Thursday, April 30, 2009

Remembering Grandpa Kinney



Grandpa Kinney was born on this date in 1901. I never remember him having black hair like in the picture above. In my lifetime, he had white hair and always smoked a pipe. I can remember coming home from school & knowing Grandpa & Grandma had been there by the sweet smell of his pipe tobacco. He always smoked Prince Albert.

Grandpa's chair was always the one we ran to sit in when he left the house, but as soon as he walked in the back door we jumped out of it. I don't remember him getting on to us for sitting there. We knew that was his place and we only borrowed it for a little while. I remember after he died, it was hard for me to sit in his chair. It was a place of honor in my eyes and I didn't want to show disrespect to him.

He always wore a khaki shirt & pants. No other colors & the shirt had to have 2 pockets. No frills for Grandpa.

During the summer when my cousins & I stayed with them, we would go every morning with Grandpa to check the cows & goats. We all loaded up in the back of the pickup & off we would go, at a blazing speed of maybe 30! I now know why he drove so slow. It took becoming a grandmother myself before it clicked.

The only time I remember Grandpa scolding us was when we were coming back from Windthorst after selling feed sacks. We were in the back of the pickup & Jan & I had waved at some boys. The boys would drive behind us for a while, pass us, & then pull over so we had to pass them. This went on for a little while until Grandpa pulled off the highway, got out of the pickup, & told us not to wave at anyone again! If someone followed me like that today, I would be scared to death & call 911.

Grandpa was always standing at the door waiting for his kiss goodbye. He was a quiet man and used his words wisely. He didn't have a lot to say, but you knew you were loved by him.

I'm quiet like he was. I hope my grand kids will know how much I love them, like we knew he loved us. I love & miss him even to this day.

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Light Wasn't On



Behm & I went to an auction Saturday. Behm got a few tools.

Since I didn't buy anything Saturday, I went to another auction Sunday & bought several treasures. None of which I went to buy. Bidding got a little high for old cheapie me. I've kicked myself since then, wishing I had gone just a little higher.

The wind was blowing (like it has been all year) and it looked like it might rain, so I had already carried some things to the pickup which was parked about a block away.

After my last purchases, I moved the pickup closer and instead of making 2 trips I thought I could do it in 1. I only had 2 boxes so 1 trip should do. I carried a large plastic container with my treasures, aka Junk, & dragged a large cardboard box full of more treasures. I could have spent less energy if I had taken 2 trips.

After I got home and unloaded everything, I looked at the plastic container. It had wheels!!! I was carrying the rolling container while dragging the other. I know someone was watching me & thinking that poor woman needs to go home & stay. Sometimes I really amaze myself!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Garden Update

This part of the garden is just now coming up. Beans, corn, okra, & black-eyed peas. Those big holes are where Behm & I have tromped around looking for little sprouts!


Here's the onions & potatoes (with bug-go-away on leaves).



First tomato bloom!



First item picked from the garden! I think I may have waited too long, it was tough. I'm going to pick some more today before they are all that way.



The only things that didn't come up are carrots & zucchini. I think the seeds must have been bad on the zucchini because we've planted them twice & still no plants. I told Behm he put a hex on them because he doesn't like either one!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Remembering Grammy



Grammy was born on this day in 1910. She was only 15 when she married Grandad. They were married for 50 years when Grandad passed away.

Grammy was short, maybe 5'1", give or take an inch. I remember when we would play dress-up, I was so excited when her shoes finally fit me. I was probably 6 at the time, she had tiny feet! She always wore high heels and a dress. I guess the heels were to help her reach things in her cabinets better.

Her closet was my favorite place to go in her house. Opening the door and finding stacks of catalogs to look through was always like finding a treasure chest. She not only had the usual Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs, but Spiegel, National Bella Hess & lots more I can't remember the names of now but were full of items I thought would be wonderful to be able to buy. Spiegel was special because it had an actual fabric swatch in the bedding section. I'm sure I wore it out touching the rich fabric every time I was there! Someday when I'm rich, I'm going to buy one of everything in Lillian Vernon's catalog whether I need it or not!

Grammy played the piano at church and only 2 of her grandchildren inherited that ability from her. Not me, but I remember playing "I Dropped My Dolly in the Dirt" on her piano. I'm sure she was ready to run out of the house screaming when all her grandkids were pounding on her piano, but I don't remember her ever getting on to us.

I inherited her stacking ability. If there is a horizontal surface in my house it is stacked with magazines or papers. Her dresser was like that.

She got her driver's license after Grandad had his first heart attack when she was probably in her sixties. I can't imagine trying to do that now.

Grammy passed away in 1995 after suffering with Alzheimer's for several years. She has been missed.

Grammy may have been little, but she was a big woman in my eyes. I loved and admired her very much and hope that I have her strength and courage to face things that may come in the future.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Oklahoma

While eating my breakfast of peanut butter & crackers yesterday, I found this broken cracker.



It looks like the state of Oklahoma. I thought I might try to sell it on ebay. It sat on my desk all day until time to go home & then I ate it. Fame & fortune gone because of hunger pangs!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Personalities

These 3 pictures show the personalities of my grandchildren.

Mia is a little apprehensive. She couldn't be rough enough to make the horse go where she wanted to.



Sage is in deep thought about something...probably his computer game.



Julian never wants his picture taken so we have lots of his back. He really just wants to play and not slow down to smile for the camera.



I love these three! I can see a little bit of me, personality wise, in each of them. Thank goodness they didn't get all my craziness!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Busy Days

Whew!! It's been a busy few days. Last Thursday night, I went to see Sage in a school play & brought him home with me. Saturday was Mia's birthday party in Oklahoma, that we missed. It looks like they had a great time!

We had the Joy VFD Fish Fry that we have to fix 40 lbs. of red beans, 3 desserts & work at that same day. We raised around $16,000.00 & it was the best year we have ever had!

Behm's uncle had a surprise 90th birthday party that we missed that day too.

Sunday, Mama, Daddy & I went to Oklahoma & saw the family. We brought Sage home, planted 4 rows of black-eyed peas & 2 rows of okra.

Last night I worked on ebay & tonight I weeded the potatoes & we have potato bugs that are going to have to be dealt with.

Maybe I'll get back on track & start posting daily again!



This picture has nothing to do with anything I'm talking about it. Just hate to write without pictures!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Warm Weather

It was warm here yesterday afternoon. How warm? Warm enough for this to be hanging around my front porch!





I am now on alert for rattlesnakes. Every time I see one of these, a few days later we receive a visit from a rattlesnake. I just hope it's not on my front porch.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIA!!!

I became a grandmother 12 years ago today when Miss America arrived in this world! It doesn't seem possible that it's been that long since I first saw my black haired, brown eyed Granddaughter. You have always been a beautiful girl and even though I don't get to see you as often as I would like, I think of you and love you every day. I hope you have a fun filled birthday party today & I'll be thinking of you. Happy Birthday Mia!!! I love you!!!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Happy Anniversary Mama & Daddy!



You set the standards high for finding the right one to spend your lifetime with. I love ya'll!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ford Family

We went to Behm's mother's house for Easter. His sister & her family were there also. We started laughing when we looked out the window at our vehicles lined up. We all drive Ford vehicles. Do you think we need to send this picture to Ford?

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Happy Birthday Mama!

Today is Mama's birthday! I can never thank you enough for all you have done for me and my family. From making all my clothes (even if I wanted a complicated dress the next day) to helping raise Sandi & Sonya, you have always been there for me. You not only are my Mother, but my friend. I love you very much! Hope you have a Happy Birthday & keep on smiling!



Monday, April 13, 2009

Giant Ant!

Friday Behm & I went to see if a pasture we have leased in Archer County had been burned. Luckily it wasn't. On the way there I saw this:



I made him stop on the way back so I could get a picture. Look closer.



Even the red ants are bigger in Texas!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter to all! Here's some old Easter pictures from my childhood. It looks like it was windy then too.

My aunt Gloria, cousin Patricia, yours truly, & cousin Jeanne.



Me, cousin Jackie, & cousin Jeanne.



I think these two were the same year. No hat & parasol after church.


Friday, April 10, 2009

Fires

Fires were raging all around us yesterday. Low humidity plus crazy strong winds made things perfect for these fires. There were several around Bryson, north of Jacksboro, west of Windthorst & others all around. Lake Arrowhead, Bellevue, and parts of Jack County were evacuated. Sandi called when she got off work & said there was smoke in Fort Worth. I don't know if it was from Jack County or all the other fires around.

This was smoke from the fires near Bryson which is 15 miles away from where this picture was taken. I heard there were several homes destroyed over there.



I left work and found out I couldn't go home the way I normally do. TXDOT had Highway 148 closed and told me the highway to Bowie was closed and also the one to Windthorst. I had talked to Behm & was pretty sure there weren't any between Jacksboro & Windthorst and Mama & Daddy were at Windthorst & couldn't see any smoke that way, so I headed toward Windthorst. They went to see if the highway was open & made it to Windthorst. There were 2 road blocks. The first one said I couldn't get through to the highway I needed and should go back to Jacksboro. The second one said I could make it & I met Mama & Daddy at Windthorst. They went back to Jacksboro & I headed east to home. It was clear all the way.

This warning sign was outside of Windthorst & you can see how smoky it was there.





Behm & I went to check on a well after I got home & this was the fire west of Scotland, about 20 miles away.



I talked to several people from Jacksboro later & there were several homes destroyed in Jack County & the fires were still raging last night. One lady I work with said two fires missed them, but they were packed & waiting to see if the third one was going to get them. I haven't heard anything this morning, but I'm hoping today will be a much better day for everyone.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Garden Update

Our onions are looking good, tomatoes & peppers survived the cold, but our potatoes look sick. They were really pretty until the cold and then some of the leaves turned black. Now some of the leaves are dead. I don't know what is wrong with them. The one thing I can enjoy out of the garden may not make it until harvest.

Yesterday we planted corn & more tomatoes & pepper plants. Some of the green beans have already started peeking their heads out of the ground, little beets, but no carrots or zucchini yet.

The only thing that's really growing is the length of the rows.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Broken Dishes

This tombstone is in the Pleasant Valley cemetery and dated in the 1940's. I thought it was interesting that they used pieces of broken dishes in the tombstone. I wonder if the dishes had a special meaning to this family or if the monument maker was ahead of his time on recycling?



Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Iris

This is the only iris that has bloomed at the house. Last year they were so pretty, but I'm not sure any more will bloom this year. This crazy cold one day, hot the next has even gotten them confused as to how to dress. I started off the day with a turtleneck sweater and now am wearing short sleeves. Tomorrow I may wear sleeveless.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday Shorts

Yesterday was a busy day. I went to a few garage sales (Julie you were right), took my income tax to the CPA (yes, I wait until the last minute), delivered Sandi's treasures to Windthorst (so I could make room for more), and went to a pickin' & grinnin' at Joy. I think I needed a few more hands.



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Happy Faces

I'm always seeing faces in inanimate objects like floor tiles, sidewalks, & port-a-potties. I'm not sure what that means, but it probably isn't good.

These two look like they are smiling. I know it can't be from the perfume they are wearing or could it? Maybe they like that smell.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Hold on to your Hat!

It has been so windy here today that you need to fasten yourself to a tree. This method might be a little painful!