October Half Over

Asters bloom on Mount Nebo. I can’t walk miles like I once did but my sweet Laura goes many miles each week. When she spies a pretty flower she sends me a picture. Not like seeing with my own eyes but still so beautiful!

Aster in Greek means “star”. They are in the daisy family and have a starburst arrangement. The bright blue petals surround a yellow center. I think of my own Astrid when I see an aster. But her name does not come from the flower. Astrid is an old Scandinavian name derived from old Norse words.

Last night when I locked my chickens up, I saw the sliver of the moon. 🌙 Sliver is an old English word from split or cleave. But it’s just an illusion as the moon is still whole just hidden from me. Life is like that part we don’t know about but it’s there. If we could see, we could understand. Many things I don’t understand and wish I could just stop thinking about the reasons and answers as I have no control over any of it. I’m just passing through.

Lake Dardanelle last night at sunset. And the 1/4 inch of rain yesterday gave the pasture a small drink. It’s still hot today. Fleta made it down but is Christmas shopping before coming here. I think she enjoys showing more than I do. I’m glad she can shop at different stores when she comes to visit.

Astrid has invited us to go to her favorite nursery tomorrow and then maybe for ice cream! I may buy some pansies!

 

Hump Day

Finally we’re getting some much needed rain. Maybe I can burn my pile of limbs next week. Supposed to get more rain tomorrow. I’m hoping. It’s really hot still. This morning it was 72 and humid. I walked and did some grocery shopping. Fleta will be here on my normal grocery store day. I just got a few things. Aldi’s milk was 2.99. A very good price. I hope that holds for a while. 

Last Friday I bought some hamburger. I really want US beef, but I don’t know how to tell where it came from.

Surprise Lilies

The Lilies that pop up and bloom were once around trees. Larry’s mother planted these around a Fuji apple tree.  The tree died but the lilies still bloom.

Jimmy Carter is my cousin. I would say he may not be recorded in history as the best of the Presidents--but he will be remembered for his beliefs and will be called a good, Godly man.

In the 1740s two little boys lived near Washington D. C., but there was no Washington D. C. then. I suppose they tended the tobacco plants of their father. I suppose they slept in the same bed at night. Their names were Charles and John Powell. Charles was my Grandfather and John his brother was my many greats Uncle. John married Margaret McDaniel while the family still lived near Washington D. C. The passed down tale is that Margaret was lured to a ship in the harbor near a town in Ireland, perhaps Dublin. The ship forced her into the hull and hauled her to America to be auctioned off as an indentured servant. When she ship landed in the harbor of Stafford County, VA another past indentured servant (Duke Whalebone) stood at the sale of servants and took pity on Margaret. He purchased her and took her to their little home where she grew up and married John Powell. Don't know if the story is true but 100s of years later different lines of the John Powell family knew the same tale with some variations. They had her name as McDonald where the records show her last name as McDaniel.

The John Powell family moved to Caswell County, NC before the Revolutionary War. They had a houseful of children including a daughter named Judith. Judith married William Seals Muse. His mother may have been unmarried when he was born or perhaps they were abandoned by Mr. Seals or maybe he died. William lived with his Grandparents most of the time and used the last name of Muse. Sophia was his mother's name. After America took the lands of Georgia from the Cherokee. I guess you could say stole it. William and Judith moved to Georgia where Sophia already had gone with his step-father. After a short time in Georgia, William used only the last name of Seals. William and Judith had a son named Spencer. 

Spencer Seals married Elizabeth Burnley and they had a son William Archibald Seals. William A. Seals married Eliza Harris and they had a daughter named Mary Ann Diligent Seals. She married Littleberry Carter. I copied the rest of this from a site about James Earl Carter, my cousin. 

Littleberry Walker Carter (1832-1874)

In 1851 Littleberry Walker Carter married Mary Ann Diligent Seals (c.1838-c. 1874) in Warren County, Georgia. She was the daughter of William A. (b. 1814) and Eliza Harris (b. 1815) Seals of Warren County. In the mid 1850s the Carters and Seals lived in that part of Warren County that became Glascock in 1857 and it was there that William A. Seals died in 1860, and his widow in 1886.

Littleberry and Mary Ann moved c. 1860 to Sumter Co. near his father's plantation. He served in the American Civil War in Captain Cutts Sumter County Flying Artillery, serving in Virginia. Littleberry was a farmer and was buried on his farm at the time of his death at the age of 42.

Littleberry and Mary Ann had four children:

• Jeremiah Calvin (1855-1925)
• Eliza Ann (b. 1856)
• William Archibald (1858-1903)
• Nannie Bell (b. 1866)

William A. Carter (1858-1903)

William A. Carter married Nina Pratt (1863-1939) in 1885. She was the daughter of James E. and Sophronia Cowan Pratt of Abbeville District, South Carolina. William and Nina were living in Arlington, 50 miles SW of Plains, where they had moved in the mid 1880's, when he died at the age of 45. Nina then moved to Plains, where she lived out her life and was buried.

William and Nina had five children:

• Ethel (b. 1887)
• William Alton (b. 1888)
• Lula (b. 1891)
• James Earl (1894-1953)
• Jeanette (1904-1984)

James Earl Carter (1894-1953)

James Earl Carter married Lillian Gordy in 1923. He was an insurance broker, farmer, fertilizer dealer, Baptist and Democrat. A veteran of World War I, he served on the County Board of Education and was a state representative in his first term when he died at the age of 59. The couple had four children:

• James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (b. October 1, 1924)
• Gloria (Mrs. Walter G. Spann)(b. October 22, 1926, d. March 5, 1990)
• Ruth (Mrs. Robert T. Stapleton)(b. August 7, 1929, d. September 26, 1983)
• William Alton "Billy" (b. March 29, 1937, d. September 25, 1988)

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. 1924-2024

Jimmy Carter married Eleanor Rosalynn Smith (b. August 18, 1927) on July 7, 1946.

Our blood tie has been watered down as the world turned. My computer says we are 6th cousins once removed!!

Tuesday

Ada is going to be Laura Ingalls for pumpkin day. She fits the part. Maybe she can use the outfit for book character day or Pioneer Day too— if her school has those days. Of the books Laura picked for her, she was most excited about “Survive”. It’s about the wild fires in California. She’s reading it on the way to school and after school. Her parents won’t let her take it with her to school. 

I did my workout today. Went to Hobby lobby for some yarn. Also, filled my car with gas. Fleta’s coming Thursday. Doc Gordon’s induction into the Hall of Fame is Saturday. 

I’m having a little trouble continuing to blog. My life is same o, same o. Nothing really exciting.

 

October 12

 

This tree is one my friend shared with me. It’s in Searcy County. It grew around the fence or two spouts got twisted together above the fence vand grew together. 

Eric locked up Astrid’s chickens each night. One evening he took them the leftover watermelon. I think it’s their favorite food. Watermelon is 90 percent water.

The sky was pink last night. I still try to let my chickens free range an hour before sundown. The hawks have gone to bed by then. Saturday night when I went to latch their gate, coming back to the house I saw a copperhead crawling across my yard. I got a shovel to kill it but then realized I’d probably step on it as they are so hard to see. It was only about 14 inches long, but small and large are just as deadly. I got out my high top muck boots to wear when I lock the gate. As I have aged slowly I give up things. I’m not ready to give up my chickens. I wonder about all Mary had to give up in her 96 years. She had macro degeneration and could not see to read or do needle work. Dialing her phone was horrible. She had the numbers saved by pictures of the person. Still I know it was a nightmare. She knew me and also had a cousin Betty. She often called me when she wished to call her cousin. I am thankful her toil here has ended but still sad that I can no longer talk to her. Her mind was sharp til the end. RIP Mary.

Sunday

 

I tried one of my sweet potatoes. I put a little brown sugar. They are a meal for me.

Laura got these books at her book fair at school for me to give Ada. I crocheted her some bookmarks. I think these are called graphic novels. Ada is making use of her new cowboy boots. She wore them to church.

My 96 year old friend passed away. She’d been in the nursing home 6 months. She was in pain and ready to go. I will miss her though.  I promised her I’d go to her funeral. She was afraid no one would come.

Saturday

Ada didn’t get to go to the library today but she went for ice cream. She took a friend. Glad she buckled her in.

Greta had a dance tonight. She’s going with some of her friends.  I hope she has a great time.

 

Friday

I still have Spider lilies blooming. View from above shows why they are called spiders.

Siggie dressed up for fifties day in 9th grade. I remember wanting a skirt like this so badly. Being poor and from a family of 8, I knew not to even mention wanting something that was frivolous or expensive. Laura was smart about dress up clothes. This skirt was probably used by all three girls.

I walked to Pop’s Pond this morning. It sure needs fresh water. Scum and weeds are thick. Still enjoyed sitting and listening awhile. In the quiet, they’re many sounds. I could hear a train moving down the track and birds chirping. Logan had all the surrounding grass mowed. Are we living in a desert? Our mornings are nice but by after it really hot.

Ada’s tooth gaps are filling in. She gets a treat at the volleyball games if Erin has money. I think Erin said the slushie freeze was 5$ or 6$. Ada loves them. Sometimes she goes to get it alone. She’s getting big.

Greta’s team won their game. Homecoming dance is this weekend. Hope she has a good safe time.

Asti sent this last night showing the elk grazing in Estes Park. The animals are not afraid. Even the chipmunks act like pets. I think they start home tomorrow 👏👏

Video of Logan and the Chipmunks 

Thursday

I have two Walnut trees. They are a nuisance. I picked up the walnuts yesterday because I’m going to have to mow again. The walnuts are like rocks to my lawn mower blades. I will dump them somewhere in a pile. During the winter and spring, squirrels will carry them all away. I am sure they think they’ve found a gold mine when they discover the stash.

Yesterday, Laura bought this Razorback material off marketplace. It’s licensed. There were about 7 yards in the bundle. Amy Patsy paid for half. We went way into the country. It was a place with little houses in a row—connected. She had a shop in one of these. Each little space had 3 doors or more. It was quite a strange place.  When we finally knocked on the correct door, she explained all the joining dwellers were her relations. She was a preacher, but outside her door I saw cigarette packages littering the ground. She was crippled. I am positive the litter did not belong to her. One of the doors, we knocked on had cats running around on a falling in porch. Cats, big and small, I saw at least a dozen. Don’t judge a book by its cover, inside her door, she had a room of fabric and a huge quilting machine. There were many hand pieced and machine quilted quilts. Her great granddaughter was running her machine. The inside of where she lived did not fit her surroundings. She could not control the life around her, I could see, but she just pushed on. She was surely past 80 years in age. Laura asked me to go because…she did not want to venture into a strange land alone. I say…be careful on marketplace. You have no idea who you’re talking to.

Yesterday when I walked I saw this tree, a Bradford Pear. To survive it grew around the woven wire fence. At the bottom the web was grown into the tree on one side and at the top it was embedded into the tree on the opposite side. This tree was pressed on both sides but continued to grow between the wires of the fence. I had never even noticed this tree. Many people we meet are suffering and we have no idea. Be kind.

Laura and I bought a bushel of sweet potatoes. We love them baked. Laura takes them in her lunch. Sweet potatoes are a superfood. They are packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They contain antioxidants and will keep til spring in the box in a cool dark place. Try one♥️

Larry’s mother made a good sweet potato pie! I like it better than pumpkin. 🎃 Ethel’s Sweet Pie 🥧

I finished “Whistler” by Ann Patchett! It’s really a good book! The characters seem like real people. Kindness flows throughout this story.  It’s makes one feel good about the world. Ann wrote “The Dutch House” and “Tom Lake” plus “ The Patron Saint of Liars.” Her books have an underlying theme. If you like action, they’re not for you. They each develop characters and look inside their physic. Whistler was slooooow. Just my speed.

If you wonder about the persimmon as a weather forecaster…I wrote about it once. I’m been here twenty years, rambling on about a little or nothing! Persimmon Forecast❄️❄️

 

Wednesday

Laura’s Face is finally looking more normal! Been 21 days she said.

Logi and Asti are leaving the land of the buffalo.

Logan walking the three girls. He has his hands full.

Greta’s gobs won their conference…undefeated.

Grandpa Mark is studying the route the kids should take to Estes Park, Colorado. I doubt many folks even have these maps today. Larry loved them. 

PJ day at school. Greta wore light pink ones. It was homecoming week. Different theme each day.

Got my hair cut today. 

 

Tuesday and Wild Horses

 

Astrid sent pictures of the wild horses. Glad she got to see them. I see little foals, too.

Wild horses, Couldn't drag me away, Wild horses. We'll ride them some day!🐴

I’m not very artistic. I wanted to wrap Doc Gordon’s gift decently. I thought of asking Laura, but I wrapped it and it’ll have to do. I can crochet but still I’m not very creative in other things. I’m dull.

Where the Buffalo roam~~Antelope Island. Asti said they’re moving to Estes Park. Not leaving for home til Saturday. I miss my kids.

Today I saw the Blue Mistflower blooms on my walk! Its nectar-rich flowers attract a multitude of bees and butterflies. It blooms from late July through October. Songbirds like the seeds which have silky hairs to help spreading in the wind. I think it looks more purple than blue!

I went to the gym and rode the bike 30 minutes. I did my weighting too. It takes longer. With my outdoor walk, I feel I worked hard today.

Greta’s volleyball group collected money for breast cancer. She’s walking with her other Grandmother. She’s a cancer survivor. .

Monday

Missouri Ironweed was the star of my walk this morning! Even it will be gone soon! It’s an aster, blooms late, and is a great late pollinator.  It’s called iron weed because of its sturdy stalks and when the flowers start to fade they look like rusted iron. I saw on FB someone here had split open a persimmon and found a spoon.  Get ready to shovel snow this winter.

Laura made apple butter in the crockpot with some of her apples. 

Asti and Logan are camping in Utah now at Antelope Island. Today she sent the bottom photo. I can see 3 buffalo! It’s near where Astrid’s Grandparents live~~Salt Lake. I’m proud they included time with them in their vaca. Mark is 79, I think.

A friend’s son from Carroll County shared this picture of a Coachwhip snake. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. They’re really long and the end of the snake is more brown. It’s a slender snake. It gets its name from it looking like a buggy whip. They are harmless. I’d love to see one.

Laura also made the fall table runner for her coffee bar.