Writing in the Buff's Book Blurb Friday #5 - "The Meditating Tree"

The Meditating Tree

The tree beckoned her visitation...

Amy had just about had it.  She was sick of her dad's drinking; of her parents' constant fighting.  All she wanted was peace and quiet, something that was not easily found at home these days. 

Grabbing her journal and hoodie, Amy closed the front door quietly behind her as she stepped outside.  They probably wouldn't notice her leaving, but she didn't want their anger focusing on her today.  Sometimes, Amy felt as if her parents staged their arguments --- as if they were performing in a horrible play that she was obligated to watch.

Crossing the street and walking through the tall grassy field, Amy headed toward her solace and favorite place ever.  Her meditating tree.  Climbing the 100-year-old oak, she sat on a huge limb, resting her back against its rough trunk. 

Taking out her journal and pen, Amy begins to write her story. (150)

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Disclaimer ... if that green thing is a snake, I think that I missed the point.  Amy isn't about to sit down as a snake crawls up the tree! 

I am participating in Lisa's Book Blurb Friday, from over at Writing in the Buff.   It is fun, and you can play too!  Pretend that the picture above (this one was taken by Lisa's son, Joey) is the cover of a book.  On the inside jacket, you have 150 words to entice the reader to buy your book.  Lisa gives us a week to think about next week's entry (she's gracious like that).  Please CLICK HERE   to read what everybody else wrote!

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If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

Sepia Saturday #68, Post #2 of 2: Happy Birthday Dad!

These photos are family treasures and are copyrighted on my blog, along with all written text.  I'd sure hate to see them show up elsewhere.  All rights reserved!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My Dad and Me
If you enjoy this post, please go on over to The Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas by CLICKING HERE when you are done.

Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dad, I love you lots!

Here is his baby book, that my Grandma Johnson worked so hard on.  I love it, and I hope that you will enjoy it too.  I transcribed it just as Grandma wrote it:

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

To Ralph Lee,
From Aunt Neata
With Lots of Love

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Thursday, April 1, 19--  2:45 O.clock. PM
9 lbs
At Home
Dr. James Rabison
Nurse Grandma Johnson, Grandma Summers 
and Mrs. Mat Smith

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Ralph Lee Johnson

Parents:
Mr. Delmer Johnson
Mrs. Agnes Johnson

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My foot, 23 days old, April 24

I blew a whistle for the first time the day I was 10 months and 2 weeks old.

When I was 10 months old I would pat a cake and then hol up my hands to give Mama and Dad a bite.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My hand, April 11, 10 days old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I received letters from Aunt Ora Dunivan, Aunt Juanita Summers, Maxine Barnett, Uncle Ben and Aunt Bessie Summers, and almost all the neighbors in the neighborhood came to see me.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Me at 2 months old, and with my
Mama, Agnes, at 6 months old.

My hair when I was three weeks old.
This is my hair when I was one year old.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I went to Grandmother Johnson's on April 30.
I went to Grandmother Summers on May 5th.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

First week: 9 1/2 pounds
Second week: 10 1/2 pounds
Third week: 10 1/2 pounds

Weight at birth: 9 pounds
1 month: 12 pounds
2 months: 14 pounds
3 months: 14 pounds
4 months: 16 pounds
6 months: 18 pounds
1 year: 21 3/4 pounds
2 years: 28 1/2 pounds

Height:
1 month: 24 1/2 inches
3 months: 26 3/4 inches
6 months: 27 1/2 inches

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I had my first tooth five days before I was five months old. When I was seven and a half months old I had six teeth. When I was 10 months old I had 8 teeth.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

When I was five months old I scooted half way across the floor. When I was 7 months old I could scoot on my stomach. But I never did crawl.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My first word was Bye-bye, Dad-Dad and Mom-Mom. I spoke these words when I was 9 months old.

My first sentence was "I won't bite, I won't dink."

My first prayer was "Now I lay me down to sleep."

When I was 2 years and one month old I said grace at the table, "Our padder we tink de food. Amen."

I spoke my first speech at a Christmas tree when I was 4 months old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Five days before Christmas my Daddie brought in a little Christmas tree, and my Mother put it in the corner of the room and decorated it. Two days before Christmas my parents took me to a Christmas tree, where I saw Santa. He gave me a piece of candy.

Yellow Doggie from Mother and Daddie
Rifes Dollie from Aunt Mable
Rubber Humpie Dumpie from Aunt Lillian
Little Red Car from Grannie and Granddad
Tinker Toy from Aunt Laura
Pair of supporters from Granny J.

I was 8 months, 23 days old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My first Birthday I went with my mother to Weddington. There I played with Genise and Ida Joe, Billie June and Lara May Oxford and Jaice Deen Cuppor.

My Mother and Daddie got me a wagon for my birthday present.

For my second birthday I got a toothbrush from Granddadie Summers and a gun and a little homes from Ruth Lee and Marry Belle. And for my third birthday I got a little hat and now I look like a little man.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I made my first step when I was 10 months and 11 days old. But I took sick in a few days with consalidas and then the measles and I did not walk until I was 14 months old. I had the measles when I was 11 months old and it made me slow down about walking.

I laughed at Aunt Mabel when I was three weeks old. I rolled over when I was three months old. The day I was 4 1/2 months old I set up for three minutes. When I was 6 months old I could set up pretty good.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I went out after the cows with my mother and father when I was seven weeks old. I went on my first picnic when I was 14 months old. I went to Teamster playground three miles out from Gentry Art.

When I was seven months old I went to Tulsa with my parents.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

April 7, 1937
Pair of moccasins from Edna Thurman.

April 11, 1937
A wool sweater from Treadwells

April 21, 1937
A Baby Record Book from Aunt Juanita

A layette of clothes from Aunt Chloe Boggs

Grandma Summers gave me a pair of mittens when I was 7 1/2 months old. A new pink dress from Aunt Juanita in November.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

April 23. A rattle from Grand Father Summers. Wayne gave me a rubber hippopotamus. Mary Belle and Ruth Lee gave me a rattle, nursery chair, spoon and Tinker Toy. A teething ring from Charley Brantley. A rattle from my Mother.

The slide show above was taken from scans of a book that my dad's great-aunt made for him.  Remember, this was made during WWII, and the sentiments about the war were what many Americans were feeling back then.  I debated on whether or not to put the words on here, but this is some fascinating history, so I am going ahead and posting it.  I'm definitely not trying to offend anybody.  I transcribed the book just as Aunt Maude wrote it:
 

"Ralph, when you read this, remember your Father's nick name was DAD. When he was a little boy, he got a new pair of overalls that said made like DAD. They nick named him DAD. He wouldn't answer until they called him DAD. 

Ralph Lee. He was just a tiny tot when his parents moved to the Henry Wright place on Norwood Prairie from the Craig place near Wedington where he was born. They then moved from the Wright place to the Edgar Moss place on highway 16. While living on the moss place, Kenneth Dewayne came to be Ralph Lee's little brother. But they didn't stay but a year till they took high fever to go west. And there they went landing at Long View, Washington. While there another visit from the stork bringing Ralph Lee this time a little sister. They call her Loveta Carrol. 

While there December 1941 Pearl Harbor was attack by the Japs. Then the U.S. join in the game. In the town Ralph Lee and his father, mother, brother, sister live in was so close to the enemy (the Japs) they practiced the Black Out System in case the enemy came over the lights would be out and the town could not be so easily found and blowed up. As there were several Arkansasians there they all began to think of home so strong, back to Arkansas they landed. It wasn't long till: Ralph Lee landed in Arkansas with brother sister paw & maw. Dad working in Washington about a year; He quit the lumber mill with trembling fear. Of the Japanese who made a rade - that caused the Arkansawins to be afraid. For the Arkies could not get about in a town with lights all out.

So the Arkies quickly loaded their cars, filled the tanks and pumped the tars. Back to old Arkansas we heard them comin. "Home Sweet Home" they were hummin. They stayed with home folks a little while. One day Dad said with a smile; "I am going back for there is not a Jap, that I can't whip", said Ralph Lee's pap. So out west they were found to go, loading their cars till the springs went low. They did not stop till they got to St. Helen; Gee, I'll bet they are "biggens" Dad is tellin. I can see Ralph Lee looking up at his Paw saying: "Daddy when are we going back to Arkansas?" You must be contented said Ralph Lee's paw. We are never going back to Arkansas. Away the child turns he is a very sweet boy, he is to his Mother & Dad a bushel of joy. He has a brother and a little sister too. They don't tear up their faces crying boo, hoo. But most of the the day laughing having a good time. Say folks, don't you think they are just fine?" 

Also, I hope that they don't mind, but I am going to post this as my second post to Sepia Saturday this week.  Please CLICK HERE     to go and see what everybody else is doing with their old photos on that cool website!  To read my first Sepia Saturday post that I submitted this week, please click here.

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

SkyWatch Friday: The Last of the Snow?

I took these pictures on Monday, and I think that they may show the last of our snow.  I hope so!  Our studded tires are suppose to be off by tomorrow.  Today (Thursday) is supposed to be warm (60*) and beautiful.  Yay for Mayberry!  Traditionally, our spring isn't too much to shout about around here, because it still freezes at night.  I don't put out any flowers or hanging baskets until June.  Still, we do have a few trees around here that leaf out and look pretty. 

Enjoy your weekend!

 
I am submitting this post into SkyWatch Friday.  Please CLICK HERE to see beautiful sky shots from around the world!

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

Chubby Mommy Running Club Attends BlogHer Conference:

JulieJulie from Chubby Mommy Running Club, arrives in Oakland with her orange suitcases in hand (above).  Last weekend, JulieJulie  drove from Eugene, Oregon to Oakland, California to visit her friend Kristin.  It was a very treacherous drive, by the way.  While JulieJulie just happened to be in the area, she attended the BlogHerBET Women's Entrepreneur Conference in Santa Clara, California.  Here is a link about that, CLICK HERE. 

In a series of blog entries, Julie tells us all about her trip.  She is so funny; make sure that you watch the videos in her posts.  Did I mention that Julie is my baby sister, and I wouldn't even have thought about starting this blog with out her suggesting it?  Thanks,  JulieJulie, at least I am glad that you did.


Posts #1 & #2:

Part I - Scotch Tasting and The H & R Block Guy Video and Post

Part II - Lunch at Apples Cafeteria in Cupertino

There will be a couple of more posts about Julie's adventure over the next few days, so please keep checking back on her blog.  She's on Twitter too.

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

Sepia Saturday #68, Post #1 of 2 : The Civilian Conservation Corps, WWII

My Grandfather, Floyd Traylor, worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps  during the Great Depression.  Before becoming a logger, when he was young, Grandpa worked on the C.C.C. construction crews building park benches and picnic tables in Oregon's campgrounds.  

I was so excited to see that Alan had chosen the subject of the C.C.C. for this week's Sepia Saturday.  Yesterday, I was in Bend and went to the Humane Society of Central Oregon Thrift Store   on Greenwood Avenue.  It was my first time there, and I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted these booklets:

They were put out by the Lane County Historical Society and are called the Lane County Historian.  No books were cheap at that thrift store, but I got a set of 6 volumes of the Lane County Historian for $10.00.  They are an assorted mix, ranging from 1996-2000.  I scored BIG on these! 

Here is a link to info about Lane County, Oregon, for those of you not familiar with our area.  Eugene is the county seat, and that is where I grew up. 

Source of these two maps:  Wikipedia.com

When I got home and read through them, I found the following article about the Civilian Conservation Corps, which coincides with Sepia Saturday's theme this week.  I scanned it.  I hope that I don't get thrown in jail.  It is all for the greater good, I think.  You can click on each photo below to enlarge for better viewing.  Trust me, you'll be able to read each page just fine.  

I am submitting this to Sepia Saturday.  Please CLICK HERE to see awesome old pictures and learn remarkable history from all over the world!  I have posted a second Sepia Saturday this week, so when you are done, please check it out by clicking here.       

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.