As a young girl, I loved summer, being out of school,
going barefoot which I loved to do; playing as if I were managing
a grocery store with the empty cans that were available.
I loved to watch the older kids play baseball in our huge
yard. I remember that I got in the way of the batter and he
accidently hit both of my calves of my legs. What a rude
awakening!
We had a large lot not too far from our
home which was called Fenner's Lot. A lot of games were
played there. I recall that one of the older boys dug a deep
hole in the ground one night; built a fire in that hole and
we roasted raw tomatoes and potatoes. What a feast that was!
Each year during the summer, a
traveling theatre would come to town. My siblings and I were
always excited about this event. It was the time that we
were coming out of the Great Depression so there was not
money for such frivolous things. Mother loaned out her
sewing machine to their seamstress and in return, we were
presented with tickets to see the show. How nice?
Once a year, a street fair would come
to Fenner's lot. Wouldn't you know that just the time that I
could go to the fair, I had stepped on a bumble bee in our
clover grass and the bee stung me. My foot swelled to the
point that I could not wear my shoes so it was my bad luck
to have to stay at home. I was not too happy a camper at
that time but I did survive.
As I mentioned earlier, money was not
in abundance when I was child. Mother had to be gone for the
day so she had left my twin sisters in charge of my younger
sibling and I. She had left a dime for one of them to buy us
a treat. She bought two popsicles and we each had a single
one. We thought we were in heaven. Could you see a child
enjoying that today?
As a child, I did not worry about the
heat as I do today. We did not have air conditioning and we
were lucky to own a fan. Oh to have the faith of a child and
their imagination?
Norma Liles
hoopla214 @ yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------
Norma is #8 of 9 children. She is a
grandmother who loves to write stories, poetry, read, &
enjoys the computer. She is a Christian who loves God,
country and her family.
Re: Turf Wars, by Al Batt
This guy is really funny as he
points out the obvious!! However, I don't know how this
aplies to being a ripple-maker, other than it makes people
smile about his witty remarks. Is that the intent? If so,
mission accomplished!
Nancee D.
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Summer Storm
Melva's recap of the storm that had
scared her so much was a reminder to me how quickly things
happen. Often the fear adults show in front of smaller
children can help them remain calm or hinder them for years
to come. How
wonderful that she changed the fear
that was growing in her little grand daughter and gave her
the Peace of God's love. Such a sweet story, Melva.
DianeDean White
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Re: Give Me Today and
Air-Conditioning
I could not agree more with Betty's
assessment of air-conditioning and the immense relief it
offers in these HOT, HUMID summers. I, too, wondered if the
summers of my youth were not as bad as it seems to be these
days. Is it "global warming" or what? Maybe just "old age"
and we don't like to admit it! Perhaps children don't mind
it as much. I certainly don't remember suffering in the
heat as a child. Can it be I'm having another "senior
moment?" (I don't really think so.)
I hope Betty has a complete recovery
from her time spent in the heat. Let's all pray for her,
shall we?
Nancee
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Give Me Today and
Air-Conditioning
Betty King and I met at the
Cedarhurst Writer's Roundtable about twelve or thirteen
years ago. I joined that group in January of 1988, and
Betty joined a couple of years after me; and we have been
friends from that first evening. Several things struck me
about her that first evening: first and foremost, was her
beauty, both physically and spiritually.
Betty used a cane to assist her
balance, but it was a beautiful cane! Betty's manner of
dress was always, and continues to be, almost elegant. Even
her sportswear was coordinated with the correct jewelry and
cosmetic colors. She has the most beautiful smile, complete
with even, white teeth and lovely mouth. Her eyes sparkle
with laughter and love of life, and she is just the most
delightful woman anyone could ever hope to know.
The insidious condition known as MS
has done its best to take a heavy toll on Betty. The meds
she must take have put a few pounds on her lovely frame, and
she can no longer walk or do the physical things she so
enjoyed; but where I would probably have hibernated and
become, literally, a bear, Betty has blossomed and grown
even more lovely. In the face of what most people would
consider a tragic adversity, Betty King continues to grow in
grace and beauty like the most lovely orchid.
While reading her most recent
article about air-conditioning, I was struck by her writing
style, the way she captured and conveyed her memories of
hot, summer nights, looking for a cool spot on the pillow,
twisting in sweaty sheets. And I suddenly remembered one
evening at the Cedarhust gathering. I had finished reading
aloud some piece that I had written, which tapped into my
early childhood memories. When I was finished, Betty seemed
astounded at the memories. She remarked that she couldn't
remember back that far, that she couldn't write things like
that, that she could only write poems.
Well, America, take a look at Betty
King now! She has tapped into those hidden memories, and
her writing ability increases with every page and article
and column.
I wish we could gather all our
Cedarhurst members, even those we loved who are now
deceased, and just sit around that table and listen to Betty
read her material. She came into the group as a tightly
wrapped rosebud, scented and willing to bloom, but hesitant
and not confident with her ability. Now she is a fully
opened, vibrant, lovely rose, emitting a fragrance that is
touching people all across the country with her words, her
spirit, her presence. I wish that all who read her stories
and articles could know her as I do, for she is one of the
sweetest, most endearing, loving people I have ever known.
She is an embodiment of the woman
described in Proverbs 31, for not only do her husband and
children rise up and call her blessed, so do her friends and
all who come to know her. I am a couple years older than
Betty; but when I grow up, I want to be like her!
Here's to you, Betty. Long may you
live and prosper, and may the day come soon that a treatment
or medicine will be found to make you as healthy and agile
as possible. I love you, Girl!
Barbara Elliott Carpenter
www.bec.newsmoose.com
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Give Me Today and
Air-Conditioning
Betty,
Glad you are feeling well enough to write about your heat
episode. My back is really hurting this morning. Today is
Jerry's mother's 90th birthday so we are heading up the road
to Rector about 50 miles to pick her up, back to Paragould
about 20 miles to take her to eat catfish. Then we have to
take her that 20 miles home to Rector and we will drive the
50 miles to Jonesboro. Makes me tired before I ever get
started. She looks forward to those days though. She
always loved to goooo.... and it is really tough on her
since she can't drive anymore.
Enjoyed your story.
Melva
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Give Me Today and
Air-Conditioning
Bob, at least for me, today is as
good as it ever gets. Enjoyed this email, and say this is
my turn to inform you this one is a vote for sure. Thanks,
Leona
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Special Mission
Dear Bob,
I just read 'Special Mission,' by Mark Crider and I want to
commend him on the article! I love to sing and have sang
duets with my younger sister plus I have sung with 5 other
girls. That was yrs ago but I love harmony and I love Mark's
wonderful stories. Keep 'em comin' Mark. You are a terrific
writer!
Respectfully,
Norma Liles
(hoopla214@yahoo.com)
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Special Mission
I would say Mark and his chorus
were sent on a mission and they achieved what God had meant
them to do! Good job Mark!
Betty King
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: Special Mission
Dear Mark,
What a delightful story! And what a delightful man you must
be! The mental image of you air-taxi-ing six girls to a
revival made me smile long before I got into the story.
I'm learning more and more how we
can find ourselves in unexpectedly trying, dangerous, and
even tragic situations. The upside is that God is always
there, but at times we don't see or reach for His hand until
we're desperate. It's often in retrospect that we see the
pattern and paths of His plans, in this case, using your
situation to touch the hearts and lives of your rescuers.
Thanks for sharing a great
experience with us.
Oh, and I smiled at your intriguing
signature! Dean of dirty words? What's that all about?
Barbara Elliott Carpenter
www.bec.newsmoose.com
Computer non-whiz, memory junkie, and ATV novice...
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Re: The Cry of the Heart
I can really "relate" to this story
as I, too, believe in a Loving God who gives us the desires
of our hearts if we fully trust Him to work things out in
our lives.
Nancee Donovan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blessings to you.
Bob Johnston
Minneapolis
Starfish @ Ripplemaker.com
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