Tuesday, 2008 and a 1901 Marriage Proposal

Hello Tuesday.

I have cleaned out my refrigerator and my pantry, already, this morning - tossing items which are too old and are not going to ever be eaten. They just didn't work out. I love a bare pantry and refrigerator. I don't like clutter. One wouldn't know that, to see my house right now. I said, on Sunday afternoon, "My house is out of control". I said it to Charlie and Ann who were somewhere in the house. I was saying it out loud for all to hear. They were the only adults in the house, so they were the "all" who could hear it.

At least the pantry and refrigerator aren't cluttered for now.

But upstairs is awful. I have leftover clothes from at least 2 girls - Sarah and Kate - what they don't want in Auburn, they leave here. I can understand that - but I get mixed up about what they'll want later vs. what they'll never wear again. The category of what they'll never wear again, well, Ann and Laura Beth, when at my house, will often rummage through that stack and find something they want to wear. All of these stacks no longer have a place to go. I gave 2 chests of drawers away - to Sarah and Kate - when they moved into their new homes in Auburn.

Which leads me to the other pile of clutter - stacks and stacks of books. I gave a very large bookshelf to Sarah and I gave a bedside table to Kate. Now - all those books are sitting on the floor of one bedroom.

And, extra bedding is clean and folded, yet in the hall upstairs waiting for an appropriate place to be stored. It was on the single bed, out in my art studio. I gave that bed to Kate.

I was very glad to give furniture to Sarah and Kate. I wish I had more to give them. None of it is fine furniture - I like it, but it does have a flea market quality, which I do like that. I could spend hours in flea markets. I love them. My favorite kind of shopping.

One of the chests I bought when I was single. I bought it at a goodwill store in Troy, Alabama. I sweet talked my daddy into refinishing it for me. He did, and he did a great job. It's still attractive, I think. The other chest I bought at another flea market, stripped it, painted it white and distressed it. I like that look. I cleaned the glass knobs and I really like the chest of drawers.

The bookshelves, Daddy built for me when I was single, still - They are open shelves and have a contemporary look - I'd found the "how to" instructions in a magazine,

and he was sweet enough to build them for me.

They look much better in Sarah's college apartment than in my traditional home.

I want to get rid of pieces which I am ready to replace with mature, serious pieces. The trouble with mature, serious pieces is that they cost a lot of money. We just can't do all of that until later - but in writing this post - I think I've thought of a spot where all of that can go. It's a very deep box which - you guessed it - my daddy built for me. I had him build a toy box for the girls when they were little - It's rather large and deep and I think right now I can make better use of it, than its present use.

Okay, thanks for listening.

I'll share this with you now, which has nothing to do with what I just wrote.

I've just wanted to share these pieces since I began this blog - it's about favorite things and favorite memories - remember? The following is one of my treasures.

The first letter is written by my grandfather, John Wilkerson, asking for Joel Murphree's permission to marry his daughter Antoinette(Nettie). The second letter is my great grandfather's reply.

The letter head is Hickman & Riley, Attorneys. I suppose it was my grandfather's first job out of law school.

November 15th, 1901

to: Hon. J.D. Murphree,

Troy, Alabama

Dear Sir:

I desire to ask your consideration of a matter of much concern to me, but which I have until now refrained from presenting to you, for reasons which will appear from what I shall say. You may have noticed that your daughter, Nettie, and I have been friends. This friendship has grown very strong, and I feel that it will never be destroyed. The fact that until recently I have been struggling to make my way as a new-comer in the community in which I now live, and have had a very small income, has deterred me from asking that she be allowed to share my lot in life. But it is now, to ask your consent to this, that I write you this letter. I feel a reluctance toward saying much to you on the subject, as I am sure that my words cannot relieve you of any doubt or hesitation. I cannot well express to you the strength of my love for her, and I will not attempt it. She is such a woman, that I know of nothing that would so ensure a man's bcoming worthy of her as the being allowed to become her companion for life.

I wish to state that I shall be able to support a wife, though not in the greatest luxury usual to this country, and that I have sufficient prospects for the future to warrant me in doing myself the honor to ask for her at your hands. I would do nothing to imperil her happiness; and did I not believe this greatest favor I ask is in accord with her own heart's wish, I would consent to resign myself to a life-long unhappiness without her. The future is hidden from us, but Sir, while protestations are vain, I can say that I would do all that is in me and become me to be to her an honorable and loving husband.

Awaiting an early reply, I am,

Very respectfully,

John H. Wilkerson

The Reply

to: John H. Wilkerson, Esq. Troy, Ala. Nov. 18th 1901

Elba, Ala.

Dear Sir

Yours of 15th inst received and its contents duly noted. The matter of which your letter treats is the most important that you will ever be called on to consider. Nettie is very near and dear to me and to all her people. Therefore we cannot be otherwise than greatly interested in the choice she makes of a companion for life. Her future, weal or woe, in this world is involved, and should you and she become man & wife it will be with you to make it the one or the other. A man of your sense and accomplishments can make a wife happy and contented if so disposed.

An affectionate husband makes an affectionate wife. A true woman marries a man because she loves him. With Nettie love is the impelling power, and with you it should be likewise, for without mutual affection a continuous contented life is impossible.

The true impulse of the heart will come to the front either in words or acts, and once disclosed the impression made is not easily eradicated. Should you marry it should be the duty of both to please each other. A great deal more might be said on this line, but to a man of your intelligence I do not consider it necessary. Nettie is our baby child and we love her only as parents can love. She has never been required to take upon herself any of the hardships incident housekeeping. In this she has had comparatively an easy time. This was all right as it was not necessary that she should be called upon to perform disagreeable, irksome labor. Her marrying will bring about a necessity for a change and she will not likely have altogether so easy a time in this particular - But remember love makes labor easy and enjoyable. If you will study Nettie's wants and she can see that you are supplying them or making an honest effort to do so, and she does the same for you all will be well with you both. Nettie is reasonably intelligent and capable of judging what she should expect of you. Physically Nettie is not able to endure hardships. She is a tender plant and needs to be looked after and cared for by those who love her. If you love her as you declare in your letter to me, then you have nothing to fear. But should it turn out that you do not love her, then in that event she will be the greatest sufferer in mind and body, which will tell its tale of woe in spite of all efforts to prevent it. Nettie is a true Christian and a lover of her church which relation I do not wish disturbed.

I know nothing against your moral character, and that goes a long ways with me. I would not consent for Nettie to marry any man whom I did not regard as a gentleman. Riches are all right if properly used, but does not compare in value to a good name. You say you will be able to support a wife. This is as it should be as it will be your duty to support her.

With you I cannot see any reason or excuses for a failure. With proper economy and attention to the business in which you are engaged you can make a success. Learn to depend upon yourself, as though Nettie's Father was not worth a dollar. Then, what ever it may be your good fortune to get from me will be appreciated.

Yours Truly,

Joel D. Murphree

Well there it is. I love to read those letters. Hasn't our culture changed so much? Hasn't the sanctity of marriage changed so much? The truths of marriage haven't changed as expressed in my great grandfather's letter. He advised that they would have to work at it - and strive to be unselfish. That's hard. Grandmother and Granddaddy married in April of 1902 and were married 54 or 55 years. Not positive about the year Granddaddy died. Grandmother lived about 5 years more. She died when I was in the 6th grade and Mary Ann was in the 8th grade.

Mother's Birthday

This is supposed to be a quick post. I hope it will be. I can't trust myself.

But....today is September 6 which is the day mother was born, in 1919. I've written that before, but I happen to have a picture of her and Mary Ann and myself, taken on her birthday in 2005. It would be her last birthday on this earth - not to imply that birthdays are celebrated in heaven - because, well, I won't get into that.
I'm grateful that it all happened the way it did - Mary Ann and I thought Mother was beyond traveling to Scottsboro - It's a six hour drive and the previous trips had really seemed too hard on her. We just didn't think she could do it anymore. She was so feeble and there wasthe issue of using a restroom. Most are not suited for older women on walkers - she had to have something that was raised. Plus, Mary Ann having to physically get her in and out of places was too difficult. Well, it was 2005 and Hurricane Katrina was headed for the Gulf Coast. We all know that tragic ending. But we didn't know it yet. Ivan had already taken its toll and did so much damage inland, Evergreen being one of the hardest hit areas which were inland. They were without power many days - roads were closed - etc. So, assuming Katrina would be as bad, family members began moving north and suggested that Mary Ann and Mom do the same. So, they rode with family as far as B'ham, and Charlie and I met them there. Mary Ann and I were so nervous for Mom - but she did great! We couldn't believe it. I had been working at the frame shop only one year. With Mom in town I was able to carefully take her down there and show her around. Moms love seeing what their babies are doing - even if the baby is 54. And of course the baby always wants to boast to the mother - "Look at me! Look what I can do!". Even if the baby is 54. So, that unexpected trip/visit happened on her birthday. They probably travelled on the 5th, but she was here in Scottsboro on the 6th. The following are pictures we took and I bought a tiny cake at Wal-Mart. Also below are pictures of Mother holding Ellie - the only great grandchild she was able to see. The pictures of her and Ellie were not taken during the hurricane trip. I think Ellie was 3 months in the picture - so it was in July before the hurricane. On April 3 of 2006, 2 days before she died, I called to tell her Ann's baby was a boy. She knew that much and was so amazed that any of us would have a boy. She wasn't here to know that her 3rd grandbaby would have red hair like hers and that she would be named Ada after Mother's own grandmother. Well - she's in heaven which is infinitely beyond any grand thing here on earth.

1962 Diary Entries and 1962 School Days

I'm going to catch up on my 1962 Diary posts - after writing yesterday about the Spring Queen Contest - made me think of those days.

The last post was August 27, 1962 - so today I'll start with the 28th. Let me just explain that this is a five year diary. I didn't maintain it for 5 years. It was a Christmas present in the fifth grade, so I began my entries in December of 1961. I was in the fifth grade. Now it is August 28, 1962 and I am about to be in the 6th grade. I've almost been doing these entries for a year and am starting to lose interest. I left days blank as we're about to see. There were only four lines for each day to make an entry, which is why it is all written in such a blunt, matter of fact way. It isn't a journal at all. Just allows for a few facts. By the sixth grade some of friends were starting to mature, I suppose. Or set their sites on the teen years. I wasn't. I didn't really go through puberty until I was 15. I was a very late bloomer. In the sixth grade I was still playing with Barbie Dolls and received a Chatty Baby for Christmas that year. I don't think my hormones were stirring at all. Okay - August 28th...

Tuesday August 28, 1962: Dear Diary, played with Jane.

Wednesday August 29, 1962: Dear Diary, no entry

Thursday August 30, 1962: no entry

Friday August 31, 1962: no entry

Saturday September 1, 1962: no entry

Sunday September 2, 1962: Dear Diary the pool closed today.

Monday September 3, 1962: no entry

Tuesday September 4, 1962: no entry

Wednesday September 5, 1962: no entry

Thursday September 6, 1962: Dear Diary, Today is Mother's Birthday.

Friday September 7, 1962: Dear Diary went to 4-H Round-Up

Saturday September 8, 1962: no entry

Sunday September 9, 1962: Dear Diary, Went to play with Marilyn Mason.

Monday September 10, 1962: Dear Diary, Played with Jane White

Tuesday September 11, 1962: Dear Diary, Jeannie B. Price came to play with me today.

Wednesday September 12, 1962: Dear Diary, I played with Jane White today.

Thursday September 13, 1962: Dear Diary school started today. Tonight I went to a football game.

Friday September 14, 1962: Dear diary I went to school for a half a day today.

Saturday September 15, 1962: no entry

Sunday September 16, 1962: Dear Diary I went to sunday school and church.

Monday September 17, 1962: Dear Diary, today is my first full day at school.

Tuesday September 18, 1962: Dear Diary, Didn't have much homework today.

Wednesday September 19, 1962: Dear Diary, Today was same old school day.

Thursday September 20, 1962: Dear diary, Same old school.

Friday September 21, 1962: Dear Diary, Tonight I went to the ballgame.

Saturday September 22, 1962: Dear Diary, It was a beautiful day today. I played with Jane and Jeannie Knox.

Sunday September 23, 1962: Dear Diary, We ate over at Ella's today. (After church of course).

So - I covered a lot of days this time -

Things to make note of. At the beginning of these entries in today's post - it's obvious that summer is winding down. The pool closes on a Sunday. When I write that I played with Jane White - she lived on my street. She really was my best friend. Jeannie Knox is mentioned in the last entry - whom I've written about in previous posts. She too lived on my street. A very imaginative, creative friend to play with - but extremely "high maintenance". We didn't know that term back then, but it is so very appropriate. Jane was my kindred spirit. I was close to her entire family. She was very kind and dear and loyal. She had a gentle spirit. I really did enjoyed playing with Jeannie Knox. I think she and I had lived on the street longer than any of the other children - except Jimmy and Becky Hart. Jimmy was my age. Becky was his younger sister. He lived next to Jeannie Knox. Jane lived farther up the street from all of us. We all had our bikes and they were our transportation, unless we walked. There had always been friends to come and go on Williams Avenue. What I didn't know was that the next summer nearly all the families who had kids for me to play with - well for various reasons - they would move - the next summer. That was tough. I was going into the 7th grade and it was quite a grieving process for me. It was hard. I still remember that.

Okay - Summer is winding down - pool closes - and by reading the entries it's easy to see that I am trying to make the most of my last days of freedom. I LOVED summer. I do not like confinement. Freaks me out. Having to stay in one class, confined to one desk, lined up with other kids, no freedom to move at will, - unless it's to the pencil sharpener or to the bathroom - or a water break - and those are limited. I recall that teachers soon learned that Ellen Nix and I were best friends and did much, too much, talking in class. They must have passed that word on to the next teacher. No teacher would EVER let us sit near each other. Ellen and I would pass notes, but that was tricky. Really weird if it was confiscated by the teacher. Or, some boy might grab it to aggravate us. So - we developed a sign language spelling out words. That was tricky too, but it worked for us quite a bit. We would clear our throats to get each other's attention. Let me add that I was not one to get scolded in class - almost never - oh - except in the 3rd and 5th grade - and now that I am an adult - I think those older ladies had issues. I can be objective about that now and I know they were too old and too "old school" to be teaching. Back to mine and Ellen's communication tactics - I don't remember us ever getting caught. Imagine how subtle we had to be. We were good.

Diary Entries and what we're noting. I do get sidetracked.

Last week of school - getting play time in - also notice how school didn't start until September 13. Amazing. We had a good, long summer! Loved it. I lived on a straight street that had been cut into a pecan orchard. In the summer it was green, green, green - all those pecan leaves on those tall, full trees, growing in that green grass. My paradise. Curbs on that asphalt street, gutters for the rain to wash into - Some paved drives, some not paved. Most weren't.

So school starts - Not even a half day that first day. Just going and getting to know our teacher and our new classroom - Next day - Only a half day. I love the gentle return. We didn't jump in full force. No, we eased back in. We had to take our books that we'd bought. State didn't provide ours. We went to the store, downtown which was called Evergreen Grocery or it was Suddith and Bethune Shoes - can't remember - I think it switched around. That's where we bought our books - Got our "school shoes", of course next door at Suddith and Bethune's - which later became Lambert's Shoe Store. I do remember that we could buy "used books", which my mom was "all about"! I hated that. I loved the smell of a new book. We were always having to be frugal. The social studies book in the 6th grade, well, the new one had a new cover - the used one had a very dated cover - I was very envious of those kids whose mom had gotten them the new book with the new picture. Mine was so used that it was falling apart during the year - and I appealed to mom to let me get a new one. YAY. She said yes. It was in the middle of the year - so I loved taking in that new book to school. Loved looking around at the others and then back at my book and feeling a part of what the others had. OH, Our HUMAN FLESH! What trouble it deals us!

Next day, Friday - only half a day - and see that our first game was on Thursday night? I don't remember that sort of thing - all our ballgames were on Friday nights - but I guess that had something to do with schedules in our area. Perhaps athletes would have the answer to that. Football games in Evergreen, AL were like football games all over - HUGE social event - BIG DEAL! SO VERY IMPORTANT to the whole community. I loved it all. I loved the Band marching in, the drumbeat - the drama - the crowd - I hung out down below near the cheerleaders and near the band. Where Daddy was. My buddies and I were together, humidity, excitement, screaming, running, yelling, lights - hopefully new clothes - but I wasn't one who could count on that, either. Again - frugal.

Again - if one reads the entries above - a sad sad commentary - that all I had to say about the first week of school was "Same Old School". What is that about - and then my words were much perkier as I describe the first Saturday - A Beautiful Day - I was let out of a cage. I made good grades - maybe it was just too easy - not very challenging. I loved my teacher - Mrs. Wilkins. She was so sweet. So sweet.

So, that's the first week of the sixth grade for me.

I have some pictures to post to show anyone who is reading - which I think it is just a couple of my daughters at this point - and maybe my sister who is seeing what "fool stuff" I'm writing now - other curious folks might happen by. I know that Stephanie and Hollen are looking for any word on the Barbers here in S'boro - they are in the house and Ann is sorting through all that stuff. It all looks great! Ya'll need to come visit - Luke is 2 next week.

I have to go. Charlie is home and we are going out to eat in H'ville to get "reacquainted" with each other. These days, everything seems to pull us in different directions.

Pictures of my diary I will now post - so you can see how old and tattered it is, like me.

The 2008 Republican National Convention and The 1958 Spring Queen Contest

I'm really, Really, REALLY enjoying the Republican National Convention.

.....and I'm so glad I am.

I was jealous of the Democrats last week. All the emotion and conviction. First time ever a Democrat almost swept me off my feet. They are very winsom folks, this year. I hardly knew McCain. I was feeling like he was a default candidate. I haven't felt that passionate, as the democrats were feeling, since the first year Reagan ran for president and Jeremiah Denton ran for Senator. Wow. That was the first year I truly understood the difference between Repubicans and Democrats. I had read the book, A Time for Truth by "can't think of his name". A very good read for a not super intellectual,me. My parents always voted Republican. Always. My whole extended family did, I think. My brain didn't go in that direction.....I mean, political and government. Debates stress me out - all the arguing and there is no hope for anyone to concede. No reconcilliation. After a debate, one wins, one loses - or its a gray area. I don't know. I like for people to get along and agree that both sides are a little bit right and a little bit wrong. Let me say that if ever there was a non competitive soul, it would be me. I only compete with myself.

How would I like to be?

Well, the answer I know to be true is, "I want to be like Christ". However that is. Whatever it looks like. But - on this day, my impulsive answer is "I would like to be like Sarah Palin." Doesn't that look like fun?! She is so smart and so normal. And she makes such a very good speech. She seems to speak and act from conviction and draws people in - all at the same time. And she is a mother of five. She's 44 and gave birth this same year. She's gifted. It's a calling and probably has nothing to do with Sarah's original choices. Sounds like she didn't even plan to be in this place. She said herself that she never set out to be in an elected office. She followed her heart. I don't know about her faith, or her walk with the Lord, but it wouldn't shock me to learn that she is a solid believer.

When I was very very very young - so young that - well - little - that far back I would say to God, "I'll be whatever you want me to be, only let me be famous". I really wanted it. In the first grade I had my first stage appearance. I loved it. I was candidate for the Spring Queen Contest. The contestant who collected the most money would win. There was a representative from each classroom, grades 1-6. We usually had about 2 classes per grade. That would make us having 12 contestants. I didn't even know about the contest until I was in the first grade. What I didn't know was that it was a fundraiser that the BandBooster Club had invented. The money went to the band. My dad was the band director. I also didn't know that it would be politically incorrect for me to win. I also didn't know until many years later that my granddaddy had asked my mom to please let him load my collections so that I would win. She wouldn't let him. I never put it together that only the wealthiest little girls won. Those moms did allow those dads or granddads to load her collections. When elected by ones class to be the candidate, then each female contestant would select a little boy to be her escort. In the first grade I selected Bill Carleton to be my escort. He was about 3 inches shorter than I. We were buddies. Just friends. He was an artist and so was I - in the first grade - it's what we shared - all the pictures we drew, side by side - he drew guy pictures - army stuff - I drew girl pictures - mommies - babies, high heels - hairdo's - That year I wore a RED evening dress made of netting with white artificial flowers adorning the yoke/collar. The contest was held in the auditorium of the Evergreen City School. No airconditioning. All windows open. Dark, hardwood floors. Not folding, removable metal chairs - Oh no, these were screwed into the floors - wooden. Seats automatically flew up until one was sitting and pushed it down. The velvet stage curtain with the upper case E in the middle valance. If an event was held in this auditorium in Evergreen, it was usually a packed house. This was our Broadway - this was our Kennedy Center for the performing arts. - This was our Evergreen Center for the Performing arts. So, I'm 6. It's spring. And I'm in the Spring Queen Contest. I loved it. The weeks leading up to this, well, we'd have to rehearse. so....Bill and I had the privilege of leaving class for rehearsal. That was the best - only I'll have to admit that the fifth and six graders were somewhat intimidating. I do remember that year that Margaret Hagood was the sixth grade candidate - one of them - I was in awe of her. To make my point, I'll note here that when I was in the 7th grade, Margaret was in the 12th and won Alabama's Junior Miss! That's big stuff for a small town like Evergreen. Our town had a fit. That was in 1963 and the Junior Miss Contest was a pretty big deal. Anyway, I can remember staring at her during rehearsal when I was in the first grade and she was in the 6th. I also remember staring at her escort. He seemed soooooooo big and grown. I don't even remember who he was. He seemed very handsome to me. He and Margaret were like Hollywood.

Okay - back to me. I loved the contest. I have a memory of standing on the stage as they were about to announce the winner. I remember BEGGING God to let me win. Okay the second runnerup was Spring Queen Princess. I really didn't want that. Just didn't feel right. So, they'd announce her first - Then Queen. I didn't win. Seems like Margaret might have won, but I don't really remember. When my name wasn't called, well, such silent disappointment - it was over. But I really did recover pretty quickly. I do remember Daddy coming up on stage to retrieve me after the end - all parents did that for the little bitty ones - and meeting Ann Gilmer and her mom, on the side aisle, who offered their condolances - saying they'd been rooting for me. That's what Mrs. Gilmer said, that she and Ann had been rooting for me. Daddy thanked them. I really just wanted to move past them and go home. Mother said that as I was climbing out of the back seat of the car, when we got home, I said, "I wonder what I'll wear next year" - and she thought, "Well, that's confidence". So - a year later - I was elected again by my class to be candidate from that room. I understood the system a little bit better. I would have to work even harder to earn money. Still didn't know about the family thing with the money. I picked Charlie Wild that year to be my escort. I was in love with him. Loved him. We were in the second grade. He seemed at least 25 to me. We got quite an applause that year. Charlie was from a wealthy family, which I didn't even know about all of that. Seems like his folks would have padded the jars of money. They didn't. Charlie was also funny, and quite the character. As we approached center stage, he forgot when we were supposed to walk off. I had to tug at his arm, and at that point he turned left with me. The audience laughed very loudly. I really liked the way the attention felt. I still didn't win. My skin was getting a bit thicker by then. Reality was beginning to set in. The next year, in the third grade, on the day we were to nominate and elect a candidate, I raised my hand - Mrs. Petrey acknowledged me and I stood to say, "My mother told me I can't be candidate this year". I don't know what went through Mrs. Petrey's head - maybe something like, You little scamp - who said you would be elected - I don't know what she thought - imagine my arrogance at assuming I would be elected. My best friend, Ellen Nix, was candidate that year. I didn't represent my class again until fifth grade. I was older and didn't expect as much. I still enjoyed the event, immensely - and I still didn't win. By then we had added to the event of Spring Queen Contest. The women of the Band Booster's Club had come to Daddy and told him they wanted to begin having a beauty contest. Tickets were sold. That was the fundraising part. He said okay. Here's the deal. Daddy, being a perfect tenor soloist, was asked to sing "Miss Evergreen" to the winner. The contestants were 10th - 12th grade. I knew Daddy would consider it too corny to sing that song, same as the Miss America song, by Burt what's his name - only it would have to be "Our Miss Evergreen" for the syllables to fit. I knew my Daddy had more class than to corn it up by singing that in our small town. Well, guess what? He agreed to sing it. Said he had no choice, when I protested - these ladies were working on behalf of the band to raise money - and he had to cooperate. ugh. I thought I would die - but in the end - I actually liked the way it all played out. A lot of drama and intensity. Snooky Turk was our first Miss Evergreen. So exciting. Again, the Evergreen City School auditorium - and if you think it was packed for the Spring Queen Contest - well - people were lining the side aisles and all in the back - and the heat and humidity - well - we were hoping for a breeze through the windows - I don't know if we got it. It doesn't matter. It was a great night.

But it's 2008. God didn't choose for me to be famous at all. The famous thought dominated my brain throughout my childhood. I might have assumed it in high school. College was a reality - and I began to wonder how it would happen. By singleness in my twenties I was just trying to live out my daily life. I love my life. I am amused at my child thoughts and deals with God - I was serious. I said anything, to HIM who rules the universe - who made it - I said anything, as long as I'm famous. Of course we all know that is the ultimate, unabashed self centeredness - the "it's all about me" attitude - I wanted the focus to be on me. I wanted the spotlight to be on me. I have listened to sermons by Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City - and that thing in humans who love the applause of the world - He likens it to our looking for the applause of Heaven - which we do have, in Christ. In Christ, buried in Christ, we have the ultimate applause of the One who made us, who made the world. I love it.

I am excited about our Republican candidate John McCain - I heard his heart, the other night. He won my heart - and we all were won over by Sarah Palin, last night, in her acceptance speech - all of us who lean that way - who knows who will win - I don't worry anymore - it's God who controls History - we do what He calls us to do - and in the end - He chooses our leaders.

If anyone is reading this post for the first time, which has to be a mistake...you must have taken a wrong turn in cyberspace and ended up here.... I'd offer you a cup of coffee if I could...

Anyway, if this is your first time here - or for those of you who have forgotten why I titled my blog what I did - I want to remind you - I love what my granddaughter, Ellie, hears when she has learned the names of her 3 favorite Disney ladies. Instead of Cinderella, Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty, she says what my title reads. I don't want to forget that. I actually remember some of my mispronunciations from when I was Ellie's age. I've written that I was part of a large extended family, living in Evergreen, AL.

[Even the abbreviation is different than it used to be. It used to be Evergreen, Ala. I don't know who decides to change those things, but they did. All states have 2 capital letters for the abbreviation. Missississipi used to be Miss. California might have been Calif. I think it was. Anyway, it was all different and too slow to write, I suppose, for our fast world -

so now here we are.]

Sidetracked! I remember that one of my uncles, Waynard Price, would always ask me, "Elizabeth, when is your birthday?" He loved to hear me say, "July the teenth-fourth". I didn't know that, until I learned how to say it correctly and realized why he always asked me. I have a clear memory of when he asked me, after I learned the correct pronunciation. I remember where I was standing - on the street in front of his house - 111 McMillan Street. The kids and adults spent time in that street area - it was VERY slow - almost no traffic - more walking - and it was almost as if it was their front yard. I've actually written about that address in one of my posts - I think it was the one about the Northcutt family. Anyway, he asked the question and I was ready - "July the fourteenth!". Sad. He looked disappointed, and I didn't get to hear his familiar chuckle which I love to remember - But I teased him back and told him I'd learned the right way - almost an "I gotcha back!" moment. Same uncle, Waynard, used to laugh when he heard Ann, about the age Ellie is now, call "The Gary Collins Show" (popular morning show I watched) "The Very Collins Show". He loved that. Got so tickled. He chuckled.

Back to Ellie. Her pronunciations. I love it.
So, now she is saying The Pledge of Allegiance, which I think Ann has written about on her blog - well there is more - I don't think Ann has time right now to blog - and I learned last night more of Ellie's version of The P of A. I don't have it all, but I intend to get it down on paper. The following is what I know so far.....

I pledge allegiance to my flag

of the renited states of a miracle

There's so much more and I have to get it on paper before she learns the correct way. Last night after she said it, then Luke, having no clue what she was talking about, wanted to say his version. There was some mumbling, and then he waited for our applause as we'd given it to Ellie. We did. We applauded him.

Moving On.

Time for more Diary Entries - from 1962 - my last entry I posted was August 12, 1962. So today I'll catch us up - From August 13, 1962 to August 27, 1962. We'll see what memories these entries will awaken. (let me just say, that as I enter these I am going to type exactly what I wrote, which is often a misspelled word)

Monday, August 13, 1962 - Dear Diary, I didn't go to band today. I slept to late.

Tuesday, August 14, 1962 -Dear Diary, I went to play with Jeannie B. Price today.

Wednesday, August 15, 1962 - Dear Diary, I went swimming with Connie Sue Gunter today.

Thursday, August 16, 1962 - Dear Diary, I went to band today.

Friday, August 17, 1962 - Dear Diary, Mary Ann and I fixed a boat today.

Saturday, August 18, 1962 - Dear Diary I went swimming with Rachel today. then after dinner I went to play with her.

Sunday, August 19, 1962 - Dear Diary, We ate over at Ella's today. We had a party for Mary. (my aunt)

Monday, August 20, 1962 - No Entry

Tuesday, August 21, 1962 - Dear Diary, Went to band.

Wednesday, August 22, 1962 - Dear Diary, We ate out at Mrs. Stowers tonight.

Thursday, August 23, 1962 - Dear Diary, Went to band. Daddy got my class something to eat at 4 Points.

Friday, August 24, 1962 - No Entry.

Saturday, August 25, 1962 - Dear Diary, I went to the show. 3 movies. stayed all afternoon.

Sunday, August 26, 1962 - Dear Diary, Went to Sunday School and Church.

Monday, August 27, 1962 - Dear Diary, Went to the show with mother. "Gone With the Wind"

All those names mentioned - major players in my world. I've written about some of them. Rachel is my cousin who is 2 years younger than I. We played together all of the time. Her dad was Waynard Price, whom I mentioned earlier. Her mom is my mom's sister. Again, earlier posts explain this. It was Lucille, Edith, Florence and Mary. So, in the diary entry about the party for Mary - it was Mary's birthday. I just did the math. Mary turned 30 that year. Mom was 43 in 1962. Florence was 40. Lucille was 46. I guess Ella, my grandmother was about 66 or 67. I think she was no older than 20 or 21 when she had Lucille.

Also, when I said that I played with Rachel after Dinner - I had to have meant lunch. Back then we always called lunch, dinner. Weird. I actually thought it was a "yankee" thing to call noon meal lunch. Very odd of me, but then I guess I learned that from fam.

Rachel's oldest sibling is Suzanne. Her older brother is Rusty. Rusty and my sister, Mary Ann are the same age and were in the same grades at school - not always the same teacher. Big Difference! Suzanne is 6 years older than I. She was the second grandchild born in the N'cutt family. I've written about Bert who was the first grandchild - so they carried some heirarchy - respect from the younger cousins - at least I saw it that way. I once introduced Bert to a friend as the patriarchal cousin - I think it was at mom's funeral when some of my S'boro friends were in Evergreen. I may have listed this before but here is how it goes, with birthdays. You know we're close if I remember all the birthdays. Actually, I just learned Bert's this summer. He and Susan told me he'd just turned 69. We were all aghast that he's so close to 70 and made many jokes about that. He's so funny. Some of the exact dates I know very well. I think Scott's is June 9, but I'm not positive.

1. Bert C. Summer 1939

2. Suzanne P. January 1945

3. Scott C. June 1947

4. Mary Ann W. January 16,1949

5. Rusty P. June 1949

6. Elizabeth(me) W. July 14,1951

7. Rachel P. May 14, 1953

8. John R. October 1954 - October 28, 2004

9. Jim R. December 1955 - Spring, 1959

10. Melissa R. July 16, 1958

11. Mary Claire R. February 1961

12. Edward R. June 28, 1964

There's so much I could say about each cousin and their parents. Not a one I don't love and like. Absolute Truth! I've got to close. It was much too indulgent to write this much. I have things to do.

Guess what? It's just been August 19, 2008 - and, yes, there was a b'day celebration amongst the fam for Mary. It all continues.

P.S. HAPPY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION WEEK! :-)

ALL VERY INTRIGUING.

Now, Where Were We...........

Well, Charlie and I are back in Scottsboro.

We drove to Auburn on Saturday - arriving there about the same time that Tropical Storm "Fay" arrived. I have a huge respect for Tornadoes and for Lightning. Tropical Storms don't scare me very much. I actually like all the rain with little electrical stuff and very little threat of twisters. This whole trip was planned a week ago. We were to paint what remained to be painted, in the house that Kate is to be living in the next year or 1-1/2 years. The owner and her daughter had done the first stage of painting - her daughter is the one whom Kate is living with - Katherine Lee - Charlie and I were completing the second stage. So that all of us can "GET ON WITH OUR LIVES". I'm grateful that Charlie insisted on going with me. I said that I'd do it without him, could save money on hotel, could stay with Kate and Katherine Lee, but he had the discernment and wisdom to know that this time he needed to go. YAY!!!!! I kept saying, "What if I'd come by myself????" Just too much for me on the 4th weekend of being in Auburn, getting daughters settled. We retreated at the least expensive hotel - The Comfort Inn - I was very pleased. It was clean and simple. I didn't feel yukky about it - which I am prone to feel about even the best hotels. It was a good retreat - and good silence at the end of the day. I just loved the quiet.

TS Fay poured herself down on all of Auburn on that Saturday. There were actually Tornado warnings out the wazoo, but they didn't scare me too much. No problem. We cleaned and painted and returned to Comfort Inn that Evening after dining with Sarah and Kate who had been to a Mandatory ADPi Chapter Retreat Friday and Saturday. We had brought "stuff" to them from home, as well - one of those being my beloved drawing table which I make absolutely NO USE of - so I was delighted to give it to Sarah who is majoring in Fine Arts - She is glad to have it in her room - she does most of her work in the studio - but it still is good to have it when one needs it. - It's in her room in her apartment.

Sunday - no church for Charlie and me - I hate that sort of thing - but we had to do it - Kate went to Covenant - we started on the walls of her kitchen. WE worked until about 5:00. Faye was quiet and the day held no rain. Must have been the eye of the storm. We ate Pizza with Sarah that night at Brick Oven - wonderful!! Back to our wonderful Comfort Inn -

Monday - Finished the kitchen - Faye was back and worse. I guess it was her "backside" - not good. Torndao sirens going off in Auburn - very loud. Torrential Rain - All classes cancelled - and we painted and painted and finished and cleaned up and put all back in place - and drove away from Auburn around 5:15. Oh, and from the rain and wind on Saturday, a huge pine tree was down in Kate and Katherine Lee's back yard. Sad. Guess that will have to be addressed. :-(

We drove from South Alabama on its East Side to North Alabama - still East - I think we caught up with Fay who had left Auburn before we did. We got in a band of rain and travelled with it most of the way. UGH! So much Rain!!!

We were beyond grateful to be at home - in our home - quiet - just us - relaxing and having "down time" - There's just nothing like that.

Now it's Monday - I woke before I opened my eyes and began my "thinking" which I guess had begun from a dream I'd had. As I was "thinking" I happened to open my eyes and that was when I remembered I was AT HOME. Wonderful!!! What a great surprise - I'd actually forgotten. I just never can remember where I am these days, when I awaken. Got up, made the coffee - and began Monday. I love it.

Ann and Steve are officially in their new home. Their moving day was Friday but continued throughout the weekend. Ellie had Mother's Day Out today and I went out to their house to retrieve Lukie. He's napping right now. There is so much undoing and organizing to be done at Ann's house, but YAY - they're in.

We've had lots of rain today - no lightning - so I am going to post pictures I took of Luke sitting in my door, watching the rain. - also of Ada who was here all of last week - I miss her and her precious voice - it's hard to communicate her little word she says which means so many things - it's pronounced , "Daa?" It is in her little female baby tone and is applicable to so many questions - "what's that?" "will you repeat that?" "who is it?" "where is it?" - etc. She is a very happy baby and very sanguine - loves faces and people.

Luke watching the rain - and an occasional "big truck" if it happens by.

Also eating a fig newton

Ada, with her red hair and holding this baby so close to her face, loving it.

This dress was Laura Beth's, and Mother made it for her. I think it was LB's 2nd Easter Dress.

Ada, Laura Beth and Edith all 3 had this red hair.

That's all for today - Tomorrow I'll go back to my things to remember, although someday I'll remember when I still had girls in college, and my first grandchildren were toddlers - I am taking dinner to Ann and Steven and the children, along with returning Luke to them - need to wake him up plus make myself presentable.

Final Photos of First Day at Riverside

These are the final pictures I took of our first day at Riverside. Just give an overall impression of what it was like.

Tripp Nelson, son of Courtney and Cully Nelson
Chris and Ella Rose Hancock
Ellie on left. Arlen on Right.
The room for Bed Babies,obviously. Right now we have none, but 2 are due after Christmas.
Classroom space.

Looking out from the front windows.

The very front room. This will be used as classroom space, and Steve's Office/or Study.

Jamie and Lily Grace French, coming up the hall, from the worship center. I think that is Jason French behind them, and probably Gregory, their son is with them.

Steve, Mike Bratton, and Gerry Teal (left to right)

Charlie Rhodes. If anyone happens upon this post who doesn't know me at all - Charlie Rhodes is my husband. So, I'll refrain from writing paragraphs under this photo. This is Charlie Rhodes, my husband, the other parent of our four girls, the other grandparent to our 3 and almost 4 grandchildren.

Jeremy Woosley and Steve, still in the kitchen - and I'm trying to get candid shots.

Jeremy and Joannie Woosley, again. I have to say that we are all humbly grateful to their skills with audio technology, etc. Without them, well, I guess all announcements would have to be shouted. Funny, how in the old days, churches carried on without microphones. No video equipment, no overhead amps, whatever. These days, no way. We are very dependent on all of that. Joannie and Jeremy do it and tirelessly, seemingly without effort. He was also my hero when Ann and Steve married - making it possible for the reception to go off smoothly under the tent - adding electricity where it was needed for the lighting and for the sound and for the caterer. Yay.

Just a shot from where I was sitting - people listening to announcements, etc.

Chris Wells leading the singing. We are very proud of our pulldown screens which show the words to the songs, and which show scripture when Steve has us flipping pages. Very nice to have. I can tell that is Jamie French, Gregory and Jason French from the back.

This is Mike Bratton welcoming everyone and thanking everyone for all that they did to help get the building ready. He couldn't just stand up there and thank himself - but later Charlie did, when he did post service announcements. Mike is in building construction - actually - owner of Tennessee River Steel - His son, Ben, (prior picture of Ben and Esther) is graduated from Auburn U. in Building Science and now works with Mike. So, he saw this old run down building and had a vision for the possibilities. I never saw it in its worst condition. They say it looked impossible - but Mike knew what to do, so he led the way. Wow. I can't believe how it looks now. So comfortable and clean and pleasant. Thanks to Mike. Mary, in other pictures is his wife. We go so far back with Mike and Mary. and their two children, Ben and Beth. Again, it would take paragraphs upon paragraphs.

Donna Watwood, our pianist. Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, happy, always smiling, Donna Watwood. We've inherited a lot of musical talent in our new church - and eventually there should be lots of good music, glorifying God, coming from our building. We're in our babysteps stage right now.

Our first solo/duet, ever, since we started meeting as a church. In the temporary building and in this new building. That is Danielle Knox on the right. A student at U of AL. I didn't know the young man, but was told he is Barkley Smith - his dad used to be our vet before he went to full time missions. Carolyn Smith, Barkley's sister, was the age of my Laura Beth. They were gone so very long, and now the children are grown - so don't know them all. Anyway - the duet was really a blessing to me. I put the camera down quickly after this picture. Seemed inappropriate to be taking pictures. The moment was really worshipful, I thought. Danielle is the daughter of Sheila and Dan Knox. They are in our church.

People mingling after church. That's Charlie in the white shirt, standing. That's Steve talking with Jamie French. Looks like Jason French on the right, standing.

More mingling. It was much more conducive(too lazy to look up the spelling for that word) for that in our new location. People didn't seem to want to leave. I stayed and stayed. And I still had to leave for Auburn and would be gone a week.

People leaving. I just included all these photos which are so random and not great photography, because the overall idea is a sense of belonging and church body - and an "at home" feeling. Even going through that door leads to the fellowship hall - it was just fun to be there that day and hard for us to leave.

Ellie taunting Luke with her stick. She isn't hitting him. In fact, they might be laughing and playing. I don't think I would have been taking the picture if it was a fight. I think I would have been rescuing Luke from the stick. This is out front, so we had finally made it outside and trying to work our way to the cars.Ellie liked the stick she had found, so I took a picture of her with it. She wanted to take it home with her. Ann suggested she put it in a safe place for the next Sunday. Somewhere secret in the yard. She did.

That's all the pictures. All the post. For today. Can now get back to my diary entries, starting tomorrow. :-)