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

Priorities ~

Little Pieces of my  Heart

Today - Now - Not Tomorrow

Not the rest of  my life...The rest of my day.

First - Today - A Gift - 

Give it back to Him As a life well lived.

   Then another day-Thanksgiving for yesterday, 

Vision for yet Another 

 'Manna~  for this day only.'

Manna ~

for today. 

 

 Looking Forward,

 Jonell

To Be Continued ~ #11 Mile Marker

My love seriously wished for me to

 'Move on with life.'

This has been at best very hard to 'get the hang of'..

Just in case you have not figured this out yet:

I am clearly still at the

Start, Stop, Stumble

And fall stage..

Often Crawling..reaching out to find another way to

Start..Again.

So many times I have referred to this time,

Since August 18, 2013 

As a New Life

Perhaps it's not so much

A New [ different] Life

But the same life

With added dimension.maybe.

And  maybe this time is not so much

"Moving on with life"

As it is

Another chapter...Life Continued

"Oh, My Lord> Yes, Lord"

Looking Forward-

Jonell

Bits of Wisdom or Enlightment ~ Just For Me?

This technology offers so much- like a thriving beautiful orchard.  Even one tree with a healthy beautiful show of it's best fruit stops me. I stand in amazement seeing our puny little two apple trees with the green ripe [I think] apples hanging from so many branches.  Do I carefully choose one good apple or begin to grab and fill my basket for myself and sharing?  Or do I just sigh with appreciation and take a few photos then come back later?

This reminds me of some of the amazing writers I run across ...Blogger links that show up on face book or a recommendation from another blogger with similar interests. 

My first reading is so often a skimming over-browsing-window shopping visit. I immediately recognize that I am in a special place....seeing right away that I cannot absorb it all...comprehend and make use of and save it for sharing with others.  So I  take a deep breath and 'save it' for later.   I have to return prepared to seriously shop, taking a spare tote bag to fill with precious, priceless sweet treasures to be held close for at least Days yet to come.

I am at this moment reminded of a conversation with a loved one at least twice  remarking that God revealed a specific sweet thing to me and am so frustrated that I cannot recall it clearly enough to share that treasure with someone else. This loved one, having walked some difficult and dark days, replied:  "Maybe it was only meant for you and your use and not for sharing."

How wonderful [ and convenient] it is that God does not empty out a lifetime of incredible wisdom entrusting it to me for spreading around.  I would not grasp it long enough to be much help.

My inspiration for this post:

A Holy Experience/Ann Voscamp

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

Fresh Parsley and A Friend or Two

Nothing is new or perfect- Only cherished

Grab a chair while I pour Lemonade~

All things old, used, worn or even flawed

 

 

It Was A T. R. I. P.

Cruise Connections- Btm- left find me and my sister Gwen. Our new friends from Ohio are left to right: Debbie & Jenni

No Asphalt, No Concrete, No Glass or Steel-The whitest sands

My Own Walk....Continues

Indulge me please? This real life Blogger just put down her copy of  The Walk- Walking On Water after reading it again.  This last in The Walk series was released in May and of course I devoured it immediately upon receiving it in my mailbox. 

Since that first reading my own walk has taken me on a once in a lifetime trip with my dear one and only younger sister. We joined in where fiction and real life intersected on a cruise with 610 other readers stopping where the fictional Alan reached his goal walking from Seattle to Key West,Florida.

The fictional Alan was just steps away from his goal of Key West still without knowing the answer to the question: "What next?" 

That describes the spot in which I find myself at this point in time...on my Walk.  Somewhere in my mind  I have had a goal of reaching the one year mark..what I am calling mile markers.  That place would be Mile Marker 12...Twelve months past the night when my world changed..forever. That was August 18, 2013 at 10:30 p.m...Sunday night.

 Please don't ask me for coherent explanations here...I don't know what it is about 1 year.  Perhaps it's getting through and beyond-surviving all the Anniversaries [June 21, 1959] the birthdays, holidays and special family gatherings. Perhaps ~ I  don't  know.

So to make that feeble connection with Alan and his predicament, his journey, walk, goals I am saying I felt his pain..his indecision, insecurity, fears. I relived those last hours of my love's life and felt the feelings, shed the tears...again and again.

But since we are  mixing fiction and real life we must back track for this real life 'walker'/blogger.

My  life Walk came to a sudden screeching slow down, detour, take a new direction place the summer of 2012 as my silver fox and I heard the cold harsh diagnosis of Cancer...stage 4.  There  is something so drop dead freezing, stop in your tracks feeling as those simple, direct words: Stage 4.  It's Stage 4.

I wanted direct communication. My husband did too. Even today in my 'after life', I would have chosen more direct communication.

I had been reading, trying to educate myself. Mostly I think he had been pondering, meditating, praying, sorting out,.....and accepting.  I had examined the illustrations in the hospital and doctors' office walls...showing pictures of the stages. Still I was not ready for those words: Stage 4.

Still it was not spelled out with the clarity I needed. We were impressed with the first Oncologist we had. He was such a medical genius and any time we asked questions he would immediately back up and spell it out for us. The trouble is we did not always know the questions to ask.

He was so brilliant that indeed if my IQ had been 2 points less I could not have kept up with him..I was like a puppy hanging on for dear life to the tail gate of a speeding pick up truck.

Now as we can look back fitting the puzzle pieces of time, experiences and cancer details..we know now we had already used up a significant part of that 18 months.

To Read more... of my personal Walk: Let's Swing for the Trees

http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com/2012/11/just-for-record-lets-swing-for-trees.html

Three months left

The Walk...my personal Walk- Continues. I do not have all the answers you can count on that. I do know where my faith is..I know that. I am sure of the God we serve [even in an unsure, unsteady world]  Our Faith has never been an issue. Those hard issues were settled long ago. I pray they are for you also.

How anyone would dare be so blind or arrogant to assume or choose to walk this walk without this God I serve is beyond me.  

Even on the worst of days during the years since we met in May of 1958/married June 21, 1959, there has never been a day I wanted to be anywhere else other than with my love. And likewise, even on the darkest of days I would not want to be walking this journey alone without the Saviour ..the giver of Life, Breath and Salvation who sustains me/us.

June In Bloom

Coming Home after being away for a while can be really interesting. A few new limbs scatter about the open spaces in the back yard, the evidence of a little wind along with regular afternoon showers.

A handful of ripe tomatoes..from my lone two tomato plants. Just enough. It works for me.

And how nice it is that the figs have waited to ripen. I feared they had begun to ripen and the birds would get to them before me. It looks like I have plenty of time to gather the entire harvest and maybe get some fig preserves in jars this year. We talked about it last summer. I knew my sweetheart would not be up to his usual jelly and jam making and presented the idea of making him the supervisor while I did the canning project. These roles had been reversed many years ago. It was not to be. We had even less time left than had been thought. The birds enjoyed our figs last summer.

 

June In Bloom

The Trumpet plants are beginning to show off their unique flowering and the  orange day lilies are popping out as is the humming bird vines and the white yarrow I started from our non resident neighbor friend Dustin's yard. It's a good start. I do hope it thrives.Yarrow is such a perfect filler for arrangements cut from one's own yard. 

Did I mention that the blue hydrangea while only 3 great bushes are so loaded down with beautiful blooms and so many of them are at the perfect stage for cutting if they are to be dried for use nearly all year long indoors...another kind of beauty-dried flowers.

Sitting on the front porch I am seeing yet another 'blooming surprise' the Red Crepe Myrtle is starting to break out in it's own unique glory..that's my favorite crepe myrtle color.

June In Bloom

Mile Marker #10 Under Construction, Still

There once was a time without a GPS,  Smart Phone Navigation and certainly  not "On Star'  

I also recall a time as an 18 year old just graduated from high school,  just married and driving alone from south Alabama to Virginia Beach, Virginia when a newly purchased never before used road map was the only guide that went along with me.  Informational road signs were not what they are in the 21st century either. Our interstate highway system was still  "under construction."

The past ten months [after August 18, 2013-10:30 p.m.} have been much like that for me: Under construction and without  clear direction~

I am so thankful no one in my close circle of family and friends pressed insisting they knew the exact step by step process or direction my new and different life should take. I shall be eternally grateful for loved ones allowing me [and each other] to 'be me' whatever that looks like.

I am at a different place  today. I still cannot draw you a picture of that. I just am. Let's just leave it there....for now.

I  still have difficulty going into a restaurant for dinner - alone.  Is everyone watching me?  It feels as if I do not have a right to be there ~ alone.  It  feels  that  way

Every thing I set out to do seems not quite right. Incomplete. Not finished. 
And for me ...[maybe for you] but for me the solutions just are not found in clustering with a group of women all dealing perhaps for many years with life alone. That's not a solution for me. I don't think I like the idea of waving a flag or carrying a sign to identify my new station in life.


Please  don't   tell me [again] that it will get easier. That sounds like looking forward and expecting to not hurt, remember or run smack into broken, helpless, pathetic, melt down moments, even  days. That sounds too much like  forgetting and I cannot accept that there will be a day when I forget my love of a lifetime....55 years.

I prefer to move on to yet another 'different' place..not new or better or less..., a different kind of days..life..perhaps a new normal.


 

When I Was Young-

When I was young people offered advice concerning life and such.  Wonder of wonders much if not all their shared wisdom turns out to have been  useful, true and worthwhile.

• One of my first adult  Christian friends advised:  Always make up your bed no matter what else you may NOT get done each day. If your bed is nicely made the little forgotten chores are not such stand outs.
• The same friend advised me as a new Mother :  After coming home from the hospital don't get dressed in street clothes right away.  As soon as you do everyone will stop helping you. You don't appear to need the extra attention or assist.
• Many adults offered:  When relocating to a new community/town the first thing you should do is to find a CHURCH you can attend. You may not settle on this one but it will get you off on the right foot.
• Again Many adults chimed in saying:  These little ones won't be babies for long-they'll be out and about & out of reach before you know it!
• Others went on to say:  Prioritize- your marriage has to come first, then the Children. If you don't take care of the marriage there won't be a stable family/home for the Children.

There were many more words of wisdom but we'll stop for now with these 5 memorable while I still have your attention. I would love to hear what memorable words you have cherished over the years. Leave me a note.
~Jonell

Honoring Our Fathers, Dads, Pop or Daddy~

Honorable, God fearing, Provider, Protector & a Gentleman

After All The Mother's Day Celebrations Are History...[That would be May 12th this year]

Are you ready for this? I do it every year. When all the special Mother's Day gatherings, gifting, sweet notes and special privilege is behind us I always jump up on my 'soap box' and basically rant just a bit about Father's Day.  Oh really..just a bit. And no one notices.
 

Why do we not make the same big fuss about honoring our Fathers on what we call Father's Day? Do we not understand collectively the crucial role these men play in our families?

Tell me about that unique man you call your Father, Dad, Pop, Daddy. All you need do is click on COMMENT, leave your thoughts and we will share with our small world of Bloggers.

 

 

 

 

Mile Marker #9 ~ [May 18, 2014]

Nine months since August 18th, 2013....10:30 p.m.  

That night my whole world changed forever. We all knew it was coming. 

We had  a merciful 'heads up' more than a year earlier.

 Still the reality of this new life is something I could  never have imagined....

not even with another  54  years.

Quite honestly I don't know where I should be...

 I don't know where others feel I "should be" after nine months. 

 Whatever it is, I don't think I am there.

I am erratically  searching for balance in my days. 

 What does 'Centered' mean?  I think maybe that's one of the things I am wanting to be...centered.

 I need routine and structure more than ever in my life- 
I Think.

Our Mamas

Remembering Mama..

......on MOTHERS' DAY.

My Mama

[ There are too few of these pictures that have survived this past century. > This one of  [our Mamas] shows Aunt Lila Mae on left. That's my cousin Beverley Turner White's Mom. On the right is My Mama. By the way, Aunt Lila Mae cooked the best lima beans . I know that sounds strange. Lima Beans are just lima beans..but that's my memory looking forward to her steaming hot season to a t baby lima beans. I know she surely had other specialties but that's my child's memory!]

When I was a toddler it was "Mama" who allowed me to get on a stool and help make the biscuits.  I know I was in her way. That was my job-wonder how the biscuits looked..mmm.