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.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
DADDY SHAVING
1-26-11...DADDY SHAVING
As a child one of the things I liked best was watching Daddy shave. It was quiet a production. First he would heat the water in a pan that we called a wash pan. It was white enamel with a red ring around the edge. It sat on the wash stand beside a white enamel water bucket with a red ring around it. A dipper again white enamel with a red ring was hanging on a nail or a hook by the bucket. Daddy would dip water in the wash pan and heat it to almost boiling on the stove. That was when I would scamper off to the bed room with a thick dishrag or pot holder and put it on the dresser for him to set the pan on. I knew Daddy usually forgot to do this and Mamma said it was ruining the dresser. Daddy sat in a cane back chair in front of the dresser so he could see himself in the mirror. The picture of the dresser below is an exact match of the dresser except that ours was old and sort of beat up.
Next Daddy took a washrag and soaked it in the hot water. It would be steaming and Daddy would place it on his face covering all his whiskers. It always fascinated and scared me a bit to see steam coming off Daddy's face. After he figured his tough beard was softened he would take it off and put soap all over his beard lathering it up. Not the aerosol cans of today but what looked like a plain bar of soap that he kept in a mug. He had a brush that looked like one of my make up brushes that he used to put the lather on. He stuck the brush in the hot water and then made a lather on the soap.
Next he used a double edged razor to shave the lather off which took the whiskers too. He dipped the razor in the water and washed it after each swipe. Sometimes he nicked his skin and he would take a cigarette paper and wet a piece of it and dob it on the cut to stop the bleeding.
I really was fascinated by this and I guess you know I tried it and it is a wonder I didn't cut my head off. Oh How I'd love to see Daddy do that again.
Picture of the wash pan, water bucket, and the shave kit are just like ours.
As a child one of the things I liked best was watching Daddy shave. It was quiet a production. First he would heat the water in a pan that we called a wash pan. It was white enamel with a red ring around the edge. It sat on the wash stand beside a white enamel water bucket with a red ring around it. A dipper again white enamel with a red ring was hanging on a nail or a hook by the bucket. Daddy would dip water in the wash pan and heat it to almost boiling on the stove. That was when I would scamper off to the bed room with a thick dishrag or pot holder and put it on the dresser for him to set the pan on. I knew Daddy usually forgot to do this and Mamma said it was ruining the dresser. Daddy sat in a cane back chair in front of the dresser so he could see himself in the mirror. The picture of the dresser below is an exact match of the dresser except that ours was old and sort of beat up.
Next Daddy took a washrag and soaked it in the hot water. It would be steaming and Daddy would place it on his face covering all his whiskers. It always fascinated and scared me a bit to see steam coming off Daddy's face. After he figured his tough beard was softened he would take it off and put soap all over his beard lathering it up. Not the aerosol cans of today but what looked like a plain bar of soap that he kept in a mug. He had a brush that looked like one of my make up brushes that he used to put the lather on. He stuck the brush in the hot water and then made a lather on the soap.
Next he used a double edged razor to shave the lather off which took the whiskers too. He dipped the razor in the water and washed it after each swipe. Sometimes he nicked his skin and he would take a cigarette paper and wet a piece of it and dob it on the cut to stop the bleeding.
I really was fascinated by this and I guess you know I tried it and it is a wonder I didn't cut my head off. Oh How I'd love to see Daddy do that again.
Picture of the wash pan, water bucket, and the shave kit are just like ours.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
CHANGES
1-19-11...CHANGES
Winter evenings when I was growing up consisted of Family time. We did everything together. In our house that included Brenda and/or her Brother Paul. We all watched TV, after we got one, or played some game that we could do on paper. We improvised to play checkers on a board someone thrown away and coke bottle caps and buttons.. A cousin who was in the Army came in on leave and brought us a Chinese Checker game that entertained us many a cold night at the Kitchen table. Someone gave us some Jig saw puzzles once and we all did those together while eating popcorn or parched peanuts. I don't really know what Families do now but I suspect it is nothing like we did 60 + years ago.
Sometimes Brenda and I made Fudge on Friday nights and we all shared the goodies together. I can still taste that old fashioned fudge. Not a bit like the fudge we all make today.
On summer evenings we played outside until dark where we found lots to do but Oh My those cold winter evenings stand out in my mind more.
Brenda and I had stayed out one night to a smidge past dark and we concocted a plan to scare the pants off everyone else inside. We were going to scratch on a screen and run a stick over the drop siding in the back of the house. Now Mamma and Daddy knew us well so somehow they had already figured out we were up to something. When Daddy glimpsed us heading to the back of the house he decided to beat us at our own little game.
It was a little darker than we really wanted it to be and that was a problem right away. As usual Brenda was hanging on to me and she said, “Clydene let's not do it, I wanna go in”. “No Brenda come on now you said you would help me, Now Come On”. Well since Brenda wasn't about to turn loose of my arm she reluctantly tagged along. First thing we did was look around for a good stick. Brenda wasn't about to do that either so here I was all bent over looking for a stick with her hanging on to my arm. “Brenda turn loose of me”, I whispered. That only made her hang on tighter. Brenda was always there to help me but only because she was grown to me somewhere. I wasn't afraid of much anything so it irritated me a bit because Brenda never corp orated with me. I was digging around on the ground and we must have looked funny with me bent over and Brenda hanging on. Daddy was standing just a few steps away and he got tickled. He tried to be quiet but snickered which Brenda heard. I heard it too but I thought it was Brenda. “Brenda shut up someone's gonna hear you”. Brenda didn't answer me but Daddy snickered again. I still thought it was Brenda. I guess Daddy decided we saw him and he started toward us. Brenda saw him move but I didn't. She was still grown to me and she was going to run. Now Brenda was a coward but she was strong as a bull and she was moving on dragging me behind her. She fell with me on top of her but she still held on like a vice. Daddy saw that she didn't know who he was so he said, “Girls”. He was still laughing and this time I heard him and knew it wasn't Brenda. Now I'm scared and I'm gonna move too. Brenda was heavier than me but this little big britches got up with Brenda dangling on my arm like a bracelet and tore outta there like all the Demons of Hell were after me. Daddy was so tickled by now that all he could do was beat his legs and laugh. In nothing flat I was in the front of the house going up on the porch. “Where'd that thing go Brenda”? “I don't know Clydene lets get in the house”. Just then Daddy walked up on the porch and we could see who he was. “Daddy there is something in the back yard and it's after us. Hurry lets get in the house”! Daddy was still tickled but trying to straighten up because he saw now how scared we were.
It took a while but we finally got it all sorted out and we understood that it was only Daddy. He felt bad for scaring us so bad and told us he was sorry to which Mamma said, “Well Girls you got the tables turned on you didn't you”? It took a while for us to live that down. The boys told everyone they saw after that and we sure took some ribbing. That was one time my bravery fizzled out on me by golly!!
Winter evenings when I was growing up consisted of Family time. We did everything together. In our house that included Brenda and/or her Brother Paul. We all watched TV, after we got one, or played some game that we could do on paper. We improvised to play checkers on a board someone thrown away and coke bottle caps and buttons.. A cousin who was in the Army came in on leave and brought us a Chinese Checker game that entertained us many a cold night at the Kitchen table. Someone gave us some Jig saw puzzles once and we all did those together while eating popcorn or parched peanuts. I don't really know what Families do now but I suspect it is nothing like we did 60 + years ago.
Sometimes Brenda and I made Fudge on Friday nights and we all shared the goodies together. I can still taste that old fashioned fudge. Not a bit like the fudge we all make today.
On summer evenings we played outside until dark where we found lots to do but Oh My those cold winter evenings stand out in my mind more.
Brenda and I had stayed out one night to a smidge past dark and we concocted a plan to scare the pants off everyone else inside. We were going to scratch on a screen and run a stick over the drop siding in the back of the house. Now Mamma and Daddy knew us well so somehow they had already figured out we were up to something. When Daddy glimpsed us heading to the back of the house he decided to beat us at our own little game.
It was a little darker than we really wanted it to be and that was a problem right away. As usual Brenda was hanging on to me and she said, “Clydene let's not do it, I wanna go in”. “No Brenda come on now you said you would help me, Now Come On”. Well since Brenda wasn't about to turn loose of my arm she reluctantly tagged along. First thing we did was look around for a good stick. Brenda wasn't about to do that either so here I was all bent over looking for a stick with her hanging on to my arm. “Brenda turn loose of me”, I whispered. That only made her hang on tighter. Brenda was always there to help me but only because she was grown to me somewhere. I wasn't afraid of much anything so it irritated me a bit because Brenda never corp orated with me. I was digging around on the ground and we must have looked funny with me bent over and Brenda hanging on. Daddy was standing just a few steps away and he got tickled. He tried to be quiet but snickered which Brenda heard. I heard it too but I thought it was Brenda. “Brenda shut up someone's gonna hear you”. Brenda didn't answer me but Daddy snickered again. I still thought it was Brenda. I guess Daddy decided we saw him and he started toward us. Brenda saw him move but I didn't. She was still grown to me and she was going to run. Now Brenda was a coward but she was strong as a bull and she was moving on dragging me behind her. She fell with me on top of her but she still held on like a vice. Daddy saw that she didn't know who he was so he said, “Girls”. He was still laughing and this time I heard him and knew it wasn't Brenda. Now I'm scared and I'm gonna move too. Brenda was heavier than me but this little big britches got up with Brenda dangling on my arm like a bracelet and tore outta there like all the Demons of Hell were after me. Daddy was so tickled by now that all he could do was beat his legs and laugh. In nothing flat I was in the front of the house going up on the porch. “Where'd that thing go Brenda”? “I don't know Clydene lets get in the house”. Just then Daddy walked up on the porch and we could see who he was. “Daddy there is something in the back yard and it's after us. Hurry lets get in the house”! Daddy was still tickled but trying to straighten up because he saw now how scared we were.
It took a while but we finally got it all sorted out and we understood that it was only Daddy. He felt bad for scaring us so bad and told us he was sorry to which Mamma said, “Well Girls you got the tables turned on you didn't you”? It took a while for us to live that down. The boys told everyone they saw after that and we sure took some ribbing. That was one time my bravery fizzled out on me by golly!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
ALWAYS GROWING
1-12-11...ALWAYS GROWING
As I sit here in the early morning it is quiet and peaceful. I love this time of day. I remember, think, ponder, and just talk to myself.
Not goofiness like I'm prone to do but deep heartfelt thoughts as I look back over my long years on this earth. There have been tears and giggles, heartbreak and happiness, regret and shame, and wonderful times of such pure joy that I could hardly contain it.
Nothing remains the same. Things don't last whether it be good or bad. A storm may come crushing down on you leaving destruction behind. But storms don't last, they quickly move by. You sometimes think everything is good with your world but that don't last forever either. That is just the way of things, they will eventually change.
Sometimes we can straighten everything out but mostly we clean up and start over. Sometimes I feel like a young tender sapling amongst a huge Forrest. Scared, alone, unsure, and generally overwhelmed. I strive for more trying to look up but at the same time knowing I need to watch where I'm going for fear of being trampled under stronger things. Looking up is scary being surrounded as you are by things bigger and stronger, but looking down only becomes confusing and more scary.
You look around trying to find a friendly place and common ground with something. Your tender branches are not able to withstand the harsh realities of where you have found yourself.
Nothing around you is helpful but ready to suck your roots dry and destroy you. You know there is something or somewhere you need to be or go but you are lost and alone.
When I was young and carefree things seemed perfect. I'm glad I didn't know what was to come. I'm sure God gave me that wonderful magical childhood as a tiny sapling to prepare me for later when things got rough. As I have aged things have changed with me. I no longer dream of the future and all the great things I'm going to achieve. I am happy with the way things are most of the time. My perspective on most things has done a complete turn about.
My resistance to things like, problems, adversities, feelings, indeed my body does not respond to pain the way it always did. My feelings are much more easy to hurt and I'm finding the least thing and I go on a crying pity party. You would think that I'd have developed a shell hard as nails and not pent ratable by now but no, I'm very vulnerable to everything and I detest that. It takes years for a sapling to become a mighty oak and in the years spent growing it is never easy. There are those who would cut you down before you have a chance to achieve anything. You bend and crack but saplings are hard to break they bounce back.
I have achieved the status of an Oak now. The sapling that I was no longer exists. I am preening my branches and saying. I'm still here, look at me, I made it up out of the deep of the Forrest. My leaves are not ready to fall yet but they will. I just want to leave something behind that just maybe a young sapling can take root from. I hope I will.
As I sit here in the early morning it is quiet and peaceful. I love this time of day. I remember, think, ponder, and just talk to myself.
Not goofiness like I'm prone to do but deep heartfelt thoughts as I look back over my long years on this earth. There have been tears and giggles, heartbreak and happiness, regret and shame, and wonderful times of such pure joy that I could hardly contain it.
Nothing remains the same. Things don't last whether it be good or bad. A storm may come crushing down on you leaving destruction behind. But storms don't last, they quickly move by. You sometimes think everything is good with your world but that don't last forever either. That is just the way of things, they will eventually change.
Sometimes we can straighten everything out but mostly we clean up and start over. Sometimes I feel like a young tender sapling amongst a huge Forrest. Scared, alone, unsure, and generally overwhelmed. I strive for more trying to look up but at the same time knowing I need to watch where I'm going for fear of being trampled under stronger things. Looking up is scary being surrounded as you are by things bigger and stronger, but looking down only becomes confusing and more scary.
You look around trying to find a friendly place and common ground with something. Your tender branches are not able to withstand the harsh realities of where you have found yourself.
Nothing around you is helpful but ready to suck your roots dry and destroy you. You know there is something or somewhere you need to be or go but you are lost and alone.
When I was young and carefree things seemed perfect. I'm glad I didn't know what was to come. I'm sure God gave me that wonderful magical childhood as a tiny sapling to prepare me for later when things got rough. As I have aged things have changed with me. I no longer dream of the future and all the great things I'm going to achieve. I am happy with the way things are most of the time. My perspective on most things has done a complete turn about.
My resistance to things like, problems, adversities, feelings, indeed my body does not respond to pain the way it always did. My feelings are much more easy to hurt and I'm finding the least thing and I go on a crying pity party. You would think that I'd have developed a shell hard as nails and not pent ratable by now but no, I'm very vulnerable to everything and I detest that. It takes years for a sapling to become a mighty oak and in the years spent growing it is never easy. There are those who would cut you down before you have a chance to achieve anything. You bend and crack but saplings are hard to break they bounce back.
I have achieved the status of an Oak now. The sapling that I was no longer exists. I am preening my branches and saying. I'm still here, look at me, I made it up out of the deep of the Forrest. My leaves are not ready to fall yet but they will. I just want to leave something behind that just maybe a young sapling can take root from. I hope I will.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
MISS DODD
1-5-11...MISS DODD
Miss Dodd was a small woman, all crippled up so she walked like a spider. She had a walking stick that she would sometimes swing around like she was going to hit someone. She had a big smile always on her face with snuff stains on her chin, down each cheek, and all over her dress. Miss Dodd couldn't talk plain and her voice was gravelly. We were scared spitless of her. When we would go with our parents to Keys store(the only one close enough to walk to) sometimes she would come down the road talking to herself. I tell you now my bones would shake and my chin would quiver. Our parents tried to tell us she was a gentle soul and wouldn't hurt a fly but we were not having any of that business. Nosireee, We were just flat out scared. No two ways about that. Nope. As we got a little older we were allowed to walk up to the store by ourselves but if we saw Miss Dodd coming down the road we just very politely turned around and went right on back the way we came, faster than we came. The four of us were in the store one day and Miss Dodd just rumbled in the door singing. Now at the time we thought she was screechin' at us. She swung her stick in the air like we had seen her do before. Still don't know what that was all about, don't guess anybody did. She was just accepted the way she was. Well by most people she was but when it came to Brenda and I, now that was a different story! Yep. “Clydene lets run”, Brenda grabbed her brother and went draggin' him and I did the same with my brother. The boys were protesting big time. They were planning on a strawberry drink and just wasn't scared of that lady. Goofy things anyway, didn't they know she would probably boil and eat them. Lela Key knew we were scared of Miss Dodd so she tried to stop us, but heck fire we were gettin' outta there. Only problem Miss Dodd had stopped right inside the store and there was no other way out. Lela was talking but Miss Dodd couldn't hear good and we weren't listinin', we were planin' our great escape. Mama had told me that Miss Dodd was confused but she was a sweet lady. Shoot! Did she think I believed that? Heck no I never believed that and neither did Brenda. The boys were too goofy to know any better. They'd believe anything long as they got that strawberry drink. We ground to a halt about halfway to the door where Miss Dodd was standing and just stood there not knowing what the heck we were'a gonna' do. Miss Dodd looked at us and smiled that big snuffy smile and started toward us. Brenda grabbed hold of my arm and started trying to drag me back the other way, “Clydennneee come on”. I still had hold of my little brother but when Brenda jerked me he jerked free of me and took off to the drink machine where Brenda's brother already was. I froze, I mean slap'dab froze till my bones locked up. As Miss Dodd came forward Lela Key took hold of us and I think I must have flew in the air a foot or two, sure seemed like it. “Breeennndddaaa, Her helper came I told you she had a helper, I just knew she did”. Lela wrapped her big arms around us and held on tight talking in a soothing voice. She turned us around and hugged us to her ample bosom and kept talking till we calmed down. She led us over to the drink machine where our Brothers waited and got us all a strawberry drink. She took us out on the high porch where there was a bench built across the front and stayed with us till Miss Dodd got what she came after, paid Wallace Key and came out the door, smiled at us and just went on down the steps like nothin' had happened. I don't know what Lela said to us that day, think it must'v run off my brain but I do know she talked to our Mama's about it and it was several years before we got to walk to Keys Store alone again. I don't know what happened to Miss Dodd either, wish I did. We saw her several times after that but we were not quiet as scared of her again. Now I said "NOT QUIET AS SCARED" Did ya notice that? We were still scared, just not as much. I'm happy that Miss Dodd didn't really know how scared we were of her. Poor old lady. Didn't seem to have anyone to take care of her. I really don't know about that. Wish I did. Bless her heart. It would have been nice knowing her later in my life when I wasn't just a silly kid.
Miss Dodd was a small woman, all crippled up so she walked like a spider. She had a walking stick that she would sometimes swing around like she was going to hit someone. She had a big smile always on her face with snuff stains on her chin, down each cheek, and all over her dress. Miss Dodd couldn't talk plain and her voice was gravelly. We were scared spitless of her. When we would go with our parents to Keys store(the only one close enough to walk to) sometimes she would come down the road talking to herself. I tell you now my bones would shake and my chin would quiver. Our parents tried to tell us she was a gentle soul and wouldn't hurt a fly but we were not having any of that business. Nosireee, We were just flat out scared. No two ways about that. Nope. As we got a little older we were allowed to walk up to the store by ourselves but if we saw Miss Dodd coming down the road we just very politely turned around and went right on back the way we came, faster than we came. The four of us were in the store one day and Miss Dodd just rumbled in the door singing. Now at the time we thought she was screechin' at us. She swung her stick in the air like we had seen her do before. Still don't know what that was all about, don't guess anybody did. She was just accepted the way she was. Well by most people she was but when it came to Brenda and I, now that was a different story! Yep. “Clydene lets run”, Brenda grabbed her brother and went draggin' him and I did the same with my brother. The boys were protesting big time. They were planning on a strawberry drink and just wasn't scared of that lady. Goofy things anyway, didn't they know she would probably boil and eat them. Lela Key knew we were scared of Miss Dodd so she tried to stop us, but heck fire we were gettin' outta there. Only problem Miss Dodd had stopped right inside the store and there was no other way out. Lela was talking but Miss Dodd couldn't hear good and we weren't listinin', we were planin' our great escape. Mama had told me that Miss Dodd was confused but she was a sweet lady. Shoot! Did she think I believed that? Heck no I never believed that and neither did Brenda. The boys were too goofy to know any better. They'd believe anything long as they got that strawberry drink. We ground to a halt about halfway to the door where Miss Dodd was standing and just stood there not knowing what the heck we were'a gonna' do. Miss Dodd looked at us and smiled that big snuffy smile and started toward us. Brenda grabbed hold of my arm and started trying to drag me back the other way, “Clydennneee come on”. I still had hold of my little brother but when Brenda jerked me he jerked free of me and took off to the drink machine where Brenda's brother already was. I froze, I mean slap'dab froze till my bones locked up. As Miss Dodd came forward Lela Key took hold of us and I think I must have flew in the air a foot or two, sure seemed like it. “Breeennndddaaa, Her helper came I told you she had a helper, I just knew she did”. Lela wrapped her big arms around us and held on tight talking in a soothing voice. She turned us around and hugged us to her ample bosom and kept talking till we calmed down. She led us over to the drink machine where our Brothers waited and got us all a strawberry drink. She took us out on the high porch where there was a bench built across the front and stayed with us till Miss Dodd got what she came after, paid Wallace Key and came out the door, smiled at us and just went on down the steps like nothin' had happened. I don't know what Lela said to us that day, think it must'v run off my brain but I do know she talked to our Mama's about it and it was several years before we got to walk to Keys Store alone again. I don't know what happened to Miss Dodd either, wish I did. We saw her several times after that but we were not quiet as scared of her again. Now I said "NOT QUIET AS SCARED" Did ya notice that? We were still scared, just not as much. I'm happy that Miss Dodd didn't really know how scared we were of her. Poor old lady. Didn't seem to have anyone to take care of her. I really don't know about that. Wish I did. Bless her heart. It would have been nice knowing her later in my life when I wasn't just a silly kid.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
MY FIRST BOQUET
1-4-11...MY FIRST BOQUET
I have mentioned some of my friends from school at different times. I'd like to talk about my Friend Tommy today.I first saw Tommy when I was five yrs. old. I was at my Aunt Georgia's with my Parents visiting. Tommy lived with his parents just down the lane. Tommy and his Mom came up to Aunt Georgias. Tommy was the cutest little boy I'd ever seen with big blue eyes and blond hair. Tommy and I were outside playing. Aunt Georgia was sooo! fussy about neatness and she always had a beautiful yard. I was shy but Tommy wasn't. I knew better than to pick Aunt Georgias flowers, Tommy didn't. I had a good time playing with Tommy in Aunt Georgias yard. Tommy picked a big boquet of Aunt Georgias flowers and handed them to me just as his Mom, My Mom, and Aunt Georgia came on the porch. I will never in my life forget how he smiled so sweet when he handed those flowers to me. I can still see it today. “Come on Tommy we gotta' go”his Mom said. “No!” He said. I had taken the flowers and heard a big gasp. It was Aunt Georgia and her mouth was wide open as I clutched the boquet in my grubby little hands. "Tommy! You weren't supposed to pick those without asking". Oh! My Aunt gushed, It's allright, she lied. She was livid inside but trying to be polite. Anyway Tommy said "I want Clydene to go home with us". It's Ok with me his Mom said. I backed up and was shaking my head no. “She don't want to go Tommy”. As I said, I was very shy, Tommy wasn't. Tommy got hold of my shirt sleeve and was gonna' take me home with him anyway. I was jerking back and Tommy was pulling. "Tommy, turn loose of her you are gonna' tear her clothes off", his Mom said. Now folks I really did want to go but I was just too dang bashful. They went on home and My Aunt started moaning about her flowers. “Oh My Goodness, Clydene you knew better”. “Did You pick them Clydene”, asked my Mom. “No! Tommy picked em Mamma”. “Then Georgia (we pronounced it GEORGY and still do) Then Georgy don't get on to her”. That evening Aunt Georgy's boys came home from school and when they found out they started teasing me. “Clydene's got a boyfriend, Clydene's in love”. Hey! I was five and didn't even know what having a boyfriend meant. But I knew how to get my claws out and I did just that. Tore in to them like a mama cat protecting her babies. Aunt Georgy was splutterin' and almost foamin'at the mouth. Why the nerve of a five year old hurting her two babies who were 11 and 15. How rude of her. When we started to first grade in Sep. There was Tommy sitting across the aisle from me. He was the only one I knew so of course we were instant friends. I cried every day till recess when I could get outside with Brenda. Tommy would smile at me and it made me feel better. He would hand pencils, gum, candy, ect. across to me when I was crying. Now in 4th&5th. we got 'struck' on each other for a while. Puppy love for me. Don't know if Tommy felt the same way or was still just my friend. And Friends we remained through all twelve grades. There were only nine in our graduating class at the very small school. We were friends, almost like sisters and Brothers. We graduated in 1961 and Tommy was gone. Never knew what happened to him. Only saw him once in the many years that followed. Then when I got my first computer my Nephew happened across Tommy's Web Site and gave me the address. I contacted him. WALA' instant friends again. Now I have mentioned these things to Tommy and he doesn't remember a bit of it. It is glued in my memory and I'll never forget the first time someone gave me flowers. Guess that is the difference between boys/men & girls/women. We women remember the sweet things better. YEP!!
I have mentioned some of my friends from school at different times. I'd like to talk about my Friend Tommy today.I first saw Tommy when I was five yrs. old. I was at my Aunt Georgia's with my Parents visiting. Tommy lived with his parents just down the lane. Tommy and his Mom came up to Aunt Georgias. Tommy was the cutest little boy I'd ever seen with big blue eyes and blond hair. Tommy and I were outside playing. Aunt Georgia was sooo! fussy about neatness and she always had a beautiful yard. I was shy but Tommy wasn't. I knew better than to pick Aunt Georgias flowers, Tommy didn't. I had a good time playing with Tommy in Aunt Georgias yard. Tommy picked a big boquet of Aunt Georgias flowers and handed them to me just as his Mom, My Mom, and Aunt Georgia came on the porch. I will never in my life forget how he smiled so sweet when he handed those flowers to me. I can still see it today. “Come on Tommy we gotta' go”his Mom said. “No!” He said. I had taken the flowers and heard a big gasp. It was Aunt Georgia and her mouth was wide open as I clutched the boquet in my grubby little hands. "Tommy! You weren't supposed to pick those without asking". Oh! My Aunt gushed, It's allright, she lied. She was livid inside but trying to be polite. Anyway Tommy said "I want Clydene to go home with us". It's Ok with me his Mom said. I backed up and was shaking my head no. “She don't want to go Tommy”. As I said, I was very shy, Tommy wasn't. Tommy got hold of my shirt sleeve and was gonna' take me home with him anyway. I was jerking back and Tommy was pulling. "Tommy, turn loose of her you are gonna' tear her clothes off", his Mom said. Now folks I really did want to go but I was just too dang bashful. They went on home and My Aunt started moaning about her flowers. “Oh My Goodness, Clydene you knew better”. “Did You pick them Clydene”, asked my Mom. “No! Tommy picked em Mamma”. “Then Georgia (we pronounced it GEORGY and still do) Then Georgy don't get on to her”. That evening Aunt Georgy's boys came home from school and when they found out they started teasing me. “Clydene's got a boyfriend, Clydene's in love”. Hey! I was five and didn't even know what having a boyfriend meant. But I knew how to get my claws out and I did just that. Tore in to them like a mama cat protecting her babies. Aunt Georgy was splutterin' and almost foamin'at the mouth. Why the nerve of a five year old hurting her two babies who were 11 and 15. How rude of her. When we started to first grade in Sep. There was Tommy sitting across the aisle from me. He was the only one I knew so of course we were instant friends. I cried every day till recess when I could get outside with Brenda. Tommy would smile at me and it made me feel better. He would hand pencils, gum, candy, ect. across to me when I was crying. Now in 4th&5th. we got 'struck' on each other for a while. Puppy love for me. Don't know if Tommy felt the same way or was still just my friend. And Friends we remained through all twelve grades. There were only nine in our graduating class at the very small school. We were friends, almost like sisters and Brothers. We graduated in 1961 and Tommy was gone. Never knew what happened to him. Only saw him once in the many years that followed. Then when I got my first computer my Nephew happened across Tommy's Web Site and gave me the address. I contacted him. WALA' instant friends again. Now I have mentioned these things to Tommy and he doesn't remember a bit of it. It is glued in my memory and I'll never forget the first time someone gave me flowers. Guess that is the difference between boys/men & girls/women. We women remember the sweet things better. YEP!!
SUGAR BREAD
1-3-11...SUGAR BREAD
We didn't have much when I was growing and certainly not a lot of sweets and snacks. Mama didn't always have sugar or what she needed to bake sweets. We had sorghum sometimes and My Granny made the best sorghum cakes you ever tasted. The icing was a kind of grayish sauce and I don't know what is was made of, wish now I had asked. We were just sooo! happy to get those cakes now and then when we got home from school. Granny didn't have recipes. If asked she would point to her head and say It's all right here. When I watched her all I could see is that she used her hands and a bowl for most of it. A pinch, a pat, a hand full, two heapin' handful, Etc. Not much help to me. I remember after I was married asking Granny to write down the recipe for a cake she simply called white cake. Well Granny tried to put measurement to it but it just didn't work. My white cake never turned out worth a flip. It was “Granny's Hands” that made those cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, and even doughnuts. YUMMY! They will never be duplicated. Nope
One day I said, “Mama can you make us a Chocolate cake”? “Sorry honey I don't have enough sugar”. “What about puddin'?” “Honey puddin' has to have sugar too”. “OKAY” , I said and just went on about my way. Mama had made bread that day and she told me later that the way I accepted no chocolate cake without a pout or a fuss made her feel so bad. Then she remembered what Granny had fixed for her and her two sisters when they were small. Sugar bread. Now that was not real sweet bread. NOPE! She sliced a good thick slice of her still warm bread, laid it on a plate and sprinkled a bit of sugar, some cinnamon, and poured warm coffee left from breakfast over that. She cut it in half and called Norman an I in. When she put that sugar bread in front of us we tasted it and you would have thought it was a big hunk of Chocolate cake Yep! Granny had fixed it for her and she in turn fixed it for us. Oh what a treat that was. Just a teaspoon or so of sugar and we had our sweet treat. I fixed it as often as I could for My son Richard too and he loved it. Well I've got fresh bread in the kitchen right now. So guess what I'ma'gonna' have after while. YEP! Thank you Mama , Daddy, and Grandparents for my raisin' LOVE YOU !!
We didn't have much when I was growing and certainly not a lot of sweets and snacks. Mama didn't always have sugar or what she needed to bake sweets. We had sorghum sometimes and My Granny made the best sorghum cakes you ever tasted. The icing was a kind of grayish sauce and I don't know what is was made of, wish now I had asked. We were just sooo! happy to get those cakes now and then when we got home from school. Granny didn't have recipes. If asked she would point to her head and say It's all right here. When I watched her all I could see is that she used her hands and a bowl for most of it. A pinch, a pat, a hand full, two heapin' handful, Etc. Not much help to me. I remember after I was married asking Granny to write down the recipe for a cake she simply called white cake. Well Granny tried to put measurement to it but it just didn't work. My white cake never turned out worth a flip. It was “Granny's Hands” that made those cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, and even doughnuts. YUMMY! They will never be duplicated. Nope
One day I said, “Mama can you make us a Chocolate cake”? “Sorry honey I don't have enough sugar”. “What about puddin'?” “Honey puddin' has to have sugar too”. “OKAY” , I said and just went on about my way. Mama had made bread that day and she told me later that the way I accepted no chocolate cake without a pout or a fuss made her feel so bad. Then she remembered what Granny had fixed for her and her two sisters when they were small. Sugar bread. Now that was not real sweet bread. NOPE! She sliced a good thick slice of her still warm bread, laid it on a plate and sprinkled a bit of sugar, some cinnamon, and poured warm coffee left from breakfast over that. She cut it in half and called Norman an I in. When she put that sugar bread in front of us we tasted it and you would have thought it was a big hunk of Chocolate cake Yep! Granny had fixed it for her and she in turn fixed it for us. Oh what a treat that was. Just a teaspoon or so of sugar and we had our sweet treat. I fixed it as often as I could for My son Richard too and he loved it. Well I've got fresh bread in the kitchen right now. So guess what I'ma'gonna' have after while. YEP! Thank you Mama , Daddy, and Grandparents for my raisin' LOVE YOU !!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
PLAYHOUSE
1-1-11...PLAYHOUSE
As I've gotten older I have become more and more sensitive to things. Things I see or hear that either upset me, anger me, or make me happy bring tears to my eyes. I guess I've always been that way up to a point but lately I've had too much time to think I guess because things are flooding back to me like an avalanche and are overpowering me. I like to Think Happy and to have laughter around me and in me. The only way I can seem to do that is to “remember”. Now I can't remember what day it is most days or what I did yesterday, But' I can remember vividly the days of my childhood way down by the Rail Road tracks. Playing in the big yard, climbing the fragrant China-Berry- Trees, and just doing simple things that occupied us for hours. The day Brenda and I made a Play house under the house is one of those memories.
We had found an old wooden crate at Hall Parks store and asked for it. It was a slow go getting it home but we managed. We drug it under the house where we had made chairs out of two big flat rocks and a board. Heck fire, now we had a table and chairs but we needed food and drink. In the house we went in search for something that might serve our purpose. As we looked around in the kitchen we spotted some dishes on the table. Salt and pepper shakers, a couple of coffee cups, and out of the safe two saucers and some forks and spoons. There was about half a loaf of Mama's bread and some strawberry jam on the table which made up our stash. I don't know how we managed not to get caught going out the back door with our treasures but we did.
We had a ball in our playhouse but finally knew we had to get all Mama's things back in the house. It wasn't nearly as simple on the return trip though. We carried it all out in one trip but for some reason going back in wasn't as easy. We were trying to gather it up when we heard Mamma calling us. “Well shoot fire Brenda we're gonna have to wait till she is not in the kitchen”. “Clydene I'm going home now” Brenda answered. She always tried to pull that. Joining in the fun and then skipping out on me. “No you're not Brenda. You gotta help me”. We called back to Mamma that we were under the house which gave us a little time.
We finally figured the coast was clear so we gathered things and crawled out smashing the bread and spilling some jelly in the process. When we were finally out and standing on our feet Brenda bolted. That little snot was going home, She Thought!! I grabbed her dress tail and that thing ripped off at the waist. She started bawling. “Shut up Brenda before you get Mamma out here”. By then we had broke the jelly jar and destroyed the bread, couldn't find the silverware,broken the cups, and ripped Brenda's dress off of her. We started up the china berry tree to try and hide but Mamma was there and the jig was up. Brenda took off through the pasture with me calling her a little scardy cat and Mamma was madder'n'a old wet hen. The bread was for supper so Mamma had to make corn bread. I searched and searched but never did find the silverware. I got a spanking. I said “Mamma Brenda was there too. You gotta spank her too”.
I was sooo! Nice that I reminded Mamma that Brenda needed a spanking when the little escape artist came back. HE HE Now wasn't that sweet of me? NOT!!!
As I've gotten older I have become more and more sensitive to things. Things I see or hear that either upset me, anger me, or make me happy bring tears to my eyes. I guess I've always been that way up to a point but lately I've had too much time to think I guess because things are flooding back to me like an avalanche and are overpowering me. I like to Think Happy and to have laughter around me and in me. The only way I can seem to do that is to “remember”. Now I can't remember what day it is most days or what I did yesterday, But' I can remember vividly the days of my childhood way down by the Rail Road tracks. Playing in the big yard, climbing the fragrant China-Berry- Trees, and just doing simple things that occupied us for hours. The day Brenda and I made a Play house under the house is one of those memories.
We had found an old wooden crate at Hall Parks store and asked for it. It was a slow go getting it home but we managed. We drug it under the house where we had made chairs out of two big flat rocks and a board. Heck fire, now we had a table and chairs but we needed food and drink. In the house we went in search for something that might serve our purpose. As we looked around in the kitchen we spotted some dishes on the table. Salt and pepper shakers, a couple of coffee cups, and out of the safe two saucers and some forks and spoons. There was about half a loaf of Mama's bread and some strawberry jam on the table which made up our stash. I don't know how we managed not to get caught going out the back door with our treasures but we did.
We had a ball in our playhouse but finally knew we had to get all Mama's things back in the house. It wasn't nearly as simple on the return trip though. We carried it all out in one trip but for some reason going back in wasn't as easy. We were trying to gather it up when we heard Mamma calling us. “Well shoot fire Brenda we're gonna have to wait till she is not in the kitchen”. “Clydene I'm going home now” Brenda answered. She always tried to pull that. Joining in the fun and then skipping out on me. “No you're not Brenda. You gotta help me”. We called back to Mamma that we were under the house which gave us a little time.
We finally figured the coast was clear so we gathered things and crawled out smashing the bread and spilling some jelly in the process. When we were finally out and standing on our feet Brenda bolted. That little snot was going home, She Thought!! I grabbed her dress tail and that thing ripped off at the waist. She started bawling. “Shut up Brenda before you get Mamma out here”. By then we had broke the jelly jar and destroyed the bread, couldn't find the silverware,broken the cups, and ripped Brenda's dress off of her. We started up the china berry tree to try and hide but Mamma was there and the jig was up. Brenda took off through the pasture with me calling her a little scardy cat and Mamma was madder'n'a old wet hen. The bread was for supper so Mamma had to make corn bread. I searched and searched but never did find the silverware. I got a spanking. I said “Mamma Brenda was there too. You gotta spank her too”.
I was sooo! Nice that I reminded Mamma that Brenda needed a spanking when the little escape artist came back. HE HE Now wasn't that sweet of me? NOT!!!
MEMORIES
12-31-10...MEMORIES
Remembrances brought to my mind,
By a fragrance from long ago,
When as a young child of tender years,
As my memory just started to grow.
Or maybe a sound of a whistle blow,
While a train moved along a track,
A bicycle tire on a gravelly dirt road,
Would all seem to carry me back.
I'd love to see those things once again,
What the years have slowly replaced,
With family and friends from days gone by,
As in my mind they are traced.
I'm glad for sounds of spring in the air,
The look of fresh fallen snow,
Lightning bug's glow on a summer's night,
The colors of autumn's rainbow.
They're all like a friend in a time of need,
Like family just stopping to see,
I'm so glad when they wander by,
The sounds and smells of my memory.
Remembrances brought to my mind,
By a fragrance from long ago,
When as a young child of tender years,
As my memory just started to grow.
Or maybe a sound of a whistle blow,
While a train moved along a track,
A bicycle tire on a gravelly dirt road,
Would all seem to carry me back.
I'd love to see those things once again,
What the years have slowly replaced,
With family and friends from days gone by,
As in my mind they are traced.
I'm glad for sounds of spring in the air,
The look of fresh fallen snow,
Lightning bug's glow on a summer's night,
The colors of autumn's rainbow.
They're all like a friend in a time of need,
Like family just stopping to see,
I'm so glad when they wander by,
The sounds and smells of my memory.
Friday, December 31, 2010
NOT A GOOD TIME
12-30-10...NOT A GOOD TIME
I try to be happy most of the time and succeed usually. But while Christmas is a Joyous fun time for some I know that there are some who it is a sad time for. I am one of the sad ones at any Holiday. It is not a scrooge Bah Humbug thing but a hurting heart thing.
I have always kept it at bay but this year I could not. Every year it has been harder. I tried to not ruin the time for my loved ones. Some of them knew and asked but how do you explain it. No one can walk in someone else's shoes and know their heart. Most of my family do understand up to a point and never condemn me for it. They love me and they want to help. But there are those that I must be around (in laws) who don't understand. They stuck knives through my heart this year and poured salt on the wounds. I need to spend the time quietly and just honor the concept of what Christmas really means. I make excuses for my actions and just offer my presence so the family that we have left can be intact. I think of past times when everything was so different. When I was happy and joyous. I watch as the kids eyes light up and know this is their time and I have no right to take even one moment away from them. I want them to have the kind of memories I have now. The warm and fuzzy happy heart feelings that will never leave me. I also want some new memories to carry home with me. Memories that keep my heart intact and carry me on for another year.
Please try and understand the best you can when someone seems unhappy at a time like this. If they can't really blend in and add to the time. Don't presume that you know what they are thinking. Don't call them an old curmudgeon or tell them to let it go. You don't know their heart. They may even have heartaches that you don't know about. Christmas is a time when those feelings surface. There are heartaches that can't be healed. They are always raw and painful. Don't make it worse for them.
This is a hard time for me but it will pass. I will once again be happy and try to be a Blessing to others. I will laugh and giggle and have fun. Just not right now. I have to get through this and I WILL! I always have.
I try to be happy most of the time and succeed usually. But while Christmas is a Joyous fun time for some I know that there are some who it is a sad time for. I am one of the sad ones at any Holiday. It is not a scrooge Bah Humbug thing but a hurting heart thing.
I have always kept it at bay but this year I could not. Every year it has been harder. I tried to not ruin the time for my loved ones. Some of them knew and asked but how do you explain it. No one can walk in someone else's shoes and know their heart. Most of my family do understand up to a point and never condemn me for it. They love me and they want to help. But there are those that I must be around (in laws) who don't understand. They stuck knives through my heart this year and poured salt on the wounds. I need to spend the time quietly and just honor the concept of what Christmas really means. I make excuses for my actions and just offer my presence so the family that we have left can be intact. I think of past times when everything was so different. When I was happy and joyous. I watch as the kids eyes light up and know this is their time and I have no right to take even one moment away from them. I want them to have the kind of memories I have now. The warm and fuzzy happy heart feelings that will never leave me. I also want some new memories to carry home with me. Memories that keep my heart intact and carry me on for another year.
Please try and understand the best you can when someone seems unhappy at a time like this. If they can't really blend in and add to the time. Don't presume that you know what they are thinking. Don't call them an old curmudgeon or tell them to let it go. You don't know their heart. They may even have heartaches that you don't know about. Christmas is a time when those feelings surface. There are heartaches that can't be healed. They are always raw and painful. Don't make it worse for them.
This is a hard time for me but it will pass. I will once again be happy and try to be a Blessing to others. I will laugh and giggle and have fun. Just not right now. I have to get through this and I WILL! I always have.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
12-22-10...WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
I heard two young Mothers one day talking. It was fascinating to me how things had changed since my Son was a baby. I didn't even recognize a lot of the things they were talking about. One thing I heard though was the same when one of them said in a whiny voice, “Oh how I'd like to be by myself for a while with no kids or a husband to worry about. Never take anything or anyone for granted because you think they will always be there. I cringe and my skin crawls when I hear a Mother say things like that. I always want to say “Oh Honey Please don't say that or wish it”. Wishing and hoping for things you don't really mean or want could come true. One day has a tenancy to turn in to forever.
We all do it at times I know without even thinking about it but simple things like, “I'll be so glad when Christmas is over” even bother me. Is it Christmas they want over or is it what has been made of Christmas. Christmas in my time 60 years ago was simple and sweet, warm and fuzzy. It was a house full of love and understanding. There was no rush to the stores and being rude or dealing with others who are rude. It was families being together, sitting at a table together and feasting on each other not a big gourmet meal or things that are expected though we don't really want or need. We had the opening of gifts Christmas eve night which was not necessarily the Right way' but Our way.
Christmas today for my family is still being together. It is fellowship and visiting. It is my brother and me talking about our childhood and his boys talking about their childhood along with my son Richard. The young ones listen to us and make memories for themselves later on down the line. I buy gifts for my Great Niece and Nephew and no one else. At my age what do I need. I have everything I need unless you can give me a magic pill to give my old body less pain. My gift is being with my family and feeling the love that is flowing around me so sweetly. And that kind of gift doesn't cost anybody anything.
I heard two young Mothers one day talking. It was fascinating to me how things had changed since my Son was a baby. I didn't even recognize a lot of the things they were talking about. One thing I heard though was the same when one of them said in a whiny voice, “Oh how I'd like to be by myself for a while with no kids or a husband to worry about. Never take anything or anyone for granted because you think they will always be there. I cringe and my skin crawls when I hear a Mother say things like that. I always want to say “Oh Honey Please don't say that or wish it”. Wishing and hoping for things you don't really mean or want could come true. One day has a tenancy to turn in to forever.
We all do it at times I know without even thinking about it but simple things like, “I'll be so glad when Christmas is over” even bother me. Is it Christmas they want over or is it what has been made of Christmas. Christmas in my time 60 years ago was simple and sweet, warm and fuzzy. It was a house full of love and understanding. There was no rush to the stores and being rude or dealing with others who are rude. It was families being together, sitting at a table together and feasting on each other not a big gourmet meal or things that are expected though we don't really want or need. We had the opening of gifts Christmas eve night which was not necessarily the Right way' but Our way.
Christmas today for my family is still being together. It is fellowship and visiting. It is my brother and me talking about our childhood and his boys talking about their childhood along with my son Richard. The young ones listen to us and make memories for themselves later on down the line. I buy gifts for my Great Niece and Nephew and no one else. At my age what do I need. I have everything I need unless you can give me a magic pill to give my old body less pain. My gift is being with my family and feeling the love that is flowing around me so sweetly. And that kind of gift doesn't cost anybody anything.
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