I have enjoyed my morning walks of late. Next week, it’s back to Galla Meadow and Phinnie as my partner. Lil Red must return to work. I read that after age 75, only 6.8% of people get any physical exercise. What do they do all day? Research says they watch tv all day. I’m joining the 6.8 % group!
Rooster, the kitten Astrid found in the hen nest, is growing. I can’t have a cat because of my bird friends, but Astrid gave me a new rooster.
Today, I may venture out. Laura’s been picking me up to walk but mostly I’ve sat under my heated throw and thought depressing thoughts. I am so glad I don’t live in Buffalo. NY.
The first known Christmas card was sent by Dr. Michael Maier to King James I of England and his son Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1611. These early cards were hand made. By 1900, Christmas card exchange was quite common and cards were mostly store bought. Still, many were created by the sender. This 400 year old custom is fading. I sent a few cards this year.
It was 12 this morning I think. Really, I don’t recall, but now it’s 18 degrees. I’ve been riding my bike and getting my steps in.
I water the chickens twice daily. Their water freezes in an hour. I’ve been feeding the birds each day too.
Astrid has finished her first week as an RN. She works 12 hours Wed., Thursday and Friday nights. I hope she made it ok. I can’t call and ask as I’m afraid she might be asleep.
Ingrid’s Justin started his new job at Kirby in early Dec. He likes it and they like him. Sigrid volunteered to work today, Christmas Eve. R. D. (The owner) gave her $100.00 when she went in to work. Sometimes being nice pays.
I miss my outside walks, but it’s just too cold. This too will pass. All will be a memory soon. I’m still counting my blessing…central heat working and no frozen pipes.
This morning it is 3 degrees. I am thankful for central heat and pipes that did not freeze. I will tend to the birds and chickens soon. I’m sure they are thirsty and wishing for a miracle. I am their miracle. I will feed them today. Everything seems intense when one grows old. The cold feels colder; the heat hotter; the roads longer. May the Lord bless you today.
Psalm 104:12
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.
I remembered the little birds. They were not singing. Early I filled several stations with seeds and suet. In the late afternoon they came. At times I had 30 cardinals. Sister Patsy taught me to look at how they fluff their feathers out for warmth when it is really cold. I could see the wind moving the little creatures. If you have food and did not put any out today remember God's little friends tomorrow.
Christmas, Falling Water, Arkansas 1947. Such a special Christmas tree. I like to study this old tree. It was in Larry’s Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Bess Garrison’s cabin. The little guy is their Great Grandson, Pat. She has some pretty ornaments, a few extra presents sticking in the tree, Christmas rope, a stocking on the mantle with what I suspect holds an orange. The presents under her tree are wrapped with tissue paper. I think one holds a pie plate. Pat’s rocking horse is from a store and I love his warm outfit.
Judge Issac Parker
I enjoyed this book last week. It’s about Issac Parker, the hanging judge of Ft. Smith, AR. You could say he gave his life to clean up the lawless area he served. Parker died at only 58 years. In the end, he tried to hold court from bed. A museum honors him in Ft. Smith. Larry and I visited it long ago, but it’s been redone and improved. I’d love to go again. His first day on the job, May 1875, Parker tried 18, all were charged with murder; 15 were convicted in jury trials. Parker sentenced eight of them to a mandatory death penalty. He ordered six of the men to be executed at the same time on September 3, 1875. Can you imagine 18 trials in a single day! Most of the murderers of that day and time, ran off to Indian Territory to hide, but Parker had a team of U S Marshals who were not afraid to face the Devil. One of those men was Bass Reeves, Black U S Marshal for Parker’s court. My cousin Dan Maples was another. Dan went into the Indian Nations after Ned Christie, Cherokee. Dan was ambushed and murdered.
May 5, 1887, Daniel Maples died. He was my Grandfather, William Burl "Bee" Maples’ first cousin. He died serving the United States trying to arrest illegal whiskey dealers in Indian Territory. Ned Christie, a Cherokee Nation tribal council member, was accused of the murder, though his actual guilt is in dispute. Christie was later killed by a posse of marshals. Deputy Marshal Maples is memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC at Panel 26, W-19.
Hark how the bells,
sweet silver bells,
all seem to say,
throw cares away
Christmas is here,
bringing good cheer,
to young and old,
meek and the bold.
Santa visited Ada’s school today.
Dance like Frosty. Shine like Rudolph. Give like Santa. Love like Jesus!
My friend of 52 years, Kay Lou, and I treat each other to dinner once a month. One month, I pick and pay and the next it’s her choice. For December, I chose Hillbilly Slim’s located at what Granny called Raspberry Knob. I dined on fish and shrimp and Kay a burger. Both were really good. Raspberry Knob once had a post office, little store, and blacksmithy. Now, it’s just Hillbilly Slim’s. The old gentleman in the photo is John William Hensley, one time postmaster of Raspberry, AR. and the picture with the folks on the porch is of his home at Raspberry. The Hensley’s left AR during the Great Depression. Like many others from the area he and his wife, Betty Lou Sizemore Hensley died at Linden, CA and are buried there. Both were born in Clay County, KY. The Homestead Act lured them to AR.
