Grandparents

I have wonderful grandparent memories.

Ella is at the top of the list.  She was it.  The Grandmother.  She was just so "present".  I don't remember profound words that she said to me.

Let me think......

I was at her house, in her kitchen, before the house burned - so it was before they remodeled.  It was in the summer after the 3rd grade... I think... when her house burned.

She was peeling apples - I can see the back of her - she was facing the counter - and she asked me if I wanted to eat the apple peelings.  I did.  She told me they were good for me and why they were good for me.  I didn't understand and I didn't ask.  I just ate the apple peelings and enjoyed them.

Other memory - I'm in her lap and she's rocking me and I can hear the rhythmic tapping of her feet as she sings "Polly Wolly Doodle All the Day".  I can see where we were in her den/family room and all around me and the chair arms and how it felt to be in her lap.  I can see it.  And I can feel it.  I'm 59 and can still see and feel that.  And I can hear her singing.  It's foggy, but I can hear it.

Other memory - it's the afternoon, in the summer, before her house burned.  It's the afternoon of the evening her house burned.  I was at her house - she was making a cake and icing it with chocolate icing. She brought me the bowl to lick.  I couldn't lick it all.  She left me so much.  Mother always scraped the bowl so clean - there was little left to lick.  So I took the bowl to Ella and told her I couldn't eat it all and asked her to save it for me.

I'm 59 and just realized for the first time - she probably didn't save it.  I'm guessing she washed the bowl out.    That night all the family was at a little league game.  It must have been a big deal because I had a sprained toe and couldn't walk very well - Mother left me at home with a neighbor - sitting with me.  During the game it came to everyone's attention that Ella and Elbert's house was burning while they were at the game - my cousins playing in the game.

Mother came and got me - after calling the house to give us the news.  I remember hopping about on one foot and feeling very anxious until Mother got to the house to get me.  We all went to Ella's house after the fire dept. had extinguished the fire.  I remember Ella crying and asking her not to cry.  I was very disturbed about her crying and begging her not to cry.  She didn't hear me.

We all worked on the restoration of her house - cleaning the smoke damage that we could clean in the parts of the house which didn't burn - but the guys came in and remodeled and it was better than before.

Ella was just so available - words weren't necessary.  She was such a doer.  Always doing and being there - available and creative in her own way - with sewing and flower arranging and home decorating and cooking.  She was so strong and so active.

A profound thing she said - the  most opinionated thing I ever heard her say - It was during my college years and I was in her living room - Abortions were just being talked about.  I had never heard of them and the fact that people were wanting them legalized - I was confused.  It wasn't  something I'd ever thought about - so - sadly I questioned what I thought about it.  It was foreign to me.

There we sat - in her living room - and I suppose the news was on and something was said about abortions and that whole issue and she said to me, "Elizabeth, can you believe that they are actually trying to legalize abortion?"  She was appalled at the idea and that shaped my opinion forever.  I had been on the fence, not even understanding the issue - but because of her life and who she was and with that exact and definitive statement - well - I was no longer on the fence.  Now I know for myself and I still agree with Ella.

There are so many Ella memories - she had to give herself to 12 grandchildren, her husband, her four daughters and a little left over for herself and friends.  None of us felt slighted - to my knowledge.

I almost never "grandparent" without thinking of Ella.

At a family reunion, our oldest cousin, Bert, had written something addressing those family members who had died already - and to Ella he said, 

"Ella, you are the grandmother books are written about"

True.

I Am Back....from South Alabama

I drove down on Monday to Evergreen.  I went back to this place......these ghosts......

Images - Roots - What shaped me - What I knew...Whom I knew and Who made for me my base.....

Sister, Mary Ann and Aunt, Mary, for starters and then follow,

cousin, Suzanne and then, Mother, with both of us. sisters, sisters, sisters, always the two of us.

I drove down on Monday. Mary Ann was to have a colon screening on Tuesday.  Mary Ann is my sister if you've never read this post.  Our first medical thing for me to "help her with".  She needed a driver.  Neither of us was looking forward to any of it.  It went great - good report - no weirdness - we were applauding ourselves for being "big girls" about the whole thing.  Mary Ann being the more mature since she was having the procedure.  

and I drove away from that world, Evergreen, my roots, 

around 9:00 and came back to my present - which is a gift and so blessed - and so in the present.

North Alabama.

But...while in E'green ....  had the best visit with my Aunt Mary.  I love her so - and my cousin, Melissa - but had already visited in B'ham, on the way down, with Cousin, Mary Claire and Couin-in-law and Friend, Martha.  Blessed, blessed treats.  Thank you, Lord.  Plus, very positive, "I love my life" cell phone talks with Kate and Sarah....my two youngest.  Thank you, Lord, again.

Band Camp, Some More

While we're on the subject

and while my camera is away being repaired

and since I have kazillion old photos - I mean - a lot!

I might as well show anyone who read yesterday's post

what band camp looked like in Auburn, in 1955-56-57

Just a few.

First, a disclaimer:  It is often said that in posting on blogs - the writer will not be transparent about failure, about shortcomings, just about the way "it" really is - perfect mother, perfect friend, perfect grandmother - even when we're making an effort to be transparent - well - who's gonna give the whole story?  I'll tell you right now - you're gonna have to take my word for it - this blogger is so insanely ordinary and not spectacular and, and, and.....well - it's probably gonna stay pretty general.  Unless God gets specific about telling me to "air dirty laundry" - it's not that easy or wise to do - but - I'm willing to answer questions and be honest.  Got any questions?  


But this disclaimer isn't about that - what I wanted to say is - my pride really rears its very ugly head, and this could be a pun, when it comes to bad pictures.  Trouble is, most of my pictures are bad.  I don't mean I always look bad, but just, darn it, not photogenic.  The camera catches me in the weirdest faces. We all know that some people look better in pictures than they do in real life.  Well, the flip side is, and I hope hope hope this is so - that some of us look better in real life than in pictures.  If I look better in pictures than in real life - well - just don't anybody tell me.  Again - my pride - I'm not that broken yet.  I guess I am - I can handle it.  I'm getting closer to heaven everyday and I'll be gorgeous there.


Anyway - do any of us want to put up a bad photo?  Not this girl - and  the good ones are hard to find.


So - out of respect for my dear mom and dad - and for the love of their memory - I hate putting up bad pictures of them - and these old ones  - styles were really different - and - well - I've looked for the best ones.  There were a lot that weren't the best - I nixed them.


Whew!  That was a long disclaimer.  It was a whole post!

So - band camp and what life looked like there, in Auburn, when I was missing Daddy in Evergreen, AL.

Here they are practicing - and yeah - are you like me?  Do those majorettes have on bathing suits?

Next Picture, below:

My Dad is 2nd from the right. 4th from the left.

with band directors from Florala, Enterprise, Anniston and Elmore County.

Wonder what they're talking about and what each one is thinking.

Looks like the BD from Elmore County on the far right is telling something, and their eyes are on him.

But what are they thinking?

It's band camp, it's competition, it's men.

Interesting, the body language.

In the next picture:

The guy looking back, with sunglasses, is Bill Haynes.

During the season when students' parents bought them instruments, 

Bill Haynes was a fixture in our house and at the bandroom.

He worked for Art's Music Store in Montgomery.

Our car went straight to that store in downtown Montgomery during those years - when we made our pilgrimage to Montgomery via highway 31.

Bill Haynes could play the clarinet very well - which I realized in a surprised sort of way when he performed with our band during practice one day.  I thought he just sold instruments. 

Of course he was a musician.  It had never occurred to me.

More practice - again- the majorettes - Is that the earliest version of the stadium, there in the background?

Next,

The 1956-57 band - the one Daddy took to camp - when I missed him so - and all the other ones too -

until I grew too old to think he was the only love of my life.  That would probably be 1st grade, when I became aware of C. W.

And while we're on the subject of bands - below is Daddy's first band in Holly Springs, MS.

He was fresh out of Northwestern University.  December 14th, 1939 is handwritten on the back of the photo, and that is 26 year old Frank Wilkerson (Dad) on the front row, left - in the suit.

for some reason, I love this next picture.

While Daddy is still younger than I ever remember - I think it's 1947 -

I recall the lowered head - when he turned around after a performance, for a slight bow.

In the middle row, 3rd from left is my aunt, Mary.  She probably knew Daddy before Mother did.

She was still in school when Mother met "the new band director, Frank Wilkerson".

and the 1962-63 band.  I know so many of these people.

The head majorette is my cousin, Suzanne.

The one who has been in many of my recent "cousin" posts.

I suppose this is as large as any EHS band grew.

Wasn't big - but for us - in those days - it was good.

Andalusia, we knew, had a bigger band.

T.R. Miller?  I think maybe.

then the city ones - well - and we didn't' even know there was a place called Scottsboro, AL. At least, I didn't.

How can I not include my senior year?  In color!!!

I'm finally a majorette - after 2 tryouts I made it on the 3rd.

I'm on the right - third from the right, middle row.

That's it.

Wonder when they're gonna have my camera ready?  2 to 3 weeks?

Whoa - lots of delving into the past!

Back to the Future - uh, I Mean Past

If you've followed my blog, which, well, hard to imagine - but -

you might remember that Steve was gone for a week - last week - to Arizona.

Job related.  A Youth Camp.

He left on a Sunday - so, at church, Luke came running up to me distraught.

"Near, Daddy's going away on an airplane".  (sad face)

I say:  "I know Lukie, (rubbing his head), but he'll be back".

Luke says: "But I don't want him to go".

I said something to cheer him up - can't remember what - but I understood his heart.

My dad didn't go to Arizona - ever, that I can remember.  He went to band camp each summer.  In the beginning it was to Auburn University.  The earliest I can remember, I was miserable.  It was for a week and it was traumatic.  I do have a vague recollection of losing it emotionally one night and the sense of Mother being exasperated as to what to do.  I now know that she knew he was only gone for a week.  She just wanted me to go to sleep, I'm sure.


I happen to have memorabilia from that week - or one of the weeks - or some of the weeks - during his band camp.  Here are the postcards I have - they're postmarked 1953 - I was 2 and Mary Ann was 4.

and this one to Mary Ann

I also have letters which Mother wrote to Daddy that week.

No cell phones.  No cordless phones or really good calling plans.  It was expensive to call long distance - and there was no emailing - no computers.  People wrote letters.  With pen and paper.

It was one week - but families communicated with so much distance between them.

Auburn to Evergreen - both in Alabma - but it felt far away - without the Interstate - without easy travel.

This is Katy my dog - I mention her in each of the letters.

Me at the age of these letters - 

I think this is how Mary Ann looked at the age of these letters.

Dear Frank,  Your youngest daughter is so homesick for you it is pathetic - she has talked about writing you a letter all day, so I just sat down and wrote exactly what she said.

We do miss you more than ever - we're staying alone and I'm not minding it at all - Suzanne spent the night with us Sunday night, but had a headache last night and didn't stay.  I'm so tired at night and am still having pre cramp tension, I really had rather be alone than have to entertain - I don't mean Mary - I mean like with Ellen.  I'm really taking advantage of your being gone and letting the fan run all night, til about 4, really - I don't like having it on because I can't hear anything.  Incidentally, the Brittains have an air conditioner and so far she still hasn't started - I'm so glad they have an air conditioner.

Kathryn still hasn't done anything - Elliott ate supper with all the Little Leaguers last night and Kathryn asked us to eat with her and the children - she had spaghetti and we enjoyed it lots.  I hated to go and see her go to any trouble, but she insisted, said she needed company. 

By the way, at the Little Leaguers' wiener roast last night an award was presented to the best loser, winner and everything and Scott won it - The boys voted on him - Isn't that an honor?  I think it is - Be sure and tell Mary and John Law if you see them - I know they'll be thrilled.

Whaddya think of John Law's move?  I'm so glad for them - I don't know a whole lot about it, but I'm sure it's the sensible thing, or he wouldn't do it - I hate to see them leave Evergreen, but I'm glad they're doing it.  I'll bet you were surprised.  Mother told me they talked to somebody last night and you were out there - Head on!  Sister seems real happy and satisfied - I hope she stays that way.

Gotta go to the sewing circle - Josephine is here with the children - She helped me today, I feel so bum, before cramps - Tell them you can't go to camp next year - married folks need to stay home.  Love, Edith

That letter was from Mother to Daddy - and next is the letter I dictated to her to send to Daddy.  There is one envelope with the handwritten letters and it is postmarked 1957 - so it was the summer before I went into the first grade.  I had just turned 6.  Mary Ann would be 8, going into the 3rd grade.  So - I guess that is that.  That's the age.  In my memory it feels younger.  Perhaps I'm remembering different years.  I never liked when he was gone to band camp. 

Here is my letter to Daddy - in Mother's handwriting: (I repeat,the above picture is KATY, my DOG - as you read this letter, it's important to remember that)

Dear Daddy,

quote - "Josephine came to help Mother and then we ate we're dinner and then me and Mary Ann rested.  We got some new library books and then Suzanne's head start hurting and then we ate with Kathryn and then I cried cause I wanted you and nobody was spending the night with us and Katy had a BM in the back of the car and they had such a hard time cleaning it up - They got it on Mary Ann's foot - Josephine's so mean, but I really don't mean it and I love you and Jim is moving and John and Mary - Letasu got some cute shoes and Geoffrey got some cute shoes.  and are you having fun and when are you coming back, I want you to come back quick and don't make me cry - "  unquote

Elizabeth

The envelope is addressed to 

Mr. Frank Wilkerson

Music Dept. - A.P.I.

Auburn, Alabama

That's it - no zip - no numbers - just that.  Simple.

If anyone is up for it - there's one more from me and one more from Mother - 

again - dictated by me and Mother writes it.

Dear Daddy,

We went swimming today Monday afternoon - we had such a good supper.  We drinked out of whiskey glasses - did you have a good sleep?  I hope you have a good time - Do they have a television there?  Me and Susan are being so happy - Katy is still barking - we ate supper with Ella last night - we had such a good breakfast.  I met Jackie and  Bill, I went swimming with Jackie and Bill down at Binion's - Do they have a swimming pool there?  Do you go swimming if they do?  Suzanne, Rusty, Rachel and Florence went swimming too - I nearly cried last night - Love, Elizabeth

and this from Mother on the other side of the page.

Dear Frank, I won't waste your paper so I'll write on the back of Lib's letter - Isn't she funny?  We went to the pool with Avalon Ellis and her 2 children, that's who she was talking about.  We had a very uneventful time - It's getting too late to go swimming - It's been so cool since yesterday - I hope it's real cool in Auburn.

I feel real upset right now, we've just heard about a wreck that Talmadge Stuart, Connie Rigsby and Sandra Hagood had - Sandra is Dr. John Hagood's daughter and he had just given her a new ford and Connie was driving and turned over several times - Connie isn't hurt, but Talmadge has serious head injuries and had to be carried to Mobile to a brain specialist and no one has heard yet - It happened late this afternoon - The Hagood girl was hurt, too, but don't know how seriously - I hope so much that it won't be as bad as they think.

We're being brave and staying alone, we don't like it but we aren't afraid at all - The girls were so sad last night, Elizabeth said she didn't think she'd ever go to sleep, but she had no trouble - We ate supper with Mother last night, but we're planning to stay at home and try to be sort of independent - I like it better that way - We miss you so much it's not even funny - I wish it were already over - Write to us real quick - Mary Ann said she just wasn't in the mood to write tonight - 

We all love you, Edith.

I wish that I had a picture of Josephine.  Her name was Josephine Lark - and in the letter I was most definitely teasing Daddy - about her being mean.  She was anything but.  She was magical and was our babysitter from time to time.   I want to write a whole post about her.  

so - Daddy came home from camp - Steve came back to Luke from Arizona.

Luke would ask his mother how many nights they had to go to bed before his daddy came home.  They did a countdown.  

Evergreen Wedding

I'm still catching up with everything. These are a few pictures of the wedding on April 18. It was in the Evergreen Methodist Church - Because Ellie was the flowergirl, and because Ann had to have help with Andrew, I was able to tag along for the behind the scenes stuff. We were at the rehearsal and at the church early for pictures. Again, so many memories flooding back. The last time I was at a wedding rehearsal in that church was for my own wedding. And of all things, the girl who played for my wedding, Connie Gunter Kilpatrick, was the same who played for this wedding, only she's 61 now. She was 31 when she played for my wedding. The reason I know that is because she was my neighbor on Williams St. and I know that she is 3 years older than I.

She's fun and funny and we were laughing about all the years that have zoomed by. I've actually written about her in my blog, in other posts. The reason I'm taking up so much space about the organist is that in my Evergreen world, that is such a big deal. Mary, my aunt, who is the grandmother of this bride, is the organist at this church - but of course she had to be seated for her granddaughter's wedding - Mary was the organist at Ann and Steve's wedding - at my wedding Connie was the organist because I wanted Mary, my aunt, to be seated for my ceremony.

This is pre wedding stuff. That's Ellie in her dress. I think she thought she was as big a player in the whole thing as the bride. It was a dream come true for her to wear that long white dress. That's Ann in the black dress, my aunt Mary in the turquoise blue.

My aunt, Mary, and uncle, John Law. In my family we just say first names. We don't say, Aunt Mary or Uncle John Law. Had to clarify that.
Ellie posing for me in front of the flowers.

The photographer getting a picture of Mary Hamilton and Ellie, and I'm getting a picture of that.

Left to right.

Melissa, mother of the bride, Bride, Mary, John Law.

Melissa is my first cousin, of course.

Left to Right.

Edward (Mary's youngest), Melissa, Mary, and Mary Claire, (Mary's middle child).

I have to say that Mary's oldest is John, Jr. who died suddenly in 2004. I've written about that.

His 2 grandsons were bell ringers in the wedding and so adorable. They came in ahead of Ellie.

They are Jay and William. At the reception Ellie would not let go of Jay, dancing with him to exhaustion. Mary & John Law also had a child, Jim, who died at age 4 - They've suffered that kind of grief twice in their life and I have to say that as believers they both only cling closer and with trials they are even more "changed into His likeness".

The reception was at the Evergreen Depot, which is in walking distance, around the corner from the church. It was beautiful and I saw so many people, cousins and friends, extended family in every direction - people who not only knew my parents but also my grandparents. That's called roots - and I am wired for that.

There are a lot of things I could write about regarding that week. Things we did leading up to the wedding. Ann and I travelled down with the children on Wednesday - had Thursday to relax - and then a luncheon on Friday, Rehearsal on Friday night, and Brunch, Wedding, and Reception on Saturday. That's a lot of activity and "getting dressed" with 2 preschool aged children and one infant. We were tired, but it was fun. We didn't travel back until Monday due to bad weather. And with that, Kate was in Auburn with an awful virus - so we swung by Auburn, putting about 4 extra hours on the trip - and I drove her back to S'boro in her car, behind Ann in the van.

Who loves family? I do. I talked with my cousin Rusty - seems he ran across my blog when he was searching for something. Imagine his surprise when he saw that I was blogging. I have another cousin, Michael Cook, who mentioned my blog to me. I saw him at the wedding. I know that Rachel has seen it. Susan Cook, who is married to my cousin, Bert, is the only cousin I actually told about it - oops! I did tell Martha, who married my cousin John. So - if there are any cousins or cousins in law who are reading this - Hello and I wish you would blog also so I could read what you write. Please let me know if you do. I love and miss all of my cousins. Those on earth and those in heaven.

It's Been a Long Time

(warning - I haven't proofread this post - as I discover typo's when I go over it later, I'll change them - any reader will need to be forgiving)

February 25 was the last time I posted. Sad.

I'm actually in Evergreen, AL right now - I travelled down on Monday, leaving Charlie with all the Scottsboro stuff. Sarah arrived in Scottsboro yesterday for her spring break which doesn't really begin until next week, but all her classes after Tuesday were cancelled.

Kate leaves for China tomorrow.

Laura Beth and Ada are travelling to Scottsboro today. The Laura Beth trip was planned several months ago when I knew I'd be away during this time and unable to help Ann during this new baby stage. The plan was for LB to be there to help her. Ada will spend time with her other grandmother who lives not too far away. So - that all works out.

So - here I am. I've written in my blog that I grew up here in Evergreen, with many cousins who were like siblings to me. We've all scattered and have aged quite a bit. When, however, we were very young adults, our parents were all living, and also our grandmother. In those early years Evergreen was still the gathering place for holidays and weekends - giving all of our children opportunity to know each other.

One of my cousins, Melissa, the older daughter of my mom's youngest sister, remained in Evergreen - so her daughter grew up here amongst her great aunts - and in the same church that I've written so much about and even included pictures. When my girls would visit Evergreen with me, they would play with Mary Hamilton who is 2 years younger than Laura Beth - and then I had Sarah and Kate - so Mary Hamilton is sandwiched in between my two "daughter sets". We still call Mary Hamilton by her very long, beautiful double name, but I understand that her friends from college and young adult life now have shortened it to Mary. In this post I'll just type MH as I sometimes do for Laura Beth by typing LB. MH is getting married on April 18th and we all will have the pleasure of being in our beautiful home church where so many memories will be replayed. An additional fun thing for me is - Ellie(my oldest grandchild) has been asked to be the flowergirl. The two sons of MH's oldest cousin will be the ring bearers together. So - we're now into the 3rd level of cousins participating in this family event.

Back to this week and this weekend.

On Saturday Mary Ann and I are hosting a luncheon for MH. It's here at Mary Ann's house and all the female family members are invited. Of course not all can attend due to distance and schedules, but we do have 16 coming. Even with my having 4 daughters, Sarah is the only one who can be here and even that might not happen - but it should be a very pleasant day and event - and I am having such a good time getting ready. I've been polishing silver, which I really enjoy. I've washed napkins and ironed them - I enjoy that - and today I am washing the china that we'll be using. We're using Mother's old china which she inherited from my grandmother in Troy. It is so very old - white with handpainted gold edge and the monogram "W". We are also using some of my china which I selected, when I married, to blend with Mothers. It, too, is a creamy white(offwhite) with gold edge. And we'll be using mine and mother's stemware.

The menu consists of old family recipes with which we are all familiar. The theme is family and reunion and what we've known for so many years. I'll post the menu with recipes after Saturday. Don't want to reveal secrets before the luncheon.

I'm enjoying this rare opportunity of spending 7 or 8 days here in Evergreen - I've written that Mother and her oldest sister, Lucille, have passed away. But Florence and Mary are here. Of course, it's Mary's granddaugher who is getting married - so the "Robinsons" are all into the whole wedding thing right now. Mary Ann and I visited with (cousin) Melissa and (aunt) Mary on Tuesday and we couldn't stop talking about everything - so fun -

I think this afternoon Mary Ann and I will go over to Florence's and see her. We've been rather busy and haven't had much visiting time. But I want to see her before the luncheon to get in all of our visiting - because one on one will be difficult to do on Saturday with everyone here.

I brought my camera and tool for downloading - so I expect to post pictures following the luncheon. Perhaps before the luncheon. Time permitting.

That's my update.

Why haven't I been posting? Brain just went into a fog - during those final dreary winter days - I needed sunshine and warmth to clean out the cobwebs, I suppose. I don't know - didn't even email much - Mary Ann said she was concerned about me, because I was not emailing at all. She and I do email quite a bit - we prefer that to lengthy time on the phone. Finally, we'll just call each other and get so tickled.

I remember in my last post I said I'd type those special passages from God's word, when I couldn't think of anything on my own to write. I didn't even do that. It never works for me to say "what I will post" - because I don't usually follow through. It's always spontaneous for me in this blogging project. By the way - isn't blog an odd word for this thing we do? I don't think it is a very pretty word and would prefer another - but I don't know what it would be. Who thought of blogging? Weird. But a nice concept in our age of computers and cyberspace.

I have to go and wash more China.

Don't It Always Seem to Go That You Don't Know What You Got Til It's Gone

THEY PAVED PARADISE AND PUT UP A PARKING LOT. - Jimmy Buffet

It's hard for me to intentionally use bad grammar. Here it is spoken the correct way.

Doesn't it always seem to be so, that you don't know what you've got until it's gone. They have paved paradise and they have put up a parking lot. elizabeth's translation

Ann and I, and Ellie and Luke, have returned from our trip to Evergreen.

We left on Thursday November 6 - last week. We made a stop at Cahaba Valley Rd and ate lunch at Burger King. I-65 took us through Birmingham, and we got off at the Hope Hull exit. Hope is a friend who lives there(I'll post those pictures on another day). She is Hope Baldwin Coon and her parents are Jamie and Beth Baldwin. Hope has a sister, Joy Baldwin Finch, whose Blog is on my list. Hope and Joy were friends with Ann and Laura Beth, beginning at ages 4 and 5 and 6 and 7. Their dad, Jamie, was our church's Minister of Education from 1986 to 1993. Beth and I are very close friends, and she and Jamie now live in Tallassee, AL where Beth grew up. Tallassee is a 30 min. drive from Auburn, AL - and thanks to hers and Jamie's generous hospitality, I often stay with them when I am visiting the girls in Auburn.

Back to our trip.

Planning to only stay at Hope's about 30 min, we indulged ourselves in a very long visit. Beth was there, also. It was so much fun. Ellie and Luke played outside quite a bit. Hope's little girl, Anna Beth, is such a girly girl and has all the same pink "stuff" that Ellie has. Anna Beth also has a wonderful swingset which her daddy built her. Luke and Ellie both loved that. They have cows and bulls. Luke was thrilled over the outside adventure.

Moving onto Evergreen, we arrived at about 4:35....

.... and acclamated ourselves to Mary Ann's house. Luke and Ellie took it over. Ellie's imagination ran wild - with no designated toys she was able to make up her own pretend games and involved Luke in all of them. After bathtime and bedtime Ann, Mary Ann, and I crashed, in the den, but then, in the bed.

Friday came - Ellie and Luke woke up in "full throttle". They were wild! We had an 11:00 luncheon date at my Aunt Mary's house.

List of those in attendance:
1. Florence Price: Mom's sister, 86.
2. Susan Bozeman Cook: married to my oldest cousin, Bert.
3. Melissa Robinson: Mary's 3rd born who lives with Mary and my uncle, John Law
4. Mary Ann: my sister whom we were staying with.
5. Mary Claire Robinson Warlick: Mary's 4th born who lives in Birmingham. She traveled down
to spend Friday and Saturday night - to visit with us.
6. Ann, Ellie and Luke
7. Myself
8. Connie Gunter Kilpatrick: A childhood friend. I've written about her on my blog.
She lived in the house next to mine, one Williams Street. Her mother still lives there.

We stayed at Mary's the biggest part of the afternoon, skipping Ellie's and Luke's nap.

Saturday Laura Beth and Ada arrived from McDonough, GA, but also Sarah from Auburn. We had Mary and Mary Claire over for late afternoon coffee ( a common habit in Evergreen - noone does that here in Scottsboro much, not that I know of) That was another good visit - after that, dinner.

Sunday morning, Ann had to leave for Birmingham, to cohost a baby shower for one of her college friends. The rest of us went to church. I stayed in the nursery with Ellie, Luke and Ada.

After church we walked around the corner to "Famous Floyd's" Restaurant. Again, saw folks I knew and the Robinsons were there, also.

As we were paying our bill, Floyd's wife told us she uses Mother's recipe for 7-minute frosting, which is in the Sparta Cookbook, for her cakes there at the restaurant. She said she thinks about Mother everytime she makes it. One of the ladies who I ran into at the restaurant, Mrs. Connie Nielsen, came to our table. I identified all of my children and grandchildren to her. She told Ellie she'd known me since I was a baby. I love it. It feeds my soul, to go to Evergreen. Everything's familiar. The air, the trees, the people, the places, the sound of the train engine, the names spoken - the ghosts or images I see in my mind's eye. Layer upon layer of images, memories, things seen, ages, events - it's all there. And when people speak of our past - I know I haven't made it all up. Sometimes it seems like I have.

On Monday we all took it slow - slow morning - but got out and ate, again, at Burger King. We like their fries. :-) Then we went to the train depot and took lots of pictures. Actually we'd taken some on Sunday - as Floyd's is across from the Depot - and that was when I first let Luke sit on the Railroad Track. He aptly named it the "ChooChoo Train Track". So.....Monday - we walked the streets of Evergreen. I named all the stores that used to be, but noone seemed too moved. They can't see it all, as I can. Mary Ann sees it.

Napped on Monday afternoon. Lazy afternoon. Oh - Florence came by on Monday morning. She had not seen Ada. This was Ada's first visit to Evergreen and all were wanting to see her. She is named for my great grandmother, Ada Chapman Henderson - whom everyone called Granny. The Robinsons had met her on Saturday - we missed Florence on Sunday - so she came by on Monday. Bert and Susan were out of town.

Tuesday we travelled home.

So - below are my pictures - and only a few compared to all the ones I took. Can't post them all.

Mary Ann's House

Luke sitting on Mary Ann's bed, wearing Daddy's Band Director's Hat.Florence, Ellie, and MarySitting at Mary's Dining Table
Again, we're beginning to enjoy the Chicken Pie, Baked Fruit, Marinated Green Beans, and Homemade Rolls which Melissa and Mary had prepared. It was so good and we were so hungry!I'm having a conversation with Mary. Didn't even know this was taken.
Connie Sue Gunter Kilpatrick and Mary Ann.Mary is getting Luke to blow out Florence's candle. Her birthday is November 29, but Mary had Melissa do this cake for her - since we were all together. Sunday Morning. Ellie and Ada in the rocking chair that Mother and Daddy have had longer than they've had Mary Ann and me. This was 'Daddy's Chair'. So many memories here. I've sat in it so many years. It's been recovered so many times.Ellie and Ada.Ada is dressed for church and we're playing in Mary Ann's front yard.running in Mary Ann's front yard.This chair that I'm getting Ada to sit in.....I remember when I was in the nursery and it was purchased. It was red with white arms to it. It was brand new to me, then and seemed so special to me. When I am at home, at church, I like to look and see if it is still there. This chair, behind which Ellie is posing for me, is one of the many chairs we sat in as preschoolers. The classes were called Primary Sunday School. Florence was my Primary Sunday School Teacher. I remember her teaching us, at Christmas, about the Christmas Story and how it was found in the second chapter of Luke. This room, in which Luke is standing under MUCH protest, has seen so many people and layers of years and conversations. Shortly after I became a Christian, our MYF met in here. I remember that and trying to communicate the change that had occurred in my heart. Some of my friends looked at me with complete confusion in their eyes, others understood what I was talking about, and others didn't seem to be bothered one way or the other.Ellie and Luke sitting at the church alter, for me. It was here I was married, Mother and Daddy were married, and their funerals were held. I knelt at this altar many many times and took communion here.Laura Beth and Ada posing for me. Behind them are some of the beautiful windows we have in our church, the choir loft where Mary plays the organ, and behind them is the piano at which Mary Ann plays. Laura Beth and Ada catching up with the others to walk around the corner to Famous Floyds where we plan to eat lunch.Inside the restaurant. Ada and Ellie.Mary Ann and Luke at our table in the restaurant.

Luke and the Evergreen DepotWalking down the track in front of the depot.

This is the train we watched.Watching the train.Waving at the train.Luke pointing out the train to us, with much enthusiasm.Black and White of the Train - more fitting for the time I grew up in.Ellie and Luke playing on "stuff" pertaining to railroads - this is between the tracks and the depot.

Ellie and Luke at the Evergreen Depot

The track which runs down the middle of downtown Evergreen - and you can see the bridge in the far distance.Luke standing in front of the track.Luke and the DepotSarah and Luke on the track.

Back in Scottsboro. Luke playing with cars. Ellie playing dressup.

Charlie and Luke, on my kitchen floor, pushing cars to each other.

They make a really cool noise.

That's it. Our trip to Evergreen.

Steve will return from Greece on Saturday. Have I mentioned that he is there?

This morning Ann talked with him. He was studying at a Starbucks in Ephesus. How strange is that? Imagine the Apostle Paul communing with God at a Starbucks in Ephesus.