The 2015 State Rally and Run for the Son for the Christian Motorcyclists Association was recently held in Mountain View, AR. This is one of the most beautiful places in our state not to mention a great place to ride those curvy and hilly roads. Gil and I camped in our motorhome in one of the town's many lovely RV parks. It was just a short distance from the site of the rally services at the Cash Theater.
The fellowship with biker friends from all over the state was wonderful, about 225 in number, and the services were inspiring. The town's people were warm and helpful to us as well as other tourists coming in daily. Soon this little town of 2700+ will be overrun by thousands of folk there to hear music at the Ozark Folk Center and pick in and grinning on the front porches of the town's restaurants and bed and breakfasts.
Gil and I were refreshed by the getaway, the services and the fellowship. Thanks CMA for a lovely time.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Destiny turns five
DJ had been telling people for a long time that she was almost five and finally the day came on August 28th. Because her Daddy had to work that day, we celebrated the 27th and Aunt Linda came over to help. We let DJ open presents first - a set of Quiz It Pen and books for learning all kinds of things, some new dresses and jeans, a small aquarium, a bird house to hang outside her bedroom window with a glass window to see the nest and eggs, and a tablet with all kinds of fun and educational games and stories! Then we had cookie-birthday cake and punch.
A few days later a box came in the mail from a sweet friend of mine. It was more birthday games and clothes for DJ plus a magical tooth fairy pillow. DJ had already lost one tooth the previous week and had several more lose.She was very excited and then disappointed to learn she had to wait to lose another tooth before she could use the tooth fairy pillow. DJ wanted to thank Miss Prissy for the lovely gifts and after I posted pictures on Facebook, Miss Prissy called to talk ......what fun!
The, the very next day another box addressed to DJ came by FederL Express. It was from Aunt Sue in Louisiana. Inside were beautiful clothes - jeans, shirts, dresses and a skirt. DJ tried them all on and gave us a fashion parade. Then we called Aunt Sue to thank her for the gifts and visit on the phone.
The excitement for now is over but Sissy will have a birthday the 30th of September so we will have another celebration then.
A few days later a box came in the mail from a sweet friend of mine. It was more birthday games and clothes for DJ plus a magical tooth fairy pillow. DJ had already lost one tooth the previous week and had several more lose.She was very excited and then disappointed to learn she had to wait to lose another tooth before she could use the tooth fairy pillow. DJ wanted to thank Miss Prissy for the lovely gifts and after I posted pictures on Facebook, Miss Prissy called to talk ......what fun!
The, the very next day another box addressed to DJ came by FederL Express. It was from Aunt Sue in Louisiana. Inside were beautiful clothes - jeans, shirts, dresses and a skirt. DJ tried them all on and gave us a fashion parade. Then we called Aunt Sue to thank her for the gifts and visit on the phone.
The excitement for now is over but Sissy will have a birthday the 30th of September so we will have another celebration then.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
2014 has been a rough year
I notice that there are no blog posts for this year and that is because on December 9th my dear mother, co-author of our book, became frail after several minor procedures under anisthetic.....enough so that she had to enter a nursing and rehab center here in Camden near me. She had lost about sixty years of her memory (you will recall how excellent her memory was in 2007 when we wrote our manuscript) and required around the clock nursing care after having a blood clot in early December.
She was in physical therapy for about a month when she asked to stop the therapy because it tired her so much. It was shortly after that when we learned her blood count (hemoglobin) was very low and it became necessary that she get blood transfusions every two weeks from February through April. In mid April we saw that the blood transfusions were no longer helping her. She went on hospice the last week of April and went to be with the Lord April 30, 2014. I was so devastated and missed her so much because I visited her every day, twice daily or more toward the end. We had such lovely visits talking about her younger life that she continued to remember to the end. She was in such good spirits and very content at the home. She, of course, did not remember that this was the same facility where her dear mother, my sharecropping grandmother, had lived for five years before she died in 1992. Nor did she remember that it was the very same facility where Daddy lived for a year (part of 2003 and 2004) when he had Alzheimer's and before he had to be moved to a home in Arkadelphia where he died in November 2004.
My son was divorced in the morning of the same day we lost Mama and he became sole parental custodian of his daughters, ages 4 and 16. Naturally I had been helping with the girls since their mother deserted them in July of the previous year and now my husband and I found ourselves helping more and more when their father worked. This was a big adjustment for us, having three more people in the house all the time, not knowing if and when they would once again have their own home.
To say the least, I was not able to set up or attend book events during all this adjustment period and time of mourning! Perhaps I can begin to do that now.I have scheduled two events this month - firstly September 20th I will attend Hunting & Fishing Day at the Tensas River Wildlife Refuge near Tallulah, LA and have a book booth for the day. Secondly, I have been invited to the Cotton Pickin Festival in Caldwell, AR, on September 26th and 27th. The mayor has asked that I take the stage for a short time to talk about the book. How exciting!
So I will post again after the book events and give a report at that time.
She was in physical therapy for about a month when she asked to stop the therapy because it tired her so much. It was shortly after that when we learned her blood count (hemoglobin) was very low and it became necessary that she get blood transfusions every two weeks from February through April. In mid April we saw that the blood transfusions were no longer helping her. She went on hospice the last week of April and went to be with the Lord April 30, 2014. I was so devastated and missed her so much because I visited her every day, twice daily or more toward the end. We had such lovely visits talking about her younger life that she continued to remember to the end. She was in such good spirits and very content at the home. She, of course, did not remember that this was the same facility where her dear mother, my sharecropping grandmother, had lived for five years before she died in 1992. Nor did she remember that it was the very same facility where Daddy lived for a year (part of 2003 and 2004) when he had Alzheimer's and before he had to be moved to a home in Arkadelphia where he died in November 2004.
My son was divorced in the morning of the same day we lost Mama and he became sole parental custodian of his daughters, ages 4 and 16. Naturally I had been helping with the girls since their mother deserted them in July of the previous year and now my husband and I found ourselves helping more and more when their father worked. This was a big adjustment for us, having three more people in the house all the time, not knowing if and when they would once again have their own home.
To say the least, I was not able to set up or attend book events during all this adjustment period and time of mourning! Perhaps I can begin to do that now.I have scheduled two events this month - firstly September 20th I will attend Hunting & Fishing Day at the Tensas River Wildlife Refuge near Tallulah, LA and have a book booth for the day. Secondly, I have been invited to the Cotton Pickin Festival in Caldwell, AR, on September 26th and 27th. The mayor has asked that I take the stage for a short time to talk about the book. How exciting!
So I will post again after the book events and give a report at that time.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
July - December, 2013
The last six months of 2013 were very busy ones for Gil and me. We continue to help raise our two granddaughters Suzanne, 16, and Destiny, 4 yrs. old. Suzanne began school at Camden/Fairview High in August as a Sophomore. She loves school and makes good grades. Destiny began Head Start about the same time and enjoys going to school each day to learn and play with friends there.
Gil attended the CMA Colors Rally in October, beginning the week prior to the rally with helping clean up Iron Mountain in preparation for the thousands of bikers who would be there camping on the grounds and attending the services, and seminars. I stayed home with the girls because their father had begun a new job as a Schwann's delivery man. He travels to several areas of the state and is on the road 3 nights a week in motels. Those days that he does make it home it is often 9 pm before he gets home.
It has been wonderful having the girls here for the holidays and I will post pictures of the past few months. The sad part of this year was helping place my mother in a nursing home in December but it is only a couple miles from our house so I can go visit her almost every day. She came to our home for an early Christmas gathering of the family. My sister and her three daughters, as well as Aunt Sue, were able to be here for a luncheon the week prior to Christmas. It was a fun time for all.
Wishing all my relatives and friends a Happy New Year and God's blessings for 2014.
Gil attended the CMA Colors Rally in October, beginning the week prior to the rally with helping clean up Iron Mountain in preparation for the thousands of bikers who would be there camping on the grounds and attending the services, and seminars. I stayed home with the girls because their father had begun a new job as a Schwann's delivery man. He travels to several areas of the state and is on the road 3 nights a week in motels. Those days that he does make it home it is often 9 pm before he gets home.
It has been wonderful having the girls here for the holidays and I will post pictures of the past few months. The sad part of this year was helping place my mother in a nursing home in December but it is only a couple miles from our house so I can go visit her almost every day. She came to our home for an early Christmas gathering of the family. My sister and her three daughters, as well as Aunt Sue, were able to be here for a luncheon the week prior to Christmas. It was a fun time for all.
Wishing all my relatives and friends a Happy New Year and God's blessings for 2014.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Other Events June 2013
The last week of the month Gil and I took the granddaughters to Lake DeGray near Arkadelphia for a few days of swimming and camping. This was DJ's first time to camp in the motorhome and her first time to swim in a lake. She had a floating ring with a seat and back rest that she used each day in the lake, morning and afternoon. Suzanne and she had a really good time with Grandpa every day swimming and playing in the water which was refreshing on a hot day. I went in one morning with them as well and enjoyed the cool lake waters. It really was a great get-away for us.
On the last Saturday of June Gil and Suzanne went on the motorcycle to the Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emmerson, AR, with the Charity Riders CMA chapter. This was their June fun ride. Gil said they had a good time, a very nice cool ride to Emerson and a great lunch of purple hull peas, cornbread, peach cobbler and ice tea. It was a very hot afternoon so they returned to Camden fairly early. As road captain of the Charily Riders, Gil has planned the July fun ride for a ride to Lake DeGray and a picnic at the Caddo Bend picnic/swimming area that we visited last week.
On the last Saturday of June Gil and Suzanne went on the motorcycle to the Purple Hull Pea Festival in Emmerson, AR, with the Charity Riders CMA chapter. This was their June fun ride. Gil said they had a good time, a very nice cool ride to Emerson and a great lunch of purple hull peas, cornbread, peach cobbler and ice tea. It was a very hot afternoon so they returned to Camden fairly early. As road captain of the Charily Riders, Gil has planned the July fun ride for a ride to Lake DeGray and a picnic at the Caddo Bend picnic/swimming area that we visited last week.
June Book Event in Ruston, La. at the Peach Festival
It was a hot day, June 22, to be out in a canopy on the lawn of the Ruston City Hall but myself and two special author friends sat there from 8 am until 6 pm selling books. Ruthie Almond from Laneburg, AR, and Patty Wiseman from Marshall, TX, were gracious enough to join me for the Peach Festival that day. We had a lot of fun meeting the Ruston folks as well as people from the surrounding area, and as far away as south Louisiana and Monroe area as well.
I drove down the night before as did Ruthie. Patty joined us the next morning. Ruthie and I, along with the help of my Aunt Sue (with whom I spent the night) put the canopy and tables up at our assigned spot on the corner of the City Hall lawn right out front near the sidewalk Friday evening. The next morning we three authors set out our books and chairs and starting meeting people shortly after 8 am, signing and selling books. It was an awesome day for sales. We also got some really great peaches.
We pulled up stakes shortly after 6 pm and headed home. I was very glad to have the help taking down our booth and was also very glad to have my comfortable car with air conditioning for the almost 2 hour trip home to Camden. What made it very special (besides having good friends with me) was that it was my Mama's 87th birthday. Each person who looked at the book, and each person who bought one of our books was shown her picture on the back cover and told that it was her birthday. This book was not possible without my Mama's fantastic memory and her willingness to tell all those wonderful stories about her life growing up on cotton farms as a young child, teenager and young woman.
Grandma Eliza and Grandpa Clarence would be so surprised to know that so many people have been interested in and read about the life you all lived back in the day. They would also be very proud. Thanks Mama for sharing. To date we have sold about 750 books and we are not finished yet. To think it all started because I wanted to write down those precious memories to share with our younger family members so they would know the family history of the sharecropping side of the Laird family. It did not really occur to me that it would be published. Now many others around this country know those stories as well AND we have met so many children and grandchildren of other sharecropping families who have shared some of their memories with us. Awesome!
I drove down the night before as did Ruthie. Patty joined us the next morning. Ruthie and I, along with the help of my Aunt Sue (with whom I spent the night) put the canopy and tables up at our assigned spot on the corner of the City Hall lawn right out front near the sidewalk Friday evening. The next morning we three authors set out our books and chairs and starting meeting people shortly after 8 am, signing and selling books. It was an awesome day for sales. We also got some really great peaches.
We pulled up stakes shortly after 6 pm and headed home. I was very glad to have the help taking down our booth and was also very glad to have my comfortable car with air conditioning for the almost 2 hour trip home to Camden. What made it very special (besides having good friends with me) was that it was my Mama's 87th birthday. Each person who looked at the book, and each person who bought one of our books was shown her picture on the back cover and told that it was her birthday. This book was not possible without my Mama's fantastic memory and her willingness to tell all those wonderful stories about her life growing up on cotton farms as a young child, teenager and young woman.
Grandma Eliza and Grandpa Clarence would be so surprised to know that so many people have been interested in and read about the life you all lived back in the day. They would also be very proud. Thanks Mama for sharing. To date we have sold about 750 books and we are not finished yet. To think it all started because I wanted to write down those precious memories to share with our younger family members so they would know the family history of the sharecropping side of the Laird family. It did not really occur to me that it would be published. Now many others around this country know those stories as well AND we have met so many children and grandchildren of other sharecropping families who have shared some of their memories with us. Awesome!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Get Down for Jesus Rally
Gil is going to join other Christian motorcyclists for this annual rally with Mike Thompson near Dubach, La. They will have preaching, music and a prayer ride during the rally. I pray safety for them all and God's blessing on each attendee. Folks come from several states each year for this rally and bring their families.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Mayhaw Festival, El Dorado, AR
What a fun time I had signing and selling books in El Dorado at the Mayhaw Festival on May 4, 2013. Joining me at the booth was long-time author friend Kimberly Thompson who had three of her books for sale. A new author friend Ruthie Almond joined us for the event. Ruthie signed books as well. She is from Laneburg, AR, near Prescott.
It was a rather cool day for us but we met lots of folks interested in our books. It gave us a time of fellowship to get to catch up on our lives as well as get to know Ruthie. Our booth was in front of the Newton House Museum which is a lovely restored home of the 19th century. We could hear music from the stage just behind the Newton House. It really was a very nice book event. I came home with only one book but was happy to see a new shipment from my publisher arrive the next day.
It was a rather cool day for us but we met lots of folks interested in our books. It gave us a time of fellowship to get to catch up on our lives as well as get to know Ruthie. Our booth was in front of the Newton House Museum which is a lovely restored home of the 19th century. We could hear music from the stage just behind the Newton House. It really was a very nice book event. I came home with only one book but was happy to see a new shipment from my publisher arrive the next day.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Book Event in January 2013
With the new year 2013, Gil and I did not travel in January as we both were sick with a respiratory infection. However, Jan. 28th did give me the opportunity to go to the Calhoun Civic Club in Calhoun, Louisiana to address those kind folk. Calhoun is a small community between West Monroe and Ruston.
Aunt Sue joined us for the event and Mama and I had friends from our past, a classmate of mine and her mother who lived next door to us in Bastrop in 1953 come to the book signing/program. The civic club members fed us a lovely country meal of homecooked ham and side dishes. After Aunt Sue read the chapter in the book about the flood of '27, we had a question and answer time as well as discussion about that era in history. Several in the audience had grown up as sharecroppers, children of sharecroppers or grandchildren of sharecroppers. We sold books and had a great time that evening. Mama and I spent the night with Aunt Sue in Choudrant and returned home the next day.
Aunt Sue joined us for the event and Mama and I had friends from our past, a classmate of mine and her mother who lived next door to us in Bastrop in 1953 come to the book signing/program. The civic club members fed us a lovely country meal of homecooked ham and side dishes. After Aunt Sue read the chapter in the book about the flood of '27, we had a question and answer time as well as discussion about that era in history. Several in the audience had grown up as sharecroppers, children of sharecroppers or grandchildren of sharecroppers. We sold books and had a great time that evening. Mama and I spent the night with Aunt Sue in Choudrant and returned home the next day.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Christmas 2012
Gil and I traveled to Bastrop to be with Mama and my sister Judy and my 3 nieces this Christmas. Rebecca, the youngest niece, was home from Beaumont for the holidays. We stayed at Katherine's new home and really had a wonderful time. Middle niece Mary introduced us to her finace Chantz and invited us back New Year's Eve for a wedding. Judy and Katherine had a wonderful spread prepared for us to eat. We played games and enjoyed visiting for two days. It really was a wonderful family holiday.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Trip to Beijing, China, to visit Kitchens family
Gil and I had the trip of a lifetime going to Beijing, China, to visit our son Carl Kitchens, Jr. and his family end of August, 2012. We flew from Little Rock, AR, to Chicago, then took a 13 hr. flight with United Airlines to Beijing, arriving on Aug. 29th, our 37th wedding anniversary.
Ed (as I have called him most of his life), his wife Debora and the granddaughters, Suzanne and Destiny, were there to meet us at the airport in Beijing. It was wonderful to see them all again after 2 1/2 years of not being able to see them in person. Destiny (DJ) was only 5 mo. old when they moved to China for her father to teach English as second language at a private school there. Suzanne was only 12 yrs. old at the time. DJ had turned 3 yrs. old the day before we arrived and we had a birthday party for her the next weekend.
We took the subway across town which was a very crowded ride for about 1 1/2 hours, then a taxi to their apartment in the very southern part of the city. What a culture shock this was! The Chinese people are very friendly and helpful but there are SO MANY of them in that city! We were very tired for a couple of days and the weather was very warm when we arrived. It rained on Sunday after we got there and then the weather cooled off and was very comfortable the entire month of September - shirt-sleeve weather comfortable for walking and enjoying our visit.
The area where they live is a gated community with 54 buildings inside a fenced area, each building being at least 15 stories, each floor having six apartments. Thus, this area alone housed more people than our town in south Arkansas of about 10,000 population. The city of Beijing is comprised of about 20 million people. I think half of them were on the subway that day we arrived.
We did not go out to see the things most visitors to the city see, but stayed at the apartment many days to visit with the granddaughters while their father taught school and their mother shopped for groceries or ran errands. We were content with that but did venture out a couple of days to attend church at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship or go to a restaurant. We did take a bus ride to the city center one day which was interesting, but very tiring.
Many days we took DJ down to the courtyard to play or shop. The shops near their apartment included several small grocery stores, a pharmacy, a beauty shop, a barber, cleaners and realtor offices. We also walked several days to the nearby open-air market where we purchased fresh fruit, vegetables and needed items for the family. The market was open 7 days a week from about 6:30 am until about 1 pm. Vendors set up their booths early each morning, displaying their wares or food products, and then took down the booths early each afternoon.
While there, we witnessed the country of China in a very heated dispute with Japan over some islands which both nations claimed. There were demonstrations throughout the country of China, one of which was very large outside the Japanese Embassy which happened to be across the street from the BICF (church) where we worshipped on two occasions. During the most heated demonstrations we were warned to not go near that area one Sunday. We were very glad when this international situation calmed down to the point that there were no longer demonstrations.
The Chinese food in Beijing is very different from the American/Chinese food we find in restaurants in this country. We did not find much to our liking in the restaurant we ate at one evening but did attempt to eat with chopsticks with some success.
Everywhere we went, DJ was the star of the situation. Everyone wanted to talk to her, play with her or touch her. The Chinese were fascinated by this little blond, blue-eyed American girl. The children and adults in restaurants, in the courtyard, in the subway and on the buses gathered around her and wanted to take her picture with their own children. The children all enjoyed playing with her and she with them. It would be so nice if all peoples of the world could get along this well - with no regard to color of skin or nationality.
Before we knew it, our 33 days in China were over. Suzanne had her 15th birthday on Sept. 30th and we had to leave on Oct. 1st which happened to be National Day (holiday similar to our 4th of July). This is the day each year the nation of China celebrates that they are no longer subject of an emperor. We were somewhat concerned about getting to the airport on such a holiday, especially with all our luggage. We felt like we did not want to take the subway again and the taxi cabs were all very small. Naturally our son and his family wanted to see us off at the airport so we hired a private car (through my son's friend at work) to take us. It took only 35 min. to get there and the ride was very comfortable for us all.
It was hard to leave them that day, but we hope they will be able to come to Arkansas next summer for a visit. Suzanne is in her senior year of home schooling and plans to attend college here in the USA. She will be staying with us when the family comes next year. The flight back to Chicago was only 12 hours because of a tail wind and not quiet so tiring as the trip to Beijing but we were glad to get home. Now skype will be our only connection to them again!
Ed (as I have called him most of his life), his wife Debora and the granddaughters, Suzanne and Destiny, were there to meet us at the airport in Beijing. It was wonderful to see them all again after 2 1/2 years of not being able to see them in person. Destiny (DJ) was only 5 mo. old when they moved to China for her father to teach English as second language at a private school there. Suzanne was only 12 yrs. old at the time. DJ had turned 3 yrs. old the day before we arrived and we had a birthday party for her the next weekend.
We took the subway across town which was a very crowded ride for about 1 1/2 hours, then a taxi to their apartment in the very southern part of the city. What a culture shock this was! The Chinese people are very friendly and helpful but there are SO MANY of them in that city! We were very tired for a couple of days and the weather was very warm when we arrived. It rained on Sunday after we got there and then the weather cooled off and was very comfortable the entire month of September - shirt-sleeve weather comfortable for walking and enjoying our visit.
The area where they live is a gated community with 54 buildings inside a fenced area, each building being at least 15 stories, each floor having six apartments. Thus, this area alone housed more people than our town in south Arkansas of about 10,000 population. The city of Beijing is comprised of about 20 million people. I think half of them were on the subway that day we arrived.
We did not go out to see the things most visitors to the city see, but stayed at the apartment many days to visit with the granddaughters while their father taught school and their mother shopped for groceries or ran errands. We were content with that but did venture out a couple of days to attend church at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship or go to a restaurant. We did take a bus ride to the city center one day which was interesting, but very tiring.
Many days we took DJ down to the courtyard to play or shop. The shops near their apartment included several small grocery stores, a pharmacy, a beauty shop, a barber, cleaners and realtor offices. We also walked several days to the nearby open-air market where we purchased fresh fruit, vegetables and needed items for the family. The market was open 7 days a week from about 6:30 am until about 1 pm. Vendors set up their booths early each morning, displaying their wares or food products, and then took down the booths early each afternoon.
While there, we witnessed the country of China in a very heated dispute with Japan over some islands which both nations claimed. There were demonstrations throughout the country of China, one of which was very large outside the Japanese Embassy which happened to be across the street from the BICF (church) where we worshipped on two occasions. During the most heated demonstrations we were warned to not go near that area one Sunday. We were very glad when this international situation calmed down to the point that there were no longer demonstrations.
The Chinese food in Beijing is very different from the American/Chinese food we find in restaurants in this country. We did not find much to our liking in the restaurant we ate at one evening but did attempt to eat with chopsticks with some success.
Everywhere we went, DJ was the star of the situation. Everyone wanted to talk to her, play with her or touch her. The Chinese were fascinated by this little blond, blue-eyed American girl. The children and adults in restaurants, in the courtyard, in the subway and on the buses gathered around her and wanted to take her picture with their own children. The children all enjoyed playing with her and she with them. It would be so nice if all peoples of the world could get along this well - with no regard to color of skin or nationality.
Before we knew it, our 33 days in China were over. Suzanne had her 15th birthday on Sept. 30th and we had to leave on Oct. 1st which happened to be National Day (holiday similar to our 4th of July). This is the day each year the nation of China celebrates that they are no longer subject of an emperor. We were somewhat concerned about getting to the airport on such a holiday, especially with all our luggage. We felt like we did not want to take the subway again and the taxi cabs were all very small. Naturally our son and his family wanted to see us off at the airport so we hired a private car (through my son's friend at work) to take us. It took only 35 min. to get there and the ride was very comfortable for us all.
It was hard to leave them that day, but we hope they will be able to come to Arkansas next summer for a visit. Suzanne is in her senior year of home schooling and plans to attend college here in the USA. She will be staying with us when the family comes next year. The flight back to Chicago was only 12 hours because of a tail wind and not quiet so tiring as the trip to Beijing but we were glad to get home. Now skype will be our only connection to them again!
Friday, July 27, 2012
July trip to Bastrop, Louisiana
In mid-July Gil and I took the motorhome to Chemin-A-Haut State park for a few days camping. This lovely park is only 12 miles north of Bastrop where my mother and sister live so it gave us a chance to visit them and also see my nieces Mary and Katherine.
The first afternoon in town I had a lovely visit also with my dear friend of many years and fellow highschool classmate Diane Smith Hawkins. Diane was about to embark on a mission trip to Brazil with some church friends where she attended church for many years in Tulsa, OK. It was so nice to have some time with her before she left the country. That evening I also had a chance to spend some one-on-one time with Mama and catch up with her. She showed me her garden and we spent some time just visiting and catching up on things.
The next day was a special day to spend lunch with a group of the Girls of 65, classmates from Bastrop High. We have so much fun every time we are able to get together. This is such a loving group of friends and sometimes a classmate gets to come whom we have not seen in a while (since we finished school together in 1965). Yes, you thought we named our group that because we all happen to go on medicare this year....LOL Not so, it was just a coincidence! Really.
Anyway, we met at one of the ladies' homes in Bastrop and enjoyed the afternoon catching up on each other and our families. Gail's home is beautiful and she was the perfect hostess. We each took a salad for the luncheon along with a recipe card so that we can put the recipes in a cookbook which one of our ladies has so graciously offered to put together for us. We will all add other recipes to make this a great book. Maybe we can sell the cook books and then use the money for a special trip or get-to-gether for us Girls of 65.
Our last day in town was fun because Gil cooked out at the campground and my sister, her daughters and Mama came out to join us there. We had a mixed grill of beef, chicken and pork along with a lovely green salad, and fresh fruit for dessert. Everyone had a good time, along with Lucky and Sweetiepie. Our kitties really enjoy camping.
It was great to have this time with family and friends. This is likely to be the last post prior to our trip to Beijing to visit our grandchildren and their parents. We leave Aug. 28th and will return Oct. lst. So looking forward to this time with my son and his family! Watch for posts and pictures here.
The first afternoon in town I had a lovely visit also with my dear friend of many years and fellow highschool classmate Diane Smith Hawkins. Diane was about to embark on a mission trip to Brazil with some church friends where she attended church for many years in Tulsa, OK. It was so nice to have some time with her before she left the country. That evening I also had a chance to spend some one-on-one time with Mama and catch up with her. She showed me her garden and we spent some time just visiting and catching up on things.
The next day was a special day to spend lunch with a group of the Girls of 65, classmates from Bastrop High. We have so much fun every time we are able to get together. This is such a loving group of friends and sometimes a classmate gets to come whom we have not seen in a while (since we finished school together in 1965). Yes, you thought we named our group that because we all happen to go on medicare this year....LOL Not so, it was just a coincidence! Really.
Anyway, we met at one of the ladies' homes in Bastrop and enjoyed the afternoon catching up on each other and our families. Gail's home is beautiful and she was the perfect hostess. We each took a salad for the luncheon along with a recipe card so that we can put the recipes in a cookbook which one of our ladies has so graciously offered to put together for us. We will all add other recipes to make this a great book. Maybe we can sell the cook books and then use the money for a special trip or get-to-gether for us Girls of 65.
Our last day in town was fun because Gil cooked out at the campground and my sister, her daughters and Mama came out to join us there. We had a mixed grill of beef, chicken and pork along with a lovely green salad, and fresh fruit for dessert. Everyone had a good time, along with Lucky and Sweetiepie. Our kitties really enjoy camping.
It was great to have this time with family and friends. This is likely to be the last post prior to our trip to Beijing to visit our grandchildren and their parents. We leave Aug. 28th and will return Oct. lst. So looking forward to this time with my son and his family! Watch for posts and pictures here.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friendship Baptist Church Reunion
Gil and I had a wonderful trip to Memphis, TN, this past weekend to reunite with many of our dear friends from Friendship Baptist Church where we worshipped while stationed at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, from 1984-1987. Bro. Stew Wine, our former pastor from FBC, now lives in Memphis with his daugher Patra Sue and her husband Chuck Mason.
We gathered with 45 of our dear friends from eight different states from Florida to Texas, including Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. It was wonderful to see our friends from the past, some of their children and grand children and to meet some of those church members whom we did not know until this reunion who were members (some founding members) before we got there, or after we left. The sermon by Bro. Stew was as inspiring as ever and the song service was great. I look forward to another time of fellowship with these dear friends and hope to see some next time who were not able to attend this year's gathering.
While in Memphis, I also had the opportunity to visit a couple of hours with one of my BHS classmates whom I had not seen since we graduated high school in 1965. Pam David Harris has been a resident of Memphis for many years and she was kind enough to drop by the hotel to visit with me and catch up on those many years we have not seen each other. Pam is a dear sweet Christian lady and I am so glad we were able to reconnect at this time.
We gathered with 45 of our dear friends from eight different states from Florida to Texas, including Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. It was wonderful to see our friends from the past, some of their children and grand children and to meet some of those church members whom we did not know until this reunion who were members (some founding members) before we got there, or after we left. The sermon by Bro. Stew was as inspiring as ever and the song service was great. I look forward to another time of fellowship with these dear friends and hope to see some next time who were not able to attend this year's gathering.
While in Memphis, I also had the opportunity to visit a couple of hours with one of my BHS classmates whom I had not seen since we graduated high school in 1965. Pam David Harris has been a resident of Memphis for many years and she was kind enough to drop by the hotel to visit with me and catch up on those many years we have not seen each other. Pam is a dear sweet Christian lady and I am so glad we were able to reconnect at this time.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Texarkana Library Book Event
The lastest book event was held in Texarkana at the local public library. This was set up by a fellow author friend I met on Facebook, Janice Glass. There were 15 authors in attendance with a variety of books available to the public who came to meet us that day. The books varied from children's books, to mystery novels, and history such as mine.
The general public was low in attendance that day but we had a good time meeting the ones who did come, and had a good time meeting each other and getting acquainted. Some of the authors in attendance read from their books. Two of them who had children's books read to the children in attendance. One young lady who is in high school presented her book she wrote about a local private investigator who was very involved in the civil rights agenda of the 60s.
All in all, we had a great day.
The general public was low in attendance that day but we had a good time meeting the ones who did come, and had a good time meeting each other and getting acquainted. Some of the authors in attendance read from their books. Two of them who had children's books read to the children in attendance. One young lady who is in high school presented her book she wrote about a local private investigator who was very involved in the civil rights agenda of the 60s.
All in all, we had a great day.
Monday, June 11, 2012
On June 9th I was privileged to be a part of the Author Faire at Shreve Memorial Library with eight other authors. This was in celebration of and in conjunction with their One-Book, One-Parish program push to interest the area residents in reading. The author whose book was selected to be in the bag for readers this year was Shreveport native Marc Pittman. His book Raising Cole is his story of how he coped after losing his son in an automobile accident a number of years ago. It was an honor to be a part of this program and to meet the other authors there whom I did not know. Mr. Pittman is a very devout Christian man and a very devoted father and husband.
Joining me at the library that morning were Texas residents and authors Patty Wiseman, Tammy Thompson, and Eddie Hancock as well as Louisiana native Sheila Jackson, Kim Thompson and Lynn Cawthorne. Each of us presented our books to the guests and had a time of questions and answers as well as time to sign and sell the books. Our host, Debora Kavanaugh, was so gracious and well prepared for the program and did an excellent job as facilitator for the event. Thank you Shreve Memorial Library staff.
The afternoon found me at the Randle T. Moore Center on Fairfield Avenue speaking to the local Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Association. Jim Johnson, program director, allowed me to present Sharecropping in North Louisiana to the membership with a time of questions and answers from the audience as well as time to meet them one on one and sign and sell books. It was a great time had by all and everyone seemed to appreciate the stories told in the book about my mother's years growing up during the 20s, 30s and 40s. I met one lady whose mother is from Caldwell Parish, and another lady who had attended a book event with me and Mama in March 2009 there in Shreveport at a Christian book store.
After the afternoon book event, Gil and I drove by the house where we had lived 38 years ago when we first married. The neighborhood had changed a lot since then, but the old house still looks very nice. We also drove by the State Bldg where I worked when we married. It was an absolutely lovely sunny day and a beautiful drive. We enjoyed seeing St. Mark's Catholic Church across the street for the Randle T. Moore Center. It reminds me of cathedrals we had seen in Europe.
Joining me at the library that morning were Texas residents and authors Patty Wiseman, Tammy Thompson, and Eddie Hancock as well as Louisiana native Sheila Jackson, Kim Thompson and Lynn Cawthorne. Each of us presented our books to the guests and had a time of questions and answers as well as time to sign and sell the books. Our host, Debora Kavanaugh, was so gracious and well prepared for the program and did an excellent job as facilitator for the event. Thank you Shreve Memorial Library staff.
The afternoon found me at the Randle T. Moore Center on Fairfield Avenue speaking to the local Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Association. Jim Johnson, program director, allowed me to present Sharecropping in North Louisiana to the membership with a time of questions and answers from the audience as well as time to meet them one on one and sign and sell books. It was a great time had by all and everyone seemed to appreciate the stories told in the book about my mother's years growing up during the 20s, 30s and 40s. I met one lady whose mother is from Caldwell Parish, and another lady who had attended a book event with me and Mama in March 2009 there in Shreveport at a Christian book store.
After the afternoon book event, Gil and I drove by the house where we had lived 38 years ago when we first married. The neighborhood had changed a lot since then, but the old house still looks very nice. We also drove by the State Bldg where I worked when we married. It was an absolutely lovely sunny day and a beautiful drive. We enjoyed seeing St. Mark's Catholic Church across the street for the Randle T. Moore Center. It reminds me of cathedrals we had seen in Europe.
Friday, May 25, 2012
In mid-May 2012, Gil and I travelled in our motorhome to visit Dan, Gil's son, and his family who live in Muscatine, IA. It was a special occasion - not only because Dan was to receive his AA degree from Muscatine Community College, but because he would actually walk upon the stage to get that degree! He had been in a motorcycle accident in July 2010 which left him in a wheelchair for almost 18 months. The doctors told him he may never walk again. Dan is a very determined young man! During that time, he focused on his studies as well as his pysical therapy in order to finish his schooling and be able to go back to work to take care of his family. He accomplished both and we are very proud of him. He recently obtained a job with Shaw Electric as their Job Estimator. He received his diploma on May 16th and we were there to help Dan celebrate this wonderful event with family and friends.
We then drove to Kansas City to visit one of Gil's long-time former school buddies - Larry Elliott and wife Karen. The trip continued as we drove to Wichita, KS, where we visited Gil's daughter Pat Galimi and her husband James. We also drove to Haysville, Ks, where we met our new great-grandson Connor Jakob Matthews, and his parents Rachael and Nathan along with big sister Emma. What a great tme we had in their home visiting and sharing meals. CJ, the baby, was so good and we all took turns holding him and spoiling him.
We were camping at McConnel AFB's Family Campground. While in Wichita, we attended church services with Pat and Emma at Immanuel Baptist Church were Gil and I were members back in the early 80s while stationed in Wichita at McConnell AFB. We also shared a meal with a former classmate of mine and child-hood friend, Willene Bennet and husband Jim. All in all we had a wonderful time in Wichita. We drove by the house in which we had lived on N. Erie St. as well as the area where we lived in a condo on S. 42nd St. The condo, along with its neighboirng condos, was torn down at some point to make room for a new housing development.
When we left Wichita, we drove east to Ft. Scott to visit with Gil's sisters, his brother and his step-mom. We enjoyed several meals with them and had a good time catching up on what they had been doing since our last visit as well as their kids and grandchildren. Our trip home was a rather long and tiring one as we had some trouble with our motorhome and eventualy left it in Little Rock for some repairs to the electrical system. We loaded clothes and food into our car and headed home, getting in late in the afternoon. It is so good to be home! Lucky and Sweetiepie agree.
We then drove to Kansas City to visit one of Gil's long-time former school buddies - Larry Elliott and wife Karen. The trip continued as we drove to Wichita, KS, where we visited Gil's daughter Pat Galimi and her husband James. We also drove to Haysville, Ks, where we met our new great-grandson Connor Jakob Matthews, and his parents Rachael and Nathan along with big sister Emma. What a great tme we had in their home visiting and sharing meals. CJ, the baby, was so good and we all took turns holding him and spoiling him.
We were camping at McConnel AFB's Family Campground. While in Wichita, we attended church services with Pat and Emma at Immanuel Baptist Church were Gil and I were members back in the early 80s while stationed in Wichita at McConnell AFB. We also shared a meal with a former classmate of mine and child-hood friend, Willene Bennet and husband Jim. All in all we had a wonderful time in Wichita. We drove by the house in which we had lived on N. Erie St. as well as the area where we lived in a condo on S. 42nd St. The condo, along with its neighboirng condos, was torn down at some point to make room for a new housing development.
When we left Wichita, we drove east to Ft. Scott to visit with Gil's sisters, his brother and his step-mom. We enjoyed several meals with them and had a good time catching up on what they had been doing since our last visit as well as their kids and grandchildren. Our trip home was a rather long and tiring one as we had some trouble with our motorhome and eventualy left it in Little Rock for some repairs to the electrical system. We loaded clothes and food into our car and headed home, getting in late in the afternoon. It is so good to be home! Lucky and Sweetiepie agree.
Monday, April 30, 2012
A recent trip to Bastrop was a double fun trip because I got to spend some time with my classmate and long-time friend Diane Smith Hawkins. We had lunch together at Johnny's Pizza, spent the afternoon catching up on each other and our kids and grandkids, then attended the local dinner theater put on by the Rose. It was a lovely meal, a funny play and a good time had by all.
We also ran into one of our favorite teachers from BHS there, Mrs. Bickley-Norwood and her daugher Kaye who also graduated with us from BHS. I spent the night with Diane in her home shared with her mother and then got up early the next day for my trip to Rayville with my own mother for our book event there at the Antique Trade Days.
It was a special weekend and a lot of fun.
We also ran into one of our favorite teachers from BHS there, Mrs. Bickley-Norwood and her daugher Kaye who also graduated with us from BHS. I spent the night with Diane in her home shared with her mother and then got up early the next day for my trip to Rayville with my own mother for our book event there at the Antique Trade Days.
It was a special weekend and a lot of fun.
Gil and I recently had a lovely get-away to Lake DeGray State Park, near Bismarck, AR. We camped near the lake and spent some time each day riding the trike around the camp ground and nearby roads and and highways. We met some lovely people through the time there, even a couple from our local church. It was nice getting to know this young couple from Grace Baptist as we sat around the campfire one evening. Weather and temperature was perfect!
April 21st, 2012, Antique Trade Days, Rayville, Louisiana, was a special book event for me and Mama because we were joined by guest Tate author Kimberly Thompson from Baskin, La. Kim had two books on the table for signing and selling, Gypsy Phoenix: A Birthright of Hope and Uncle Frank's Search for the Alligator King. It was wonderful spending time with Kim that day and getting to know her. We had a great day selling books and meeting folks there in Rayville.
April 21st, 2012, Antique Trade Days, Rayville, Louisiana, was a special book event for me and Mama because we were joined by guest Tate author Kimberly Thompson from Baskin, La. Kim had two books on the table for signing and selling, Gypsy Phoenix: A Birthright of Hope and Uncle Frank's Search for the Alligator King. It was wonderful spending time with Kim that day and getting to know her. We had a great day selling books and meeting folks there in Rayville.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Beautiful day at White Oak Lake State Park
My mother and sister came to visit us just prior to Easter this year and arrived on Good Friday about 10:00 a.m. I had planned a meal of baked chicken, roasted vegges, fruit salad and garlic bread with a summer berry pudding for dessert. We visited until lunchtime then each rested or took a nap while Gil rode out to White Oak Lake State Park to see what was going on there on Saturday. The schedule listed several re-enactments, candle making, weaving, tomahawk throwing, and an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
Friday afternoon we enjoyed the lovely weather, visited more and then had a light meal prior to our skype call to China to talk to Ed, Deb and the girls. We talked to them for over an hour, catching up on their recent move to Beijing and their new jobs and apartment there. Destiny showed us her new toy, a motorcycle which she loves pushing around their apartment. Suzanne spoke to us for a while after she cleaned up the kitchen from their breakfast meal. It was already Sat. morning there. Everyone had a good visit and Mama then went to bed early. Judy and I stayed up later talking and visiting. Gil watched a little TV then retired.
On Sat. morning we slept a little late then had breakfast before riding out to the state Park. It was such a lovely day we had a nice ride out there. Mama enjoyed seeing everything on the ride because she had not been out that way in a long time.
Even though the lake is drawn down and almost empty, there were many campers there enjoying this lovely spring weather.
We stopped by the pavilion where the re-enactors were camped and met them and enjoyed talking with them and hearing about their many camp sights around the country performing re-enactments from several periods of history. At this point they were dressed in pre-1840s costumes and were enjoying a breakfast that had been prepared over the campfire in castiron skillets and dutch ovens. Afterwards we then watched them during their tomahawk throwing contest. They invited the general audience to participate. Judy was first to step up and learn how to throw the tomahawk. She caught on very quickly and after a few practice throws with that left hand of hers landed the tomahawk on the target 3 out of five throws. Then Mama wanted to try her hand at it and after a couple of practice throws landed the tomahawk in the target on the 3rd attempt. To the dismay of several of the re-enactors, both ladies made better scores than they.
As it turned out, there were no candle makers or weavers at the park today but we had a great time meeting the re-enactors and visiting with them.
We came home for a nice lunch of ham, baked beans, broccoli casserole and upside-down cake. Mama and Judy left shortly after lunch so Gil and I took the trike back out to the lake to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. We had a great time today. It has been a lovely Holy Week and we look forward to Easter Sunday at which time we will celebrate our Lord's resurrection at Grace Baptist Church.
Friday afternoon we enjoyed the lovely weather, visited more and then had a light meal prior to our skype call to China to talk to Ed, Deb and the girls. We talked to them for over an hour, catching up on their recent move to Beijing and their new jobs and apartment there. Destiny showed us her new toy, a motorcycle which she loves pushing around their apartment. Suzanne spoke to us for a while after she cleaned up the kitchen from their breakfast meal. It was already Sat. morning there. Everyone had a good visit and Mama then went to bed early. Judy and I stayed up later talking and visiting. Gil watched a little TV then retired.
On Sat. morning we slept a little late then had breakfast before riding out to the state Park. It was such a lovely day we had a nice ride out there. Mama enjoyed seeing everything on the ride because she had not been out that way in a long time.
Even though the lake is drawn down and almost empty, there were many campers there enjoying this lovely spring weather.
We stopped by the pavilion where the re-enactors were camped and met them and enjoyed talking with them and hearing about their many camp sights around the country performing re-enactments from several periods of history. At this point they were dressed in pre-1840s costumes and were enjoying a breakfast that had been prepared over the campfire in castiron skillets and dutch ovens. Afterwards we then watched them during their tomahawk throwing contest. They invited the general audience to participate. Judy was first to step up and learn how to throw the tomahawk. She caught on very quickly and after a few practice throws with that left hand of hers landed the tomahawk on the target 3 out of five throws. Then Mama wanted to try her hand at it and after a couple of practice throws landed the tomahawk in the target on the 3rd attempt. To the dismay of several of the re-enactors, both ladies made better scores than they.
As it turned out, there were no candle makers or weavers at the park today but we had a great time meeting the re-enactors and visiting with them.
We came home for a nice lunch of ham, baked beans, broccoli casserole and upside-down cake. Mama and Judy left shortly after lunch so Gil and I took the trike back out to the lake to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. We had a great time today. It has been a lovely Holy Week and we look forward to Easter Sunday at which time we will celebrate our Lord's resurrection at Grace Baptist Church.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
March RV trip to Caney Lake near Chatham, La
Linda's former highschool classmates, known as 'Girls of 65,' planned a retreat at the lake house owned by Nettie Echols Cartwright's son. We planned to gather there Friday night for a meal and again on Saturday and leave on Sunday after lunch. There were beds at the lake house for about a dozen to sleep. Gil decided to take the RV and camp at the Jimmie Davis State Park, just down the road from the lake house. Our friends, Reba and Eddie Beard, also planned to camp at the park. Gil and I arrived at the campground Thursday afternoon and once set up at the campsite joined Reba and Eddie for the evening meal at their campsite. Reba had made chicken and spaghetti, green salad and a cake for super.
We had a lovely visit with them, getting to know them better and hear about their children and precious grandchildren (2 children, 9 grands). On Friday afternoon Reba and I drove to the lake house where we began to prepare the evening meal for the Girls. I made 'gumbolaya' - my version of gumbo which many say is more like jambalaya because I cook the rice in the same pot. The version I made for the Girls was my smoked sausage recipe. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Reba had wonderful garlic bread and someone else brought a big green salad. We also had several desserts including crepes made by my dear highschool friend and classmate Charlene Whitaker Bailey. About a dozen of the girls spent the night at the lake house.
On Saturday we gathered once again after breakfast and another 12 of our 'Girls' from highschool drove in for the day. Several live in Bastrop, several more in the Monroe/West Monroe area and a number had driven in from Texas for the weekend retreat. We had so much fun visiting and laughing and just 'hanging out.' The house was right on the water and had a nice dock for fishing. Then in the afternoon we all had the opportunity to go on a boat ride with James (owner of the lake house). It was a fast boat and he really showed us a good time as he took us around the beautiful lake so we could see the lovely homes there. Naturally, he took out only 5or 6 at a time. It really was a lot of fun.
On Sunday morning Gil and I decided to drive into East Texas to see the wildflowers since they were at their peak. Texas had had a lot of rain the previous week and some of the ladies who drove to the retreat told us that the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes were lovely. We ended up having some repairs made on the motorhome in Lufkin and again in Marshall, TX. BUT all in all it was a great trip. The Girls are planning to make this an annual retreat at Lake Caney and I really look forward to it again next year. There were 25 of us Girls there on Saturday. Hope more can come next year. Our name 'Girls of 65' comes from the fact that we graduated from highschool in May 1965, BUT this year is significant in that most of us turn 65 and go on Medicare. I think we are a bunch of beautiful ladies! We sure know how to have fun!
We had a lovely visit with them, getting to know them better and hear about their children and precious grandchildren (2 children, 9 grands). On Friday afternoon Reba and I drove to the lake house where we began to prepare the evening meal for the Girls. I made 'gumbolaya' - my version of gumbo which many say is more like jambalaya because I cook the rice in the same pot. The version I made for the Girls was my smoked sausage recipe. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Reba had wonderful garlic bread and someone else brought a big green salad. We also had several desserts including crepes made by my dear highschool friend and classmate Charlene Whitaker Bailey. About a dozen of the girls spent the night at the lake house.
On Saturday we gathered once again after breakfast and another 12 of our 'Girls' from highschool drove in for the day. Several live in Bastrop, several more in the Monroe/West Monroe area and a number had driven in from Texas for the weekend retreat. We had so much fun visiting and laughing and just 'hanging out.' The house was right on the water and had a nice dock for fishing. Then in the afternoon we all had the opportunity to go on a boat ride with James (owner of the lake house). It was a fast boat and he really showed us a good time as he took us around the beautiful lake so we could see the lovely homes there. Naturally, he took out only 5or 6 at a time. It really was a lot of fun.
On Sunday morning Gil and I decided to drive into East Texas to see the wildflowers since they were at their peak. Texas had had a lot of rain the previous week and some of the ladies who drove to the retreat told us that the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes were lovely. We ended up having some repairs made on the motorhome in Lufkin and again in Marshall, TX. BUT all in all it was a great trip. The Girls are planning to make this an annual retreat at Lake Caney and I really look forward to it again next year. There were 25 of us Girls there on Saturday. Hope more can come next year. Our name 'Girls of 65' comes from the fact that we graduated from highschool in May 1965, BUT this year is significant in that most of us turn 65 and go on Medicare. I think we are a bunch of beautiful ladies! We sure know how to have fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
