Wild Violet!

Yesterday while walking through Galla Wood, I

saw this wild Violet. It's bloom was the size

of a dime! It is so tiny, but so beautiful!

Sig's Big Bash!

Erin, I uploaded a bunch of the photos to brenfroe

just for you to see. They are big sized so you can

order some if you want, but you will have to wait

to see each one as it takes a while for them to

load.

She liked her cake with the dogs best of all!

Today is a Special Day!

Sigrid is joy unspeakable

To me and Pop!

Today Sigeroo is two!

Dogwood Trees!

Nature Showing off!

Bush Pile is a Memory!

Brush pile over that the meadow is a memory.

A rabbit ran out when I lit it but no snakes.

After the pile was gone, the rain came so

our potatoes and onions will grow!

I also worked cleaning the fence row,

but a lot is still to be done there.

Busy over in the Meadow!

We got our onions and potatoes planted. When you

are old the best way to get up or down is to stay in

one place or the other....Mr. R figured this out as he

planted the onion sets.

We went all over looking for seed potatoes and got

the reply...'no one plants those anymore'. Finally

found them at the Gorees at Pottsville. Little 80

year old Mrs. Goree runs the seed store. She said

'Yes, we have seed potatoes. I still plant them!'

Today we are putting up Martin houses, burning

a little bush pile, and no telling what else over

in the Meadow. A Martin scout came yesterday

so we better get the apartments ready!

Patsy, the chickens just laid 5 eggs yesterday

about 10 are setting and those games may have

heard the rumor I wish them dead!

Grandmother's Grave

Grandmother is here. Brother Richard is named

for her son and he named a daughter Carolyn....

was she named for Caroline Roberts Thomas?

Maybe so.

Robins in the Meadow!

Robins are feasting in the meadow.

Found Grandma!

Fleta found Grandma. How exciting. We have been hunting

Grandmas and Grandpas so long, I know we will not find many

more. So I was ecstatic when she called Saturday

morning with the good news that Grandma had been found.

We have know Grandma's name for a long time, she is

Caroline Thomas. She was the mother of Grandpa Charlie

Ross Thomas. But recently ancestry posted some new

censuses and in Iowa, Charlie's sister, Mary answered a

census question~Who was your mother with the name.

CAROLINE ROBERTS and tada Grandma is found. With a

last name, Fleta quickly followed Grandma's life path and

located her as a young girl living with her father and mother

in Marion County, Ohio. Father is Thompson Roberts and

Mother is Ruth last name unknown. Caroline's mother,

father and oldest brother were born in Pennsylvania, but

the rest of the family were born in Ohio. They were there

in 1840. Thompson Roberts was surely Welch like our

Powells. He may be related to Mathias Roberts who

married Rebecca Thompson. During the Rev. War, Rebecca

made it to the blockhouse with two small sons and survived

an Indian massacre. Was one of the sons Grandpa?

Name: Thompson E. Roberts
Sex: M
Birth: 27 Jun 1805 in Pennsylvania
Death: 13 Feb 1867 in Ohio
Burial: Marion Co., Ohio

1850 family is in Scott Twp, Marion Co. Ohio. In 1860

Thompson, Ruth and 3 sons are on same page of census

as daughter Caroline Thomas and Josephine Clark in

Marshall Co. Iowa.A. M. Roberts age 38 born Pennsylvania

is listing right above Thompson Roberts on 1860 census.

[wife Mary F. age 28 born Ohio, dau Ella E. age 7

(1853) b. Illinois, Effia E. age 6 (1854) b. Iowa,

Emma age 1 b. Iowa, Cynthia Roberts age 51 (1809) born Ohio.

This must the the Augustus Roberts on the 1850 census.

1840 census Thompson E. Roberts is on Marion Co.

Ohio census1-0-1-1-0-1 / 2-1-1-0-1.Marion Co. Ohio

websitehttp://www.heritagepursuit.com/Marion/

Cemeteries/marp-q-r.htm

ROBERTS, Thompson E. d Feb 13 1867

Aged: 61y 7m 16d Caledonia Old (13)

Claridon birth day calculates to June 27, 1805

NO.13 CALEDONIA CEMETERY, OLD Compiled by Jim

and Barbara Midlam and Mary Brocklesby on April 16, 1977.

The cemetery is located in Section 1 of Claridon Township,

100 feet East of County Road 194 (Caledonia Northern Rd),

200 feet north of County Road 114 , containing .57 acres.

There is a fence on three sides and it is fairly well kept.

Many of the stones are broken and crumbled. Most of the

stones are not in their Original position. The graveyard

was laid out and dedicated about the year 1824-25.

It is situated on the west bank of the Whetstone River

within the limits of the village of Caledonia. It was the

first burying ground in Claridon Township and many of

the early pioneers were buried here. The cemetery contains

the remains of two or three Revolutionary War Veterans of

which only John Irey has been identified. The 1883 Marion

County History states that this cemetery was in poor

condition at that time. The site was used by the public until

April 1875 when a new cemetery association

was formed. (#12 of Marion County Cemeteries)

Marriage 1 Ruth R. b: Abt 1805 in Pennsylvania
Married: Children
Augustus P. Roberts b: 1821 in Pennsylvania
Jane E. Roberts b: Oct 1824 in Ohio
Josephine Roberts b: Abt 1828 in Ohio
Sam Roberts b: 1830 in Ohio
Caroline Roberts b: Nov 1834 in Ohio
Robert R. Roberts b: 1837 in Ohio
James Roberts b: 1841 in Ohio

Grandma and Grandpa, we will keep searching for you!

This Church is in Rule, AR. Wonder what Claridon Cemetery

looks like?

What A little Sunshine Can do!

I took a picture of Laura's moss a few days ago.

We have had a little sunshine and look what transpired!

A miracle!

Red Bud Road

Red Bud's broader the road

Bidding me to come along

And do more than sit

Just waiting for tomorrow!

Moss

Took this at Laura's house. I love this flowering moss.

It likes the pine needles and will grow well around a pine tree.

Spring break is here after today. I made it.

New Babe

I was at the hospital to see this new baby. His
grandmother works with me. His life will have
bumps but I hope not too many. Mother young,
unmarried, black, poor. I told Grandma every
child was a blessing, the greatest we receive in
life. We had a shower at my school for the little
one and some whispered 'can't go'. I went with
a bigger gift than usual. Maybe I can smooth
out one little bump.

stained glass

This is the window in the chapel at the hospital

in my town. I notice now that many new homes

have a window that is stained glass. It would be

neat to have one and watch the sun glisten through

the colors!

Pre-Depression Style House

This house is located in Russellville, AR. It's what

I call a pre-depression style house. It was likely

built between 1900 and 1920. After the 1930s,

houses were not constructed as sturdy. The gable

has broken glass scattered in it for decoration.

I love the houses of this era!

Bradford Pear Tree

I think this tree is the most popular one in my

town. All new yards have them. All the store

island areas will have this type tree. It grows

fast and has a pretty shape without being trimmed.

The blooms stink and the tree never will be very big.

They break in storms because the wood is soft.

Why You don't leave your class!

Someone sent me this picture! It may be a fake, but I

can see this happening in an unattended classroom.

I have had students stick metal paper clips in outlets.

Eat all sorts of stuff. Get stuck in their desks because

they entered them the wrong way. Lock friends in

lockers. Hide in the ceiling of the school (attic). A boy

ran away from home and lived in the school attic several

days. We missed food, candles, etc. He came out at night

sort of like a rat. Today, we are not allowed to have a

candle at school. Lots of other rules that once I would

have thought were stupid...but no more!

Mountain Meadows Murder!

Just before Highway 7 takes you to Harrison, AR, you

will pass a big open field, a meadow. I stopped here

when I went to my friend, Remmel Fancher's funeral.

In 1857, a huge caravan of folks met here. They came

for days before and camped in this meadow waiting

to leave for the west. Many Fanchers were in the

group. When the wagon train reached Mountain

Meadows, Utah, they were slaughtered by Mormans

dressed as Indians. Even today, most Mormans will

claim that they didnot comment this deed, but they are

guilty. My father knew one of the 17 children who was

finally returned to Carroll County. I have read many

books about this murder and it is an interesting subject

to read about. One story tells of a girl who they did not

return. She was a twin. DNA today should settle this

mystery and we would know if it were true or false.

Can you feel the excitement in the Meadow as the

group leaves for greener pastures in the west or the

omen of the doom they faced?

Garden is plowed!

Our garden is plowed up but we need to get potatoes,
onions, etc. all in the ground. Maybe next week. This
week at school we gave the Iowa Test of basic skills.
I am pooped.

New Water Heater & Faucet

The kitchen faucet was dripping, then finally

running a match stem stream so when Larry

put in the new water heater he also bought

a new kitchen faucet. Both these were almost

20 years old. We moved here in 1989. Daddy

died in the fall of '88 and we sold our house

and started this one. We moved in in June of

1989. I don't know how long faucets should

last but I guess that is long time for the kitchen

one as it gets a lot of use.

He picked a faucet like Helen has--price

something is the name. I took a picture of my

new one but there was scum in the sink so I went

to Helen's blog and stole the picture she took of

hers...and tada...no scum in my picture.

Old Sister's Blog and My Stimulus

Patsy posts the most interesting things on her blog.
Well, maybe not to you, but to all three of her sisters
she is tops. She gets me interested in something and
I will check it out.

Since Daddy always called her Patty and she has light
red hair everyone has always thought she was Irish
and I am sure we have Irish in there somewhere. She
said maybe our mother's maiden name, Gaddy, was Irish,
so of course, I had to check. I think it is Scottish and
the early Robert Goudy who went into the Cherokee
nation and fathered a bunch of half bred children is of
the Gaddy family. The Cherokee called the name Goody.
One of the girls married the famous white trader, Ludovic
Grant.

I found another place, Patsy, that said the name Gaddy
came from Hebrew and place GAD.

BTW, the photo is Houston Gaddy, our Grandfather.

Worrying about my Sisters

This year I have spent a lot of time worrying about

Sister, Patsy. She was getting well but not well. I

could tell each day by what she did not say on her

blog....then last week Helen shut up. I worried

quietly to myself all week. Something had to be

wrong with her. Saturday, I tried to call Sister

Fleta as I have that 'free long distance' thing

now. Fleta did not answer, but then she put

a comment on my blog. I called her two more

times, still no answer. Was she watching the

caller ID and not wanting to talk to me?

Well, Patsy says I should not worry about

so many things...like being fat, like what is

going to happen. She says you are fat so

just be ok. She says what is going to

happen will, so don't waste the time

worrying about it. Fleta was in Nebraska

Saturday posting on her and our blogs

with a lap top. They have wireless networks

in all the motels now. Helen was having a

great time with her long-friend, Rhea. They

were out and about and catching that stupid

movie about the pigs. Me---what was I doing

well, I was worrying of course, about Patsy,

Fleta and Helen. Oh, btw, I can tell Patsy is

doing really well. She is making quilts, tending

the chickens, and most of all griping about

the US Government!!! All is right with the

world today. My sisters are all doing good.

I love blogging because I can worry about

my sisters when ever I want to!!@!!

My hot water heater is out. My husband

will put in a new one day. I had to wash my

hair in COLD water~ouch! Then I remember

those days, Patsy, of carrying the water from

the spring and being happy just to have some

water.

White River at Cotter, AR

Sometimes, flying down I 40 and

snapping a photo does not do a

scene justice. Here is a lady who

will show you the White River

near Cotter, AR and the

beautiful Rainbow Bridge.

I have been there and it is

even more beautiful than this!

http://travel.webshots.com/album/557847034HQkDND

White River Photos by Bonnie Dean!

White River

Snapped this picture of the White River flying down I 40.

We met folks in Memphis, TN with Feist pups. They came

from GA, TN, and KY. Well, we crossed the White River.

Sorry, not too good of picture Patsy.

Patsy spoke on her blog about early settlers and Indians

poling the White River on rafts. They uses long poles and

would stick the pole in the mud and then move the raft.

I am sure they hadseveral polers (probably slaves). It

would make a slow means oftravel, but would be a way to

move cargo up stream. I had neverthought of what a hard

task it was to go upstrean until she madeher post. Going

south would have been a dream, but headingback up to

Cape Giradeau, Mo a nightmare! The Cape was a crossing

place for early settlers as was Memphis and Helena, AR.

But early the Indians went to Cape Giradeau, MO and then

traveled by land usually near the bank of a stream.

Cedar Walls!

A friend in Texas sent me this picture of the walls

in their home. They cut this cedar off their land and

then had it milled and are putting it on the walls.

I bet it smells good in their den and there will not

be any moths!

Family Tree

I posted a poem here about our family tree. This tree

made me think of our tree which would look like this with

knots and disease. The poem was pretty bad...as I just thought

it up and put it up. Not much thinking or revising. Sister

Fleta, told it was bad...she often tells me stuff that I know

but don't say. Well, I told her to write a better one and

she did. Here it is.....

Once there were sisters 4,

Sister 1 was old and grouchy,

Sister 4 was clean and mouthy,

Sister 3 was sweet but boring,

But it is Sister 2 you'll find adoring...

Fleta Adored Sister 2

Then she decided that was not good enough and rewrote it to say.

Sisters Four

Sister 1 was smart and grouchy,

Sister 4 was clean and mouthy,

Sister 3 was sweet and boring,

But Sister 2 is MOST adoring...

You can see she does not want to rile up Old Sister...first she

saidPatsy was old and then she said smart. Notice she says 3

was sweet and 4 was clean and Patsy was smart, but she IS

ADORING which is of course, the biggest lie is in the

kicker line; however the poem is much better than mine

about our tree being full of nuts. So I am revising as Sister 2

said I should!

Which Sister is the BIGGEST Nut ...you can

vote 1, 2, 3 or 4 on comments!!!

Sweet Sister Three...teehee

Buffalo River near Pruitt, AR

Little Rock ~ Big Rock!

Little Rock said to Big Rock...

Can I rest here on your back a while?

Big Rock said...you have been here for

1000s of years, will you be moving on

soon as you are getting a little heavy?

Happy Birthday, Sam!!

Winnie's little Ninja has a birthday today.

I know he is her treasure of gold.

Worth more than anything!

A package of love to behold!

Remmel Fancher

It is nice to have Fleta to let me know

who had passed away. This man hauled

our milk from the farm to the refinery when

I was a little girl. Once Mom made me a

chocolate cake for my birthday in June. She

melted peppermint candy and added it

to the vanilla frosting. It was really good. I guess

I was 8 or 9 years old. I wanted to give the 'milk'

man a piece of my cake. I took him birthday cake

down at the old barn. He gave me a quarter for

my birthday. Later his wife befriended me and

made a difference in my life. I am going to his

graveside service tomorrow at Rule, AR. I

remember when I lived with his family, and he

came home from his long hauls in his yellow

Mayflower truck, he would grill steak and cook

pinto beans and a lot of other good food and we

celebrated his time at home. He helped me get my first car.

He was a good, quiet man.

I know his wife will be lonely without him!

I will surprise her tomorrow with my presence.

My Life's Treasure

The first 50 years of my life

I looked for treasures to love

In 2000, I turned 50

And many treasures started coming my way!