Family is Family

Family is family even if you have never met.
I can't explain it.
My cousin and I had not been in touch since shortly after I married in 1959. I didn't know her married name & was not able to locate her. She found Me.

I can't explain it. She's part of my family. Our Dads were brothers. We share memories of many of the same people. We are still family.

Another first cousin Imogene was close to the same age as I and I had completely lost touch with her family after I married.
When another cousin located that part of our family it was too late. Imogene had passed away. I felt very sad. We hadn't been in touch for about 40 yrs..but we were family. It saddened me to know we could have shared time together and we missed that opportunity. She was gone. She was family.

For many years I have thought of the nephew whom I had never met, have pictures of him as a very young child and remembered his approximate birthdate. I always thought "He deserves to know he does have family -it's just not right that he never knows any of us exist, who we are , what kind of people-the family he comes from".

I found the nephew. I can't explain it. He is a part of my family. He's connected to the same parents, grandparents and great grandparents that are OUR FAMILY. I don't really know him but I would like to. His father hasn't been a part of his life and that's not right. Second best could be knowing some of his [ unknown] family. He is not interested in this family connection but that's now. Things change. We will keep that door open.

We may not seem to have much in common. My roots are in the deep south and he's definitely a "northerner"..but hey we have a Yankee daughter in law from Chicago area..and that turned out wonderfully. Her family and our family are such different people..but there's a connection there b/c she's family.

I cannot explain it..but I know if I met my brother's son it would be a very emotional experience, you see...he's part of my family.

He likely knows by now that we southerners hug a lot..so he'd get a big hug and everybody knows we women cry over anything or nothing so there would be tears..and I would then apologize to him for all the things that weren't as they should have been in his life [for my brother]..yes, I know that's not my responsibility..

But, he's family.

Under the Heading of "Write it Down Before You Forget It."

I consider it a milestone in my life when I realized that my God can handle my
insecurities, uncertainties, my whining and complaining and doubts and he does care about those whispered pleas as I scramble through my sometimes hectic life.. even the little things my loved ones never notice.

Note to Self

You have to live a little of life
Before trying to write about life.

Question: Why Do I Write?
My answer: Because Time Is Precious

Motivation for Spring 2010

Funny thing..if you want sunflowers to enjoy in the summer you must get those seeds into the ground as the instructions say on the package; "After all danger of frost" and in the deep south that usually means by the last of March.

When you don't 'get around to it" then the best thing you can do is to buy expensive good quality silk sunflowers. However; the cheaper option is to find a nice picture and post it!

This will have to do until our next "after danger of frost" 2010. So There!
http://oldfashionedtimes.com/

True Woman | Conversation 101, Part 1

Shared via AddThisA Lesson learned decades ago, at my own expense> You cannot have any conversation with another person if you cannot even remember their name upon encountering them.

I met a lovely, wonderful lady and the next time our paths crossed in a shop, I could not remember her name to introduce her to my husband. Being in my immature twenties it was devastating.

From that day on I apply these rules: Never hesitate to ask for a name to be repeated, even if you did hear it, ask if you have it correct. Unless the name is as common as John Doe, ask about the correct spelling and if the pronounciation is difficult be very specific in asking for clarification.
If I have a relative, a neighbor or good friend with the same name, I often would say<"That's easy to remember b/c I have a dear friend with that name"

The more often the name is discussed or repeated the more likely you will recall it. And by all means when you part company at that first introduction, use the name in your parting remarks!

Mama's Lap

One of those snapshots in time that has stayed with me ocurred at about three years old no more than four.

This is short and sweet but real.

The primitive farmhouse where we lived not far from Alma, Georgia had a porch across the front. It was nothing fancy -no railing, just a porch with a simple homemade settee.

The Kodak moment simply this: I was sitting beside Mama and leaned over and laid my head in her lap.

I experienced a comfort, security and feeling that 'this is the best place in the world to be.'

There are no new words or phrases in my vocabulary with which I can draw a verbal picture for you.

Remember, you cannot choose what memories a small child will carry with them through life.

When you hold or rock that little one or snuggle close you just may be 'snapping a moment' that will always be real and treasured in that precious child's heart and mind.

Hold them close..while you can.
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The Veteran at Our House-U.S. Navy 1955-1959

That would be my husband, Dad to our four children and Pop to our eight Grands.

We are blessed that he is still with us. Our children & Grandchildren all have an example to be proud of and to learn from if they choose.

Our oldest son had enlisted in the U.S. Navy and would have been proud to serve were it not for a health issue. He wanted to follow in his Dad's steps. Our second son served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and retired with the rank of Chief. I love those military photos of him and also of his Dad. One of my favorites of our youngest son was taken when he served in the Army National Guard.

The U.S.Veteran at our house is a man who doesn't have to be told to stand when the American flag goes by or is raised. He doesn't have to be reminded to stand at attention when the National Anthem is played. He cannot hold back the emotion watching a homecoming of our service people. He is disturbed when he sees our flag flying 24-7 without attention and left to become frayed, ragged and deteriorate in the weather. He always notices when his country's flag is not handled properly.

The Veteran at our house served first in the U.S. National Guard while in high school then during what we call in between years-after WWII and before Vietnam but not actually in the Korean Conflict- 1955-1959 active duty in the U.S. Navy, aboard the Bennington and the Forrestal then two additional years in inactive reserve. He is no less the proud American Veteran than those who served in WWII.

The Veteran at our house is old fashioned.
He would never wear the flag as clothing on his body.
He doesn't really talk about being patriotic. He is.
The Veteran at our house is a proud, patriotic U.S. Veteran - Proud to be an American!
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Love Letters in the Sand?

My vocabulary is not adequate to relate what an experience we just had at the beach.

The sights: As far as the eye could see-white sands only sprinkled with tourists not crowds.

The Sounds: of all the little and not so little feathered creatures who belong there-each doing what they are programmed to do-making the sounds unique to each species but not invading our space with the cheep,cheep, churp, churp etc. Their noise was more like background music-not invasive, simply making the environment even more beautiful.

The white sands-like a massage to the feet. I declared our walks on the beach in the mornings to be Adult Fun! We both absolutely delighted in squishing our toes in the incredible white sands.

Let's not forget the nearly constant breezes..at times easy breezy and sometimes a stronger presence.

A beach has to have children playing, digging and squealing-some delighted by the rush of the water and others tentative and not yet comfortable with this beach thing. Its so neet to be able to be a bit like those children, as we watch for unbroken shells to gather and save?

All this reminds us of the three grands who have just spent their third winter season in the land of forever cold and snow. We both agree we want to make sure they get to share this kind of beach experience when they make their way south again.

Justa thought: God's incredible creation reminds us of Him and yes of loved ones! The time and miles never diminish or change that love.

God made us in His image, right? So it would seem He made us a very complex people..we sit and soak up his creation on the amazing white sands and revel in the joy of the moment, the relationships and in the same instant feel such sadness looking back at all the times we have not shared with those dear, dear loved ones.

mmm He is still God, He is Sovereign, and we continue to submit to that/and ask Him to bless that submission.

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That Was Fun!

What evokes a sincere, exclamation of: "That was so much fun" from you?

I was thinking about an 89yr old friend of ours in Texas who thought it was so much fun when I called and invited her to go with me to the local Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone. Soft serve :(

We had a friend, our age who's name was Linda. She loved everyone and everything God created I think. She could find any outing "so much fun." Linda found joy [fun] in such ordinary things. We could stop and enjoy an ice cold glass of iced tea on the porch while visiting and she would exclaim "That was so much fun." She showed the same expression of joyfulness after picking a basket full of fresh fruit from a tree in the back yard. "That was so much fun!"

I felt that way today when I cut the prettiest roses in our yard, trimmed and arranged them in a container in the kitchen. That was fun!

Since in recent months we rarely eat out in restaurants it was actually "fun" to drive to Troy, 8 miles away and have an Arby's sandwich with one order of fries to share. The Dr. Pepper was Oh so good, because we don't keep soft drinks at home. For that reason it is a genuine treat to have one as we did this afternoon. It didn't break the budget and we didn't look around the restaurant closely enough to discover sloppy housekeeping...so it was good. That was fun!

After that fast food treat we drove around some neighborhoods where we'd never been, observing the landscaping or in some cases lack thereof and awarding our stamp of approval to the residences that were well kept. We decided we did not want to live there but, "that was fun."

There was no way to justify an ice cream at the The Cone Zone after that Arby's meal so we headed back to Fleming Street. The front porch looked lonely so we just unlocked the front door and dropped in the big rockers for a while. That was so much fun!

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What Does a Gramma Wear for the Wedding?

It all depends. Is the Gramma a hippo?

Well that's what I feel like trying on those gosh awful "wedding fashions". Anyone who knows me knows I am a red, white, black, navy/federal blue person. You put me in that beautiful, soft, seafoam green and I look [no kidding] like a stuffed green frog in a tuxedo. I am serious!

Then there's the wonderful jacket that brings a "Wow, Jonell that's your color, rich red, short enough in petite size-that's You!"
And how do I look in "my color".. like a carpet sales person..wrapped in a beautiful red rug.

I wonder what they pay models to show those Rugs?

This scavenging for a wedding dress has been going on since Christmas. That's enough time for anyone to find something to cover a body. Not for me. It's that vanity thing again. I actually know this wedding is not about what Gramma wears. I am aware that Grandparents are way down the list in relevance for an event such as this. But Grammas like to look nice too.

Truthfully I haven't been looking for something in which to look nice. I have been searching for the magical solution to visually melt away the extra 40 pounds that like me so much they stay..and stay; have been hoping to find some charity I could make a nice donation to..a gift of unwanted pounds.

I don't want to look nice. I admit it, I want to look fabulous! God created me. He knows that so don't bother talking to him about my vanity problem when you pray for me, ok?

I actually became so discouraged I emailed my wonderful daughter in law [mother of the groom] who has found her beautiful dress weeks ago, and asked her if I could "call in sick" for this wedding. Well she said absolutely not!

If you, like me, are a woman over 50 <> and a wedding or other similar event looming large don't offer to call in sick. It won't work.

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Comments and Reactions

I'm not a person known to have a significant sense of humor. I may delude myself about some things but not that-I am not a funny person.

I do <> kinda cherish the memory of someone once telling me I was funny. Our Home Demonstration Agent [ 1950's ] Mrs. Georgia Jordan was my chaperon for the state Miss Farm Bureau competition in Albany, Georgia. As we were talking about the personal interview part of the competition she commented: "Jonell, you should be a comedienne." I can just hear each of my children saying, "Really?"

Hold this thought: I know I am not a funny person. My children all do have a distinct sense of humor. Additionally our favorite son in law [<> only SIL ]
has an amazing [weird] sense of humor.

I do now and then have a "funny idea or thought." My daughter might say 'No, you have weird thoughts, Mom.'

Why do we give the option on this blog for comment and keeping track of whether people think our post is funny, interesting or cool?

Will I stop writing if no one thinks my posts are interesting, etc.? Absolutely not! Will I close down this little project if I receive negative discouraging 'comments'? Absolutely not!

I am a performer. I appreciate an audience. I respond to applause. But I am still that person without an audience. If no one reads it and no one appreciates it..that's okay. Then I would just fine tune the whole thing, bind it in little book and leave it for my Children and Grands.

That's what people like me do.

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Little Heartbreaks

How can a heartbreak be a "little" heartbreak?

There's something for this writer to ponder.

Perhaps a little heartbreak might be losing a softball game or the competition for cheerleader or a friend not inviting you to his birthday party.

Heartsick rather than heartbreak. What do you think?

I recall disappointments where I was simply heartsick about an outcome and that didn't "feel good" ya'll.

Have you had the good fortune to have a special trip or vacation as an option then at the last hour it all fell through. No matter how grown up you are it's a heartsick time you have to work through. At first you privately react exactly as the 5 year old when told he can't have the scheduled birthday party. Inside where no one can see, you kick, scream, throw yourself on the floor and cry buffalo tears [whatever that is]. You feel your little world crumbling apart like Graham Crackers that have been in the pantry too long.

You are an adult so you can't really do that..but it is real and it is your heartsick moment, your private heartbreak. Sometimes that is when you really throw a party: A BIG PITY PARTY and just to 'show them" you don't invite anyone to your party. They are just supposed to care enough-to read your inner thoughts and know you're not available-until the party's over.

Sometimes it's hard being grown up isn't it? Come on, Admit it-I'm right there with you..no matter how mature and reasonable I may appear on the outside.

Hey.. That's why God made Tears..use them. I do!

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Sunshine and Rainbows

God is Good! Think of all the ways he fills our days. Yes there are mountantop & Valley Days and I guess that's the equivalent of sunshine and rainbows..with the sunshine we often have to settle for inconvenient heat and with the rainbows we usually have to accept an inconvenient downpour.

I am reminded of some of the rough spots in the past. I sometimes refer to these as pot holes along the way.

It's definitely a 'valley' experience when the doctor says "If this is laryngeal cancer, and I am pretty sure it is". Yes it's a pot hole along the way when the doctors interupt a grandson's surgery to tell his parents: "It's worse than we thought" and it certainly isn't convenient when your car's transmission takes on a life of it's own [ 40 miles from destination ] and all you can imagine is the picture of "the VW love bug" coming apart in the middle..remember that?

And it's shattering when you get the call that your "younger" sister has just flat lined in the hospital and is rushed to emergency heart bypass.

But then all the roads are not dotted with potholes..It's a sunshiny day with rainbows when the labs come back and the grandson's surgery can be reversed and he can function normally. The words Mercy and Victory immediately come to mind!

And the doctor's evaluation that ends with: "I see no sign of the return of cancer"..O definitely a sunshiny day. Whewwww! PTL again, again.

And the sweet little note from a friend that says someone cares what's going on with you...more sunshine!

The Dr. says. "She came through the surgery just great" No words to describe the reaction..God is good..and His mercy endures forever.

As I grow older [ and OLDER :&)] that word Mercy comes up more often.

The simple ordinary things that are not really ordinary: the children who hurry to you with hugs at church..joy, joy, joy! They trust me with their love. OOOOOOOOMY :^)

He continues to make my day [s] as my path crosses with another kindred spirit who is just thrilled about the same addictions [ to old, vintage, primitive and antique] I have! Yes I count this a blessing and a joy too. God does care about the most [seemingly] mundane things in my life. It doesn't have to be the things that cause me to shed tears on my pillow during a restless night. He cares about the small pleasures or the ongoing frustrations or discouragements.

This is the God of our MIRACLE YEARS in southeast Texas..the same God who efficiently removed my husband's arm from the round baler out in the hay field alone and 10 miles from home and 15 more miles from the nearest hospital. All He wanted from this gift was ALL PRAISE AND GLORY and our continued submission to His working in our lives. ..sounds like we got a good deal there.

I understand those miracles obligate us to share our story with others, to bless or encourage them. Those opportunities have not come in our new life soooooooo if you want a new prayer request on your list pray for doors to open for us to share these incredible things God has done in our lives.

This is the same God who came through for us in the midst of a 17,000 [yes thousand] acre forest fire [ Isaiah 43:2] the verse given to me in Texas and from Alabama..His promises are true..and his mercy endures! YES!!

He is the same God who [after 8 years of our effort] sold our farm for us when we could not...all he wanted was our submission to his will and working in our lives.

Imagine what an uninteresting lifescape this would be without the contrast of the mountaintop and the valleys, without the contrast of the sunshine and rainbows!

We are both just thankful God is molding and shaping us. He is God, He is sovereign..He is Good and did I mention Merciful?

That's The Spot-In the Picture Below

Yes, that's the spot where Ted's car was parked [ with old shoes and tin cans attached ] in front of the church where we were married June 21, 1959. The nice sign was not there but the tree was.

I would happily post a picture of the Lane that inspired the blog title 'down the lane', but so much has changed. Sad! When we go back this fall I will check it out and see if I can come up with a good picture for you. No matter what changes we still have those mental snap shots in time..

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The Rolling Store

The weather can often be inconvenient. Rain All Day days like today will keep most people at home and out of the stores. Shopping is not usually what I think of doing on a rainy day. I sometimes think of major house cleaning [yeah, I know, that's strange too.] but rarely shopping.

Back when I was a young child the weather didn't always mean no shopping. There were a few Stores that actually came to us. Yes, that's what I said. The one that was really significant was the grocery store. It was an old Bus called The Rolling Store and My Dad's brother Uncle Dewitt Williams drove it along a route in the country. This was only a part of his business. He had a real bonafide grocery store in town and he and aunt Lennie and their brood lived next door about 10 inches away. Well, not quite that close. My uncle was always in the grocery business as were other Williams cousins in Alma [Ga.]

When my family lived with my mother's parents in Mershon I recall Grandma Mobley and Mama carefully making a list before the rolling store came. We looked forward to the store rolling up the lane probably more than children today anticipate a trip to the shopping mall. I believe the store came once a week. I am not quite sure about that but it was without question the highlight of our day, perhaps week. Uncle Dewitt was every bit the business man. He'd rather work than anything I think and when it came to taking care of the customers he knew what he was doing.

If we stay on this subject for a while we'll come up with more chapters to this story. This is just a friendly challenge to a really special cousin "grannyO" to put in her two cents worth..She will have different parts to this puzzle picture because you see it was her Dad that owned and operated that Rolling Store.

Justa note: Other stores had routes in the country too. Some sold Coffee, some sold Candy, and all kinds of cleaning brushes etc

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Additional Thoughts from Janell Overstreet. Janell is my first cousin and it was her Daddy and his ROLLING STORE that my post above discusses.

"Things I remember about the Rolling Store.

Me and Daddy would go up to Bacon Grocery Company in Alma when it was in a big tin warehouse building before daylight and we would buy groceries by the cases and load them into the Bus.  Then we would stop by the ice plant where  Farmers' Supply is now and purchase ice to put in wash tubs to keep sodas cold. Each day we would take a different route,but the same day each week we would  go back the same route so the people would know exactly what day we would be going by. I remember stopping at Tobacco barns, cotton fields and the workers would literally run to the bus to get mostly R.C. Colas and MOON PIES.  They also bought Vienna Sausage, Potted Meat, saltine crackers and a soda.  That would be their lunch.  Also passing by men would be dipping tar [ from pine trees] and we would stop.  I remember when families would buy groceries from Daddy and charge on a weekly and pay up in August of the following year.  That is when share croppers got their money or other folks would be able to sell their tobacco.  The bus had a small porch on the back and that is where we would put peoples groceries.  You could come onto the bus and choose your groceries but inside was very crowded with one tiny isle and there were shelves on the inside where the groceries were put up and wash tubs of drinks and feed on the floor. People would buy groceries and did not have money  we would trade groceries for Eggs and chickens.  The chickens would be in a wire cage on the little porch. Daddy would always keep his money he collected in  his shirt pocket . One day he dropped it out we guessed it was in somebody's grocery bag.  We never found it.  That was not a good day for sure. I would put up the groceries on the shelves as  the bus was traveling down the road to the homes.  To this day I have a bad toe nail because a can of pineapple fell off the shelf and hit my toe.  I guess I will never forget that. Also on the Bennett Still highway close to the Bacon County line there was an old old wood bridge that We had to cross to get to Appling county. I would always walk across that bridge.  I was so scared that the bus would fall in.  Sure enough, one day Daddy almost got across it and the front of the bus was on the road and the back was hanging down in the bridge.  I remember I wold always sit up front of the bus beside Daddy where he drove. Even though it was our little business I would never get a drink, candy or anything to eat unless I asked him.  Folks did not go to town often  in those days. that was the only way most farmers could get things they needed.  If you could go to town you went on Saturday. I went along on  the grocery bus until I was to big to go; I mean too old.  Oh, by the way, I still like Vienna Sausage and potted meat occasionally.

Thank you my dear cousin Janell~I knew your viewpoint would be different. You were the "town girl" same as "city girl" I guess and your family owned and operated the grocery business. It was a demanding business. I know because we saw how long and hard your parents worked that business [the one in town and the rolling store].

My viewpoint was the other side of the story.  My Dad was one of the sharecroppers who made their list and watched for the grocery bus coming down the lane.

This added post: September 13, 2010

Birth-Days-We Have To Have Them Don't We?

Here' it comes, ready or not! I refer to the day of my birth- [birthday].

Years ago as I anticipated turning 30 I thought all the talk of being "over the hill" at 30 was absolute Nonesense!

It Was.

As I approached 40 I waited for some emotional upheaval. It didn't happen. At 40 I was at a great place, somewhat like the top of a mountain - able to "see" all the way down [the years past and behind me] or anticipate [with joy] what is ahead on the other side.

I cannot recall being singularly impressed one way or another with "50". At that time life was too interesting and busy to be concerned with getting older.

I do have a little jewel for you concerning turning 60. At some point in the year after marking 6 decades on earth it slipped up on me..not a WOW moment but more like an Ahhhhhhhh, Ok, I see.

Shall I explain my quirky little revelation?
Ok since you [didn't] ask: "Turning 30 wasn't remarkable and forty was a bit of a let down b/c I felt good about myself. At forty I heard "You're a young forty".

Then at fifty it was "But you are a Young 50" I guess I felt it was my due to be considered a "young whatever" age. <>

Here it comes..."After 6o it dawned on me softly, quietly but clearly one day...after 60 you cannot be a Young Anything, Anymore..You are old.

Well.. I am.

Girls it's the mirrors! I avoid the mirrors & I am great!
I don't feel 20 or 30..but then, who wants to be?

Not me!

If you agree mirrors can totally ruin your day..let's not even talk about videos. OOOOmy OMY those videos. they show you pictures of people you don't even recognize [YOURSELF ]

Now we know why it's so important to have that peace and contentment and joy that comes from our Lord. Just think what we would be like growing old
without HIM showing through us!

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Rainy Days

Daddy-1958














Rainy Days like today remind me of some of those 'snapshots in time' as a child.
I recall a scene when I was less than 4 years old. I was outside in a garden with my dad [ "Daddy" ] As it started to rain we ran into the house. I still remember in that primitive farmhouse [ a dog trot ] at Rockingham, [GA] lying across the bed beside Daddy and watching the rain through the window... LISTENING TO THE RAIN ON THE TIN ROOF.

It's one of those "you had to be there" stories. I don't remember a conversation.
I do remember enjoying the sight and sounds of the rain. It was a good place to be. I was a happy little girl who felt safe and loved by my Daddy.

Take note - you who have young children now.
You never know the ordinary moments that could stay with your child for a lifetime. And we don't get to choose those memories that 'stick'.

That was more than 60 years ago!

Now Let's Get Into The Dirt!

That's me . . Inside I am still that little barefoot farmgirl who so loved to walk in the cool freshly plowed fields in south Georgia.

We seem to store many 'snapshots in time' over the years; it is both peculiar and amusing the kinds of things that get filed away.

I remember "me" [the BFFG] when I walk out in the yard barefoot. Dontcha love it when the grass is freshly cut [assuming it is thick and healthy and not filled with sand spurs]. That same BFFG shows up when I choose to sit on the floor instead of trying to find another chair in the living room. I am often barefoot indoors..OFTEN. Well, yes I do have house shoes, nice soft ones.. I make no excuse-unless I blame it on my country 'roots.' lol

Another snapshot in time is nearby those plowed fields in front of Grandma Mobley's house [ old primitive dog trot ] Under the big Sycamore trees my cousins and I often played .. [ in the dirt again] we built what we called "playhouses" in the sand. Wondering what kind of construction this involved??
mmmmm how can one explain something so primitive to our 21st century contacts/especially those younger than myself? It went somewhat like this: We used sticks & twigs to outline the rooms and whatever we found around us-bottles, lids, acorns, you get the picture? and we used our imagination & conversation to create life & drama. We had no real toys, used nature, God's creation and the intelligence and imaginations He gave us. IMAGINE that??

I don't want to leave you thinking: "O those poor children-that's so Sad" If you are thinking that You Are just wrong. True, our lives were not cluttered rooms and closets full of plastic toys [that end up in garage sales] but our lives were filled with freedom, time, space, nature and exploration..actually so few limitations. When we left the yard we were never told "watch out for strangers" or "careful crossing the road" or "don't get hurt"..rather we usually heard "don't be late for supper." Imagine such freedom!!! Back at ya later :^)

My South Georgia Roots

For many years I looked at my south Georgia roots as a time and place to get away from. I was so sure everywhere else was better & bigger. It was about 10 years at least before I began to realize EVERYONE is FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE..usually somewhere smaller and less significant.[or so we think] It was an enternet exchange with a Williams [my maiden name] family researcher that helped me realize "That's My History" my story, and it is unique to me and that time. The 1940s and & 1950s won't be repeated. They are our treasured History. I have memories that can only be told by me and all those other Mobley & Williams cousins from South Georgia & specifically Pierce and Bacon and Liberty County. I learned about the Liberty county connection later in life.

Maybe next time we'll get into the dirt :^)

Changes

Getting old is so full of changes. Almost 3 years ago as we were in transition from southeast Texas back "home to Alabama" I shared this thought with my husband [while we were house hunting]. I said "you know it's just too much, it's not fair..getting old, fat, and adjusting to these cell phones. . too many changes all at once."

Now I find myself in another "first'..a blog on the Internet. I can talk and write all the time. Ask my friends and family. The words are there. The thoughts are there. It's learning to maneuver this Blog thing that is a challenge. We all have friends who are more knowledgeable and we know they love us but have you ever tried to get one of those computer geniuses to stop for half an hour and explain something on your computer for you. Hey, it's not going to happen. So one just plods along, choosing options and running into dead ends, giving up and coming back to try again and wonder of wonders ..you make a choice that works.

So the moral of that little whining story is..don't give up, keep trying,huh?

In the Beginning- My Way Back When!

That's Aunt Laura left, our Nan center and me, Jonell on the right. It was here in aunt Laura and uncle Jack's house where we had this conversation about the location of the house where I was born: Down the Lane and Around the Curve, on the Youman's place.

About Life-Then- Now And The Years In Between.  Come Along, Walk With Me Down the Lane & Around the Curve!

This is your invitation to join in this conversation-Add your comments in response to my posts or use your comment space for your own entry -thoughts that come to mind as you are reading mine. This is not intended to be a one sided Conversation.

My life's 'journey".. began "Down the Lane" and around the curve in the little 3 room share cropper's house on the edge of the Youman's Place [Mershon, Georgia] That was March 1941 when my twin brother and I were born.

How do I know that? Because Aunt Laura Mobley told me..or I should say she reminded or refreshed my memory back in 1990 as we visited and talked about when I was born she said "Right over Yonder". I asked "Where aunt Laura?" and she responded: "Down the Lane and around the curve" over yonder on the Youmans Place.

And there it was. It didn't take us long to make that little trip-lol. Yep, there it was a little wood frame 3 room house still standing actually wasn't unsafe to enter. [ one of those ceramic white door knobs is my treasure now & yes we did ask permission ]

As we looked around in the back room I realized that had been the Kitchen and hey look at that window...they would have thrown their dirty dishwater out through that window!

Thanks aunt Laura for giving me back those things I had forgotten about my personal history. I didn't know [ or recall being told] that aunt Laura had sent for my Grandma Williams in Alma [Ga.] to come help with the delivery. I've learned since that Grandma Williams helped a lot of women have their babies but she slipped up on this one-about 24 hours or so later there was a second baby..my twin brother Jurel who only lived about two weeks.

That's the beginning of my journey. Can we continue? I'd be glad to share this with  more Mobley & Williams cousins . [ btw: Participation is not limited to real cousins-all others related or not are welcome and encouraged to come along as we stroll "Down the Lane."]