When I started this journey many years ago, I never knew where it would take me. I met many cousins in the different areas of the United States and sent them numerous e-mails to stay in touch. But the most amazing fact that I found was a King. I had studed this person in History and had seen Braveheart many times but I thought that my line was no where near related to Royalty. One cousin who contacted me sent me knowledge that a distant cousin had traced our line through the Magruders back to Robert the Bruce. Well I did some googleing and started with Verlinda Magruder. She was the great grandmother of Martha Peyton Beall and Gen. Frederick Beall who are my third great grandparents. Verlinda was the daughter of Samuel Magruder and Sarah Beall. So this family of Bealls and Magruders married in the families for many generations.
Verlinda's great grandmother was Lady Margaret Campbell of Perthshire, Scotland. Margaret's great grandmother was Lady Isabel Elizabeth Stewart, Countess of Argyll. The Stewart line traces back to Sir Walter Stewart III of Scotland and Princess Margaret Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce. There are a lot more interesting facts between these generations. But one thing that I read about was Lady Isabella Matilda of Mar, Countess of Carrick. She was born in the year 1277 and died in 1296. Her Scottish Gaelic spelling is Iseabail. She was the first wife of Robert the Bruce and the grandmother of Robert II of Scotland, founder of the royal House of Stuart. She died before Robert was crowned King of Scots and never became queen. Robert mourned her death for over 5 years.
She was the daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar and Helen (or Ellen) of Wales (1246-1295), the illegitimate daughter of Llymelyn ab Lorwerth ("the Great")Prince of Wales; she had previously been the wife of Maol Cholouim II Earl of Fife. She was a wealthy woman in her own right. Her lands were most of the northeastern section of Inverness. Isabella spoke Gaelic and High English. She was an educated lady of medieval time. Her father was one of the seven guardians of Scotland who believed Robert Bruce to be the rightful King of Scotland. Despite the considerable risks, the Earl of Mar could foresee the advantage of the two families joining in marriage and bearing an heir to the throne, and the marriage of Isabella and Robert was arranged. Mar was the first to sign over the estates of his family to the Bruce.
Isabella was married to Robert at the age of 18 and legend has it that they were much in love. Shortly after their marriage Isabella became pregnant. She had a healthy pregnancy but she died soon after giving birth to a daughter, Marjorie Bruce in 1296. Isabella is buried at Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire.
Robert married his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh six years later. Isabella's daughter, Princess Marjorie (died 1316) married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and their son became Robert II of Scotland. From him descend the monarchs of the House of Stewart and the later royal families of the United Kingdom.
Any reference to Isabella being taken prisoner by the English in 1306 I think is false. Robert's marriage to Elizabeth took place in 1302 so she is probably the one taken prisoner. Robert was born in 1274 and died in 1329.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Mar
Friday, August 3, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
THE WOODEN BOWL
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, A year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. Buy the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the
boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. '
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, Neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note,
I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: A rainy day,the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a
'life.'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a
friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
This was an e-mail that I received today and I so enjoyed it that I wanted to add it to my blog. I am getting to a point in my life where I have to have a few things done for me that I can't do any more. Can't bend over and pick up things out of the floor. Hold on to the doors and walls when I walk through the house. My hearing is going and I have had eye surgery on my right eye and in the near future, will have it done on the left eye. In the mean time I take care about what I do and don't go outside without my cane. I have fallen to many times to go without it.
The golden rule that I learned a long time ago"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This was on a banner in my school room just about everyday of my life. The bible say to honor thy father and thy mother that their days may be long on the land. Many people in this day and age forget who took care of them when they were growing up. Even animals take care of their young until they are able to fend for themselves.
Don't forget the elderly. An old saying but it is so true. "There but for the grace of GOD go I." My former husband has always been an independent person and took care of himself. In the last couple of months, he health has deteriorated and he can't even walk. No one knows what the future holds for us. We may be in the same shoes as the man with the wooden bowl. My dad and step-mom were well taken care until the day they died. No one grumbled or complained about the spills they made or changing the bed linens. You say well that is embarrassing, but GOD provided the means for us to be able to fetch and carry for them until the end. There are no regrets. We miss them and would love to talk to them again but I know they are together again and watching over us and waiting for us to arrive and introduce us to the rest of the family that has gone on before us.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. Buy the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the
boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. '
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, Neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note,
I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: A rainy day,the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a
'life.'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a
friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
This was an e-mail that I received today and I so enjoyed it that I wanted to add it to my blog. I am getting to a point in my life where I have to have a few things done for me that I can't do any more. Can't bend over and pick up things out of the floor. Hold on to the doors and walls when I walk through the house. My hearing is going and I have had eye surgery on my right eye and in the near future, will have it done on the left eye. In the mean time I take care about what I do and don't go outside without my cane. I have fallen to many times to go without it.
The golden rule that I learned a long time ago"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This was on a banner in my school room just about everyday of my life. The bible say to honor thy father and thy mother that their days may be long on the land. Many people in this day and age forget who took care of them when they were growing up. Even animals take care of their young until they are able to fend for themselves.
Don't forget the elderly. An old saying but it is so true. "There but for the grace of GOD go I." My former husband has always been an independent person and took care of himself. In the last couple of months, he health has deteriorated and he can't even walk. No one knows what the future holds for us. We may be in the same shoes as the man with the wooden bowl. My dad and step-mom were well taken care until the day they died. No one grumbled or complained about the spills they made or changing the bed linens. You say well that is embarrassing, but GOD provided the means for us to be able to fetch and carry for them until the end. There are no regrets. We miss them and would love to talk to them again but I know they are together again and watching over us and waiting for us to arrive and introduce us to the rest of the family that has gone on before us.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
NOAH'S FLOOD
I woke up this morning to rain. Thank you Lord.
I wonder what it was like when the Lord told Noah that it was going to rain. It had never rained before. Just a mist watered everything on earth. I couldn't even calculate how many days before this rain. Everyone laughed at him about making a boat big enough to hold all the animals. I am sure before this time they had used small boats for fishing. But these were timy compared to the ark. And trying to catch all the animals couldn't have been easy. The Lord had a hand in this endeavor. I don't think Noah would have known where to find most of them. How would you go about it? From the jungles of Africa to the seas of the Atlantic and Pacific. You say, "why the ocean?" Some of these animals had to have land at some point in time. Polar bears and penquins need the land as well as the sea. When GOD spoke to the the animals, they all went to the ark They knew that they would be taken care of by the Lord.
But the point is that Noah did as GOD commanded him reguardless of what the people thought about him. How many time do we do as GOD commands, or do we even listen to Him. Do we pretend that we didn't hear or ignor all the signs as imagination. Sometimes it pay to heed the words of the Lord. It could save our lives.
I wonder what it was like when the Lord told Noah that it was going to rain. It had never rained before. Just a mist watered everything on earth. I couldn't even calculate how many days before this rain. Everyone laughed at him about making a boat big enough to hold all the animals. I am sure before this time they had used small boats for fishing. But these were timy compared to the ark. And trying to catch all the animals couldn't have been easy. The Lord had a hand in this endeavor. I don't think Noah would have known where to find most of them. How would you go about it? From the jungles of Africa to the seas of the Atlantic and Pacific. You say, "why the ocean?" Some of these animals had to have land at some point in time. Polar bears and penquins need the land as well as the sea. When GOD spoke to the the animals, they all went to the ark They knew that they would be taken care of by the Lord.
But the point is that Noah did as GOD commanded him reguardless of what the people thought about him. How many time do we do as GOD commands, or do we even listen to Him. Do we pretend that we didn't hear or ignor all the signs as imagination. Sometimes it pay to heed the words of the Lord. It could save our lives.
Exerpt from "The Woman at the Well"
I have just finished reading "The Woman at the Well" by Dale Evans. I read quite often and her book "Angel Unaware" was probably my favorite as it was about her daughter, Robin, who died. Most all her children were adopted yet Roy and Dale showed no difference in them. Even though they were from a famous family, they were raised in a Christian home.
The following is an excerpt from "The Woman at the Well"
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I was at my typewriter wondering what to do next, when all of a sudden my fingers started running over the keys. Please bear with me and my mistakes, because it has been so long. I am also getting senile! My grandchildren seem to think so, though I don't believe it for an instant. Rather with the end so near, I see things in a different perspective, I still see a future, and not a materialistic one-but a future that I will not have to struggle through, as I have in the past. I am quick to point out peoples' faults, but this is only because they take life as if it were going to last forever. There are times when my memory fails me, but I can still remember so much more! My eyesight is nearly gone, but I see more things now than I've ever seen before, and though I can't hear well I have heard what I should have heard-and when I could have done something about it. My fingers are not as nimble now, and only through other hands can my thoughts be conveyed. Yes, I am what you call old and aged, but soon I will once again be romping around. I may look like a dried-up old prune, and these wrinkles may tell a story, but I am so beautiful. It is too bad you do not understand, you feel sorry for me when I hobble across the street, or when your young men bump into me and spill my packages, You have even laughed at me in my good dress with that crooked little hat, but I feel no sorrow. If only you could have what I have! This young girl beside me knows nothing of what she will be or even what she wants to be when age permits her. Oh yes, she may outrun me, but unless she awakens, as so many others ought to, she will never outlive me, nor out go me. I have more energy to see the truth and have it revealed to me forever, but my body is decaying, as it must. All I have said is nothing, and yet it is everything. Look at me. You see an old woman. Look again, you see a young heart. A young soul! I have known sorrow, but comfort has always followed. NO, I really have not much to say; how I do ramble on about nothing! I am growing weaker with each word that pours from my mouth, and soon I will be gone. But I will keep watch and know that I must not interfere. I will be rooting for the blind to see!
The following is an excerpt from "The Woman at the Well"
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I was at my typewriter wondering what to do next, when all of a sudden my fingers started running over the keys. Please bear with me and my mistakes, because it has been so long. I am also getting senile! My grandchildren seem to think so, though I don't believe it for an instant. Rather with the end so near, I see things in a different perspective, I still see a future, and not a materialistic one-but a future that I will not have to struggle through, as I have in the past. I am quick to point out peoples' faults, but this is only because they take life as if it were going to last forever. There are times when my memory fails me, but I can still remember so much more! My eyesight is nearly gone, but I see more things now than I've ever seen before, and though I can't hear well I have heard what I should have heard-and when I could have done something about it. My fingers are not as nimble now, and only through other hands can my thoughts be conveyed. Yes, I am what you call old and aged, but soon I will once again be romping around. I may look like a dried-up old prune, and these wrinkles may tell a story, but I am so beautiful. It is too bad you do not understand, you feel sorry for me when I hobble across the street, or when your young men bump into me and spill my packages, You have even laughed at me in my good dress with that crooked little hat, but I feel no sorrow. If only you could have what I have! This young girl beside me knows nothing of what she will be or even what she wants to be when age permits her. Oh yes, she may outrun me, but unless she awakens, as so many others ought to, she will never outlive me, nor out go me. I have more energy to see the truth and have it revealed to me forever, but my body is decaying, as it must. All I have said is nothing, and yet it is everything. Look at me. You see an old woman. Look again, you see a young heart. A young soul! I have known sorrow, but comfort has always followed. NO, I really have not much to say; how I do ramble on about nothing! I am growing weaker with each word that pours from my mouth, and soon I will be gone. But I will keep watch and know that I must not interfere. I will be rooting for the blind to see!
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
I found this poem in a newspaper a few months ago and thought I would write it on my blog for everyone to see. It pertains to alot of people that we have lost and I can relate to it. I don't know the author so if anyone knows, please let me know.
"WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME"
When that tomorrow started without me-and I wasn't there to see-
and when the sun rose and found your eyes all filled with tears for me.
I wished so much you wouldn't have cried, the way ya'll did that day,
while thinking of the many things-we didn't get a chance to say.
I knew how much ya'll loved me just as much as I loved you,
and each time that you thought of me, I knew you would miss me too.
But when those tomorrows start without me-please try to understand
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and told me my place was ready, in Heaven far above
and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly loved.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do-
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving all of you.
I thought of all the yesterdays-the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday just even for a while
I'd say good bye and kiss you all 'cause I wanted to see you smile.
But then I fully realized, that this could never be
for all our love and memories would have to take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I would miss tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did, my heart just filled with sorrow.
But when I walked thru Heaven's gate, I felt so much at home,
then GOD looked down and smiled at me-from His beautiful golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity, and all I have promised you-
today your life on earth is past, and here life starts anew.
I promise you no tomorrows because a day here will always last
and since each day's the same, there's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true
though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So wont you come and take my hand and share my life with me."
So when those tomorrows start without me-don't think we're so far apart-
all of you remember when you think of me, I'm right there in your heart
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Southern and proud of it.
Received an e-mail just the other day asking me if I was a genuine Georgia Peach. Well I recon I am one as I was born and raised in Georgia in a little town of Rome. We rolled up the streets at 6:00 pm and visited our neighbors, made home made ice cream, and watched TV until 11:00 pm and went to bed. I received this message just today and it best describes us Southerners.
Southerners know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
_____
Southerners know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick
_____
Southerners know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah
_____
Southerners know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind
_____
Southerners know their religions:
Bapdiss
Methdiss
Football
_____
Southerners know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna
_____
Southerners know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler
_____
Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon
_____
Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food
_____
Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them,
you "PITCH" them.
_____
Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."
_____
Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."
_____
Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in: "Going to town, be back directly." (
Correction: directly wasn't in our vocabulary. The correct word is "dreckly!")
_____
Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular, sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.
_____
All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well
_____
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin'!
_____
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that"just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.
_____
Only a Southerner both knows and understands the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.
_____
No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
_____
A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.
_____
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line,"... we talk to everybody!
_____
Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.
_____
In the South, "y'all" is singular, "all y'all" is plural.
_____
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
_____
Every Southerner knows that tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; that scrambled eggs just ain’t right without Tabasco, and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.
_____
When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
_____
Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk.
_____
And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her sweet little heart"... and go your own way.
_____
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southernness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your little heart!
_____
And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff....bless your hearts, I hear they’re fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!
_____
Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fah-evah !
There ain't no magazine named "Northern Living" for good reason. There ain't nobody interested in livin' up north, nobody would buy the magazine!
Now Shugah If you're a Northern transplant, bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could.
Humidity
Saturday, May 19, 2012
CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY
In 1870, Juliet Ward Howe, author of "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic", was the first in America to want to honor the mother's that had lost sons in the civil war. She was so tired of all the carnage and called on mother's to come to her aid. She wanted an international Mother's day celebrating peace and motherhood. It never came to fruitation but the seed had been planted. A West Virginia women's group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe's holiday. It was to observe and re-unite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the war. After Mrs. Reeves death, her daughter campaigned for the creation of an official Mother's Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. But it wasn't until 1914 that Woodrow Wilson signed it into observance. The second Sunday in May was decided on for the day to honor all mothers and has remained to this day.
"A MOTHER'S LOVE"
~based on I Corinthians 13~
A Mother's love is patient, through all her daily work and care.
A Mother's love is kind to all whether great or small in God's Kingdom.
A Mother's love is not jealous, but rejoices in all good things.
A Mother's love is not arrogant or rude, but is humble, mild and modest.
A Mother's love doesn't focus on self, but gives herself to others.
A Mother's love is not irritable, even when frustrations overwhelm.
A Mother's love does not keep track of wrongs; she thinks of doing good.
A Mother's love is happy with the truth, and seeks to share truth with her children.
Never stops being, patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
A Mother's love never comes to an end.
Mother's Day has just passed and I was fortunate enough for all my children to attend my home for a impromptu supper. Although I did most of the cooking, and my husband stated that it should be cooked for me, I think Mother's Day should be for what you want to do. So while I am still able, I will cook. There may come a day when I am not able and the children have to cook for me. Besides, if I do the cooking, it will suit my taste buds and I can do without all the sugar. I still surprise them with what has sugar and what does not.
I was lucky enough to have 3 mothers in my life time. My biological mother, I had for 15 years and then she was killed in an automobile accident. But while her time here on earth, I was loved just like a little girl and treated as such. All the frilly dresses and fancy shoes, taking dancing lessons and piano lessons, taught to cook fancy and sew a straight seam, even crocheting, came from my mom. My mom was a very talented woman. She could make any sort of dress just by looking at a picture. She was a great hairdresser. She drew pictures, with colored pencils or charcoal. She played the piano. She was a great chef and cake decorator. And flowers, she could make beautiful arrangements as well grow the flowers that she put in the vase. I was never that lucky. I really thought my mom could do anything. Except die. That was the shock of my life, learning to live without her. But I did and survived with the help of 2 other women. Ruby Franks Dean and Evelyn Johnson Dudley Beall
I married in 1962 and met Granny Ruby. She sort of adopted me since my mom was dead. I had been so spoiled that I didn't really know how to do alot of things in the kitchen. Especially make biscuits. She could make the best biscuits that I ever tasted. It is no wonder that I gained so much weight. This was a home where biscuits were cooked every morning and sometimes for dinner. No cold cereal here. I guess that is why Marvin does not eat cold cereal now. Mostly it was gravy and biscuits, with 2 kinds of meat. Eggs, grits or oatmeal, and sometimes creamed corn with sliced tomatoes. I had never eaten those 2 foods for breakfast. I thought they were crazy. Well I set about to learn how to make these biscuits. I thought the task would be easy since it looked so simple. Little did I know. The first ones, I was told that they had to much powder on the faces. Really hurt my feelings, but they tasted good. After about 2 years, I had accomplished the task. Then she set to teaching me how to make quilts. On a treadle sewing machine, no less. I couldn't sew a very good, tight seam by hand. There was alot more to it than I thought. I knew how to sew, and that helped a little. It takes some time to cut enough pieces to make a quilt top. The first one, I was lucky in that Ruby had a top ready. Since it was cold weather and we needed it in a hurry, she decided to hand turf the quilt. A turfing needle is not like a regular needle. It is about 3 inches long and has a larger eye to put in larger thread. This was cotton thread that she got at a chenille bedspread factory. So to start, you have to have a lining and filler, then the top. For this particular quilt, she didn't use batting but an old threadbare blanket. She said it would work better in a hand turfed quilt. It wouldn't bunch up after washing. The process is this: with a long thread, you sew a seam through all layers. Each stitch is about 3 to 4 inches apart. After the whole thing is done, you go back and clip between each stitch and tie the ends in a knot. This makes knots all over the top. You then hem around the edges and you have a very warm quilt. After I finished, I was thrilled that I had made this project. So I decided to make a smaller one for my baby, Jimmy. I later learned to make a quilt by the process of a quilting frame. But it never thrilled me as much as the first one because the top was made by Ruby's mother, Katie Eller.
Over the years, Granny Ruby was there for me in so many ways. She never forgot my birthday and would bring me some little something even if it was a candy bar to let me know she remembered. She watched my children while I worked at night. I never had to have a babysitter. When ever we would have a dinner, Rhonda had to make the slaw. I still make it today, the same way that she liked it. She died in 2006 and I miss her.
Miss Evelyn, I met at the Krystal before she ever married my dad. When I stayed with her, we would get up at 4:30 in the morning to be at work by 6 am. She called me her personal beautician. If ever a little grey started showing, we would put on the auburn. French twist hairstyles were popular at that time so this is how it would be fixed. Everyone bragged on her hairstyle. I can recall her saying," I have a personal beautician." I also remember one Christmas when I sat up just about all night so that the Barbie Dream house would be ready for Deborah when she woke up the next morning. Evelyn had given out of energy by the time we got to that project. After she married my dad, she did not show the least bit of difference between the children. They were all hers and she would fight for you in more ways that one. I remember once when I lived in Rome, Jeff was playing in the backyard and the neighborhood children started throwing things at each other. One boy threw a piece of glass and hit Jeff right between the eyes. He needed stitches so I called Evelyn. She came right over and took him to the emergency room. When she came back, she proceeded to go and talk to the child and his mother. Well an argument erupted from this and I thought it would become a fight. Evelyn told her right quick that they better not mess with her grand babies again or she would call the police to take care of the matter. She was intolerant of injustice in any form. We lost her in March of 2011 and I miss her so much. I still remember the trip she made to my house once to bring my children some clothes. I wasn't at home, and the door was locked. I had gone to the store for some reason but I was cooking pinto beans for supper. Evelyn said the smell was so good, that she almost tried to climb through a window. She said the only thing that stopped her was a police car rode by. I would sometimes cook her beans when I visited her. And she would make egg salad when she knew that I was coming to her house. David went hiking one summer with his son so I went to Evelyn's house to stay all night. She thought that she still had to wait on me and I could walk better that her. She loved her family more than anything except my dad. I will see you again in the hereafter. You filled a void in my life when I really needed a mom.
"A MOTHER'S LOVE"
~based on I Corinthians 13~
A Mother's love is patient, through all her daily work and care.
A Mother's love is kind to all whether great or small in God's Kingdom.
A Mother's love is not jealous, but rejoices in all good things.
A Mother's love is not arrogant or rude, but is humble, mild and modest.
A Mother's love doesn't focus on self, but gives herself to others.
A Mother's love is not irritable, even when frustrations overwhelm.
A Mother's love does not keep track of wrongs; she thinks of doing good.
A Mother's love is happy with the truth, and seeks to share truth with her children.
Never stops being, patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
A Mother's love never comes to an end.
Mother's Day has just passed and I was fortunate enough for all my children to attend my home for a impromptu supper. Although I did most of the cooking, and my husband stated that it should be cooked for me, I think Mother's Day should be for what you want to do. So while I am still able, I will cook. There may come a day when I am not able and the children have to cook for me. Besides, if I do the cooking, it will suit my taste buds and I can do without all the sugar. I still surprise them with what has sugar and what does not.
I was lucky enough to have 3 mothers in my life time. My biological mother, I had for 15 years and then she was killed in an automobile accident. But while her time here on earth, I was loved just like a little girl and treated as such. All the frilly dresses and fancy shoes, taking dancing lessons and piano lessons, taught to cook fancy and sew a straight seam, even crocheting, came from my mom. My mom was a very talented woman. She could make any sort of dress just by looking at a picture. She was a great hairdresser. She drew pictures, with colored pencils or charcoal. She played the piano. She was a great chef and cake decorator. And flowers, she could make beautiful arrangements as well grow the flowers that she put in the vase. I was never that lucky. I really thought my mom could do anything. Except die. That was the shock of my life, learning to live without her. But I did and survived with the help of 2 other women. Ruby Franks Dean and Evelyn Johnson Dudley Beall
I married in 1962 and met Granny Ruby. She sort of adopted me since my mom was dead. I had been so spoiled that I didn't really know how to do alot of things in the kitchen. Especially make biscuits. She could make the best biscuits that I ever tasted. It is no wonder that I gained so much weight. This was a home where biscuits were cooked every morning and sometimes for dinner. No cold cereal here. I guess that is why Marvin does not eat cold cereal now. Mostly it was gravy and biscuits, with 2 kinds of meat. Eggs, grits or oatmeal, and sometimes creamed corn with sliced tomatoes. I had never eaten those 2 foods for breakfast. I thought they were crazy. Well I set about to learn how to make these biscuits. I thought the task would be easy since it looked so simple. Little did I know. The first ones, I was told that they had to much powder on the faces. Really hurt my feelings, but they tasted good. After about 2 years, I had accomplished the task. Then she set to teaching me how to make quilts. On a treadle sewing machine, no less. I couldn't sew a very good, tight seam by hand. There was alot more to it than I thought. I knew how to sew, and that helped a little. It takes some time to cut enough pieces to make a quilt top. The first one, I was lucky in that Ruby had a top ready. Since it was cold weather and we needed it in a hurry, she decided to hand turf the quilt. A turfing needle is not like a regular needle. It is about 3 inches long and has a larger eye to put in larger thread. This was cotton thread that she got at a chenille bedspread factory. So to start, you have to have a lining and filler, then the top. For this particular quilt, she didn't use batting but an old threadbare blanket. She said it would work better in a hand turfed quilt. It wouldn't bunch up after washing. The process is this: with a long thread, you sew a seam through all layers. Each stitch is about 3 to 4 inches apart. After the whole thing is done, you go back and clip between each stitch and tie the ends in a knot. This makes knots all over the top. You then hem around the edges and you have a very warm quilt. After I finished, I was thrilled that I had made this project. So I decided to make a smaller one for my baby, Jimmy. I later learned to make a quilt by the process of a quilting frame. But it never thrilled me as much as the first one because the top was made by Ruby's mother, Katie Eller.
Over the years, Granny Ruby was there for me in so many ways. She never forgot my birthday and would bring me some little something even if it was a candy bar to let me know she remembered. She watched my children while I worked at night. I never had to have a babysitter. When ever we would have a dinner, Rhonda had to make the slaw. I still make it today, the same way that she liked it. She died in 2006 and I miss her.
Miss Evelyn, I met at the Krystal before she ever married my dad. When I stayed with her, we would get up at 4:30 in the morning to be at work by 6 am. She called me her personal beautician. If ever a little grey started showing, we would put on the auburn. French twist hairstyles were popular at that time so this is how it would be fixed. Everyone bragged on her hairstyle. I can recall her saying," I have a personal beautician." I also remember one Christmas when I sat up just about all night so that the Barbie Dream house would be ready for Deborah when she woke up the next morning. Evelyn had given out of energy by the time we got to that project. After she married my dad, she did not show the least bit of difference between the children. They were all hers and she would fight for you in more ways that one. I remember once when I lived in Rome, Jeff was playing in the backyard and the neighborhood children started throwing things at each other. One boy threw a piece of glass and hit Jeff right between the eyes. He needed stitches so I called Evelyn. She came right over and took him to the emergency room. When she came back, she proceeded to go and talk to the child and his mother. Well an argument erupted from this and I thought it would become a fight. Evelyn told her right quick that they better not mess with her grand babies again or she would call the police to take care of the matter. She was intolerant of injustice in any form. We lost her in March of 2011 and I miss her so much. I still remember the trip she made to my house once to bring my children some clothes. I wasn't at home, and the door was locked. I had gone to the store for some reason but I was cooking pinto beans for supper. Evelyn said the smell was so good, that she almost tried to climb through a window. She said the only thing that stopped her was a police car rode by. I would sometimes cook her beans when I visited her. And she would make egg salad when she knew that I was coming to her house. David went hiking one summer with his son so I went to Evelyn's house to stay all night. She thought that she still had to wait on me and I could walk better that her. She loved her family more than anything except my dad. I will see you again in the hereafter. You filled a void in my life when I really needed a mom.
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