Sunny Days

I saw blooms yesterday when I walked.  Would I get out every morning and walk around a parking lot or down a side walked street where dogs ran the fence barking ferociously or even worse on a treadmill staring at a wall? I doubt I’d be consistent. And my bonus—Laura left lunch in my mailbox—taco salad🌮🌮

My Dreams Fizzled

Yesterday, Helen spoke of a book written by my High School Business teacher. She’dchecked it out of the library in Green Forest. I own the book and looked on my selves for it but it’s a small volume and I didn’t see it. I ran across memories that took me back to my High School years,

I was editor of my a high School paper. I put out a little paper either once a week or twice a month. We had a sports writer, a feature writer, news page, proofreader. I did the editorial page. We had to have a good typist. Patsy Gardner on the left had that job. She typed the paper on those mimeograph pages that were thin plastic stuff and more than one layer. Then Kenny Harvey and I ran them off on one of those old machines with the purple fluid. The staff correlated them and went from to room selling the editions. They were a nickel or a dime.  I only have the last one we printed. On the feature page we did a bio of a senior. The one above is my interview.

Left to right and what happened to them.

Patsy got pregnant that year. By graduation she was showing. She had 2 boys and divorced. She was so smart, our valedictorian. She lives in Florida. 

Dortha works in hospitals in records. I met her once a a few years back. She was administer of records at a hospital. She married but later in life. No children.

Our teacher Mrs. Smith is next. She retired soon after this. Her husband taught science.

Kenny Harvey is next in the photo. He attended U of A on a scholarship and became an engineer. He passed when fairly young.

Patty Davis is next. She married Junior Norris after graduation. They had a dairy farm.

Steve Vowell is next. He’s a lawyer and bald headed now. 

I’m seated next. My life has not been the one I had dreams of.

Hope Arnold is my assistant. She’s the only junior on my staff. I don’t know what became of her.

Linda King is next and she was one of my friends. She went to U of A majoring in home economics. Her last job was home economics director for an Arkansas county. She lives in Green Forest. No children. She married but divorced. 

Steve, Patty, and Linda are all my distant cousins. I didn’t know this fact then.

Our last Tiger’s Roar was dedicated to me with a cover sheet. Fayenne Farmer, the lady who wrote the book I searched for, wrote this paragraph about me. I was surprised. I won editor of the year in Arkansas that year. I earned a scholarship to Ouachita Baptist University.  I was very poor. Going half way across Arkansas to a College with no money was frightening.  We just had an old truck to drive with a single cab. My parents were older and after me still had 3 children to support. I couldn’t go to Little Rock to accept my award. I didn’t really even have a way to get to Ouachita. So I let the first of many dreams fade. 

I choose a College in Missouri for poor folk. Everyone there was poor like me. My father went to high school there.  He delivered me there in his truck. All was well. It was about an hours drive from Green Forest. I worked 12 hours a week to help pay my fees. Someone rich sponsored me and paid the rest of my bill. You had to go year around. There were no summer breaks. Each worked more hours in the summer.

There weren’t many majors. So I picked education. My older brother was an athlete and had a scholarship for four years of college. He majored in physical education. I just picked the same major. Only sport I was good at was running.  I had no dreams of being a coach. I wasn’t even that interested in sports. I was into health, but they didn’t offer that degree choice. I stayed at School of the Ozarks, two summers and 3 semesters before transferring to Arkansas Tech.

 I don’t know how I even got to Russellville. Maybe Fleta or Clayton brought me. I don’t think Dad did, but I’m slipping in memory. I was at tech without a car and very little money. I survived, but I soon gave up more of my dreams to survive. 

I started earning my way at 14.  I was a live in baby sitter for 12$ a week. I got Sunday off. I turned 15 that June. That little money gave me better clothes and I started to dream of what I wanted in life. I was not dreaming of getting married and having children. I was different from most of the kids I went to school with at Green Forest. I found friends with like goals. Other groups were into boys and finding a mate for life. I wasn’t thinking of the same things. Some were drinking and searching thrills. Not me. Some of the boys were getting drafted and going to Vietnam.  Drugs were not a big issue in my little town. Kids didn’t get involved with drugs very often.  Alcohol was the drug of choice. Smoking was the “thing” a lot of kids did. I didn’t do either.

Here we are putting the paper together “by hand”.

I may forget everything soon. These a just some fading memories.  My dreams and how my life evolved were different, but I have Laura and Erin Marie. They are my greatest accomplishments in life.
 

Finches are Here

The finch picture is from last April.  They’re still brownish yellow but are getting prettier each passing day. I love watching them. They travel on but today they are brightening to my dreary existence.

The goldfinches aren’t sick—they’re molting. Every spring, goldfinches replace their dull body feathers with yellow ones for the summer. The new feathers come in one by one, giving the birds that strange patchwork appearance. Unlike most songbirds, goldfinches molt twice a year, early spring and late fall. They grow in a complete set of feathers having  a strange, patchy appearance for a few days. Soon in spring they’ll be vividly beautiful but in the fall turn dull again. God created them in this manor for protection camo. I praise his creation today.

 

Grit your Teeth and Go

I helped my sister with a baby blanket project. She’s been crocheting this winter. I love the little bonnet. She’s doing these for grandchildren to have in the future “if” they have a family. She said this is the last one. I think completing stretches  is relaxing. Helen said “it makes my jaw hurt”.  She grits her teeth as she works!

Didn’t have to make myself stroll today.  It was a beautiful day. I walked my mile plus early, but by after noon the sunshine called my name and I went over to Pop’s Pond and sat in Astrid’s swing absorbing much needed vitamin D.

 

Dreaming of Dad

Laura drove Astrid around to deliver eggs and a crepe Myrtle limb hit her taillight just right smashing it. Deductible on insurance is $500.00. She thought “I can fix this. That’s what Dad would do”. He ordered parts off EBay, but she found the cover on Amazon and now she’s back like before.

Larry did all kinds of things to cars. To perfect his body repair skills he took a class at a Vo Tech school in Little Rock. The students bought a wrecked vehicle and repaired it. The class was on Saturday for a year. He bought a totaled Jeep and that was his project. He still had it when he passed away. I gave it to his brother.

Laura has always had an I can attitude. She gets it from him.

 

Ocean

Finished another little blanket during the blast from Siberia. I’m looking for a new pattern. Enough ripples. Laura said this one reminded her of the beach.

 

Finally Above Freezing

Well, my thermometer reads 31. It didn’t get as cold as they had thought weather guy said earlier because clouds moved in and acted like a blanket. Today the sun will shine and I’m happy to feel those rays. Tomorrow is even warmer.

I went to Kroger and the Library yesterday. The roads were clear excepting the hill leaving Bradley Cove.  Cedars line one side making a shady spot.

Connie asked if I volunteered at Find A Grave. I looked to see how long I’d been sharing there—13 years‼️ I have loved genealogy all my life. I started my family tree when I was 11 years old. It’s still growing backwards and forwards. 

The Christensen’s met the Loveless’s in Conway for dinner. They were glad to get out after being “snowed in”.  Looks like a fun time!

 

Huddling

Astrid’s chickens are in a huddle to stay warm. I got 4 eggs yesterday and 6 the day before. That’s a good amount because of the cold. I only have 7 hens.

Sunset through barbed wire

Last night it was 18. That’s  warmer than the previous two nights. Tonight will be in the 20’s and then we are done.

I am a DNA sorter. I have helped several folks solve mysteries in their DNA. During this cold spell, l was connected by an adoptee who wanted to know who she was.  Someone else I helped told her about me. She was born in 1990 in Fort Bragg, California. Sorting DNA into family lines is not an easy task. I can’t always solve the case, but in less than 24 hours of working, I cracked it. Her father’s name was a gift I could give her that will stay with her the rest of her life. She had her mother’s name and all I had to do with that DNA was confirm. I build a tree from the DNA matches.  It’s quite complicated but I love it.  I don’t advertise and do it for free. Some call me a search Angel.  Her father was in prison for murder.  He passed in 2020.  I always give the final name by voice not in an email or text. It was hard information to relate, but now she has a family tree.
 

Wind Blowing

 "O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?" - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Oh, woe is me. It’s so cold, I just sit under a heated blanket.  I did walk outside, but only a mile. Tomorrow is new day and it’ll be a little warmer.  I really am exhausted from thinking about water freezing and central heat bursting. I’m making sure the chickens have water and food . The birds have food too.

Brrr

Well, not much snow, but it’s so cold I’ll never melt. It was 15 degrees last night but 10 degrees colder at Sisters.  Colder tonight. I filled the bird feeders before it hit. I’ll have to carry water to my hens later. I think Astrid went to work. She fed the animals and then went down my lane. Hope she arrives safely.

Hope you are warm and have no frozen pipes.

Sigrid had virtual school yesterday. In between classes she made this picture frame. It has beads glued on it. 

 

Another Storm

A storm and more cold is coming today. Will I survive. Our temperatures will crash again. I’ll pray my heat doesn’t tear up and I’ll keep the faucets dripping a match stem. There will be no school, no college, no exercise classes just sitting and waiting until it all gets here and leaves. It’ll be cold until Saturday. Then we’ll have normal highs which is upper 40’s and 50’s for this time of year.  

My Sister is sick. Helen’s immune system is compromised from cancer. She has trouble fighting off illness. Her lungs are weak. I am praying for her to be well and silly again.

These are pictures of the Red Sea. Laura is now what we call middle aged. Her friend’s son is in the Army and stationed in Egypt. He rides helicopters and his job has to do with the landing. He stands in the door on landing. He took these of the Red Sea.  They fascinated me. I imagined the Israelites there with an army on their heels. 

 

Another Day, Another Book

Kyo’s mother was born in Japan. Her father was a tv reporter for the BBC. His ancestry was Irish. After he passed away, Kyo did a DNA test just for fun. Half of her DNA was Asian and the other half was 100 percent Ashkenazi Jew.  The book is about what happens next!

Ashenazi Jews emerged in the Holy Roman Empire are one the end of the first millennium CE. They migrated to northern and eastern Europe during the Middle Ages due to persecution.  Simply speaking they are European Jews.

 

Roll Out Cookies

I’m proud of my two daughters for the Moms they are. Erin and Ada watched a video on YouTube about making roll out sugar cookies. Then they did just that. After they had them all mixed up—Ada said—now, we have to chill them♥️ She paid attention to the video! Learn and do.  She made dinosaurs but pretty hearts too.

Bling

Ada got some hearts and bling for Valentines Day. She sparkles and like to wear sparkles too.

Greta’ s team finished their season by topping Greenwood. They trailed most of the first half, but came back to win by 4 points I think.  Track is next she puts the shot and throws the disc. She looks like the tallest on her team now. Shes’s 5’9”. 

Friday morning, I made homemade cinnamon rolls for my Pope County Library.  They are so good to get what I want to read. I am proud to have this source to get books.  I used Ree Drummond’s recipe. Sister Helen gave me some hints too. 

 

Valentine Memories

 

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️🤍❤️Russellville Fifth Grade used to have a tea on Vanentines Day, but they served punch. Boys dressed nicely and girls did, too. Astrid is sitting with Eleanor and who knew she’d grow up to marry her cousin! Sigrid had more than one dress to pick from. She came over and modeled them for Pop. He helped her choose. Ingrid is absolutely stunning. When you grow old one thing you have in abundance is memories!

Learning Life Skills Through Tea Etiquette

Throwing a tea party will teach kids valuable life skills through tea etiquette. 

-Learning how to behave around a table. Sitting (relatively) still, listening to the individual talking, and learning how to ask questions are all things you do at a tea party, and these are important skills to work on at an early age.

-Waiting your turn is an important skill, and the tea party setting makes it fun. Waiting your turn to take tea and sweets, or waiting your turn to ask or answer a question.

-Sharing! Need I say more?

-The absence of electronics- knowing when to put the devices away is so vital these days.

-Saying 'please' and 'thank you'. This takes constant practice and repetition. Putting it in the context of a tea party makes it fun, and it will become second nature after enough practice.

February Half over

Sister Fleta recommended this book by Julie Pandl. It’s about her life growing up, but the focus is really on her parents. Both parents were Catholics from German families that immigrated to Michigan area at the beginning of the 1900’s.  The Pandl’s were restaurant owners. The focus of the establishments were serving seafood and alcohol. Her father’s place was a very nice one by the water. The family had 9 children and he trained each in ways to serve the public. It’s funny and informative and entertaining.  It follows her parents’ lives to their demise. I really enjoyed the book. 

Astrid said her chickens were not laying very good. Chickens lay more when the days are longer so light in the chicken house helps production. A food that provides heat ( corn) helps too. I keep layer and corn out for my hens. When it’s really cold they go for the corn. 

 

 

I Dissent

Laura wore Barbie pink to school today with the collar I made her.  When asked why—she said “I am fed up”! Being a worker in school is so difficult. She’s not a teacher. She’s a speech therapist.  So many bosses. The student, their parents, the other teachers, the principal, the school administrator, the state officials, the federal officials.  Everyday teachers are walking a tight rope. New law last year said they can be fired without reason and have no recourse.  

 AI is loosed on the world. I get this type of ad in my feed daily. AI thinks this is my image.  I’m not liking the sob. I think AI is a male being😜😜

Planting Time

Larry was a gardener! He studied plants and how to grow them!  He was tall 6’9” tall. His gardens were big. The rows were long. I know ‘cause I hoed them! He also had a Farmall with hillers and tillers and all sorts of attachments!  He had big buckets of fertilizers and chemicals for whatever might sttack his plants! He had an electric fence for the deer!  Too many rabbits— he shot them. A scarecrow to scare the crows!  He’s been gone 5 years but I’m dreaming of a garden!  Maybe a few raised beds.  I could take care of that!  We return to our roots!

In early 1942, just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Office of Civilian Defense encouraged Americans to plant Victory Gardens. The concept revived an old WWI tradition of Americans planting War Gardens to support the war effort from the Home Front. Victory Gardens had several purposes, but one of the most important was providing healthy food for American families while lessening their need to purchase food from outside sources.

 

Make Believe

Ada made a yellow crown to match her yellow gloves. She loves being a princess and in her make believe world she’s always the star. She loves bling too. Her other favorite thing is food. She loves healthy food. Fresh peppers are always a pick if Erin leaves them in her reach in the refrig and she knows how to drag a chair too. One Sunday morning Erin just let her get up alone and decided to sleep longer. Well, when she did go in where Ada was Ada had spread all the slices of bread around the room on chairs. She’d eaten holes in some slices. She was having a party with lots of guests.

It’s going to be colder for a few days.  Not Arctic weather so I’m trying to be thankful.

Pop built a wood duck house for his pond. He read all about them and what kind of house they liked.  By this time he was already very sick. He couldn’t get in the water to place the pole. He installed it near the edge. He told me they’d like it better just out in the water. He finished it but no wood ducks came.  He passed that next February. Next year, still no wood ducks, but sweet Astrid kept her eye on the house making sure it was up to stuff.  The third year after he built the house, they came and laid eggs in the house. Each year they have returned and last year Asti even sneaked a picture of a full house of ducklings. They leave the nest right away and swim in the pond. They have smart parents that soon lead them to big Galla Lake where they are safer from predators.  Well this week, Astrid said— the wood ducks are here! Pop knew if he could get a pair to come and he kept the house clean and repaired they’d return.  Pop is still here too.🦆🦆