bare feet gliding smoothly,
ore' tough terrain and sod.
No certain destination,
was even in our mind.
We just took off together,
Yep! Had plenty of time.
We anticipated our first stop,
Twas just around the bend,
and up on the next lane,
the house there on the end.
Where was a sweet old lady,
she was alone and sad,
And her lot was not to be blessed,
with kids like others had.
We knew that when we stopped there,
she'd always say “Come on in”.
And through that summer long,
we went and went again.
She served us cake and kool aide,
she called it evening tea,
Her face would light with smile
as she served my friends and me.
She claimed us all as her kid'o's
and when we'd start to go,
she'd say “now don't y'all forget me”,
we'd say “oh my no”.
That school year brought new wonders,
and I'm ashamed to say,
we forgot about that dear lady,
and when I got home one day.
Mamma told me that our friend, had quietly passed away.
We all trouped in to say good by,
when they laid her to her rest.
And vowed to her we'd never never again,
forget her, she was the best.
I still think of her often,
though more than 50 years have passed.
And now in my later years,
I can feel her pain,
when her little troupe of kid'o's.
Left to never come again.
Clydene (Thomas) Overbey
A tribute to Miss Whitley
and other barren women
She gathered up her partners
and down the road they trod.
Their bare feet gliding smoothly,
ore' tough terrain and sod.
No certain destination,
was even in our mind.
We just took off together,
Yep! Had plenty of time.
We anticipated our first stop,
Twas just around the bend,
and up on the next lane,
the house there on the end.
Where was a sweet old lady,
she was alone and sad,
And her lot was not to be blessed,
with kids like others had.
We knew that when we stopped there,
she'd always say “Come on in”.
And through that summer long,
we went and went again.
She served us cake and kool aide,
she called it evening tea,
Her face would light with smile
as she served my friends and me.
She claimed us all as her kid'o's
and when we'd start to go,
she'd say “now don't y'all forget me”,
we'd say “oh my no”.
That school year brought new wonders,
and I'm ashamed to say,
we forgot about that dear lady,
and when I got home one day.
Mamma told me that our friend, had quietly passed away.
We all trouped in to say good by,
when they laid her to her rest.
And vowed to her we'd never never again,
forget her, she was the best.
I still think of her often,
though more than 50 years have passed.
And now in my later years,
I can feel her pain,
when her little troupe of kid'o's.
Left to never come again.
Clydene (Thomas) Overbey
Sunday, December 27, 2009
THE AGE GAME
12-27-09...THE AGE GAME
When I was 12 I just couldn't wait to be a teenager. I thought I would really be something then. In my teen years I found out it wasn't as great as I had thought so I started looking forward to 21. Now that's when things will really get good I thought. Lo and behold when I turned 21 I discovered that this was not good at all. I had more responsibilities and things were not near as easy as I thought they were gonna' be.
After my 20's I started thinking that things just had to get better in my 30's. I'd known people in their 30's and they seemed to have everything. A home and a family. Yep that's when things get better, has to be.
On my 30'Th birthday I turned in to a blubbering, squalling mess. Oh my goodness my life was half over and what in the world had I done but wish for the next decade to come. I called everyone who would listen and blubbered and snotted but got nary a bit of sympathy. Now I was really in to living and I didn't know how yet.
Then came the fourties. I just seemed to muddle through those fourties by the skin of my teeth. Some bad things had, and did happen to me in my fourties that made me long to have my teens back.
In my fifties I blubberd and bawled a lot again. Heck fire my life was really half gone and then some. But I had learned a lot. I had born a lot, and I was still there. I had stood my ground never letting life get me down. Oh I got down but I had learned how to get up and go again.
Now in my 60's I look back and know that I would never want to live any decade of my life over. I've got now and that's all I expect. In just five years I'm gonna enter my 70's. ,Lord Willing ,and I don't even wonder what the 70's are going to bring for me. Sometimes I do wonder if I will get to see my 70's, 80's, 9o's etc. but I don't worry about it or wish for it to hurry and get here. Each decade of my life so far has had up's and down's, heartbreak, and joy. Not one of them has out done me. I'm still going. Isn't it a shame that it took me so long to come to that conclusion? Life has a way of teaching us what is important and what is not. My age don't mean a hill of beans when all is said and done. The only thing I'd wish for now is to be remembered fondly. I Pray I will be able to leave a good legacy behind and that I have made someone else's life a little better. YEP!!!
When I was 12 I just couldn't wait to be a teenager. I thought I would really be something then. In my teen years I found out it wasn't as great as I had thought so I started looking forward to 21. Now that's when things will really get good I thought. Lo and behold when I turned 21 I discovered that this was not good at all. I had more responsibilities and things were not near as easy as I thought they were gonna' be.
After my 20's I started thinking that things just had to get better in my 30's. I'd known people in their 30's and they seemed to have everything. A home and a family. Yep that's when things get better, has to be.
On my 30'Th birthday I turned in to a blubbering, squalling mess. Oh my goodness my life was half over and what in the world had I done but wish for the next decade to come. I called everyone who would listen and blubbered and snotted but got nary a bit of sympathy. Now I was really in to living and I didn't know how yet.
Then came the fourties. I just seemed to muddle through those fourties by the skin of my teeth. Some bad things had, and did happen to me in my fourties that made me long to have my teens back.
In my fifties I blubberd and bawled a lot again. Heck fire my life was really half gone and then some. But I had learned a lot. I had born a lot, and I was still there. I had stood my ground never letting life get me down. Oh I got down but I had learned how to get up and go again.
Now in my 60's I look back and know that I would never want to live any decade of my life over. I've got now and that's all I expect. In just five years I'm gonna enter my 70's. ,Lord Willing ,and I don't even wonder what the 70's are going to bring for me. Sometimes I do wonder if I will get to see my 70's, 80's, 9o's etc. but I don't worry about it or wish for it to hurry and get here. Each decade of my life so far has had up's and down's, heartbreak, and joy. Not one of them has out done me. I'm still going. Isn't it a shame that it took me so long to come to that conclusion? Life has a way of teaching us what is important and what is not. My age don't mean a hill of beans when all is said and done. The only thing I'd wish for now is to be remembered fondly. I Pray I will be able to leave a good legacy behind and that I have made someone else's life a little better. YEP!!!
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