Shall We Just Dream A While....of Fall

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Ordinary Treasures -

Family pictures truly become treasures when the loved ones are no longer here and also when there are so few of them..

Imagine my surprise when I saw my sister had posted a picture I had never seen of our Mobley Grandparents!! Each picture is like tiny pieces of a puzzle coming together to help complete the picture/the memories.

L-R  Rachel Lee And Marion Albert Mobley

First cousin Beverley Turner White thinks she has the original- Thank you for sharing. Another cousin, Glenda Mobley Keil also confirms that the picture was taken at Aunt Josephine's home in  Atlanta.  I now see clearly the strong resemblance between  Grandma and Aunt Lila Mae and would be willing to wager real money on this....Aunt Josephine bought Grandma a new dress didn't she?  Look at that shiny, fabric and "store bought" looking dress!

We know our grandparents did not leave home [south Georgia] often nor did they have pictures taken often, This makes us doubly thankful that their daughter, Josephine did take pictures everywhere she went then in later years before she died at 94 yrs old she  began to generously share copies of those many pictures with all of us..her nieces & nephews. Thanks a million Aunt Josephine.

Another thing our Aunt Josephine shared faithfully was the GOSPEL written all over the envelopes of the hundreds of cards and letters she mailed to us and many others. When we opened mail from her one could not miss the  bold Bible verses  on the envelopes!!!

Mile Marker #12 ~ Remembering The Seasons

[I read recently on Ann Voscamp's blog  www.aholyexperience.com where she referred to her husband as the Farmer and I remembered saying in these months since I have been without my love that he was 'at heart' a farmer.] He was.

My Farmer 

- 2012 -

September 11, 1937 - August 18, 2013

My forever Smile
I now wear the watch 
and the wedding band-
The cane still hangs on the head of our bed.
The Rocking Chair is empty~

I think I should add farmer to his 'life credits.'  Yes he was born with the heart for Farming. In another time, another century he would have been one of those quiet, strong, steady, resilient pioneers we read about.

The Branson, Mo. trip/Dogwood Canyons

The Texas Years

We couldn't afford to buy a farm so he found a way.  We bought a farm with almost 200 acres with a contract for deed arrangement.   During the Texas years he bought from a local rancher  on 'a hand shake' the livestock he needed to get started [about $10,000.] That was late 20th century not pioneer days. 

Old Fashioned Hospitality & Wealth

It seems I have had this conversation often but don't recall posting the same thoughts.  If I have and this is redundant forgive my repetition.

Quilts, especially wonderfully old and somewhat worn quilts crafted long ago with tiny short uniform stitches, remind me of pallets on the floor.  And what, some of you may ask, is a pallet? Of course it's a wooden frame thing that supports heavy loads being transported on trains or trucks.  I know that.

The pallet I refer to is the slight soft bed made on the floor with a folded quilt to accommodate extra overnight guests.  When 'we' were children  a farmhouse bedroom was furnished with usually as many beds as the room  allowed space.  Rarely did I see a bedroom set up with just one bed.  And those two or more beds were generally made up with more than one mattress.  When company continued to pour in  the beds were filled with cousins across and at the foot of the bed..the number determined by the size of the children.  When more beds were needed a mattress came off the bed to a spot on the floor and the routine was repeated..as many as the bed had room for.  When mattresses and beds were full and still the company is coming the next options is one or more [what ever is needed] QUILTS are folded on the floor to take care of the overflow crowd.  Think about how many people you could sleep with this plan.  It's no wonder a simple two or three bedroom home was able to welcome crowds of uncles and aunts & cousins during times of family reunions and Christmas or Thanksgiving gatherings.  That explains why we always say "There was always room" at our Grandparents or other relatives' houses.  And you were always welcome.

Honeysuckle [s]

Just Picture This!

Source: Pinterest

 

 

 

 Source http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/ee/49/d1ee49cda85c4cfbe010701eea61f31b.jpghttp:

Porches~ Swings ~ Southern Things

Springtime or Summertime?  This scene was set in March but when one lives in the Southeastern U.S. [Alabama] there is often little difference in Spring and Summer.  The season is easy to identify in pictures by the flowers being used. The Bridal Wreath's blooming branches come in March at our house and it's easy to be inspired by their incredible beauty.  My only problem with them is they don't last long enough.  My repeated observation when they are in full bloom is: "We need a Wedding " ...to properly show them off.

Dining outdoors- lunch in Plains Georgia  outside the Buffalo Cafe

After the Rain ~

From the time I was about 3 years old I can recall loving creation after the rain.  As an adult I haven't changed much in that respect.

 

[note: written & saved in drafts BC - before Cancer ]

 When morning arrives "after the rain" I am so tempted to linger..in bed.  I awaken wanting to still hear the rain coming down outside or on the rooftop.  That doesn't often happen because this old-er house is so well built it really takes a significant weather event to actually hear the rain impacting the house. Sooooo, if I want to experience the weather or remnants of yesterday's then I have no choice but to crawl out of bed.  After all it feels a bit disgraceful to be the last one up.

 

My hubby is already enjoying his favorite morning spot on the deck with his first cup of coffee.  That seems to be our routine in this decade..well at least this year.

 

He wakes before me and more often than not I manage to "not hear' him as he prepares to greet the day then a half hour, maybe an hour later I join him, slipping by to my preferred seating-my red chaise and for a while [a southern - 'a while'] we "kinda, sorta" connect with  early morning conversation usually about our individual or mutual observations regarding the weather, the small critters or Creation in general. 

 

He observes that not many squirrels are walking the rear fence and the grass just won't stop growing.  Could that be because he missed the Friday mowing routine? It doesn't matter-too wet outside now..too early in the morning.

 

 That goes on the "I'll do that later" list.  [After the Rain]

 

 

Looking Forward...

Jonell

 [moved from drafts January16, 2015]

Welcome to My Friend's Garden ~

Photo credit:  Shirley D. Power

 How often during the past eight years I have spoken this phrase: "My friend Shirley.." 

We first met in 1995 when I rented booth space in her newly opened business on the downtown square .  I was pretty much a new comer to the area. Shirl was not. I could hardly be called a 'crafter'  and certainly not an artist, floral designer or decorator.  I had never yet heard the word 'blogger.'  With the passing of time I learned one can soak in creativity and even confidence being surrounded by amazing gifted people.

When I find them [again] I will post the picture of S-J-BB here.

Shirley and I became friends in spite of our differences. She was 6ft. tall [at least] next to my mere 5' 2''. We learned to laugh about it. This becomes an issue when women are moving furniture & loading large pieces for customers. Shirl communicated in a thoughtful but very direct manner, seldom raising her voice  while I talked too much & "beat around the bush"  trying not to offend anyone.

I had been married about 36 years to the love of my life while she had been divorced and a single Mother for almost as many years. Shorter version is we could not have been more different. Our association continued and our friendship took root. Looking back, we agree our friendship was based on shared faith in Christ. My friend was a much more accepting, tolerant person.  I often speak  quickly without a filter while Shirl is much more 'thoughtful.'  We learned to each let the other be.

Time passes. I have often heard one is fortunate if late in life you look back and  count on one hand your real friends. Now into the 8th decade of life I am perhaps more selective.  I count two friendships that have not faded with the years. My friend Shirley ..and My friend.....[ Another time/Another post ]

Time passes. Change happens. Today we live about 500 miles apart and both live alone.

 Some things have not changed. That would be my friend's garden and her love for all things natural, growing, blooming or producing.  I can relate!

Please meet my friend ...

Welcome to Shirl's Garden~

 

My friend is also drawn to all things natural, worn, flawed, cracked or rusty.  That makes two of us! Not everyone can appreciate an old rusty gate.  Mine traveled with us from Texas to Alabama and is now located beside my front yard arbor with a collection of broken tea cups buried at the base.  My friend relishes in creating her own unique works of art from vintage or used, less than perfect treasures of all kinds...."things that have had a life."  SDP