Remembering Grandma Kinney

Grandma Kinney was born on this date in 1905. She had the "Bryant blue eyes". They were a cornflower blue.

She was named after her mother (who hated her name), Nannie Lee. Her father thought his wife wasn't going to live after giving birth to her & named Grandma after her. My first name for her was Mama Kinney (my Grandpa's first name). Older grandkids called her this & the later ones continued the name. Later on, the older grandkids changed it to Grandma Kinney and it was never changed after that.

Grandma was a worrier. Yes, girls that was the beginning of our trait! I can still see her sitting & wiggling her foot with nervous energy.

She cooked for us every Sunday. Homemade fried chicken (not from the fast food place), potatoes (that no one has been able to match), deviled eggs, homemade yeast rolls, and a whole table full of other foods were always prepared with love. After lunch, she washed her hair and Mama or Nora Lee would roll it for her. She sat with the rollers in her lap & handed each one up to them. I have her tin with her rollers still in it.

My cousins and I would stay with Grandma & Grandpa in the summer. I don't remember her ever getting on to us, but I'm sure we needed it.

Grandma would go with me & Mama to the doctor's office in Olney. There was a snow cone stand across the street from the office & we'd both enjoy a snow cone while waiting for Mama in the car. Don't you know that was a sticky mess?

She always greeted us and told us goodbye with a smile and a kiss. She passed away June 25, 1982 after a battle with ovarian cancer. At her funeral, everyone of us kissed her bye at the church.

Grandma Kinney left big shoes to fill. My hope is that I will be half as good a grandmother as she was.

Spring

It's getting closer!! These Bradford Pear trees are ready for spring too. They are always early bloomers, but today they may wish they had waited a little longer. 93 yesterday, 50s today. Which isn't bad, but will seem really cold after the last few days.



Bradford Pear trees are beautiful in the spring & fall. The colors of the leaves in the fall are breathtaking, but now they're ready to show off their spring wardrobe. Maybe it won't be long until I can wear my spring wardrobe...long sleeves instead of sweaters!

Radishes

We have the beginnings of radishes! They started popping up through the dirt Monday. It looks like I put the seeds too close together & will have to thin them out in a little while. I just love to see the first green sprouts so I might leave them a little while longer.

Reason to Escape

This is the reason the cows are escaping. The hay is in a fenced portion of the pasture. Friday night we got cows out of this patch & fixed the fence. Yesterday morning they had torn it down in another spot. This stuff must taste like chocolate to cows...they can't get enough. As soon as we find the fence breaker, she is going to another pasture without a hay patch.

A Rancher's Life

This is how my day began, in the pickup at 4:30 A.M. Behm's mother called at 4:25 & the sheriff's office had called her about cows out on the highway. Off we go - me half awake & hoping they were not ours, Behm singing & happy. We are so opposite, but that needs to go in another post.

When we got there they were ours. 1 on one side of the highway & 3 on the opposite side, just bedded down, not a care in the world. When we turned around one was up & looking at the fence like "How did I get on this side?". We started them heading for the gate, they crossed the highway 2 or 3 times, then did a u-turn & went back the opposite way. By then, 2 more had decided they would join in the fun.

When we finally got them headed back in the right direction & almost to the gate, Behm pulled in & got the feed sack out & they all came back in quickly, except the bull. He took his own sweet time about getting there. Behm fixed the fence & back to the house we came.

Not one single vehicle went by the whole time we were doing this, but as soon as we were through the traffic picked up. Not rush hour, but country highway traffic. I wonder what else is in store for today. I hope whatever it is will turn out as successfully as this did.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN!!!

Today is my grandson's 6th birthday! It seems such a short time ago when your Dad called & told me you had arrived. I had to wait a month to see you, but you were just as sweet & precious as I had pictured you to be!

I hope your day is filled with fun & games! I love you very much!

Waiting for Summer

I'm ready for summer. If the wind is going to blow like it has been lately, I prefer warm breezes. Sunshine, baseball, and



lawns that need mowing. Well, maybe I'm not ready for the mowing part. If we don't get any more rain than we have, I won't have to worry about that. Actually I don't have to worry anyway, Behm always mows.

Cemeteries

I have always found cemeteries peaceful. Maybe I'm morbid, I don't know. I always feel as if the person's grave you are visiting is looking down & feels proud because you remembered them.

There are some amazing tombstones. The details on some of the older ones are truly beautiful. Most of these pictured are from the early 1900's. The people who made these were gifted people. No computers or pattern engravers to do this work, just their own hands.






This one is my favorite. I parked in the middle of the cemetery to walk around and take pictures. I hope if this is on mine, they have the hand pointing up & not down!

Good Luck Sonya!

You can't get to the top unless you climb each step. Just take it one step at a time!



Edit: You can go here to read about my youngest daughter's grad school pre-admission workshop.

Stars

I'm seeing stars!! Yesterday in the mail, I received an unexpected windfall. I commented on Jackie's blog that I wanted her autograph on a blank check after her big break in show business Saturday. I received a check from MS J "LaRoue" at Big Mansion Hollywood for the amount of "you decide what you need fill in the blank" for frivolous spending money signed by her! I can't wait until this weekend to go spend my new fortune! Thanks, Jackie!!

These stars are not on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but all around my house. I need to decide which one will be Jackie's!

Art

Last week at lunch I went to an art gallery for lunch. Such wonderful sights.

First was this unknown artist's portrait, "Mr. Blue".



Next was Mr. Bird's exhibit..."Brown On White".



God's works were next: "Leaning to the Left"



and one for the golfers out there..."A Hole in One".



Take a walk outside and look at all the art around you. The best part - it's free!

Quiet House

Our granddaughter, Tally spent the weekend with us. She is really growing up. While I was in Wichita Saturday, she called asking me to buy her some eyeliner. Of course, Behm thinks she's too young to wear it, but I bought it anyway. She's going to try out for cheerleader this year. I videoed her doing her routine so she could see what she was doing wrong.

I met her when she was 2 & we have always had a close relationship. Last summer we had conversations I know I didn't have with my girls. I'm glad she feels comfortable enough to talk to me about things she might not feel she could say to others. I know at her age I didn't talk about things to anyone.

The house is quieter now waiting for the next grandchild to fill it with youthful energy.

Sole Searching Thoughts

Why do you only see one abandoned shoe? Why not a pair? Are there a bunch of people walking around with only one shoe? Does the abandoned shoe feel hurt because it was left behind? Just some sole searching thoughts on this Monday. Feel free to send me your thoughts on this.

I have a new follower, The Texas Woman! Go here and see her great decorating ideas. You'll be glad you did!

And so it begins

Behm & I went to eat at Wichita Falls Thursday night to celebrate Valentine's Day. Afterwards, we went & bought things to plant in our garden. We had to buy oil for the tractor earlier in the week. When we were going home, I added the cost in my head & I didn't spend that much on fresh vegetables last summer from the local farmer's market.

There weren't many potatoes to choose from. I guess the economy & the food scares are making more people grow their own. I know it is much better tasting when home grown.

Before:





After:





2 1/2 rows of onions, 1/2 row of radishes, & 5 rows of potatoes. 50 foot rows. If they all make, we will be eating onion & potatoes for a long time. Now all we need is more rain and warm weather!



It was cool and windy yesterday when we planted it. Of course to me it was freezing cold and I had on 2 coats and gloves.

I have only planted 3 gardens in my life. Two of those times, I had just had Sandi & Sonya. New babies and gardens, what was I thinking? Don't panic, I'm not having a baby with this one!

Love Is All Around Us

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Hope your day is full of love & laughter!

Happy Birthday Ronnie!

Today is my step-son Ronnie's birthday. Hope you have a happy day!

It is also Friday the 13th! We will also have one next month. Everybody be careful out there!

Sweethearts

It's almost Valentine's Day, so here are two sweethearts. Mama & Daddy have been married almost 57 years. They were high school sweethearts and still as much in love with each other as they were then.

Thinking of you!

Sandi & Sonya: Just to let you know I'm thinking of you!

Old Wives Tales

Last night was spring in Texas. Thunderstorms, tornado watches & warnings, hail & wind were all around us. According to old wives tales, if it thunders in February you will have frost on that same date in April. I have checked this for the past few years and it is fairly accurate. Not that I believe in old wives tales or superstitions or ghosts, but I marked my calendar and knocked on wood.

Belated Happy Birthday Kerri

Yesterday was my daughter-in-law Kerri's birthday. I thought about it all day, but failed to put anything on here. Sorry Kerri! Hope you had a good day. By being late, you get to enjoy it one more day!

To Mia

I'm sending this rose to Mia! Hope you are being a good patient! If you get close to the monitor, close your eyes & use that great imagination of yours, you'll be able to smell the sweet fragrance. Love you!

Born to be Wild

With the weather being so dry here, we have to check the tanks or ponds (as everyone calls them now) to make sure there is still plenty of water for the cattle to drink. We being a figurative term because I usually don't do this, but Saturday Behm & I went.

This meant riding on the 4-wheeler. I was a little leery of this because I have only ridden one other time. . . with Daddy several years ago when I was younger & not so afraid of broken bones. I was fairly certain that Behm would be more of a speedster than Daddy too. I bravely got on, said a quick prayer, & held on for dear life! I told Behm to warn me if he ducked to miss tree branches because I had my eyes closed. When I opened my eyes, we were at the springs that Buffalo Springs was named for.



Then we were transported to the moon! Not really, but these huge rocks are on this pasture & they are different from the usual sandstone rocks I'm used to seeing. They remind you of tombstone rocks, but are more pebbly (is that a word?).



Here I am after the ride. It was really a fun trip and Behm was a pretty safe driver!



The most important part of riding 4-wheelers is to dress properly. Must haves for every ride are a cap, long sleeve shirt, glasses to keep the dirt out of your eyes, & the ever important zebra stripe bag to carry your camera!

Slow Speed Zone Ahead

From 1



to



in a flash!

Mama, Daddy, Sandi, Sage, John, Behm, & I celebrated my birthday last night. Good food, birthday cake, cards, roses, love & laughter. What more could you want? Unless it would be Sonya, Joel, Mia & Julian here with us celebrating.

Sonya sent me a CD that included my "funeral song" and Sandi bought my "funeral flowers" for me. I have told them for years that if they didn't play "Way Over Yonder" by Carole King at my funeral I would haunt them forever. Last week at a visitation I saw the prettiest floral arrangement & told Behm I wanted that for my funeral. I was telling Sandi about it yesterday & she got the purple roses for me and told me to enjoy them while I was living.





I did the Wii Fit & my age was exactly right. I still have enough air to blow out all the candles at one time! Don't count, there aren't 55!



Thank you all for a wonderful birthday! I love ya'll!

Dog Days of Winter?

I've heard of the dog days of summer, but I didn't know it carried over into winter. I feel like doing this. Just napping in the warm sunshine! I think I would need Coco's bed though. Metal isn't very soft!

All in the Family

This is Behm's grandmother (playing the organ), aunts & uncles. They were a musical bunch. Ronnie (Behm's son) has the organ now and we have the stool.

She passed away before I became a part of this family. Every year at their family reunion, she & her sisters would dress alike. I knew her 3 sisters and they continued that tradition.

Aunt Hay, her sister, was an inspiring woman. She had both legs removed because of diabetes, but that didn't get her down. She crocheted dish cloths, coasters, house shoes and other items to give as door prizes at every reunion. Her handmade items were the first choice for everyone.

Their mother was blind and continued to carry on all the household chores without any problems.

Behm's mother will be 80 this year and is more limber than I am. She has COPD & is always working on knitting or sewing projects.

When Behm has a day off, he is "antsy" if he isn't busy working on something. I guess it runs in the family!

Dreams

I wonder if this little guy dreams of growing up to be this one day!

Writing

There are people who can tell and write stories in great detail with great results. I'm not one of them. If I have to tell something, I use as few words as possible to get the point across. I'll never write a great novel. I'm more of a "Reader's Digest Condensed" person.

Happy Groundhog's Day

I hope Phil doesn't see his shadow. I'm ready for winter to be over!!!!

Daddy

This is my Daddy in his younger days. He's always been a wild and crazy guy!! He is still doing and saying things that make me laugh! #7, LOL!!