Elizabeth

Elizabeth McKinney

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St. Patrick's Day 3-17-08
On March 17, we will celebrate another St. Patrick's Day. Most people wear green and many cities have parades to honor the Irish. My husband's mother and father were of Irish decent, so I've always put up some decorations and wore green. Most school children wear green to protect themselves from getting pinched. When my children were at home, we usually had some green food on the menu for the day. That was one day out of the year
my youngest son would eat a garden salad. We would have green jello or even cupcakes with green frosting and lime Kool Aid. I sure miss those days.
My husband's cousin has huge St. Pat's decorations on her porch and yard. She is certainly proud of her Irish decent. My husband was a proud Irishman too. He would tell everyone that his mother and father's ancestors came from Ireland.
Over the years, I have read many books on the Scotch-Irish and the ancient Celts. The Celts occupied the land known as Ireland about 2,000 years ago. Many books stated the Scotch-Irish were an untamable people. They were a roaming, restless people.My husband has a distant cousin that has done much genealogy on the McKinney's. In one of her books, she stated that she had to travel, KY, VA, TN and North Carolina to find information because the ancestors had roamed so much. She once told me that it was almost impossible to
collect information because of the roaming.
Pictures of Ireland show a vast green land that is surrounded blue waters. In the pictures, the rock fences that hedged the many farms are shown. The old Irish settlers loved their native land. My husband always said we would visit when I retired. That never happened because of his stroke and other illnesses.
The majority of Irish immigrants that came to America were catholic, while the Scottish were protestants. That is another McKinney mystery to me. Not one McKinney I have known were catholic.
In the 1840's the Irish brought brought their customs of Halloween with them. They believed that on October 31, the souls of the dead would come back and inhibit live bodies. So they dressed in ghoulish outfits to keep the spirits away. They also hung long strings of garlic in their windows to keep away spirits. I Imagine the smell would keep everybody away. My deceased mother-in-law was a very superstitious person, maybe because of her Irish ancestors.
Let's all wear green and watch at least one parade on TV on Monday, March 17.

Rain and Wind 2-16-08
January is past and this was the most depressing one that I think I have ever experienced. The sky was always gray and ominous. We had more snow and ice than usual. It was so cold that my husband just wouldn't get outside. When I have to sit inside several days I get depressed and sad.
January ended with heavy rain and terrible winds. When I went to bed on January 31, the sky was totally black. The air was too still or so I felt. Sometime in the night I awoke to the heaviest rain I had ever heard. It was like someone was pouring buckets of water on our metal roof. The noise was deafening. Finally the rain got lighter and lighter. I fell back to sleep to it's gentle tapping. To me, there is nothing as calming as a gentle rain tapping
on the roof.
Sometime later a loud roaring awoke me. It sounded like a train was coming over the mountain across from us. It felt like the roof was being ripped off with each gust of the mighty wind. I prayed to the Lord to keep my husband, my daughter's family and everyone in the community safe.
With one mighty gust, I heard a loud banging. I prayed that it wasn't the Vaughn's trailer toppling over. It sits on the top of the mountain across from us. Then there were sounds of scrapping and tree limbs hitting the ground. I closed my eyes and just prayed all the more.
My daughter awoke me early Friday morning with a phone call. She said that her daughter had awakened her the night before. She had told her mother that she heard a tornado coming. It wasn't a tornado but straight-line winds, my daughter told me. I rushed to open my front door. The Vaughn's trailer was still standing, but her
covered porch swing had blown down the mountain. The wind had picked up and deposited a neighbor's pick-up bed liner in the creek across the road. It had been in the yard near their house. There were tree limbs and other debris in the highway. I thanked God again that everyone was safe.
My front porch was full of rain puddles. The wind had blown it in from all three sides. The tree in front of the house was full of raindrops. They glistened in the morning sunlight. This made me smile as I thought the empty branches were wearing diamonds. I was also thankful for the heavy rain. Our water bills have soared this past fall and winter. The town manager had been asking everyone to conserve water. He said the next step
would be sanctions. Now, with the January snow and heavy rain there surely has to be enough water.
I always try to find beauty and goodness in every situation. This has kept me sane during my husband's sickness. My mother and dad taught is that there is always good to be found in every bad situation. They told us that to find good and beauty in everything made the bad things in life go easier. If only we could always do this, we would be much happier in life.

Sparrows and Birds 1-17-08
(Matthew 12-6 & 6-24)
The first week of 2008 is already gone. Time sure moves rapidly. I sure hope and pray that it will be a happier year for my family and me. My New Year's resolution was that I would let God lead me in all that I do. I've learned that I sure make a mess of things when I blindly rush into them. Depression is a by product of rushing into things and also wanting things my way.
This past year, it seems I was always depressed. Recently, a friend from my hometown told me that the biggest percentage of depression is self pity. In my case, she is correct. It seems like I have the "Why me, Lord?" attitude. My depression is also a result of my impatience and just wanting to do things my way. My parents advised me to slow down, wait and think before doing something.   Mother would call me strong willed.My Texas friend tells me that I am a strong woman and that I do things my way. My way doesn't always lead to a happy solution. I have broken my resolution a few times in the past week. I certainly did yesterday and last night, as my husband slept yesterday and was awake almost all night.
This morning I was sad and depressed. Nothing had worked out right. I looked out the kitchen window and a beautiful red bird sat in the trees. This made me think about the Bible verses on the birds. One verse says not one will fall to earth without God's consent and think how much more we mean to God than the birds.
The minister on the TV said, "Leave things to ,God." I got down on my knees and prayed to Him that I would leave things in His hands. I told Him that I gave Him my husband, children, and grandchildren. I pray that I can leave all of them to Him in this new year, because I only make myself depressed when I try to fix things.
A woman just called and said that she had known a recently retired teacher to commit suicide. She said the woman's husband and children said it was because she was depressed. It is so sad that people can in tangle themselves into such messes, because they tried to take care of things themselves. In this year, 2008, I pray that I can leave things in God's faithful hands.

Another Birthday 11-26-07
Another birthday has come and gone. This was the best birthday that I've celebrated in a number of years. Someone asked if I felt older. The answer is no, I try to live each day to it's fullest and try to learn something new most everyday. As we age, I think we appreciate life more. I know I appreciate family and friends more each day.
As my family has grown, it seems each person has his/her own schedule. We have begun to have two birthday cakes. This was the case on my birthday. My husband's cousin, Nadine, brought me a delicious ice cream cake. We ate cake and celebrated at about noon. Nadine is a wonderfully kind relative and friend. She is always doing
nice things for others. Her mother had the same type personality. People like them make/made the world a better place in which to live.
My granddaughter, Tasha, informed me that she was cooking my birthday supper. My daughter called and said that Tasha couldn't cook, but I have learned Tasha can do whatever she wants to do. She has a personality like her maternal great-grandmother and does some things in the same manner as mom did them.
We had a delicious supper and she did most of the cooking by herself. We had southern fried chicken, broccoli and cheese and brown rice. The rice was made in the microwave, but it was really good. My daughter had bought me a cake. Tasha wanted to decorate it herself. She decorated it in blue. She knew blue was my favorite color or maybe she did it because of the Kentucky Wildcats. She has never lived in Kentucky, but she
is truly a Wildcat fan.
Tasha even got my age correct on the cake. She said it would take too many candles to put on it, because of my age. She thinks I am truly ancient. What made this birthday so special was family. To me, my family is everything.
Tasha asked what I wished for on this special birthday. I told her my wish was for her as many good years as I've had. Also , for her to blessed with loving children and grandchildren like I have, and to be blessed with the good health that God has blessed me with all these years.
These wishes are not only for Tasha but my three children and grandchildren. These Wishes also go out to my readers, and the staff of Breathitt on line.

November 11-14-07
We have said good by to warm, colorful October. Now, November has just barley opened the door to give us a hint of the cold winter weather ahead. November is the eleventh month and it seems it is just too tired to fight winter's approach. So as the days of the month pass, she just opens the door wider for winter to come in with her cold winds.
We have felt the results of the opening door. The nights have been in the twenties and the days have been much cooler. At the present time, our temperature is forty-five degrees. Another sign of the approaching winter is the nights have become shorter and it gets dark earlier (because of the time change.)
To me, spring and summer are the fun seasons. Winter is not only the coldest but the
most silent of all the seasons. I truly miss the songs of the colorful birds and I even miss the sounds of the night bugs and katydids. My son called from South Carolina and says that he still hears the night bugs . He thinks they are a nuisance and maybe I did when I was his age. Now I just miss the sounds of spring, summer and fall nights.
There are some really nice things about November. One is with the time change, the sun comes up much earlier. It is wonderful to watch the sun come up over the eastern mountain. I go out on my front porch in my heavy robe and just thank God for letting me live to see another sunrise.
The best thing about November is that it brings Thanksgiving. At our house Thanksgiving means the children, grandchildren, other family and friends will visit. Then our house won't be silent. Even the nights won't be as quiet.
After Thanksgiving, it will be time to put up the Christmas tree. It is fun to decorate for all the holidays. Maybe, just maybe my husband will feel like doing some Christmas shopping by the end of November.
Here is looking forward to November days. Even her opening door to winter's cold and silence.

Winter Weather
Fall is finally arriving. The mornings and late nights are cool. The leaves are turning. The colors are brilliant. The yellow, red and orange trees stand out in the woods behind my house. It seems that the leaves are falling sooner this year. Some say this is because of all the dry weather we've had in July. The trees are getting ready for their long winters rest, but to me their dead brown leaves are a little bit sad.
To me, the bird's songs in our back yard have a hint of sadness. Soon they will be making their long journey to a warmer climate. I wonder could they feel a sadness about moving away from familiar surroundings. I know when I had to move from my home in Southeaster Kentucky, I was sad for a long time.
We had company from Georgia recently. They had three small little girls and it was so nice to have children in the house again. We did a lot of porch sitting. Spring and fall are the two seasons that are pleasant for porch sitting. One late evening our daughter and son-in-law and our neighbor, Brenda, came to porch sit with us. Debbie, our company, loved sitting and looking at the stars. She said she had forgotten how many stars there
were in the night sky.
We sat and talked into the night. My husband even sat out with us. Our main topic of conversation was the approaching fall and winter. Debbie said that her grandparents had said if there were a lot of berries on trees in the fall there would be a really cold winter. The dogwood trees are full of red berries, so maybe it is a bad sign.
Each of us told some old saying pertaining to the signs of a fair or cold, cold winter.
My parents used the wolly worm as a predictor. I can remember my dad saying that if the front and back of the worm was yellow the first and last part of winter would be fair. If the worm was all black then he and mom would say it was really going to be a bad winter My parents also believed that if Easter came early in the season that meant we would have an early spring. This year Easter comes on March 23. So just maybe we'll have an early spring and a short fair winter.
With the electric prices the way ours is I sure hope it isn't a bad one. I enjoy the electric heat, but I don't enjoy the high price of our bill. For now I am just going to enjoy the fall with it's pretty colors. I am even enjoying the yellow goldenrod. The bright yellow is a sharp contrast to the dead brown plants. I am satisfied to listen to the nightly song of the katydids and night bugs. Fall is a noisy season, but I enjoy it's many sounds.

Another Year
      It seems this year has flown by and fall is almost here again. To me the fall is a sad season, but I enjoy the sounds and colors. At night and early in the mornings fall can be felt in the air. Already the night sounds are changing. There seems to be more noise of nature in fall with the babbling and chirping. I often sit in my dark kitchen at night and listen to these sounds.
   Fall is my daughter's favorite season. My deceased mother-in-law often told me that my husband was her fall baby. As far as I know he was the only one of her children born in August. She said he like the fall season always seemed to look forward to something. She said he was always looking forward to growing up then he wanted to go into the armed forces. As I look back on our life together, I think he had a restless spirit like the
fall.
     It seems that the winds are restless in fall. Maybe they just want to blow each and every leaf off the trees.The animals are restless in the fall. They seem to hurry about gathering food for the cold winter. Even the frogs seem restless.
      In my husband's older age his restless spirit has given way to a quiet spirit. He celebrated another birthday last Monday. He had two birthday cakes this year. I bought one because two of the grandchildren had to weekdays. This cake was for Saturday.
      His cousin, Nadine, bought him an ice cream cake for his birthday on Monday. She and another female cousin came, as did our neighbor, Brenda. The cake was delicious and pretty. I think my niece, Joyce and our daughter ate two slices. He got several pretty cards. Our granddaughter, Tasha and his cousin, Nadine bought him hilarious cards. I read them to him and he laughed. He really seemed to enjoy his day.
      He says he is now ready for winter. He once liked the snow, but it just gets too cold for me. I only pray the winter will be a happy one for my family and me.

Leaving Wonderful Memories
Another July has come and gone. July has always been a happy month for me. I enjoy the sunshine, pretty flowers, trees and colors of summer. Also my daughter, oldest grandson and his little girl have birthdays in July. This July has also brought sadness. I had two neighbor sisters to die only days apart. My dearest childhood friend, Wanda, passed July 3. I will surly miss her though I didn't get to go to my home community that much.
On July 23 death called another dear person home to Heaven. She was my first, second and third grade teacher. She later taught my daughter in second grade. She was Mrs. Ruth Carter Hubbard-Napier. She was not only a special teacher who touched my life, but also a special friend.
She taught her first years in a small one-room school. She taught her many students, myself included book learning, manners, personal hygiene, and the Ten Commandments. She taught us life lessons one of which was how to get along with other people. In her classroom we had to live by the Golden Rule. She was an example to all of us. When I first entered school, she said she saw something special in me, though many people in our small community did not. They saw a sickly little girl, being brought up by an aunt and her husband. To Miss Carter, I became special.
In third grade, she had me write a paper about my brother-in-law getting killed in the coal mine. She showed this paper to my parents and sister. She told them I had special talent and I would be a success someday if I was allowed. Not many years after this she talked my parents into buying me a typewriter. When other kids my age were listening to records, (in those days, we had record payers not Cd's or TV) I was busy typing and reading every book I could get my hands on . She had influenced me that much. I look around today and I see many of her students have done really well. I see a teacher, lawyer, a nurse and many factory workers. We all got our beginning in the small one-room school under the guidance of our teacher, Miss Carter.
This morning, I received a package from her daughter. In this was pictures of her life from baby to senior citizen. She also sent copies of her memorial service. Years ago, I had written a paper on my first teacher and her influence on my life. This was included in the celebration of her life.
This great teacher has left behind many memories and I wonder how many generations that have been touched by her. I truly believe her influence will touch many generations to come. In closing I will say that I hope I leave behind lives that I have touched in a positive way.

What We Give In Life
Recently I went to a neighbor woman's wake in my hometown. I seldom get to go back home, because of my husband's sickness. There had been two sisters die within days of each other. They had lived two houses from my childhood home. I was very fortunate to have my husband's cousin sit with him, usually I can't get anyone to do so.
My childhood friend, Wanda, was at the funeral home. We sat together and talked of our happy childhood. She told my daughter of the many nights she had spent at our house. She also stated that we had thought times were hard then, but those were the happiest times of our lives.
Four days later, I got the news that she had died of heart failure on July 3. I was so shocked and hurt. I so wanted to attend her wake and funeral, but I had no one to sit with my husband. I have thought of our last conversation and what a dear friend she had been.
As small girls, we played in my playhouse together. We told each other our hopes and dreams for the future. I think I always wanted to be a teacher. She would tell me that she wanted to get married to a wonderful man and have a bunch of children. She said that she wanted to be as good a mother as her mother was to her and her sisters and brothers. I couldn't understand this dream. I knew I had a wonderful mother, but I wanted more out
life than to be a stay at home mom, but I never discouraged her dream. Her father was the community minister. Almost all the community attended this little log church. He preached the Bible. He would tell us, children, that wrong was wrong and there was no way it was right. I think this church was where I truly learned to know right and wrong. Wanda was proud of her dad. Everyone called him Preacher. Even as a child she had a deep faith.
As we grew into our preteen years, she kept her dream of becoming a wonderful mother. I wanted to get out into the world, but she wanted to stay in our small community. On one of our daily walks, I told her that someday I would live in town and have all modern appliances and furniture. She smiled and pointed to her house. She said that she would as soon have her small house and be happily married and have loving children. "She would repeat a Bible verse that stated:"Blessed is the woman that keeps her own house ,for her
children shall call her blessed."
She got married right after eighth grade graduation. As far as I know, he was the only fellow that she had ever dated. When I would see her, she would be beaming. I attended high school and college and I seldom saw her. Mother or my sister would tell me that Wanda had another baby. I would think of her words, "I just want to be a good wife and mother." My parents moved from the community during my college years, so I didn't see her
very often. When I did she would have her children with her. They were well behaved and polite. She would talk of going to church and her deep faith in God. I never heard her complain.
As a senior citizen, she remained a smiling happy woman.She was proudest of her eight children, thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She remained deeply faithful in her beliefs, but I never knew her to judge others. I remember once when I made a mistake in life, she smiled and said that I didn't mean to do it that way. From childhood to senior citizen she would tell me that God understood when we made a mistake. I would look at her and think if only I could be more like her.
She never did anything to hide her age. I never saw her in make-up or jewelry. She would say that God made us just the way he wanted. She just wanted to do what God wanted her to do. In our last conversation she said her husband had survived cancer and she thanked God. She truly loved him and her family.
She will be sadly missed in her small community. Her husband, children and grandchildren will miss her, but I'm sure they will continue to follow her footsteps into a better here after.

Summer Colors
Yesterday was a wonderful summer day. It was a rare day when my life seemed to be at peace. With my husband's sickness, daily chores and errands to run, my life is seldom peaceful. So I truly enjoyed yesterday.
This was the first time I had gotten to sit on my back porch in quiet solitude. The colorful birds flew almost up to the edge of the porch. They seemed to chirp welcome to my world. My neighbor had recently mowed his lawn. The fresh grass scent was invigorating. The recent rain had made it greener than usual and the birds were plentiful in it. Upon the mountain behind our back porch, the tall green poplars stood in all their glory. They brought to my mind, tall straight soldiers arrayed all in bright green. They swayed gently in the breeze as it moved slowly up the mountain. A baby squirrel darted out of the trees and into the yard. It's sudden appearance
scared the birds. They flew quickly into the trees. Their red, yellow and blue was dazzling as they sat in the branches. To me, the birds are the most beautiful of all God's creatures.
The birds brought to mind what God told us in the Bible. "See the birds of the field and not one of these will fall to earth without my permission (my wording.)" So if God loves the birds this much think how much more he loves us." These verses always gives me hope and the strength to go on about my life. This life is so hard and I wonder how some people can go through it not believing in God and his power. I also wonder how people can look at the beauty of the seasons and not see God's in it.
Let's all get out and enjoy summer's color. All too soon it will be gone and winter will take it's place with white and dull colors.

Hot Weather Good and Bad
Summer is almost here. It seems spring has flown by. The weather has been too hot for spring. It seems we went straight from winter into summer because of the extremely hot weather. I guess I'm just use to the cool days of spring.
This spring our weather has been extremely dry. Because of this, the snake season has begun earlier than usual. Last week my neighbor, Brenda, and I were standing in my driveway, when a cat brought a long snake down. There are many neighborhood cats, and this one stays mostly at our house. It brought the snake down from the mountainside. It tried and tried to kill the thing but couldn't. Brenda squashed it with a rock. It turned out
to be a garter snake. People say these are harmless, but I can't stand to look at any snake. They are sure a bad part of spring and summer.
My daughter ran over a huge blacksnake. My next door neighbor picked it up with a stick and threw it into his truck bed. He told us that the snake had to be at least six foot long. He said that it even gave him the shivers.
Someone else said they had killed two garter snakes with their lawnmower. Maybe this is going to be a snaky summer. I sure hope not. In the last two summers we only saw two snakes, so maybe rain (when we get it) will make them stay in the mountains this summer as they did the last two years.
Sunday, my son-in-law told the family that he had seen seven bears in one hollow. Last night he called to say that he had seen a mother mother bear and her two cubs. He said he stopped the coal truck to take a better look. The two cubs ran back into the hills, but the mother bear stood her ground. He said she would shake her big head and growl.
Finally she got tired and went back into the woods. Bears are another bad thing about spring and summer. They scare me. A lot of folks are saying the bears are coming out of the woods for water. I know the Lord will send rain when he decides we've had enough of this dry weather. He tells us that he will care for us if we only believe.
A lot of small animals are coming down to the small creek. These animals are a good thing in spring and summer. There was a red fox drinking at the creek recently. He seemed oblivious to the many houses on both sides of the creek. I guess he was thirsty. Yesterday, I had to stop the car twice to let squirrels run across the road to the creek. A slow old turtle is in our backyard. As slow as it is, I wonder how long it will take for it to get down the steep embankment to the ditch line. These are also pleasant animals of spring
and summer.
We have plenty of colorful birds in our yard. I do enjoy seeing the birds. One thing I haven't seen this year are butterflies. We saw one at the cemetery Sunday. That was my first and only butterfly sighting this year. My daughter said she had only seen one in her yard. I just wonder where they are. My oldest grandson called butterflies flying flowers, when he was a child. I do miss the colorful creatures. Each season has it's
special color the birds and butterflies give spring beautiful color.

When We Fear
My sister called me and the poor thing was in tears. It seems that a bird had flown into her house. There is an old superstition that says if a bird flies into your house and flies out the same door or window then there is going to be a death in the family. Since her companion died a couple of years ago, she is terrified of death. As calmly as I could I explained to her that this was just a foolish old superstition. This seemed to calm her and
she hung up thanking me.
This conversation brought to mind how foolish I had been a few weeks ago. I had a bad dream and so I looked it up in my daughter's dream book. The meaning of the dream was one that I didn't even understand. This made me realize how silly my daughter, sister and I were. A dream book can't foretell our future anymore than believing old superstitions. It is just utter nonsense.
Many years ago, a woman had been angry (I suppose) at my husband and me. She told me that she had put a spell or curse on my three children. The curse on our daughter was especially scary. This caused me much worry and considerable loss of sleep. My young daughter spoke words too wise for her age. She said that curses couldn't hurt us if we loved and believed in God almighty.
We then did what I should have done in the beginning. We got down on our knees and prayed for Jesus to protect my daughter and her brothers. Every time I went to church I would ask for special prayer for my children. I never told Rev. Pope or the congregation why I gave in the prayer request.
My daughter went on to graduate and join the armed forces. She later married and two years later had a beautiful baby daughter. My daughter works as a paraoptomeric technician. So the curse proved to be ignorant and untrue. If only I had prayed and trusted God in the beginning, I would have saved myself much worry and anxiety.
The Bible states: Everything works to the good of those that love and believe in God. I truly believe that God does take care of us. It is useless to worry. Doctors tell us that worry can bring on heart disease. It saps your energy and causes loss of sleep, so don't worry, just trust God.

Family
My youngest grandson and his mom spent the weekend with us. He is seven and a pleasure to my husband and me. His pap paw was so glad to see him. My husband doesn't like pizza at all, but he ate a huge slice with Blake. The Bible states: "The pleasure of an old man is his children's children." This is very true of grandmothers too.
Blake's mom and I talked about his age and that he is only seven years older than his nephew. Blake is my oldest son's youngest child and my son now has a grandson. I asked him how he felt about his new nephew. His answer was simple, "He's just a baby and can't play with me."
This makes me smile, because my oldest nephew is only five years younger than me. Bill, my nephew and I did everything together. He was more like a brother than nephew. I can only pray that Blake and his nephew will be this close. My deceased brother had two sons and waited quit a few years to have more children. His children and grandchildren are very close nit. We were taught that age didn't matter in a family. My parents would tell my two nephews, niece and me that loved tied us together, and this has proved true through the years.
I wonder if my brother and his wife were correct in having two families (in age.) I know she didn't have to go through the empty nest syndrome as soon as I did. It really bothered when my children left home. I still miss my three children terribly. When they and the grandchildren visit then leave, it seems the house is just too silent. My husband used to say that I liked noise and really I do. It is the happiest for me when I have a full house of
children, grandchildren and other family and lots of talking and laughing. My advice to young parents is enjoy your children, because all too soon they will be grown and leave home.

How Things Were
My granddaughter told us that she wanted some old fashioned food.She wanted soup beans, fried potatoes and cornbread. This is some old fashioned food that I don't think people will ever stop eating. She asked if these foods tasted better cooked on an old coal cook stove. She has always been interested in our old days in Southeastern Kentucky.
Maybe she will tell her children and grandchildren about how her great-grandparents and grandmother lived so many years ago. Our local history and traditions are rapidly disappearing and it makes me feel wonderful to know that some of our history will be passed on to future generations.
My granddaughter and my talks always makes my memory travel back to my childhood days. In those days times were simpler and I believe that even our minds weren't as cluttered as they are today. It seems there is very little peace and calm in today's world.
Recently, the electricity was off. A lot of my neighbors were agitated and troubled by this event. One lady told me that she didn't have enough food in the house to last a day. In my day, mom cooked on an old coal cook stove. She and my dad kept kerosene lamps for emergencies.
My parents, my nephews, niece and me raised a huge garden and field/fields of corn for the cow and hogs. We helped mom can and dry the vegetables in the fall. We picked blackberries and she made jam, jelly and canned these. She also used the apples, cherries and plums from our trees to can and make jellies. My dad and the
community men always slaughtered a hog or two. So we never went hungry. It seemed we always had plenty to eat when friends and family visited. Times have sure changed. My dad was a coal miner and in those days they sure didn't make much money.
My parents never had to spend all his check at the grocery store or commissary because we had plenty of home-grown food.This is one thing I get from my parents, I keep extra food on hand. My neighbor asked me about this. I always buy two of everything so there is three on hand when I need it. An example of this is I always keep two extra cans of coffee in the cupboard. When there is a sale on something we need, I always buy. To me
this is one way to be self sufficient.
When the electricity was off, I thought of how long people could survive if something really bad happened. What if there wasn't going to be anymore electricity? How long do the readers think we could survive? I really doubt if we could make it two weeks. This is scary and so unlike our ancestors.

Memorable People
My sister-in-law called and said that I must have had a happy childhood and wonderful memories. Thinking about her words, I think back to my childhood and the many people that made it happy and memorable.
My happy childhood is due to having a wonderful mom and dad. I had the best older sister that a person could ever want. I will always remember her advice. When the children at school made fun of me because I didn't have a real mom and dad. I cried to her. She told me to tell those kids that I had two families and they only had one. She talked to the teacher and that stopped the cruel taunting for the rest of my school days. When I became a teen she told me not to try to fit in with the group, if it meant doing anything against the principles I had been taught.
Many memorable people visited and sat on our front porch. Some of these visitors were relatives many were friends of my parents. I learned from these people that friends and family are the most valuable assets a person can have. Hosts of relatives, from both sides, came to our home to visit. These taught me that no matter where I went or what I did, I will always be a part of my relatives, past and present. These relatives, like all relatives, were some good and some bad, but they were all memorable folks of my childhood.
Church was a big part of my childhood. Our minister and the deacon are etched in my memory. They preached right from wrong and Heaven and Hell. I heard on TV today that ministers seldom mention Hell anymore, because it scares people away. Our community wasn't a large one, but I guess the preacher wasn't afraid of scaring anyone away. In this small childhood church, I learned Jesus loved me. I also learned that I was to obey what was written in the Bible. The church family are all memorable people to me.
School was very important in my life. I will always remember my first teacher. Her name was Ruth Carter-Hubbard. She and her parents lived just up the road from my family. I thought she was the prettiest lady in the whole world. She was tall, dark with black hair and brown eyes. She wore bright red nail polish.
She taught me in grades one, two and three. She taught us book learning, the ten commandments and personal hygiene. I devoured each lesson she taught. I've heard said that every child needs a role model and she became mine. I wanted to be just like her. She and my parents said that I had to go on to high school and college to do that and I did. In third grade she had me do a piece of writing on my bother-in-law getting killed in the coal mine. She told my parents I had talent. Later she talked them into buying my first typewriter. She remained a friend until last year. She moved to live with her daughter in Western Kentucky. She is a very memorable person in my life.
Someone once said that it took a community to rear a child. This has proved true in my life. My parents, family, friends, my ministers along with the church family, and my first teacher have made me who and what I am today.
In ending, let me say that each and everyone of us need to live our lives so as to be an example to some child.

Beautiful Season
Taking a pause from my daily routine, I sat on my front porch a few minutes. The sun was shinning brightly and it is warm. This made me realize that in a couple of days nature's most glorious season will begin. As far back as I can remember spring has been my favorite season.
In a few short weeks the countryside will change from a drab brown into brilliant color. To me the change from winter's drab colors into the many colors of spring is like an old fairy tale. In the spring earth is dressed in brilliant color just as I imagine Cinderella was at her first ball.
The sounds of spring are fascinating. There are already two cardinals in my backyard. The male is a brilliant red while the female is duller in color. Soon she will make her nest and lay her eggs. Then we will have more birds than we can count, hopefully. I truly enjoy awakening to the sound of chirping birds. Spring is the noisiest season while winter is the quietest. I'm really ready for sounds.
Not too far off we will see the beautiful flying flowers. This is the pretty butterflies. When he was my tiny, my oldest grandson called them flying flowers. They really do remind me of colorful flowers.
Spring is the best season to porch sit, not too hot or cold. When I sit on the porch in spring, I feel a sense of calm and peace. Maybe this comes from the green grass and the tall green mountain across from me or maybe it is the many, many colors of the flowers. the spring reminds me that God is in control and he knows exactly what he is doing.

Cold Dead Dreams 3-05-07
My granddaughter and I watched as the sun came up over the eastern mountain. As the sun came up, the fog moved up the mountain toward her house. She shivers and tells me that the fog is like dead people looking for rest. The fog gets just below her house and then moves to the valley that separates the house and the huge prison on top of the next mountain.
We watch as the fog moves to the mountain just below the prison. To me, the fog represents the dead dreams of the many out of state prisoners, their mothers, and other family members. The fog keeps creeping on toward the prison. Maybe it is the dead dreams of a wife or of a friend betrayed.
Then the sun shines on my granddaughter's mountain. It shines on the trees. There are droplets of rain hanging on the branches. My granddaughter, Tasha, and I agree that these droplets represent the teardrops of wives, mothers, family and friends of these prisoners. Maybe they even represent the teardrops of the prisoners, themselves.
The fog disappears and my thoughts on the prison and prisoners go with it. They will return at night when I look out my daughter's backdoor. Bright lights of the prison will illuminate the mountaintop.
Each night and morning that I am at my daughters, I get down on my knees and say a prayer for the prisoners, the guards and the warden. I say a prayer for the prisoners' family members and for the dead dreams they must face each day. Yes, I pray for the prisoners victims and their dead dreams.
The prison reminds me of a Bible verse that states no man is an island unto himself. Whatever decisions and actions each of us make not only affect us, but many other people. My granddaughter and I discuss this and she promises to always make the right decisions.

Snow and Quiet Time
My husband and I have been visiting our granddaughter. Her father is on the road trucking and her mother is on a business trip. We enjoy spending time with her. Yesterday morning, I awoke to snow and ice again. The snow on the mountain is so beautiful. It seems to blanket everything in quietness. The trees seem to be wearing diamonds. In reality it is frozen ice droplets, but I wonder if ever diamonds were ever more beautiful than these.
If I were an artist, I would paint this beautiful snowy mountain.
The morning is so quiet that the two dogs sit and seem to listen for sound. This makes me think of a Bible verse: (Be quiet and know the Lord.) Surly the winter is the quietest of all seasons. God must have known that I needed this morning's quietness for my well being. As I look down the mountain, I think God knows exactly what I need in my hectic life. If only I could learn to fully trust him to take care of me.
A cottontail rabbit runs under the deck and the two humongous dogs give chase. Their yapping awakens my husband. My quiet time is over. He wants breakfast and it is almost time for my granddaughter to be off to class. I am thankful for the few minutes of quiet time and thankful to be with my granddaughter. The beautiful morning is something to be thankful for also.
Everyone please be safe on these snowy days.

Night Sounds
Since my husband's illness, I live in two worlds. The daylight and the nighttime worlds. My daytime world is full of housework, care of my husband and the little time I have left is for me. In this time, I read, write, do puzzles and call family and friends.
My night time world is the hardest. My husband goes to bed early, so that is when I try to get a little sleep. I toss and turn and listen to the night sounds. Then I get up and check on my husband. Many times I place my hand on his chest to check if he is breathing. Some times he snores , so then I know all is well with him. Then I go back to bed to toss and turn.
The neighborhood dogs always bark at night. The barking always starts with Shannon and Tina's dogs. They live on the hill opposite me. It seems these dogs have a built in alarm clock that tells them to start barking at about ten p.m. Next Brenda's outside and inside dogs start to bark. Then the dogs out the hollow all start barking. The Galloway's live on the very top of the hill just below and opposite me. They have one dog that has the loudest bark of any of the dogs. He drowns out the barking of the smaller dogs. Last but not least my daughter's two dogs join in the uprising. She lives on top of the mountain behind us.
I sometimes wonder if these dogs are talking to each other or maybe gossiping. I just bet they know every and anything that goes on in this "Mile long hollow." Maybe Shannon and Tina's dogs, who have a better view of the hollow and all that live here, start the gossip each night. What ever they talk or bark about must be very secretive
for they sure don't bark in the daytime.
I finally get to sleep about four a.m. My neighbor starts his car about this time. He lets it warm until four thirty. A friend of his always passes and blasts his horn. Probably this is to let him know it is time to get to work. Then I get back to sleep and Stony, just across the road starts his car. By this time my cat's alarm clock is going off. She jumps on the bed and meows until I get up.
All the night sounds keep me company, so I never complain. The dogs probably lets all the burglars know not to come into the hollow. The two neighbors lets me know that there are living people around in the darkness of the wee hours. I know that I am never alone in this "Mile long" hollow and that is good.

Faith
The ice, snow and rain has arrived here again. The zero weather will return next week, the weather channel states. Today is Ground Hog day and the weather is cloudy. So he probably hasn't or won't see his shadow. I wonder how this got started? We know that the groundhog can't for tell the weather, but it is fun to watch him and the news telling us that we will/won't have six weeks more bad weather.
My granddaughter works part time at Food City and she says it seems the whole town goes to the grocery store at the first for cast of snow or ice. I like everyone else went to stock up on bread, milk and meats. The crowd was intense. At the gas station, I got blocked in. It seemed no one was taking a chance on not getting gas. People were not taking time to be polite and friendly. This made me think how silly I am. I know God will take care of me, but I just have to get out, and make sure I have everything I need.
There is a flock of birds eating out of the cat's dish in the backyard. They are all small blackbirds. There is a large red bird waiting in the bushes until they are finished. Another perches on the electric wire waiting it's turn. This makes me think of a Bible verse about the birds (sparrows). God says not one of these will fall to earth without his consent, so how much more he loves us than the birds.
The birds make me think of how we rush to the stores to stock up before the snow. They rush to eat and peck each other to get the last bite. I hope I remember not to rush to the grocery store and gas station before the next snow or ice storm. I know it won't last forever and I should trust Jesus for my needs but I get so nervous thinking we are going to get out of something. My prayer for the rest of the winter is to trust Jesus for my needs,
and problems. May everyone be safe on the roads during this storm.

Past Week
The past week and a half have been rainy, icy and just plain gloomy. These days are hard for my husband, so it is doubly hard for me. On these days, I have a tendency to think on my many troubles. Thinking and writing of past happy memories does help. Recently, I received a handsome check for a memory writing. So Maybe I can concentrate on happy memories and not of present troubles.
My youngest son had to have a growth taken off his lip. We are all waiting on the test results on this. The doctor told him it was caused by dipping snuff. My two sons and son-in-law do this as a substitute for smoking. So now maybe they can see that neither is good for them. The good thing about the winter is that my daughter doesn't get more growths from the sun. On a positive note, I thank God my three children are healthy and
able to work.
On these gloomy days, I also think of our angry troubled country, so many of our young soldiers being killed on foreign soil. Will this year bring peace to our country or is peace something in the past? Only God knows the answer and we should trust him in faith. We must not loose faith in what God holds for our country and us in the future. I read that someone had written the new year is our unopened tomorrows. What a useful fact. Maybe each unopened tomorrow will bring hope, joy and peace to our great country and each of us. I pray that this will come true.

Thankful
It seems the year 2006 flew by and it is already a few weeks into 2007. Oh, where does time go? December 2006 brought both happiness and sadness. On December 13, my mother's last cousin died. She was 103 years old. She lived her life for God. She always attended church even in her last days. She had to be brought to the church in a wheelchair. She seemed happiest in church.
       My youngest granddaughter turned 12 on December 22.. She is a bright polite little girl. Our second great-grandchild arrived on her birthday. He was named Keelan. I hope he and his cousin, Miranda, will share a close loving relationship. Keelan is our second great-grandchild. Our great-granddaughter, Sophia, is growing and healthy. I thank God that we have lived long enough to have great-grandchildren.
       We had a wonderful Christmas 2006. I am thankful my husband saw and seemed to enjoy another Christmas. My oldest son was so happy the family was together for another holiday. He is like me in that way. He is happiest when the family is together. My niece, Joyce, was with us and she enjoyed it. My son was happy to see her. He said this was the best Christmas he had seen.
     Maybe he had a premonition as my sister does. Two weeks ago, he had a major health scare. It turned out that he didn't have a heart attack, but it was a major wake-up call for him.
     Both my sons say they are too young to be grandfathers. The grandsons have started their families younger than their fathers did, but we are thankful to have the great- grand kids. The next two oldest granddaughters are getting a college education and their lives together before marriage. I am thankful for this.
     The new year 2007 has started out on a brighter note than last year. This is sure something to be thankful for. My prayer for this new year is that it will bring peace to our nation and my family. Also, may it be a year of joy and peace for my readers and the staff of Kentucky Mountain News.

Alzheimer's Good and Bad News
Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a wonderful time with children, grandchildren and my nephew, Tim. My husband didn't seem to enjoy it at all. We finally got him to eat a small amount. Each holiday seems to get harder for him. He still recognizes the family, but he gets so agitated that all of us are forced to remember the big "A" (Alzheimer's).
November is Alzheimer's awareness month and I think that is ironic. November is the month of Thanksgiving when families should be happiest, but with this disease it is never far from anyone's mind. A few years ago, I wrote about the personal tragedy of this disease. It not only hurts the person who has it but the entire family. The person with Alzheimer's seems oblivious to what it is doing to them and the family. The family must suffer the agony of losing a loved one every day. By this I mean you can see a loved one move farther and farther into themselves.
New material is published almost weekly. It seems there is more bad news than good in these reports. They are finding more and more ways of preventing it, so they tell us, but always near the end of the report it will state that some people do everything right and still get the disease. There is as much mystery about the disease as there was a century ago when it was discovered.
There are more than four million Americans age sixty-five and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Doctors tell us it is not a normal process of getting older. They state that it is the number one form of dementia in older people. So sad. The national association on Alzheimer's now says that early on-set of the disease
can strike people in their thirties. So this disease once called "Old timer's disease" is now striking young people. The association also states that it progresses more quickly in
in those diagnosed at a younger age. This isn't always true. I know a wonderful, social lady who was diagnosed in her early eighties and it progressed so fast that it seemed overnight. she completely changed. So each case is different. One report stated that a healthy life style could maybe prevent or at least prolong the on-set of it.
This life style includes eat plenty of vegetable and fruits, especially vegetables 2. get enough sleep and rest, 3. engage in social activities, or at least socialize with family and friends, 4. get plenty of physical exercise and 5. challenge your brain -- read, do puzzles, do crafts, keep a journal. These life style changes can not hurt us, but think of the benefit they can be to us. If they could prevent or prolong the on-set of Alzheimer's then they are
invaluable to all of us.
Doctors also tell us that vitamins may prevent or help with this disease. I know personally that my husband has improved greatly since taking a fish oil capsule daily. My son tells me that it may be the past week of sunshine. Sunshine does help the person greatly. It helps the mood and behavior.
The last sad fact of Alzheimer's that I've read is that parents have a fifty per cent chance of passing this disease to their children. The report stated that there are seventy- four thousand people Kentuckians with this disease. The only good point that I've read are doctors are saying they can diagnose early and begin treatment early, so maybe that will help some people.
In ending I will say love and enjoy your family and friends while you can, because we never know when it will strike. Also don't do as my husband and I did. We put off going and doing things until I retired. When I retired, it was too late for my husband to enjoy life.

November Means Thanksgiving
      When November 1 comes around I begin thinking of Thanksgiving. I have a turkey and ham in the freezer, and thinking of what else to serve at our traditional meal. My youngest grandson called and asked if I knew how Thanksgiving was started in the United States? I told him the facts that I knew. I've looked up many more, and thought my readers might also be interested in these facts.
       The first Thanksgiving was a feast and a time to Thank God for the blessings of the past year. The first pilgrims had a plentiful harvest and the native people were helpful. It was a three day celebration by the Massachusetts Bay colonists in the fall of 1621. They invited the native people to this feast. These Native
Americans were the Wampanog tribe.The early pilgrims knew they could not have survived the past winter without these people.
     The feast included wild turkey, vension and other wild meats. The vegetables included Indian corn, squash, pumpkin and other crops the Pilgrims had raised and harvested that year. Much the same foods that we have today were served that day, so many years ago.
       In the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln set the final Thursday in November to celebrate a national Thanksgiving. This was in 1863. On November 26, 1939, President Franklin D.Roosevelt signed into law a bill stating that the national day of Thanksgiving would be the fourth Thursday in November.
       Today as years past, Thanksgiving is a day for family and friends. It is also a day to thank God for our many blessings.

Weather and Politicians
     Our weather has been weird this entire fall. Early last week, I thought the wind was going to take our roof off. All the street lights went off.Even our cat seemed to fear the darkness and the howling wind. I sure did a lot of praying. It rained all day last Thursday, Thursday night and Friday. It was plain cold.
     The trees haven't reached their peak yet and we've had at least three killing frosts. Week before last, we had snow flurries here.They didn't stick to the grass and fallen brown leaves. Our local TV reporter said that he thought all the leaves had blown off the trees. Ours is almost bare.
       What did you think on October 13 when the TV showed two feet of snow in Buffalo, NY? Early, wasn't it? It has been weird, but today is wonderful. The sun is shinning and it is almost seventy degrees. It is a real treat for me, because my husband is much worse when there is no sunlight.
       My friend told me that her part of Texas was too dry and not too far from her it had rained too much. I just hope the rain stays somewhere for a few more days, as I truly enjoy the sun and warm weather.
       Here, the politicians have been promising us to change everything but the weather. The weather is one thing they can't change or control. Wouldn't we in a terrible mess if they could change or control the weather? My dad and mom used to tell us not to believe a word the politicians said. They said that they would promise us a
snowball in July. I listen to the TV debates and now I believe my mom and dad. In ending I want to say that God knows exactly what he is doing with the weather. I may grumble and complain, but I know we are much better off with God in control rather than the politicians.

Halloween or Devil Day
       A while back, there was a newspaper article about Halloween decorations. He stated that Halloween decorations were was becoming increasingly more evil. This year, I think the decorations are more demonic than I have ever seen. Thinking on this, I talked to my daughter and young neighbor. They stated that they had
also noticed the same trend.
       I am NOT anti Halloween or anti decorating, but I am anti-evil. I do believe that some have gone to extreme in their decorating this year. I wonder what Jesus would think of Halloween and the emphasis on evil. What would he think of an Axe murderer and "Scream" decorations on the front lawns?
       Jesus cast out unclean spirits and sent them away from human beings. Wonder if this would include a large decoration of an evil looking witch cooking her evil brew in a large black pot? These ideas do influence our children and grandchildren. There was a young student in sixth grade. He lived just above our community. He was small and frail, and didn't have a pleasing personality. He didn't seem to have any friends. He would make a sign with his hands and tell the other kids that he had put an evil spell on them. He really believed that he could do this. I've never heard what happened to him after he left our community.
        The Biblical evil spirits and demons tormented humans. Remember the young boy/man that had an evil spirit that even caused him to fall in the fire? I also think of the man who lived in the tombs. He had so many demons, that he couldn't live among people. Jesus had compassion on these people and cast out the demons and evil spirits. Jesus freed humanity from their torment and oppression. Now it seems that pictures and decorations of them are everywhere. Jesus would not joke joke about Satan or an evil witch cooking up evil spirit to cast on innocent people. Jesus knew they were destructive to human beings.
       To me, Christians should celebrate goodness on this "All Hallows Eve." Did you know that was the way the holiday began? One year a another church lady and I decided we would celebrate the goodness and Biblical characters on Halloween. So we told each young person in our classes to dress as a Biblical character. They said they would if we would also dress in costume. My name being Elizabeth, I came as Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist.
        We had fun and all of us learned more about our Bible and It's characters. Maybe, next week I will write about the children and young people and their characters, what Rev. Pope thought of this ideas. Also, this week think of how we are advertising for Satan and his evil characters.

Autumn's Song
        If I had no calender or TV, I would know autumn has visited. She will also be making a longer stay very soon. The walnuts are falling in large numbers in the backyard and along our two-lane road. The buckeyes are falling from the trees in hordes. Isn't it wonderful how God provides food for the wild animals.
      Our neighbor's roof had a light covering of white this morning, as did the plants in our backyard. This was just a hint of the heavy frost, ice and snow that will soon follow autumn's visit.
     Fall or autumn is not my favorite season but I do enjoy her colorful carpet of pretty leaves. To me, the red, orange, yellow and brown seem to be nature's pretty carpet. I enjoy the soft rustle of leaves as the cool wind passes by. The leaves seem to be saying, "Enjoy me while you can, because I'll soon be gone."
      Autumn's winds seem to whisper, "Get ready winter is coming." The squirrels are heeding this soft whisper. They scurry about gathering acorns for the cold months ahead. Our daughter's dogs get plenty of exercise chasing the squirrels, but they always come back to the tall acorn tree. Their squawking seems to say to the dogs, "This is our winter food just leave us be."
       Crickets chirp loudly, proclaiming a cold winter. It seems the minnows in the small creek are swimming slower. Even they seem to know that the autumn wind is whispering winter will soon be here. Yellow jackets are hateful and quarrelsome
this fall. They sent our neighbor to the emergency room recently. He was mowing between our yards and they completely covered him. I guess they miss the pretty flowers of summer. His yard was abloom this summer with beautiful flowers.
       The local fruit markets have displays of yellow mums and orange pumpkins Many people have displays of brown fodder shocks, yellow mums and orange pumpkins. It won't be very long until many pumpkins will become colorful jack-o- lanterns.
      No, I don't need to look at the calender or hear the local TV announcer tell me that autumn is here and soon winter will follow. Autumn's soft winds have warned all nature that fall is here, and winter is very near.

My Winter Season
     To me each season of my life has had its joys and special pleasures. Of course most seasons have brought sadness, but as I look back the joys take center stage. A dear friend from my hometown called and said we were in our winder season now, I guess we truly are there. This season too has brought and brings me joy and pleasure.
      In this season I have seven wonderful grandchildren and one great- granddaughter. In December, another great-granddaughter will arrive. Surly I have been blessed with all healthy children, grandchildren and now a great-granddaughter.
Now there is time to listen and enjoy each one. I don't have to rush to work then cook and clean. Listening and enjoying each minute with each grandchild is a special joy that I didn't have with my three children. In my summer season, I was a working mother. It is too bad that some mothers must work. Let me say here, I enjoyed working so does my daughter and sons. I also enjoy the insurance and financial benefits of
my career.
        Reading is a simple pleasure that I now have time to do and enjoy. During my earlier seasons, reading was something that took second place..There wasn't time to read with my full time job, other chores and activities. This is one really important thing I think I did install in my children, a love of reading and learning. Now I read
for pleasure and to learn new things. I have read three or four novels this summer.
      Growing older does have more aches and pains, sometimes. If a person has taken good care of his/her body and mind, it doesn't have to be a time of illness and disabilities. With good health, I have been blessed, I owe this to parents that taught me the importance of eating right, exercise and healthy living. I also feel that I have installed this in my children. Even if I do become disabled, I will have many things to be happy and thankful about.
       Growing older has given me time to write. I have had several poems, articles and a few short stories published. I also have time to write my column for Breathitt online. this is a simple pleasure that I barley had time to think about in other seasons of my life.
       Being older has given me more time to study and more fully understand the Bible. It also helps me to understand God's will for my life. I really thank God for letting me live to this age and season. The more I think about the seasons of my life I think this is my autumn season. I must call my friend and tell her that we are still
in our autumen season.
      Whatever season you're in now, just enjoy it!

Family
       I haven't written my column in a few weeks. It seems that that this summer has flown by and there is something always going on here. We've also had lots and lots of company all summer.
        My husband celebrated his birthday earlier this month. This was a joyous occasion for us, because he has been so sick for the past few years. I bought him a white cake with orange roses and letters. The clerk at the bakery asked me why I chose orange. It used to be one of his favorite colors. This year he didn't seem to
notice.
      My niece, Joyce, bought him a white coconut cake. She said he would like that. His brother did, but he ate very little that day. He seemed to enjoy the company that day. We had family and friends. He tires so easily that he can't stay up for very long.
      Two of his female cousins came. We hadn't seen one of them in a long while. She has moved back from Florida to her old family home. They and my husband talked about the "Old days." This is one subject that he still enjoys. When they left, she backed her car in the deep ditch at the bottom of our driveway. We had
to call a wrecker to get her out. I felt bad for her, because she is a special person.
      Our oldest son and his fiiance' came. We also got to see the youngest son. We hadn't gotten to see him in awhile. Of course our daughter and her family came, as well as our special neighbors. It was quite a day.
     It seems that we've had more company this summer than we have ever had. I truly enjoy company, especially family and friends. My husband would now be a hermit, if I would allow it. He once enjoyed company as much as I do, but the sickness has sure changed his personality.
      Here's hoping that we will have a lot of company this fall and winter. The house is just too quiet with the two of us. He sleeps or stays in bed the majority of the time. Of course I eat too, too much when I am alone. With my short frame, I can't afford many extra pounds. I need company to keep me busy and to occupy my time.
        I had almost forgotten to mention our first great-granddaughter. Her name is Sophia. She has plenty of black hair, like our grandson. To us she is the most beautiful baby in the world. We will have another great-granddaughter in Dec. Our grandsons have started their families on the path of life.

Signs Of The Times
      We have spent the past week house and dog setting for our daughter and her family. Our daughter, her husband, their daughter and my youngest son's daughter, Valerie are vacating. They live the last house on a mountain, so they can't leave their house along. I guess this is just a sign of our times.
     When I was growing up, we would leave our house alone for a week or so. We would go to Lee and Clay Counties to visit both my grandmothers. I can't ever remember any thing being destroyed or broken-into. How many of you can remember leaving your homes alone for awhile?
      In my growing-up years, t