I Still Can't Say Goodbye

When I was a little girl, my daddy always wore a felt hat which was fashionable at the time.  Daddy was a handsome man who always dressed up when Mom and he went out.  Even on Saturday nights when they went to the Humpty Dumpty for groceries he wore a suit and that hat.  You won't see that these days.  I proudly remember how elegant he looked and how secure he made me feel.  I found these old photos of my dad in his summer hat, but the hats I remember most are felt winter hats.  I can still see him adjusting the brim just so so in the mirror. 

Not long ago we watched a Chet Atkins special on PBS, our favorite station, (did I tell you we are retired?).   He sang "I Still Can't Say Goodbye" and brought me to tears.  I wasn't the only one.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVSHdwWzLo4 I found this link and I hope you have a chance to watch and listen and remember.  Watch the audience.  You will be moved.  Everybody should have a daddy like mine.  I still can't say goodbye.

I Still Can't Say Goodbye
written by Bob Blinn and Jimmy Moore

You know, every time I look in the mirror I see my Dad
I think that's why this song means so much to me

When I was young
My dad would say
"C'mon son, let's go out and play"
Sometimes it seems like yesterday

And I'd climb up the closet shelf
When I was all by myself
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him

No matter, how hard I try
No matter, how many tears I cry
No matter, how many years go by
I still can't say goodbye

He always took care
Of Mom and me
We all cut down a Christmas tree
He always had some time for me

Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
But I miss my dad tonight

I walked by a Salvation Army store
Saw a hat like my daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him

No matter, how hard I try
No matter, how many years go by
No matter, how many tears I cry
I still can't say goodbye

Sugared Bread

I have been thinking a lot about Grandma Dawkins today.  Not her specifically, but of all the treats she made us for little expense, i.e. sugar cookies, homemade popcorn.  One treat I am craving today is sugared bread.  Simple.  Take one slice of bread and sprinkle sugar on it.  Then shake the bread for even distribution.  Eat!  Another more decadent version is to take a slice of bread and spread with butter, then sprinkle with sugar.  Shake off excess sugar.  Eat!  Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top of the sugar, broil, and you have......ta da - cinnamon toast.  Eat!  I can attest that any version of these three sugared breads are delicious.  Do you guys remember eating this?  Do you remember butter and honey - the honey in the waxed cartons?  Sioux Bee??  Anything grandma made was always better than anything we had at home. 

And just when you thought there was nothing in the house for your kids' after school snack!!!!  Sugar   'em up!

Love you guys!

Mercury Instead of Buick, but Same Scenario

Driving across OKC this morning, we noticed a Mercury drift over into the left lane, not too far, but enough that it took my breath away for their safety and ours.  The driver was using all of his lane and then some.  That is when I noticed the driver was wearing a ball cap and his white-haired passenger could barely see over the dash.  I started to choke up with the sudden recollection of my parents in their Buick, same scenario; ball cap and short white haired little lady.  At this point I teased my hubby that maybe we should run interference for them, protect them........you know drive behind them to let cars behind us know that the car might tend to drift. 

When we finally passed, I had to glance their way.  They had tugged at my heart, him with his cap and her with her white hair.  She was shaking her finger probably making a point just as my own mom would.  Did his cap read WWII Vet?       

We are loosing this generation.  They are good people.  There are still some of these folks around so when you see them, respect them, talk to them, go see them, love them.  Be especially patient with them when you see them on the roadway for there go my parents in their Buick. 
  

Vienna Sausage Cans

Do you have any Vienna sausage cans?  Well, neither do I.  I do, however, have tons of paper bags with handles and tons of those bags similar to those you can buy at grocery stores to be environmentally correct.

I have been cleaning closets and throwing away tons of stuff this last week, but what is the most hard for me to part with are my bags.  I have been saving them for sending objects of desire (junk) home with my daughter or son rather than plastic bags or grocery sacks.  In actuality the bags became my horded items.  I am not saying I could have qualified for the TV program, but I have enough bags to start a small boutique. 

Now you are probably wondering why I have a picture of Vienna sausage on this post.  When my Grandma Dawkins died, she had many dozens of these cans.  We all speculated as to why she would save these cans.  She didn't save other cans so what was so special about Vienna sausage cans?  I remember when the cans were not lined and that is about the time she started saving them.  I think she thought them just to nice to throw away. 

I am sure there are a lot of people out there who keep something that would seem trash to others.  So please don't judge me too harshly for saving my bags.  I couldn't throw them away today, but I have agreed to actually start using them.  The cute little Mickey Mouse bags from Disney World that I have saved since 1985 will be sent home with the boys with lots of Nana things in them.  I am trying - I am letting go of my Vienna sausage cans.

Today is Mrs. Tucker's birthday and my dad's birthday.  I would love to post something about each of them today, but as I said yesterday about Mrs. Tucker, it would be too emotional for me.  I miss them both so much.

My Mother-in-Law

My mother-in-law's birthday is very soon. I don't like to post anything on my family's actual birthdays because it can be an emotional time for me. Let me share a few memories of her visits to Oklahoma and where I got to know her best and we where we could visit for hours and hours while my hubby was at work.

1. She was such a sweet lady and a wonderful and kind mother-in-law to me. This time of the year makes me think of her more often. She didn't drive so her transportation was limited to taxis, walking, and other's generosity. She tended to use taxis more because she never wanted to impose. At least once a year, we would go get her and bring her to our home to spend a week or as long as we could get her to stay. If she stayed too long, she would get antsy.

2. She hardly ever ate between meals, but she never turned down a hot piece of cornbread in the middle of the afternoon or morning when I would make dressing for Thanksgiving. This memory always makes me cry - always! So if you are at my house on the day before Thanksgiving when I make cornbread or any other time I make it, watch for waterworks! I hardly ever buy buttermilk, but when she went with me to the grocery store, I would buy buttermilk just for her. When we would unload the groceries (and yes, she helped me), we would have our little glasses of buttermilk. To this day, I never buy buttermilk or make cornbread without thinking of her. I will be buying buttermilk again this fall and will raise my glass to her. I hope I never forget.

3. When she came for a visit, we would make time for an afternoon of manicures while watching Days of Our Lives. I remember her having the prettiest fingernails especially for her age. They were always shaped so nicely. I would give her the whole works, soaking, filing, and a polish. I think she loved it, she loved Days of Our Lives, but hated Joan Rivers' show. (I did, too.)

4. When she would visit at Christmas, we could always count on her to have that wrapping paper stuffed in trash bags as soon a present was open. We laugh about that because there were a lot of presents for our little ones.

5. She would watch daytime TV so she was so easily entertained. I just loved her visits and perhaps that was because I knew the week would be just for her. My weekly routine of running here or there, i.e. school events, were curtailed. It was just relaxing and calming to have her here. Her visits were some of my happiest memories and I am sincere when I say that.

Oh gosh, there are so many memories of this sweet lady. I could go on for pages and pages about her attributes, but I might get a little too sentimental. We'd all be crying. I will end this by saying that she was a wonderful grandmother to my children, a wonderful example to me of what a mother-in-law should be, and her kind gentle nature influenced her son (my hubby) in positive ways more than she ever knew.

'Tis Autumn

Written by Henry Nemo, 1941

Old Father time checked, so there'd be no doubt;
Called on the North wind to come on out,
Then cupped his hands so proudly to shout,
“La-di-dah di-dah-di-dum, ‘tis autumn!'

Trees say they're tired, they've born too much fruit;
Charmed on the wayside, there's no dispute.
Now shedding leaves, they don't give a hoot –
La-di-dah di-dah-di-dum, ‘tis autumn!

Then the birds got together to chirp about the weather
Mmmm-mmm-mmm-mmm.
After makin' their decision, in birdie-like precision,
Turned about, and made a beeline to the south.

My holding you close really is no crime –
Ask the birds and the trees and old Father Time.
It's just to help the mercury climb.
La-di-dah di-dah-di-dum, ‘tis autumn.

It's just to help the mercury climb.
La-di-dah di-dah-di-dum, ‘tis autumn.

TechNO Gadgets

Somebody ought to write some rules regarding techNO gadgets and I have a few suggestions. I have been guilty of most of my suggestions so please do not think I am talking about anybody that reads these.

Don't text and drive. In fact, it would be much better not to even talk while driving, but.....whatcha going to do.... The cat is out of the bag. The good thing is that most cars now have blue tooth (who decided on this name) and we can talk without holding the phone in the crook of our necks and both hands can be on the wheel. No need to feel embarrassed talking to yourself at the stop light. We all do it.

Do not put your cell phone on the table while dining. Who wants to know that your time is more important than theirs? Rude I tell ya. The whole time you are eating with your friends they will be reminded that any moment their intimate meal time with you teeters in favor of an annoying ring tone. Just turn that sucker off. Put in your pocket or purse. Now if you are expecting your wife to deliver your first child, then we will cut you some slack. Just have that phone on vibrate and in your pocket and absolutely no screaming when that phone vibrates. If your wife is having a second child, we will not cut you any slack. She knows the routine, just let her handle it. She can always leave a message.

You are still in the restaurant and your phone vibrates and you have controlled yourself not to jump or scream, you still do not have the right to look at the phone. No matter how discrete you are, we can follow your eyes to your lap. We know what you are doing. If you feel near death due to your curiosity, then excuse yourself to the restroom. Restroom cell phone use requires another set of rules. We will discuss these later.

OK, it is later and we need to discuss cell phone use while in the bathroom. Just what is the etiquette for cell phone use while indisposed? True story. While in the restroom at Tinker, a woman came in to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. As is my habit, I went to the very last stall passing by 5 other empty stalls. I like to get away! Here she comes, passing one, two, three, four stalls to plant herself in the 5th stall right next to me. She starts talking and right before I start to reply, I realize she is not talking to me. Whew - I didn't know stall to stall conversation was allowed unless you are my sister. I sat there for a while wondering what I should do. Should I wait till she finishes her conversation before pushing that lever? Should I start to move around, pull off paper, shuffle my feet, get up so that she will end her conversation in order to avoid embarrassing herself in front of the recipient of her call? Finally, I decided she was going to talk until the end of her shift so I just flushed. I don't know what the rule should be, but I figure that if the phone user has enough nerve to send or receive calls in the bathroom, then they really don't care whether the toilet is flushed. I walked back into my office exclaiming my dismay at my lack of cell phone knowledge while in the bathroom. I can tell you that it seems a little creepy and a little like an obscene phone call so please no bathroom calls. Bathrooms are not the same thing as the old phone booth.

Under normal circumstances a cell phone or texting should not be used to have any family member bring you any sort of beverage or snack from the kitchen. It is OK, however, to call your spouse to start your bath while you are watching QVC, Desperate Housewives, or Grey's Anatomy, or recorded Days of Our Lives.

Now to texting. Texting is great if you are in a meeting which runs into the lunch hour. Just text your friends to tell them to go to lunch without you, but bring you a Ruben sandwich, fries, and a cherry limeade. You are also allowed to text your husband the grocery list. We all know that this is a lot easier for them as they will more than likely have their phone with them, but not as likely to have the written list (you know, a piece of paper with writing on it).

Ladies and gents, if your texting turns into a conversation back and forth more than three texts, pick up the phone. It will be a lot more fun and a lot quicker especially if you are texting me. Of course, if you are texting while you are work and don't want your boss to know you use the phone, then by all means, text on - as long as your text receiver can do the same.

Texters - please note that your sister may not have the texting ability you do. Disregard all her mistakes.

Note that these rules apply to all users of other media, i.e. IPads, YouPads, WeAllPads.

Note again - I can remember people actually talking on a land line phone. What an invention! Phones right in the home. A phone on the wall or on the end table that your teenager could use with the full knowledge that every word she or he said could be heard by the entire family. No need to worry about what or who they were talking to.

I remember receiving my first "boy" call in the 9th grade at my aunt's house. Finally, later that year our family got a phone. It was a party line, but that was all we needed. We were NOT connected every moment of every day and it was OK. If we were on the phone and heard someone pick up the line, then we knew we were to get off. It was the courteous thing to do.

Love ya.

Never Seen so Many Old People in My Life

Got in to the fair free today; senior day. We really hadn't planned to attend the fair twice this year, but it was free and we walk on a daily basis so why not just walk around and people watch and did I mention it was free?

Here are a few of the things I observed today, free senior day.

People over 70 really walk slow - I mean really s l o wwwwww.
Older women should not wear leggings, and please leave the blonde Farrah Fawcett wig at home.
Every tenth person has a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair and they are not afraid to use them.
Older people with walkers, especially one woman in particular, demand the right of way, no matter if they have to mow you down at the knees.
If 3 or more older folks walk together, they are five times more like to stop in an aisleway to discuss what they are going to do next.
I know tattoos are a new fad, but really?????
If an older man wears suspenders, then there is a 75% chance that he will also wear a belt - double team that sucker.
Older men should NOT wear a visor with the fake spiky hair on top especially if they have facial hair. I kid you not - I saw three of these fellers.
All 25 of those ladies really needed their rings cleaned at the same time!
The chairs of the demonstrating vendors are always full on senior day. Keeps the demonstrator busy all day. And you know what, those seniors will buy a new set of cookware every year cause they feel guilty using the chairs to rest.
Older folks love the Watkins booth.
When the elderly run into each other at the fair, they have no problem with assembling all 12 of their friends right in front of the homemade fudge display without buying or even asking about fudge.....
They have to tell all their friends of every free giveaway they have spotted with directions for the freebie.
They are polite to an irritation - EXCEPT for the woman in the walker.
They make it very clear by glaring, throwing their plastic bag of freebies across the table, and telling you that you cannot set there because their friend is coming - even if the friend doesn't come back for 20 minutes.
They should really, really, really stay off the vibrator machines.
And please, mister, take that silly grin off your face when you are trying out the vibrating foot massage machine. It just looks odd.
98% of everyone over 70 will stop just outside the door when they leave a building.
They will walk 3 blocks for a spoon-size sample of ice cream.
If one senior citizen in a wheel chair stops to look at a booth, 6 more will follow - yes, that is a true statement!
Lady, we all know you are not Joan Collins even if you do wear a black wig and sunglasses inside the building. Joan has more botox.
And did you know that two wheelchairs can be hooked together - in tandem? The first one - electronic, the other a manual wheelchair. And did you know that you can put a backless stool on casters between the two - then three people can mogate all under the power of one.

I know --- this is a very irreverent look at senior citizens, but people who know me, know that I am teasing. You see, I am a very senior citizen, and I see myself in a lot of my observations. We have to laugh at ourselves.

Pill Tree

Yesterday, my sweet youngest grandson said to me, "Nana, would you get me a pill from your pill tree?"

"I don't understand, Logan, what you want."



"You know," as he motions to the hill, "a pill that you cut for me."


"Oh, a pear?"



"Yes, a pill."

We live on five acres and sometimes the upkeep can be overwhelming. It seems there is always something to trim, something to edge, something to mow, something to water, and the list goes on and on.


Then............the boys come over. The boys run.......... The boys play........... The boys walk in the forest....... The boys look for insects........ The boys scream........... The boys ride in the back of the trailer.......... The boys swing........ The boys rake leaves........ The boys watch Grandpa mow..The boys play pirates on the boat........... The boys pee off the boat because they can........... The boys watch the AWACS planes fly over........ The boys eat pears....... The boys are our pride and joy!!!!!!!!!



Those are only a few of the reasons we stay on these five acres. Only a few of the reasons we edge, mow, trim, and water.

"Oh Logan, I would love to get you a pill from the pill tree."

4H

Introducing my fellow 4H members around 1960, Garden Grove grade school. Can you find me? We met in Shawnee at the Foster Drug to have our picture taken by the Shawnee News-Star for an article they wrote about our award winning 4H Club.

Also, this was the entire student body in the big room (grades 5 through 7). I wasn't kidding in my previous posts about the size of the school. Eight students total. The two kids on the back row and the boy on the right in the front row were in the 7th grade. The three girls in the middle row and the boy on the front left were in the 6th grade. The boy in the middle of the front row was the only boy in the 5th grade. The girl in the back row and the boy in the middle front row are brother and sister. The two girls on the middle row, center and right are cousins. The boy on the back row and the boy on the left, front row are brothers. Needless to say we were all one big happy family.

You will notice the boys in their green 4H jackets. I wonder why we girls didn't have jackets. It's a new world today.........

Each year we would receive a booklet according to their grade and gender. One of my first projects was to make a wrist pin cushion which I used throughout my 4H years. We were allowed class time for our project and I remember two mothers coming to school to guide us as we made the pin cushions which were blue felt rectangles, sewn by hand, stuffed with hair, and sewn with a piece of elastic for the wrist band. We had to enter these in the 4H review and in the Pottawatomie County Fair. I learned right away if you wanted to win ribbons, your stitches should be exactly the same size.

I made dresses, modeled in 4H style reviews, gave several demonstrations, gave speeches, and was involved in several plays. We would give our demonstrations and would be judged, If we won, we would compete at a higher level. The same thing would happen with all the 4H projects, i.e. plays, speeches, style reviews. Garden Grove, my grade school, always excelled so I cannot say that I was any better than any of my other class members, but I was!!!

The plays we put together were so good that we always went to state competition with them. I remember we put on "Hiawatha". We had great props as we were neighbors with lots of Indians. My grandpa had a real peace pipe and he let them borrow it for the play. It broke and I remember the sickening feeling I had about that. Two other plays I vividly remember were the "Banana Boat Song" which went on to state, and "Snow White" which was set in 2/3 time like: My Name (pause) Is Snow White (pause), etc. Every movement in the play (even sweeping the floor) was in 2/3 time and very hard to produce, but we pulled it off to win state.

So the next time you are at the fair, take a look at the 4H exhibits. There may be a shy 6th grade girl's name on that ribbon and she is bursting with pride. One of these days, she will have fond memories of making that dress.

Tommy Emmanuel Concert

Earlier this week we attended a Tommy Emmanuel concert. If you know who he is, you probably are an acoustical guitar fan. He has world class talent from Australia and has played with world renown artists across all continents. He had a special on OETA last month that was outstanding. He does things with the guitar that even after seeing him in person left us wondering if our eyes were deceiving us.

I loved hearing all the applause, whistling, yells, and the "yeahs" of the fans. The guitarists in the audience knew how hard some of the arrangements and fingering that this guy can pull off without a hitch--almost effortless. He was on the stage, standing, from 7:30 until 10:15 with only a 15 minute intermission. Now that is a concert! I hope I get a chance to see this guy again.

In the last set, Tommy sang "Today is Mine" without a lick on the guitar - totally acapella. I had never heard this song, but looked it up once we got home. The lyrics are so touching. I wanted to share them with you. The Internet says this was sung by Glen Campbell and several other artists. Jerry Reed Hubbard, aka Jerry Reed, wrote the lyrics.

Today Is Mine
When the sun came up this morning I took the time to watch it rise.
As its beauty struck the darkness from the skies.
I thought how small and unimportant all my troubles seem to be,
and how lucky another day belongs to me.
And as the sleepy world around me woke up to greet the day,
and all its silent beauty seemed to say:
So what, my friend, if all your dreams you haven't realized.
Look around, you got a whole new day to try.
Today is mine, today is mine, to do with what I will.
Today is mine. My own special cup to fill.
To die a little that I might learn to live.
And take from life that I might learn to give.
Today is mine.
With all men I curse the present that seems void of peace of mind,
and race my thoughts beyond tomorrow and vision there more peace of mind.
But when I view the day around me I can see the fool I've been.
For today is the only garden we can tend.
Today is mine, today is mine, to do with what I will.
Today is mine. My own special cup to fill.
To die a little that I might learn to live.
And take from life that I might learn to give.
Today is mine.

State Fair

We went to the state fair today in spite of the rain. Actually, we were just daring it to rain! Because there was some sort of odd precipitation going on outside that we hadn't seen in months, we darted into the back of the closest building. The first thing we saw was the 4H exhibits which brought back all sorts of memories, but I will save those for another day.

The next room held all the "homemade" items which, if you think about it, is what the fair is all about or what it used to be about. For the first time in many years, we took our time and really looked at all the talent of our fellow Oklahomans. The quilts are exquisite, those that are hand quilted and even those machine quilted. The baked items all looked delicious; the homemade breads made me want to go home and knead some bread. Looking at all the beautiful crocheted, knitted, or tatted exhibits, I was just in awe of the talent and time it took to make. There were paintings, ceramics, wood working, decorative items of all sorts, each more beautiful than the next.

If you go to the state fair, I hope you visit these exhibits. These are the exhibits that a lot of people skip over. There is nothing glitzy about them, no hawker trying to lure you to throw a dart to win a gold fish, no flashing lights over food vendors, nobody trying to get you to sign up for a free trip, nobody demonstrating the same old food choppers, cookware, and brooms -- not a person wanting you to buy a thing! What you will get out of seeing these exhibits is a sense that down deep Americans, Oklahomans in particular, are a talented bunch. There is a sense that not all of the human race are not all caught up in the hype of commercialism or Mossoni (which is a whole other blog subject).

We happened to be in this area right after the doors were opened to the public and a lot of the exhibitors were just finding out how they placed. It was hard not to get caught up in their excitement as they exclaimed their pleasure on getting third place. I am not only in awe of their talent, but I admire the fact that they took the time to bring exhibits to the fair to share with all of us.

Lemon Drops

I have been thinking a lot about Grandma Dawkins this week. It isn't her birthday, I don't think. I should look that up. It isn't the anniversary of her death because that is two days before my anniversary. I never forget that one.

It has almost been 40 years since I last saw her, but have dreamed of her more times than you would believe. She really made an impression on me and still remains one of the top ten people in my life. At the time of her death, she ranked up there in the top three. Isn't it wonderful that more and more people are added to our love list.

She and grandpa didn't have a lot of personal possessions. Sometimes it was a while before they stocked up on groceries. I don't remember too many extras like store bought cookies or candy, but I do remember lemon drops and Lifesavers. We five kids were at grandma's house often, like everyday. Almost always she had lemon drops. The lemon drops were in her white milk glass pedestal candy dish with a lid. There were never more than five drops, one for each of us. We all knew that when we ate that one drop, it was all we were going to get. Never do I remember any of us eating the other's lemon drop. We were honest like that.

When grandma died and things were divided up, I did not receive her candy dish. I wonder who did. I found one, though, at an antique store a year ago. It is just like hers. I had been looking for years and I would find something similar, but maybe without a lid or a little smaller - something wasn't quite right. I see that dish today and it makes me think about what a special person she was and continues to be in my life.

The Lifesaver story - that will be tomorrow.

Lemon drops go with us on vacation - my kids can attest to that. Wonder if the idea came from lemon drops at Grandma's.

Love to all.

Napping on My Porch Swing

We are getting a much needed reprieve from all the cooler weather we had last week. I thought I was going to freeze when it dipped to a low 80 degrees. By my thermometer, it reached 100 degrees today, a degree higher than Oklahoma City's official high. Today I got to go back to my normal summertime habitat, lounging on my front porch swing. It was so cool in my house a bit ago (imagine me wrapped in an afghan - no, I never put them away for the summer - It is COLD in my house, guys!) that I moved out to my beloved swing to write this blog. Hubby thinks nothing of keeping the house at 74 freezing degrees.

I love to nap, well sleep. My hubby says that my idea of a good time is a coma. I think he may be exaggerating a bit, but I do love a good nap. What could make this cold blooded woman any happier when napping??? You guessed it, a nap on my swing in the 108 degree heat.

This porch swing has become my own personal sauna. Every year at the state fair, I look at and wish for, long for, and dream of owning one of those saunas on display. They are only about $2100, a mere pittance of the cost of a pool (And I want one of those, too. Hubby says no. He doesn't want the upkeep, but I say I want a pool boy, too!!! Yes, indeedy. He said no to that, too.).

To the neighbors I am sure I am the nosiest person on the block. Yep, they see me up here (as opposed to down there on the street) stretched out with my RC Cola and my Moon Pie wondering if I don't have a job or something. I am not really nosey, I just am aware when my neighbors drive up and down the street. I can only guess where they are going. If they would stay home, I would have no earthly idea what they are doing. My keen eye came in handy when neighbor across the street wondered if next door neighbor was home and I could report that I saw next door neighbor leave about 2:00 and hadn't come back home yet. You do learn a lot about your neighbor's habits when spying -- oops sleeping -- on the porch.

I have observed our outside cat, Nikki, this summer, spread out like a cat skin rug below the swing. Contented as a cat, they say. I am not an evolutionist; however, I do see some similarities between Nikki and me. We like to be petted, have our meals on time, and we both love a warm summer nap.

Oh and I have to tell you this, last Friday night, six neighbors all left after the 6:00 news program. My guess is they were going for dinner. Do you reckon that they were going to dinner together and didn't invite us?

Dave and Angie just now came home. Neighbor with green car just came home. Neighbor with silver SUV came home. Okay, I might be just a tad nosey.

Side note: I am not exaggerating when I tell you how much I loved to sleep on my swing, but once I was adjusting my body after nearly falling asleep reading a great book. I over corrected myself and the swing just dumped me right out on my side. I had a black bruise in the shape and size of my foot. Hubby could only find humor in this as he laughed until he was breathless. Don't ever think that retirement can't be fun!!

Memory - I have memories of sleeping outside in the summer when I was very little. It was just too hot to sleep indoors. We slept on cots and under the stars without any fears for my daddy was there to protect us. That is when I learned the orientation of the stars. Do you have any idea how beautiful the night sky is 45 miles from Oklahoma City?

Love you guys. Story about my favorite grandma tomorrow.

Cherry Cream Cheese Pastry

Yesterday, I was craving some sort of snack, but needed to cook or bake it myself. I just needed that connection to domesticity.

I found frozen puff pastry that had to have been in the freezer for 3 years. I just couldn't bear to throw it away. Now what to do with the pastry. I could make something savory - maybe some spinach appetizer. Then I noticed that can of water packed cherries in the pantry. You know the one. You probably have one, too, a can of cherries so old you have no recollection of buying them. What would I have just one can of cherries anyway? It takes two or three to make a cherry pie.....

Here is the experimental Cherry Cream Cheese Pastry that I made up as I went along. Girls, when you have been cooking for 48 years, you can wing it. This makes approximately 16 turnovers.

Thaw 2 boxes of three year old puff pastry according to directions on box.

Mix about 3/4 cup sugar and 2 T. cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in the juice from the can of water packed cherries to the saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. You may need to add a little more cornstarch mixed with a tiny bit of water if it doesn't thicken as you would like. Then add the cherries, 3/4 t. almond extract, 1 tablespoon butter, and drops of red food coloring to your liking. Stir till blended and cool.

To make the cream cheese mixture, I used 4 oz. light cream cheese mixed with powdered sugar to taste. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut each pastry sheets into 4 equal squares. Put a rounded teaspoon of cream cheese into the center of each sheet. Then put a tablespoon of cherry mixture on half of the pastry sheet near the cream cheese. Now fold over the pastry, point to point and press down the point. No need to seal anything but the point.

Mix an egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush egg mixture over the top of the pastry triangle. Sprinkle sugar over the egg mixture.

Put triangles on Pam sprayed parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. It is OK if the cheery/cheese mixture oozes out a little. Good stuff.

Dumplings Anyone?

What a perfect late summer day! Oklahoma is finally getting some relief from those 61 days of over 100 degree days and my spirits are perked up more than I can describe. I now feel like doing chores and projects again. Sometimes when I am depressed, and this heat can be depressing, the thought of even the simplest chore is just too much to handle.

In honor of it only being 79 degrees at 12:45 p.m., I made chicken and dumplings. That, and the fact that my grocery store had chickens on sale for 39 cents a pound, limit 4. I bought 4! I am a chicken and dumplings connoisseur from way back. My Aunt Azalea made the best dumplings in the world. Her version had eggs and in my heart of hearts, I think that dumplings made with eggs are noodles. Discuss this among yourselves! When I married, one of the first dishes I wanted to try was dumplings. Somewhere along the line, I acquired a Grady County Extension Homemakers Groups Recipe Book, circa 1970. If I were to guess as to how I came by this book, I would say somebody at work was probably selling these for a fundraiser. It has a delicious recipe for dumplings which I have tweaked into perfection for these last 40 years. I do not remember too many family gatherings without them, but when I did fail to bring dumplings my nieces and nephews (and my brothers-in-law) would let me know that they weren't going to tolerate another get together without them. So....... I passed the recipe on to my nieces....no real excuse not to have them everytime we are together.


And without further adieu, my recipe for chicken and dumplings. If I use a cookbook recipe, I like to put the date and the summary of the recipe or some words about why I made it; i.e. Christmas at Brenda's house. What a wonderful surprise or memory to the future recipient of my cookbooks. You might note that this cookbook is pretty well beat up and no longer has a cover.

CHICKEN AND ROLLED OUT DUMPLINGS



Stewing Hen, cut up (I just use a whole bagged chicken or have even used nothing but backs. Note: If you use a bagged whole chicken make sure you take out the neck and packaged liver, etc, but after taking the liver out of the package, throw it in the pot. What the matter Shawna, making you queasy just thinking about that?)



Dumplings: 2 cups flour


1 teaspoon salt


1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 rounding tablespoon shortening

2/3 cup cup (scant) sweet milk (I use a tad more milk than 2/3 cup rather than less.)




Cut stewing chicken into pieces suitable for serving, barely cover with water, add 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, small onion and piece of celery, or celery leaves. Simmer until chicken is done, about 2 hours depending on size of the hen. (Remove onion and celery pieces. I also remove chicken and pick from the bone. I do not put all the chicken back in the pot because I don't like that much chicken. I save some of the boiled chicken for chicken salad).


Dumplings: sift flour, salt and baking powder, cut in 1 rounded tablespoon of shortening. Add sweet milk all at once and mix as for biscuits to form a stiff dough. Divide dough into portions and roll out about like pie pastry on floured cloth or board. Cut in strips about two inches wide.


Stretch pieces as you add them to the chicken and broth. Place several strips of the dough on top of the chicken in the boiling broth. Replace lid and allow to continue boiling until broth as boiled up over the dumplings. Then add another layer of the strips and let broth boil over this layer, continuing until the dough is used. Allow 20 to 30 minutes from the time you put the first ones in for dumplings to cook. If the broth runs low, heat some milk and add, pushing back the dumplings and chicken and pouring it near the side of the kettle. Broth may be thickened slightly before serving by adding flour and water thickening in this manner, moving chicken about carefully to keep pieces intact.


For my large extended family, I triple the recipe. To make this quicker to prepare, especially on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas when time is always at a premium, sift dry ingredients in bowl and cut in shortening the day before. These are all ingredients that do not have to be refrigerated. Make sure you over the bowl. Then the next day, all you have to add is the milk and roll them out.
These last few years, it has only been the two of us preparing our portion of the takeout dishes for our family gatherings. You know what? Even those are sweet memories. What a nice warm feeling to be rolling out dough, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on my little kitchen TV. I know that in a few hours we will be at my sister's house with up 14 or more little ones running wild, the men watching the dog show on TV on mute, the girls spreading the Christmas ads all over the house scouring for those great 4 a.m. sales, someone playing the piano, and the invariably the girls singing in on Christmas Carols. PASS ME THE TYLENOL!!

I think it is my turn for Thanksgiving dinner. I probably ought to get cleaning and cooking. Love to you all!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom

Verna Violet Thompson Dawkins was born September 7, 1918, to William and Arvie May Hobbs Thompson. She married Edgar Earl Dawkins, Jr., in Gainesville, TX, on February 10, 1948. I was her first child, followed by my brother, then my first sister, then a second sister, and finally my third sister.

Today, I have written and deleted everything I wanted to write about my mom on her birthday. Something keeps coming back to me.......she was a private, shy person. She would not want me to write a glowing essay in tribute to her. On a personal note, it is hard for me to write without becoming emotional.

So in lieu of a post about her tonight, I will just say I wish she was with us tonight so that I could say Happy Birthday Mom.

.....and, in broken English......

The Prague New Record - 25 January 1923

I find the reporter's choice of words are so amusing. They called it like they saw it. Today's reporter might report that the man was drunk, but nothing would be mentioned like "the chances are he didn't know himself".

"It will always be a mystery what Pennock's mission to Mr. Stricklin's was, but being under the influence of whiskey, the chances are he didn't know himself. The body was removed to the home of his aunt, Laura Carter, about 3:30 Thursday morning, where a coroner's inquest was held by the assistant county attorney. The jury consisted of men from Shawnee and exonerated Mr. Stricklin from any blame.

The funeral of David Nelson Pennock was held at the home of his aunt, Laura Carter, Friday. Services were conducted by John Brown. The American Legion boys acted as pall bearers and conducted the services at the grave, he being a member of that order. He served in the World War in Co. C, 357 Infantry, 90th Division. He leaves a wife and 2 children besides a number of relatives and numerous friends to mourn his loss."

Directly below that article was this. Although the circumstances surrounding this man's death are not exemplary, the family felt the need to be gracious to their fellow man. Something touching about this gesture of gratitude rather than hanging their heads in shame. I call it class.

CARD OF THANKS
We wish to thank the neighbors and friends for their assistance and sympathy during our time of sorrow.
MRS. DAVID PENNOCK
LAURA CARTER
LORENA MANATOWA

And then there is this article about this gentleman's Indian funeral and burial. It is extremely hard to read, but since it is so interesting I am going share what I can read. The following was preceded by the description of Indians marching slowly to the grave and their sacrifice to the Great (cannot read) on the casket of the deceased.

"The wife of the deceased was not permitted to go to the cemetery, but remained at a farm nearby, this being one of the customs of the Indians.

This cemetery is an Indian ground and is located about a half a mile from the home and is surrounded by a thick grove of black jack trees. The ground in this cemetery have no ornaments or markers to identify who have been buried there, were covered with rough stones. They had not been arranged in regular order and were not put on a straight line.

All persons buried in this cemetery were placed in the grave facing westward, as it is believed by the Indians that the soul travels west. An opening had been made in one end of the casket to allow the spirit to depart.

All of the decease's personal effects were brought to the cemetery and, according to custom, was divided into ten bundles.

These bundles were then given to the most deserving friends of the deceased, but nothing was allowed to be given to his relatives.

It was explained to the curious Legionnaires that these gifts were considered sacred and therefore priceless.

After the ceremonies, a number of the elderly Indian ladies came forward, with tears in their eyes, and shook hands with the men in uniform, and, in broken English, expressed their gratitude for the honor they had done to this Indian boy who was dear to them."

I found this accounting very moving. It is not unlike today's TV commentators voice overs when covering noted funerals. I can almost imagine this having TV coverage with a soft-voiced reporter explaining the Indian burial and customs. Time has long passed since Oklahoma was occupied by the Five Civilized Tribes, but this is gentle reminder that this nation and our state was their land. It is brought home with these words, "....... and, in broken English.........."

Facebook 2011 Has Nothing on Facebook 1923

And you thought Facebook was invented just a few years ago. No! Just listen to all these posts.

Bellmont Items:

Mr. A. V. Lay, our blacksmith, has been laid up with the flu for the past week. We hope he will soon be able to resume his work as he is a good workman and his services are needed at this busy time.

Mr. and Mrs. Vrana recently purchased and moved on to the place known as the Ramsey property, joining Belmont on the east. They are well pleased with their new home and have made several improvements.

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cox spent the evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. U. H. Burns Thursday. Mrs. Burns proudly displayed a mounted pheasant which her daughter, Mrs. Aberdean in Idaho, sent her. Mr. Aberdean's family like Idaho fine. Their oldest daughter, Grace, is married, and the 4 other girls are all grown and going to high school.

Fairview Breezes: (I don't have any idea where Fairview is.)

Mrs. Frank Lacquement called on Mrs. Dave Peck Thursday.

Little Lillian Stasta was very ill most of the week, but is some better at this writing.

Ralph and Westly Hammack were very ill last week with colds and missed several days of school.

Our teacher, Mr. Asa Furgerson, was very ill last week with a cold.

Mr. W. H. Hammack was called to Shawnee last Monday as his mother Mrs. E. E. Johnson was very low, but is better now.

Mrs. W. H. Hammack has been down with the flu for 10 days, and is not much better, yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Edd Shima called at the Valenta home Thursday. (If this is the Edd Schima I knew, it is spelled Schima rather than Shima.)

Garden Grove News: (Community where I went to school.)

Sunday School and singing were well attended at this place Sunday.

Vela Guffey called on Ina Licklider Sunday.

Mrs. Bertha Licklider and children were callers at the J. C. Mue home Sunday afternoon.

Clarence Nipper and family dined at the J. M. Licklider home Saturday night.

A. E. Thomas and family were callers at the Wesley Hinkles home Monday.

Lilburn Denney filled his regular appointment at the Cook home Saturday.

Grandma Denney is on the sick list at this writing.

John Belle filled his regular appointment at the J. M. States home Sunday.

John L. Muse, Ira Clark and Oscar Ward were dinner guests at the Willie Ward home Sunday.

Carvin Bland filled his regular appointment at the Watkins home Sunday. (I knew a Colvin Bland, but not Carvin.)

Mrs. Laura Carter has decided to quit housekeeping since the death of her nephew, David Pennock, and make her home with her son, Elmer Manatowa, who lives at Cushing. Mr. Collum, who has contracted for her place, will occupy her residence.

Earnest Williams and wife were callers at the J. M. States home Sunday.

On a personal note, many of these names are so fresh in my memory and many families still live around the Prague area. Of course, now we are talking about their great grandchildren. Still, reading these makes me a little sad, for these people are long gone. I remember them being old when I was a child. It also seems a little comforting knowing that their legacy lives on.

I find it interesting that visiting with their neighbors was such an important part of their day to day lives. Did you notice that lots of the visits were during the week and nobody mentioned one thing about restaurants. They entertained for one another. They put forth the extra effort it takes to prepare a good meal. When is the last time you had someone to your home other than family? I am talking to myself here, for I, too, am more inclined to meet friends at a restaurant than put forth any effort.

You see, it is not all about setting around reading Facebook. It is about actually being in touch with people and not through the virtual world. Did you Facebook users know that you can actually use a phone to hear a person's voice? Yep, that invention is over a hundred years old. You ought to try it. Or better yet, invite someone to your home. Renew old friendships in a reality world. Facebook 2011 has nothing on Facebook 1923!

My Great Grandfather Lewis Ellis Dawkins

Today in the mail I received a copy of the obituary of my great grandfather, Lewis Ellis Dawkins. He was born Nov. 17, 1846 in Kentucky and died after a prolonged illness at his home, ten miles west of Prague.

When a boy he moved with his parents to Missouri. In about 1891 he moved to Oklahoma, where he has since made his home. On April 28, 1872, he was married to Agnes Huston. To this union were born 4 sons and 5 daughters, of whom the sons and one daughter survive their father. Mrs. Dawkins died in 1904.

Mr. Dawkins was one of the staunch, upright citizens of the community. He was thoroughly religious and always stood for those principles that made for the best in everything. In the passing of the man, the neighborhood looses a strong support. He will be missed. Funeral services were conducted in the afternoon at the home in the presence of a large company of neighbors. The Rev. Wm. D. Cater was the officiating minister. Burial was made in the Prague Cemetery.

It looks like that in the same paper, there were community columns written of news peculiar to their communities. The Bellmont Items column reads: Mr. Dawkins, a former resident of Belmont, and who has been a helpless invalid for over a year, died at the home of his son, Clarence Dawkins, Saturday night, and was laid to rest in Prague cemetery Sunday afternoon.

The newspaper bits of information that I found on the same page as the above obits are so interesting and speaks of the time. It definitely was a gentler time or so it seems.

It was ironic that my hubby also received memories today in the way of baby and childhood photos. He only had one picture of him when he was about 3 years old so these baby pictures are a delight.

Stay tuned, because tomorrow I am going to post some of the "goings on" of Prague in 1923. You will be surprised how many old names pop up.

Thank you Aunt Norma.