Perils of the Sand Creek Ranch

2012-01-23T16:08:00.001-06:00

Something has happened to my blog. I don't recognize it anymore. All of my labels, pictures and the all about me info is at the very end of my list of blogs. I do not know how to put them back in order. I am sure there is a way but I haven't found it.

I have been busy. My older granddaughters are keeping all of us busy. One is building a house and the other is getting married. I am happy for them but I fear it is a bit much for their parents all at one time. Now if the other 6 don't have any major happenings for at least 6 months it will be okay with me. Come to think of it...one will be graduating from high school in May.

Building a new house is a major undertaking. The Rancher and I did this in our second year of marriage too. Our house was small by toady's standards. It was only 1200 Sq. ft. We were so proud of our little bungalow. We out grew it soon though as 4 children came to bless our home. We added on. Now this was not a new add-on...It was an old house on one of the places we had bought. It was a small structure but the extra 700 sq.ft. made our house seem like a mansion. It is still home, and I am happy here.

Building a house takes a lot of nerve too. There are so many things to consider. It is hard on marriages and relations with all of the relatives that tell you how to do things. Oh, I know we were really too young to know what we were doing but I did know where I wanted my windows and that I wanted to sit at the table and look outside. That didn't happen. I hope that my granddaughter is strong about how she and her husband want things and then if things aren't quite right, they can only blame themselves. I wish them all of the luck in the world and I know this is not a new thing for Jake. He is from a family of carpenters.

Saturday, there was a family paint party at the house that Molly and Josh are moving into. We had a great crew and painted 4 rooms and a large hall and bath. Paneling had to be primed and two coats of paint plus all of the trim. There was a lot of taping going on. It was a fun time. I have a hard time getting used to different colors. I know that my Mom would love the dining room and living room though as hers were of that color too. She also loved bright colors. I know that she is smiling down from heaven at the grey walls that adorn the front room. Now if Molly will only paint the front door RED!

To top all of this off, I have been on a carpenters list since last summer to have my bathroom remodeled. We need a new shower, new floor and the flooring in there and my utility have been there since 1978. Good stuff. I was told to get something that would last but hey, I am tired of it. It is time for an overhaul and I don't mean me. Well, probably me but that ain't gonna happen. So next week the carpenters are coming. I need to find a place to put my junk so they can clean out and start. This old house is getting another face lift. I am excited.

Lessons in January

2012-01-15T15:34:00.003-06:00

January..Winter...Long nights and short days....Lazy?....or in a rut...Winter Blahs.....there has to be an excuse somewhere for me. I am content to take a nap everyday and sometimes sleep later than I should. The Rancher is kind and gets up and puts the coffee on and patiently waits for me to WAKE UP AND SMELL IT. I do get up and we have our morning devotion as we enjoy our cup of caffeine. The Rancher makes his coffee a little on the mild side. I tell him that I could read the date on a dime if there was one at the bottom of the cup. He doubts it and smiles. I know that he likes his coffee like that and that is the reason he makes it. He doesn't really let me sleep to be sweet.....He likes to make the coffee.

I like my coffee with a little more robust to it. I make it a little stronger but it doesn't compare to what daughter Nurse creates. I let her make it when she is here if I dare. She has worked in hospitals too long and for some reason she thinks one should be able to get a jolt when they take the first drink. She uses 1 tablespoon ..Yes that is right...one tablespoon per cup. I calmly pour a halp cup of coffee and add water to full it up. The Rancher either refrains and makes another pot or fixes 3/4 cups of water and adds her coffee to it. We can all be happy when she makes it. She is never happy with mine and can't even understand why her dad calls his Coffee.

Back to my Winter attitude. I have been reading. That is something I haven't done for awhile. I enjoy reading Christian novels and historical novels. I will write one someday. Really.....I have started but that was several years ago. I found it while doing some deep cleaning and wondered if I should start writing again. I still have the story in my mind but I am not very good with how I want to say somethings. I suppose that my daughters who are teachers, librarians and professors could help me. I don't know that I even want them to know about my ambition though. I think they think I am not overly ambitious sometimes. They are young and full of energy. I have been where they are and envy how productive and energetic they are. Growing older and being on medication is not for babies. Some of this medication breaks down my muscle tissue and some of it just zaps my energy. Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Maybe this is a hardtime of year because I am remembering my Mother. She left a year ago to be with Jesus and I know that is a part of my attitude problems. I am trying to be happy about that though. She is in a wonderful place. I wear a piece of her jewelry every day and think about how she looked with it on and use her dishes and remember the good meals that she fixed on them. I am trying to celebrate her life this month. the librarian made me a pin to wear using some of moms clothing scraps. So what am I complaining and being weary about? It is a New Year. A time to start all things over. Set new goals and be happy for the things that God has blessed us with.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says: Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. That's the key...start over and let Christ be my guide and lift me up.

A Brand New Year

2012-01-05T16:09:00.004-06:00

Well, almost. This is day #5 and I haven't been on the computer for a week. A Windstorm played havoc around here and we had a power failure. I had to have a new black box from the phone company.

This is a new year. I looked at the calendar and all of the pages are clean except for 2 Dr.'s appointments. We have a fresh start. I hope that I do better this year. What I mean by that is...I hope that I do my best. You see sometimes I don't. I sort of blunder along and put things off until later. The first thing I know...it is sometimes too late to get them done. I just procrastinate too much. I did so much better before I retired. I knew that I had to do things in an allotted time and I made lists. I find myself just thinking, "Well, I will do that tomorrow." It doesn't always work. Tomorrow is full too. I am going back to lists and stick up notes. Oh, and I must remember to read them. What good are they if I don't read them???

I also want to try some new things this year. Be a little more flexible. Maybe do somethings that I used to do. Did you know that I paint. Not the walls, silly but I can really paint with oils and acrylics. I just put them away one day and haven't had them out in years. I decided that I had enough pictures and I don't want to sell them. Who would buy my paintings?? I guess that I could do the Esty thing that my granddaughters do. I would need one of them to be my business manager though. I also love to sew and used to love to create things for my family to wear. I even bought a new sewing machine and I cannot learn all of the things that it can do. I wonder what made me think I needed to try to embroidery with a machine when I have unfinished hand embroidery projects in a drawer.????

A New Year makes us want to do better...to reform our ways. I learned a long time ago not to make resolutions. Those things are a joke. Another one of the things that I would procrastinate about. I never did set any unreachable goals though. I guess I could try to not gain more than 5 lbs. Now that would be something that would work for me. Not gain too much weight. I did not say...Lose weight. I would like to do that but the realistic thing to say is I hope I won't gain any weight.

How about you?? Have you set any unreachable goals or are you going to be realistic and just try to be a better person in what you do. I think that is the best way to be.

Have a great year and glorify God in whatever you do and you will be a success.

Remembering Mama

2011-12-21T16:40:00.003-06:00

One year ago today, celebrating her birthday.

I Thank my niece Diane for sending this poem to me. I have read it many times but this year is has more meaning to me. You see my Mom is spending..

Her first Christmas In Heaven.

I see the countless

Christmas trees,

Around the world below

With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,

Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away the tear,

For I am spending Christmas with

Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear,

But the sounds of music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you

the joy their voices bring

for it is beyond description

To hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me

I see the pain inside your heart

But I am not so far away,

We really aren't apart

So be happy for me, dear ones

You know I hold you dear,

And I'm glad I'm spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,

from my heavenly home above

I sent you each a memory

of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious

than pure gold.

It was always most important

In the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other

As my Father said to do,

For I can't count the blessing or love,

He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas

And wipe away that tear.

Remember, I am spending Christmas with

Jesus Christ this year.

Happy Birthday to our Beautiful Mom. We do miss you.

Who Will be Home for Christmas?

2011-12-20T10:45:00.003-06:00

As I was growning up, it was always expected that we would go to our Grandmothers homes for Christmas. Of course we all lived in the same community and it was a simple thing to do. We would visit with one family for a feast at noon and then go to the other Grandmothers for late afternoon visiting and leftovers. I thought that was the thing to do.

My mothers family was small. She had 4 brothers but one lived far away and one had not married. The other two brothers married late in life and their children were all younger than I was. If there were 15 at Grandma C's house, it was a crowd. This was not true in My Dad's family. Dad was number 7 of 8 children and by the time that I was three, there were great grandchildren in the family. We ate in shifts at Grandma R's. It was not unusual for there to be at least 3 to 4 dozen for a holiday meal. We kids would sit up and down the stairs, and even on the floors in the upstairs rooms. Grandmas never used paper plates either. Maybe that is why we ate in shifts....we had to wait on clean dishes.

The first Christmas after the Rancher and I married, we went to his Grandmothers for dinner. It was so quiet, There were only 8 people there county Me. No noises, You could pass the food around the table where everyone could sit at one time. It was not like any holiday meal I had experienced before. The Rancher was very kind and suggested that we go to Grandma's for supper. He didn't know what he was infor. It was standing room only in her dining and living room. All of the cousins and their families were there. He was as overwhelmed with that experience as I was with having dinner with no one there.

Through the years the program changed, Our grandmothers turned the jobs over to their children to have their own families in their own homes. For several years my own family has came home for the holidays. They don't always come on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day but they come home. It is where they want to be at this time of year. They also like to have a special time with their children in their own homes.

We enjoy our time at home too. We reflect on holidays past and recall the fun times through each generation. We attend services at one of local churches on Christmas eve. We visit with the Ranchers Mother and have a quiet supper or dinner with just 4 or 5 people. It is pleasant and at this age, I enjoy the peacefulness of the season.

We celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. My house has a tiny Christmas tree this year. The bulk of the family won't be here until New Years. Day. A big trea takes a lot of space and my collection of Nativties don't. I sit them out and enjoy them all. My son-in-law brought me one from Kenya this year. It is very primitive and of course the figures are long legged and black in color. I love it. I also have a special one from Uraguay. Jesus was for all people. He is in the hearts of all who have allowed him to be. The style and shape of the manger scene is what is in the eyes of the beholder. I saw one with longhorn steers this week. With this, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that your home is filled with laughter from your children and grandchildren. If they can't be with you.....listen with your heart and you will hear their voices ring. In it all, let Jesus be present with you.

Happy Anniversary

2011-12-12T20:31:00.004-06:00

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband. For 48 years we have shared our lives together. We were just a couple of kids 7 months out of high school when we wed. There was no need to wait. The Rancher always wanted to be a rancher and farmer and I always knew I would be a ranchers wife. After all these years I love him even more than I did then. You know I think young people don't really know what love is until they go through a lot of things in life. Love is what withstands all of the ups and downs, ins and outs, laughter and tears, and the happy times and sad ones. We have been through a lot of these things.

We have had a partnership from the beginning. I learned how to do all of the things that were necessary to be a partner in this operation and he helped me with the kids and house. This wasn't so in the beginning . One day the Rancher complained about never spending time with the kids and I thought that I never had a break from them. He taught me to drive the tractor and I would go to the field while he worked around the shop or spent time with the kids. This was usually for about 4 hours a day. In time, the kids got older and I could just farm all day if I wanted to. That was okay as he had a off farm job by that time and, we were partners.

When we were dating, I thought my sweetie was really in the money, I learned that he had spent it all on me before we were married. We had a short honeymoon at a nearby town and ate shrimp and steak for our meal. I had a conversation with a friend this summer and she mentioned where they had spent their honeymoon and where they ate their first meal and I had to laugh.....We had been to the same place.

If you are reading this my dear husband, Thanks for all the fun. It has been great and if I had to do it all over again, I would do it with you. You know the song,"Livin' on Love". That's us, two old people....Where did the time go?

What Season is This?

2011-12-06T09:46:00.002-06:00

What season is this???? It is rightfully the time of year that we as Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a Holy Season and a time of feeling drawn closer to our family and friends.

The real celebration of Christmas has long been lost in the commercialism of our society. It is a time for merchants to make a profit of the sales in their stores. It is a time of supporting trade with China and other countries that have caused our own factories to close. It is a time.......Well, here I go and I suppose that I sound a lot like Scrooge did but that is not my intention.Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for me and my family. It does break my heart to see what it has become. As I shopped yesterday and earlier in the season, I searched for Nativity Sets. It is my custom to give the newlyweds in my family a nice Nativity on their first Christmas. I could not find one in the stores that I visited. I can remember when there was an entire section filled with them. I have several Nativity sets from primitive looking to elegant, but the favorite is one purchased at the local variety store when The Rancher and I were newly weds.

We were married just before Christmas and spent our first anniversary doing our Christmas shopping and going home and decorating our tree. It was and still is a special time for us. I have to start my shopping a little earlier as our family has grown in size and I don't do too well doing it all at once anymore. Back to the beginning and the "Reason for the Season". Isn't the gift that God has given to us more precious than anything that man has made? I love the Christmas story and I think as I grow older it means more to me. God gave His precious Son who in turn gave His all for us. We are so undeserving of such love. We are also so Thankful for this plan that God had for us.

As a child, I remember our own cardboard creche. My sister had gotten it from selling Christmas cards. Maybe she bought it, but anyway, I remember sitting it under the tree and singing "Away in a Manger" on Christmas Eve. Our Dad would read the Christmas story and even as children we knew that it was Jesus who we should be acknowledging. We were kids and Santa was pretty much on our minds too.

The sad truth is this: Today Santa has taken front seat to Jesus and that is what makes me so upset.

Today, I will get out my Nativity sets and place them around the house along with my artificial poinsettas and greenery and holy berries and light some candles and play christmas music to get me in the christmas spirit. Next week, the Rancher and I will get out our 'artificial tree" and decorate it with the ornaments that we have collected and the kids and grandkids have made us through the years. It will be a time of remembering when all of the kids were at home helping us and how much we miss their laughing and talk as we worked on this family project. It will also be a time of thanking our Father in Heaven for providing His Son.

Christmas Morning will be quiet as the kids will be in their own homes making their own memories but we will have them all at home to close the year out and we will probably be thankful for all of the gifts that Santa has provided. Our prayer is that each one is filled with the true spirit of Christmas and the gift of a great love.

The Holiday

2011-11-27T16:55:00.004-06:00

We had such a wonderful time this past 5 days. All of our children and grandchildren were here. This is the first time in over 2 years we have all been together. We have even added 2 members since then. One married our oldest granddaughter a year ago and the other isn't in the family just yet. Since he is in the picture, we are keeping him around. Molly and Josh will be married in March. There are 20 of us with the Ranchers Mom and we love everyone of them.

Adding to our days of togetherness were 4 dogs. Mattie, a Border Collie, is the oldest granddog. She rules everyone is 16 and 1/2 years old. Kelsey, the Carolina Dingo is 7, I don't know how old the SweetieGirl is as she came to our son as a stray and is a Lab mixture. The newest member of the canine crew is Chesney. She is almost 4 months and is a Golden Retriever. The Rancher and I don't have a dog. We don't really need one...Sweet Girl lives just down the road and is here as much as she is at home. Every dog is inclined to think they are housedogs. Well, in fact THEY ARE. The Rancher and I never had one of those either but we had 4 over this Thanksgiving holiday. Aren't we blessed?

It is a fact, that the Rancher would never let a dog be in the house, but he wants all of the kids and grandkids to be here so he goes with the flow. I do hope that we don't have anymore additions though or the rule might change. I am not so agile as I once was and making my way through a maze of dogs on the floor can be a challenge.

We had a traditional meal on Thanksgiving day. The hunters never got the longed for deer but we had dove from the freezer and other fowl for our "beast feast". We have grandsons that love to hunt and we proudly fix what they bring in. (as long as it is something edible)

I remember as a child, I went hunting with my cousin. We bagged a squirrel and my Aunt was so delighted. She dressed it and fried it for supper with biscuits and gravy. Now, you know there wasn't much eating on a squirrel but we thought it simply delicious. I haven't had one since so I am not so sure how it would be today.

I wanted one of my blog literate daughters or granddaughters to help me change my blog but time did not provide that. As you can see, when I tried to do it myself, all I succeeded in doing was remove my picture. I decided to quit at that.

My next job is to put my fall decorations away and bring out the Christmas greenery. I am not into it as I once was so I might take a day or two before I really get in that mood. I love the fall colors in my house. I just makes me feel warm and cozy.

Thanksgiving is over and we do have so much to be thankful for. I am first of all thankful for God our Heavenly Father and for the Son that was sent for our Salvation. I am thankful for my family, friends, that I live in this land that I live in. The list goes on and on. We are all so blessed.

Seven Things About Me.

2011-11-22T22:13:00.002-06:00

I recently received an assignment from the youngest daughter..The Nurse, to post seven things about me that you might not know. Well, in fact there are probably a lot of things about me that you don't know. There are some things that I don't want you to know. Some things are better left to myself.

I will share some things though, such as the fact that I hate Root Beer and Licorice. I don't know how and why such things could have ever been invented. It is a good thing I don't like them because I can say there is something I don't like. I like most everything edible. Some things are better than others but I am not picky. I guess that would be number 1.

The second thing you might not know is that I am not fond of escalators. I am sure there is a name for that fear. I am afraid I will put my foot on the wrong spot and stumble and make a fool of myself. I have always been that way. My smallest grandchildren delight in them and I cringe as I place my size 11 shoe on the step and take off. Maybe that is the clue.....a size 11.

I also like old movies. Just the other day I was thinking about a movie made in the early 50's called Moonlight Bay starring Doris Day and and Gordon McRae. it was on the TCM network this weekend. I was excited. I loved Doris Day. Whatever happened to her?

The fourth thing you might not know about me is that I procrastinate. Okay so everyone knows that. I just have so many things to do that I just take one day at a time and never get ahead. I always think I will get it done and end up burning the midnight oil once in awhile. A good thing came out of it though....My daughters are all very efficient. Didn't I do good. Maybe I just overextend my own abilities.

I went to school with people who became famous. Jane Jayroe and Jimmy Webb were in High School with me. Jane became Miss America, a news reporter, author, promotes Oklahoma Tourism...the list goes on....and Jimmy Webb. Oh Jimmy he has so much talent . He has written so many songs that are my favorites. He was an accomplished pianist in HS and the unknowing girls quartet that I sang in thought we had to have another girl to play for us. Weren't we stupid. He did play for us as we sang in the student center. He even wrote a song for my friend who I think he must have loved at the time. That would be number 5.

number 6...I am worried that I am getting more like my mother. That is not a bad thing but I just don't want to get out and go shopping anymore. I used to like to shop some but not at Christmas time. I always loved to look through the pages of the catalog and plan what I would order and not be tired from looking in all of the stores. Looking at the screen on a computer and going from one site to another is not the same as flipping pages and turning the corners down.

I love digging in the dirt. I love the smell of freshly turned, moist soil. I loved to drive the tractor when the ground was just right. I like seeing what will grow from a small seed. I marvel at the wonder of God's plan and how one tiny seed can grow into a giant tree. That is 7 and enough said.

What are seven things that I don't know about you????

A Tribute to my Dad

2011-11-09T21:13:00.002-06:00

On our recent fishing trips I decided to take a road we had not traveled for several years. This road took us through the town and area that I spent my early childhood. It also took us down the first and last road that my dad worked on during his career in the Oklahoma Department of Highways.

Traveling through Arnett and south on Highway 283 brought back a lot of memories to me but when we came to the South Canadian River and crossed the "Packsaddle " bridge I had a longing to be a child again. This area had fond memories for me and my family. Returning home I found this poem that my dad wrote about "The Bridge". It had always been his dream to be a part of building a new one over the river if the need came. It was his last job before his retirement.

Cuttin' The Ribbon By Pat Richard

This little piece of ribbon maybe ain't so much to see.

Just a shiny scrap of fabric, but it means a heap to me.

Cause to me it signifies the realizin' of a dream.

That someday I'd help to build a bridge

to span this might stream.

For long the South Canadian was a river wild & wide.

And the only way to cross'er was to ford 'er at low tide.

Until there came an Engineer by name of C.V. Word.

To build a bridge, the like of which home folks had only heard.

A majesty of structure built of concrete, steel & wood.

He built it high and handsome and he made it strong & good.

To stand the awesome pressure of the river at high flood

And after fifty some odd years, still straight & proud it stood.

They named the bridge "Packsaddle" for a creek that runs nearby

And many came to cross her and to gaze a wonderin' eye.

But nothing lasts forever, so they say, and it is true.

And the thing that men call progress, done what nature couldn't do.

For though she'd whipped the river and had never known defeat,

The behemoth trucks of modern times have made her obsolete.

So now we have replaced her with a structure wide & new,

And we named it the "Buzz Bradshaw Bridge, Packsaddle Number Two".

She too will stand the test of time, she's solid, sound & true.

And I know she'll do the job just like she was designed to do.

I watched her rise from bottom up, she'll stand for many a year.

And I had a hand in buildin' her, as Resident Engineer.

So as we cut the ribbon maybe you'll forgive my pride.

Cause I think she's mighty pretty reachin' out from side to side.

And I hope she stands a hundred years for all the world to see

Before thy had a need to build, "Packsaddle Number Three."

A friend told me to post some of my Dad's poetry on my blog and I thank him for asking. Dad was a poet in his own right and mostly enjoyed writing "Cowboy Poetry". I will have to share some of that with you at a later time.

2011-11-08T14:05:00.002-06:00

It is raining. Isn't that a wonderful way to start the week. As I look out the window at the pines and cedars I can also see the ice crystals starting to form on the higher tips. It is the time of year for colder weather and the TV said it was sleeting in the western part of the Panhandle .

The weather has been so unpredictable the past week. Yesterday there were several tornados in our State and some damage was done in rural areas. Nothing in the towns or cities. If you are the person it hits, it doesn't matter where you are. The destruction done to ones property is a hard blow. High winds in excess of 90mph were also reported.

This past week end the Rancher and I along with part of our children and grandchildren had a good time fishing at a State Park Lake in central Oklahoma. Yesterday that area was hit by a tornado. I am thankful we came home the day before. A camper is no place to be in a storm. We probably experienced the tremble of the earthquakes while we there but we just thought it was the force of the Oklahoma winds blowing down the plains.

Did you see that I mentioned earthquakes? Yes here in Oklahoma, that is getting to be a regular occurance in the central part of the state. Evidently the 5.7 tremor on Sunday morning was felt all the way to Wisconsin. I wonder what will be next. It mentions all of these things in Revelations. I am not going to dwell on that though, as only God knows the time of Jesus return, but I sure am working on being ready to make the return trip with Him.

I am watching the cardinals, Jays and finches feeding at the feeders. I love bird watching. They all share at the feeder and only when the ring neck dove or grackle come is there trouble. I don't know why they have to be so pushy. I guess the Jay birds are sort of bossy too. The quail are under the cedars eating the milo that The Rancher has scattered for them. I have other birds joining at my feeders lately as the days get shorter and colder, they come in for their handout.

This has been enough of a ramble. Hope that you get a good rain if you need it. We sure did.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T23:57:00.003-05:00

Again it is the time of year,

To sit the pumpkins by the door,

When witches, on their wispy brooms,

Across the heavens soar.

The night is dark, as legend says,

When spooks and goblins roam,

And motley crews of pirates

Take siege of every home.

There comes a rapping on the door,

A face is peering in

A pumpkin Jack o lantern,

with a leering, toothy grim.

They cry out "Trick or Treat!"

Those rascals at the door

Who come each year on Halloween,

They've all been here before.

There is a gypsy girl, a skeleton,

And Pirates I can see,

A cowboy and Darthvader,

Are looking in on me.

There comes a tramp in disarray,

His knapsack on his back,

A big black cat, his tail a drag,

With an overflowing sack.

We greet them all, who come our way,

And do our best to please,

With popcorn balls and apples

And a sack of favorite sweets.

I didn't have many tonight. Our community doesn't have so many children anymore and they often go the distance to town. We are always happy for them to stop in and see us though and the Rancher and I have fun too.

2011-10-11T18:32:00.002-05:00

Sitting on the middle age seat of life has been very humbling. Now some people might think that I am old. I am not! Well, maybe somedays I am old but I don't want to be. My Mother once told me she felt the same as she did at 65 as when she was 21. She then explained...Not physically but , she was still the same person. I was skeptical about that until I reached this time in my life. Guess what? I am the same person only different.

I have different ideals and dreams. Did I really want to be and English Teacher? I did, but I fell in love and married instead. As an adult, I remember that no one really liked their English teachers for all of the research, reading, writing that they had to do. I did like my English teachers though. I had two wonderful ones when I was in High School. One was very young and one was as very old. ( I thought) The younger one taught my children and I was glad that she shared her knowledge with them. They thought she was old. Isn't it funny how things turn around.

Why wasn't I brave enough to venture out a little further into the world? I have lived in three neighboring counties for all of my life. The Rancher has only moved 3 miles from where his parents brought him from the hospital so I guess I was a little more darring than he. In my growing up years, we didn't know there were so many choices. We lived in an area that had been tamed by our grandparents. They were the adventurists. They came in covered wagons from all parts of the Country and many never saw their families again. They started families of their own and made new friends. I thought it was hard to move into a new community and my parents were 45 miles away. How hard was that???? My worst adjustment was the fact that there were hardly any trees. Today I wouldn't change it. I love looking across the country at landmarks many miles away.

At one point in my youth, I thought I might be a missionary. Children always have dreams about different things. I knew that God wanted me to do something special and that was all I could think he wanted of me. My Mom told me that would be a very hard thing and I had to be really sure. (She had thought about beind a preacher herself) Here I post a note to my family who might think I am crazy. This is the truth. She practiced in the pasture and her mother could hear her all the way to the house as she preached God's word. Anyhow, I did grow up to teach children in their Sunday School classes and I know that is what God had planned for me to do.

I also dreamed of living in the mountains. I never even saw one until I was 21 years old. I had seen enough pictures to know how beautiful they were and I never once thought of the cold in the winter. I am thankful that I live where I do but I would like to spend more time in the mountains in the summer and fall months.

Life has many changes. Dreams we have for ourselves and the ones that we have for our families. It is good to dream but we have to be realistic too. I was not brave enough to go out very far into the world, and I am glad. I love it where I am and I am happy with me.

Did you have dreams that did not happen? Were they beyond your reach or did you just realize you were happy where you were?

2011-10-05T13:41:00.003-05:00

I would like to change the appearance of my blog but when I went to the site that I usually go to for new gadgets......I was advised not to go there because of potential virus.

The computer is smarter than I am..I think. There are some things that I wonder about though, such as some of those little unknown words that we type to identify ourselves. What is Unwin? Does that mean that you won but not really, so you have to "unwin". Maybe it is that you didn't even win at all. Today it was stilup. Is that a misspell for "still up"? I could have a lot of fun with these words but you get the picture.

Another thing that bothers me is the spell check. Why doesn't it know what word I mean? Sometimes I spell a real word but it is the wrong word so it doesn't make sense where I use it. Am I suppossed to know everything? That is why I have a computer with spell check.

This generation of young people is the first generation to have access to the answer of almost everything. All they have to do is go to the computer. They can find the answer to it all on wikipedia Of course it might not be quite true, but it someone's idea of how it might be. Kinda scary isn't it. One might go around thinking something is fact when in FACT it is wrong.

We interupt this story for a wonderful announcement. IT IS STARTING TO RAIN. Well, at least it is sprinkling and the air smells good. How is that for a news flash?

The cardinals are at the feeder. I love to watch them as I sit at the computer. I tell myself that is the real reason that I sit at the desk. I am trying to wean myself away and get on this every few days. Really, It robs me of time that I could be doing something useful such as clean, paint wash windows and all of that. I blame not getting anything of value done, on the computer. When I sit down here after lunch it was to look for a good camping site in Oklahoma, somewhere we had not been for awhile. Somewhere to go and enjoy the fall season and fish and just kick back. Maybe we will be joined by friends and I know our children will come when they can. My intentions were good but then I got to surfing...reading blogs...Not daring to go to facebook and seeing what was news. I better get busy before the Rancher comes in. First I have to play a game of free cell and solitaire. See what happens......I am addicted....

Fall and Homecoming

2011-09-27T20:01:00.003-05:00

It is finally fall...The early morning temperatures have been in the upper 40's and I have not had the AC on for several days. Oh some people would run it but I just turn on the fans and tell myself it is cool enough. My August electric bill was terrible. We have several water wells that are on electricity and the house and corals. The Rancher has also been watering all of the pine and cedar trees around the homestead as we have worked so hard to get them established. Last year we lost several pines North of the barns as we weren't paying attention.

I love fall, the nights are cooler and the trees are starting to turn a golden color. We really don't have much color in the Panhandle of Oklahoma but the cottonwood trees on the creeks and the sumac and plum thickets put some color in these brown pastures. Brown has been the color this year. If one saw much green, it was a mistake as there just has not been any. A friend in an area southeast of us thought it was dry there until they saw how things looked here. We continue to pray for rain as everyone in this region does.

I have seen several Monarch butterflies in the yard. I read an article in the paper explaining how they were tagging some of them to track their migration route. the tag was a small tab with a number on it, stuck to a wing. Where there is a will there is a way.

Another thing I like about fall is the Friday night football games at the local schools and with them, the gathering of friends. This past Friday night was "Homecoming" in my community. There was a chili supper before the game and I saw a lot of old friends. It is amazing that some of the younger people are getting so old. I also noticed that not so many "old " people were there. Reality hit me in the face when I reallized that most of the old people were my age. When did this happen???? Oh well, I so enjoyed seeing so many people of my past. We are all different but I can tell you this, our home town is the fountain of youth. I know I have said it before but the people that stay close by or come home regularly never change. It is the ones that haven't been back in years that have gotten old. All I can say is they better be showing up more often. Oh, and if you think you haven't changed, get out some pictures and then look in the mirror. We aren't kidding anyone. After 50 years or so, who cares. We all have changed and if we are still around that is a good thing. It was just so good to see everyone. I look forward to seeing you again next year.

The picture is from last fall and I am hoping to see the aspen change again this fall. It is a beautiful sight.

Garage Sale Saturday

2011-09-17T20:37:00.003-05:00

Today was "Townwide Garage Sale Day" in a nearby town. It is a town of fair size and one can usually find some really neat things at a bargain. I scanned the paper and found that I could buy all types of appliances big and small, clothing, home decor, fishing equipment, golf equipment, lumber, toys, tires, dishes, books, DVD's and players, a record player, cars and every kind of furniture and even a pet or two.

I did not go. I do not need any more "things". My house is overflowing and I need to do a "cleanup" act of my own. I have no place to put anything else period. I do not have a garage, only a car port. My utility room catches all of the surplus for a year or two and then it goes to the dumpster or resale store. I do not have garage sales. I have nothing of much value to sell. If it is very valuable, I tend to hold on to it until I get sick of looking at it . At this time it becomes worthless and goes to the dumpster.

Later this afternoon, I did see that I missed a great buy on a 1963 chevy pickup. When the Rancher and I were dating, we often went out in a 1963 chevy truck. It belonged to the Ranchers dad and was his farm truck. It was blue though. I have thought about this red truck many times and do wish I had the money to own something just for fun. What I need is something a little more energy effeciant though. My suburban is only 9 years old and has only 159.000 miles on it so I think it is good for at least another 40,000 miles or more. Remember I live 30 miles from nowhere and it won't take long.

Any now, back to the garage sale idea....I am getting ready to do some remodeling and I think I just deserve something new. I will probably just pitch what I don't want unless some of the kids or grandkids want to come and clean it out and I don't think they want it either.

The real fun of garage sales is just driving around seeing people and examining all of their treasures. It is really special if you can do it with a friend. I hope all of my kids and sister-in-law had a good day because I bet they were hitting the sales bright and early in the day. I bet they found some good bargains too.

Let the Rains Come

2011-09-13T23:02:00.003-05:00

The weatherman out of Oklahoma City said we "could" have rain for the next several days. I am going to think positive about this. It has been so long since we have had a good rain. While the Rancher and I had devotion on Saturday it showered enough to connect all of the rain drops on the sidewalk. We were excited, we called it a rain. It was a lovely shower and made everything smell better for a short time.

Our land is so parched and we cry out for rain in our prayers. We don't understand why one area has flooding and we have nothingl They are wondering the same thing and pray for God to hear our prayers and send the moisture to us.

God is in control though and He does not forsake us. When the time is right, we will have rain. My patience is short though and I hope the time is tomorrow.

I read in the paper where the southwest part of the state has had over 100 days of 100+ temperatures. I can tell you this much....Yesterday when it cooled down to 92 degrees, I though it was cool. That was still pretty hot. I am anxious to see if it will be a high of 60 degrees on Thursday in our area. That is what one computer model says. How do they know all of this anyhow?

My dad had a plain old rock that he used to check on the weather. It was suspended on a leather strap in a tripod.

If it was moving....it was windy.

If it was wet...........it was raining.

If it was white........it was snowing.

I am sure there was some more thoughts connected with that rock but let me say this....It might have been just as accurate as the computers that they use today. At least it didn't cost anything.

With all of that said.....We do need rain. The folks on the East coast do not. People in Texas where there are so many fires need rain. The folks further east in the trail of Hurricane Lee, do not. Continue to pray for Rain. God wants to hear from us.

The Internet

2011-09-08T04:45:00.002-05:00

The internet is a wonderful thing. It has provided a way for us to communicate with people thousands of miles away in just a few seconds. We can share our hopes dreams, funny stories, sorrows and everything else that we have a desire. We can also reconnect with long lost friends.

This is actually nothing new. God has provided this same way of communicating for thousands of years. It is called....PRAYER. Try it.

The Vacation

2011-09-05T23:06:00.003-05:00

I have been a bum for the past 3 weeks. The first week I was in the hospital so maybe that doesn't count. Let me tell you the life of liesure isn't what I want. What was to be a surgury that my GYN has done thousands of times, didn't quite work on me. I am a person who does not have to be like everyone else but this time it would have been okay.

The Rancher is terrific. He has been a wonderful nurse and went way beyond what I ever dreamed. He has been my strength, encouragement, and prayer warrior. I also have a wonderful family and great neighbors that have stepped in but let me tell you this....I would much rather be on the giving end than this.

I have watched the Waltons, old movies, the weather channel, news, the Waltons ( this is Walton Marathon weekend on the INSP network) , John Wayne, Tom Sellack, I have even watched some old Roy Rogers and from the 40's and 50's. I have watched HGTV, Nathional Geographic, Antique Roadshow, and did I mention The Waltons. In it all I have also had a lot of naps. I take short walks around the yard and circle drive, check out the grandkids feeding bottle calves and read and worked more suduko and crossword than I ever dreamed possible and I am getting pretty bored. Never, never will I wish for more liesure time again.

The order for 3 weeks was to rest and drink lots of fluids. I can't sit at the sewing maching as I must sit in a slight recline. I have been able to stand and wash the few dished that won't fit into the dishwasher,(plastic) and fold clothes if the Rancher puts them on the bed for me. Wednesday, I will go back to see one of my Dr.'s and see if all is going well. Maybe I can get some of this extra junk that I am wearing, removed and at least sit comfortably. Oh well, this has been a humbling experience for me and it has made me know beyond anything else that GOD is in control. I praise Him for putting all of these people in my life that have taken care of me. I also know that I am to take more time out for Him. That I can do, as I sit in my recliner and watch everyone else do my work.

September

2011-09-03T10:04:00.001-05:00

This morning is beautiful. There is a gentle south breeze blowing and as the Rancher and I had our coffee and devotion on the porch, we enjoyed a shower. We called it a rain as it is the nearest thing we have had for a long time. Our part of the country is so dry!!! The temperatures in the months of July and August were in the triple digets nearly every day. I don't remember a year like this. Now it is September. Hope for cooler days and nights .

I have enjoyed the changing of the seasons and what each change brought. I didn't enjoy this Summer. It was not kind to us. It did not bring rain and the heat was unbearable in the afternoon of the day. I felt sorry for all of the creatures that had to be out in it. Maybe in my older age I am spoiled but I am glad for the air conditioner in the house and the vehichles that we travel and work in. The Rancher has made it a point to get up early each day and get the work done before it was too hot. He enjoys the comfort of the house in the afternoon too.

I have watched the birds gather to get ready for their annual trip south and I pray that the cardinals and robins will stay and entertain me for awhile. They were here all last winter so maybe this is now home. We keep the sprinkler going somewhere in the yard of shelter belt to provide water for them and the little animals that would otherwise be without water. This week we had an abundance of monarch butterflies in our yard. Not so many as in the past, so maybe this is just the local ones gathering. I have seen them as thick as the orange leaves of fall when they stopped for a day or two of rest as the migrate south. Our yard is protected and we have been blessed to see them on their journey.

It will be a hard winter for the birds that stay here as there is not any weed seeds. Isn't that funny??? We fight the weeds but when there are none, we know that the quail and other wild birds will have a struggle. We will have to put out extra seed for them. This can be a blessing for us if the barn cats stay where they belong.

Maybe I will be more inspired to write. This summer has not left much to write about except heat, drought and fires. You can learn all about it in the news. This morning with a gentle shower gave me hope that the days ahead will be cooler and wetter. September.....the beginning of a new season.

Reminiscing

2011-06-22T15:40:00.002-05:00

One of my friends gave me a stack of magazines to read. We trade things like that as they are perfectly good and we don't all take the same ones. I was reading one about the good old days and things that happened "Way back When,"when I realized that those were my days and it wasn't very long ago.

When I think about the changes that have taken place through the years, it was a long time ago by the standards of my grandchildren. But this is how it was......

When I was a girl:

We didn't know that we were poor, everybody had the same thing which wasn't much.

We walked where we wanted to go as we didn't always have a car and if we did, we might not have money for gas. No one drove to school, the kids in the country rode the bus.

We pulled a wagon full of sheets to the "Help Yourself Laundry" which had the old wringer style washers and brought them home to hang on the line. (My mother operated a rooming house.)

We didn't have a TV. If we did, we couldn't see a picture on, it as the nearest station was 150 miles away. We did have a radio in the living room that I thought was very old. I recently saw one in an antique store like it for $375. When I was in high school, I bought my own little radio.

We didn't have airconditioning. We sit outside in the shade of a tree, or had a fan in the house. I loved to go to the ice cream parlor and sit where the ceiling fan would blow on me. Before I left home my family had a water cooler.

Fast food was a bologna or peanut butter sandwich. We never ate out as that was a luxury. Even when we went to Woodward, mom packed a lunch that we ate in the park. We thought that was a real treat.

We had one phone that worked by calling the operator and we kids weren't allowed to use it unless it was an emergency.

Kids were expected to get a job to buy the extra things they wanted. We thought it a priviledge to earn our own money. I thought I was rich when I started earning $15 a week. I bought all of my school clothes and supplies, and even took a trip with some realtives that summer when I was 17.

When I was a girl:

My parents were always right....I was not to sass or question their authority.

With 5 children in the family, we each had chores and responsibilities and we "better take care of business" before playing around.

I never went very far from home until I was 17. I had not even been 50 miles from home until I was about 11 years old. Today my grandchildren go on cruises, mission trips in foreign lands and fly from one end of the country to the other and think nothing about it.

On the other hand.....When I was a girl........

We could freely roam the streets in our little town, day and night and not worry about any danger.

Play up and down the river from morning until we got hungry and went home. There were always a group and our mothers knew we took care of each other.

Start walking to a friends house that lived 3 miles out in the country and know that someone would give us a ride and we would know them.

Walk around holding hands and giggling with our best friend and not think it strange.

And last of all, When I was a girl:

N0 ONE HAD A TATOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reunions

2011-06-19T14:55:00.002-05:00

Summer is the time for Family Reunions. My family, on my fathers side, gets together every two years and share a day together. This year is the first year that I was of the older generation. There are no longer any aunts and uncles, just cousins and more cousins. When do we cease being cousins? Are we still related if we are 6 times removed from the founding grandparents? You bet we are!!! We are family.

Yesterday, I met with my many cousins in a little community that my grandparents homesteaded in. The church we meet in is actually on the land that Grandad settled in 1901. One hundred and ten years brought back a lot of people to honor this special couple. The old homestead is much different now, it is overgrown with trees and this Spring, a wildfire sweeping through the country burned the big Dutch barn that had stood for almost 100 years. True, the old barn was not much too look at but it was packed full of memories. the loft was a haven for 22 grandchildren to play in through the years. When the weather was cold and snow was on the ground, we spent our time there swinging on the rope in the rafters and hiding ourselves in the hay bundles that granddad had stored in the big loft. The old two story house still stands as does the large chicken house and grainerys.

Yesterday, we reminesced over all of the good times and caught up on the news of today. I missed those that could not come. The meal was catered by a local family that fed us too much and we enjoyed the tales and songs of cowboy poet, J.W. Beeson. He kept up laughing and almost crying with his talents. It was a good time.

As the Rancher and I headed for home later in the evening, we stopped in a nearby community to get a cold drink for the road home. This is the same town I lived in as a child. By chance, there were two men inside who were also having a drink for the road. These were former classmates who I have not visited with in many, many years. It was by accident they were there as one of them was traveling through town, but the other one lived there. It just goes to show that even though many years have gone by and we are now older, or shall I say, just plain OLD, we still recognized each other after all these years. It was a good day for me.

It is Raining

2011-06-11T21:25:00.001-05:00

What more can I say, but Thank you Lord for answering our prayers.

My Home Town Part three

2011-06-06T18:43:00.002-05:00

It is time again to brag about the little town that I call home. As I look back through the years, this community has served the people who lived here. It has changed a lot through the years. It went from a sleepy little town that served the farmers in this area to "Boom Town" in the 1950's and '60's. The MKT railroad built it's track through NW Oklahoma in the early 1900's and the train was kept busy hauling loads of grain, broom corn, Silica, Cattle and freight up and down the line.

The Rancher's dad tells about riding to Kansas City on the train with a load of cattle. Today, the trucks come to the ranch and haul them over the miles of highway to whatever destination is requested. There came a time, after the big trucks came about that the spur of the MKT that came through our area was no longer needed. It was the end of an era. I still enjoy watching the trains going down the tracks on the Santa Fe Line to the South of us. I recently enjoyed a trip on the Silver Flyer from Ok City to Fort Worth. The local train depot is used as a headquarters for a drilling mud company and a car wash across the street is proudly named "Katy Kar Wash".

In the 1950's, the oil and natural gas field was discovered and brought many changes to town. Trucking companies moved in as well as roust about companies. Refineries were built in the area and pipelines were laid across the land. A lot of new faces came in with these changes. More businesses were built, houses had to be built and the school outgrew itself. It was time for new school buildings. We were so proud to move into a new High School during my sophomore year. We still had to use the old building for the overflow of the grade school but a time would come when it too would be replaced. A hospital was built and a golf course. Our town was growing up. We were proud. Sadly, progress does not last forever. The town that we once thought was on it's way to becoming a City started to slowly dwindle out. The Oil had played out or it was not practical at that time to explore different zones.

Not everyone moved on. The natives stayed and many of those that moved in liked our little community and stayed on too. We have faced slow times but have survived. Our little town is still a place full of friendly people. I enjoy the businesses that we have. Many have closed in recent years but those that are here still serve us well. I would not want to drive 55 miles to buy groceries so I am especially thankful for the grocery store that has weekly specials and the druggist knows my name. There are convenience stores, a Farmers co-op, cafes, motel, library, hair styliest, post office, machine shops, lumber yard, glass and radiator shop, auto repair, flower and gift shops, a weekly paper, realator, tag office, insurance offices, bank, wonderful churches and schools, health clinic, dentist, phone companies, oil field supply and many more that I am sure I have forgetten.

There is also an office for Murphey Brown Inc. which is headquarters for the hog farms in the area. So as we have lost many businesses, and the population has dwindled over the years, the town remains the same. Things just change in time. I feel safe in saying this though, " The People Who Live Here" never do. This is our home and we are proud.

I am Lazy

2011-06-03T15:07:00.002-05:00

I haven't been worth a hoot this week. I had a great long week-end camping with my family and I haven't got my energy back. What has happened to me, the gal that would get going early every morning and do yard work, clean house, work in the garden and cook dinner for a harvest crew in the summer?. Where has that person gone? I know that I am not that old so that can't be the reason. I guess that I am just lazy, or maybe I have changed my priorities.

For all of my life, I have been a hop out of bed at 5 a.m. person. I would read my devotion, get a big breakfast for the family and then hit the ground running. This year, I have decided that sleeping until 7 a.m. is okay and sometimes it is okay to sleep later. The Rancher is okay with this too. He sleeps later, gets up makes the coffee and reads or goes outside, depending on the season. We eat oatmeal and toast. We have a devotion together, We visit for awhile and then see what needs to be done.

No garden this year. We plan to travel and camp when we can. This is the Ranchers idea. No rain..so not much yard work and lots of watering in the shelter belt to keep the trees alive. The buffalo grass in the yard is hearty so it will survive on little watering.

No one to cook for but me and the Rancher and Son sometimes. We eat a lot different than we used to. More vegetables and very few desserts. I should make the Rancher a pie but he would eat one piece and would be satisfied. I would be tempted to eat the rest if I don't put it in the freezer. Can you believe that I have thrown out pie that we let get old??? I never thought that would happen at this house.

I could sew but, I can't get into that room. Things from my mothers house haunt me each time I go in there and I still don't know what to do with it. Why did I want my grandmothers old dresser? I always wanted it but where can I put it. My house is full of my own junk.

So now you must know, not only am I lazy but I guess I am a hoarder too. I need a good swift kick in the posterier to get me going. Anyone want a job?

I am a Bird Watcher!

2011-05-24T08:54:00.003-05:00

I am blessed to live in the country. I often think about moving into town as we get older but I have a hard time looking over rooftops when visiting at my daughters and I know that I would have to live where I could enjoy the outdoors.

This morning as I drank my coffee out on the porch I enjoyed so many birds. I have to keep the water going on a regular basis to water our many trees and the grass. We have worked for years to get trees to grow on this hill and they are filled with my bird friends.

I watched the oriels, finches, robins, cardinals, doves, flycatchers and swallows as they watered and flew through the yard catching insects. I listened to the mocking birds sing. I saw a humming bird drinking nectar from my flowers in the front yard and put out a feeder. I don't know if it is still around but I guess if the feeder empties, I will know. Yesterday, I had some blue buntings. That was a first. I also enjoy the scissor tails, meadow larks, painted finches, blue jays, and flickers and brown thrashers. I can identify these birds with the book about birds of Oklahoma that my daughter gave to me. It has been a help when we are camping. When we are at the lake we enjoy listening to the whippoorwill as they call out in the late evening.

There are also birds in my yard that annoy me. We have so many ring necked doves. They are larger than a mourning dove and smaller than a pigeon and have a raspy call. They also fight with the other birds. They are not listed in my book as they are new comer's The grackle is another bird that is on the ornery side. I do enjoy watching them strut around in the sprinkler with their head in the air though. What a snooty, proud thing they are. There is also a pair of crows nesting north of the corrals. They are quite curious and..... thieves. They will pick up anything shiny left laying in the driveway that is easy to carry.

I have to tell the guys that the quail that come into my yard are my quail and off limits when hunting season comes around. They agree at the moment, but I know if these little birds get past the shelter belt, they are in free range. That is life though. The old cock pheasant doesn't come into the yard but he sits across the road and shows his colors. I enjoy listening to his call too.

I need to get ready to go spend time with my siblings and families for a few days .We enjoy a nearby park where there are a lot of birds. If I get lucky I might even see a painted bunting or something else that I have not marked in my book yet. Get out your binnoculars, a good bird book and enjoy yourself. It is a wonderful hobby.

Rambling

2011-05-20T09:50:00.002-05:00

Have you ever swung through the air on a trapeze? Me neither, but I have flipped over on the monkey bars in the park with the greatest of ease and missed and landed below with a broken arm. This ended my desire to be a circus performer.

Have you ever been able to do a flip off the high dive board or a double jack knife? Me neither, but I have went off the high dive and nearly lost my bathing suit top when the force of the water unfastened the strap. After that I only wore one piece suits. Do they still have a high board at the Gage Beach? That is where I learned to swim.

Have you ever went surfing in the ocean and thrilled at the giant waves coming in. Me neither, but I have water skied at the lake and loved to go faster and faster until I got older and older.

Have you ever went skinny dipping? Me neither. I don't think girls do that but the boys do and they can really jump in the water when they are accidentally discovered by someone hiking down the river.

Have you ever wanted to go up in a space ship and look at the earth from the heavens? Me neither, but I have laid in the darkness of the night and watched the satellites move across the sky and the meteors as they charged against the sky.

Have you ever eaten a foot long on Coney Island and been a part of the crowd ? Me neither but I have ate many hot dogs and marshmallows roasted on the open fire with my kids and grandkids. I was thankful for the fun we were having and listening to the laughter of each one.

Have you ever shopped at Sac's on 5th Avenue? Me neither but I have shopped the thrift stores and bargain centers and was excited when I found something with a label from there that was my size.

Have you ever ran out of anything to post about and been at a loss for something interesting to write. Me too!! And that is why you are reading this post.

My Home Town Part 2

2011-05-12T08:56:00.000-05:00

I have had such a wonderful response to the first post on My Home Town, I will continue with it. Small towns in the 50's and 60's were much different than today. They were still thriving communities. People didn't think of driving down the road to shop unless they couldn't find it at home. There were three grocery stores and four clothing stores in our little town. The clothing stores had the latest styles. One of the clothing stores that I refer to was also a shoe repair store. The owner mended a broken strap on a sandal, resoled boots and patched the toes. We lived in a fix it up time and made things last. We couldn't afford to go buy new things all of the time anyway. Mr. Anderson also sold men's work clothes and western shirts and Levies.

One store catered to the lady of the house and sold the very latest in fashion. I could shop there when they had a sale but our family had 5 children and even when I had a job, I knew that I could buy more outfits for my money at the Globe.

The Globe and Weibert's had something for everyone in the family. They also carried things besides clothing as luggage, towels, jewelry, etc. I loved to shop at the Globe. The Globe was famous for it's semi- annual sales. Each season, everything was marked half off. I mean everything. Nothing was shipped in or brought in from the back to get rid of, they literally cleaned everything out to get ready for the new season.

On these days, crowds came from all over the area and stood in line on the sidewalks until the doors were open. It was like Wal-Mart on Red Friday. We knew where everything was though and headed for that area. It was a mass wave of people, and I loved being a part of it. After I had children, they had to stay with their dad, or be lost in the crowd. We stocked up on jeans, shirts, shoes and dresses, I don't know if they ever put the men's suits on sale, because The Rancher never wore them. After you selected something, Hang on to it. If you laid anything down someone might grab it up. I know one lady who lost the shoes she wore in as she took them off to try on another pair. The people who owned the Globe were wonderful people and had a great staff. My friends mother worked there and I am sure she didn't enjoy those days as much as we did.

Today, If you want to buy clothing in my home town, you would need to go to the thrift store. Oh, there is a place to buy children's clothing and some men's work wear can be bought at one of the oil supply stores, but the others are gone. I miss them and the things that they represented. They served our family and the community. It was in a time to remember.

My Home Town Part one

2011-05-04T14:50:00.004-05:00

When I was 9 years old my parents moved to a farm near the town that I still call "My Home Town". It was a bustling little community with all of the stores that we needed.

On Saturdays and usually once during the week my Mom would drive us the 9 miles to town. We had to go during the week to take the cream and eggs to the produce to sell. Saturdays was a family time, we went in the afternoon and spent the evening. We kids would go to the Matinee at the theater and watch our cowboy hero do his thing. This was in the day of Gene, Roy, Smiley Burnett, Gabby Hayes, Lash LaRue and Sometimes a really good cowboy like John Wayne or Randolph Scott would be on. We each got a quarter and could pay our way in, get a coke and share a box of popcorn. If we worked it right and weren't hungry, we could go to Dauber's and buy something afterwards.

Dauber's was the name of the Variety story that had something for everyone. In my time, I think it was better than Wal-Mart is today. There was a personal style about the store and Mr. and Mrs. Dauber were always glad to see us. (MAYBE) They helped us find something that we had always wanted for a dime. It might be a book of paper dolls, a toy truck, game of jacks, fingernail polish, a tiny bottle of apple blossom perfume. The list could go on and on. The Rancher always bought animals or army guys. This was his hometown too.

We could also buy penny candy. Does the younger generation know what penny candy is? There were all different kinds in boxes and jars. It was a hard choice to pick, as you wanted it to last all week and wanted something that you liked and your brother didn't. My brother must have liked everything though. He would always find my candy unless I had Mom hide it or carried it with me. Mr. Dauber would put it in a sack and tell us we had bought the very best that he had that day. He was such a happy man.

Just down the street was the Bakery. The smell coming from it was simple heaven. Do little towns have bakeries anymore? Milligans made the best donuts and cookies. I know their bread was wonderful but the donuts and rolls and cookies were what appealed to us. We could buy donuts for a nickle each or 6 for a quarter. That was when we would pool our pennies and try to get a whole quarters worth. What a bargain!

While we ran around the town, Our parents were most likely visiting with everyone they knew at the cafe or doing their own shopping. The stores were opened until everyone was through shopping. The main street was a busy place. Not only were the sidewalks lined with cars, but we parked in the middle of the street. You better drive slow as people were darting in and out of the cars putting their purchases away. No bother to lock them as everyone in town did the same and respected each others property. Sometimes we didn't leave town until 10 o'clock, and stores were still open.

There are many more stories to tell about "My Home Town" but I won't make this post too long and will continue later. I will say one thing: It has changed today with the times. There is no longer a produce store, a theater , Daubers or a Bakery. Those things are long gone and there are blank places where some of the buildings once stood. Should you go to town on Saturday afternoon, the only thing you would find open would be the Grocery Store (there were three), the quick stops (2) and the Western Auto. Everyone (even the local business people) have gone to the Superstore in the town down the road. How sad for small town America.

Things I Learned From My Children

2011-04-30T17:20:00.002-05:00

You know the old saying: " The older you get, The smarter your parents get."

I know this saying is true as I am the parent that is getting smarter. Not in a way that you might think but I am learning more each day about the antics that my now adult children pulled when they were young.

I recently learned that the family car we owned at one time was the hottest car in town. It could out drag and outrun all the cars and trucks of the guys in town. I learned this from my youngest daughter, not my son, who I knew was a hotrodder. She delighted in a good race and never wanted to lose at anything.

I also learned that the local cop did not know how to spell. When she was pulled over for failing to yield, she had to help spell the word Yield and approaching. She also was on a first name basis with the local Highway Patrol. I learned this one day while visiting with one in the local quick stop.

Seems he knew three of them by name along with the Rancher. They didn't get that thrill of driving fast from me. I drove a school bus for too many years. In reality, I was probably just lucky. The little dear never got a ticket though until she was stopped by a local lady cop in a nearby town. Seems like the charm didn't appeal to her.

And did you know that you can put your makeup on as you are driving to school or to your job. I learned this from my second daughter, when I met her one day. I have never tried it but putting on mascara while you are driving 65 miles an hour down the road is probably right up there with texting. I haven't done that either.

You also get to be on a first name basis with the people in the emergency room at the county hospital. I learned this about the 4th time of the 7 that we visited one summer. It was a summer of learning to be Evel Knevil and some was actually from helping dad.

I also learned that the oldest daughter put up with a lot of things while I was working. Sometimes she got a little perturbed and got even with them. it seems one of the younger ones got a bowl of mashed potatoes in the face for being such a brat.

My house can actually be cleaned in 30 minutes. I would leave instruction of the jobs I wanted done and about 30 minutes before I was due home, the dust would fly. I wonder why it takes me so long.

There are a lot of things I have learned, some they don't even know that I know, but someday I will tell their children in secret and get even. By the way, there were a lot of things my parents didn't know either.

A Little Country School

2011-04-25T17:47:00.002-05:00

Today as I opened my facebook page I was happy to see a group of young ladies that I knew many years ago. The picture showed 6 young ladies at their 8th grade graduation in 1960. I know them today as friends and grandmothers.
Where has the time gone and when did we become the older generation. I still have my mother-in-law living in the wonderful Panhandle community but for the most part that generation is gone.

When I moved to this area many years ago as a young bride, we had a lot of neighbors. There were houses on every section and there were still 4 country schools in the area. These schools were mostly 2 room schools and served this rural area. The year before my oldest started to school, the smaller ones closed and my children went to a country school that was 13 miles from our home. Dawn started to first grade there but the next year, they added kindergarten. It had K-8 and had around 60 students most of the time. Some classes had as many as 13 students and some as little as 4.

It was a wonderful little school on the highway and educated my children well. They lacked nothing in education and had band, vocal, sports, and some of the best teachers around. They were challenged to do their best and today I can say that some of the people who passed through have made a difference where they live. There are teachers, college professors, doctors, nurses, meteorologists, geologists, ministers, farmers, ranchers, secretaries, firemen, mechanics, pharmacists, and some are dads, moms and grandparents. I am sure there are a lot of professions that I don't know about but they are people who have made it and they all started at a little country school.

Today, these schools are all empty. Some have been forgotten and sit in disrepair in a sparsely populated land. Some have been revived into community centers and some are used for church functions as well. Where they stand, they are a reminder of what once was. If you look and listen, you can imagine children laughing and playing on the swings out behind and hear the teachers as they start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a morning prayer. Wasn't it a grand time?

Spring, Spring, Spring, The Birds are Singing...........

2011-04-18T21:56:00.004-05:00

Today was the day that I knew I had to get busy and do some yard work. This Spring has been so discouraging to me. It is dry, the wind is blowing and it is winter one day and summer the next. Where is Spring? Today was a wonderful SPRING day. A light breeze, not too hot and it is time to set out the plants that have been withering at my back door for a week.

I asked the Rancher to buy me some potting mix at the local hardware a few days ago and he obliged. Well, seems that he didn't read the bag as he brought home "In Ground Mixture" which says all of the package...DO NOT USE IN CONTAINERS. We had to make the 30 mile trip to town this morning for other things, so I bought the right stuff.

This afternoon, I got many of my containers planted and I did use the mixture that he bought and worked the ground around my Hosta bed. I still have more but I figure I can use it. I also decided I needed to move some of the rocks from another place to protect my beautiful Hostas. You see the Son has a dog that enjoys bedding down anywhere there is something damp or soft. I also have two cats that have decided that the back porch is their new home. (the youngest granddaughter loves that)

Let me tell you....Those large rocks grew over the winter. through the years I am moved them from one spot to another with no trouble at all. Not this time. I would carry one, puff and pant, and rest before tackling another one. Those babies are huge.

When the Rancher and Son came in for supper, I was not finished with my job outside. I fixed them some chicken salad sandwiches and fresh veggies to munch on. (ranchers like chicken too.) We always play some game right after supper as TV really has nothing to offer. I commented that I had to finish my job outside before it got dark. The guys followed me out and after watching me struggle with one boulder, they finished my job. I should have waited on them in the first place. All they were doing was moving cattle around. I know my job was much more important.

In reality, I did realize that each spring for the past few years, I have to really work at getting yard work done like I used to. Riding the mower and picking up the broken limbs is not a problem but lifting and digging or welding the hoe is something else. I guess that my get up and go has finally got up and went. If you find it would you please send it home!!!!!!!

Something to Think About!

Do you think that God laughs at us for digging up all the beautiful flowers that he has scattered all over the yard? A yard that is all purple and yellow with chickweed and dandelions is colorful.

Read This Book

2011-04-13T08:30:00.002-05:00

I enjoy reading. My favorite books are historical novels. Several years ago I started reading Chritian historical novels. I love them. My daughter who is a librarian suggested that I sign up to review books for Bethany House. I received my first novel last week, It is by Kim Vogel Sawyer, who is a retired school teacher turned author. The book is titled Courting Miss Amsel,

This is the story of a young women who followed her dream to be a school teacher in the late 19th century. As the oldest child in the family she had been the one to raise her younger siblings. Her father was against her ambition and never encouraged her in anything.

When Edythe was finally able to persue her dream she was hired to teach in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. She followed a teacher who was stern and did not believe in sparing the rod. Her method of teaching was a delight to the children but questionable to some of the parents who thought the children were spending too much time on learning foolishness.

When Edythe arrived in Walnut Hill, she was seeking a new way of life and left behind the obligations of raising a family. What she found was a new family to love. Joel Townsend, a young bachelor who was raising his young nephews, had his eye on Edythe from the first time he met her. The most important thing that Edythe found was a relationship with Jesus. Edythe boarded with a wonderful christian woman named Mrs. Kinsley. As Edythe went through her many trials of teaching in her liberated way, and worrying about the sister who showed up in Walnut Hill, Mrs. Kinsley, assured her that Jesus was where she needed to take all of her burdens.

To quote a scripture at the beginning of the book.."In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3.

As this book shows, God knows what is best for us and our plan is not always the one that He has for us. We are to listen to His calling, sometimes it is in a whisper.

Thanks Dawn for recommending this, it made my stay at the lake in the windy weather a joy.

What was That Word?

2011-04-04T16:05:00.002-05:00

OMG! Did you see where this is now an official word in the Oxford Dictionary? I sometimes have trouble understanding what all of the abbreviations and symbols used by the younger generation mean. I am glad to know that I will soon be able to look them up in the good old dictionary and it will be explained to me. A lot of them I don't even want to know.

Learning that bit of trivia was something you needed to know wasn't it. I got me to thinking about a lot of the other words or terms that we use. The term RED NECK has always amused me. I guess I had my head in the sand but I don't remember it much until Mr. Foxworthy started using it so much. Some of his ideas for a "redneck" are funny but in reality, some of them have a lot of truth to them. I wonder if Mr. Foxworthy knows where the word really origionated.

1. In the 1930's a group of miners in WV who wore red bandanas on their necks pressured the mine owners into letting them become unionized. That was one of the definitions that I came up with.

2. In the 1800's sharecroppers in Georgia and Alabama with sunburned necks were also called 'rednecks".

3. The term also used by the Scottish to refer to supporters from lower Scotland who fled to upper Ireland. These were called Lowland Presbyterians. They fled to Ireland during the persecution by the British Crown. they signed their names on documents using their own blood, and wore red cloth on their neck. They did not want Scotland to accept the rule of the Church of England but be under a Presbyterian form of Government. This earned them the name of "redneck".

4. Many of the settlers in the Southern States were Presbyterian so the term applied to them and there descendants. Maybe as the Comedians are always referring to these "Redneck Good ole' boys from ther South", they may have known the true answer all of the time.

Remember when Archie Bunker called Mike, his son-in-law, Meatheat. Do you know what this means? Me either, so I looked it up and learned a meathead is "dead from the neck up.".

I always wondered where the word Hoity-toity came from. I remember it in the movies when I was a girl, I thought it was a fun word. It actually is someone on a high horse, conceieted, know it all. Hey, it is also the name of a nail polish. You can learn something everyday.

In an E-mail; about Ponderings, I learned a few things too.

1. Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

2. I used to eat a lot of natural foods before I learned most people die of natural causes.

3. Finally: I am a nobody and Nobody is perfect...... Am I Perfect? What else must I say?

Have a good day and do your research.

A Sentimental Journey

2011-03-23T22:15:00.003-05:00

Sorting through my Mother's things this week has been quite a learning experience for me. I have learned many things about my family that I never knew before. Nothing secret, mind you, just facts that were not passed on to me. But now I know, and I have laughed, cried, and been excited that I have found these things of family history past.

My intention this morning was to go through all of those boxes of pictures that Mom had kept. My sister took half of them and I know it will take us forever to complete this task. Going througth the pictures taught me a good lesson. Never, never take pictures that you don't identify. People are easy, if you know them, and a lot of them were unknown to me. Oh, I did know they were relatives, but who and what side of the family??? The real kicker was the hundreds of pictures of scenery in every state my parents had visited. We have no idea where they are and they mean nothing to us without a person in them or some sort of identification. They were precious to Mom though as she could look at them and remember.

I divided pictures into 5 folders for myself and my siblings and divided them according to family or just makeing piles at random so I wouldn't show favoritism.
Dividing pictures that way was easy, but wait....What are all of these letters?
And what is in this shoe box of old papers.

I have found a treasure. I spent a lot of time reading and crying and getting to know a grandfather that I never got to know. He was very ill as he wrote the letters to his sons who were overseas during WWII. He told of his health issues and the conditions on the farm. He advised them of what kind of men to be: Be kind, always pay attention to the other fellow, treat people fairly, Look to God in heaven to give you strength and help your through the trying times. spend time in prayer each day. Grandad, who was my mothers father, passed away 5 months before I was born. I always knew that he was a gentle man because of the family that he had. I am glad that I was able to read those letters written in pencil on a tablet. Every inch of the page was used. There were also letters from my grandmother and letters from the uncles who were serving our Country. Grandad told them to be proud of what they were doing.

In another box were treasures from my other side of the family.My great grandad R. was a school teacher. In this box were copies of all his teaching certificates, dating back to 1882. There were also many letters of recommendation from people that he taught and the parents of the children that he had taught. The script of the peoples writing was so beautful. They took great pride in neatness and the beauty. No typewritten words or computers for them. It was all long hand and perfect.

I found many poems that had been written by family members. My family had quite a talent for writing. I found all about my paternal grandmothers school days in Indian Territory at the Coulter School near Gutherie. Pictures of early day I.T. and a great parade celebrating 50 Year since the Land Run of 1889.

I can't wait to get into the other boxes tomorrow. I have a lot of copies to make for all of my siblings. There are so many pictures that now have meaning and I think they all need copies of these family documents, don't you?

The next job will be starting on my own treasures. I am not sure that my kids will take too kindly to some of the things that I have kept. One thing for sure, I don't have any of my early childhood things. My family moved and pitched what we didn't need. Thank goodness they kept the history.

And a Top O' The Morning to You!!!

2011-03-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is the 17th of March, St. Patricks Day. Legend says that St. Patrick, who was the Patron Saint of Ireland, used the Shamrock to explain the meaning of the Trinity to the pagans who worshiped idols. It is also said that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Snakes were thought to be a part of this heathen way of worship. Truth is, there were probably never any snakes in Ireland. How would I know though, Saint Patrick died on March 17, 460 A.D. or sometime near that. That was way before my time.

Through the ages St. Patricks Day has expanded to mean many things in many cultures. To the Irish, it is a religious holiday. The day is spent at Mass and in prayer. All of the businesses, except for the pubs and cafes, are closed. It is a day for Spiritual Renewal. I am wondering about the Pubs being open though. I guess that is for the "Spirits".

March 17th is also celebrated by doing anything that is Irish or that connects with Ireland. Wear green, gold, shamrocks, and have "Good Luck". In America, Irish communities also have parades, festive music eat lots of Irish food and play games.
There is also the idea that if you don't wear green, you will be pinched. I don't know if that is an Irish tradition or not. I always worried that I would not have anything green to wear until I bought a green pin that had a little leprichan sitting on a pot of gold, holding a shamrock. That covered all of the bases.

On of our favorite things to eat is Blarney Stones. If you haven't had this, you are really missing out. My daughters family makes the best ones. I have made them only once and that was enough for me. They are time consuming so I just get one from her to eat. It is a lot less fattening to do it that way too.

My mother always fixed corned beef, irish potatoes, and whatever else she could think of to celebrate the day. She also fixed green jello. She was good to think about celebrating the day. My dad, was called "Pat". That was not his given name but he earned that name as a very small child. His home was near a new highway that was being built through the country in the 1920's. A big part of the workers were Irish. Dad developed quite and Irish brogue and was therefore called "little Irish Paddy". The name was later shortened to Pat and most people thought that was his name. Two of his great grandsons are named Patrick to honor him.

Tomorrow, I will get out my green shirt and find my Irish Pin and see what a good Irish meal I can fix for the Rancher. If you make some Blarney Stones, eat one for me, as I probably will miss out this year unless I get really ambitious.

Have a Happy St. Patricks Day and may the Luck of the Irish be with You. (whatever that is)

TRASH OR TREASURE

2011-03-09T13:22:00.002-06:00

The past few weeks have been hard for my siblings and myself as we recently lost our precious Mother. Last weekend, we started going through Mom's house to see what to do with all of her treasures.

It has been an adventure to say the least. We have had laughter, cried and been completely surprised at some of the things that our Mom had collected through the years. My parents both loved to go the "auctions" or sales. We are sure a lot of the collectible dishes and old books came from their great buys, but we know that some of them were also from our grandmothers and older aunts. We do remember some things that belonged to family members, but other pieces are just dishes. I know they all must have had a special meaning to Mom.

Mom also kept every card that special people sent to her. Some of them are treasures, but others we have no knowledge of and they are just cards to us. To find a letter that was written by a long gone realtive has a special meaning though, and I am glad that she did keep such things. It will be an adventure going through each one. It will also take time but it will be a time spent with something that was close to Mom.

Mom grew up in hard times and lived through the depression, war rationing and out of necessity, she had to be a very frugal person. She used and re-used and saved. She saved a lot of things that have gone past their time of usefulness. Some of them are Antiques. Some of them, we just laugh and say "Why did Mom have 3 toasters?" They don't all work but she thought someone could fix them. Today in our throw away world, it costs more to fix a toaster than buy a new one.

I had a good laugh and was excited when I found a white brocade dress that I made while I was still in High School. I know the size it was and today that same size is completely different. I could not believe that I was once that small as my (I'm on medicare) body is old and way out of shape today. I saved the dress to show my daughters and granddaughters.

I hope that I have learned a lesson this week. I need to start distributing things that I don't need to those who do. I have too much junk. Most of has been given to me and has a special meaning. I think about the person everytime I use things they have given me and it makes my heart glad.

Maybe I am too much like my Mother and someday my children will laugh, cry and get totally frustrated when they start to clean out my treasures. That will be okay, it is part of the healing process over the loss. Today, I thank my Mom for all of the wonderful memories she has provided for us this week. I would like to be sharing them with her.

Signs of Spring

2011-03-04T20:38:00.004-06:00

One of the first signs of spring on the ranch is the arrival of the Kildeer birds. I can almost mark my calendar for their arrival as it is usually on the first of March, without fail. How they keep on schedule is a mystery to me but I always begin to look for them on that day. This year on the first of March, we were not at home but camping at a State Park Lake. That was the first day, we noticed the Kildeer running along the water. Maybe he had been there all along, but I especially looked for them at that time. When we arrived back home, the little brown and white bird was running aroung the feed bales as they do every year on their return. This is also where they nest. I think it is a safe place away from the cats. "Im Here, I'm Here", they announce as they take flight, steering us away from their territory. This is where they will lay their brown speckled eggs in a rock and gravel nest. Pretty primitive, don't you think?

I am a bird watcher. I was so excited that my Nurse daughter found a new bird book for me, listing all of the birds in Oklahoma. At least the author thinks it is all of them. I am not sure though as a birds habitat changes with the times. What was once rarely seen in this area has became a regular summer resident. I am thankful. Thanks for the new book dear daughter, I am enjoying it.

Nothing to write about

2011-02-24T22:01:00.002-06:00

I have nothing of interest to write about so I will get out one of my editions of "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader". Do you have any of these wonderful books in your house. I used to purchasae them each year when I worked at school and the "Book Lady" would come around with her books.

This wonderful book of knowledge, that no one really cares about, can be picked up and read at random and laid back down without regrets. It is good for a few laughs though and is a great book for the person who needs to read while they are taking care of business.

READ ON BUMPER STICKERS

Suburbia--Where they tear down the trees and name streets after them.
Support Bacteria, it is the only culture that some people have.
My Reality check just bounced.
And what about--The older we get the better we realize we were.

TRUTH OR URBAN LEGENDS?

You know how we Americans are about things that belonged to celebrities? They will try to sell us anything and sometimes the joke is on us.

Did you know that Bat Masterson, the legendary Wild West lawman became a New York sports writer. Because he needed the money, he reluctantly agreed to sell his famous six gun---the "gun that tamed the West".

The truth is he actually bought and sold old guns at pawnshops and junk stores and carved notches in them (one for each kill) and sold them to admirers for a tidy profit. Each time, he swore it was the authentic gun he'd used in Old Dodge City.

And for the last bit of information----

"I had a dog named Duke. Every fireman in town knew that hound, because he chased all the firewagons. They knew the dog's name, but not mine, so the next thing I knew, I was Duke too. I was named for a danged dog!" John Wayne

So much for that, I will do better next time.

The Drive In Movie Theater

2011-02-17T14:08:00.002-06:00

When I was growing up, the Drive In Movie Theater was a popular place in our area. We enjoyed the Saturday Matinee at the theater downtown, and On a cold winter night when we didn't have a ball game to go to but the excitement of the Drive In was a treat.

My first trips to the drive in were with my parents and family. Before the movie we kids would race to the play ground area complete with swings and jungle gym. The folks would visit with the people in the car adjacent to them and we would load up on popcorn. The speakers were on a post by the car and could be put in the car when the movie started. The Movie couldn't start until it was dark enought to see the pictures on the big screen and that was often late in the summer time.

I would later go with my friends and of course the Rancher. Our local Drive In had "Buck Night" on Tuesday nights. This meant a whole car load could get in for $1.
We could really cram the kids in my old 1953 ford. That was before seat belt laws and some would even climb into the trunk. I think some people even tried the trunk act to get in free. You could't fool the man who owned the theater though. He could see it all from his window in the upstairs projection room. He would just come and collect the money after the show started.

It was a relaxed way to go to the movies. Kids would run all around and the parents would put kids in one car while they sit in another and a lot of other things would go on that wouldn't in the local theater. That is probably another story.

I remember going to "Old Yeller" a Walt Disney movie, and watching my friends, who were teen age boys, cry. Of course, I cried too. Sometimes there would be a double feature. The first movie was the main attraction and the second would often be a science fiction thriller. I never did like thriller movies much less science fiction ones. There were even times when they had an all night movie. Who could stay awake all night? Not me but I am sure that some of my grandkids would have been able too.

I remember taking my own children to the Drive In before it was dismantled. They too would go and play on the playground. We would visit with friends and return to the car when the feature started. The kids would be asleep before the movie was over and the Rancher and I would snuggle like in the old days.

This past Summer when passing through a town in Colorado, we passed a Drive In Theater. I thought it would be a fun place to visit. The Rancher reminded me we were on a fishing trip and hadn't put movies on the agenda. That was okay though, it was pretty romantic sitting by the stream watching the moon rise over the mountains. What movie could beat that???

What I did on a Snowy Day

2011-02-09T13:44:00.002-06:00

Do you recognize this beautiful movie star? Probably not unless you are on the upward side of 50. This is Doris Day. She was one of my favorite entertainers when I was growing up. Doris was a star, and she, along with many others, helped me to pass many hours on a snowy afternoon. I grew up before Barbie came along. Barbie did evolve about the time that I was in High School but alas, I was too old, and besides she was sort of a "risque" looking character and I didn't want to have to compare myself to her.

I loved buying paper dolls. I saved my pennies and when a new star was born, there was usually a book of "paper dolls" promoting her for just 15 cents at the local variety store. In my collection I had dolls of Jane Powell, June Allyson, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Vera Mills, The Lennon Sisters, Annie Oakley along with Dale and Roy. I also had Felicia Farr, I love the name Felicia. Dolls from the circus, Country Cousins, and fashion dolls of the fifties. Oh and don't forget the Bridal Party.

They all wore the latest fashions and had many changes of clothing. I would take my time punching the cardboard dolls out and cutting out their clothes. I kept them all in a large shoe box. We didn't have plastic storage boxes and even if we did, why would we buy one???

When I married and left home, my mother, not knowing any better, gave my paper dolls to my neice. After all, I was a grown woman and didn't have a need for them. I still think about all of the fun that I had with my friends and cousins and even by myself when I would get out the shoe box and let my imagination go.

I looked for sites to buy authentic paper dolls and who knows, I might just put them on my Christmas list for next year. Today looks like a good day to play.

The Fluff in my Dryer

2011-01-19T14:46:00.002-06:00

Do you every wonder about all of the lint in your dryer? Sometimes I wonder why after all of these washings and dryings, I have any clothes left. Maybe it is because on nicer days and in warm weather, I hang my clother on the clothesline in my back yard.

There is nothing that smells better that sheets dried on the line. They may be a little crisper than drier sheets get them but I am for crisp, fresh smelling sheets.

Back to the lint. Webster explains it like this:

Lint (n) 1. a staple cotton fiber to make yarn. 2. minute bits of ravelings or minute shreds of yarn; bits of thread. 3. cotton waste product from ginning. 4. a soft material for dressing wounds.

In all of these definitions, I do not see what defines the fluff in my dryer. Maybe cotton waste from Drying??? Or maybe it is the waste from the washing. I know this is rediculous to even wonder about but my mind if just about that stable today.
I really do wonder when my favorite jeans, that are only 4 years old, are going to be completely gone in fluff.

If I would save all of the lint waste in the dryer from drying jeans would I be able to make another pair if I would weave it into new fabric?

I certainly wouldn't want to use it to dress any wounds. I think it would not hold together.

I think the best use for it is to start the fire in the fireplace or let the birds line their nests with it. What do you think?

Ponderings of my Mom

2011-01-10T13:58:00.005-06:00

Today is January 10. Ten days into this new year and I haven't had a post. I have had a lot on my mind and much to do. This year did not start out as I had wanted it to. On January 1st my precious mother had a big stroke that has affected her left side and her swallowing. This has not been an easy time for my siblings or myself. Mom is 88 years young. She has always been such a trooper and so very conscientious of everything that would have an effect of her body and health. It is hard to see her in the condition she is in. She is my Mom. She will always be the one I look to for advice and approval. In my mind I am still the little girl when she is around. Where did all of the time go and when did it happen? My mother is fragil and I myself am not young. Now my own daughters are the ones with the strength and energy.

I remember the fun times. We were not a family of means but mom knew how to make us wonderful meals with her imagination. She could feed our family of 7, with a pound of hamburger for 3 meals. I am not kidding. She created meals that would make hamburger helper look meager. After two great creations she could take the last of the hamburger and make hamburger gravy. It was delicious on her homemade biscuits.
Our family didn't know that beans weren't good food. We loved them and we had to as we ate them at least twice a week. Served up with a pan of corn bread and fried potatoes and onions.....What could be better. Of course, I don't know about fancy foods but who cares, I know about good food.

Mom sewed, gardened, had a rooming house and raised us kids with the help of our dad. Dad was gone most of the time on his job with the DOT though. She was the one who was there every day.

It doesn't seem fair that there is nothing I can do for her at this time in her life. It is all in God's hands. We pray. We pray for wisdom, strength and ability to say the right words.

Mom loved to swim. She grew up with a swimming hole close by and she made sure we all knew how to swim. She would take us to the local lake or public swimming pool and spend the afternoon having fun. I don't know who enjoyed it more...she or all of the kids she took. She also taught us how to dance. She loved it. With her fun, she knew all about hard work. She expected us to do our share.

When I was in the 7th grade, my mom bought new shoes. She didn't get them very often as she had 5 kids. The one pair of shoes that I had broke and she gave me hers. We had the same size and they were a loafer style. She said she really didn't need them as bad as I did. I have thought of that often over the years. A mother always wants her children to have the things they need.

Through the years, times were better and Mom could afford a lot of things but she is a frugal person and does not see that she needs some things. One thing she is extravagant about....Shoes.....She is always looking for a new pair. I am glad.

Pray for my mother and cherish your own. They are precious.

Holiday Celebrations

2010-12-28T15:44:00.003-06:00

December is such a busy month. Not only is it Christmas but it is a month of many birthdays and Anniversaries in my family. Today is December 28, My oldest daughter and her husband were married 25 years ago today. There are mixed emotions about getting married at Christmas time. You are so busy doing Christmas, that the special time for you to celebrate your anniversary is sort of put aside until a later time. I know....I was married on December 14th. My mother, daughter, one granddaughter, 6 nieces and nephews and a brother have birthdays in December. Well my brother was fortunate enough to be born on January 1st but it is all in the same time frame. We have had other family members with anniversaries and birthdays but they are now the exfamily members. I have friends that were born on Christmas Day. That is special!!! You share a birthday with Jesus. They thought they never had a birthday though as they were too busy enjoying the excitement of Christmas.

Today I say "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY' to Dawn and Leslie. And "HAPPY BIRTHDAY " to Popcorn on the 30th. You know that I am going to be busy the next few days with all of my family coming home to celebrate these things. It is the time that we will have our "Holiday Celebration". We have so much to celebrate and a lot to be thankful for.

On the lighter side...When you are young, you have aspirations that never come to pass, as we age, we reminiscence of things that never really happened. And that my friends is the truth.

Have a Happy New Year and allow God to be an important part of you everyday.

Santa Remembered

2010-12-17T12:51:00.002-06:00

This is a true story about me when I was almost three years old. I know it is hard to believe that I can remember something that long ago when I can't find what I had yesterday. This was such a traumatic thing that I didn't like Santa Claus for a long time. Santa always came to our house a few days before Christmas to see how we were acting and to be sure he had our wants on his list. We lived in a very rural area and electricity had not even came to the area. The year was 1947, so for all you young people, I have lived in a way that you cannot imagine. I remember my mother standing at the cabinet washing the supper dishes. We did not have water in the house either. My dad was in the barn doing the evening milking. This is what happened.

Santa Remembered

When I was nearly three years old
And christmas time was near,
My folks told me that Santa Claus
Would very soon appear.

I really didn't know too much
About this jolly old Christmas Elf.
But they told me he would bring some toys
For sister Patty and myself.

I wanted a new red wagon
And I tried to be ever so good
So 'Clanty Laus' would stop for a visit
In the Harmon Neighborhood.

He would come by and check us out early,
So much to my sisters delight,
One evening, he tapped on the window
And I never had such a fright.

This hairy, red face in the window
Was Santa--who I'd heard all about
"Go away and where is my daddy?"
I started to cry and to shout.

"Your daddy, "old Clanty Laus told me,
Is down in the barn milking cows,
I stopped for a quick visit with him
and he sent me up here to the house."

Now who was this guy in this red suit?
The one with the white flowing hair.
This surely isn't dear 'Clanty Laus',
Giving me such a bad scare.

Mamma wanted me to go and talk to him,
Patty thinks he's a jolly nice man.
I think that he is really quite scary
And would he leave just as fast as he can?

Ole 'Clanty Laus tried to be friendly
And said he thought he could bring
The toys that each of us wanted,
Then my sister started to sing.

The songs that we all sing at Christmas
Of Santa and the Babe' in the hay.
Santa asked me to sing along with her
I told him to "Just Go Away".

Then we all heard the reindeer start pawing
So 'Clanty Laus said "I must run".
And then as he left, Daddy came to the house
And said, "Gee, I missed all of the fun."

I can still see all of this in my mind today. Later, I sit on Santa's lap at the one room Harmon School. The next year, when Santa Came for his visit, I was prepared.

Happy Birthday Baby

2010-12-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Andi. I guess I won't mention how many years ago we were so proud of our baby girl. We are still proud. Andrea is the one on the left, Grandma Dolly, who will also have a birthday this month is in the middle and Jaimie, Andi's beautiful cousin is on the right.

Have a great day today and know that you are loved.

Bring them Down

2010-12-01T20:01:00.002-06:00

Isn't this just a neat picture. We were so blessed to watch them bring these "woolies" down from the high country. Summer was over and they were taking them to a different location for winter.

We had a small sheep herd at one time. The Rancher has tried about everything. We had 100 ewes and it was an experience. I am sure some of our neighboring confirmed cattlemen would never agree that there could be anything good about them. Our children learned a lot with them. One thing in particular was how to move fast when one particualr ram was around.

I never did care for mutton. I guess that makes me a true cattle rancher. They did bring us in a profit at a time when we needed it though so it was something we were thankful for.

The preditors soon learned when lambing season was and our years as sheepherders was short lived.

Is it Christmas ALREADY?????

2010-11-29T14:12:00.002-06:00

When I was a child, December was a long time coming. Maybe because it was hard to try to be ever so good. I knew that I had to be on my best behavior as Santa might fill my stocking with nothing but rocks or coal if I was naughty.

Now, as I approach Old age (did I say that?) December comes about every 3 months. No kidding, I just get over thinking I did a pretty good job on gifts this year when it is time to start over. I love Christmas and the season it represents but someimes I don't like what it has become.

There are sooooo many things. And that is just what they are....THINGS. At this age in my life, which is really middle age, (tee hee) there is nothing that I really need. Now my grandchildren all need things. Most of them, I don't even know what they are and I am not into technology enough to even find out. I know every year I go through this.

I love that the little ones really don't know about all of the Things that are available. They are happy with what they get. As they get older, I try to get something they really want, but there comes a time when Money is the answer. It is always the right size and color and they hardly ever want me to take it back.

Myself, There is nothing that I really want. I have so much clutter that I have become attached to and my house is just not that big. I guess what I really want is for the season to be what God intended it to be. A celebration of the birth of a Savior. I am so thankful for this gift. It is also one size fits all and once you have it, you won't send it back. God gave of Himself and that is the most wonderful gift of all.

A little Box of Treasures

2010-11-25T21:47:00.005-06:00

I was recently visiting with my mother and she was trying to clean out things that had belonged to my paternal grandmother. She gave me a couple of boxes to bring home to sort through. The boxes are small and have newspaper articles and a lot of papers with writing on them.

My grandmother was a poet. She was also very frugal and never wasted anything. She also was a keeper of things. It was an interesting afternoon going through the papers.

I found a wrapper for cigarette papers with a birthday greeting written on it,

Some will send cards
With Birthday wishes
I came to visit
And help with the dishes.

Everything she gave had a little verse written on it. I know this is something that came to her and she didn't want to forget.

I found a letter from a little girl written in 1954.

Dear Grandma,

How are you, We are doing okay. We hope to come and visit you soon. I am learning Barbara how to write her abc's. She is writing to you to.

The little girl was me. The letter was still in the envelope. I enjoyed finding it.

There was a list of names. Neighbors and family of my grandparents. At the bottom of the list was written. "Guests in our home for Sunday dinner, August 17, 1923."

There were obituaries of family members and friends.

Poetry,

A lot of pictures and information about Gutherie, Oklahoma and area at the time of the "Land Run".

Pictures, letters and plans for reunions of the Coulter School in Indian Territory.
She was one of the first students to attend this school when it was established in the early 1890's. There was a letter from her teacher, Mr. Coulter, for whom the school was named. There was also a Christmas card from him dated in 1941. He must have been very young when he started teaching in that little one room school.

I could go on about what I found, but what I really found was a good visit with my grandmother and some of the things that she treasured for many years. That is a treasure to me.

I know that I will keep what is in that little box. I will make copies and share but even the little notes written on scrap paper and the back of advertisements are valuable to me.

Will we be able to leave these same things to our grandchildren? Well, maybe, if we put it all on a disc.

I am Thankful

2010-11-21T18:57:00.002-06:00

I can never begin to tell all of the things that I am thankful for. The list is unending and gladness comes into my heart as I sit and think about so many of the things.

I am Thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who loved me so much that He provided a way for me to spend eternity with Him. I am thankful for Jesus who made it possible.

I am Thankful for my family. The one that I grew up in, my parents, sisters, brothers and the grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. So many happy memories were made spending Thanksgiving Days with them.

I am Thankful for my husbend, the Rancher and the family that we have. Our Children, their spouses, grandchildren and each one as they join our family circle. They have each brought something special into my life.

I am Thankful for my friends, the ones who have passsed through and gone on and the ones that have remained a part of my life throughout the years. Each one was there at the right time.

I am Thankful for my Church, the community that I live in and the people who make it what it is.

I am Thankful that I live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It is my country and I am proud. I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

I am Thankful that I live in this desolate land of the Panhandle and can look out and see the sunrises and sunsets that God so lovingly paints in the sky.

I am Thankful for the cardinals that are feeding at the feeder and the quail on the ground.

Does this sound boring. I could just go on and on but the list is unending.

Count your blessing this week instead of your sorrows and woes and you will know that you too are truely blessed and have so much to be Thankful for.

The Rockies in the Fall

2010-11-16T15:46:00.004-06:00

When we visited the Rockies in September, I did not have my head on. When I started to take pictures, my camera kept showing it was out of memory. Now I knew that I had cleaned my chip up when I put it in my computer. Bingo! my chip was at home in the computer. My sister took so many great pictures and she sent them to me. He is a great picture of the colors.

Wayne enjoyed doing some trout fishing. He never caught anything but finally learned how to make the line wave in the air as he was casting it out. Almost made you think you were watching "A River Runs Through It." We had a great time. and for the life of me I cannot remember how to get these pictures where I want them. Enjoy anyhow.

Trees

2010-11-08T22:44:00.003-06:00

I know it is fall as the leaves are turning and drifting to the ground. There are piles of them under the China Berry and apricot trees. The Wind bent Elms selfishly hang on to theirs. The Elms on the plains are not graceful, but they bend in the wind and eventually grow in a northward arch. We have more south wind. My mother was astounded that I would let an elm tree grow on this barren hill, 45 years ago. I had planted many varieties ordered from catalogs and purchased at nurseries. Our clay and caliche soil refused to let them mature.

After many dollars, a lot of digging, and trying one kind of tree after another, I learned to appreciate what God had planted. The elm seeds drifted in from the neighbors to the south and perched in my garden, flowerbeds and right in the holes that I had dreamed of a large maple growing to shade the house. I cut them down, I hoed them up, I pulled them and even sprayed them. The maple trees died, the elms did not.

I finally gave up and moved my garden spot so the elms could grow and let God shade my yard in his own fashion. Elms and elm beatles are not my favorite but the shade that the tree offers as I sit in the swing, with a cold drink, after working in the yard is a blessing from God. He knew what would grow on the hill and I thank Him for showing me.

Over the years, we have a wonderful shelterbelt of pines and cedars. Hidden in them are mulberry, hackberry and olive trees. There are even a few locust and elms. I let them all be and enjoy the bounty of birds that visit my yard each day. Cardinals at the feeder by the window, were a blessing from God this morning.

Cream of the Seasons

2010-11-07T20:37:00.002-06:00

This poem was in our church bulletin today. I don't know who the Author is but it is just so full of color and has a truth of the Autumn.

The harvest moon has long since passed;
Our crops are taken in at last--
North wind's blowing bleak and chill;
Frost coats the valleys, fog the hills.

As colored leaves drift slowly down,
The earth takes on a patchwork gown--
Now all can snuggle safe and sound;
No need to venture far around.

The farm assumes a quiet peace,
As frantic paces can decrease,
And one can sit and muse and dream--
Fall is the country's richest cream.

And now that the time has changed, the pace will slow down and evenings will be for sharing and playing games with family, friends but mostly the Rancher who lets me win an occassional game.

Early Morning Trips

2010-11-04T14:03:00.003-05:00

Starting out early in the morning, traveling down the highway, is an adventure. In our desolate area of the state, we don't worry about the traffic so much as we do the wildlife. We pray we can keep the lights on bright and it takes all eyes on the road in front of us.

Early yesterday, we needed to make a trip to the City. This is a 4 hour trip so we left very early. The deer were very cooperative and stayed on the shoulders of the road as we passed by. We had gone about 40 miles when the rancher and I both went into a panic. A skunk was running at a high speed towards our side of the road.

He went in front of us....

The Rancher was applying the brakes......

By the grace of God, we did not hear a thud, feel a crunch or smell the tell tale of our victim.

We missed him.

As we traveled home last night, I watched in the area we had encountered Mr. Skunk (or was is Miss Skunk) and there was no evidence that one had been in that area.
No road Kill.

Thank you God for letting us make the trip and not be offensive as we sit in parking lots. I think the skunk was even too scared to leave his calling card. We were blessed.

The Last Hooray!!!!

2010-10-28T10:00:00.002-05:00

There is one week every October that friends and family gather at our favorite lake for the last campout of the season. This has been going on for many years. It started out with friends taking advantage of the fall break from school. Many of us worked in the school system and our husbands are avid fishermen. We enjoyed this time together. We wanted our grandchildren to have some of the fun so we started taking them. All of their parents grew up together, and it was only right that they should be friends too. They did not live in the same towns, but they flock in at this time of the year, EVEN if they have to play HOOKY. My brother and favorite sister-in-law have even joined the group.

It was soon apparent that we were having too much fun so the grown up kids joined in on the fun too. It is something that we look forward to. The Rancher is proud of his family of fishermen. They love to go out on the pontoon and spend the day but as you can see from other family blogs, they get impatient and some are at the dock fishing even before the sun comes up. One grandson would rather fish than anything else unless it is to hunt.

I love this time and one of my favorite things to do is to go shopping. I am not your run of the mill shopper, hitting the malls and fashion shops in the city. I am a junk store, antique, garage sale bargin hunter. I visit one of my favorite shops each fall when I go fishing. This year I was so pleased to find my favorite brand of jeans for only $2 a pair. They are nearly new and heavy denim. I don't like the thin stretchy kind that is of the rage today, but I like the old durable kind that will keep me warm as I chore during the winter. The girls found some great buys too. We are never disappointed.

As estate sales and garage sales were in progress we naturally had to see what they were all about. We were handed a box and told to fill it. Now there were $3, $4, and $6 boxes. Can you imagine what you can get in a box. This lady had been a seamstress and quilter. Did we ever have fun. We bought fabric, quilt blocks, lace, zippers, dolls, books, and more and more goodies. A box will hold a lot of treasures. When we were back at camp, we had to try to remember who wanted what. We even went back the next day to see if we missed anything and of course we had.

We had a great time. Our Pastor was also in our camping group,. He is a camper and fisherman too and as most of his congregation from our little country church were off on an adventure....He came too. We enjoyed a wonderful church service by the lake on Sunday morning. We had our song leader with his guitar and music filled the air. I don't know what the others campers felt, but they sure missed a great service by not joining in with us. After church services, everyone started packing to leave, some stayed for a few more days, but our family had to go to work and school and check on things on the ranch. We will talk about our great time at "Fall Break" until we start to pack the camper and enjoy it again next year.

AEFOPZ DH2BMQ CAN YOU READ THIS LINE.

2010-10-05T21:52:00.003-05:00

Recently the Rancher and I went for our every few year eye exam. Now I go on a regular basis as I admit that I am pretty limited without my glasses. The Rancher is okay. He is not getting old... and his eyesight is okay. His trouble is with the new glasses that he got only 5 years ago and the prescription never was right.

So, we both need new glasses and guess what. He may be right...His eyes have improved 3 stages from what they were years ago. His reading range needed a little correcting but his far range vision is 20/20. Pretty good for an old guy.

Anyhow.....this is where I am going with this story. Yesterday morning after breakfast as we were getting ready for devotion, the Rancher was having a commotion and rubbing his eyes. "I can't see a thing with these glasses this morning." he informs me. "My right eye has been giving me fits all morning. After a show, I offered to read out of the Bible and the devotional book that we use. When devotion and prayer time are finished, he gathers up his things and tells me he has a really busy day and needs to be going.

Shortly after he leaves, I notice something shiny on the floor. It is the right lens out of his glasses. I called him and told him I knew why he couldn't see. I couldn't believe that he hadn't tried to clean them and noticed that. I did learn that he had dropped them when he first put them on and never thought about picking up ALL of the pieces.

Growing older is fun if you learn to laugh a lot.

While driving through Colorado we followed a large truck that had a message on it which said: STAY BACK 500 FEET....SENILE DRIVER AT THE WHEEL. I would like to have one of these if anyone knows where they are available. (I don't like to be tailgated)

Along the Rio Grande

2010-10-03T22:09:00.004-05:00

I have returned from my fabulous vacation to the Rockies. It was simply beautiful!!!
the aspens were a sight to behold. I am so glad we were able to go on this little adventure. Everything was breathtaking. I took pictures. When we were on the top of the divide looking across at the valleys below..I took pictures. The Rio Grande in all of its splendor....I took pictures. Wait a moment...What is this message on my camera? No memory? How can this be..I emptied my card on a disc before I left home and OH NO!!!! the card is at home in my computer.Am I getting a little senile in my old age? Naw, forgetful maybe, but not Senile.

Anyhow, I bought a disposable camera and have not developed the thing and my dear sister who we traveled with promised to share some of her pictures with me. She has a wonderful camera and she didn't leave anything at home. (Give her another 5 years)

We camped by the Rio Grande and were fortunate enough to be next to a stretch of railroad that had been recently opened for the tourist thing. We did not know this. The first night about dark thirty we heard a train whistle and it came to a stop. By the way, this was a jazzed up spike driver car turned touring car. It had 18 passengers and was making a maiden Full Moon run. The passengers made a rest stop at the facilities in our primitive camp area. We found out about the train rides and learned that we could go from our camp ground to Creede round trip for only $30 a piece. A little costy, but I imagine it was a beautiful ride, especially in the moonlight along the Rio Grande. The real beauty in the whole thing was the Full Moon shining on the golden aspens. It was a beautiful sight to see. I hope that I shall get to see it again sometime. The entire mountain valley was shinning at the late hour.

The next morning when we took our morning walk past the facilities in camp...we decided this was not only a a Full Moon run of the Durango and Rio Grande RR, it was really a Booze Cruze. The bottles and wine glasses told it all. I think they did have a good time though and I hope that no one fell in as they passed over the Rio Grande.

The next day, the RR car made other runs and was followed by several little cars that were once used by the section line men. Each one of them held 2 or 4 people. Now I think that would be fun and who knows, maybe next year I will pay my $30 and just ride the rail up to Creede instead of drive.

Stay tuned for another story of our adventures in the Rockies coming to Blogspot in the near future.

Away we Go

2010-09-22T15:24:00.002-05:00

In the morning we shall be on our way to Southwestern Colorado. We haven't been to that area for nearly 30 years. I have no excuse for that other than we just had other places to go. I am looking forward to seeing the area around South Fork again. I am sure it has changed drastically as all of the quaint, quiet places have that we visited for seclusion. Years ago, the Great Aunts and Uncles lived in the area but alas, they are all gone. I will think of them as we pass by.

We will be traveling with my younger sister and her husband who go to this area every chance they get. He is a fisherman and she is a wonderful photographer. Maybe I will have some pictures to post when I return. I wonder if the Elk will be in rut.....This is a sight to see and the noise is almost overpowering. I know that the bears have been troublesome in other areas that we have visited this year. I hope to see some. I don't want a close encounter with them but just a good view.

I hope to have a good story to tell when I return next week. The temperatures will be much cooler than her so I am packing my winter PJ's and warm clothes. I am looking foward to the change.

The Hunt is On!

2010-09-08T21:21:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful weekend with our family and friends. It was a 3 day weekend because of Labor Day but most of all it was the opening of Dove Season. The guys and grandsons cannot wait for the first of September as it officially is the beginning of Hunting for the rest of the year. They had a lot of luck and we are ready for a feast. Now I do not know how to cook them but....the hunters do. They also know how to clean them. That is one of my rules. My mamma taught this to me and I have not forgotten it. My mother in law never knew this rule. She gladly cleaned, and cooked whatever the men in her family brought in while they rested from their big adventure.

Now I am not oppossed to cooking it but the dressing and cleaning of thier game is just part of THE game. I do know that dove or quail marinated and cooked on the grill is very tasty but I am not even asking for the recipe. If I knew the proceedure, I would be expected to cook it. There is no reason to learn that at my age. I will let my daughters have that honor, if they choose, and I will enjoy the fruits of their labor. I did tell them the rules though so I hope that they will remember them.

This Game was a Flop!

2010-08-20T20:00:00.004-05:00

In my younger days, I played basketball. I loved playing basketball and as I was a tall girl, I started playing in our small school quite young. I was so proud when I was asked to play in a Jr. High Tourmament for the small schools in the area. I was in heaven, as I was only in the 6th grade.

I thought I was just pretty special as none of the other girls in my class were asked to play. We had all played basketball since starting school and it was the game to be played in small schools in our area.

We were in the finals and I was playing in the forward position. This was in the days of six players and Oklahoma had not started playing full court yet. Each team had 3 players on each end of the court and the center line divided our territory.

Now, being in the 6th grade, I was not as socially developed as the girls in the 8th grade. I was not afraid to play the game but something happened this day that I did not know how to handle.

My bra strap came unfastened. In early times, there were no sports bras and bras had adjustable straps. These straps were known to come undone at the most unconvenient times. This was the day. I did not think of being prepared and pinning my straps in the event this would happen. I had not had this happen in my short time of wearing a bra.

The game was close, We had the ball and I was holding my arm close to my side so nothing would flop. Coach was yelling at me to "get in the game" and pay attention.
Then the unthinkable happened. MY OTHER STRAP CAME LOOSE. I looked at the coach, called timeout and ran to the locker room. I was too embarassed to tell Mr. Coach what had happened.

I don't even remember what happened after that. I can't remember if we won the game. I just remember the humiliation and I ALWAYS, SAFETY PINNED MY BRA STRAPS after that.

I played in a lot more basketball games and tournaments but I will never forget the first time I played with the big girls.

My Prayer this evening.

2010-08-14T20:43:00.004-05:00

Father, I pray that you be with my sick friends and family today.
I know that you love them and that you have a plan for their lives, but it is so hard to watch them suffer. Hold their families in your arms and give them comfort and peace. Your will in our lives is the perfect will, for you know what tomorrow holds and we pray that we can let you be in charge and not try to take control of things. I have trouble doing that sometimes. Thank you for listening to me. I love you and I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

Why I Never Get Anything Done

2010-08-13T20:54:00.003-05:00

Last night as I went to bed, my thoughts were in high gear about what I was going to do today. I had a list and I had a plan. I went to bed at 9:30 because I was so tired. This heat really drains me.

At exactly 7 A.M. this morning I awoke. This is one hour past my normal time. I am already behind with the schedule that I had made for myself. After breakfast, devotion, and a short chat with The Rancher, I decided to tackle the kitchen. Before I started, I found someone had brought me peaches so they had to be taken care of. It is now 9 o'clock. I talk to Andi and find out about the sick granddaughter, this takes 15 minutes. This is my vitamin A for the day, gets me started. After I hang up I clean off all of the kitchen cabinets. I stash so many things on them. I don't know why I don't just put things away in the first place.
The phone rings--It is Mom. She thanks me for the visit yesterday and we chat for 10 minutes. I sweep the kitchen floor, the entryway and front bathroom. While I am in the bathroom, I clean it.

Back to the kitchen..it is now 10:30. The Rancher wants early lunch. I prepare some fresh vegetables and peel potatoes. I fix chicken fried steak while the potatoes are cooking. I quickly mop the kitchen. LOVE THAT SWIFFER. Finish lunch and load the dishwasher. I have bought a new kitchen faucet and hope to install it today.

The Rancher wants to go to the local quick stop and have a soda and see if there is anyone to visit with. I go along. The thermometer on the porch says 107.8 the one in the truck says 108. IT IS HOT!!!! When we get home it is 4:30. My sweetie prepares to install the faucet. YEA!!! We get it installed with no mishaps and no extra pieces. Our Son comes in and wonders what was wrong with the old one. I told him if he thought it was so nice he could put it in his kitchen. He declined. My sister calls. We talk about her garage sale tomorrow. My husbands mom calls.

So....
I did get some of the things accomplished, but not half of them. What I did do was visit with my daughter, Mom, husband, the neighbors at the Quick Stop and later Son, my sister and my other Mother. So it was a good day.

The Joys of Summer

2010-08-10T09:24:00.002-05:00

Summer is a wonderful time of year when you are a kid and have two full months of freedom from school, homework and schedules. It is a wonderful time for teachers too. The last day of school for the year is met with great anticipation of the things that are ahead. Summer was never long enough, when I was a kid, there was always so much to do in the little towns that I grew up in. My earlier years were spent in the County Seat and all of my relatives lived nearby. I had a lot of friends that lived up and down the block too. It was a great time in the late 40's and early 50's to be a kid. No one worried about you walking down town to the local drug store for a soda or playing in the park alone or riding your bike around town in the cool dusk of the evening. There were no strangers in our town. Everyone knew everyone else and if a stranger came around.....everyone knew it. The only kidnapping we had ever heard of was the Lindburgh case and that was a long time ago.

Some of my favorite memories of summer were spent with Grandparents and at the cousins houses. They all lived in the country and I was in town. The farm had so many places to explore and we also had jobs. My family taught their children a work ethic as soon as they were big enough to handle a hoe, sit on a milk stool or gather the eggs and feed the chickens. A young girl also learned to make the beds, iron and help with the kitchen and household chores.

One of the busiest times in our family was when grandma's orchard started to produce. My paternal grandparents had a huge orchard with fruit that included peaches, apricots, cherries, apples, grapes, blackberries, pears, dewberries and raspberries. I doubt that my grandmother ever bought fruit unless it was pineapple. She even raised her own melons and peanuts. The wild sandhill plums were used for jams and jellies and even cobblers. I didn't much like the cobblers as the seed was left in the plum and had to be spit out.

When the fruit was ready, the entire family that was available came and we went to work. Each one had a bucket and we picked the fruit of the season. We sorted, washed, and prepared the fruit for the jars for canning. This was before freezers in our area. It was almost before electricity in that area. My grandma, Mom, and the Aunts, would get the fruit packed and start the job of processing. Part of the fruit was canned, part of it made into jelly and jams, and some of it was eaten fresh. The childrens job, after the picking, was to stay out of the way. We were glad to mind.

I can remember Grandma's kitchen floor being so sticky from all of the business of the fruit. When we walked across it, our shoes would click as we lifted them up, juice and sugar have a way of getting where they shouldn't be. Some of the things that we did get to help with was pitting the cherries, with the wonderful cherry pitter and peeling the apples. Grandmas also had an apple peeler. After the apples were peeled and cored, those peelings were cooked down and the juice was made into jelly. Nothing was wasted.

I have had a good crop of fruit this year. The apricots were plentiful and the sandhill plum bushes have been loaded. I am amazed at the people who would rather buy a jar of jam or jelly at the store than take the time to gather the rewards that God has provided for us. Gathering plums with my grandchildren was a special treat this summer. The younger ones spent most of the time exploring the plum thicket and eating but that is what it is all about. Grandpa, the kids, grandkids, and I had a special time together. I cherish that.

I HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE.

Happy Birthday Dawn

2010-08-02T21:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter. She has grown into such a beautiful person. Of course she was a beautiful little girl. Don't you love that smile. She loved her horses and loved helping her Dad. That was a few years ago. We are proud of her and her family. First children always have it a little rough you know,as the parents have to learn on them. I always used that for an excuse anyhow. Dawn we are proud of you and your family. Have a Happy Birthday.

What Time is it Anyhow??

2010-07-20T14:48:00.002-05:00

I Have too many clocks in my house. At least I have a lot of things that have the time on them. I don't know how this happened. It has a lot to do with the fact that everytime I buy something electronic--it has clock--watch--timepiece or whatever you want to call it made into it. In my kitchen alone are 5 different things that I can look at if I want the time. Well, actually, the approximate time, as none of them say the same thing. That would be partly my fault as I am the one who sets them. The digital ones on the stove, microwave, coffeemaker, and phone all blink when the electricity glitches, and that happens about once a day in the heat of the summer. I finally decided not to set the one on the microwave and coffeemaker. I fix the stove as it continually blinks if you don't and the phone resets itself. I really do enjoy the big clock on the wall with the hands that move slowly around and is pretty much right until I need to change the battery.

In the living room, I have a beautiful Grandfather Clock, inherited from a great Aunt. I love this clock, but it gains about 5 minutes every week and I am not sure how to slow it down as I did not inherit a book of instructions. There is also the proper time at the press of a button on the TV. Part of the day, there is a cell phone laying about the house showing me exacatly what time it is.

In each of the 3 bedrooms, there is a bedside clock. I just know that my company will want to know if they are oversleeping at my house in the morning. They may even want an alarm to wake them. HA! Through the years I have acquired the habit of having a clock in each of the 2 bathrooms. When my children were at home, this was suppossed to hurry them along and let them know that 15 minutes was long enough when someone else was waiting to get ready for school. I have a clock on the radio in the sewing room along with a decorative clock that my son bought for me.

The Den has the time on the computer, on the phone and a lovely barn timepiece hangs on the wall. At anytime, there are about 15 different places that I can look to see just what time it is. They all say different things. Oh the phones and computer are probably right as they are set with some satellite in the sky. The rest are set by me and I am not perfect.

In the home that I grew up in, we had a clock in the kitchen, and one in the bedrooms to get us up in the morning. My grandmother, carried her clock from the kitchen to the bedroom and back. She only had one clock, never a watch and probably was more on time than any of us are today.

For some reason, I have never put a clock in the utility room and Thank goodness, the washer or dryer does not have one. That's okay though as I am just passing through that room. I am glad that no one has bought me a clock for the patio or the porch, I think that would be the last straw. I just try to consider which clock I am looking and take a stab at the right time and be on my way, and I hope that I am not too late. That's my excuse and I am stickin' to it.

Summer Fruit

2010-07-12T14:01:00.002-05:00

If you have read Andi's Ramblings or It Just Dawned On Me---You know that our family has been blessed with abundant apricots. Unfortunately, I do not have batteries for my camera and they are dead. I am not as fanatic over cameras and pictures as my daughters are. Shame on me. It might be that I grew up in a time when we didn't take pictures just to be taking them. I guess I just never got addicted to it. Anyhow just ask my daughter, Andi, as she can tell you that a roll of film of her eighth birthday party was finally developed when she was 20 years old. Not as clear as it could have been, but none the less we got the pictures, and proof of who broke the lamp.

Back to the reason for this addition to Perils of the Sandcreek Ranch. We did and still do have a wonderful crop of apricots. It makes me sad how many have gone to waste. I know that my grandmothers would be so ashamed of me for the waste. They each would go out each morning and gather all of the "windfall" fruit and either make it for lunch, make jams and jellies or can the fruit itself. Nothing went to waste. I have made jams, pies, froze apricots, gave buckets of the fruit away and begged others to come and get it. It seems that this is a bumper crop year for everyone. I heard one friend say that she was just putting them into peoples cars at church. Made me think of the squash season. You know everyone locks their car doors for fear of being blessed by everyone who raises them.

This morning, I went with the Rancher to check cattle on the west end of SandCreek and decided to check on the plums. I have NEVER seen so many plums. The bushes are loaded and hanging over the banks of the creek. We had two buckets and filled them with ripe fruit. There are areas that are still green, some just turning and an abundance of ripe ones. God has blessed us. I told the Rancher that we had to gather all that we could as it was the best crop we have ever had. Is this a sign that we will not be having any for several years? I always freeze several gallons for the years we don't have any. Making too much jelly at a time is not good.

Sandhill Plums make the best jams and jellies. I can hardly wait. I remember my grandmother telling of packing a lunch and the family taking the wagon and making a day of picking sandhill plums. They were the only fruit available in the early days. Grandma also made a wonderful Plum pudding and cobbler. She didn't always take the seeds out though and we had to be careful when eating it.

If you haven't had a hot piece of toast topped with homemade sandhill plum jam, you don't know what you are missing. Grab a bucket and head for the country. The thickets along the roadsides are loaded (if they haven't all been picked). Gather the kids and grandkids and make a fun time of it.

My Dad, A Builder of Roads

2010-06-22T07:34:00.003-05:00

I am late with this post. I was trying to scan a picture of my Dad for Fathers day and NO LUCK!! I hope that I get this computer figured out before long. I think part of the problem was being without one for so long and this old gal just don't remember like she used to. Imagine That!! Anyhow back to the topic of the Day.

Sunday was Fathers Day, a time for remembering our Dads. My own Dad has been gone for nearly 12 years but I have many special memories of him and still think of him almost daily. My dad wasn't always around when I was growing up as he had a job that kept him away from home. He built roads. Every road I drive down in our part of the state, I know that my dad played a part in the construction of them. He started to work for the Highway Department in 1950 at the end of a shovel (so to speak). He retired with the title Resident Engineer of Division Six in 1984. His hard work, determination, night school, correspondence courses and his "I will do my best" attitude, helped him to achieve this goal.

When I was a child, not many roads in NW Oklahoma were paved. Most towns had a strip of pavement about 3 miles coming into them on the major highways. This was a time before the Interstate System, so a major highway was one that went from one state to the next, or a US highway. The State Highways, weren't paved until later. My dad was away from home as these roads were being improved. In that time, one did not drive home at night if it was any distance. I think an hours drive must have been too far, as some of the places he talked about are within that distance.

When he was at home, I loved to hear about the places he stayed. I just knew that they were wonderful places. What lovely names they had. Elmwood----Doesn't that just sound like a place filled with tree lined streets. I used to ask Dad about it..

Daddy, is it a pretty place, Does it have a creek....Are there lots of trees? I am sure my questions went on and on but that perticular name just fascinated me. Guess what....When I married the Rancher, Elmwood was just down the road. I really had to laugh about my childhood fascination with that name. Elmwood, was just a crossroads of two highways. NO town at all, but a Service Station, a motel, Cafe, and Post Office to serve a large rural area. Oh, there is a beautiful creek about a mile down the road but, Elmwood sits on a hilltop with few trees at all.

As I drive down these roads, I have memories of my Dad, I remember his frustrations and pride with certain bridges and curves. I think of Dad each time I approach them. I am proud to see that his works are still in use today. Through time, much of the pavement has been replaced with updated products and I know that eventually all of the bridges will be replaced, but today, I can still see the the products of his labor and feel a great pride.

Making a memory

2010-06-11T11:36:00.005-05:00

I remember as a child going to the row of mulberry trees that lined the lane to Grandads pasture and picking the wonderful fruit that they bore. I loved mulberrys until someone older informed me that they had bugs in them. I should have know that to eat them was okay though as my grandmother would pick them and make a delicious cobbler or just serve them with sugar and cream for desert for lunch.

Last evening, Logan, Paula and I went to our own mulberry trees and picked mulberrys. The hot winds have dried many of them and the have not all ripened but we did pick about four cups with a few black currents added. I decided that I would try making my grandmothers cobbler. We washed and washed to currents (just in case there were bugs)

Aiden helped make the cobbler and I forgot to take his picture. He loves to cook.

Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.....

YUM!!!!!! Grandma was right wasn't she Logan?

Memorial Day

2010-05-22T13:46:00.004-05:00

Today as the wind is blowing , I have decided that I don't want to be out mowing when is as blowing a gale of 30mph right on the ground. I guess that I will reminisce. Memorial Day is approaching and this year it will be celebrated on May 31 which is the last Monday of May. At one time, Memorial day was traditionally celebrated on May 30th, regardless what day of the week it fell on. A Monday gives the work force an extra day to go to the lake, or whatever it is that they do. I have found that most people don't go to the cemeteries on that day.

Memorial Day was traditionally observed to honor the dead servicemen of all wars. At sometime, it was decided to honor all dead, and time was spent decorating graves around the country. I imagine it was observed in that matter more in the rural areas than the cities.

Today, elaborate wreaths, and silk flower arrangements are purchased and placed on graves. When I was a child, things were much different. There may have been some wreaths to purchase, but I mostly remember buying a poppy made of crepe paper from the local American Legion and proudly wearing it pinned to my dress for the day.

Mom, my grandmothers and Aunts, made all of the flowers that were placed on loved ones graves. The flowers that they made were so beautiful. My mom could make the prettiest roses out of crepe paper. She also made lovely hyacinths, sweetpeas, and carnations. When the flowers were finished, we would dip them in melted wax to help them stay pretty for a longer period of time. When we had all of the flowers that we needed, we would cut cedar branches and form a wreath or swag out of them and attach the flowers. I thought they were beautiful. I am not sure when we started buying everything. Perhaps it took less time and looked a little better.

Memorial Day was spent visiting with neighbors and friends from far away who had came home to honor passed family members. There was often a program and a military salute. We dressed up for this occasion. It was a special day. Grandma would walk around and comment on names on the headstones that she knew. She knew them all as she had homesteaded with most of them. We would have company for lunch, it was a day of memories.

Today, we hurry to decorate sometime in the days ahead so we can have the whole weekend to run around. We go in our jeans and hurry, hurry to get things done. We don't have time to walk around and remember. I imagine that this is a tradition that will soon pass. Not many younger people pay this tribute unless they have lost someone who is very close to them.

I hope this hasn't been a morbid post for you to read as I wanted to remember how it was. Our lives have gotten so fast paced and it is good to look back once in awhile. I still take my mother and mother-in-law on their rounds to the places where they want to decorate the final resting place of their loved ones. We do this to remember and cherish those times spent with them. I will carry on the tradition.

A New Computer

2010-05-19T20:42:00.002-05:00

I finally took the plunge and bought a new computer. I thought I had better just get a new desk top as the Rancher would never get the hang of a laptop. I wonder if either of us will get this one figured out. It is so nice and has a wonderful screen that is big enough to watch movies on but it LOOKS SO DIFFERENT. It seems the older that I get, the harder it is for me to accept change. I am maybe in a rut. I like things the way they are. Maybe I think if nothing ever changes, then I won't either. That is a good laugh. When I opened up my pictures on this screen, I was horrified at the women who looks like my grandmother in some of the pictures. Turns out, they were me.

I remember, when I was a child, that people always told me that I looked like my paternal grandmother. What a horrible thing to sayto a child. My grandma, was old, wrinkled and had white hair. Turns out, maybe they were right. I do have some of those features now. I just hope that I can be half as nice as she was. She always had kind words to say. I think I maybe better work on that one.

Thanks Dawn for helping me get this together. Now for the really hard part-----getting it all together in my head. That will be an undertaking.

A Computer for the Day

2010-05-03T14:12:00.004-05:00

Dear family and friends, please be patient with me. It has been so hard to be without a computer and I do not have a library handy (27 miles). My computer has been so sick and I cannot get anyone to seem to know how to fix it. I do need a new one. I would have never believed that I would miss the few things that I do with it. One of the most rewarding things I do is keep up with my family and friends. No, I am still not a face book person, I enjoy personal e-mail and my blog. Most of all I enjoy reading about the happening on the blogs that I follow or the ones that I check into once in awhile. It has been hard.

The Rancher has had a really hard time. He has been forced to watch some TV as he cannot play his beloved games. He is a solitaire and free cell whiz. I guess that he is anyhow, he spends a lot of time playing it. Maybe he is still trying to perfect the game......I don't know. The worst part about all of this is the fact that I down-sized my TV programs. I am not about to pay $65 for a bunch of junk. That is just how I feel about it. I am now on the Family package and it has more things than I can watch. Hey, it is garden and yard time anyhow and that will keep me busy for the summer.

It is also time to get the 5th wheel out and get it ready to go camping. I hope that Mr. Rancher gets in the mood a little quicker this year than he has in the past. I think it is time to slow down and smell the pine trees, and enjoy some of this beauty that God has given to us. I am also feeling led to do a service work as we vacation this summer too. I feel that God has been directing me to help in an area where there are small churches needing someone to help for a bit this summer. I have talked to Pastor about it and he has given me a direction to search but I just haven't made the connection yet. I guess that I am waiting to see if God really has that plan for me. Pray for me.

We enjoyed our family over the week end. The Nurse came home with Studmuffin and Popcorn and Bookworm. They had things to do, and we had a great time. Popcorn now has curley hair. (a new perm) We also went to the School Art Show and saw our Senior artist win the best of the show. Wooo-woo!!! She also received another award and came home with money in her pocket. Also viewed the wedding dress for the oldest granddaughter. We are proud. I haven't found out how the ballgames in Texas came out but hope that they were okay.

Here's hoping that I get a new computer soon and that someone will help me get it set up. Have a good week and Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's. Remember to send me a real card, as the computer is out!!! HA It was good to be in touch.

A Man and A Woman

2010-04-08T13:16:00.004-05:00

When I looked at the title that I given this blog, I had to laugh. I had typed "a moan and a woman". Funny, but maybe that is what it is. I mean, I moan and groan about some of the strange things that the Rancher does and he sure moans about my lack of ability at some of his jobs. I have to tell ya' though, how a man does some things, never sieze to amaze me.

I guess that a woman is used to multi-tasking, as when I clean off the table, I stack the plates, silverware, and anything else that I can pile on and head for the cabinet, sink or wherever. I can tuck things in my arms and the table is clean in two trips. The Rancher carries one thing at a time. He usually helps with the morning table so we can have our devotion.

He carries the jelly to the refrigerator.

He puts his pills up.

He puts the milk in the refrigerator.

He puts my pills away.

He carries his bowl and plate to the cabinet.

He carries his water and milk glass to the cabinet.

Yadda, yadda, dah... You get ethe picture. It drives me crazy. I am not going to complain though because he is doing it while I do something else.

I can have an idea about some of his work that I think would save him a lot of time. He usually doesn't pay any attention to me though because he didin't think of it.
The other day, he wanted to go to the neighbors. Before we could go, he had to check some wells. They are located between our house and the neighbors house. I suggested we just check them on our way over to their house.

"Well, I need to check some cattle on the Highway," says Rancher.

"It is also on the way and I don't mind going in the old pick-up." I reply.

At this point, I am thinking...either he doesn't want me to go with him or he is meeting someone on the sly.(not really)

I think the thing is.....a man just thinks of one thing at a time and they get it done. I always am going in a circle, trying to do too many things at once and never complete any of them. Maybe a man is right.(DON'T EVER SAY I SAID THAT) Maybe I should just take one thing off of the table at a time. Maybe them I would at least accomplish one thing between breakfast and lunch. (besides checking things on my computer)Maybe I would at least have the kitchen cleaned.

The Rascals on the Square

2010-04-05T15:49:00.003-05:00

When I was a kid......Here I go again, with another chapter of the little rascals Oklahoma Style. I have told you about living in small town Oklahoma and some of the antics of the neighborhood gang, haven't I. Well, if you don't want to read about it, you are free to go. You will miss a good story though. I am so glad that I never shared these things with my children when they were growing up. What would they have thought of me and what will they think today.

Oh well, we were just unsupervised kids who had a lot of fun. Our parents worked, we were to check in once in awhile and we sure had to come in and eat lunch and maybe take a nap. We roamed the town looking for things to do. We knew every older lady in town and what day they made cookies and who made the best ones. I loved Mrs. B's oatmeal/raisin cookies and she always enjoyed sharing one of them with her young visitors.

Our town's business district was in a square, built around the Courthouse, and the courtyard. The library was located in the basement of the Courthouse. I loved to go to the courthouse to check out books in the summertime. Well, I am not sure that I always checked out books but I loved to go to the courthouse. The Courthouse was 3 stories and it had a basement. There were wonderful stairs to climb and lots of banisters to slide down. These banisters were constructed of concrete and were wonderful to slide down. They were wide enough to actually sit on. Maybe these stairs were off from the offices, but I don't recall anyone ever making us leave this wonderful activity. There were always at least 3 of us so I am sure that we made noise. I learned in later years that my own mother had done this very thing when her Father worked in the Courthouse and that it was the thing they expected a child to do. Maybe that is why the library was in the basement.

We never went to the top story though as that is where the "prisoners" were kept. Now is the late 1940's and early 50's the only prisoners were likely someone who had a little too much to drink at the Saturday Dance out at the Legion Hut. We didn't know that though and we were sure that there might be a bank robber in the upper rooms. We would often take up quarters under the weeping mulberry tree, and eat green mulberrys and make faces at the windows on the third floor. This was to assure the prisoners that we did not approve of them and they better not mess with us. My, weren't we brave.

We were all friends with the proprietors on the square. There were 3 grocery stores, The Bank, Lawyers office, Hardware, Cafes, Theater, Clothing Stores, Abstract Ofices, The Chevrolet Dealer, Shoe repair shop, Filling(gas) Stations, Variety Store, Drug Stores, Beauty Shop, Millinery Shoppe, The Grand Hotel, and back in one corner....The Longbranch Salon. No kidding....right in my own town...Not the famous one of Dodge City Fame though. Just the Longbranch Salon. We never did go to that establishment.

Mr. W., the local shoe repairman, always had a story to tell us and we all enjoyed watching his skilled hands at work. He was a crippled man who had a wonderful smile and a friendly wife. He was a good friend even when I grew up and had children of my own.

Now that you know the layout of my town, ( I no longer live there) and the town has changed, you will be looking forward to more stories, I am sure. Well, you should be, I have some good ones. Some of them I will probably never tell though. I would be breaking a pact, of the Rascals on the Square.

He is Risen!

2010-04-03T21:21:00.002-05:00

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.

So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men.

He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day'?"

And they remembered His words.

Luke 24:1-8 NKJ

Thank You Father for a Risen Savior and Thank you Jesus for taking my place.

Happy 18th Birthday Beautiful Molly

2010-03-31T20:52:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday girl!!! Isn't she just lovely. Now, I know this is not your traditional picture, but there is not much traditional about this girl. She is one of a kind and we are glad that she is a part of this family.

April 2 is a very special day, because you were born. You have always been a blessing to us. Your parents picked this day for your birth (C-Section) as they did not want to have an April Fool's baby. Wouldn't it have been a joke on them if you would have decided to be born that day anyhow. You have always been a blessing to us and we are amazed at all of your talents and desires. God has blessed you.

We pray that you will have a very special day. Eighteen! WOW! Where did all of the time go? In a few short months you will be off to college and then Look Out World!!!

By the way, don't you think it would be grand if Grandpa would fix up this old pickup truck? I have tried to get him to do it many times. That was his first truck and that was where it quit him for the last time.

I Feel Spring In the Air

2010-03-25T16:08:00.005-05:00

It's a BEAUTIFUL day. Yesterday, it rained and threatened snow, but today is beautiful. Spring has arrived. I can see the buds on the apricot and peach trees getting fat and ready to burst. I hope that they don't get too anxious and it will probably freeze several times at night before it really gets spring in the panhandle. Last year, there was not any fruit because of a late frost so I am hoping that we will have some this year. We especially look forward to having a good crop of wild sandhill plums. Sand plums make the best jelly. I always try to pick enough to put some in the freezer for the years that we don't have a crop. We missed two years in a row so my store was depleted. My family loves this jelly and I always like to have some made as gifts for Christmas, and for welcoming newcomers to the community. It is a great way to get your foot in the door and welcome a new friend.

I don't have my garden tilled yet. It has been too wet and I guess that my potatoes and onions will be planted on good Friday instead of St Patricks day. I really don't plant too many potatoes though, just enough for fresh new ones with peas or beans. Mostly, we plant okra, beans, squash , tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. That is what does best in our soil and that is what we like when it is fresh. I am not like my dear grandmother. When she had a garden, it was intended to raise the food for the year. This she did, and her gardens produced enough to share and sell. It was nothing for her to can 500 to 700 quarts of vegetables and fruit a year. This was before many people were freezing their produce. There came a day when she knew that she would have to slow down though. One year, she didn't have any jars and had to pour out some of the older goods to have jars for the fresh things. After that she didn't plant such a large garden. She would think me to be lazy, I fear.

I have watched the birds getting friendly with one another and choosing their nesting spot. One of the favorites of the finches seems to be right over my car in the carport. I do enjoy watching them but hate the mess. I have learned to move my car just a little though and it helps to keep it clean. Mother bird, always has a clean nest as she has trained her babies to turn their tail to the outside and hit what is below. What a smart little thing.

Yes, I can feel spring in the air. The yard is calling and I can see a lot of work to do out there but I think I have a bad case of the Spring Fever or maybe it is just plain laziness, so I think I will first go and take a nap. Don't you think that sounds like a good idea????

2010-03-20T17:05:00.003-05:00

It has been quite a week on the Ranch. All of the kids and grandkids except for one were home. We have had company for 1 week. Oh not all of them but they were all here together for a couple of days. It is nice to get together, but mostly it is nice to come home and recapture the things of your youth. You know those like Mom makes the meals, picks up, does the laundry. All that sort of thing. Now not all of them revert to that but it is just a natural thing. I know that I sometimes still do it when I go to my own Mom's and she is 87 years old. There are things that you just want your parents to do for you.

Grandpa has had quite a week of letting the little ones help him with the feeding. He lets them all drive around the pasture while on his lap. I notice that he always has a hand on or near the steering wheel too. He even let the 3 year old great niece drive. Aren't grandpa's just wonderful or CRAZY? My grandpa never let that happen. Times have changed. My kids would say "Yea, but did you really want to hitch up the team?" The Rancher spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and riding too. He had a lot of help with that. The son and sons-in-law are great with the fishing and hunting division and Andi is great on the horse. Read all about at Andi's Ramblings.

The all had a lot of stories to tell about growing up and somehow, their stories aren't always the same as I remembered them. I guess I am getting forgetful. They could not always agree with each other about how hings happened though. Dawn found a lot of old pictures and we had a lot of fun.

t
I thought that I would show this picture to prove that I have rode a horse or at least sit on one. Isn't that a hoot, a Ranchers wife that doesn't like to ride horses. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a good instructor like my own children and never really thought about there being a special technique until I was older and didn't wish to make that climb anymore.

We were also informed that our oldest granddaughter would be getting married in the fall and we are so pleased with the young man that she brought out to join us for a time. I guess I really have to get serious about this diet as I don't want her to be embarressed to take a picture of me and grandpa.

I know it will be quiet around here for a few days but I always think of what my grandmother said when we were all getting ready to leave her home after a big day. She had 7 children 22 grandchildren and countless greats. She would inform us that there was no need to clean up the kitchen after supper. (We would spend the entire day). She said "Now I will just be so lonely that this will keep me from missing everyone." Wasn't she sweet to say that. In reality she meant, " Now if you will all just get out of here, as quickly as you can, I can have a little peace and quiet."
Grandpa, always said that he liked the lights on the car. The headlights when everyone came home and the taillights when they left looked pretty good too. They loved us all though and I know just what they meant.

Blessings

2010-03-04T14:18:00.002-06:00

I kneel down here before you Lord,
At the beginning of this day,
I have so much to thank you for,
As I bow my head and pray.

Some days there are so many things
That I need to do,
Sometimes I'm in such a hurry
That I don't take time for you.

Today, I want to thank you,
For the blessings that you give,
They come through opportunities,
Family and friends.

Some days, it seems that all I do
Is wipe little tears, and noses--
And referee the water fights,
That went from water guns to hoses.

I must make sure that one cookie
Isn't bigger that another
Remind them that thy musn't hit
Their sister or their brother.
Children and then Grandchildren--Thank you for this Blessing.

Honey, Can you please come and help me
Sort the cattle through the gate?
The truck will be here shortly, and
I don't want him to wait.

But, then, He helps me run the sweeper,
And he does the dishes too.
He prays with me each morning
As we start our day with you.
My Husband--Thank you for this Blessing.

The home that I grew up in,
My parents who lead the way,
It was the place where Sisters and brothers
Learned to laugh, work, sing and play.
Family-- Thank you for this Blessing.

I have one who knows when to call me
We talk for hours on the phone.
Another stops in to see me,
When she thinks I am feeling all alone.

One baked cookies for me
When I didn't have the time
One always keeps me laughing,
Another lends a shoulder to cry on.
My Friends--Thank you for these Blessings

The Rains that we pray for,
The wind that turns the mill.
The sun shining on the prairie,
The song of a whippoorwill.

The building where I worship,
The friends that fill each pew,
These are all special Blessings
And all have come from you.
Opportunities--I thank you for this Blessing.

From my files. I might say that God has blessed me in so many ways that I cannot count them all. We take so many things for granted, but in truth---All things good come from Him.

On the lighter side---

Why do we say something is out of whack--What is a whack?
If Superman is so smart, why does he wear his underpants over his trousers?
If people born in Poland are cales "Poles" why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?"
And finally---The older you get, The better you realize you were.

I am NOT a Technical Person

2010-02-27T10:33:00.004-06:00

My computer is having issues that I can't resolve. I know that the only solution is to take it to the computer Dr. It seems that my brain just does not understand the language it speaks to me about doing this or that. It is time to take a course. I think every time that they have a class for Sr. Citizens at the nearest Vo Tech., which is 56 miles away that I will go. The distance, and going everyday for several weeks turns my mind otherwise. By the way, This is the

#1 Answer to the wonderful award that I have recieved from Andi on Andi's Ramblings. Thank You Very Much. I guess that my mind is stuck in a time frame where all things were okay...So why change. I do like my computer though and my digital camera. I hope that it ends there as I am perfectly content with my radio, and doing without an Ipod and all that stuff is just fine with me. My grandchildren think it would be nice for me to have a wii. Maybe it would be but just don't mess with my mind.

#2. I constantly worry about my weight and healthy eating. I think about it a lot. As a matter of fact, I do cook healthy food right along with all of the old favorites and guess what--- Carrots and celery are NOT as good as caramel snack mix or chocolate chip cookies. Pray for me. I do every morning and God does get a hold of me most days. Winter is hard on a diet, It is fun to try new recipes, have friends over for a pot of chili and play cards and snack afterwards. We have started having grapes and apples for our snack while playing pinocle. This is necessary as we need something to keep us going for the hours we play. We must play 3 games unless someone wins two in a row. Most of the time we have to play 3 games anyway because it is so much fun.

#3. I procastinate A Lot. I always think I can do something later. Now, I wasn't always like that. When I had children at home and when I worked, I KNEW that there had to be a schedule. What in the world happened to it??? I used to make lists and when something was marked off, I felt great about it. I look at my living room and think this looks okay, there is no clutter, but guess what, I have not dusted for 3 weeks. YUCK! How did I get like this. I used to dust twice a week. I just did it, just like running the sweeper every other day and mopping the kitchen every day. It just needed to be done. In all honesty, I do keep the kitchen clean. And the bathrooms, I hate a dirty bathroom.

#4. I am NOT perfect. I have a hard time with people who think they are. Some people are so perfect, that there friends need to be perfect too. I wonder how many friends they find. There is always Jesus, He was and is the perfect example for us to follow but no matter how hard I try, I just don't always get it right. Oh, I can be honorable to Him, but then there are the everyday things that get in the way of my being perfect. Read #3 to find some of them. I also have a pile of half finished things to do. Why don't I just get up and finish at least one of them today. I might but if I do, I might not have time to go out to dinner with friends and that is much more important than things. Isn't It? Light a candle and turn the lights low and no one will notice your dust. Well, that is unless they put their hand on the end table that you never use.

#5. I don't like waiting on people who are late all of the time. I think my time is as precious as the next person. Some of my friends cannot make an appointment with the rest of us as they have to finish their projects or morning chores. So what---finish them when you go home or be like me---Have a pile of half finished things and just don't dust unless you can write your name on the table. We can't start Bible study on time because we know someone else is coming and they won't want to miss out. One lady has started leaving at the appointed time even if we aren't through. She always comes on time thought and good for her for being bold enough to leave. Sometimes I do too but I carpool and can't always do that.

#6. I am tired of Snow. Never, Never, Never in my life did I think this Oklahoma Rancher's wife would say those words. This has been and exceptional winter though. I remember when we would talk about the Snow that we had in Decamber or the one that we had in February. This is the year when we talk about the "Snow" that we had over the week end and the one on Thursday and the one that is coming on Monday. Snow, Snow, Snow. I thank God for this wonderful moisture everyday and He knows our needs. I never want it to stop but I AM TIRED OF IT.

#7. I like a good recipe. I also like to alter ones that I find to fit our tastes. So when someone asked me for a recipe---it is usually really Mine. I always tweek them no matter what. I just think---well, this will be good in it, or I don't like that flavor, so I change it. I am going to share a wonderful recipe with you now. You can find one similar on a famous persons web, but this one belongs to the famous Rancher's wife, Namely ME.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup granulated sugar
5 large eggs - beaten
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
4-5 cups of cubed bread that has been dried overnight or in the oven.
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
Cinnamon to taste
1 cup pecans
1 cup raisins (optional)

SAUCE
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter melted
1 beaten egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Preheat oven at 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 baking dish. Mix sugar, eggs and milk and vanilla in bowl. Pour over the cubed bread and let set for 10 minutes.

In another bowL mix the brown sugar and softened butter (not melted) and nuts, etc.

Put bread mixture in the 13x9 pan and cruble the brown sugar mixture over it. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until set. Remove from oven .

For the Sauce--Mix the suger, butter, egg and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is melted, Add the brandy if you choose. Serve over warm bread pudding. I have added orange juice instead of the brandy and this is good, also lemon juice may be added. You do need the liquid though. Eat and Enjoy.
WARNING---THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR A DIET.

I don't know who to give this blogger's award to as I am sure that the 3 people that follow me faithfully have already received this. If you read this and you wish to list some things about you that know else knows, just do it and let me know. Welcome Paulette. You are too funny.

Just go Ahead and Buy it.

2010-02-12T00:03:00.003-06:00

Yea, Go ahead and buy some of these. They are Great and especially if you fix them this way:

Carmel Puffcorn

8 cups of puffed corn
2 cups nuts
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 stick butter or margarine (4 Tablespoons)

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Mix puffed corn and nuts and spread out on a cookie sheet. Mix syrup, brown sugar, and butter in microwavable dish and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high. Stir and return to microwave and cook on high until mixture comes to a boil. Remove and add baking soda and vanilla. Mix and pour over corn and nut mixture. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. spread out to cook and break in pieces when cooled. Store in plastic container, if it doesn't disappear too quickly.

Thanks Dawn, for reminding me about this on It Just Dawned on Me.

Another Snowy Day

2010-02-08T08:29:00.003-06:00

I could post some more snow pictures but, alas, that is getting to be old news. It is snowing again this morning. The Rancher measured 4 inches around 7 a.m. on the table in the yard. I think this is about right as it sits up in the air and hasn't melted. This too is a beautiful snow and all of the trees are heavy. Maybe all of this snow will change minds about global warming. Have I mentioned that before? Probably, I seem to repeat myself more than I should.

This weather is good for reading. The Rancher is reading Going Rogue by Sarah. I started reading it and was about one fourth through when He needed something to read. I decided it was best to wait until he finished to pick it up again. It is a good read and makes you know that this lady and her family are about as ordinary as they get. She has met the same trials as most mothers have, and had some hard decisions to make.

I am reading condensed stories from Readers Digest. that is about how my attention span is now. I am also catching up on the magazines that have accumulated. It is also good weather for my mending pile and sewing.

This is Valentines week. Time to think of something special for your sweetie. When one lives miles from the nearest restaurant, it is easier to have a special meal at home. Many times I have fixed a special dinner and ate by candlelight with my sweetheart. Even after all of these years, the spark is still there. I thank God each day for this wonderful man that has taken care of and put up with me for all of these years.

Love is from God...

Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.....Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another God dwells in us and His love is perfected in us.

1 John 4: 7, 11-12

Love is also like a Fairy Tale....And once in awhile right in the middle of real life...God gives us a Fairy Tale.

Now with all of that...I shall get busy and think of what I will do for my Sweetheart this week.

The Early Years

2010-02-02T14:47:00.003-06:00

When I made my post about riding for the Brand, I remembered some polaroid pictures that I had of the early day cowgirls. This will take you back to yesterday. I should have copied each picture individually but alas, these old pictures were stuck to the book and there are pictures on the other side so cutting them up was not an option. I shall come up with a solution.

Isn't hindsight wonderful. Now all of my pictures are in a chest. I have told my kids this is to preserve them better. I am NOT lazy. I just have a fun picture chest, box and drawers to go through. Someday my children can have the pleasure of separating them and see who gets what. In the meantime I shall continue to take them with my digital camera and never have them developed, just upload them on my computer and hope it doesn't crash.

Riding for the Brand

2010-02-01T22:24:00.004-06:00

Oh Give me a Home

Where the Buffalo roam

Where the Deer and

The Antelope Play

So much for that, I wanted the bison to be second. Will I ever figure this out. Anyhow isn't this great. NO SNOW. Just Grandpa and the girls riding through the herd.

Surviving The Storm

2010-01-28T19:07:00.002-06:00

It is the only thing on television today---"The Winter Storm of 2010". It has been the main topic for several days and today it finally happened. We watched in the early morning as the City was experiencing rain which eventually turned to ice and snow. We saw pictures of broken trees across cars and houses, we watched the traffic backed up on the I-40 and knew that roads were closed across the Texas Panhandle and the entire state of Oklahoma. It was a meteorologist dream, He is on the same high as a kid with a sugar rush or me with a piece of chocolate. The Storm has arrived.

I don't think one school in the State of Oklahoma had school today as they were fearful of what was coming. The weathermen have done their job. People hurried to the grocery store and to the hardwares for the things needed to help them survive. If the electricity goes off you will need lanterns, candles, maybe a generator. Truck loads of generators arrived in OK City from across the country anticipating this storm and the great sales they will make.

We (I) brought loads of wood into the house,(no garage) and hope that we will have enough if the electricity does go off. The Rancher and Son are working on the gas well that provides gas to Son's house. It is dark and I know they are cold as it is 16 degrees and the wind is blowing fierce. I pray for them to just come to our house and get warm. We check on our elderly mother who lives three miles away. She does not want to leave her house and her bed. If the drifts are too bad, we will not be able to get to her house in the morning. She assures me by phone that she is okay.

We saw dozens of utility trucks on the highways going toward where the worst of the storm is. They are coming from an area where the storm hasn't been, to help in our time of need.

It is a time for pulling together and helping each other and it is a time of worry for each other. I pray for the cattle and little animals that are out in the storm. I watched the birds at the feeders this afternoon in the shelter of the ceders and pines. I love to watch them, please God keep them safe.

The storm is expected to move out tomorrow, but it will not be over. There will be alot of work to do. Cattle to feed, fence to repair where the weight of the drifts have pulled the wires loose. When the sun comes out we will marvel at the beauty of the sunshine on the snow and the way it glistens.

My Professor Daughter told me they made Snow Ice Cream this afternoon. I had forgotten about that. Here is the recipe.

Snow Ice Cream

A very large bowl of Snow (10 Qt. Tupperware)
2 cups of sugar
Vanilla to taste
Milk to make it slushy

Mix and eat.

I remember what a treat this was when I was a child . I hope that my grandsons enjoyed it today.

The Storm

2010-01-26T22:49:00.003-06:00

There is much talk the past two days of the predicted storm. It is to move into our area late Wednesday or early Thursday. It is still uncertain where the brunt of the storm shall hit but we will probably not feel the full force of it here. How can they really tell for sure where it will be?

A winter storm brings a lot of work to the ranch. I guess it brings a lot of work wherever it hits. We spend a lot of time feeding cattle and fighting the elements. Our prayer is that the power stays on. So many things depend on the electricity, that too many days without it is costly. We have water wells, our freezers, just to mention a few things.

I remember in the year of 1971 (Oh, NO, grandma's off on another story) in the last week end of February, we had one terrific storm. The afternoon was pleasant and our family was off to my sisters, just an hours drive away for a soup supper and an evening of family fun. Our children were all small so we wouldn't be staying very late. Right after supper, it began to snow a little. (a 1-2 in accummulation was predicted) We decided to play a quick game of cards before heading on home. We did not know that the storm had started in that area earlier and that it was a heavy wet snow. We loaded in our little Ford falcon with our 3 children who were 9 months, 3 and 6,and headed for home. In a few short miles, we were concerned if we would even get home. This was before cell phones and we didn't even have a CB. What were we thinking??? The snow on the highway was deep and there was no traffic. The Rancher continued on and did not dare slow down as the snow was heavier and heavier. We passed through two small towns but the rancher insisted that we go on home as we had cattle and several sows that we were farrowing out. In time we did meet some traffic as there were Regional Basketball tournaments in the area and others were trying to get to their homes. At one point, we had trouble climbing a hill out of the River valley and a load of teen age boys got out and helped us. They were a blessing from God as they did help us get on the way but we were still 20 miles from home. The Rancher drove, the kids slept and I prayed. I am sure that the Rancher was praying too.

We reached home at 3:00 a.m., 6 hours after we had left my sisters house 60 miles away. We were tired and so thankful that we had made it. Sometime later the wind started to blow and it continued to snow through the next day. When it was over, we had accummulated nearly 3 feet of snow and the drifts were higher than the eaves on our house. We had to dig our way out. The Rancher spent hours rescueing baby pigs from their pens outside and moving them into the barn. This was during the time it was snowing. He had a lot of trouble with a huge drift near the barn. When the storm was over we discovered he had been walking over the drift that covered the combine.

Many people lost a lot of cattle, and other animals during this storm, but we were blessed. It was 3 days before we could get the tractors out and try to get to the cattle. The roads were impassible so they drove through the pastures wherever they could. By the grace of God, we did not lose our power and we had telephones. Remember we did not have cell phones and I worried until the men came home. We did a lot of praying.

This storm is brought to mind every season when the weathermen start to talk about how bad it will be. The area south had already had "The Storm of 2009". We missed that one over Christmas, and I am thankful. We can always know that as long as there is December, January and February and March, there can be a big snowstorm on the plains. In one respect, we are thankful. The snow brings an abundant amount of moisture and nitrogen to the soil. So even in the storm God blesses us.

Tomorrow, I will make sure the bathtub is full of water, the wood is carried in and some water jugs are filled. The power just might go off.

The Blessing

2010-01-20T20:52:00.002-06:00

This morning I started a new Bible study, The Blessing. This touched me very much and made me wonder if I had truly blessed my own children enough with the words that they longed to hear. As I read Genesis 27 and the story of the struggle between Jacob and Esau, I had to reflect about how I treated my own children and even how my parents raised me. I know that I failed miserably but I hope that I made some effort to praise my children and to bless each one of them in their own right.

Unlike Jacob and Esau, my children will receive few worldly things. We are a family of modest means. My blessing to each of them is an introduction to Our Father in heaven and His Precious Son. I pray that God will bless them continually in all that they do and that they will walk with Him each minute of the day. I pray they will make wise choices and honor Him. This is still my prayer each morning. I pray that this is passed on through the generations of this family.

As a grandma, I can look back and see that I have learned so much. Some of it was a little late, but it is never to late to try to do better. So to my spouse, children, grandchildren, I love you and you have my blessings in what you strive to do. (it better be good)

Ummmmm Good!!!!

2010-01-11T22:58:00.002-06:00

Before I even get started on this post, I am aggrivated that I didn't take a picture of this lucious concoction that I thought up all by my self. I didn't but I am going to tell you just how good it is and how to make it.

I had the ladies from my HCE club here today. It is the beginning of a new year and we had a lot of things to talk about. We are for Family and Community and we do a lot of good things. That is another story and maybe I have posted on that before.

Anyhow, there are a lot of good cooks in this group and I wanted something different. I also wanted something with CHOCOLATE. I have been off chocolate since Christmas and thought 2 weeks was long enough. I needed a fix. I recently ate a dessert with this wonderful chocolate layer on the bottom and decided to use that for the beginning. I also wanted fruit and thought about a citrus sauce. The fruit is the healthy part (if there is one). This creation turned out pretty good but I am not sure what I am going to call it.

Maybe I will call it Marilyn's Magnificent Dessert

Choclate layer:

One Devils Food Cake Mix
3/4 cups Butter (calories, calories, calories)
1 egg

Mix together until a thick dough forms (cookie type dough) and press into a large pan. (mine was just larger that a 9X13 but a 9X13 would probably be okay.) Bake for 18 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and flatten the crust out as it will rise when baking. You want it have a crust effect to put the next layer in.

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 ounces low fat cream cheese
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup powdered sugar
container of cool whip (I used 1- 8 oz container and about 1/3 of another for the pan I was using)

Beat this mixture until light and fluffy and put on the cooled chocolate layer. Refrigerate.

Citrus Sauce

1 cup Sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix the sugar and cornstarch and add the juices, bring to a boil while stirring. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Mixture will thicken as it cools. If it is too thick when cooled, just add a little water or more juice to get to the consistence that you like.

Fresh or frozen berries. I used blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

To assemble, Just do each piece as you put it on a serving dish or let individuals do their own thing.

Cut the cheesecake into pieces of your liking and top with the cooled citrus sauce. Top with berries. (I did not sweeten the berries.)

This was so good. And all gone. Too Bad, I wish I had thought about doing a post on it and you could see just how good it is for yourself. Try it, you'll like it.

I am Thankful

2010-01-08T20:41:00.002-06:00

Well, I was going to ignore this completely but since I have been tagged twice, I suppose that I have to reciprocate. This is also why I don't like Facebook. I do not like to be tagged or sent anything that I have to feel like if I don't do it, something bad will happen. But there are a lot of things that I do like. It will be hard to name just 10 when God has given us so many beautiful things and we have created so many things ourselves. I will try to list a few of them.

First and foremost, I love the Lord. I know that He will take me through all of the things that I encounter and will love me dispite all of my shortfalls. It is only proper that He should be listed first.

The Rancher, He is the love of my life, He makes me laugh, He even makes me cry, but he is my sweetheart and has been for almost 48 years. Together we have raised a family built this ranch and served the Lord.

My children. Sometimes I have wondered why but through all things, thick and thin I love them and am thankful for the things that each one has taught me. My gray hairs is my helmet of shinning armor that I have acquired in raising them.

My grandchildren, they are all so smart and precious. They are the smartest kids in the world, Well, the smartest ones in my world and I just love them to pieces.

My Moms, Yes I have two of them. My mother and the Ranchers mother. Each one taught me so many things. I love them both and Thank God for them each day. It is a blessing to reach this age and still have my mothers. I am also thankful for my sisters and my brothers. I appreciate them now that I am older.

That I live where I live. I have never lived far from here, but when I came to this desolate land, I missed the tree lined river that I had grown up on. I missed TREES period. With Gods help, we have managed to grow some on this old Hill and I am thankful.

The country that I live in and that I can go to the church that I love every Sunday and even everyday if I so desire. I love my Bible Study friends and the priviledge to explore the things that were preserved and brought down through the beginning of time in His Word. Isn't it amazing.

My friends and neighbors, who encourage me, laugh with me, help and are there through thick and thin. Some have been with me since I was a girl and even if we live apart, I know that they will be there for me.

I am thankful that I can go outside on a clear day and see for 14 miles and know that all is well in the world. Thank You God for my sight even if I do wear tri-focals, and I am thankful for technology that I can hear the birds sing and the voices of my family laugh and sing, for without hearing aids, this is not always possible.

I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for those that sent this to me even if I didn't want to do it. It made me stop and think about the things that really matter.

Tonight, I am thankful for a warm house, a gas heater and an electric blanket and someone to snuggle up with in this sub zero weather.

I shall not tag anyone, as I don't know who to tag. But if you read this and care to list 10 things you are thankful for, let me know. Have a Thankful week-end.

Did You Know????

2010-01-08T14:25:00.002-06:00

It is so dang cold outside that if you spit, it freezes the minute it hits the ground. That is not a lie. It is COLD!!! It was O degrees at 6 AM this morning. (I don't know how to do a degrees symbol, does anybody?) I am sure that you all needed to know that bit of information. The Rancher has spent hours thawing wells, hauling water breaking ice and just being aggrivated about the whole mess. Yesterday the wind chill was -17, but hey, I am thankful that I don't live in North Dakota where it was -50. Is this an indication that there really is no such thing as GLOBAL WARMING. I have doubted that all along but nobody asked my opinion. So----Who is ready for SPRING?

Spring--I love it, It is my favotite time of year, next to Fall. I just love the changes I guess, I even like the Winter and Heat of the Summer, but I do appreciate a nice gentle Spring day, when things are turning green and everything is coming to life. Which reminds me, we are having some baby calves.(Someone didn't get the bulls separated from the cows in time). We have a bottle calf as of yesterday. One more thing to do out in the cold. I feel sorry for the poor little thing all by himself trying to keep warm. He is in the chicken house to keep out of the weather. That space became available recently thanks to the preditors in our neighborhood.

And did you know that you can put anti-fungus drops in your eye and live through it? It didn't help the dry eye problem but the rancher sure learned to put his glasses on before he grabbed the bottle and plopped down on the bed for this nightly routine. After waking our visiting Nurse, who helped us with a good eye wash, we laughed and laughed. Well, anyhow, maybe he won't get toenail fungus in THAT eye. Which reminds me---

Since we live here all alone most of the time, we sometimes go about in our undies as we leave the bathroom for the bedroom. The Rancher had left the bedroom door open that adjoins the den. We think nothing of this, as the bathroom is adjacent to the bedroom. One of our older granddaughters who was quite young at the time, Yelled at Grandpa, " Grandpa, don't you know you are naked?, Put your glasses on". Turns out that was what she noticed, Grandpa didn't have his glasses on. She is the same granddaughter that chewed on her hair all of the time when she was little. One day Grandpa(who is bald) said, Honey, don't chew on your hair. Look what happens when you do that. He unbuttoned his shirt to display his very hairy belly, and little sugar pie never chewed on her hair again. She didn't want it growing out of her belly like Grandpa's. Did you know that would happen. Me neither.

And did you know that your skeleton accounts for 20% of your body wieght? (I'm very large boned)

And did you know about the plummer who's sign reads "A good flush beats a full house?"

With that I shall close.

And then there were None

2010-01-04T23:53:00.004-06:00

The Bobcat won!! Or maybe it was the Coyote, I am not sure but yesterday the last of my chicken flock disappeared. There were only 4 and they were getting old but I enjoyed them. Two years ago when the Rancher and Son came home from town with 24 baby chicks (all pullets) I was in total shock. We had not had chickens on this Ranch for years. We still had a chicken house, feeders, waters, brooder so why not chickens? I should have known when Son, cleaned out the old coop and brought fresh straw and sand in that they were up to something. They brought a lovely assortment of 23 chicks. They argued there were 24 but one must have flew the coop before they got home as I only had 23.

I enjoyed watching them grow and loved the beautiful brown eggs that they produced. They grandchildren ran for the chicken house everytime they thought of it to bring in the fresh eggs. For awhile there were more than we could all use. I gave them away, as I wanted to share the gift of abundance that the Lord had provided. Alas, that will be no more. I had to buy eggs before Thanksgiving and was shocked at what they cost. Now I will be planning on getting a new flock of chicks in the Spring and building a more sturdy fence.

The Bobcats, racoon, and Coyotes all were the ruin of my little flock. No matter the time of day, they were not afraid to approach in the shelter belt and pick out their favorite meal. They even devoured my last guina fowl. Not all of them escaped the traps that the Rancher and I set out but some are very sly and returned time and again.

Maybe if I don't get more chicks, I can talk The Rancher into going on more little trips in the 5th wheel. After all I won't have so many chores. Never mind---He informed me that He didn't get rid of the Cows. One can always dream-----

Happy Birthday Baby!!!!

2009-12-30T13:16:00.004-06:00

Well, She is my baby granddaughter. Today she is 8 years old. We have always celebrated her birthday with her but today she is going to go ice skating with a friend, her Mom and Sister. We will spend New Years day with her is the weather is good. Have a great day Popcorn, we love you.

Happy Anniversary

2009-12-28T11:07:00.003-06:00

Happy Anniversary to my oldest daughter and wonderful son-in-law. Twenty Four years and still on your honeymoon. Quite an accomplishment in this day and age. We are so proud of you and we love you.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-22T08:36:00.002-06:00

Christmas Day is coming, the day is drawing near
When Santa brings the toys, and we shout Christmas cheer
We've been busy making candy, and heading for the sales,
And we watch animated versions of Childrens Christmas tales.

We plan parties for the neighbors, and have an open house.
We are exhausted from our labors, and snappy with our spouse.
Mom watches Home and Garden Network, so she knows the proper way,
To deck the halls in GRAND style, and prepare a GREAT buffet.

The yard looks like a light show, for all the town to see.
This year we have a new theme to decorate the tree.
We spend time and too much money, Just preparing for this day,
But on the Day after Christmas--The Joy has gone away.

We awake in great depression and reality hits hard.
We have maxed out the Visa, for all that junk out in the yard.
And all of these decorations, don't have a place to store,
As the garage and attic are filled, with things from years before.

Whatever, were we thinking, What makes us go so wild?
When we really should just celebrate, the birth of the Christ Child.
It seems we get too busy to know true meaning of the day.
When God came as a baby, in a manger in the hay.

The time should not be hurried, it should be a time to share,
The love of God with others, and let them know we care.
And tell them of a Savior and how He came that night,
How the angels announced His coming, and the dark was filled with Light.

So let the Love of Jesus, be the light that shines this year,
As you prepare your Home for holidays--Let Him bring good cheer.
Make Him the "Reason for the Season", in all you do and say,
You won't be disappointed with what happens Christmas Day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE.

The Real Joy of Christmas

2009-12-13T16:08:00.002-06:00

As Christmas day nears, all of us have joy and frustratation. Children are all excited about Santa Claus and what he will bring them. They talk with their friends at school and watch TV and the list is endless for the things that are available for children today. Not only children but the entire family can benefit from all of the electronic, modern conveniences and nick-nacks that are on the market. But just what is all of this STUFF anyhow. Is it something that will be just as importantant to us next year or even next month, or will something else come along that will be better, and yadda, yadda, yah.

Glancing around my own home, I see things that are outdated, and things that I thought I wanted and never use anymore, and there are things that are perfectly good but someone has made something better to take its place. Think about the origional disc movie players--Big as a LP album and not so handy. Along came the VHS, great for us who hadn't bought the origional player and could now afford a VHS player. Soon we had to replace it with a VHS-DVD player because the DVD had came along. I'm stopping here but you can see that all things change from year to year and they improve and we are suppossed to get the new. What do we do with the old? Are we to continually cast things out, because something better has came along? Not me, and it is a good thing that I like old things. I still have a turn table and LP albums.

Last night I watched a wonderful movie on the Hallmark Channel about "Christmas in Canaan". It was a story about a Texas farm family that has fallen on hard times, about their love for each other and the neighbor family. It is something that everyone should watch and know that Christmas isn't just about the material things but about the love of a family, friends, and most of all for me, it is the gift of a Savior. In this story, the father wants to give his motherless children things but farm prices and other situations don't allow it. He cuts things from the catalog and wraps them beautifully and gives each one the gift that he would like to give them. They rejoice over it and are so excited that he would even think of giving them such wonderful things. Just watch the movie tonight (Sunday DEC 13th) and watch to see if it will be on another time and you will not be sorry.

I worry about what I buy my own children and grandchildren. They seem to have so much and their tastes are so much different than mine. What I do give to them is something I want them to have, Often I spend more money than I have but I want them to be happy. That is not always the case. I don't want to always give them money. I have friends that do that all of the time. Money, is not from the heart. I want them to know that I cared about them enough to search out something that I thought was right for them. I want it to be the RIGHT CHRISTMAS GIFT.

God gave us the Right Christmas Gift over 2000 years ago. It was His precious Son. He allowed Him to leave the glories of heaven and spend time on this Earth and Sacrifice Himself so that we could have the Ultimate Gift. It is free of charge, NO Cost --- We just have to ask for it. Even though Jesus came at the time we celebrate as Christmas, His gift is available to us 365 days of the year if we just ask Him into our hearts.

Even when, the markets falter, the crops aren't too great, we can still celebrate the Birth of our Savior and rejoice. Thank you Father for giving us THE RIGHT CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Happy Birthday Andrea

2009-12-09T23:39:00.003-06:00

This day is almost over and I forgot to post a Happy Birthday to my youngest child. Today she is 34. It seems only a short time ago that we brought her home. Being the youngest and several years younger than her brother, I had more time with her as she was growing up. Well, that is after the others left home. She showed me how to be young again and was my best friend for many years.

We toured the state of Oklahome when she was involved in "Oklahoma Kids" and spent a lot of time talking while driving around. She always loved to talk and actually had a lot to say if we just took time to listen. She also loved to sing. She still sings today and I love to listen to her. God gave her a beautiful voice and she uses it to glorify Him as she sings in the church choir, community entertainment, to her children and sometimes to me. I thank God that he sent this child to as an afterthought. (that's what people used to say to us) God planned for us to have her all along. Wasn't that grand of Him. Happy Birthday Andi. We love you.

Baby it's Cold Outside

2009-12-06T23:53:00.002-06:00

These past days are preparing us for Winter. We have had such a lovely fall. The temperatures in the month of November were actually above normal. December brings change though. I remember so many times over the years when the last of November or the first of December brought in snow and ice. One December we were blessed with such a storm that broke power lines and poles and shut our part of the country down for 6 days. NO ELECTRICITY meant no water to the house (electric pump), no lights, and no heat except for the fireplace. I could cook on the top of my gas range so we didn't go humgry.

The idea of not having water was almost a disaster as far as our teenagers were concerned. They could not wash their hair every day, much less take a bath. It was embarressing to go to school in town, where they still had electricity, with dirty hair. I reminded them that in my teen years, it was impossible to backcomb clean hair so we would not dream of washing it everyday. That just earned me a strange look, and how could I NOT wash my hair every day? We did have water that we hauled in buckets from the windmill a mile north of the house. We also went to a friends a few miles away who had electricity and took a bath, but not everyday. When did it happen that people thought they had to bathe at least once a day. I wonder how often Cleopatra took a bath? How about Queen Victoria, Marie Antionette, or even Martha Washington for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I am all for clean but going for a day or two did not kill anyone, especially in the dead of winter when there was ice on everything outside.

Well, anyhow, back to the lesson on survival-----Being the great Mom that I am, I carried snow into the house and melted it, and caught the water dripping from the roof and heated it so that my lovely daughters could have shinning hair. You know what, that was the softest water and their hair did feel lovely. At one time people did have rain barrels to catch water for such things. Maybe I should think about that.

It does not bother me to do some of the things my grandmother did but I do appreciate the electricity. We have become so dependent on it. We have freezers full of meat that I pray will keep and not thaw, and I like that warmth of the central heating system. I can get along without some of the things though. It is rather fun to read by the kerosene lamp for an evening or two and snuggle down in a bed heavy with comforters. Yes, it is fun once in awhile, but I guess that I really wouldn't want to do it everyday. I admit, I like my modern conveniences and I sort of like a bath everyday too. I pray when the storm comes in that is predicted, that there is just good old snow instead of ice. I know that the linemen with the electric companies are praying for that too.

Oh My Gosh!!!!!

2009-12-04T14:22:00.003-06:00

I can't believe it!!! This thing is fast!!! I got my Christmas present from the Rancher today. High Speed Internet----Yea, No more waiting for 5 minutes for the next window to come up. Now I can even look at the things on Utube. Unless you have had dial up or now have it, you don't know the disadvantages of it. I am thankful for the young man that spent 3 hours at my house rewiring my phone system and fixing me up. He did a great job. Now maybe I can spend a little more time figuring things out. Probably not though as I am a slow learner.

I think I am just getting slow at everything, I notices that some of you have your Christmas up, Not me, I am waiting on the spirit to inspire me and that hasn't happened. I think I need some little kids around, I used to get more done when I had 4 children at home than I do with just the Rancher and myself. I just tend to put things off though.

Have a hapy week end and finish your Christmas shopping. Maybe I will put my tree up tomorrow, if I am not playing on the internet.

The strength of my Neighborhood.

2009-11-17T13:20:00.002-06:00

Living in a very rural area has many reqards but, it also has it's trials. As rural people, we are very dependant on each other. The nearest town is a small one 17 miles on the Texas side of the line and the nearest hospital is 34 miles away. This hospital will check you over and send you on down the road if there is much wrong.

it is the people of this community that make it a wonderful place to live. We are there for each other in all things. Even before the rural fire departments were developed, everyone, young and old, men and women would get the gear that was needed and do their part. Often I used a wet burlap sack and a shovel while my husband took the tractor and plow and did his part. This was a way of life. Now days, I just fix sandwiches and do my part from a check point with the other women.

There are fewer people in this community than when I came here as a bride. Young people go where there are jobs and money. One knows that they will never be rich out here but let me tell you, riches do not always come as you dream of. It isn't the material things that count. It the mountain of friends that show up to help a neighbor when things go amiss. Holding them in their sorrow in the loss of a loved one, praying for them in times of need, helping get a crop in, or work with the cattle when there is sickness, and more often than this, it is just sharing a time during the day with each other on the phone, in the middle of the road, or over a cup of coffee. We are neighbors and family and friends. We need each other as we pass through time. As I age, I know this to be more so now than it was 45 years ago.

Jesus reminded us to Love our neighbor. He also taught that we are to be charitable, in our deeds before man. As we know that our Father in heaven takes care of each one of us, we are to do our part and take care of each other. In doing this we are also serving Him.

So here we are, So many of our neighbors are sick, getting older, and some just have everyday worries, but I know this.....As God cares about the birds of the field, the grass blowing in the wind and all of the little things of this earth....He cares even more about us. We are to follow in that example and serve each other in love and thankfulness that we can.

Well, what kind of a post is this, Maybe is is depressing, but I was just reminded this morning as we waited with neighbors for an ambulance just how fragil we are and that we really are our brothers keepers.

Thank you Father for your daily care, Thank you for friends and neighbors who are there for us in our time of need. Amen

A Pet for a Day

2009-11-05T16:05:00.002-06:00

Have you ever had a pet? Okay then, have you ever had a pet wasp or yellow jacket?
Alas there was such a thing in my childhood. I wasn't the only one to have one of these exotic pets. It was quite the thing in my little school. This was all brought back to me as I sit watching the yellow jackets swarm so thick around my doors and windows that I hesitate to even go outside. Today I am a little bit leary of them but there was once a time......

In the early 1950's in the fall of the year, the yellow jacket wasps were plentiful as they are today. Back then, no building was tight much less wasp proof. They were always in our classrooms, the entry way and on the bus. Early in the cool of the morning, being very brace, one could capture a wasp in their suttle stage and remove their STINGER. This was done by holding him down with someones pocket knife and using tweezers to pull that nasty poisonious stinger out. Look back a few words here.....Yes, I did say pocket knife. That was a tool of the trade in those days and no one thought a thing about a child having one in school. That is a different story and I shall have to write a post about it someday.

NOW.....back to the wasps. Having had his weapon removed, he was quite harmless. Now the wasp didn't know that yet so he was still quite fiesty as we held onto them and tied a piece of sewing thread aroung their middle. How we ever did this, I don't remember but we did. Often the thread was still attached to the spool and the pet had quite a long leash. Sometimes tape was used to secure the thread so it would not unwind further, as the wasp usually just ventured to the bright windows of the classroom.

Often, races were held. We all stood in a straight line and released our wasps to see whose would fly the furtherest before coming to a rest. This was measured by the thread that was released. Some kids would use a small stick and put through the spool and let the wasp fly quite a ways. To the wasps dismay, he would be reeled back in.

These pets were kept in the classroom and I am not sure why the teacher put up with them but to my recollection, it was she that taught us all about them. I never told my grandchildren this story, I am not sure I shared it with my children when they were of the age to want to try this stunt. Today, I don't think I am brave enough to hold one down and remove the stinger unless it is dead of course. At the end of the school day in our little rural school, the pets were disposed of. Sad but true they were euthenized. We had no heart for them at the end of the last recess. But I can tell you this, we did not need a Wii or a DS, we all had a pet wasp and guess what... it was free.

It's a dogs life---Or is it?

2009-10-29T17:30:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I feel sorry for dogs. They are so dependent on us, their masters. They are always following us around and being under foot. They crane their necks to see what the next thing we drop on the floor for them will be. They are happy for all of the little morsels that we drop and are always begging for just a little more. Sometimes they are impatient with us when we do not meet their needs as quickly as they want us to.

I guess, to a domestic dog or cat, we must look like giants. Mostly what they see of us are our feet, legs and the underneath side or the bottom of everything. They must think a table looks a lot different than we do. They don't see the top side of it. We see a larger picture of everything than a dog does. Even more than us---God sees a much larger picture. He sees the entire world and universe that He has created and knows what is going to happen at any time.

When our pets get tangled up in their leash, run out of water or food, we are the ones to take care of them They depend on us to meet their needs. They sometimes get impatient and whine around waiting for us to get things done. They might even get a little irritable.

Like our pets, sometimes we get ourselves tangled up in the things of life. We do things that we shouldn't and whine around about the mess that we are in. God listens to our whining around and sometimes teaches us to have a little patience. Sometimes we just see no way out, with the limited view that we have. Just like our animal friends, we need someone bigger to take care of ur needs. Some of the mountains in our lives are just a grain of sand to God. As we take care of our pets, God takes care of us. Too often, we whine and expect more than God is ready to give us. He knows what is good for us and gives to us according to His desires and our needs instead of giving us the never ending supply that we often demand. We should be greatful for the abundance that He blesses us with.

I am glad that I am not a dog or a cat. For one thing, I like to take a good shower every day. I wouldn't want to have to meet my hygiene needs as an animal does. I rely on God as my pets rely on me. I can talk to Him at all times. He knows my needs and my limitations. I suspect that He expects more out of me that I give though. I need to work on that. What about You?