Thankful for Family
When I was growing up in a large family, it felt comfortable and exactly where I needed to be. It was a safe home, never lonely. One baby after another just as precious and loved. Tots to enjoy, schoolers to teach and watch grow. With no two exactly alike, the variations strengthened our family – there was one of us available that could handle about any situation! Thanksgiving Day together means everything to me. I look at my sister and brothers and see all the hidden faces and words of youth behind their eyes. There’s nobody in this world luckier than me. Being the oldest, I’ve watched them grow up, make their decisions, find their careers, commitments and responsibilities. During Christmas we each research the occasion for our own specific...
My dog chicken-sits …
After old Jake died this month (I still can’t talk about it much), little Cotton has been lost and lonely. He clings to us for attention and doesn’t want to be alone. I knew, with his love of being outdoors, this poor-pity-me would not last very long. He started getting excited about going out in the mornings with me to feed the critters. He would sit on the cart watching me let the chickens out of their house, feeding them and cleaning their water pan. One morning I didn’t have to go anywhere, so I had time to stay out there for a while. I decided to leave the yard gate open. As the chickens filed outside, pecking the grass and moving away, Cotton became concerned. He jumped out of the cart, and keeping his distance, he tried to herd them back...
Rural Life – ugly sometimes
Gone hunting lately? Someone did. Deer season opened – first bows, then firearms. We heard shots this morning. I get a call from a hunter telling us he shot a deer and it jumped our barbed wire fence and ran off through our woods. Could he come track it down? “Sure,” I told him – I’ll meet you at the gate.” Last thing I wanted was an injured animal in pain. He came in with two friends and a boy. Seems the boy made a gut shot, and the father didn’t back him up. Anyway, they tracked it for almost a quarter mile. Dragging it out of the woods, guts were dangling loose from a three inch hole in this fine eight-point buck. I watched as they loaded it on the truck bed. They said, “Thanks, we’ll be going...
When someone dies…
A woman died Sunday. Her name was Alice. I want the world to know. Mature, but younger than I, she was taking care of a veteran – not because she was paid, but because he was her friend. No, she was not rich – worked two part-time jobs – never married, no children. Was her life easy with no challenges? No, it never was. But, she found a special gift in her heart of compassion and friendship. She preferred to live independently. I respected her. So, who cares that in the process, she fell from a massive heart attack. With no money, no savings, no insurance, she died within hours at the hospital. Was she my friend? No, not really – so, why did I cry when I heard the news today? ShareEmailFacebook
Chapter 16 (church) continues…
[Part 2 of 2] The preacher is at my house. I don’t get to hear much because I have to go to my room. The last thing I hear is, “We’ll see your family at services tonight. Come a little early.” Then he’s gone. The church is special pretty tonight … the sun still shines in the huge windows, but you can’t see through the glass because it’s all kind of colors. I listen to the organ music. Mom made me wear a white slip under my dress. Not sure why, the church isn’t cold. Anyway, I did. We find a spot everybody can sit close, and Dad goes off to find the preacher. We’re waiting for everybody else to get here. Seems like they just keep coming in … a bunch a kids and babies too. Not too many kids come on Sunday nights. The choir loft is full,...
Chapter 15 of ? (what’s real?)
I think we ought to follow that Sundays are a day of rest and worship, but that’s rare! Now and then, we get to go to the Cafeteria in town after services, but usually it means cookin’ and cleanin!’ Sometimes I think Dad has to make up for lost Grace during the week, so we have to go twice on Sunday! I say that with a smile, because he’s been in a pretty good mood this week – and I take every blessing I can get! The preacher and the Mrs. are coming for dinner that’s got to be ready by one o’clock. They visit a lot of families on Sundays after church. Mom’s already got the beef roast in the oven. Dad and the kids just left for church, so it’s just Mom and me – finally. We need to talk about my so-called date. Mom says, “Get that pan of...
