7-31-09...MY 7th. GRADE TEACHER
I was talking with my friend Tommy Shirley yesterday and he mentioned our 7th. Grade Teacher Miss. Hamilton. I had almost forgotten that woman completely but when Tommy brought her up I remembered some things that I didn't like about her at all. That's the way it goes. We all remember things and events differently. Some of the things he mentioned I don't remember at all, but just bringing her up got my memory working on the things I do remember.
Miss Hamilton was tall and snooty. She seemed to think the world was a better place just because she was there. She also thought our little country school was not good enough for her expert talents. And besides that we were not even close to being what she wanted in her students. To her we were just a bunch of hillbillies with no concept of learning the finer things in life.
Miss Hamilton's hair was done up in a style that to me now was very much like a wig. A big tidy lump on back of her head right down by her neck. Now that I look back I am more positive that it was a hair piece. Yep! I can almost see her now standing in front of her mirror pinning that monstrosity on the back of her proper neck.
Now we had just come up from our little white Grade school to the big brick building across the road and I felt inept enough already so when she started her snotty looking down her nose at us it was hard for me to take. She thought we had no manners or 'social graces' as she often said to the girls. We needed to be proper ladies. We Arkies didn't measure up to her Mississippi standards. I pointed out to her one day that Mississippi was farther South than Arkansas so I figured that made me better than her. Well that thinking didn't jive with her. Heck fire no.
She started trying to teach us how to be graceful. How to walk, speak, and “Carry Yourselves like Ladies” she said. Well we just weren't having none of that. Nope! To heck with that old bag.
I was born with scoliosis of the back which is a curving of the spine. Therefore my back was not straight. Never was, still aint, never will be. That's just the way it is period, end of story. She wasn't even listening to my excuses she said. I was just a slouch and needed to learn how to hold my shoulders back.
She would make me stand against a wall and she would push my shoulders back and try to straighten them. That was impossible. She would get me during my free time and push my shoulders back against the wall and hold me there for what seemed like a long time to me because it hurt. She just kept telling me I had to train my body to not slouch.
I went home one evening and told my parents that my back was hurting bad. Mama looked at my back and found bruises and finger prints on my shoulders. “Clydene have you been fighting” she asked. “No Mama I never fight” I said. Well more questions and more answers until My Parents figured out what was going on.
The next morning I didn't ride the bus but my Daddy took me in his car. He was mad and I mean madder'n'a hornet! I didn't really know what he was going to do but he told me to go about what I usually did that he was going to talk to the Superintendent. Miss Hamilton quit the trying to straighten my back and she even told me she was sorry. Her face looked like she had just eaten a green persimmon and then tried to eat a lemon as she said I'm sorry. I knew she didn't really mean it. I still don't know what Daddy said to anyone but I do know he was steaming for some time to come. I had to go to the Dr. but don't even remember what he said.
Then came the next thing this woman did. My Grandma who was living with us had lived through the bad depression of the 30s When my Mama was growing up food was scarce . Money was even more scarce. Even if you had money you had to use what was the food stamps of the time to buy things. The way I understood it each Family got a book of these food stamps. They were for whatever they bought but they couldn't buy everything and the stamps didn't pay for the food. Each stamp was marked with, coffee, sugar, flour, and etc. If you had money and wanted a can of coffee for example, you had to have so many coffee stamps to buy it. No stamps, no coffee, even if you had money. Grandma had some of these stamps in her possession. They were not worth anything then. I had seen them and for some reason I told Miss Hamilton that Grandma had them. She asked me to bring them to school. She was so interested in seeing them that I asked Grandma if I could take them to School.
When I showed them to Miss Hamilton she wanted to take them and show her husband so I let her. I never saw them again. Grandma never asked me about them and I forgot all about them. We didn't know they might be valuable but Miss Hamilton did. Years and Years later I thought about that and I realized that old bag same as stole them from me. My family might never have know that many years later those stamps would become collectors items and be very valuable. In fact they might have been just thrown out in the trash. But knowing that Teaches who thought she was so much better than us had stooped that low is a revelation to me. She was a terrible person. I thought so then and now I am very sure of it. I have never stolen a thing in my life and never will. So to my thinking that makes me a better person than she was. Yep! She is probably not even alive now but I just wonder if she ever once thought about that little school again and the way she treated a bunch of kids she was supposed to be teaching History. I doubt it very much. Yep, I really doubt it!!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
MAMA'S BREAD
7-24-09...MAMA'S BREAD
Mama made the best bread in the world. Daughter speaking? I'll admit that but just ask anyone who knew her. Nothing better!! Often when we were having a rough time of it Mama would say how she wished there was something she could do to help out. Daddy didn't think much of that idea either. “Kids need you Lucille”, was his answer to her.
One day a (I'll just say she was persnikity) person was at our house and Mama was making bread. I don't know why she was there but I think she purposely hung around during the rising and cooking process hoping she would get a taste. Of course when Mama took the loaves of bread out of the oven she offered the 'lady'? A slice of the bread slathered in home made butter. The eager smart elec grabbed it and proceeded to put a dollop of Mamas home made strawberry jam on it without it being offered. No thank you, no it was good, no nothing except to eagerly scoff it down her proper hatch. Rude, Rude Rude!!!
Now the 'lady'? had money it was plain to see. She had the nerve to ask my Mama for a loaf of that bread to take with her. I was indignant telling her we would eat it ourselves but Mama gave me The Look and made me apologize to the old heiffer. Then my sweet kind Mama standing there in her faded and patched dress, with red raw hands, proceeded to wrap a loaf of that bread in a clean flour sack dish rag and handed it to that ol' bat with a sweet smile on her face. She took it and was gone. I was madder'n'a old wet setting hen but Mama told me to let it go and don't worry about it because if that lady enjoyed it that much then she should have it because she probably didn't know how to make it for herself. “And besides”, she added “We have more”.
As the story spread friends and neighbors started asking Mama to make them a loaf of bread and they all paid her for it even though she told them if they would just bring her flour and yeast she would make it. No, they paid her for it. That kept up until Daddy was again on his feet. But remember the ol' bag who first got a loaf of bread without paying? You'd think she had a concious attack and came back to pay for bread wouldn't you? But Nope she came back all right and got bread often but the old battleaxe never paid a cent for it. Nope Not a cent!!!
Those friends and neighbors who did buy the bread were just trying to help us in their own way. Made Mama feel good and of course they liked Mamas bread. Yep! That is the way I was taught over the years. My indignation over that incidence is still fresh in my mind though now that I'm thinking about it. I think Mama hoped that the woman would learn from it and that is my hope too. She is gone now. I hope she is in Heaven with my Mama. Mama can teach her a lot. YEP!!!!!
Mama made the best bread in the world. Daughter speaking? I'll admit that but just ask anyone who knew her. Nothing better!! Often when we were having a rough time of it Mama would say how she wished there was something she could do to help out. Daddy didn't think much of that idea either. “Kids need you Lucille”, was his answer to her.
One day a (I'll just say she was persnikity) person was at our house and Mama was making bread. I don't know why she was there but I think she purposely hung around during the rising and cooking process hoping she would get a taste. Of course when Mama took the loaves of bread out of the oven she offered the 'lady'? A slice of the bread slathered in home made butter. The eager smart elec grabbed it and proceeded to put a dollop of Mamas home made strawberry jam on it without it being offered. No thank you, no it was good, no nothing except to eagerly scoff it down her proper hatch. Rude, Rude Rude!!!
Now the 'lady'? had money it was plain to see. She had the nerve to ask my Mama for a loaf of that bread to take with her. I was indignant telling her we would eat it ourselves but Mama gave me The Look and made me apologize to the old heiffer. Then my sweet kind Mama standing there in her faded and patched dress, with red raw hands, proceeded to wrap a loaf of that bread in a clean flour sack dish rag and handed it to that ol' bat with a sweet smile on her face. She took it and was gone. I was madder'n'a old wet setting hen but Mama told me to let it go and don't worry about it because if that lady enjoyed it that much then she should have it because she probably didn't know how to make it for herself. “And besides”, she added “We have more”.
As the story spread friends and neighbors started asking Mama to make them a loaf of bread and they all paid her for it even though she told them if they would just bring her flour and yeast she would make it. No, they paid her for it. That kept up until Daddy was again on his feet. But remember the ol' bag who first got a loaf of bread without paying? You'd think she had a concious attack and came back to pay for bread wouldn't you? But Nope she came back all right and got bread often but the old battleaxe never paid a cent for it. Nope Not a cent!!!
Those friends and neighbors who did buy the bread were just trying to help us in their own way. Made Mama feel good and of course they liked Mamas bread. Yep! That is the way I was taught over the years. My indignation over that incidence is still fresh in my mind though now that I'm thinking about it. I think Mama hoped that the woman would learn from it and that is my hope too. She is gone now. I hope she is in Heaven with my Mama. Mama can teach her a lot. YEP!!!!!
SPECIAL TIMES & SPECIAL MEMORIES
7-23-09...Special Times & Special Memories
When we were kids Daddy worked in the Coal mines in Oklahoma. Sometimes we would go with him and live there so we could be with him. Daddy usually stayed in a hotel in a room with three other men from Monday to Friday night. On Friday night after work they all came home only to have to leave again on Sunday evening and go back to Oklahoma for a week of work in the coal mines. Usually we went in summer when I was out of school but three different times I remember going during a school term. I didn't like the new school but I did like being with my Daddy.
The coal mine was Union operated and often came out on strike. At those times Daddy had no job so we came back to Arkansas. I don't remember what Daddy did to feed us then but I do know he did. If it was summer he went to the fields and worked to harvest whatever crop was in season. Berries, corn, spinach, peas, cotton, and others. As soon as my Brother and I could make a few cents we went too.
In Oklahoma we lived in an apartment. I walked 6 blocks to school morning and night with a High School girl who also lived in the apartments. Lots of other families were there from home for the same reason we were. I remember the Apartment had no fridge and furnishings were sparce. I don't remember taking anything with us except clothing and dishes for the kitchen. There was one bathroom for I think it was four apartments on the third floor where we lived.
My Uncle Claude lived in the Oklahoma town as did all his kids. We visited our Family while there a lot. That is where I got drawn in to music. We would go to Uncle Claude's house and they played music. Mama played harmonica (which we called a french harp) and boy howdy she could make that thing talk. Uncle Claude played the fiddle, Betty played a mean piano, and Leo's wife played the Guitar. Now let me tell you that little house rocked with country and gospel music and singing. Whooppee! The year I was seven I would join in the singing and from then on I was hooked. Some of those songs I still sing.
My Brother Norman was only two, three, and four at the time and he locked us in every place we went in, even locked himself in the bathroom once and the old janitor had to walk up three flights of stairs and take the Bathroom door down. Then again Norman locked Me, Mama , and himself in the apartment. I suspect that the locks were not very good in the first place.
On Friday nights when Daddy got home from work we walked down to the soda fountain in the Drug Store. Mama and Daddy got fountain cokes and I got a sundae or some other kind of treat. Norman got bites out of my ice cream and sips of the cokes. I'll always remember the special smell of that drug store. A smell I can't really describe except to say it was many smells blended together. I have never again smelled the same smell. I'll know it when I do. I do remember the sweet smiles on my Parents faces as they watched us enjoy our treats which I know now they really couldn't afford. A treat was really a treat to us because we didn't get 'stuff' any time we wanted it. If we had got everything we wanted like that we would have had no appreciation for it and I wouldn't be sitting here with tears in my eyes right now. I still treasure and appreciate all those special times and special treats after 60 years. How many kids today will have those memories?
When we were kids Daddy worked in the Coal mines in Oklahoma. Sometimes we would go with him and live there so we could be with him. Daddy usually stayed in a hotel in a room with three other men from Monday to Friday night. On Friday night after work they all came home only to have to leave again on Sunday evening and go back to Oklahoma for a week of work in the coal mines. Usually we went in summer when I was out of school but three different times I remember going during a school term. I didn't like the new school but I did like being with my Daddy.
The coal mine was Union operated and often came out on strike. At those times Daddy had no job so we came back to Arkansas. I don't remember what Daddy did to feed us then but I do know he did. If it was summer he went to the fields and worked to harvest whatever crop was in season. Berries, corn, spinach, peas, cotton, and others. As soon as my Brother and I could make a few cents we went too.
In Oklahoma we lived in an apartment. I walked 6 blocks to school morning and night with a High School girl who also lived in the apartments. Lots of other families were there from home for the same reason we were. I remember the Apartment had no fridge and furnishings were sparce. I don't remember taking anything with us except clothing and dishes for the kitchen. There was one bathroom for I think it was four apartments on the third floor where we lived.
My Uncle Claude lived in the Oklahoma town as did all his kids. We visited our Family while there a lot. That is where I got drawn in to music. We would go to Uncle Claude's house and they played music. Mama played harmonica (which we called a french harp) and boy howdy she could make that thing talk. Uncle Claude played the fiddle, Betty played a mean piano, and Leo's wife played the Guitar. Now let me tell you that little house rocked with country and gospel music and singing. Whooppee! The year I was seven I would join in the singing and from then on I was hooked. Some of those songs I still sing.
My Brother Norman was only two, three, and four at the time and he locked us in every place we went in, even locked himself in the bathroom once and the old janitor had to walk up three flights of stairs and take the Bathroom door down. Then again Norman locked Me, Mama , and himself in the apartment. I suspect that the locks were not very good in the first place.
On Friday nights when Daddy got home from work we walked down to the soda fountain in the Drug Store. Mama and Daddy got fountain cokes and I got a sundae or some other kind of treat. Norman got bites out of my ice cream and sips of the cokes. I'll always remember the special smell of that drug store. A smell I can't really describe except to say it was many smells blended together. I have never again smelled the same smell. I'll know it when I do. I do remember the sweet smiles on my Parents faces as they watched us enjoy our treats which I know now they really couldn't afford. A treat was really a treat to us because we didn't get 'stuff' any time we wanted it. If we had got everything we wanted like that we would have had no appreciation for it and I wouldn't be sitting here with tears in my eyes right now. I still treasure and appreciate all those special times and special treats after 60 years. How many kids today will have those memories?
NEIGHBORS
7-21-09...GOOD NEIGHBORS
Used to be a little community like I grew up in neighbors were just that, Neighbors. Now you are called a nosy old busybody if you try to be neighborly. Trust and mutual understanding all seemed to have blown out into the wind somewhere.
When I was a child everyone helped everyone and everyone knew when someone needed help. It wasn't because someone ran around with a sign on their backs proclaiming “I'm Hungry. Feed Me” or some such thing either. It was because people genuinely cared about their neighbor.
There wasn't much money anywhere but there were friends and neighbors who were there to help.
Food was a big thing. We grew and raised and processed, and killed, and gathered our food. And we shared. If someone was sick there was food brought and prepared for them. Your washing, your cleaning, your chores, and you, were tended to by neighbors. Whatever help you needed you got. In turn you did the same for them.
If someone had a big crop the work and the bounty was shared without question. If I had two pairs of shoes and yours got too small you got a pair of mine.
There was trust then too. I know there were bad people then too but somehow I guess I didn't know that then for some reason. Now seems like no one trusts anyone.
We kept our elders at home and cared for them instead of ripping them off like people are doing now.
No one was laying in wait to steal from you but to give you more.
I guess that was an advantage of small community living. I don't know because I didn't live in town but even small communities are not the same anymore either. Now you may come home and find you have been robbed or vandalized.
Three summers ago I had two peach trees just loaded with ripe beautiful peaches. I watched them and waited for the right time to harvest and get them all worked up for eating all winter. I had told several people they would be welcome to some because there were so many. I was willing to share them but not to have them done the way they were.
One morning early I was going to pick peaches. I knew there would most likely be at least two bushels. No one had took me up on coming to pick and share so I was planning to take some and give them away to several people.
I had two big grocery bags to pick in. The trees are down in the front and not close to the house. I walked down there and just stopped with my mouth open when I saw my peaches. Did I say Peaches? Well that was the wrong choice of words because there was nary a peach to be seen. Someone had come in the night and stripped every peach in sight. Not even a peach on the ground was seen. I mean those suckers had cleaned me out lock stock and barrel. YEP! Not even the smell of a peach was left. That was bad enough but when I looked over at the plum tree it was desecrated something awful. Someone had knocked the plums down on the ground and must have gotten mad because they were not ripe and started stomping on them. A few limbs were broken off the tree as well.
Now I would have give some peaches to anyone who asked be it friend or stranger. They could have had some peaches just for the asking. I had to many and didn't need all of them, I wanted to share, even tried to share, but this was too much for my simple mind to comprehend. I wasn't so much mad but more hurt. I don't know who did it but I hope they really used and enjoyed the peaches and didn't just do it for a lark. I will not believe it was someone I know.
It is getting harder every day to trust someone enough to call them a neighbor. Neighbor used to mean something. They were someone to count on, someone who was there for you, they were friends. I'm finding it very hard to believe that there is no one left who is a real Neighbor. Very hard indeed.
Used to be a little community like I grew up in neighbors were just that, Neighbors. Now you are called a nosy old busybody if you try to be neighborly. Trust and mutual understanding all seemed to have blown out into the wind somewhere.
When I was a child everyone helped everyone and everyone knew when someone needed help. It wasn't because someone ran around with a sign on their backs proclaiming “I'm Hungry. Feed Me” or some such thing either. It was because people genuinely cared about their neighbor.
There wasn't much money anywhere but there were friends and neighbors who were there to help.
Food was a big thing. We grew and raised and processed, and killed, and gathered our food. And we shared. If someone was sick there was food brought and prepared for them. Your washing, your cleaning, your chores, and you, were tended to by neighbors. Whatever help you needed you got. In turn you did the same for them.
If someone had a big crop the work and the bounty was shared without question. If I had two pairs of shoes and yours got too small you got a pair of mine.
There was trust then too. I know there were bad people then too but somehow I guess I didn't know that then for some reason. Now seems like no one trusts anyone.
We kept our elders at home and cared for them instead of ripping them off like people are doing now.
No one was laying in wait to steal from you but to give you more.
I guess that was an advantage of small community living. I don't know because I didn't live in town but even small communities are not the same anymore either. Now you may come home and find you have been robbed or vandalized.
Three summers ago I had two peach trees just loaded with ripe beautiful peaches. I watched them and waited for the right time to harvest and get them all worked up for eating all winter. I had told several people they would be welcome to some because there were so many. I was willing to share them but not to have them done the way they were.
One morning early I was going to pick peaches. I knew there would most likely be at least two bushels. No one had took me up on coming to pick and share so I was planning to take some and give them away to several people.
I had two big grocery bags to pick in. The trees are down in the front and not close to the house. I walked down there and just stopped with my mouth open when I saw my peaches. Did I say Peaches? Well that was the wrong choice of words because there was nary a peach to be seen. Someone had come in the night and stripped every peach in sight. Not even a peach on the ground was seen. I mean those suckers had cleaned me out lock stock and barrel. YEP! Not even the smell of a peach was left. That was bad enough but when I looked over at the plum tree it was desecrated something awful. Someone had knocked the plums down on the ground and must have gotten mad because they were not ripe and started stomping on them. A few limbs were broken off the tree as well.
Now I would have give some peaches to anyone who asked be it friend or stranger. They could have had some peaches just for the asking. I had to many and didn't need all of them, I wanted to share, even tried to share, but this was too much for my simple mind to comprehend. I wasn't so much mad but more hurt. I don't know who did it but I hope they really used and enjoyed the peaches and didn't just do it for a lark. I will not believe it was someone I know.
It is getting harder every day to trust someone enough to call them a neighbor. Neighbor used to mean something. They were someone to count on, someone who was there for you, they were friends. I'm finding it very hard to believe that there is no one left who is a real Neighbor. Very hard indeed.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
MY HOME TOWN WAY BACK THERE
7-14-09...My home town way back when!!!
DENNING, ARKANSAS
BOOM TOWN IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
In 1890 Western Coal Co. of St. Louis, Missouri began opening coal mines about one mile south of Altus. A new town was soon built up around the mining operations. There were seventy-seven houses, a general store, churches, Post Office, schoolhouse and a railroad depot.
There was also a rock vault constructed to serve as a bank in which they kept the gold coins. Gold was used to pay off miners on their payday.
The jailhouse is still in evidence as it was built of native stone, and like the vault, was built with security in mind. Thus surrounding the coal mines a boomtown was born. The man who first came to this location and negotiated the leases was Benjamin Denning. The town of four thousand plus population was given the name of its founder, DENNING.
Jake Arbaugh turned the first spade full of dirt, which opened up one of the first industries in Franklin County. One mine after another was opened until there were six coal mines under the ownership of the Western Coal Company. In those days (as told to me by the now deceased John Zachery) there were no unions which could specify wages or working conditions. In 1899 according to Mr. Zachery, conditions became so unbearable that a union was organized. Mr. Zachery was among the first members.
In 1899 a strike was called for higher wages, shorter hours and better working conditions. Until this time the workday was ten hours and the pay was $1.25 to $2.00 per day. Payday was once each month. The miners did not receive Union recognition until 1903. During this time the mines were operated without much success by non-union labor. At last, in 1903 the settlement was achieved, and the miners went back to work on an eight-hour day, with a daily wage increase of fifty-nine cents per day. Other benefits consisted of better working conditions, new safety measures, and payday twice monthly.
As the town took its name from the man who was instrumental in opening the coalfields, Denning had other followers as all boomtowns. There were dance halls, saloons and gambling joints. There was also another side to the picture, because as Denning grew four churches were built and faithfully attended. A bank was built and Dr. Herrod, a well known and trusted citizen became its president. Dr. Herrod was a horse and buggy doctor who brought many who are still around into this world. (printed in 1978)
The mines seemed to have reached a peak by 1915 when the first mine, number one was worked out. The other five continued operating through World War 1 to 1917. Following this the mines were worked out, one by one. At this time Western Coal Company sold its interest in the operation of the coal field. Old number six was operated by various owners until 1943 during World War II. Number two was the last of the original mines to "pull Steel". This occurred in 1947.
With the closing of the mines money became scarce and almost as fast as the town grew, it also began to fade and become a ghost town. The old tipples were removed, but the first, number one remained and open hole. This later played a part in a tragedy which was never solved, that is the discovery of the body of a woman was found floating in the water of the mine.
The only remaining items to remind one of the spacious Western Coal Company were the vault where the gold for payday was stored, and the Jail, better known as the "calaboose."
John Zachery, one of the few miners who out lived the mining industry contributed much of the above information to J.J. Owens of Franklin County and later to Ena Harrington.
Denning is still a municipality consisting of lots and blocks, but the houses are few. There are a few of the noble old two story houses, and some of a more modest type, whose owners refuse to call it quits.
Denning is well known as the town run entirely by women. It is distinguished by being one of only three towns in the United States to have an all woman government.
My Mother Lucille was a member of that council for many years. In picture below she is on the bottom right. Mama wrote names on all her pictures. I used to tell her she was ruining them but now I am so happy that she did that.
DENNING, ARKANSAS
BOOM TOWN IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
In 1890 Western Coal Co. of St. Louis, Missouri began opening coal mines about one mile south of Altus. A new town was soon built up around the mining operations. There were seventy-seven houses, a general store, churches, Post Office, schoolhouse and a railroad depot.
There was also a rock vault constructed to serve as a bank in which they kept the gold coins. Gold was used to pay off miners on their payday.
The jailhouse is still in evidence as it was built of native stone, and like the vault, was built with security in mind. Thus surrounding the coal mines a boomtown was born. The man who first came to this location and negotiated the leases was Benjamin Denning. The town of four thousand plus population was given the name of its founder, DENNING.
Jake Arbaugh turned the first spade full of dirt, which opened up one of the first industries in Franklin County. One mine after another was opened until there were six coal mines under the ownership of the Western Coal Company. In those days (as told to me by the now deceased John Zachery) there were no unions which could specify wages or working conditions. In 1899 according to Mr. Zachery, conditions became so unbearable that a union was organized. Mr. Zachery was among the first members.
In 1899 a strike was called for higher wages, shorter hours and better working conditions. Until this time the workday was ten hours and the pay was $1.25 to $2.00 per day. Payday was once each month. The miners did not receive Union recognition until 1903. During this time the mines were operated without much success by non-union labor. At last, in 1903 the settlement was achieved, and the miners went back to work on an eight-hour day, with a daily wage increase of fifty-nine cents per day. Other benefits consisted of better working conditions, new safety measures, and payday twice monthly.
As the town took its name from the man who was instrumental in opening the coalfields, Denning had other followers as all boomtowns. There were dance halls, saloons and gambling joints. There was also another side to the picture, because as Denning grew four churches were built and faithfully attended. A bank was built and Dr. Herrod, a well known and trusted citizen became its president. Dr. Herrod was a horse and buggy doctor who brought many who are still around into this world. (printed in 1978)
The mines seemed to have reached a peak by 1915 when the first mine, number one was worked out. The other five continued operating through World War 1 to 1917. Following this the mines were worked out, one by one. At this time Western Coal Company sold its interest in the operation of the coal field. Old number six was operated by various owners until 1943 during World War II. Number two was the last of the original mines to "pull Steel". This occurred in 1947.
With the closing of the mines money became scarce and almost as fast as the town grew, it also began to fade and become a ghost town. The old tipples were removed, but the first, number one remained and open hole. This later played a part in a tragedy which was never solved, that is the discovery of the body of a woman was found floating in the water of the mine.
The only remaining items to remind one of the spacious Western Coal Company were the vault where the gold for payday was stored, and the Jail, better known as the "calaboose."
John Zachery, one of the few miners who out lived the mining industry contributed much of the above information to J.J. Owens of Franklin County and later to Ena Harrington.
Denning is still a municipality consisting of lots and blocks, but the houses are few. There are a few of the noble old two story houses, and some of a more modest type, whose owners refuse to call it quits.
Denning is well known as the town run entirely by women. It is distinguished by being one of only three towns in the United States to have an all woman government.
My Mother Lucille was a member of that council for many years. In picture below she is on the bottom right. Mama wrote names on all her pictures. I used to tell her she was ruining them but now I am so happy that she did that.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
AND THERE WERE TWO
7-8-09...And There Were Two
When I get up in the night to go to the bathroom I'm usually half asleep. In fact I'm convinced that I go with my eyes closed kinda like semi sleep walking. I can prove that by the many times I have had knots on my head from running in to the Bathroom door. YEP!
I got up a few days ago and stumbled in to the bathroom and somehow got on the pot right.. The trash can is sitting right by the comode and has a lid on it. I had re potted some of my house plants that day which was quiet an experience.
Well this night as I sat there in my semi coma state I kept hearing something. Thump, thump, thump. Well I thought I must be hearing something so I just finished my business. After the paper work was done I turned to lift the lid on the trash can and heard the Thump Thump again. Sounded like it was behind the trash can so I looked. Nothing there. I started to raise the lid again and this time heard thump and saw that the lid on the trash can was moving. Now heck fire this was getting spooky. I know I didn't just imagine the lid was moving every time I heard the thump. Anyway being still half asleep I just went ahead and lifted the lid to dispose of my paper. There is a night light in the bathroom so I hadn't turned on the ceiling light. As I peered in to the trash can something hit right on top of my head. Now I was fully awake and startled. I could feel something moving on my head and I didn't like it one bit. I jumped up from the pot and was pulling up my drawers when something slid right on down my face. It felt cold and I reached up to swipe it out of my face and it landed on my bare feet. I did the watusi over to the light switch and turned it on. There right between my feet was a slimy old frog looking up at me with those bug eyes. Well let me tell you I came unglued. I put the seat down on the pot and got up there fast. There I stood screechin' and screamin' to the top of my lungs.
Now Don can't hear hisself fart when he goes to sleep at night so he just slept on. Couldn't have woke him with a bomb. I was Trapped as sure as shootin'. Wasn't about to get down and go out of that bathroom. Heck fire no. I knew Don would get up sooner or later for a trip to the bathroom so I just waited.
That durned old frog was not moving much but now and then he would jump over a little way which just terrified me. I was just sure it was gonna' jump up there with me.
After what seemed like hours I heard Don coming. Well it's about time I thought. He opened the door and there I stood on the pot. That startled him and he backed up a little then said "What r ya doin' up there"? Just shut up and get that durn frog outta here was my answer. He was aggravated but he caught it and was going to put it in the trash can. "NO" I slapped his hand and the frog peed on him. He was madder'n'a old wet hen. I told him to take it outside and he balked. I finally convinced him that it would get out of the trash again. He grumbled all the way to the door but I followed him to make sure it was put outside.
Oh My Gosh!!! It took me forever to go back to sleep. I could still feel that thing in my hair for a long time. In case you are wondering how the frog got in my trash in the first place. Believe it or not I put it there. Yep! Sure nuff did! You can read about how that came to be in my blog called A SACK OF DIRT just in case you are curious.
When I get up in the night to go to the bathroom I'm usually half asleep. In fact I'm convinced that I go with my eyes closed kinda like semi sleep walking. I can prove that by the many times I have had knots on my head from running in to the Bathroom door. YEP!
I got up a few days ago and stumbled in to the bathroom and somehow got on the pot right.. The trash can is sitting right by the comode and has a lid on it. I had re potted some of my house plants that day which was quiet an experience.
Well this night as I sat there in my semi coma state I kept hearing something. Thump, thump, thump. Well I thought I must be hearing something so I just finished my business. After the paper work was done I turned to lift the lid on the trash can and heard the Thump Thump again. Sounded like it was behind the trash can so I looked. Nothing there. I started to raise the lid again and this time heard thump and saw that the lid on the trash can was moving. Now heck fire this was getting spooky. I know I didn't just imagine the lid was moving every time I heard the thump. Anyway being still half asleep I just went ahead and lifted the lid to dispose of my paper. There is a night light in the bathroom so I hadn't turned on the ceiling light. As I peered in to the trash can something hit right on top of my head. Now I was fully awake and startled. I could feel something moving on my head and I didn't like it one bit. I jumped up from the pot and was pulling up my drawers when something slid right on down my face. It felt cold and I reached up to swipe it out of my face and it landed on my bare feet. I did the watusi over to the light switch and turned it on. There right between my feet was a slimy old frog looking up at me with those bug eyes. Well let me tell you I came unglued. I put the seat down on the pot and got up there fast. There I stood screechin' and screamin' to the top of my lungs.
Now Don can't hear hisself fart when he goes to sleep at night so he just slept on. Couldn't have woke him with a bomb. I was Trapped as sure as shootin'. Wasn't about to get down and go out of that bathroom. Heck fire no. I knew Don would get up sooner or later for a trip to the bathroom so I just waited.
That durned old frog was not moving much but now and then he would jump over a little way which just terrified me. I was just sure it was gonna' jump up there with me.
After what seemed like hours I heard Don coming. Well it's about time I thought. He opened the door and there I stood on the pot. That startled him and he backed up a little then said "What r ya doin' up there"? Just shut up and get that durn frog outta here was my answer. He was aggravated but he caught it and was going to put it in the trash can. "NO" I slapped his hand and the frog peed on him. He was madder'n'a old wet hen. I told him to take it outside and he balked. I finally convinced him that it would get out of the trash again. He grumbled all the way to the door but I followed him to make sure it was put outside.
Oh My Gosh!!! It took me forever to go back to sleep. I could still feel that thing in my hair for a long time. In case you are wondering how the frog got in my trash in the first place. Believe it or not I put it there. Yep! Sure nuff did! You can read about how that came to be in my blog called A SACK OF DIRT just in case you are curious.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
7-7-09...Home Where The Heart is
To me the house that I grew up in was a Palace. My Mama and Daddy were the King and Queen. I was the Princess, and Norman was a Prince. I never saw the cracks in the wall or the rotting boards on the back porch and steps where I played. I thought the linoleum almost floating off the floor when the wind blew hard as a magic carpet and it was magical to me. I would walk back and forth on it as it came up around me. I thought it was a special thing just for me to enjoy. I loved watching the plastic curtains on the windows blow out from the wall and seem to float around.
The house had high ceilings which made it cooler in the summer but colder in the winter. When I was very young the bedrooms had no heat so they were closed off and just the front room and kitchen had any heat. That was just a little open heater with a flame that came up out of each burner. The back was asbestos then there were stone burners in front of each flame that heated up. You still could only get heat if your were very close. I used to stand very close when Mama and Daddy were not looking. So close the backs of my legs would be red from the heat. Mama jerked me away one day when she caught me and she said she smelled my hair singing in the heat. My hair was long and kinky and if it was kinked from the heat it didn't show but Mama was convinced that it had burned. From then on I was threatened fiercely if I ever stood that close again. I don't remember ever doing so either. Mama could make a believer out of me when it was necessary and it was certainly necessary then. Later on there was one of the same kind of stoves in the back room that gave us some heat in the bedrooms.
The roof was sheet iron. Which was only a thin piece of tin that rusted and had to be painted with silver paint of some kind when my Daddy could afford to have it done. That roof was magical to me also when it rained. I loved to hear rain beating down on that roof especially at night when I was snug in bed. Such a peaceful and comforting sound. Made me feel protected inside and I would think of the people who may be out in the rain and didn't have my house and bed to snuggle in. I felt sorry for those who didn't have what I had.
The house sat high off the ground on concrete blocks. No foundation, no under pining. We would crawl under there in the summer and play in the dirt making mud pies and digging in the sofr earth. In the winter Daddy kept potatoes and onions under the back side where it was a little lower to the ground. When he dug them from his garden they were laid out on the ground under a tree where it was shaded. Something was poured over them while they 'cured out'. Then in the fall when it got cold they were put under the house. They didn't freeze or rot. My job was to crawl under there with a paper sack and bring some in the house for Mama to cook.
The house was surrounded with trees for shade. Most of them were china berry and walnut trees. One big Elm tree over by the tracks was where I climbed and played.
I grew up thinking I had everything and I still think that. That house holds many happy memories for me and it was home from the time I was two years old until I got married and left the first time. It will always be my home. No matter how old I get. As long as I live on this Earth that will be the home of my heart and soul. In my heart The King and Queen, Prince and Princess still live there. The house is still like it was then in my heart and nothing will replace that home until I leave this earth and go to my Heavenly Home. That was my only real home here on Earth!!!
To me the house that I grew up in was a Palace. My Mama and Daddy were the King and Queen. I was the Princess, and Norman was a Prince. I never saw the cracks in the wall or the rotting boards on the back porch and steps where I played. I thought the linoleum almost floating off the floor when the wind blew hard as a magic carpet and it was magical to me. I would walk back and forth on it as it came up around me. I thought it was a special thing just for me to enjoy. I loved watching the plastic curtains on the windows blow out from the wall and seem to float around.
The house had high ceilings which made it cooler in the summer but colder in the winter. When I was very young the bedrooms had no heat so they were closed off and just the front room and kitchen had any heat. That was just a little open heater with a flame that came up out of each burner. The back was asbestos then there were stone burners in front of each flame that heated up. You still could only get heat if your were very close. I used to stand very close when Mama and Daddy were not looking. So close the backs of my legs would be red from the heat. Mama jerked me away one day when she caught me and she said she smelled my hair singing in the heat. My hair was long and kinky and if it was kinked from the heat it didn't show but Mama was convinced that it had burned. From then on I was threatened fiercely if I ever stood that close again. I don't remember ever doing so either. Mama could make a believer out of me when it was necessary and it was certainly necessary then. Later on there was one of the same kind of stoves in the back room that gave us some heat in the bedrooms.
The roof was sheet iron. Which was only a thin piece of tin that rusted and had to be painted with silver paint of some kind when my Daddy could afford to have it done. That roof was magical to me also when it rained. I loved to hear rain beating down on that roof especially at night when I was snug in bed. Such a peaceful and comforting sound. Made me feel protected inside and I would think of the people who may be out in the rain and didn't have my house and bed to snuggle in. I felt sorry for those who didn't have what I had.
The house sat high off the ground on concrete blocks. No foundation, no under pining. We would crawl under there in the summer and play in the dirt making mud pies and digging in the sofr earth. In the winter Daddy kept potatoes and onions under the back side where it was a little lower to the ground. When he dug them from his garden they were laid out on the ground under a tree where it was shaded. Something was poured over them while they 'cured out'. Then in the fall when it got cold they were put under the house. They didn't freeze or rot. My job was to crawl under there with a paper sack and bring some in the house for Mama to cook.
The house was surrounded with trees for shade. Most of them were china berry and walnut trees. One big Elm tree over by the tracks was where I climbed and played.
I grew up thinking I had everything and I still think that. That house holds many happy memories for me and it was home from the time I was two years old until I got married and left the first time. It will always be my home. No matter how old I get. As long as I live on this Earth that will be the home of my heart and soul. In my heart The King and Queen, Prince and Princess still live there. The house is still like it was then in my heart and nothing will replace that home until I leave this earth and go to my Heavenly Home. That was my only real home here on Earth!!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
ADVENTURE WITH A BAG OF POTTING SOIL
7-3-09...ADVENTURE WITH A BAG OF POTTING SOIL
On Wednesday of this week I decided I needed to re pot some of my houseplants. I had a bag of potting soil in the carport so I brought it in. I was going to do it in the bathtub because it was so hot outside. First thing I noticed was the bag was wide open and I usually close them so it wont dry out. Then I noticed it was wet. I thought well darn how did this get wet in the carport. Still don't know how it happened but I think Don messed with it. He denies it but I don't believe him.
The first plant is in a huge pot and very heavy but I carried it to the tub. As I started dipping the soil out of the bag I noticed two dry clumps on the top. I scooted on to the side and put the other one in the trash and wondered why two little dry clumps in the very wet potting soil. Didn't think any more about it. This plant just needed to be topped off so I dipped the soil in and tamped it down with the cup. The other two I put in bigger pots and replaced them in my flower room but I left the big one along with the bag in the tub to take out later.
I went about my day and several times I went in the bathroom and noticed a clump of dirt in the pot like something had disturbed it so I would tamp it back down with the dipping cup. Several times this happened but I didn't think much about it only to wonder Why?
That night I went to the bathroom to take my shower and to carry the plant and bag of soil out. I started to reach in to get the plant and something moved slightly on the side of the tub. It startled me but when I looked closer I was staring in to the eyes of a little frog about the size of a quarter. O M G O M G!!!! I screamed to the top of my lungs and took off running. As I ran I was hollering, "GET IT GET IT"!!! Don just looked at me and said, "Be quiet what are you doing"? "Ththeresse a fffroog in there GET IT". He just looked at me and said "Well You Get It". Now he knows how terrified I am of frogs. I ran by him and kicked his foot as I went saying, "GET UP RIGHT NOW AND GET THAT FROG OR I'M LEAVING THIS HOUSE AND I WILL NOT COME BACK TILL I KNOW IT IS GONE"!
He sauntered on in there and picked it up and started for the door and dropped the thing and here it come hopping back my way. The race was on again. "GET THAT DURN THING DON HURRY UP"! Now guys there is no hurry up for Don. He has one gear and it is low and stripped out. He caught it again and it peed in his hand. He was madder n' a hornet and growling like a gorilla. Looked like one to, by the way. I watched him till I knew he had put the thing outside then I made him look in the bathroom for others, inspect the pot and the bag. I took the plant to the plant room and put the bag back in the carport. And sneaked back in the bathroom and inspected the premises very carefully again. I scrubbed the tub and decided to wait till morning for my shower. It was over (I thought) but I was still trembling. Now guys before you start making fun of me for my fear let me tell you it is very real. I have fainted before because a frog was put on me. Don't know the reason but it is a fact. The frog had to of been in the bag of potting soil. I dipped it in the plant, hence the disturbed soil all day. Somehow it escaped from my tamping it down and jumped out on the tub. That was the dry clump of soil.
But wait now**, Do you remember that clump of dry soil I put in the trash? YEP! Another frog but that is another story. It happened late in the night when I got up to go to the bathroom. I'll tell it later. Right now I'm trembling again just thinking about it.
Just don't ever put a frog on me or my Mama will reach down from Heaven and thump you on the head. And that's a fact!!! YEP!
On Wednesday of this week I decided I needed to re pot some of my houseplants. I had a bag of potting soil in the carport so I brought it in. I was going to do it in the bathtub because it was so hot outside. First thing I noticed was the bag was wide open and I usually close them so it wont dry out. Then I noticed it was wet. I thought well darn how did this get wet in the carport. Still don't know how it happened but I think Don messed with it. He denies it but I don't believe him.
The first plant is in a huge pot and very heavy but I carried it to the tub. As I started dipping the soil out of the bag I noticed two dry clumps on the top. I scooted on to the side and put the other one in the trash and wondered why two little dry clumps in the very wet potting soil. Didn't think any more about it. This plant just needed to be topped off so I dipped the soil in and tamped it down with the cup. The other two I put in bigger pots and replaced them in my flower room but I left the big one along with the bag in the tub to take out later.
I went about my day and several times I went in the bathroom and noticed a clump of dirt in the pot like something had disturbed it so I would tamp it back down with the dipping cup. Several times this happened but I didn't think much about it only to wonder Why?
That night I went to the bathroom to take my shower and to carry the plant and bag of soil out. I started to reach in to get the plant and something moved slightly on the side of the tub. It startled me but when I looked closer I was staring in to the eyes of a little frog about the size of a quarter. O M G O M G!!!! I screamed to the top of my lungs and took off running. As I ran I was hollering, "GET IT GET IT"!!! Don just looked at me and said, "Be quiet what are you doing"? "Ththeresse a fffroog in there GET IT". He just looked at me and said "Well You Get It". Now he knows how terrified I am of frogs. I ran by him and kicked his foot as I went saying, "GET UP RIGHT NOW AND GET THAT FROG OR I'M LEAVING THIS HOUSE AND I WILL NOT COME BACK TILL I KNOW IT IS GONE"!
He sauntered on in there and picked it up and started for the door and dropped the thing and here it come hopping back my way. The race was on again. "GET THAT DURN THING DON HURRY UP"! Now guys there is no hurry up for Don. He has one gear and it is low and stripped out. He caught it again and it peed in his hand. He was madder n' a hornet and growling like a gorilla. Looked like one to, by the way. I watched him till I knew he had put the thing outside then I made him look in the bathroom for others, inspect the pot and the bag. I took the plant to the plant room and put the bag back in the carport. And sneaked back in the bathroom and inspected the premises very carefully again. I scrubbed the tub and decided to wait till morning for my shower. It was over (I thought) but I was still trembling. Now guys before you start making fun of me for my fear let me tell you it is very real. I have fainted before because a frog was put on me. Don't know the reason but it is a fact. The frog had to of been in the bag of potting soil. I dipped it in the plant, hence the disturbed soil all day. Somehow it escaped from my tamping it down and jumped out on the tub. That was the dry clump of soil.
But wait now**, Do you remember that clump of dry soil I put in the trash? YEP! Another frog but that is another story. It happened late in the night when I got up to go to the bathroom. I'll tell it later. Right now I'm trembling again just thinking about it.
Just don't ever put a frog on me or my Mama will reach down from Heaven and thump you on the head. And that's a fact!!! YEP!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
DON'T STIR THE SPOILED STEW
7-2-09...DON'T STIR THE SPOILED STEW
I don't rightly know when I started forgetting more, making more messes, or just plain started doing things backwards but it doesn't matter. I'm There! I think that is what makes me remember so well in my past when I didn't do these things. OH BUT DID I?
Last Saturday I was doing my extra grooming that I do when I'm going out somewhere. Shape and paint my fingernails, do my hair, etc. Only thing about that is I'm much slower and tend to forget until the last minute. So late Saturday night I finally got started. First thing I did was spill half a bottle of nail polish in my lap. I stuck the little brush in the bottle and started applying it to my nails. Now guys why in the world did I hang on to the bottle while applying the polish? Heck fire how should I know. I did it and in the process the bottle tipped up and proceeded to pour out in my lap. I didn't even notice that until I started to dip the brush again and saw my pink lap. Well Good grief!!! Just the morning before I shook a bottle of foundation and the lid wasn't on tight so why now nail polish??
Later after my shower I sprayed clorox clean up all in my shower to clean it. As I bent over to scrub the clorox from the top of my shower leaked down in my hair, went all the way to my scalp and started burning.. Oh Good Grief I thought now I'm going to look like a skunk in the morning where that stuff dripped down the middle and bleached my hair. Besides that now I have to re wash my hair tonight and try to get it back in shape.
Now that brings me to what I did when I was about 12 yrs. Old.
I had black curly hair and I wished for blond straight hair. I decided to bleach my hair. Mama said no way so of course I decided I could do it myself. Didn't Mama have a gallon of purex bleach out by the washer? Sure she did! I know by now you know what is coming don't ya'?
WELLL!!!
I got the bottle of bleach and since it was warm outside I just poured some right out of the bottle over my head. That stuff burned every where it touched. I mean it burned like crazy. Thank God I didn't get any in my eyes because I could see my hands turning red. That is when I started screaming bloody murder. I mean I was screeching out those blood curdling yelps that must have raised the hair on Mamas head. Oh My Gosh I'm ruined I thought. I'm gonna' croak right here deader'n'a'doornail. Flat out croak!!!!
I heard the screen door slam and heard my Mama saying, “What in the world are you doing Clydene, stop that catawallin' and tell me what you have done now”!! Heck fire I was in intense pain and couldn't she see what I had done. I mean it was as plain as the nose on your face. Of course I didn't say that to Mama. Heck No!! Well my Mama indeed saw what I had done and she picked up the first thing she could find, which was a slop jar full of dirty water where I had scrubbed it, and threw it over my head, then dragged me to the tub of water that she had drawn to wash clothes and dunked my head and sloshed it around. I thought sure she was gonna drown me. Next came a quart of tomato juice then a can of pet milk to stop the sting. Then my hair and skin got washed thoroughly with soap and water. Worst bath I ever had in my life. But guess what? It Worked! Yep sure did.!! Mama was so scared that I didn't get a spanking and she watched me all the rest of the day for scalds or worse. I was never allowed to forget it though. Not till my poor Mom got like I am now and forgot things. I never brought it up either. Daddy always said No reason to stir the stew after it spoils. Nope!
By the way I still had curly black hair and I have never had any desire to be a blond again. WHY STIR THE ROTTEN STEW????
I don't rightly know when I started forgetting more, making more messes, or just plain started doing things backwards but it doesn't matter. I'm There! I think that is what makes me remember so well in my past when I didn't do these things. OH BUT DID I?
Last Saturday I was doing my extra grooming that I do when I'm going out somewhere. Shape and paint my fingernails, do my hair, etc. Only thing about that is I'm much slower and tend to forget until the last minute. So late Saturday night I finally got started. First thing I did was spill half a bottle of nail polish in my lap. I stuck the little brush in the bottle and started applying it to my nails. Now guys why in the world did I hang on to the bottle while applying the polish? Heck fire how should I know. I did it and in the process the bottle tipped up and proceeded to pour out in my lap. I didn't even notice that until I started to dip the brush again and saw my pink lap. Well Good grief!!! Just the morning before I shook a bottle of foundation and the lid wasn't on tight so why now nail polish??
Later after my shower I sprayed clorox clean up all in my shower to clean it. As I bent over to scrub the clorox from the top of my shower leaked down in my hair, went all the way to my scalp and started burning.. Oh Good Grief I thought now I'm going to look like a skunk in the morning where that stuff dripped down the middle and bleached my hair. Besides that now I have to re wash my hair tonight and try to get it back in shape.
Now that brings me to what I did when I was about 12 yrs. Old.
I had black curly hair and I wished for blond straight hair. I decided to bleach my hair. Mama said no way so of course I decided I could do it myself. Didn't Mama have a gallon of purex bleach out by the washer? Sure she did! I know by now you know what is coming don't ya'?
WELLL!!!
I got the bottle of bleach and since it was warm outside I just poured some right out of the bottle over my head. That stuff burned every where it touched. I mean it burned like crazy. Thank God I didn't get any in my eyes because I could see my hands turning red. That is when I started screaming bloody murder. I mean I was screeching out those blood curdling yelps that must have raised the hair on Mamas head. Oh My Gosh I'm ruined I thought. I'm gonna' croak right here deader'n'a'doornail. Flat out croak!!!!
I heard the screen door slam and heard my Mama saying, “What in the world are you doing Clydene, stop that catawallin' and tell me what you have done now”!! Heck fire I was in intense pain and couldn't she see what I had done. I mean it was as plain as the nose on your face. Of course I didn't say that to Mama. Heck No!! Well my Mama indeed saw what I had done and she picked up the first thing she could find, which was a slop jar full of dirty water where I had scrubbed it, and threw it over my head, then dragged me to the tub of water that she had drawn to wash clothes and dunked my head and sloshed it around. I thought sure she was gonna drown me. Next came a quart of tomato juice then a can of pet milk to stop the sting. Then my hair and skin got washed thoroughly with soap and water. Worst bath I ever had in my life. But guess what? It Worked! Yep sure did.!! Mama was so scared that I didn't get a spanking and she watched me all the rest of the day for scalds or worse. I was never allowed to forget it though. Not till my poor Mom got like I am now and forgot things. I never brought it up either. Daddy always said No reason to stir the stew after it spoils. Nope!
By the way I still had curly black hair and I have never had any desire to be a blond again. WHY STIR THE ROTTEN STEW????
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
OUR FIRST 3D MOVIE
6-29-09...OUR FIRST 3D MOVIE
Remember those first 3D movies? You know the ones where you had to put these weird looking glasses on and everything jumped out at you it seemed? Now they have HD but we had never seen anything like that. I remember going to the first one that came to the Ozark Theater. We all were very excited. Mama and Daddy usually took us on Saturday nights and they sat outside in the car and waited on us. I suspect they didn't have the money for us all to go. It was 5cents for us and 25 cents for them. Anyway they wanted to see this new fangled thing too so we all went. Brenda Paul Norman and I.
Norman and Paul always sat down on the front row and Brenda and I sat about middle ways down. Mama and Daddy got in the very back. We were threatened to be good and still and quiet or we would all have to leave. There was someone that came down each aisle often with a flashlight and they caught anyone not obeying the rules so we behaved ourselves.
This particular night it was a movie with dinosaurs and big monsters. Of course they looked like they were coming in the seat with you. It was a first for everybody in the building so there was some noise that night but not bad enough to get in trouble.
All at once a loud scream sounded out, “HELP! HELP! It is getting me, HELP!” There was scuffing feet and kids giggling and we knew someone was going to be in trouble and I knew exactly who it was. I got up and hurried back to where Mama and Daddy were sitting to tell them that crazy screaming kid was my Brother Norman. Mama was already getting out of her seat cause she knew the voice as well as I did. Mama said, “Clydene sit down I know who that is”. Daddy said, “Now Lucille that aint Norman”. To which Mama replied, “Clyde I know my kids voice and that is Norman”.
Of course I didn't sit down I followed her down there. There was Norman under his seat kicking and screaming to the top of his lungs. We got there before the lady with the flashlight and it did appear that Norman was stuck under his seat, Which he was!
Mama got him out and was checking him to see if he was hurt. The only problem she could find was his new shoes with the toes almost scuffed out. He wouldn't have got in trouble if it hadn't come out that Norman was just acting silly when he crawled under the seat but He got stuck and thats when the screaming Help started. He was taken outside and tanned then brought back in and made to sit by Mama way in the back. I felt sorry for him and tried to get her to let him sit by me but she wanted him right by her she said so she was sure he would not get into anything else. I started back to my seat and looked down at Norman and he was trying to keep from laughing. He was only six but he knew when he deserved his punishment. Yep We Learned good!!!
Remember those first 3D movies? You know the ones where you had to put these weird looking glasses on and everything jumped out at you it seemed? Now they have HD but we had never seen anything like that. I remember going to the first one that came to the Ozark Theater. We all were very excited. Mama and Daddy usually took us on Saturday nights and they sat outside in the car and waited on us. I suspect they didn't have the money for us all to go. It was 5cents for us and 25 cents for them. Anyway they wanted to see this new fangled thing too so we all went. Brenda Paul Norman and I.
Norman and Paul always sat down on the front row and Brenda and I sat about middle ways down. Mama and Daddy got in the very back. We were threatened to be good and still and quiet or we would all have to leave. There was someone that came down each aisle often with a flashlight and they caught anyone not obeying the rules so we behaved ourselves.
This particular night it was a movie with dinosaurs and big monsters. Of course they looked like they were coming in the seat with you. It was a first for everybody in the building so there was some noise that night but not bad enough to get in trouble.
All at once a loud scream sounded out, “HELP! HELP! It is getting me, HELP!” There was scuffing feet and kids giggling and we knew someone was going to be in trouble and I knew exactly who it was. I got up and hurried back to where Mama and Daddy were sitting to tell them that crazy screaming kid was my Brother Norman. Mama was already getting out of her seat cause she knew the voice as well as I did. Mama said, “Clydene sit down I know who that is”. Daddy said, “Now Lucille that aint Norman”. To which Mama replied, “Clyde I know my kids voice and that is Norman”.
Of course I didn't sit down I followed her down there. There was Norman under his seat kicking and screaming to the top of his lungs. We got there before the lady with the flashlight and it did appear that Norman was stuck under his seat, Which he was!
Mama got him out and was checking him to see if he was hurt. The only problem she could find was his new shoes with the toes almost scuffed out. He wouldn't have got in trouble if it hadn't come out that Norman was just acting silly when he crawled under the seat but He got stuck and thats when the screaming Help started. He was taken outside and tanned then brought back in and made to sit by Mama way in the back. I felt sorry for him and tried to get her to let him sit by me but she wanted him right by her she said so she was sure he would not get into anything else. I started back to my seat and looked down at Norman and he was trying to keep from laughing. He was only six but he knew when he deserved his punishment. Yep We Learned good!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
THE SKATING RINK
6-28-09...THE SKATING RINK
Without a doubt the hardest thing I ever did as a child was learn to roller skate. In fact I never did learn well and never could stay off my backside a lot. Could be that we only had a rink for a few weeks out of the summer. It would set up in Ozark for a while then move on somewhere else like a carnival or circus. The skates weren't in very good shape and the floor was full of cracks. Daddy took my brother Norman and I on Saturday afternoons while it was there.
The first time he took us I was about 12. I guess I thought he was going to be on the rink with me. When I found out he was going in to town and come back for us I balked and wouldn't stay. But I did finally go the next week and Daddy sat and watched us. Norman learned real quick and tried to help me but I kept him on the floor with me so I told him to go on.
One day a boy was there who I was struck on and I sat the whole time so he wouldn't see me fall. I sure wasn't getting my moneys worth. Then a friend offered to help me. She was bigger and stronger than me so she lead me around with her for a while. I got my skate hooked in hers somehow and down we went. She broke her leg and I was so hurt over that I cried for days.
I was either stubborn or a glutton for punishment (probably both) so I wasn't about to give up. I was stumbling around on the rink one day and little kids had noticed me always being there and falling all the time. They started teasing me and making fun because I couldn't skate and they could. Then they proceeded to run in to me and knock me down. My Daddy put a stop to that fast. He told the manager and they got on to the boys but they still taunted me.
The day I learned it was out of shame and desperation I think but I was sure going to show those smart elec kids. YEP. Could have been the cute boy skating around me that I wanted to impress too. I got up off the floor and just flat took off. I figured I was going to sail on through the safety screen because I knew I couldn't stop. But I didn't. I was going now. I skated over to the bar and grabbed on. Made my way to the bench, took those darn things off and got the heck outta there. I had skated but I hadn't enjoyed it one bit. Heck no! I had no desire to ever get on skates again. I had proved I could do it and that was enough for me.
I got on skates in later years a time or two but I was never good at it. As I got older I sure didn't want to fall again so I didn't miss skating one bit. Nope! Never was fun to me. I had proved I could do it so I was through. I had been taught to never says I can't but say I'll try so I always tried hard. Still do.
Without a doubt the hardest thing I ever did as a child was learn to roller skate. In fact I never did learn well and never could stay off my backside a lot. Could be that we only had a rink for a few weeks out of the summer. It would set up in Ozark for a while then move on somewhere else like a carnival or circus. The skates weren't in very good shape and the floor was full of cracks. Daddy took my brother Norman and I on Saturday afternoons while it was there.
The first time he took us I was about 12. I guess I thought he was going to be on the rink with me. When I found out he was going in to town and come back for us I balked and wouldn't stay. But I did finally go the next week and Daddy sat and watched us. Norman learned real quick and tried to help me but I kept him on the floor with me so I told him to go on.
One day a boy was there who I was struck on and I sat the whole time so he wouldn't see me fall. I sure wasn't getting my moneys worth. Then a friend offered to help me. She was bigger and stronger than me so she lead me around with her for a while. I got my skate hooked in hers somehow and down we went. She broke her leg and I was so hurt over that I cried for days.
I was either stubborn or a glutton for punishment (probably both) so I wasn't about to give up. I was stumbling around on the rink one day and little kids had noticed me always being there and falling all the time. They started teasing me and making fun because I couldn't skate and they could. Then they proceeded to run in to me and knock me down. My Daddy put a stop to that fast. He told the manager and they got on to the boys but they still taunted me.
The day I learned it was out of shame and desperation I think but I was sure going to show those smart elec kids. YEP. Could have been the cute boy skating around me that I wanted to impress too. I got up off the floor and just flat took off. I figured I was going to sail on through the safety screen because I knew I couldn't stop. But I didn't. I was going now. I skated over to the bar and grabbed on. Made my way to the bench, took those darn things off and got the heck outta there. I had skated but I hadn't enjoyed it one bit. Heck no! I had no desire to ever get on skates again. I had proved I could do it and that was enough for me.
I got on skates in later years a time or two but I was never good at it. As I got older I sure didn't want to fall again so I didn't miss skating one bit. Nope! Never was fun to me. I had proved I could do it so I was through. I had been taught to never says I can't but say I'll try so I always tried hard. Still do.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
MY EXCITING DAY
6-23-09...MY EXCITING DAY
I was going to write this earlier today but I thought Hey, when I have a day starting out like this what makes me think it wont escalate to something bigger. Well I was right to wait because this has been a day to remember to say the least.
When I got out of bed this morning with all the groanin' and moanin' that was just the way it is. No problem, nothing new, just gotta get going very slowly. OK, That's over with. I head to the bathroom for my morning rituals consisting of groaning some more as I sit down on the pot, creaking and cracking as I get up. Taking my glasses off and splashing cold water on my face. Well I've done this before but I didn't learn nothing from it cause once again I forgot to take my glasses off before I splashed. I took em' off, dried my face and proceeded to spray glass cleaner on to clean them. But it wasn't glass cleaner folks! Heck No it was deodorant spray. Well Good Grief! I washed them off as good as I could but they are still sticky causin' me to think, well heck fire is that what I've been spraying on my body!? I must have several layers of that darn stuff under my arms. SHOOT FIRE!!!
I finally got my glasses clean and wiped dry. Now next is my hair. Since I look like I've put my finger in a light socket when I get up I have to tame it down before I go out of the BR and scare anyone to death. I have a tube of stuff just for that. I rub a generous amount in my hands. Well that feels funny I think. It must have thickened in the tube. I go ahead and rub it in my hair anyway. Waste not want not, don't you know? It smells funny too and it shore aint doing what it usually does. Nope, It is all green and gunky. I look down at the tube and guess what? It is tooth paste Yep! So I wash my hair and get it all out. Well I was a' gonna' do that later anyway. So OK just a mistake.
I headed to the kitchen thinking I'm gonna' have some of that home made bread for breakfast later. Toast up a slice of it and slather a big dollop of strawberry jam on it. Yummy I can almost taste that now. Now guys I'll come back to that later. Don't let me forget ya' hear?
I got my coffee and by now had to go back to the bathroom, them darn water pills anyway!! I walked in the BR and just as calm as a cucumber I poured my coffee in the pot. Just turned that blamed cup up and politely poured it in!!! Hey! Now I'm getting flustered don't ya' know? I gotta pee so I sit right down in the coffee that spilled on the seat of the pot. Gross!! Cleaned up and went to the kitchen for another cuppa coffee, bring it in here and check messages, had some, opened them and read them. I'll answer them later.
Now I head out to my chair in my spot and turn on the Tv to watch the news and weather. Well that was depressing and Moses is sitting on my feet wanting to go potty. I swig some of my now cold coffee and off we go. Its hotter'n' blue blazes already and only about seven AM. I go to kitchen, get hot coffee but heck fire now I'm sweating heavily so it don't taste near as good as it would have an hour ago.
But now my show that I watch every morning comes on and I'm gonna enjoy that. I watch Joyce Meyer every morning and then watch Archie Bunker (All in The Family) to get tuned up first spiritually and then tickle my funny bone. Joyce Meyer was great but they didn't have Archie this Morning. Heck fire whad'da'they mean taking my show off? Durn fools. I turn the channel to XM radio Enlighten which plays Gospel music all day and listen for about an hour. Ok, now things are lookin' up so I'll go fix my toast. Remember the home made Bread? I made it yesterday and boy was it gonna be good for toast. I was wondering though how come I didn't eat a big hunk yesterday right outta the oven. I don't remember doing that and I aways do that, heck I must have done that, but no I can't remember doing that. Well I'm'a'gonna now. YEP!
In the kitchen I reached for my bread. I always put it in the same place so I reached without looking and came up with hot air. No Bread. Ok, Who moved my bread? Where the heck is my bread? Hey!! Wheres my bread?, this aint funny now I want my bread. My bread was gone! Gone! Slicker'n hot butter its gone!!! I was getting loud now, By Golly I want My Bread and I want it now. Don must've got in it last night and moved it. Well that just makes me madder'n'a'hornet YEP!! I got up a sweat cookin that bread yesterday and it better be here. Strange I don't remember cookin' it. Nope!
Now folks if I'd written this early this morning there wouldn't have been an end to the bread story. It would have remained a mystery. YEP!
I went about my business an decided I wasn't gonna' say a word to anybody about my bread. I was beginning to suspect that something just wasn't right here. Yep something was fishy all right.
I tried all day to forget about my bread because I didn't want anyone to think I was crazy. I'll never mention it I told myself.
Well folks just a couple hours ago I finally got to the bottom of the mysterious bread. I started to do some laundry and smelled something. Smelled kinda' good but not really. Setting there on my dryer with a cloth over it was the smelly thing. What tha' heck?!! I raised the towel up and there in all its glory was a big glob runnin' all over the place. Gooey and ugly and bubblin' like nothin' I'd ever seen. Yep! You got it! It was my loaf of bread uncooked. It had risen over the pan and run all over. There it was as plain as the nose on my face ozzing all over in all its glory!!
I don't remember ever having such a mess to clean up in my whole life. Not even with all the messes Brenda and I made over the years. By golly I think this tops anything We ever did! But clean it up I did and I made fast work outta' it. Don hadn't seen or heard about me making bread and I sure don't intend for that ol' grouch to find out either. NOPE!!!! If You tell him I'm a gonna' hafta' hurt ya'. YEP!!!
I was going to write this earlier today but I thought Hey, when I have a day starting out like this what makes me think it wont escalate to something bigger. Well I was right to wait because this has been a day to remember to say the least.
When I got out of bed this morning with all the groanin' and moanin' that was just the way it is. No problem, nothing new, just gotta get going very slowly. OK, That's over with. I head to the bathroom for my morning rituals consisting of groaning some more as I sit down on the pot, creaking and cracking as I get up. Taking my glasses off and splashing cold water on my face. Well I've done this before but I didn't learn nothing from it cause once again I forgot to take my glasses off before I splashed. I took em' off, dried my face and proceeded to spray glass cleaner on to clean them. But it wasn't glass cleaner folks! Heck No it was deodorant spray. Well Good Grief! I washed them off as good as I could but they are still sticky causin' me to think, well heck fire is that what I've been spraying on my body!? I must have several layers of that darn stuff under my arms. SHOOT FIRE!!!
I finally got my glasses clean and wiped dry. Now next is my hair. Since I look like I've put my finger in a light socket when I get up I have to tame it down before I go out of the BR and scare anyone to death. I have a tube of stuff just for that. I rub a generous amount in my hands. Well that feels funny I think. It must have thickened in the tube. I go ahead and rub it in my hair anyway. Waste not want not, don't you know? It smells funny too and it shore aint doing what it usually does. Nope, It is all green and gunky. I look down at the tube and guess what? It is tooth paste Yep! So I wash my hair and get it all out. Well I was a' gonna' do that later anyway. So OK just a mistake.
I headed to the kitchen thinking I'm gonna' have some of that home made bread for breakfast later. Toast up a slice of it and slather a big dollop of strawberry jam on it. Yummy I can almost taste that now. Now guys I'll come back to that later. Don't let me forget ya' hear?
I got my coffee and by now had to go back to the bathroom, them darn water pills anyway!! I walked in the BR and just as calm as a cucumber I poured my coffee in the pot. Just turned that blamed cup up and politely poured it in!!! Hey! Now I'm getting flustered don't ya' know? I gotta pee so I sit right down in the coffee that spilled on the seat of the pot. Gross!! Cleaned up and went to the kitchen for another cuppa coffee, bring it in here and check messages, had some, opened them and read them. I'll answer them later.
Now I head out to my chair in my spot and turn on the Tv to watch the news and weather. Well that was depressing and Moses is sitting on my feet wanting to go potty. I swig some of my now cold coffee and off we go. Its hotter'n' blue blazes already and only about seven AM. I go to kitchen, get hot coffee but heck fire now I'm sweating heavily so it don't taste near as good as it would have an hour ago.
But now my show that I watch every morning comes on and I'm gonna enjoy that. I watch Joyce Meyer every morning and then watch Archie Bunker (All in The Family) to get tuned up first spiritually and then tickle my funny bone. Joyce Meyer was great but they didn't have Archie this Morning. Heck fire whad'da'they mean taking my show off? Durn fools. I turn the channel to XM radio Enlighten which plays Gospel music all day and listen for about an hour. Ok, now things are lookin' up so I'll go fix my toast. Remember the home made Bread? I made it yesterday and boy was it gonna be good for toast. I was wondering though how come I didn't eat a big hunk yesterday right outta the oven. I don't remember doing that and I aways do that, heck I must have done that, but no I can't remember doing that. Well I'm'a'gonna now. YEP!
In the kitchen I reached for my bread. I always put it in the same place so I reached without looking and came up with hot air. No Bread. Ok, Who moved my bread? Where the heck is my bread? Hey!! Wheres my bread?, this aint funny now I want my bread. My bread was gone! Gone! Slicker'n hot butter its gone!!! I was getting loud now, By Golly I want My Bread and I want it now. Don must've got in it last night and moved it. Well that just makes me madder'n'a'hornet YEP!! I got up a sweat cookin that bread yesterday and it better be here. Strange I don't remember cookin' it. Nope!
Now folks if I'd written this early this morning there wouldn't have been an end to the bread story. It would have remained a mystery. YEP!
I went about my business an decided I wasn't gonna' say a word to anybody about my bread. I was beginning to suspect that something just wasn't right here. Yep something was fishy all right.
I tried all day to forget about my bread because I didn't want anyone to think I was crazy. I'll never mention it I told myself.
Well folks just a couple hours ago I finally got to the bottom of the mysterious bread. I started to do some laundry and smelled something. Smelled kinda' good but not really. Setting there on my dryer with a cloth over it was the smelly thing. What tha' heck?!! I raised the towel up and there in all its glory was a big glob runnin' all over the place. Gooey and ugly and bubblin' like nothin' I'd ever seen. Yep! You got it! It was my loaf of bread uncooked. It had risen over the pan and run all over. There it was as plain as the nose on my face ozzing all over in all its glory!!
I don't remember ever having such a mess to clean up in my whole life. Not even with all the messes Brenda and I made over the years. By golly I think this tops anything We ever did! But clean it up I did and I made fast work outta' it. Don hadn't seen or heard about me making bread and I sure don't intend for that ol' grouch to find out either. NOPE!!!! If You tell him I'm a gonna' hafta' hurt ya'. YEP!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
SLOP JAR
6-19-09...SLOP JAR!!!
Do all of you know what a slop jar is? No it is not a jar that you keep slop in. It is really a tin bucket with a lid on it. I have no idea why they were called slop jars. Every one had at least 1. We had three in our house. They were white granite with red rings around the rims. In case you are still wondering ____________ Well I'm a gonna tell you! They were in our bed rooms at night. We could pee in them but the number two job we were not allowed to do. That way we didn't have to make a trip to the john (toilet) out back just to pee. It was my job to take the slop jars out every morning and dump them and rinse them out to use the next night. Not a pleasant job. Sometimes I tried to get by with out cleaning them out which consisted of using the water in the wash pan, where we had washed our hands, and using an old broom to scrub them out. Once a week they were scrubbed good with purex water by Mama.
Now I guess I thought the slop jars just magically appeared in our house or maybe they were just somehow there. Not the case as I found out. One day an older cousin and I were with Daddy when he went to The Oklahoma Tire and Supply store in Ozark. We had no interest in going in that store we were waiting to get out at the grocery store.
We didn't know what Daddy was going in there for so we watched for him to come back. We were in the back seat. Well when Daddy came out of the store guess what he had in his hand. You guessed it, A Slop Jar!! Now Daddy didn't have the thing put in a big sack like most people. Heck Fire No! My Daddy carried that sucker right out of that store for everybody to see. OH MY GOSH!! There he came down the sidewalk swinging that darn thing by the bail as he walked. Every time he took a step the bail squeaked. Sounded just like a screech owl. We were both trying to hide in the back seat. My cousin was long legged and took up a big part of the seat. When we started ducking down to hide we bumped heads the first thing. I shrieked cause it hurt. He put his hand over my mouth but I bit him and he let go and shrieked. We got in a wrestling match trying to get down in the seat enough not to be seen by all the people on the street who were pointing and laughing. ( By the way, It was us they were laughing at not my Daddy. I guess they had figured out what was wrong with us but Daddy hadn't yet. My Cousin pushed me down in the floor and tried to lay on the seat but his big ol' feet were hanging over in my face. He was barefoot so Guess what I did. Yep! I got one of those big ol' dirty toes in my mouth and bit the blood outta that sucker. Yep, sure did. His whole body jumped and he hit the top of the car with a thud. Now guys the cars then had no plush upholstery. Nope, It was hard.! He started bellering and hollering and I started giggling. In the midst of this Daddy heard us and he threw that durn slop jar as he came a runnin'. That thing skidded up that sidewalk sounding like screeching owls in a herd. YEP! It came to rest at someones feet Daddy said later. Me I didn't see a thing cause I was still in the floor of the car with my cousin sitting on me. YEP! When I could see Daddy was opening the door and peering in. ( No back doors so he was hanging over the seat) Daddy thought for sure we were hurt and with my cousin bleeding from the toe and hand plus a scratch on his hard head it didn't help. I was pushing trying to get him off me and giggling at the same time. My cousin got out because he had to so I could get up. Daddy said, “Go get that slop jar and I'll help Clydene up”. He sure nuff didn't want to go get it but Daddy said so. I said, “daddy I don't want to get out, Lets Go”.
Later I asked Daddy why he didn't have them put that thing in a sack so this wouldn't have happened. “Heck Why” my Daddy said. It was a lot easier carried that way”. Oh My Goodness!
Now I don't see why we were so embarrassed by it. Who knows? Silly to say the least. HUH? YEP!!
Do all of you know what a slop jar is? No it is not a jar that you keep slop in. It is really a tin bucket with a lid on it. I have no idea why they were called slop jars. Every one had at least 1. We had three in our house. They were white granite with red rings around the rims. In case you are still wondering ____________ Well I'm a gonna tell you! They were in our bed rooms at night. We could pee in them but the number two job we were not allowed to do. That way we didn't have to make a trip to the john (toilet) out back just to pee. It was my job to take the slop jars out every morning and dump them and rinse them out to use the next night. Not a pleasant job. Sometimes I tried to get by with out cleaning them out which consisted of using the water in the wash pan, where we had washed our hands, and using an old broom to scrub them out. Once a week they were scrubbed good with purex water by Mama.
Now I guess I thought the slop jars just magically appeared in our house or maybe they were just somehow there. Not the case as I found out. One day an older cousin and I were with Daddy when he went to The Oklahoma Tire and Supply store in Ozark. We had no interest in going in that store we were waiting to get out at the grocery store.
We didn't know what Daddy was going in there for so we watched for him to come back. We were in the back seat. Well when Daddy came out of the store guess what he had in his hand. You guessed it, A Slop Jar!! Now Daddy didn't have the thing put in a big sack like most people. Heck Fire No! My Daddy carried that sucker right out of that store for everybody to see. OH MY GOSH!! There he came down the sidewalk swinging that darn thing by the bail as he walked. Every time he took a step the bail squeaked. Sounded just like a screech owl. We were both trying to hide in the back seat. My cousin was long legged and took up a big part of the seat. When we started ducking down to hide we bumped heads the first thing. I shrieked cause it hurt. He put his hand over my mouth but I bit him and he let go and shrieked. We got in a wrestling match trying to get down in the seat enough not to be seen by all the people on the street who were pointing and laughing. ( By the way, It was us they were laughing at not my Daddy. I guess they had figured out what was wrong with us but Daddy hadn't yet. My Cousin pushed me down in the floor and tried to lay on the seat but his big ol' feet were hanging over in my face. He was barefoot so Guess what I did. Yep! I got one of those big ol' dirty toes in my mouth and bit the blood outta that sucker. Yep, sure did. His whole body jumped and he hit the top of the car with a thud. Now guys the cars then had no plush upholstery. Nope, It was hard.! He started bellering and hollering and I started giggling. In the midst of this Daddy heard us and he threw that durn slop jar as he came a runnin'. That thing skidded up that sidewalk sounding like screeching owls in a herd. YEP! It came to rest at someones feet Daddy said later. Me I didn't see a thing cause I was still in the floor of the car with my cousin sitting on me. YEP! When I could see Daddy was opening the door and peering in. ( No back doors so he was hanging over the seat) Daddy thought for sure we were hurt and with my cousin bleeding from the toe and hand plus a scratch on his hard head it didn't help. I was pushing trying to get him off me and giggling at the same time. My cousin got out because he had to so I could get up. Daddy said, “Go get that slop jar and I'll help Clydene up”. He sure nuff didn't want to go get it but Daddy said so. I said, “daddy I don't want to get out, Lets Go”.
Later I asked Daddy why he didn't have them put that thing in a sack so this wouldn't have happened. “Heck Why” my Daddy said. It was a lot easier carried that way”. Oh My Goodness!
Now I don't see why we were so embarrassed by it. Who knows? Silly to say the least. HUH? YEP!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
WASHING CLOTHES RECIPE
6-15-09..."Warshing" Clothes Recipe
WARSHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil,
then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs...
Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
================================================
Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time when you think things are bleak,
read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.
First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet...
those old two-holers used to get mighty cold!
For you non-southerners - wrench means rinse.
AND WE THOUGHT WE HAVE IT ROUGH
"Warshing" Clothes Recipe...
Never thought of a "washer" in this light before. What a blessing!
"Warshing Clothes Recipe" -- imagine having a recipe for this ! ! !
Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave a new bride the following recipe:
this is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook complete
with spelling errors and all.
Never thought of a "washer" in this light before. What a blessing!
"Warshing Clothes Recipe" -- imagine having a recipe for this ! ! !
Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave a new bride the following recipe:
this is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook complete
with spelling errors and all.
WARSHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil,
then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs...
Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
================================================
Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time when you think things are bleak,
read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.
First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet...
those old two-holers used to get mighty cold!
For you non-southerners - wrench means rinse.
AND WE THOUGHT WE HAVE IT ROUGH
REUNION
6-15-09...REUNION
Back in 1987 when my life was a hopeless shambles God gave me something that made a bright spot in all my darkness. I was tormented and abused in my marriage, cut off completely from all my family who loved me and totally down to my last hope. My Son was out of it. He was in Arkansas with his Dad which wasn't good but he was out of the torment that was my life right then. In July of that year my last reason for living was taken away from me when my Son died in a car wreck. I asked God to please take me too. I had no more hope in my life and I wanted out. God had other plans though. A few months after my Dear Son passed away my step-son and his wife had a baby boy they named Joseph. I didn't see this baby as a replacement for Richard but he was a light in the otherwise darkness that I lived in.
The morning after Joseph was born my step-son took me by the hand and led me to his wife's room and put Joseph in my arms. Instant love hit my very soul when I cuddled this tiny little boy in my arms. Now the step-son hated my guts but he offered me the love of his son. I'll always be grateful to him for that. He knew I would love this little baby and the real grandmother was not interested. He wanted Joseph to have the love of a grandmother and I was it.
Over the next seven years I had this wonderful little boy in my life and in my heart. But my life had to change again because I caught my husband putting poison in my iced tea. I never let him know that I saw it but I knew I had to get away. Brenda, Dear Brenda showed up at my door one morning and whisked me away taking me to my Mamas. I had to hide for a long time because my X was stalking me. Finally I hid well enough when I changed my name by re-marrying. But I lost Joseph in the process. He was seven.
When I thought it was safe to do so I tried for years to find Joseph but was not able to. I never gave up but I had lost hope. I figured Joseph probably didn't even remember me.
One night a little over a week ago I got a call. A sweet Manly voice said, "HI GRANDMA I LOVE YOU". OMG!! I cried till I could hardly talk to him. I said, "Joseph I have tried to find you all these years". "I have been trying to find you too Grandma".
Joseph is 22 now. It has been 15 years and he had not forgotten me nor the love I had for him.
This is just the first chapter to this story. Bigger and better things are coming I just know it. Joseph said he will find a way to see me soon. He told me he is getting married in August. Here's the great thing about that. He had picked my birthday to be married. He wants me there. I can never afford the trip. It is clear across the States from me. I told him I wish I could but I can't. He just keeps saying there has to be a way. Well friends I do Believe in Miracles so we will see. Right now I am riding on clouds just for the fact that I can talk to him any time I want to. And that is enough for now. Boy is it ever enough for now!! YEP!!
Back in 1987 when my life was a hopeless shambles God gave me something that made a bright spot in all my darkness. I was tormented and abused in my marriage, cut off completely from all my family who loved me and totally down to my last hope. My Son was out of it. He was in Arkansas with his Dad which wasn't good but he was out of the torment that was my life right then. In July of that year my last reason for living was taken away from me when my Son died in a car wreck. I asked God to please take me too. I had no more hope in my life and I wanted out. God had other plans though. A few months after my Dear Son passed away my step-son and his wife had a baby boy they named Joseph. I didn't see this baby as a replacement for Richard but he was a light in the otherwise darkness that I lived in.
The morning after Joseph was born my step-son took me by the hand and led me to his wife's room and put Joseph in my arms. Instant love hit my very soul when I cuddled this tiny little boy in my arms. Now the step-son hated my guts but he offered me the love of his son. I'll always be grateful to him for that. He knew I would love this little baby and the real grandmother was not interested. He wanted Joseph to have the love of a grandmother and I was it.
Over the next seven years I had this wonderful little boy in my life and in my heart. But my life had to change again because I caught my husband putting poison in my iced tea. I never let him know that I saw it but I knew I had to get away. Brenda, Dear Brenda showed up at my door one morning and whisked me away taking me to my Mamas. I had to hide for a long time because my X was stalking me. Finally I hid well enough when I changed my name by re-marrying. But I lost Joseph in the process. He was seven.
When I thought it was safe to do so I tried for years to find Joseph but was not able to. I never gave up but I had lost hope. I figured Joseph probably didn't even remember me.
One night a little over a week ago I got a call. A sweet Manly voice said, "HI GRANDMA I LOVE YOU". OMG!! I cried till I could hardly talk to him. I said, "Joseph I have tried to find you all these years". "I have been trying to find you too Grandma".
Joseph is 22 now. It has been 15 years and he had not forgotten me nor the love I had for him.
This is just the first chapter to this story. Bigger and better things are coming I just know it. Joseph said he will find a way to see me soon. He told me he is getting married in August. Here's the great thing about that. He had picked my birthday to be married. He wants me there. I can never afford the trip. It is clear across the States from me. I told him I wish I could but I can't. He just keeps saying there has to be a way. Well friends I do Believe in Miracles so we will see. Right now I am riding on clouds just for the fact that I can talk to him any time I want to. And that is enough for now. Boy is it ever enough for now!! YEP!!
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