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Have You Seen This One?

What a wonderful surprise to open up facebook and find a picture of your Grandparents that you had not seen before.  God bless that incredible Aunt Josephine who took a million pictures in the 1940's and '50s and then so generously copied and shared them for many years with all of us nieces and nephews.

L-R: Rachel Lee-Mobley & Marion Albert Mobley

At this moment I do not know the date.

Two cousins confirm the location - /Atlanta/Aunt Josephine's home

Old Fashioned Wealth & Hospitality

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.

No one waited for an invitation.  They knew they'd be welcome.  No one called to give a warning that 'company is coming.'  And besides not everyone had telephones. 

On Saturdays my uncle Jack would check with aunt Laura about who and how many she thought might be there for Sunday Dinner [ lunch time after morning church].  He then went to the chicken yard and proceeded to make provision for fried chicken for Sunday...or chicken & rice.  Not too many people [in my opinion] could turn out a better spread for an as yet undetermined number of guests than aunt Laura...but often with the help of Ileen, one or both of the Grandmas..Mobley or Kitchens, and any willing women visitors..but you know we never thought of ourselves as visitors or guests.  It was just Family.

So many times I recall sitting on that side porch with other 'younguns' waiting our turn at the table.  Whether it was a tobacco harvesting day or Sunday dinner I always felt the same.  We were wondering why it took so long for those grown ups to eat and hoping to goodness there would be chicken left when they all left the table.  Somehow there always was plenty of food..and leftovers.

That pie safe of aunt Laura's seemed to always have leftovers. All the women in our families  made a different kind of Biscuit.  Grandma Mobley's were baked in a round pan so all the sides were touching hence no firm crusts..tender and flaky as can be & no side crusts.  Aunt Laura made lots of Biscuits, always.  There were 6 children in their family so that was a ready made crowd with no company.  When company came the numbers of biscuits grew.  Flour was closeby in a 5 gallon Lard Can with lid. The lid was often turned over and used to mix up the batch of biscuit dough. Some women did the whole thing with their hands, blending the lard, flour & milk together with their hands.  I hadn't thought of this is ages but I believe Grandma Mobley mixed hers with a fork. Where were those wonderful [now collectible] pastry blenders?  Anyway they apparently hadn't discovered them or found no need for them.
Back to the biscuits:  Aunt Laura's biscuits were  big and flat with a good crust all around.  The better to fill with homemade syrup, after punching a hole down into the center/from the crust edge.  That was a perfect snack after school, anytime you were allowed in between meals.  I just can't recall any being left..if they were then they were used for the next meal.  Left over biscuits at Grandma Mobleys became something else for the next days' breakast.  She cut them in half, dipped them in beated & seasoned eggs and toasted in a hot 'spider'..or iron skillet.  I often heard Grandma Mobley refer to a frying pan or skillet as the "spider."  Many years later as I pondered exactly where did that word spider come from.  After a little research I discovered it was a brand name for a specific 'frying pan.'

We may have to do this in 'chapters'.. Family Gatherings at Christmas or Thanksgiving.  We have already covered sleeping arrangements. Now let's go to  what it takes to have a great Christmas or Thanksgiving.back then.

As the big holiday approached friends and neighbors often would ask "Ya'll gonna have a big Christmas/Thanksgiving?"  The answer would depend on whether you were expecting a big crowd of family.  If lots of folks were coming the answer would be : "Yeah, expecting a good Christmas/thanksgiving."

After the holiday when someone asked: "Ya'll have a big Christmas?" Again the answer would depend on the crowd.  If it was a big crowd of folks the reply came: "Yeah, Big Christmas, Plenty of good food." 

The only time I can recall anyone ever asking:  "What did you get for Christmas?"  was at school..it became a ritual at some point upon returning to school after Christmas break to share "What you got for Christmas."  That could be a problem -truthfully this was probably the inspiration for a lot of children 'telling lies" about Christmas and Santa Clause.  It didn't 'feel good' to have to participate in this bit of sharing.

About growing up in our era and children telling lies:  When I was I think in the 4th grade I remember sitting in the lunch room at school on benches eating our sandwiches.   People at my table were playing "what you got in your lunch" and when the question was posed to me by the girl seated next to me, I didn't feel comfortable telling her there was just mayonaise between those two slices of white bread and quick as a wink I said: "I already ate the meat."  And people say children won't lie.  Actually I remember that everytime I just have to have a plain old mayonaise sandwich.  During that time I remember that lunch for school was a daily thing to deal with.  When Daddy had the money [ we lived in a 'town' invironment then] he went to the nearby grocery store and bought as many slices as he could of something called spiced ham, I think. Those were good days.  I don't buy or eat anything called Lunch Meat now.

Another Chapter: ....any days when we didn't have to go to school or work things like tobacco harvesting days  my cousin Eulita and I often sat on the porch rail waiting for the train to come by.  The Engineers and other RR workmen never failed to wave to us and us to them.  Those same railroad tracks were part of games we played..as we ventured out to explore.  We climbed fences, picked fruit, discovered little violets in damp areas ..funny I don't ever remember running up on a snake in the woods. No one ever called out after us as we left the house: "Be Careful, don't talk to strangers.'"
It was usually just: "Don't be late for supper" or "Be home before dark"

Another Chapter:  The farm life in the deep south was considered to be a hard life.  People worked hard.  Women had to work hard.  Even the children had to work.  Imagine that. They had a hard life.

True not all families had  the same level of poverty or wealth.  A farm family like Jack and Laura Mobley with 6 children were certainly not considered rich or wealth land owners.  Aunt Laura told me when they bought their place from Mr. Youmans it was for $5,000.00 and without a dime down payment.
Common in those days the deal was sealed with a handshake and a plan to make payments yearly when the crops came in. 
Then there were families like mine who for various and often obvious reasons were easily recognized as a poor family.  To me my Mobley relatives [Jack & Laura's family] were as good as RICH. They had to be. At one point I noticed Eugene and Eulita actually had paper napkins to wrap their lunch sandwiches in for school.  They had to be rich. 
And Uncle Jack bought a new truck regularly. I THOUGHT looking back that it was every year..could be wrong.  Of  course that truck was a necessity to a real farmer. 

From my viewpoint they had to be rich too.  Look in that pantry at the end of the side porch..wasn't there usually a burlap bag with pecans there. and in the barn loft or one of the outbuildings weren't there stacks of cans of homemade syrup?

Mobley Connections

My Introduction to My Mobley Great Grand Parents

 

I think I shall never forget the night I was introduced to them. I had been working for quite a while sharing my own personal Mobley family information with Carl W. Mobley in Orlando Florida area. He was the keeper of the Mobley website I had connected with. After carefully reviewing the names, dates, etc I began to pass along the pictures via the internet. Late, late in the wee hours of the morning the last picture he shared with me was of my Mobley Great Grandparents..the parents of My Grandpa Marion Albert Mobley. I was not prepared for the emotional response. I cannot describe it. You see my grandparents were very real to me. There were multiple times growing up when my mother and siblings ended up living with Grandpa and Grandma in Mershon, Ga...just DOWN THE LANE from Aunt Laura and Uncle Jack Mobley. Because they were so real to me..it was such a small stretch to reach out and in a very surreal way touch my newly discovered Great Grand parents whom I actually had never known.

My husband had awakened and when he walked past me at the computer I declared: "Sweetheart, I just met my Mobley Great Grandparents." mmm talk about Connections!!

 

 



The Stove

I was just browsing some wonderful blog sites with vintage/antique kitchens and cannot remember if I shared my old stove with you on either of my blogs..so forgive me if this is a 'repeat."  Just blame it on getting old. You do remember that I am 71this year [2012]. That is now my excuse anytime I foul up.

The Stove is an Okeefe & Merritt gas range we moved with us from the farmhouse in Texas. It sat here in Alabama in our shop from 2006 for 4 years.  It's about 95% restoration and done by my husband [he works cheap] and totally a labor of love since it was special to me and not him.

Remembering Mama~

Remembering Mama..

not just on the day we call MOTHERS' DAY. 

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.

When I was a preteen- before we used the term "preteen" I still called her MAMA. A little later as I became a teenager I still called her MAMA.  Years later as an adult I referred to her most often in conversation as my Mother.  She's been gone since 1973 and when I whisper some shared thought I wish she could hear or know I always whisper: "Mama." 

My Mother, Annie Bell Mobley-Williams was the first person who taught me loyalty. I saw both humility and strength in her.  She was never honored by people around her but I do think I and my sister Gwen and brother Carl have honored her by the life we have lived and I know she is rewarded in Heaven by her Heavenly Father. She knew him. Humanly I always feel my Mother deserved so much more than she had on this earth but consider ETERNITY..then it balances out. 

My life has been richer because of who and what she was ...consequently my four children's lives have been richer for that reason.  We pass it on and share generously from the bounty of God's grace.  Mama would have been so overwhelmed by the beauty, blessing and bounty in all our lives..His provison and goodness and mercy visible

My Mama at about 36-38 years old

Ready for Company~

Red, White & Blue Vintage Guest Room-The Color & Vintage will appeal to Her-
 The Vintage-Antique says Masculine.
DOUBLE CLICK on the collage to see enlarged photos.

Cousins~ Another Time~

I am at a place in life where the focus is on Cousins..none of us in my family have living parents at this point in time and have begun to lose first Cousins. The memories we share are truly unique. Consider the world as it is today in the 21st century..my generation was blessed to live in such a special and unique time. It was by today's standards such an uncomplicated, simple life. People had time for each other. Children actually had summer vacations even though VACATIONS were not a part of our lives. It wasn't always playtime. Work was almost always a part of our Summers but so was free time, carefree time to roam the fields, woodlands and make up games as we walked the railroad tracks and what a sweet treasured memory I have of sitting on the front porch rail of Jack & Laura Mobley's farmhouse with my slightly younger cousin Eulita-[Laura Eulita Mobley] we called her Leedie- as she and I leisurely awaited the sight  and sounds of the train and a chance to wave at the Engineers and workmen as they passed by. I have total recall of climbing fences and gates into fields to get to Pear trees and ambling through the woods discovering things like Wild Violets? 

We first cousins spent summers &  holidays together if we didn't live in the same community.  Many of us went to the same school & church. We shared bedrooms, beds..and quilt pallets on the floor. There was no such thing as a room for each person. If two double beds would fit in a room It had two beds. Then the children, as families showed up for special occasions, would be sleeping 3 or four to a bed depending on the size of the children. If they were little ones there might be one sleeping cross ways at the foot of the bed.

There was always room or a way to make room for the company that would show up.  No invitation-truly Old Fashioned Southern Hospitality at it's best.

We could never have imagined that one day not so far in the future we would be scattered all over the Southeast, even the Midwest..and not see each other often for many, many years.  Still we have what we shared. It's ours..the past, the family-the reunions, the kick the can games at dusk, building tunnels with square bales of hay in the barn loft...raiding the burlap bag of pecans in aunt Laura's pantry at the end of the dog trot[side porch].

My cousin "Leedie" was so much more privileged than I. I was at times jealous I am sure of things like that wonderful painted Doll House she got for Christmas..I'll bet that beauty cost $5.00, came from Sears I am quite sure and I was so easily impressed..they even had AVON products in their house. I remember some of the containers that came to be "keepers" like the little powder jar I now have on an old vanity in a spare bedroom.  I forgot to mention Eulita who was Leedie to most of us as a youngster, had another nickname. Uncle Jack called her "monkey." That's all right. It's a southern thing I suppose? Her next in birth order brother Eugene had several nicknames over the years.  His Grandma Kitchens called him "Biddie" then as we grew a little older, I'm not exactly sure when "Biddie" turned into "Bennie". It could have been when we advanced from the local Mershon Elementary School to Patterson on our way to High School.  Again at some point it became Gene and I think his contemporaries all know him as Gene.  Their next older brother James had the "nickname" of "Baker".  I was told that someone [was it again Grandma Kitchens?] tagged him with that saying his feet were as big as a Baker..referring to a particular baking pan.  I don't recall the other 3 cousins in that family having a nickname. I never had one and since I never was thrilled with the name Jonell..encouraged people with whom I worked to feel free to call me Jo remembering how I loved the "Aunt Josephine" who became Aunt Jo to all of us.



Glenda Sue Weathers,
Imogene Carter,
 Jonell Williams





Dorsey Eugene Mobley



Clarence Turner

Icannot write about childhood without recalling special times with cousins and Eulita was a special part of those years. I was able to see her about 4 years ago. Communicating was difficult then but with patience it was possible to connect and for that I am so thankful.

 

A Few Fav Things!

All Things Natural, Vintage, Antique-Pottery Less Than Perfect-"It's had a Life" - Old Treasures Blended With the New & Modern.  Hydrangeas are one of My very favorite beautiful things in the world. That's fresh cut or dried. I enjoy the challenge of working with a "nothing" and turning it into something. Something beautiful, of course!  Sticks, Twigs and branches especially those with lichen. Curly Willow branches make a statement all alone.  Repurposed less than perfected pieces of pottery, old jars, dishes..architectural pieces that have been discarded can be the beginning of a memorable decorative accent or feature all alone. Wild flowers dug up "roots & all" can become just what's needed for an outdoor wedding.  Broken depression era dishes or glassware or pottery chards are difficult to trash.  That's why they often end up in flower pots or flower beds [at my house].  Yes, I do have just a few 'favorite things.'

 

Times Past-Treasures Found




Clarence Turner [1st Cousins]

 




Benny & Lila Mae Mobley-Turner-Strickland

   


1959/JWH







Earlish Arnold Mobley & Vera Loper-Mobley

 

Eddie Walters & Josephine Mobley-Walters



Glenda, Josephine,Troy, Ivis,Audrey Mobley
[Troy & Josephine Brother/Sister]





Troy Mobley's Girls Glenda,Ivis,Audrey w our  Aunt Josephine





Annie Bell Mobley Williams & E.D. Williams



My Dad-Walter E.D. Williams & My little Sister Gwenell

Wonderful Old Mobley Pictures

Audrey, Ivis & Glenda Mobley-Uncle Troy & Aunt Annie's girls~




 Our Mobley Grandparents: Marion Albert & Rachel Lee-Mobley Looks like this may have been taken on a rare trip to Atlanta [Aunt Josephine's ]

 


Uncle Henry Mobley as a Young Man-Brother of Marion Albert Mobley



Mobley Sisters: Lila Mae & Annie Bell



 



Mama-Annie Bell Mobley-Williams

Rachel Lee-Mobley-Grandma

Marion Albert Mobley-Grandpa

Annie Roundtree-Mobley-Uncle Troy's Wife

Left-Right: Ileen Mobley, Laura Kitchens-Mobley, Eulita Mobley, Rachel Lee-Mobley [Laura is Ileen & Eulita's Mother]

Mobley Brothers: [order of Birth] Jack, Troy, Earlish, Marion

Marion & Dolly Strickland-Mobley

Marion Albert Mobley-Grandpa

Mobley Brothers- A Guess : Jack & Troy

Audrey Mobley on Right-Left ?

Troy & Annie Mobley's girls plus a Grandchild?

Troy Mobley



Annie & Troy Mobley



Material Loss ~

Observing and pondering a family's dilemma after a house fire:

You don't realize what you have until you have nothing.  When you have Nothing- You need Everything.

Have you ever driven up to your home and it was not there? Where do you turn first? Ihave had this experience of driving up to the house where your family lived and finding 'it was not there,' burned to the ground, when I was only 18 years old. At that time in 1959 my family saw so much love and generosity from the community. That was almost unbelievable. I can put myself in the shoes of a family I see going through this now.

It appears today many people can give until it hurts...immediately, without reservation or question when the need is in a  distant place ~ [another state, area or country]. When the need is in "our own neighborhood"..[ community/church ] we sometimes  respond differently-with more cautious generosity.   Why is that? 

Reason for Celebration-

HE IS RISEN~

Once Upon A Time~

Yes, there was a time in the far distant past when I longed for those 'little ones' to be able to just feed, dress and bathe themselves!

And there was the time when I wished they wouldn't run so fast, scream so loudly or allow the doors to slam so often.

Later still I prayed for them to be home on time, to talk to me about their problems and to just tell me the truth. I could handle most surprises   armed with the truth.

Some time passed and I could adjust to just seeing most of them once or twice a year if I had to..and sometimes we did.."had to".

Now in the 8th decade of life   I find myself longing to see my children -that includes their mates too.  In years past we have often said emphatically that we do not want to live down the street or around the corner from our children..Now, that sounds pretty good.. Nothing  quite compares to that moment when they walk in the door and greet us with big smiles and hugs. Nothing!
What's going on..mmm maybe I'm just getting old?

Share Jesus Without Fear

Share Jesus Without Fear

Our Gardner does Great Work~

Early Birthday ~ Brundidge

Left-Right: Johnny, Loretta, Turner [behind], Steve & Carol [behind Steve, Jonell & Ted, Patrick & David,Rita with Reagan in front. [explanation for "gun" Loretta is holding. It's a pellet gun she had retrieved from Reagan] We tried to use the bridal wreath  as the backdrop; don't know quite why we ended up in front of it.

They said this was supposed to be a seventy-th birthday celebration..but surely they didn't mean ME..mine is not until the 29th.

[there were only 8 things wrong with this day..the 8 who are missing from this picture: Deanna, Tim, Dylan, Zack, Samantha, Ethan, Ryan & Sarah]

Your Invitation~

~ Pour yourself a Cup of your Fav Tea, turn the TV off, Pull up a Chair and soak in all the Pretties I have scattered about the house for you - join the conversation-Leave Me a comment, feedback you want to share. If I did not like tea I would drink it anyway just to have an excuse for collecting pretty tea cups and teapots.

I look forward to your input!  http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com/

Daddy's Girl~

Aren't we all? If we were not Daddy's Girl we were wanting to be. Fortunately I as the oldest child and my sister as the youngest got to have that kind of "daddy's girl" relationship with our Dad.

My father was not the most upstanding citizen in the community.  He was not always a picture of respectability or being responsible.  He was not "always there for us." I am reasonably sure he was not always a faithful husband.  He let us down. He left us in a lurch numerous times. Daddy was not a Wise Man.  He was not always the example his two sons and two daughters should have had.  Oftentimes he did not even come close to 'measuring up,' as a father, husband and man.

Having said that I have to share these additional thoughts and observations. My Daddy did always love us. I knew that. He taught me to do things like tying my shoes, learning the alphabet, counting, memorizing multiplication tables.  He taught me to "tell time." I think that was about the first or second grade if not earlier. Daddy only attended school through the fifth grade.  He taught me what he knew and was learning. Daddy didn't go to church with me..but he never hindered me from going or discouraged me concerning church or what I was taught. If he had money he always gave me money for the offering at church..back then if you had a penny or two you knew you had it covered. You had an offering for church.

I know my Daddy was proud of me; I never doubted that. In 1957 when I was in the 10th grade my Dad stood outside the school auditorium and watched through the window as I received a satin and tinsle crown and bouquet of red roses as Miss Patterson High School of 1957.  I wasn't aware of this until  weeks afterward when my Mother told me.  I was never sure if he didn't go inside because he felt he was not dressed well enough or if admission was more than he could pay.  Realistically, if there was a charge it would not have been more than a dollar. I never asked him. 

My Daddy had a sense of humor.  Perhaps I might describe him as a 'charmer' .  I realize as I look back at some of the photos saved in my inner photo album that Daddy didn't lie easily.  I recall conversations between him and Mama when I suspect he was lying and he didn't do it well.  That would be a good trait.  Daddy didn't use good judgement in choosing friends and he was not strong as a leader. He was not a man of strong character.  He was easily led by others and there were always consequences our family paid for those poor choices in following others.

I saw how he hurt my Mother.  She didn't talk a lot about it but children see and hear and perceive more than adults often know.  He broke my Mother's heart but he didn't break her spirit.  She was encouraged to leave him and by most anyone's standards she had justification. She did not. She stood strong and faithful in every way. The struggles that were more than  a few lasted until the last few years of their lives together. Of course that saddens me even today [after they are both gone years ago] It saddens me that my Mother [ & Daddy too] didn't live long enough to know the joy of seeing the wonderful life we have had and how their Grandchildren grew up [quickly] to be such fine adults.

The saddest reality to deal with is that I have no assurance that My Daddy will be in Heaven when we get there.

For my Mother I thank God for the knowledge that she'll enjoy Heaven for eternity.

[My Mother: Another chapter-another time].

I couldn't write this any other way. This is the way it was. It cannot be changed now.

God did show me that in the middle of all those negatives there was still something for which to be thankful: "My father was not 'a good man' but he was A WONDERFUL DADDY."

Something Yummo Good~

I've just been waiting for something good to post. 

Got it! A Bacon-Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich on a really good bread w/ real Mayo. 

It should be cheap & easy to feed me traveling because I think I could eat a BLT EVERYDAY..SERIOUSLY!

[ btw: the only way it can be better is with FRESH FROM YOUR BACKYARD TOMATOES/not the supermarket]

Cousins~All

Thinking of the people with whom we grew up and graduated from high school with -someone said about those of us in the same little community of Mershon,Georgia: "We were like family.  We played together, ate together, slept with and went to church & school together. "
Perhaps today that seems a strange statement but it is true. We were all just like cousins.. Could that be where the phrase "kissing cousins" comes from?
Thanks for the thought gsw-t !

Mershon Georgia Girl~Going Home!

Going Home...that would be for me the Community of Mershon, Georgia, Pierce county- "southeast Georgia."

It is first of all one of those places too small to be called a town-perhaps just a Crossroads-but stretched out over  acres & miles. The people make it  Community.

More than anything else Mershon/southeast Georgia is [as has been said before] an attitude, a state of mind.  Going home brings a sudden gasp  as you recognize that little place alongside the road..it's still there!  Funny how you can spot a turn in the road that still looks familiar in spite of time and heartbreaking changes. It is equally emotional and shocking to suddenly arrive at a once familiar landmark and now there's a new landmark..bearing no resemblance to what was...fifty plus years ago...oh no the change is more like a century has passed.  How could it be?  Didn't they know we would all be back one day expecting to snuggle up in the arms of this place that nurtured us, fed us, entertained and educated us during a time now only recognized in sepia prints of scenes captured of special events, moments & dear, dear people who with very few exceptions have been gone for a while now.  The teachers, pastors, business owners, farmers, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and Grandparents..we knew they would not always be there, but I suppose we actually thought the homes, farmhouses, gas stations, school buildings, tobacco barns, sycamore trees would all wait for us to return.

So many of us have lived far away from what we now call our past, our history, our roots.  I remember when my own  family lived in  the state of Kentucky and Indiana in the 1970's and I longed to go home.  I had recurring dreams of making that trip to Mershon, Georgia. In my dream I traveled down that main highway that leads from Mershon to Alma and as I would approach once familiar homes, farms, landmarks there would be changes. Some could not be found [that's the way it is now] I cannot describe the feelings but I still  remember them. 

 In reality when I have actually made that trip and what I remember and dreamed of basically does not exist.. It is not there anymore but we can all carry the memories and the sepia photos within our hearts and minds from now on.

[ I am writing this for all my Mobley cousins, family members & PHS class of 59  alumni ] It would be wonderul if some of you would add your random rambling thoughts ..you know, while we still CAN REMEMBER..just click on COMMENTS and add your own

Still Learning~

Over a lifetime one does not always accomplish everything on the personal planner-you don't always get to make the trips, see the sights, reach the goals you would like.

Even relationships are not always what you dream  of in different decades of life especially as years pass and the family dynamics change.

One thing that compensates for these dissapointments is ENJOYING WHAT YOU GET AND BEING THANKFUL FOR THE PRESENT..for the NOW!

I don't ever get tired of making special time for my family..my heart is never so crowded that I can't  make room for our Children, their mates and the Grands.

Every day is a gift..every birthday, anniversary, graduation,wedding or just a gathering..is an Event for me! 

I guess that's an advantage of getting old..being able to see so many years behind that each day is a gift to treasure. I do!

Cousins-Mine & Yours~

None of either of my parent's  siblings are still living.  Aunt Lila Mae & Aunt Josephine were the last of Mama's to pass away during the past 2-3 years. 

Growing up in South Georgia during the 1940's & '50's we could never have imagined how we would one day be scattered across the country not even seeing each other for 5, 10 even 20 years - As children we spent Sundays together, gathering for Sunday Dinner [lunch] and playing "all  over creation" all afternoon until everyone went their separate ways.  We spent weeks together during the summer.  We all gathered together for Christmas & Thanksgiving and family reunions in Mershon every October. Grandpa Mobley's birthday was in October and so was Aunt Laura's and my cousin Eugene's. Some of these folks we never saw any other time except those October reunions..but it was so memorable or perhaps they were such remarkable people that pictures of them, their voices, personalities remain a permanent part of my inner photo album.  Over the years as we grew up I realized they didn't all live worlds apart..many were just in the next county-almost all definitely within the same state of Georgia.  There were a few stragglers who wandered off to the north part of Florida.  Funny, they always came back.

When we gathered for these special times it was usually at Aunt Laura and Uncle Jack's [Mobley] place in Mershon. In front of the old farm house there was that wonderful sandy lane and between there and the first corn field with a fence was still more open space with those ever so handy Sycamore Trees...convenient for both shade and setting up tables for all the food.  There was no entertainment, no planned activities except a time when the big Birthday Cake came out and pictures were taken of groups of parents and siblings..thanks to Aunt Josephine we all have some of those pictures. She's the only one I remember who always showed up with a camera. Then in later life she spent an enormous amount of time and money making copies of all these pictures and sending them out to her nieces and nephews. 

We Mobley cousins all have most of these same memories because we were always together..of course sometimes we may conveniently forget some of the kid stuff..all of us born just before and during WWII have been blessed to have lived in the best of times in this country.  We had the hard times from which to learn and grow and the decades of plenty and bounty to make our hearts tender and thankful for such a wonderful life.  It can't get much better than that. I would not want to "wish away" the hard times when having nothing was so common-I have always been so thankful for those years.  We of my generation are better off for having those hard times. It's our children who missed out on such blessing..most of them, but especially our grands have had too much and too easy and our families and our country is now reaping the harvest. 

Now here we are settling into the 21st century with four of us [Mobley 1st cousins] already passed away and the rest of us scattered from Oregon to Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky,  with some still at home in South Georgia-Pierce county but we can't seem to realize that our time is mostly past...as my husband often says at almost 74 yrs old " he's on borrowed time now".

While we have been apart so many years it's still so sweet how there is that precious bond still there when we are together.  Now the challenge is for all of us to make the time and opportunity for quality time together. 

Time is precious~

2011 ~ Ready, Set, Go!

Praise the Lord for A New Year, a Fresh Calendar and a joyful, hopeful, thankful heart as we are Looking Forward.

Joy! Joy! Joy!  [ http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com/  ]

Joyful Moments-2010

December visit with my "little sister" Gwen in Kentucky

A whole bunch of our family at the Beach with Deanna's family in March

A stopover at Cracker Barrel while doing the Longest Yardsale in August- We eat, I shop,

Ted waits! 

Getting ready to say "goodbye" in March-to quote Sam: "Why do we say "goodbye?" There's nothing good about it."

Steve and Carol at the Hanging of the Green Christmas service at Eastern Hills in December

2010 Closeout-Looking Back

More Family Groups:  http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com

Pausing Along the Way~

[ Don't forget: http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com]

The last days before Christmas and New Years will be so full I seriously doubt there will be time for posts.  For that reason I will hit the "pause" button.

This project began two years ago. This is a good place to stop and compile two years worth of both meaningful and meaningless  posts ~thoughts, observations, impulsive meanderings and pondering  that may or may not be of interest to anyone except me..nonetheless, it's a challenge and project of which I am actually proud.  The technology has challenged me.  The project has motivated me to write. I have made an effort to avoid the use of too much personal information  focused on individual family members, making note of first names and only mentioning relationships.  [I think!] My intention has not been to put together an expose of things that would embarrass people..the ramblings one reads are more about what's in the mind of the writer [that's an interesting thought-no sarcastic comments from my loved ones please!]

After a festive gathering prior to Christmas Eve, My sweetheart and I are planning to slip away for a Christmas holiday [s] as we  learn to do things, have fun and enjoy life [occasionally] without  family.

Life is Good~we have so much for which to be thankful-life, good health, family, friends and a place we call home..we so love having home wrapped around us!

Have a Happy! Have a Berry Merry and don't forget Christmas is because of Christ -Joy, Joy, Joy!! J=Jesus, O=Others, Y=You

[to be continued in 2011]

Harvest Time~

Yes, it's almost time...the weatherman is talking about the chance of frost even in the deep south.  We listen to the forecast and then we argue with him.  My resident weatherman is taking some precautions but I think only because we plan to be out of town.  So the ferns and some delicate looking  plants are already hidden away in our little greenhouse...Just in case!


Ooops, almost forgot to explain - I went out to check on my gourds today..so happy to have a bigger harvest than I was expecting. I will have enough to share [ paying rent for the neighbor's side of the fence where half the crop is hanging]


 In the past I have pulled the gourds at the threat of first frost...well, today I decided to double check advice on that and found one grower who assures me that I can still leave them on the vines for a while yet.


Another bit of information gleaned from the article suggested that I can even leave them outdoors to cure as long as they are not touching the ground..


I am easily lead..LET'S TRY THAT!


[Pictures will be posted when they are all harvested.]

Remembering My last Two Week Vacation

You know you've been here [hospital] too long when: 

1. Your son proceeds to brush your hair before he takes you out in the hallway for a walk
2. When you know the schedule of the two best nurses on the floor

You figure out that you must not be doing well when: 

1.  You can't tear open the little paper salt packet
2.  When you pull down the toilet tissue and it won't tear
3.  When you get [the first] a glimpse of yourself in the bathroom mirror..your face looks like GREY CHALK and you don't scream

[ Me:  "This is pathetic that I cannot do this"  Son's quiet reply: "Mom, it's called SICK." ]

Justa little reassuring note: This should be the last of my 'sick humor'..that's about all the fun stuff I can dredge from those days. The beautiul fall days we have been blessed with are much more rewarding to share.

It's Just a Rumor

It's not true-no matter what you heard : The Food is not good at the { J-----------] Hospital.
I know because I sampled it for 14 days. Surprisingly, one gripe is that they serve you TOO MUCH FOOD.  Perhaps that's to compensate for the first 5 days when you had NOTHING! Oh, well..I forgot the constant companion of intravenuous goodies.

After liquids and soft foods and making menu choices daily~knowing what was going to show up I just tired of the whole selection process and handed the menu to my husband with instructions: "Here hon, just find something you hate and choose it for me." We both knew that would work perectly.

I have to admit to one devious little incident having to do with food.  The noon meal showed up with way too much food for anyone but the fruit and cheese salad plate was , no kidding-a beautiful  offering.  I set it aside to perhaps nibble on during the long afternoon. Dinner time arrived delivered by the same smiling  friendly employee who paused on the way out to say: "Did you enjoy that wonderful salad plate "I MADE FOR YOU.?" [She was so proud of it ]
Our oldest and his 'dearest' were visiting. [CN] Her eye caught mine and I immediately replied to the creator of the salad."Yes, it was Won-der-ful." As she left we knew [the two females in the room] something had to be done.  It didn't take long to find a small plastic bag and long before trash was picked up that ignored salad had found it's way out of sight in the bottom of a larger garbage container.

You will have to agree..that was more an act of kindness than of dishonesty!

As time passes-days and days a patient can become a pathetic person. Well, maybe not you but I can't deny that distinction~pathetic.  On the evening of what was to be my last night enjoying these grand accommodations I had to choose another meal..it was like throwing dice.  "Oh, well- let's make it clear broth, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes.."  When it came I promptly emptied my little salt pkg into the broth, mashed the broccoli and cauliflower & tossed it in and just  for the heck of it stirred in some mashed potatoes. It actually tasted pretty good.
See? I told you I was pathetic!

If you have stayed with me this long then you might just be one of those readers who would enjoy one more post we'll call the humorous side of choosing the wrong place to go on vacation for two weeks..or something equally  ridiculous...another day/soon!

Fall Weather in the Deep South

[ The Feeling of Home Wrapped Around Me~]

And who says we don't have that to die for fall weather in South Alabama?

I am here to tell the world:  "At least this year I know God created some perfect fall days just for me..the breezes, warm and cool, the sunshine, the Bird Conventions. I know everyone else thinks He did it for them..that's okay-this year it's just what I needed for recuperating after an 'unplanned" detour beginning September 16th..hospital 14 days now home  where I can feel HOME WRAPPED ALL AROUND ME at whatever speed, volume or shade I choose. That would be the front porch rockers, the rear deck, the patio for sunshine therapy or touring the yard in Ted's golf cart [he's the driver of course]

Thank you Jesus for Home and Family..again and again..more to follow to document more interesting or humorous stops along the way.