4 More Days Until Halloween,

or

Until End of October - Same Thing.

Sunday afternoon Charlie and I went to Huntsville to see a matinee and then walked an hour around the Bridge Street Town Centre. Following our walk, we went to a second movie. This was all to celebrate our anniversary. We had planned to eat out, but we love popcorn at the movie, so that was our meal, along with two movies instead of one. We went to the Monaco Theatre. The first movie we saw was SECRET LIFE of BEES. I've read the book and was anxious to see the movie. Both the movie and the book are so good - a great read and an entertaining movie. Good acting. Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latisha (correction - it's Queen Latifah {:-)})and the musician whose name I can't remember. I don't know the other names, but it was good. The second movie we saw upstairs in the Prive - Charlie and I didn't know what to expect "upstairs" and we laugh at ourselves in those situations. We aren't "cool" nor are we "sophisticated". We are not "street smart" in a wealthy adult sense of the word. We don't get out a whole lot, by choice and by economics. So we laugh at ourselves. We are somewhat clumsy in those situations - we have to ask a lot of questions - Upstairs wasn't that much better than downstairs. But it was nice and the seats are VERY VERY comfortable. The popcorn tasted better than usual - maybe it was my imagination. So... we saw DUCHESS with Kiera Knightly. It was good - but very sad to me. Such a troubled marriage and impossible love and the tension of a mother's heart - there were 3 painful emotions acted out very well - It was based on a true story which I knew nothing about - so I googled it all the next day. Interesting.

Found this picture of Bridge Street - gives one an idea of the area

Another picture I found online - Bridge Street at night - at Christmas. Anyway, it gives an idea.

Back to our walk around Bridge Street - the temperature was very pleasant - not too cold. There was an older man playing a guitar and singing Blues very well. He was so good. Charlie and I sat on a bench for a little bit to listen. Not many people sat to listen. He should have had a large audience. Around him in on the "plaza"? or "walkway"? were strewn hoola hoops. They were not his - but I suppose it was an activity for whomever. NO - I didn't hoola hoop - but there were a few children who were doing that. I really really had the urge to pick one up and try it. What it reminded me of was more October memories -

This is how we all looked. We did this very hard, very fast, with a determination to keep it up. I found this picture online also - I googled Hoola Hoop Rage in the Fifties - All kinds of articles came up.

So - I'm a kid - and in those days the PTA had fundraisers which included a Halloween Carnival at the Evergreen City School. I don't know what year this started, nor do I remember when it ended. If Mother was alive and could write or post on a blog - she would probably just spell out loud groans. I've heard her recall all the very hard work it involved, and the event was so much helter skelter - usually hot - not cold on Halloween or whatever night it was scheduled. Not to mention that the mother's children STILL wanted to go Trick or Treating. There were usually events in the auditorium which involved some sort of performance - a school play - maybe speeches - I'm not sure - I know there were drawings and give-a-ways. I won a rake, once, from one of our Hardware stores. Only thing I've ever won. I was so excited. Daddy walked me up to get it. I loved winning that - anything. Anyway, every classroom was "something". Like a cakewalk, a go fishing booth, a haunted house - fortune telling - other games to pay to win something - or activities to pay to participate in - And kids and parents running around everywhere - like a swarm of bees.

Back to the hoola hoop. I remember the Hoola Hoop contest we had on the lawn in front of the school. I tried that. Gave my things to Daddy to hold, while I walked up to compete. I was sure I could win!!! But I didn't. I can still see the night, Daddy standing there, patiently waiting - and my confidence to take home the prize. So confused when I didn't. Didn't see that coming.

It's funny how in so many of my memories Daddy is standing to the side - patient, enduring - walking through these "little girl" events - taking me by the hand, walking me away -

My image of Mom in those Carnival memories is that she looked tired and somewhat stressed. They always had food down in the lunchroom. The lunchroom in the City School was down a long flight of very wide stairs. Bottom of the stairs, take a left, through double doors, and you're in the low ceilinged lunchroom. I hated those smells all those six years. Lunch was never good to me. Anyway, at the carnival, that's where we went to buy food - and I'm thinking hot dogs. I saw Mother in the back serving food - and that's my image of her looking very busy and very tired. I really couldn't talk to her because she was working so hard.

Later years she and I would recall those days and get so tickled about all the stress for her compared to how the kids were so excited about it all - and the trick or treating. Had to do that. We loved it. And then the battle of the candy.

When I was a Mom of small children, we did all of that. At Caldwell - we had carnivals - I wasn't as much of a player in the event as Mom had been. I had 4 children and Sarah and Kate were babies when Ann and Laura Beth were in elementary - I don't know - I just know that I was free to walk them around the school - Charlie actually was a worker one year. He was in the dunking booth. Sarah and Kate were sooooo upset when they saw him go in the water. I had to get them out of there.

I see so much other stuff in my head, but I think I want to wind down the Halloween memories.

There was one year, in the Fifth Grade, I had to be a scarecrow in a play at the carnival.

I'll say this - it was a costume put together just like all my other costumes. There was no going to Wal-Mart and buying a costume. I've already told you about the first year when I was a cowboy. Another year I was a Gypsy. Those were easy to make. Mom's jewelry, scarves, long skirts, makeup. Ghosts were a cinch. Put an old sheet over the child - cut holes for the eyes and mouth - and there's a ghost. I never got to be that princess, like my friend in the first grade. I really don't remember all the characters I was. I think I was probably a witch one year. Those were the fifties - and we just never saw that as a real spiritual problem - being "stuff" like that. It was all about convenience and what we had around the house. I certainly didn't think it conflicted with God, who was ever present there. Even though I wasn't a true believer yet, He seemed all around me. He dominated in my life, big time.

Anyway, it all got complicated later when we began to analyze all that stuff - and raising kids - Halloween or Santa Claus? Safe Alternatives? Call it Harvest Fest - but it still feels like Halloween. We live in small town Alabama - and know the folks where our children trick or treat. Who lets their small children go to dangerous places? Anyway -

Our Culture certainly evolves, doesn't it?

Halloween/October Memories.

Welcome November.

The Best October Memory

Here we are nearing the end of October. Doesn't time go by so quickly? This is the part of October when I want to beg for more. I'm not ready for it to end. I haven't gotten nearly enough done during my energized, creative month. I'm going to get lost in the rush and fading of November. I haven't posted all my October memories!

I know one year when I was glad to see the end of October. It was 1979. My wedding date was set for October 27th. The days couldn't go by fast enough for me. We were married on Saturday, so this is my anniversary weekend. But this year it falls on Monday - Question: Is today the anniversary, since it's Saturday, or is Monday. I think both.

That weekend was so exciting!! I left B'ham, where I was working, and traveled to Evergreen on Thursday, October 25th.

The engagement period had been very brief. Charlie proposed sometime in May or June - I forget - and the wedding was in October. Things weren't nearly as elaborate back then. I know Mom and I had one tense discussion over the phone, long distance, which cleared the air about expenses. She was so nervous about that. I remember her saying that all of her friends had told her that no matter what one did, there was no way to do a wedding for less than $1000.00! Imagine that! She had resigned herself to that amount. I remember that my dress cost $400.00 and it was on sale. That was rather costly back then for a dress - so I think we went over budget on that one.

Anyway, I traveled to Evergreen on Thursday. Mom had not opened any of the gifts for me which had accumulated at Boykin's jewelry store and the local hardware store. In 1979, most hardware stores had a "fine gifts" department. Small town, small businesses, family owned. I arrived in Evergreen, and Mother had a small "party" of family to watch me open my gifts. It was so much fun. I had had 3 parties given by friends in B'ham - but the parties in Evergreen were zero. 28 was rather "old", in 1979, to be getting married. I suppose everyone assumed I'd moved on to my new life. Anyway, arriving in Evergreen on Thursday the 25th was wonderful and I do remember that ride. The weather was beautiful - all the dynamics of my life were in place and I was soaring.

So - I opened my gifts - they were all towering in Mother's dining room. I think Mary Ann was there. She was working in Montgomery - so I can't remember if she was able to take Thursday off. Seems like she did. Back then, folks still gave sterling silver flatware. I was delighted each time I opened the long, thin box. Charlie's parents had given us 2 place settings of our Gorham Chantilly Sterling Silver. My hands were shaking when I opened that gift. I could tell by the shape of the box, what it was. My Uncle Halbert, in turn, gave us a place setting of Chantilly, plus he gave me Grandmother's dessert forks which were in the Chantilly pattern. My grandmother, Ella, gave me some of her pieces of Chantilly. I loved all of that. I had registered only for fine china and the sterling. I knew folks, in 1979, would gift me with the everyday stuff if I registered for it - so I wanted to only register for the fine china - I could see ahead and knew that life would get daily and get very practical. I could always get everyday dinnerware for myself and everyday flatware for myself. When are the elegant things ever a priority? So, the party was so much fun. Again, if I had a scanner, I'd show pictures.

Charlie arrived in Evergreen on Friday. So did other members of the Northcutt family who had moved away. My closest cousin, Rachel, was due any minute with her first child. She was living in Mississippi. She couldn't even be at the wedding. Joel Ward McAllister was born on November 6, 1979. The rehearsal dinner was that evening at a local banquet spot - it's Evergreen - Charlie's parents had a wonderful dinner for us. On Saturday all my aunts hosted a luncheon for the "Out of town guests".I didn't attend that luncheon. I was the bride, therefore, had to be at home preparing for my wedding - at 2:00 p.m. The morning of the 27th when I woke up - I thought, "It's my wedding day!" I went into the dining area where Mother had displayed all my gifts-(a custom which has faded - people would even come by to see 'the displayed gifts') I picked up the one cereal bowl which I had been given - in my Lenox China - and a coffee cup and saucer - and I ate breakfast using my fine china.

Wewere married at 2:00 pm on October 27, 1979. We honeymooned at Lake Guntersville State Park - which has been a joke to everyone for all these many years. No joke to us. We loved it - It was beautiful and delightful. And easy.

As Charlie and I traveled back to Birmingham where he and I both were working, we realized that the color of the leaves had reached their peak. We've learned that. All of the past 28 years it holds true here in North Alabama. The color is at its best at the very end of October. We are now completing our 29th year of marriage. Wow. Compared to 50 years we're practically newlyweds.

Happy Anniversary to Charlie and Elizabeth!!!

Oh Dear, Ann and Laura Beth Tagged Me

I don't do these things well. I'm supposed to share 7 random and/or weird facts about myself, plus tag 7 more people to do the same thing.

Well, I don't know 7 people who blog other than Ann and Laura Beth's friends, and they've already tagged them. So, I think I will invite anyone who reads my blog to either begin a blog so you can do this - or just post a comment on mine - with your 7 random/weird facts.

1. I eat in multiples. Well, I snack in multiples. Either in 2's, 3's, 5's, or 10's. Or, if it's in portions, as in servings during a meal and dessert, it's 1 1/2. I try to start with a small first portion because I very much want to go back for seconds. So it's 1/2 of the first small whole portion. Back to my snacking. If it's M&Ms I start with 2, then probably add 3 more. Try not to go over 10, but if I do, it's usally 5 more, then another 5. By now I'm at 20 and decide that should be enough. If that's not enough, well, I'm out of control. :-) I need to drink some coffee or beverage to stop the bleeding. :-) Potato chips are usually eaten in 10's. I also look for the ones that are curled over. Who doesn't love a new bag. They have the most curled over ones. Crackers are eaten in 4's or 5's or 6's. I know that, officially, 6 crackers are equivalent to a slice of bread. So, I start with 4, then if need be I add 1 more, then if it really needs to be, I add one more. Then my brain registers that I've just eaten one slice of bread. There are all kinds of weird rules like that that I've made for myself. Those are just a smidgen of them.

2. I have had 4 c-sections, and I am not glad. I regret not experiencing childbirth the regular way, but I don't have hangups about it. I loved being in the delivery room with Ann and Laura Beth and seeing that miracle. That was a first for me. Never had experienced it. It's unbelievable. I also had planned to deliver with no medication. Go figure! Originally I even wanted to deliver in a tub of water and with dim lights. I'm big into all the natural stuff. Always have been. I've seen 2 of my daughters deliver with epidurals. I highly recommend that. Can't imagine delivering without an epidural. ugh. I applaud the whole epidural thing now. And it doesn't hurt. It only helps. except in very very rare cases. I say, "GET AN EPIDURAL". Since I didn't have an epidural for the first delivery, I had to be put to sleep for that first C-Section but was awake, via epidural, for the next 3 C-Sections. I was 29 when my first baby was born and 36 when my 4th baby was born. One other regret: I wanted 6 children. Always did. Still wish I had the other 2.

3. I've had 2 phobias in my lifetime - almost dibilitating - which is what makes it a phobia - right? ONE: Frogs TWO: Throwing Up. I'm pretty much "healed" of the second one. I can only say that I'm a lot better with the Frog fear, but not much. I'll say this about phobias and fears - they are a prison and I have prayed a lot about it. I don't care to "own" them, not at all. The frog thing is really bad. I have frog radar and always have my detectors up and running. Lizards and snakes are a close second but they are not the phobia that frogs are.

4. I played the drums in high school, but that isn't news anymore. I was a majorette for one year. That isn't news either.

5. I love, love, love being outside in my yard. It feels like when I was a kid, playing outside. That's what I love about working in my yard - but the frog thing is a problem - I used to not have them, but the frog community is beginning to discover that my yard is rather userfriendly. ugh. Mostly the green tree frogs - freaks me out. And I love for my backporch to be clean and I can sit out there. The weather can't be too cold or I won't enjoy it. Spring and Fall are the best.

6. I began college at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. My major was Art. Then I transferred to Auburn University and majored in Graphic Design. I got a BFA from there. I should have majored in Fine Arts but didn't. Big regret. My paternal grandmother studied art and music at Judson College. My paternal grandfather studied law, but also went to New York to study art. My Daddy's oldest brother studied accounting at U. of AL but also studied Art in New York - at the New York Academy of Art. My Daddy's second oldest brother majored in Landscape Architecture at Auburn. And Daddy was a musician, graduating from Northwestern University after having studied at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, B'ham, AL. Point being: the art thing is huge in my genetics - I always say that I didn't get enough talent to make me successful, just enough to make me crazy. And I am sufficiently "wacky", most of the time. :-)

I didn't get the music gene. Sad. Mary Ann got that. I just got a very loud voice which probably gets on peoples' nerves. It would mine.

7. Final Fact: It is nearly impossible for me to answer any question or survey in just a few words - with just one line. Number 4 ended up short, but I've already posted on my blog about that stuff. There's nothing left to say. I'm very wordy with long stories - it can scare people off. Which the blog thing is nice. I can tell my stories and pretend someone is listening. I never have to feel the rejection of someone tuning me out. :-)

Whom do I tag? If you're reading this and haven't been tagged, post a comment with 7 random or little known facts about yourself - Puh-leeeeeze!?

TWO WONDERS I CONFESS: The wonders of His glorious love and my unworthiness.

Stepping aside from my October Memories -

although this recollection could easily have occurred in October.

You'll see.

I was going to my daughters' blogs - each of them - which is how I ended up blogging in the first place, this summer. It's a way for me to get in on their conversations and thoughts - so I blog. I was at Kate's blog; there was no new post & I glanced to the right and saw her list of websites - RUF Hymnal - I went there - I explored that and ended up on the words of Beneath the Cross of Jesus. I love Hymns - the words alone - but the music also - I'll have to say that the RUF folks mix up the notes a bit and get away from the original tune. I prefer the classic tune, melody, chords, composition - whatever. I like the familiar - what I know, and the music is already beautiful - the majority of it. I read the words to this hymn, I hear the music, and I'm in that place again. The Evergreen First United Methodist Church. Those dark mahogany pews, the rich wood throughout the sanctuary, the stained glass windows, our small yet gifted choir; Daddy is always the choir director whom I see. Mary is always at the organ. Mother is sitting close by. My aunts, uncles and cousins and Mary Ann are there and all the familiar faces throughout the years. I suppose I'm every age, in this memory - because I've been there at every age. Then, I didn't embrace all the reality of the words, but I do now, and have for some time. When I was a child I was just glad to be singing instead of "sitting through the sermon". I liked the peppier tunes, and this one was somewhat slow. Thankfully it was sung repeatedly and became so familiar. I am grateful for the exposure to these words when I didn't even know HIM whose death on the cross redeemed me - and now I do.

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

a rest upon the way,

from the burning of the noontide heat,

and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus,

my eyes at times can see

The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart with tears

two wonders I confess

The wonders of His glorious love

and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow

for my abiding place:

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face,

Content to let the world go by,

to know no gain or loss.

My sinful self, my only shame;

my glory all the cross.

What I Like to Remember about October, Cont'd.

My first grade memory of halloween is a bit vague. What I visualize is being in the classroom. (I suppose the Halloween Parade was an ongoing event. I only remember the parade when I was in the 3rd grade, but that will be posted later - and why I remember that one.) I was a cowgirl. Mom had suggested it. I know that. Halloween and costumes were new to me, I think. Or just being old enough to really think about it. I don't remember relating this year, 1957, to the previous year, 1956, with my cousins -Anyway, I agreed to the cowgirl costume. I liked playing cowgirls with my little boy friends who were, of course, cowboys. I was usually Dale Evans - and sometimes Annie Oakley.


Back to what I visualize or see in my recollections: I'm in the cowgirl costume which Mother had put together - red hat, vest, guns, red bandana, ... but Jeans!!! It should have been a skirt. That's where we messed up - because I'm standing there feeling like I look like a boy - which was very disappointing to me - and one of my friends walked in as a PRINCESS. I just remember the feeling of "WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT THAT - BEING A PRINCESS??" Her dress was made of pink netting and I can still see her face and her enjoying the unanimous approval ratings in her favor. My hat was off to her. In my childlike way, I took complete responsibility for my choices - I had a sense of knowing to never again give up my "voice" in selecting a Halloween costume. This is vague but I think there was a parade that year. The band led the parade and all the kids marched 2 by 2.

I think Jeannie(the princess) and I were partners. We were really good friends.

It's been a long time since any diary entries.

So, I'm jumping from that 1st grade experience regarding Halloween

all the way up to 6th grade diary entries.

In 6th grade I was getting a little too old for Halloween, and the entries are starting to really thin out as I'm losing interest in regularly writing in my diary.

The last entry I posted was September 23.

Monday September 24, 1962: Dear Diary, I didn't have much homework today.

Tuesday September 25, 1962: Dear Diary, I went to play with Ellen Nix today.

Wednesday September 26, 1962: Dear Diary, it rained hard today. I'm glad.

Thursday September 27, 1962: Dear Diary, Today I saw Barbie & Ken's sports car. (They are dolls)

Friday September 28, 1962: Dear Diary, went to ballgame. Ate with Susan and Bert.

Saturday September 29, 1962: No Entry

Sunday September 30, 1962: No Entry

Monday October 1, 1962: No Entry

Tuesday October 2, 1962: No Entry

Wednesday October 3, 1962: No Entry

Thursday October 4, 1962: No Entry

Friday October 5, 1962: Dear Diary, Rode on the Band Bus to the football game.

Saturday October 6, 1962: No Entry

Sunday October 7, 1962: Dear Diary, Ate with Ella and Elbert.

Monday October 8, 1962: Dear Diary, At about 3:00 Grandmother died. Not Ella.

Tuesday October 9, 1962: Dear Diary, went to Grandmother's funeral. Lots of flowers.

Wednesday October 10, 1962: Dear Diary, Mother came home from Troy. Daddy too. Me and Mary Ann have been staying with Ella.

Thursday October 11, 1962: Dear Diary, Made a cake today.

Friday October 12, 1962: Dear Diary, 4-H Bake Sale today.

Saturday October 13, 1962: Dear Diary, we spent the night with Halbert.

Sunday October 14, 1962: Dear Diary, went to Sunday School in Troy.

Monday October 15, 1962: Dear Diary, It was so hot today.

Tuesday October 16, 1962: No Entry

Wednesday October 17- Saturday October 20, 1962: No Entries

Sunday October 21, 1962: Dear Diary, today is Elbert's birthday.

Monday October 22, 1962: Dear Diary, played with Jane & Jeannie Knox.

Tuesday October 23, 1962: No Entry

Wednesday October 24, 1962: Dear Diary, I got my pictures today at school. They are good.

Thursday October 25, 1962: No Entry

Friday October 26, 1962: No Entry

Saturday October 27, 1962: Dear Diary, played with Jeannie Knox & Jane

Sunday October 28, 1962: Dear Diary, Went to S.S. & Church. Then Marilyn Mason came to play with me.

Monday October 29, 1962: Dear Diary, Today is school again. Didn't have much homework.

Tuesday October 30, 1962: No Entry

Wednesday October 31, 1962: Dear Diary, We had a Halloween Carnival tonight. I wore a FLAPPER.

These are very blurry - but wanted to give a visual perspective.

1. The first one is Mary Ann in the first grade, 1955-56. She was 6, which made me 4. It was the next year which I wrote about above - when we were staying at Ella's during Halloween.

2. The second one is me in the first grade. I remember being very excited about having my first school picture made. I don't look very excited. There is a story to that pose, but it would have to be told in another post. This is the year I was the cowgirl for Halloween.

3. The third picture is my second grade picture. Just giving an overall look. Incidentally, Mom made my dresses, and I'm sure she made Mary Ann's.

4. This fourth picture is Jane White's 5th grade picture. She is mentioned a lot in my diary. She was my best friend and lived on Williams Street, as I did.

I had other pictures I tried to get - but my camera was doing weird. I had one of Jeannie B., Marilyn Mason, Jeannie Knox, well - most of the friends I've mentioned - but perhaps another day. Photos just make for good illustration. I like photos.

Recent Sewing Projects and What I Like to Remember about October

This is the dress I made for Ellie. It's a delicate corduroy with a cotton print for the lower band. The brown stripe is velvet ribbon. Hindsight, I wouldn't have used such a thick ribbon. I had to handsew it on.

This is the Christmas apron, which is a different pattern from the first apron I made. (see last post). Hard to see the cute fabric. It has squares of block printed Christmas images. Really cute. The contrasting fabric is a red and green kind of check, with gilded thread woven in it.

Another view.

So, those are the next things I've sewn. There are flaws, and I tend toward being really bothered by things like that(errors), but I don't think I obsess anymore. I'll just work on it. The errors are seams and stitches that aren't exactly right. The dress of Ellie's -the buttonholes aren't great, obviously, since I have no experience with buttonholes. I have a friend whom I plan to ask for buttonhole tutoring. She is a great seamstress.

What I Like to Remember about October

Well, obviously, there are lots of things I like to remember. As a child I can remember most of my Halloween costumes and most of my Trick or Treating experiences. I was in a Halloween Parade , in the 3rd grade, along with all the other elementary school aged children. (Did I say that right?)

Let me start with what I think is the first Halloween I can remember. Mother and Daddy were in Troy, Alabama because my granddaddy had died. He died on November 1, 1956, so they must have gone over to Troy, knowing that he was near death. I knew they were there because of his being sick, and I know that while they were there he died. I have a vague recollection of hearing that information. I had turned 5 on July 14, 1956. I went Trick or Treating with my cousins and of course Mary Ann. I bet she has a better memory of this event.

I have no idea about my costume.

I remember 2 things about this.

We were walking back from Trick or Treating (and the street and house are described in my post titled The Northcutts.) My uncle Waynard jumped out from behind some bushes to scare all of us. At that time I was 5, so Mary Ann was 7 - Rusty, 7, Rachel, 3, Suzanne, 11. I have a vague memory of an adult being with us - probably Florence, because she would have had to have been with Rachel. Waynard's attempt to "BOO" us must not have been too scary. I can still see him smiling - but don't remember feeling very scared, just a little surprised to see Waynard come out from behind a bush. :-) So funny.

The next thing I remember is wanting to eat more of my Trick or Treat Candy than I needed to eat. I have a memory of Ella being more firm than I was accustomed to - she wasn't usually in that role with me. But there was a lot of compassion coming from her, which gave me some leverage. Mary Ann was siding with Ella and both of them were agreeing that Mother wouldn't want me to eat anymore candy. I was eating a purple(grape) sucker(I see the color) and enjoying it....and going in for my next "bite" of the "spoils". That's when Ella, backed by Mary Ann, stepped in. I have no recollection of Elbert in any of these scenes. I'm guessing he was chilling out - TV? Book? Magazine? Cigar? Just thinking? It was 1956.

I conceded. They were right. I know that the next thing was that we had to go to bed. That's all I remember. I'm visual, therefore, when I remember this, I'm seeing the scene - as if I'm on the outside watching it happen. Is that the way everyone remembers something?.......through their mind's eye?? I wasn't unhappy. I was very safe and very secure.

That is my 5 year old Halloween experience.

October 31, 1956

Question: Are these grapes?

Answer: Nandina Berries. Aren't they so pretty?

So Here Is What I've Been Doing

These are my three pumpkins

Green

White

Hydrangeas in the Fall

Mother's Singer - I can see her sitting there with her foot on the pedal. This is the second one she owned. The first had a wood grain table like this, but the machine was black with gold lettering. It, too, was a Singer. I wish I had a really really nice Cadillac of a sewing machine. I bet it would practically do the sewing for me. That would be nice.

My collection of thread - Ella's sewing Box - I remember her at a sewing machine which was not electric - the foot pedal had to be done with Ella's own personal energy. She had it - the energy. Same feet I can hear tapping the floor in a rhythm when she rocked me - I was in her lap and she was singing "Polly Wolly Doodle All the Day". She was really short, and her feet would come off the floor, then back on, back off, back on, off, on, etc.

This is going to be a Christmas Apron. I love aprons! I also like to cut out the patterns. I really like the sound of the thin pattern paper. It crinkles. I also like the way the fabric and the paper feel pinned together - the weight of it. That's crazy - or maybe not. I bet other ladies like that. I like the pins. I like the tape measure hanging around on surfaces - table tops - I just like all of that. I loved hanging around mom when she was sewing. I did my own little handsewing but nothing ever really good - just messing with it. Too bad. I just always let Mother do all the sewing

My first handsewn apron.

It looks like a dress, doesn't it?

Excuse me. I just remembered! This is not my first apron. I was in the Fifth Grade - involved in 4-H and I did make an apron! I remember now. I have a picture but don't know where it is. Wish I had the picture and a scanner.

I am now going to return to my sewing. That's all. Just pictures today.

Again, Visitors - Thursday thru Tuesday

My sister, Mary Ann, came for a visit last Thursday. One week ago. She stayed until Sunday. Kate came from Auburn on Saturday and stayed until Tuesday morning. Of course all of that was mixed and mingled with Ann and her crew. Mary Ann pretty much came to see Ellie and Luke - well - that's not true. If they weren't with us, I do believe she still would have come. Actually I had been gearing up for a good, long visit to my dear Evergreen - but Mary Ann, being the pianist at Evergreen Methodist, has a little more difficulty planning a weekend - so we went ahead and arranged the date for her to come here. It coincided with my Aunt Mary's weekend away. Mary is the organist at Evergreen Methodist - So - there were 2 guest musicians who were able to fill their spots on the same Sunday.

Insert regarding my son in law, Steve, and the way God has empowered him to teach God's Holy word, the Bible. Mary Ann prerequested any of Steve's sermon CD's to take back with her, to listen to at home - we reminded ourselves all during the visit - and wouldn't you know - she drove away with none. I'm going to mail them to her.

Sunday was great - we're in Colossians and in that powerful spot where Paul says:

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn over all creation.

For by him all things were created:

things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;

all things were created by him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

And he is the head of the body, the church;

he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,

so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

and through him to reconcile to himself all things,

whether things on earth or things in heaven,

by making peace through his blood,

shed on the cross.

Colossians 1: 15-20

Prior to that Paul has already written this:

giving thanks to the Father,

who has qualified you to share

in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1: 12-14

I cannot adequately describe how those verses affect me - they are so much of the power of God and my vocabulary is too limited to express their purest truth and reality.

Imagine. If we are IN HIM, then

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

and

brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.

In the Son whom He loves, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Out of darkness into light.

Dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light.

He is the image of the invisible God.

And all that follows in those verses - He is the ONE who rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into His kingdom.

I have to close but will now show 3 pictures of Mary Ann's visit.

We also shopped for pumpkins for this season. Mary Ann wanted some white pumpkins after she saw the picture of mine on this blog. That was from last year. So, she got 2 whites and 1 green/pale blue pumpkin. I got a dark green pumpkin and a white one and a flat orange pumpkin. I'll show those pictures later. I'm in a rush so can't post those pictures, plus I have to show anyone reading this a picture of the apron I made. I don't ever ever ever sew - therefore, I am excited about this apron. I'm 57 and excited about a handsewn apron. Oh well. I want to get better at that, so perhaps I will.

If you are reading this I hope you are having a good day - if you aren't, well, we have those days, too. I do. Aren't we glad about all those verses above?