The MO Farmers Daughter

I Would Buy A Dodge Ram

2014-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed the ACM awards the other night...I loved the Dodge Ram Commercial...about the farmer...
the next day I went with dad to the store and I noticed his belt was fastened with baler wire...it brought tears to my eyes...thought of the commercial...".my dad was definitely the winner of the AC Ms in my eyes!"
If I bought him a new belt he would be mad at me...making do has brought him through some tough times...
its so special.
So special in fact that If I ever become financially stable...I will purchase a Dodge Ram...just as a thank you for the commercial.
Thank You to the Dodge company for the best commercial on television ever in the history of television!

The Day John F Kennedy Was Assinated

2013-11-18T12:12:00.001-08:00

50 years ago,What were you doing?

What were you doing,the day John F.Kennedy was assinated?
Were you born yet?It happened exactly 50 years ago,November 22,1963.
I was 6 years old,and attending a one room rural school house named"Haines Grove" in rural Iantha/Lamar area of Barton County Mo
There were no telephones,no computers,no TV,at school.at all!
Their was no communication.

It was so cold that fall,already,the wind was bitter,all we had was the coal stove,at home and at school.That day I peed my pants on the way to the out house,because ,the thought of nice warm pee sounded better to me than walking all the way to the outhouse ,the pee was all in my socks and down in my shoe,not to mention my black ski pants and thin white cotton pantie,s.
My teacher" Mrs. Mary Hizer " pulled my clothing off and asked my brother for his plaid flannel shirt,he had on a white cotton undershirt underneath,so she went to the well and pumped water to hand wash my underthings and hung my wet clothing above the old coal stove to dry.

I pranced around in my brothers shirt,feeling pretty cute,and then the teacher very sternly told me to sit down and read my reader,SALLY,DICK AND JANE,witch I dearly loved.RUN SPOT RUN,GO DICK GO GET SPOT,SEE JANE HELP DICK,JANE CAN RUN,WATCH JANE RUN AS FAST AS SPOT AND DICK..I read aloud.
..When I wasn't trying to learn to read,I was being a naughty little girl,always getting into a mess.,and I haven't changed a bit over the years..
.One day I got caught eating potato chips under my desk,and that day I ate chocolate cake,under my desk
.She,Mary Hizer had spanked me already that day..
That afternoon,a strange man came and quietly knocked on the door of the school. Mary Hizer went to the door.I ran up to her,and pulled on her skirt loudly saying,"I think my panties are dry." Not now, Carol Ann she said...
but,I kept on bothering her...
The strange man,was her husband..
.Whats wrong,she asked.The President of the United States has been shot.Tears rolled down her face,and I rushed up to her skirt.still only half dressed.The cold wind blowing through the doorway.Do they know who did it?They don't know yet.
We suspect its the "Russians".We need to get prepared,just in case they decide to drop the Atomic bomb.You stay here with the children,I will go home and prepare the bomb shelter with more food for an emergency,he said.Surely the parents will come as soon as they hear the news.
This man was in a panic,and he was not thinking clearly,no one was at that moment.
He sternly warned her!
Get in the car,and listen to the car radio,and if you hear that the bomb has been dropped,just drive the car as fast as you can home,with all of the children.Hopefully,all of the parents will come get the children early.
Tears rolled down her face,and she hugged me tight,don't be afraid she said..

Mrs.Mary Hizer,announced to the class,"The President of the United States,John F.Kennedy has been shot!
The older girls cry ed.I want all of the children to get your coats and lunch boxes,and books.Anyone who lives close,can walk home.Does anyone have a telephone at your house?
One student had a phone,but,none of the other parents had a telephone,so none of the parents could be called
It was decided that we would pray,before we got into the car,we just didn't know what we might hear on the car radio.So,we all piled into Mrs.Mary Hizer's,mint green 1959 Chevrolet station wagon.We were just stuffed in,I sat on my brother 's lap,he was a big boy age 12
.We listened to the car radio.They think now,that it is not the "Russians"after all...But,a lone gunman.
,The Dallas Police....,and the radio went on,and on,repeating itself,over and over,so far,that's all the information they had,so they repeated what they had,over and over...I could hear her,Mrs.Mary Hizer,sigh with relief.After about an half hour,I saw my mother driving up,in our turquoise blue,1955, GM pickup,I also felt a sigh of relief!
Mother was wearing her black ski pants that day with a matching sweater just like mine,she had ordered us matching mother daughter sets out of the Montgomery Wards catalog,we did that a lot,matching mother daughter clothes.That made me feel a little more comfortable for some reason.

.Momma"Hallie"and Mr.Mary Hizer,talked a while,How crazy it was,and that it could still be the "Russians"...Still in 1963,people were afraid of the"Russians"Or the Mafia trying to get rid of him,or was it our own government?
...People had bomb shelters still from the 1940s/1950s...people were afraid.

It was decided,that there would be no school for the rest of the week.
The school flag,was lowered to half mask out of respect for the president.

The next day,it snowed very hard,we were isolated in the country,miles from the rest of the world,We stayed inside all day to keep warm close to our coal stove.

We watched television on our black and white cherry wood Phil co.It was tall,and had beautiful cherry wood doors that opened wide when we watched it,and closed when we were finished.We had at least 2 channels,KO AM channel 7 out of Pitts burg KS.And channel 12,KO DE TV,out of Joplin Mo...
..That day I remembered thinking about my own daddy,where was he,that morning,he had not played the piano that morning,he got up very early.
I was still in bed,but,I could hear that he was talking softly to moma about going to the stockyard to sell some cattle.
Hallie had said that maybe they would be closed today,afterall the president had been shot.
He did go sell cattle early that morning because he was afraid,the entire world was a little afraid,bad things had happened in the past and he wanted to make sure he was able to get money.
No one knew exactly what was going to happen in the country,we thought more was going to happen other than just the shooting of the president.
Years latter,I learned that he was up at our new home that afternoon,inside,working on a fireplace he was building himself.So,he didn't watch the funeral with us on TV,he felt uneasy he said,about finances,and if he would be called back into war...he wanted to finish the house as fast as he could just in case something happened.
It was the What If,s that worried us.
Latter we found out that Lee Harvey Oswald had shot Kennedy,we were all we glued to television for days.I remember mothers soap opera" Day,s Of Our Lives" was suddenly interrupted when Jack Ruby shot him.
Like Sand through an hourglass,so our the Day,s of Our Lives!
.....I remember hurting for" Caroline Kennedy,"and little" John John",they were exactly the same age as my little brother and I
.I cry ed for her for over a week,I finally asked mom if Caroline could come over to play.

She.,"Hallie" never told me no,that "Caroline Kennedy" could not play with me,only that it was not proper for me to ask her so soon after a death.
She also told me that I had to wait until" Caroline Kennedy "asked me to play.So,I am still waiting..

What she" Caroline Kennedy" doesn't know is that,through the magic of television,she was the only little girl I knew existed in the world that was exactly my age,oh I had cousins close to my age,and I knew "Freda",the third grader.
Caroline" was just my age,and I loved her,and I worried about her,and prayed for her.
..I have posted a picture of the little set of blue willow dishes,and my singer sewing machine,I received that year at the school Xmas party. I wanted to show them to Caroline that winter so bad and to tell her all about my special party.
..Would,t it be something if she read this blog today and knew that I loved her?

Outdoor Branson Drama To End

2013-10-05T11:55:00.002-07:00

Shepard Of The Hills to put on final performance Oct 19 2013...I am very unhappy about this.
We are not personally involved,except for very historical reasons... my great,great grandfather was the original doctor,his name was changed in the book because of royalties,but his real name was Compton,and lived on Compton Ridge in Bran son.He was the doctor,and Harold Bell Wright was his best friend.
I wish that I had a diary or pictures but I do not the home was burned in the early twentys and this side of the family has nothing but a clock,that we belive belonged to the doctor.
My dad does remember a couple of fishing trips with Wright and visiting his home in Arizona by train as a small child.

The Shepard of the Hills is a true story,based on real people.

Joplin Globe,Joplin Mo.

Bran son,Mo.-After 54 seasons in Bran son,the Shepard of the Hills Outdoor theatre will end its performance on Oct 19.
In a statement released Wednesday,the owners of the business cited rising insurance and production costs,declining crowds,and cost associated with the new federal health care law.
Officials with Shepard of the Hills did not return phone calls seeking comment on the closure and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on their business.
It came as a schock for sure,"said Lynn Berry,director of communications for the Bran son/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau."We all thought they would always be one of those Bran son touchstones."
Started in 1960,the Shepard of the Hills play was one of the early attractions witch Bran son was built.At its peak during the 1970,sand 1980,s,it drew more than 2,000 guest each night,and shows were sold out,the company said in its written statement.
"It is with a very heavy heart that we make this difficult statement,"Gary and Pat Snadon,owners of the park,said in the statement."We have had an incredible run,"

The outdoor drama is based on the book of the same name,published in 1907 and written by Harold Bell Wright.His visit to the Bran son area became the basis for the novel,witch sold more than 1 million copies.

Re-enactments of the story began as early as the 1920s,but it was,t until Aug.6,1960,that the Old Mill Theatre began regular performances.

Gary Snadon,who played the role of Wash Gibbs in the drama for three seasons bought the theater and homestead in 1985.

Going On....
The Shepard of the Hills homestead will be presverved and maintained as a historical landmark,the company said,and tours of Old Matt,s Cabin,witch is on the National Register of Historic places,will still be available during the summer months.Inspiration Tower and the Vigilante Extreme Zip rider will be open year round.During November and December,the trail of lights Drive through and the Christmas on the Chuck wagon Dinner Show will still operate normally.

My Redwork

2013-09-04T10:27:00.001-07:00

This is what I do when I watch TV.Spilt coffe on the rocking horse,but have heard Fels Napha soap will remove it.

I much loved watching AXS TV on Monday.
I was just lazy all day,watched country concerts all day.

Dear Harry Co nick,much loved your version of of George Jone,s "she thinks I still care"
I have a crush on you you know that...why?because you possess the same 40,s glamour and swagger as my father.
I would only have to redress you in farmers clothes...
It goes like this Harry...
One Sunday evening in the early 1960,s,I refused to go to church because Walt Disney was playing a rerun of some show I loved,it was probably Pollyanna,or Old Yell er,but,I threw a fit...
So daddy said he,d stay home with me,so He went out to feed cattle and I watched my show...
When he came back into the house,he walked right into the house with manure on his boots...
Daddy Your boots!I screamed...
It was commercial break and he changed the channel to the Porter Waggoner show...
He loved Dolly Par ton,but that night George Jones was singing...She thinks I still care...
I changed the channel back after the song to finish my show,and daddy walked back outside carrying back into the house a new born baby calf...
But daddy there is manure all over Momma clean and newly waxed floor..."If Momma sees this floor"She,s gonna move to town!"
I,ll tell ya what,he said...If you clean it up I will give you 20 dollars,and I,ll give your momma a hundred,and you can both go shopping!
So after loving on the baby calf a few minutes,I got busy cleaning the floor up so she would,t see it before she got back home from church.
Momma got back home and we all went to bed.
After everyone was asleep,I got up and put my coat on and decided that if it was too cold outside for a new baby calf that my rabbits were going to get cold too,SO put my coat on and ventured outside in the pitch black freezing weather.
Little girls wore dresses then,and I suppose I had on a nightgown,and had worn my nightgown under my coat.
I ran back into the house with as many rabbits as I could carry in my gown,probably about 2 adults and 4 babies,I suppose.
I was so cold,and it was very dangerous for me to sneek out in freezing weather alone,I could of gotton lost in the dark and frozen to death.
I then got my doll blankets and all of my dolls,and the blankets off of my bed and slept with my coat and shoes still on right next to the sleeping baby calf on our kitchen floor.
The next morning daddy gave his usual morning performance at 5 o'clock in the morning he awoke and came into the kitchen and there lie his beautiful little girl with a head of blond curls sleeping with her arms around a new baby calf,he quietly fixed his coffee and sat a while...then as usual walked over to his piano to play "Chantilly Lace"...by Jerry Lee Lewis,this was his everyday wake up song.
Next...he picked out by ear...You guessed it...
George Jones,She thinks I still care...
The baby calf began to loudly bawl....
I just knew I was gonna get a whip pin...with his belt...
But,I was lucky..he just smiled,as rabbits hopped all over mo mas clean kitchen...
The calf keep a bawl in,there was NO Time to whip me...
Come here honey,I teach you how to make his milk,he says...
Standing by the kitchen sink was a one hundred pound sack of milk starter,and a plastic bottle...
"It takes about a cup of this he says,and then you fill the rest of the bottle up with warm water,he fills it and then shakes it hard with one of his large hands he puts his big finger over the nipple.
we then proceed to feed our bawling baby right there in the kitchen.
After we fed the baby calf,momma was up walking into the kitchen...Guess What?
I proceed to do the Nelly Dawn Dance...
Were going to Nelly Dawns,were going to Nelly Dawns!
Nelly Dawn,s was a large fabric store,actually a large manufacturing plant that manufactured store bought clothes and fabric.
That was my equivalent to the Mall of today,because when I was a child there was no Mall,and no Wall mart.
She smiled a big smile!Great!That will be fun!
Daddy pulled a one hundred doll or bill he had been saving out of his wallet and gave it to momma,"I am sure sorry I ruined your floor Hallie but,I lost a cow last night,and I sure do want to save this baby calf.
About that time,I tell ,its OK that she had just pooped all over the floor,Poop some more I wispered to her,maybe Daddy will give us more money!
Its OK,she says,knowing this has happened several other times...
After it warmed up some that morning,he took a quilt off of the bed and wrapped it around the calf,and I carried all of my bunnies back outside,he carried the calf out to the barn,I drug all of my Barbies out there too and my baby dolls and babysit with the calf a while.
Latter that afternoon he had me come back inside,and he sat down at the piano again,to pick out by ear...George Jones...She thinks I still care...
Thank You Harry.

Garden

2013-06-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

The iris are beautiful this year!

This is the beautiful bed of iris I have inherited from Hallie.
I have a lot of weeding to do!
But,I am a very blessed girl.

Photos of Dad As A Child

2013-06-22T12:06:00.002-07:00

These are a few of my favorite photos of my dad,the boy who sat on Harold Bell Wright,s lap as a small child,Harold,was a old man at the time but Adored Don as a child.
Dad remembers fishing trips with Wright near Branson, and visiting his home in Arizona by train from Missouri.I have pumped and pumped his for details and he can,t remember much.But,I am still pumping him for details.
Now everyone knows,I came by my hillbilly girl ways naturally.
Harold Bell Wright was the author of the famous book The Shepard of the Hills,he visited the home of my dads grandparents often when visiting Springfield MO from Arizona.When he came to visit,little Don was his little buddy.
There is no wonder he has hillbilly ways considering his Bran son roots.
Harold modeled the characters in his books after real people.
His best friend in Branson was my great grandfather,his Doctor,when he talked about a doctor in many of his books,he used my grandfather as his guide,only he changed the last name because of legal issues.
Harold died at age 72 not realizing that he would obtain literary imortality because of the book "The Shepard of the Hills",witch the Ozark people have made live perennially.
There are 19 books in all.
1903 that printer of Udell,s1907 The Shepard Of The Hills1909 The Calling Of Dan Matthews1910 The UnCrowned King1911 The Winning Of Barbara Worth1912 Their Yesterdays1914 The Eyes Of The World1916When A Mans A Man1919 The Re-Creation Of Brian Kent1921Helen Of The Old House1923 The Mine With The Iron Door1925 A Son Of His Father1927 God And The Groceryman1929 Long Ago Told1930 Exit1932 The Devils Hiway1932 Ma Cinderella1934 To My Sons1942 The Man Who Went Away More photos

Quilts

2013-06-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

A fewof Hallies quilts,I only have photos of a few of them,she peiced

aproxamately 50 tops,by hand,and hired someone to hand quilt them for her.
She never took a quilt class,perfering to do it all the way her mothers mother taught her.

Keepin It Real

2013-06-17T13:45:00.001-07:00

My days are very full right now...Not much of a farmgirl these days...
Mad at daddy,but,who can stay mad at and old man...he made me get rid of the goats and chickens for a while,and hear I wanted to tell all of my friends that I was a farm girl...
Well,real life,or as Allen Jackson says in one of his recent country songs...Here in the real world....
I am too old he says,fearing that he will have to do all of the work...I can do it all daddy,I say...
Oh no you can,t!
I throw a crying hissy fit...
he demands!
But...daddy...
NO...."YOUR NOT MY DARLIN ANYMORE"GENE AUTRY...
wait till I die he says...But...
Your jumping the gun,you just cant wait for me to die he says...
No daddy,I love you,I never want you to die,you are my whole world,I love you!
You just jumping the gun,and besides,you don,t have time right now,you just wait!
But daddy...he does,t know how hard I have worked on this project...or maybe he does and that's the problem...he thinks,I want him to die....Oh No...I wanted to take care of you forever,I wanted this to be our project...I wanted to create more memories together...please get this ugly thought out of your mind.
Oh No!
What to do...
Why do old people get these thoughts into their head?
And so....I miss my goat...
my chickens were beautiful...
I had them in an old cattle trailer,with antique tin nest...so cute...the problem was no electricity last winter,and having to crack the ice in the water pan.
Last summer,was so much fun,I was hi as a kite...I had a great garden too,I even sold at the farmers market...
I even took my handmade clothing to the market,and aprons,good stuff!
But...this year...Oh this year....
Too much rain.
We have had way too much rain.
I do have 6 tomatoe plants and some herbs,this year,if they haven,t rotted.
Too many trips to the hospital with my son...,maybe daddy is right..

We have verbally fought all spring,first it was over the tiller,then the lawn mower,then the roof,then the scrap pile,then burning trash,then me cleaning his house,I want to clean the yard,he is just purposely letting things go,...
The harder I try to clean the more he dirty,s things up,and the more scrap he brings home.
Yes...Recycling is a good thing...but,enough is enough,lets take a load to market,Now! I scream!
No...Not next week,today...
So...I throw a screaming hissy fit over the lawn mower...he goes to the Amish man next door and the Amish man works on small engines...
The neighbor comes over and hand mow es his yard and refuses to let daddy pay...then he fixed his old mower and he still refused pay.
The Amish man puts new metal roofs on houses for a living...
Dad,I say,the man has a family to support,it is your christian duty to purchase a new roof.
Please I beg...
Oh you just can,t wait for me to die...
I am furious with him these days.

Last Sunday was Fathers Day.
On Friday of last week,"Stormy" the head of staff at the Barton Co.Sr.Center made paper neck ties for all the men who ate lunch...Dad looked adorable in his,how can I stay mad.
I hope he lives to be 120,Just please stop being so stubborn!
He enjoys my hissy fits!

The plumbing in the bathroom broke..
.After a month of screaming he finally fixed it for me...
He purchased a new used bathroom sink,at a garage sale for 2 dollars.Oh!He was happy about that!"
Put it in himself..
He is" STRONG".
At age 86 still has muscles of a 20 year old man,huge,farmer tanned muscled arms.
He was so handsome when he was a younger man and you can still see that.

What is so funny about it...is that...I had to go to the bathroom really bad one day,number two...what do I do,no out house...I promptly went to the scrap pile I had been screaming about and lifted the lid on an old medical potty chair he had in the alumni scrap pile,he had hundreds of these chairs.Yes hundreds.
I know,tmi....but...I am keeping the farm girl experience real for you,its not all glamour...
It is so much work.
There I sat,on a pot out doors,overalls down around my knees,doing number two in broad daylight...
Where was a girl to go?
I just knew the Amish neighbor or Matthew was gonna catch me...
Remembering all of the childhood days of a nice outhouse,I thought a snake was going to crawl up my hiney...Oh how funny,the girls laughed when I told them at the salon the next day"Well,at least a snake was,t in the pot when I opened it!"
Well,if Mary Jane can take a bath,outside,in broad daylight,guess,I can take a dump!
We laughed so hard.
All you can do in this situation is laugh.
I know for a fact that daddy enjoys my hissy fits!
Every week,I have a new one...too many weeds...and poison ivy
Too many sticker trees,too many varmints...
too much scrap....
The scrap is a nasty mess!It drives me wild,Momma Hallie never would of stood for it!..I need Glamour...
He drives me wild!
Yesterday,I came home and he had shot 2 possums,and a coon off of the porch that had been eating cat food...He was cleaning the possum for me to cook,and said I could go feed the rest of it to the dog.
He had chased it with his cane into my 120$ metal rabbit cage I had recently purchased from Orleans Farm and Home,it now has a bullet hole in it!
If he knew I paid that much for it,he probably shoot me...just kidding!
I can,t win!
So,I threw the dead animals as far into the hi weeds as I could,hoping I did,t get any poison ivy...the dogs were thrilled!
That is not unusual,my entire life,I never knew if we were eating road kill or not...
I like most wild game,but,possum is not a favorite...I went into the house and threw it in a pot for him with some taters,but...I won,t eat it...now if in it was a squirl...I would eat that,but,not possum...it is greasy and it stinks. Idid enjoy the gravy though,but it is greasy gravy and I like the veg table and homemade biscuits,I just whipped up some quick drop biscuits for him.
But,he was just like Phil Robinson from Duck Dynasty,Happy Happy Happy!
But,I was PO,irritated and had another hissy fit!
The house was hot,he has air,too tight to run it...
I told him if momma was alive shed go and get another Divorce,shed move back to town I screamed...
He just laughs at me...Honey...ya want a bowl of ice cream?he says...laughing at me.
After he finishes eating,he walks over to the piano...
He begins singing and playing...
"Your the only star in my blue heaven" by Gene Au try...CZ he knows I am frustrated with him...I smile,make myself a bowl of ice cream while I start to sing too...
"Your the only star in my blue heaven...
An entire series of Gene Autry songs...Tweetly dee,tweetly dum,puffin on cornsilk...
Tumblin Tumblin Weeds...
How can I not love him...
There is no place like home.
Its so quiet on the farm.I went out doors...I heard a coyote howl...a frog croak,the crickets chirp,
you can hear the bee,s buzzing in an old fashioned rose bush which is excluding a heavenly odor,or is that honeysuckle I smell.
The breeze blows gently in your face and you can actually hear the wind.
An Amish buggy is coming down the road,I love to hear the trot trot of the horses footsteps.
I tell daddy that I will be back soon,that I am going with Matthew to feed cattle,and that I,d be back home in time to watch the Voice on television with him.
Please go take a bath...Well,you be careful,I don,t want you to get hurt,now a worried wreck over me,since a tractor ran over Matthews foot a few weeks ago...
{He has a lady,I am just helping him}
Stop it,daddy...I,ll be right back...I jump in Matthews bight red pickup and help haul hay.
It is a beautiful evening.
This is a true story,happened last week,hope you had a laugh too.

Edith

2013-06-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Today,I have been thinking about my aunt Edith.
Her home still smells of her perfume,Ta bu,it reeks of it even after death, it penetrates the woodwork and the hardwood floors so that over 20 years ,you can still smell her presence.I miss her.
She was a very special lady.
Very year,she shot seven deer,every fall at least 7,because Spirit loved the number 7.She was very religious,and a great shot with a gun.
The first hunting trip I went on with her was when I was three years old.
She wore a deer skin coat.No other meat was served at her home unless it was wild game,she did have a few sheep mostly for the wool.
She sewed and baked bread from a starter she had of her great grandmothers.I spent many hours with her in the kitchen and at the sewing machine.
.
When I was small I got to go to her house to play,I had a special toy drawer in the kitchen,it was just mine because their were no other small children around to bother it.It was filled with very special things,all antique,like a depression glass miniature tea set,and little tin bake ware,and my own apron,and just very special antique toys.She also had a set of little dishes shaped like ears of corn,like the set that she used for herself,I always thought her ears of corn dishes were so special.

She waited until she turned 30 to get pregnant,it was planned that way from the day she met my uncle Jack at age 12 near Summers ville Mo.A young 21 year old GI,had gone deer hunting there with my grandfather Vernon,somehow he had a buddy that lived there.It was love at first sight and he waited until she turned 18,and returned to marry her.
She was a remarkable woman,and I miss her very much,she died of a brain tumor also,just like my mom.I always thought it was the sacrin pills she put into her ice tea,she bragged about them,and got mo ma to do it too,to keep her great slim figure.
She always had a good sun tan from driving the tractor or combine,back then equipment did,t have cabs with air conditioning.
She was as much a mom to me as my own mother,for I was the star of the show for many years before the birth of her children.
On my 6th birthday she sewed dozens of barbie doll clothes for a gift
of course,my Barbie was one of the first editions,and I never owned any plastic toys to go with it,I had a Midge doll with red flipped hair,but that was all,never owned Ken.My cousins owned Ken and GI Joe,so that gave Barbie and Midge a chance to date.I just can not believe that this year is the 50th anniversary of the Barbie.

Her husband,my uncle hand made a little wooden table with 4 chairs.That way,I could continue to have tea parties at mom and dads just as I had done at her house.
I was spoiled rot ton.On my 6th birthday all of my cousins came for a baby doll pajama party,it was such a fun party!We made homemade crank ice cream for it.Edith just showered me with gifts,all handmade.
Most of all,I remember the skunk"Petunia".She had found her as a newborn and had the smell glads removed,the mother had been ran over by a car.
Oh,how I loved the skunk,it was so soft,and was so special.I was a regular critter lover,just like Ellie May Clam pet on TV,s Beverly Hillbillies!
Many people have wild animals as pets,a wild bob cat,if found at a very young age is a good one.
Edith,also had a baby bob cat,I named him Sammy.I have looked every place I can think of for the photos,and I can,t find them,I wanted to summit them to the next issue of Mary Jane's Farm...but...I need to clean house.
I have been extremely lucky to have had such a precious childhood,it was truly beautiful.It is my adult life that gets screwed up.{Thieves would not want my identity,witch is a standing running joke in the salon,we just giggle,bout how the joke would be on them...}
Oh,to be a child again,with no worries...I wish every little girl in Amercia could be raised the way I was,in a christian home...It doesn,t mean that they will not go down the wrong path as an adult...but it certainly does help...

This is my grandfathers brother Raymond with his pet raccoon.Its pretty neat too!

Hallie,s Cattle Ranch

2013-06-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hallie,s Cattle Ranch

Hallie loved antique cow creamers,this is two displays,she also had them on another wall,and on top of the ice box,but,I only have two photos today.

I love them also,these are very cherished items,I will have to share with my family one day.

I loved going antiquing with my mom and I miss her so much.

April is National Poetry Month

2013-04-18T14:16:00.001-07:00

I dearly love Paul McCartney and here is one of his poems from the book, Black bird Singing{1965-present}2001 by MPLCommunicationsLtd.

"Sometimes his poems are light as a feathers,They can tickle or fly,or delight the eye.Sometimes he writes four lines as heavy as a double-decker bus,or the heart its self."{Adrian Mitchell,editor}

Juniors Farm

You should of seen me with the poker man
I had a honey and I bet a grand
Just in the nick of timeI looked at his hand
I was talking to an Eskimo
Said he was hoping for fall snow
When up popped a sea lion ready to go
Lets go,lets go,lets go
Down to Junior,s Farm were I wanna lay low
Low life,high life,oh lets go
Take me down to Juniors Farm

At the houses of Parliament
Everybody,s talking about the President
We all chip in for a bag of cement
Ollie Hardy should of had more sense
He bought a gee-gee and he jumped the fence
All for the sake of a couple of pence
Let,s go,lets go,lets go
Down to Juniors Farm where I wanna lay low
Low life,high life,oh lets go
Take me down to Juniors Farm
Everybody tag along

This is me 1962 on a 500 acre farm near Iantha MO.

W Is For Warning

2012-12-05T16:17:00.001-08:00

One of my fellow blogger buddies has requested that I turn my blog into a learning blog because she wants to learn from me.It is like this...
Several years ago during my 80,s lady period of going to the cow boy bar Twisters every weekend to dance,and to drink,one night I ventured into the bar alone and sat down by another girl...back then it never bothered me to do so,but,today it would,anyway,I sat down by this girl named Jilleen.
Jilleen was dressed in a rhinestone mini dress and 4 inch heels,I was dressed in western jeans and boots.
I asked her why she was so dressed up.
I am from LA she says,and this is how we dress out there to go out,she says.
Oh,well around here we dress different,I ordered a Coors light long neck beer popular with 80,s ladies of the time here,Jilleen ordered a Johnny Walker black label Scotch on the rocks with a water back,and a pack of unfiltered Marlboro reds.
How can you drink that I asked?
She said,that she started drinking her dads at age 5,Oh,I said,my dad did not drink,and I was inexperienced I told her.
We hit it off and became quick friends,latter I taught I would be smart and order a mixed drink,so I ordered a Gin and Tonic,and she let me,then she said,how can you drink that,I said I don,t know,I just thought I,d try it...
No honey she says...try this,and she ordered a Tan grey and Tonic for me,"Never Never order bar gin,or bar anything she says!
You always ,always,order the brand name of liquor!
There ,I take a sip of the drink she has ordered for me,
Oh Wow!
Yes,Oh wow!
So,I learned something.
That night,she tried to to call a Limo to take her home,I just laughed at her,a Limo?
If you don,t mind riding in an old beat up farm truck,I,ll give you a ride.So,I did.
Jilleen and I were so different,like night and day.
Her husband was a wealthy Italian business man away on business a lot,he had her staying in Kansas for protection he said,and asked if I,d take her to the farm and hide her a few weeks,so I did.
That's another story,but,while getting to know her I tried to learn from her a few things..
One day she cut and lighted a wealthy mans fine Cuban cigar...I said teach me how to do that...
Her answer to me was...
Some things in life can not be taught in a book.
That confused me,then and it does some what today,but...
Some things in life you are born into,and you just learn in life that just simply can not be written or learned in a short period of time,
In my Rebbecca Lodge we call it the Secret Work...
Or The Unwritten Work.
Remember how in the movie named The Help how the other girls treated that one white girl,that just did,t fit in?Sort of ,kinda the same thing,in a way,but,different.
Well,In Life,We also call it,The Unwritten stuff.
I may not know how to cut a fine Cuban Cigar,or ride in a Limo...but...
I do know...
You can drown in a pile of pig shit...pig shit gets hard and crusty on top,and stays runny inside.It piles up sometimes in tall piles.
Don,t play on top of the Soy beans,or the Wheat...you can suffocate to death.
A rattlesnake can still bite ya after the head is cut off...they can crawl up your leg too if your not careful.
Frogs legs still jump after they are cut off...but,that's a load of fun watch in them!
Don,t put gas into the lawn mower while it is still running,it will explode...you can be burned terrible.
Don,t get drunk and try to have relations in a cotton trailer,you could die trying to get out,I tried that one with my ex husband,Oh my,and them burs are stickers,and hurt.
Don,t stand behind a milk cow or a horse,they will kick ya...
Crows and Vultures will spit vomit at you.
Snakes can crawl in anyplace a mouse can.
Persimmons are bitter until they are almost rot ton.
Its cheaper to buy your feed by the truck load from another farmer than to buy sacked feed.
Do not rub your eyes after pic kin peppers,or cut tin peppers!
Your gonna itch after be in in the Okra patch!
You can find the best fish in worms underneath a pile of manure.
There you got it...a little taste of Farmgirl knowledge from me.

S is for Single Farmgirl

2012-12-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me why I am always talking about my dad,well,its because I am single.
Sometime it is not fun being single,and sometimes it is.
I have been unmarried for many years,its OK.
I get irritated at times when I can,t pull a tick off my back,or pull my own cowgirl boots off.
There are some things that simply cant be done alone,believe me I have tried!
I don,t care for boot jacks,they simply will not work for me,and I sat on the bathroom sink with a back scratch er to try and pull that tick off,it just did not work very well.
I do not do inter net dating,I am just not for it,never have been anyway,but,on late night TV,I did notice a site being advertised,as justforfarmers.com.
I might check it out sometime,maybe...
I do have guys for friends...most of them have a lady,but,I borrow them.
I borrow my neighbor Matthew,he helped me mark off an area for my fence out in the pasture,and helped me with my gates.We snook off a few hours to deer hunt,we are not having an affair,we both just wanted to go,try explaining that to her.{He got one,I did not}
I happily went home knowing he would cut it up,and give me some,and it was cold,and I did,t have to be cold any longer!
I borrow square dance pardners.The wives are tired.
I borrow men to help me lift things,that are heavy.
The list goes on,I borrow everything...sometimes,I just get tired of borrowing a man....
I guess if I owned one,Id just have to loan him out!
Last night was our yearly Xmas party for the MO Kan square dancers...I had a great time,wonderful meal,lot of fun,with a gift exchange.
A man asked me if he could get me a cup of coffee,it was strange,you'd have to of been single as long as I have been..I was like Who me?
maybe hes single...who knows?
Actually,its just easier to hang out with dad,we have fun together,picking up walnuts,and selling them,or making bittersweet or grapevine wreaths,or working on scrap.Just a variety of things.
I am actually happy until it comes time to lift something ....
But...
I just got tired of trying,or trying to hard...

This was taken around 1960,on a 500 acre farm outside of Iantha MO.I was a daddy,s girl even then.,looks like he is eating an apple.
He is the apple of my eye.Now days I sing to him.

C is for Coin Collecting

2012-12-01T11:32:00.001-08:00

I walked in the door of the farm tonight and daddy was singing an old Hank Williams tune to me,"Hey Hey good Looking,wotcha got coo kin,hows a bout cooking something up with me...
I got a hot rod ford and a two doll or bill.
we,ll go right over the hill,they got so die pop and the dancing is free,oh baby come along with me...
a new recipe!

Did I ever show ya my two doll or bills?as he pulled two two doll or bills out of his wallet,for me to see.
I examined them,and he told me one was dated 1957,and the other 1970...
Int resting...
Well,I found a buffalo nickle yesterday,so old you can,t even see the date!
Let me see it he says.
Going to the coin show in Carthage in the morn in he says excitedly!
I am gonna find out just how much these two doll or bills are worth!
Well,don,t sell them daddy,I am still upset bout you selling that quarter that Japeneze prisioner of war made into a ring!
I got 40 dollors for it!

I don,t care daddy,that was a keepsake,war memories..Its gone now,and I wanted to wear it around my neck on a silver chain.
Well,hush up bout it!he says.

Photo taken in 1962,on a 500 acre farm owned at that time by Fred Fuhr.I am riding "Rowdy"with daddy leading,what a wonderful day that was!

Keeping Busy

2012-04-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to keep busy,so I don,t think sad thoughts.
I have a huge garden and That seems to be helping me emotionally.
I have not gone to church in 6 weeks,I have been staying home,and baking quiche,it is delicious,and the hens are busy laying fresh eggs,so why not?
Not attending church,is a long story,you might say though that my favorite television show right now is GCB.,on Sunday evenings on CBS?
The television writers need to just give me a call if they want good material.
The thing is,my daddy's not an NFL football player,he is a farmer.
Its OK,The Lord loves poor people too.
So,I figure,hes gonna love me anyway,even when I decide to stay home and bake quiche.
I don,t use some fancy recipe,I just kinda made my own,it is...

6 eggs
tablespoon of half and half
whip eggs and add assorted vegetables until pie shell is full,bake at 350 until almost done,when almost finished add shredded cheese as topping,and put back into hot oven a few min.
Sometimes I use frozen shells depending on my mood,or how much time I have.

My booth at Antique Mall

2012-04-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

My booth,upstairs at The Faith full Peddler Antique Mall,hi way 71,Lamar MO.

I am looking forward to Lamar City Wide Garage Sales{April 27}
to find items for my booth upstairs at the The Faithful Peddler Antique Mall,hi way 71,Lamar MO.
I have been a very busy girl.But,This girl just sits here waiting for you,isn,t she lovely,she is not for sale at the current time,she is for display of my hand sewn fashions.
The booth is doing great!
But...
I am still not...

I haven,t started up my sewing machine for months,I have been severely depressed.A lot has happened,and I have to become motivated again.
2011 was full of junk and garbage,and I am determined that the rest of 2012 is going to be beautiful.I plan on getting a lot done.
I still find myself weeping in the middle of the day,and truthfully drinking wine at bedtime,it has to stop,the grieving,and ...I plan to work on my dreams.

I have asked all of my clients and friends to help me stay focused...The elderly ladies are the greatest and now are pushing me harder than ever,they begged me to ride with them

Monday on the OATS bus to Springfield to a new Fabric Store called FM Fabrics,it is aw some...
I purchased some trim...
Wanted every thing I saw...but...
controlled myself...
We also stopped at the Singer Store,were I purchased a new 1/4 in metal foot for my sewing machine.{cost12$}.And Rosalie{age 89}purchased a new belt for her antique treadle.
Maybe next week,I will start up my machines again...

Temple Grandin

2012-02-28T14:54:00.001-08:00

Temple Grandin and myself,Annies Project dinner Feburary 27,2012.

My trip to Bolivar MO. yesterday was a wonderful sucess!
The guest speaker for the University of MO.Extentions "Annies Project" this year was the famous Temple Grandin.
You can not help but love her.
She talked about the humane treatment of animals.

Bittersweet Day

2012-02-23T13:47:00.001-08:00

This is a very good movie,and after meeting Temple in person,I loved it even more!

I have been very sad,one of my best girl friends has lung cancer and has taken a turn for the worst very quickly.I have thrown things and cry ed all week.{I think that is why I could not cry down at the home}
Sunday evening I received a phone call from another personal friend,a lady mortician,"She would like for you to do her hair and fingernails?
I would love to! I said."I would be happy to do so!"
So,it was,Sunday evening I was down at the funeral home painting nails... a French manicure.
I actually did real well emotionally,better than I thought I would,and I did not cry,I have worked like this several times in my life and the truth is,it does,t seem to bother me,it seems that the home is surrounded by angels watching over me,and I feel calm and peaceful while I am actually working there.

The good news is that on Monday I am running off to meet Temple Grand in.
I have been a participant in the "Annies Project"a program for Farm women given by the University of MO.Extention.
I can do no more for my friend and I decided if I don,t just do something for myself,that I am going to become ill.
So...I will write more next week about my exciting evening with Temple.
I can,t wait!
I have called another girl,also a Annies graduate to ride with me.We have planned an entire day.
First,we are shopping at the Colbenez Foods,at the ten mile corner,out of Lamar.
Second,we are shopping at Raders Store in Lockwood for fabric.I usually always spend too much money there!
Third,we are eating lunch at the Greenfield Dairy Boy,its been operating for fifty or more years at the same location and the onion rings are hamburgers are awsome,I also love the raseberry malts!
Fifth we are driving to Bolivar to shop till we drop before the sixthirty meeting!
I also have done my home work and googled every thing I possibly can learn about her before I actually meet her in person.
She is very intresting!
Have you see the movie staring Clare Danes as Temple Grand in?
The film starts off with Temple visiting her aunt for the summer.She becomes interested in a cattle crush,a device that hugs the cows to "gentle them".One day,while having a panic attack,Temple places herself in the device,and it helps to calm her down.
Temple is autistic...
If you have never seen this film,you should,it is very good.

Saturday

2012-02-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

This is what I did on Saturday.
1.Worked on Donas hair and nails.
2.Went to a Cakewalk,won a fresh apple pie.
3.Went to a funeral of an 100 year old woman.
4.Went to Denny,s with 6 , over 85 year old ladies.
5.Went to a square dance.
I am tired.
What a day!
The cakewalk was a load of fun!Bluegrass musicians invaded Barton county meeting at the Barton County Sr.Citizens Center,and my dad wanted to go.He doesnt walk well,so I went also...
I walked the cakewalk for him.

Wednesday Morning Coffee Club

2012-02-01T16:19:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that I am involved in a Wednesday morning coffee club.
We meet every Wednesday at eight oclock am at the Pepper Mill Resturant here in Lamar Mo.
I am the youngest member,I am fifty four,the other members are in their late eighty,s and ninety,s.
That is OK.
I love them.
My job is to pick up my friend Phillis,age 85,whom I secretly call the red tractor lady...I,ve talked about her before.
It is so much fun,I adore them all.
Today,I received a gift from Betty,age 85.It was a package full of goodies...Including an antique glass pin cushion lady.I love it,in fact it is two Victorian ladies hugging or dancing together.It is aw some!
Also included in the package was a Victorian needle case and a Victorian lady in glass,also antique.
I was so happy.
It was a good morning except Lonnie spilled her coffee all over Betty,s lap and slightly burned Bett,s hand.
After breakfast of biscuits and gravy,I returned to the salon and permed Phil,s hair,looked cute when I was done.
Had a busy afternoon,Fern showed up,and I did a shampoo set on her,we discussed the local gossip.
Then Cindi called,It,s supper night at lodge tonight...So...I cooked a pot of chili and,I am on my way now to the lodge hall...Ev on died today{age 100}{lodge member 75 years} and its a sad night for us,well on my way...
It,s so much fun to be me!

Save The Fork

2012-01-17T14:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight I will be re learning how to Box The Nat...It is a square dancing term...I am tired this evening...
Its been a very hard day!
This morning I took Hoss to the wound clinic again for his last skin graft,and it did not take and...he has a new sore on his foot ...so I am not happy...I am very worried.
I have been practically starving him,and he still has a sore,very depressing...He has type two diabetes.
I have nothing in my house that will make him sick,I don,t think?
It is just draining when you think that you are doing all of the right things.
I went to Marys funeral this afternoon.
Her message to us was to have hope...and to save the fork...
Saving the fork is a term used to save your fork for dessert...
The best is yet to come!{Heaven}
Years ago...people usually brought food to the home of the bereaved...did you know that raisin pie was general known as Funeral Pie?
The reason is that most everyone had or kept a box of raisins in the cuppard for just such an emergancy.
Keep Your Fork,The Best Is Yet To Come!

Blue Monday

2012-01-16T12:34:00.000-08:00

I have commented several times that Monday seemed to be blue for me.Its my day off from work,and I should be having fun,but,its laundry day and its house cleaning day and er and day.
But...Its also the day that...I had to do my client Marys hair for her funeral this morning....
I worked slowly,I....
I brushed,I combed...I cry ed...
teased,I picked...I combed and brushed it all out,I started over,until,I finally had to spray...I did,nit want my time with Mary to end.
Religiously,I had fixed Marys hair at nine o'clock every Saturday morning since 1983.She had been my most faithful client,and friend.I felt sort of a bond with her because she grew up in the same house that I did,only years earlier.
It was hard ,but,Spirit got me through it.Mary will be dearly missed,I loved her.
I had just buried my mothers sister on Friday,so,I am drained.

I was all dressed up,so,I went out to our local Denny,s and ate lunch with our local Rebbecca Circle Chapter.
Rebbecca Circle meets every third Monday at 11 o,clock.Requirements for attendance are that you must be a past noble grand to attend circle.
I am a past noble grand,and past Rebbecca of the year.
So,anyway,I had a wonderful time.Betty was hostess and had pink and green table cloths on our round table all decorated with floral napkins and small sacks of candies.
Roll call was just what ever we wanted to say today,some read poems.
I told about the beautiful vintage Rebecca/Odd Fellow jewelry I have discovered on E-Bay.

LAPM

2012-01-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

Tonight,I have to play hookie from dance lessons to attend a meeting of the Patriarchs Militant IO OF.
Independent Order of the Odd Fellows have several divisions,I am a Rebbecca,and also in LEA,besides LA PM.That is three separate ladies auxiliaries.
Did you see the float on television as it appeared during the 123rd Rose Bowl Parade?{There is a Knight In Shining Armor}It won a prize of some sort.
It all started when I started doing Maxine's hair in 1995.
She was a bright and shining senior citizen.Sometimes back then,she would come into the shop and get her hair done three times a week.She was so upbeat and positive,unlike any other person I,d ever known,and seemed happier than any other client that I knew,or person on the street.
It was like the scene in the movie When Harry met Sally{sort of}I said to myself right then...I,ll have what shes having!
Maxine was old,really old,even back then,but,she had something special,she had a life.All she talked about,was what color evening gown she was wearing to each event,she must of owned one hundred evening gowns,and what color and witch one did I think she should wear to Washington DC.?
I was impressed.
I was also int rested because I love antiques,and history.{Epically the antique jewelry,I swiftly began to collect.}And the hidden coffin in the closet...?
Were we really going to sacrifice a goat I asked?{This is an inside joke by the way}
The first time she took me into the IO OF Hall I was impressed by the 200 year old furniture inside the hall.Everything,every piece of paper,every chair,every photo on the wall was old.
Maxine took me under her wing,and I learned every thing.
I would not be the person I am today without this wonderful group of senior citizens.
Today,I have a nice group of younger women involved also.
Every thing is supposed to be secret,but,its not bad.
I can tell you this,one of the thing we do,is to make a personal journal.
We keep track for ourselves how many cards we have sent to the sick.How many phone calls we have personally made to shut ins,and bereaved,funeral home visits,the hours of community service work that we do,the hospital visits,Red Cross volunteer hours,the youth work that we do,the value of floral gifts we send,and the value of gifts ,food and clothing or coats we give.
This is just for ourselves,not to impress other members.
When you help others,it makes you happy.

Unplugged

2012-01-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
I have been happily unplugged for a couple of weeks.Jjust very busy with holiday parties,and so tired.
I had a decent Xmas,it was one without tears...I usually expect tears and when I happen to have one without,I am very surprised,it was like wow,no tears.
New Years Eve,I square danced,and yes, it is fun...
But,no single men,and no one I want,threes not even any ones husband that I want.
I just go,because it is actually fun.
The older married women get tired,and they share their husbands,to dance that is.
I am excited about a new year and a fresh start.
But...Single women have a lot of struggles that married women do not.
One is trying to find a guy just to dance with.
I asked a guy I kind of liked,to take square dance lessons,and he made fun of me!
So...back to the drawing board,another year all alone,maybe...
I am still trying to decided if all alone is a bad or a good thing.
I should not be so negative,it could happen that I will meet a man this way.It did happen for my new friend Betsy.Betsy is 41 {works on a pig farm} recently divorced and she met Tim .I believe he is 38.They just look great dressed in matching colored outfits.
Betsy,s square dance dresses just make my old frocks look sad.So I have decided to start sewing new square dance dresses in the coming year,and to try to stay positive,after all,it happened to Betsy

A Special Gift

2011-12-12T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today I received a very special Xmas gift...Its Monday and I did,t have to work,but,I did...after I rushed Hoss to get his blood work done at the clinic,and rushed around doing other things,I went relunctly up to the shop because one of my mothers friends wanted a perm.
My mother died in 2005 of a brain tumor.
Well Verne must of been a very good friend because she had kept every Xmas card that my mother had ever sent her.
And she handed them to all to me.
My kids won,t want these after I die she says,and I thought you just might want to read them!
So this morning Verne and I drank coffee,giggled and cry ed over my mothers hand written words written years ago.
I rolled and she cry ed.
She had three daughters that all died of cancer.
I listened.
We both cry ed.
I rinsed.
I neutralized.
I rinsed again.
I took down rod's,
I rinsed again.
She giggled.
She told stories about my mother.
I rolled her on plastic old fashioned rollers.
She had to get rid of her coffee.
She giggled some more.
I giggled some more.
She dry ed,and fell asleep.
She woke up,and we read more letters.
I teased and sprayed a lot!
We giggled and talked read more old cards.
We called her husband for her a ride.
He wrote the check for extra.
And then,we hugged,a lot.
She Left...
And I sat and smiled.
What a day.