Valentines Day Was A Day For Sugar and Memories

Picking out what I thought were just the right cards, I wanted to share with my classmates is my first memory of Valentine's Day. Mom would take us to Mattingly's in downtown Macon. We would get the cards, and generally that same night we would sit around the kitchen table and mom would ask who would get what card. That is my first memory.
You had to be careful because you didn't want to give a first-grade boy the wrong idea. I never gave a card to a boy that said love in anyway. If you would have done that you would have heard about the boy receiving cooties from me for days.
Phrases like "You are great!", or something catchy with two bears riding a rocket saying, "Wheeee-e should be Valentines!", is what was found in the boys Valentine sack from me. You could get more personal expressing your feelings to the girls. They might choose not to play with you during last recess. You remember how that went.
In the first grade our teacher gave us large paper grocery sacks to draw on and place our name in crayon across the top. The sack would then be taped to your desk. A decorated shoe box didn't happen until we reached the third grade. I remember the ones I thought were the prettiest or fanciest were wrapped in foil and had lace hearts glued or taped to them.

Pictured is a Valentine I found a few years ago. Since I like moose I thought it was appropriate.

I remember the excitement of exchanging Valentine's and eating the sugary snacks that were provided by the mothers. Our classrooms were divided at Callao C-8 into 1st & 2nd grade, 3rd & 4th grade, and 5th and 6th graders. Seventh and 8th graders were in the same classroom also but we were too old (we thought) by then to exchange Valentine cards. We had snacks and played records and games in Junior High.
By the time we reached 12th grade, the senor girls hosted an annual Senior Tea. We dressed up and we made finger foods for our mothers and the teachers of the school. The food was served on real dishes, and silver platters, and the tables were decorated in laced table cloths. It was quite fancy (We thought.)
As I grew older I started to feel flowers were a waste of money. Candy didn't last long and a stuffed animal would end up in a garage sale eventually.
Not until recently when Chelsey helped in purchasing me a necklace that reads "Mom" in the center of a heart did I feel the thrill of Valentine's Day once again.
When Chelsey was in elementary school at Tri-County Christian School we enjoyed working on her boxes and the Valentines she picked out to share with her classmates. I hope it was exciting for her as it was for me sharing that time with my mom.
I was glad to see her excitement when she came home from school on her sugar high, and bearing her Valentine box full of Valentines from her friends and teachers.

For Chelsey's 4th grade Valentine box we made the green M&M out of a helium balloon.

 Here's wishing you a Happy Valentines Day.

Our 4-Legged Family Members

Over the years I have had pets which of course I felt were as smart as some people.
As a young girl, I had a yellow long-hair cat that I named Precious. He was my best friend. Mom and Daddy wasn't fond of animals in the house so our pets during our youth were outside friends. Although, I wanted to bring Precious in during the winter or a rain storm, daddy had me convinced that "the cat" wanted to stay outside.
I had a wire basket on the front of my 20-inch, turquoise, Schwinn bicycle. I would place a small doll blanket at the bottom of the basket, and Precious would lay in the basket as long as I rode the bicycle. Which during the warmer days would be hours. He never budged. He would take the bumps and turns as well as I.
One summer day, Precious jumped out after I came to a stop, and he got his leg caught on the side of the basket. His leg was broke we were sure. When I was little, a veterinarian was called for the farm animals. Cats and dogs although they gave much joy, they didn't bring in money. Precious came up missing and we found him dead near a pond several yards east of the house. I was devastated. My family tried to console me, but I swore I would never have another pet.
After my daddy died in 1967, we moved into the town of Callao. Mom allowed for me to have a black long-hair male cat that I named Oreo. Oreo was a house cat. He would sit on the back of a chair that was near the front door, and as soon as I walked into the room he would jump onto my shoulders and ride there until I would remove him. We had him a few years, before he developed a kidney disease and died. Again I was left with no four-legged friend.
During my 20s I chose a dog. Peanuts was half dachshund, and half poodle. Not a good looking dog, but she had a very sweet personality. She was the first animal that I owned that visited the veterinarian. She had her own little file at the vets. She got her shots, and we had her "fixed". One day while outside, she got hurt somehow. I thought it was by a bigger dog. We rushed her to the vet and she had stitches. We brought her home, I put a blanket on the soft grass in a shaded area and placed her on it. I stayed with her until she came around from the anesthesia She was my friend, my comrade. She had several toys but she loved a clown squeaky toy the best. I would carry on a conversation with her and she never broke eye contact. I was her pet. After having her many years she died of cancer. Again a hole was left in my heart.
 Today we have two cats that own us.

 Dodger: He got his name because the night we got him he kept going under the seats in the car. He would dodge our attempts to pick him up. He became the Artful Dodger. He was so cute. He is quiet. The only time he meows is when it is time for his treat. Then it is a raspy sound. His nickname is "Bob Cat" because Bob is who he wants to hang with. Bob trips over him at least twice a week because he follows so close.

Boots: He has a personality all of his own. He is a black and white long-hair. He received his name because of his four white hairy feet. His nickname is "Grinch" because of the hair that grows between his toes and he is standoffish. We belong to him. He doesn't seek affection until he is ready. Since my cancer diagnoses, he does get on my lap or lays at the bottom of the bed while I am resting. He meows at the drop of a hat. Constantly. In the morning he thinks his goal is to wake first, Chelsey, then Bob and I. He will continue to cry until he gets his snack.

They are a part of our home. Although we have to vacuum and collect hair everyday, they have given us a great amount of joy. I have a couple of pillows that read, "If you want the best seat in the house, you have to move the cat!" and "Happiness is being owned by a cat."
Pets are a wonder. They can aggravate, humble and delight you in the same day. They become a part of your homes decor. When they find a favorite spot to lay, like where the sun casts its warmth across the floor, or on the back of a chair, it is hard to think about what it would be like if they were not there.

Our little friends. Genesis 2:26 talks about God making man after his own image and having them rule over the creatures on the earth. I keep reading this to Boots and Dodger and I believe they feel their parts are closer to man, and we are the ones creeping on the earth to be managed.

Eagles Had Better Things To Do

I woke up Saturday to an urge to see an eagle. I can sit and watch them for hours. Sometimes I think they get up in the morning in search for me. In so many instances eagles will just sit in a tree and not move for long lengths of time, and I think they are Terri-watching.

Bob, Chelsey and I traveled to Keokuk, Iowa to see if we could find our national bird. We went to Keokuk a few years ago and witnessed hundreds of bald eagles soaring, diving and hunting over the frozen Mississippi River. This trip however, was quite different. We saw two eagles in Keokuk. I'm sure there were more there that is just what we witnessed. The temperature was in the low 50s and the water was not frozen. The birds had all day to hunt. They didn't have to take advantage of thawed spots in the frozen waters.

On our adventures we always keep an eye out for an antique store or flea market. This trip, like so many others, didn't disappoint. About 8 miles south of Memphis, Mo., on Highway 15, we discovered Will~Grants Fine Antiques. It was six various sized buildings of antique treasures. We agreed to catch it again on a warmer day. Five of the buildings were not heated. We did meet their friendly new puppy that the owner said went by the name of Daisy. She offered such a warm welcome the chill was forgotten. As we turned off onto the lane that led us to Will~Grants, an adult eagle was soaring above. It cast a shadow over the road as if to lead the way. I was in hope that was a great sign for things to come in eagle-watching, but it wasn't. The moment was captured in my memory though. On our trip we found H & M Antiques in Kahoka, Mo. We found a roasting pan in prime condition that I have been looking for all year. I find them but not in clean condition. In Keokuk, Iowa, we enjoyed Heritage Antique Mall, Inc. We don't usually purchase much, but we sure enjoy surfing the aisles, or as Chelsey calls it "junk hunting."

Our travels ended in Quincy, Ill., where we spotted three eagles. One adult in flight and two young eagles near the lock and dam south of the city.

The sun started setting on our day.

Although we didn't see a large amount of eagles we couldn't complain the reason. The warmer weather tends to be against an eagle watcher...we have experienced anyway. We were together as a family. So how can you count that as a failed adventure? There are hopefully many more days to capture an eagle in flight.

You Can't Go Back....But You Can Bring Memories To Life

Memories are a wonderful thing...to me anyway. I can maneuver around the not-so-good and concentrate on the laughter, visits, smells and tastes that float to the surface.
When I was a child I would make requests for certain items for mom to fix for supper. Like: mock angel cake, rivlets, mom's creamed corn (not the stuff out of a can), jello with slices of bananas, and Uncle Jake's fried mush for breakfast on frigid mornings. These were a few items I would request on a regular consistency.

As I grew older I forgot about many these scrumptious food items. This week I  took a chance to look on pinterest for rivlets, and low and behold there was a recipe that looked like how my mom made them. They are actually a noodle that are broke up in pieces other than cut into lengths. Rivlets are pictured bottom, mom's creamed corn is at the top.

Rivlets
3/4 all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
Combine flour and salt. Mix in egg until mix resembles coarse crumbs. Drop in boiling chicken broth. They cook for about 12 minutes.

To cream canned cream corn. Pour corn into pan and mix a thickening agent of flour and water. Pour into corn and it thickens into a creamy goodness.

The two recipes were always served with a roast, ham, chicken or some type of potatoes. We sat around a kitchen table that was placed feet from a coal stove in the center of the kitchen. We were physically, mentally and lovingly warm. Daddy had taken the time to stoke the fire for his little chicks, while mom worked her tail feathers off preparing a hot, home cooked meal. While preparing the rivlets and creamed corn this week I thought this is hard work, but my family enjoyed it and that was all I needed.
As a child, potato chips, Hostess cupcakes, bologna or any other luncheon meat was a treat. Believe it or not....we ate steaks, hamburger, fresh cured ham, and no-telling what else mom slipped onto our plates to keep us fed. Potatoes were fried, boiled or mashed or made into a most tasty soup. Au gratin and scalloped were never heard of. There wasn't lasagna, tacos, pizza, boxed dinners or much pop. Fresh milk, eggs and butter were always in our fridge. We didn't know any better until on a rare Saturday, mom would break out the bologna and chips. We used Miracle Whip as a potato chip dip too.

We made it. We didn't feel abused until we backed up too close to the coal stove then we couldn't have reached the hot line due to being on a party-line. That is another whole story in itself.

For those who wonder where Rusty Moose came from....I love moose and rust. My husband, who is a machinist, made for me the full-size rusty moose a few years ago for Christmas. He stands in our front yard providing a unique description how to find our home in a rural setting.

I have had many people suggest to me that I should write a book. I don't think I have the stamina or enough information to have a book published. So I thought I would start by blogging. I can write about anything and go uninterrupted. (Hold on a second Chelsey, my daughter, is calling my name) OK, what mother can go for very long without being interrupted?

Let me introduce you to Chelsey. My only daughter, who is now 26 years old is what we considered a miracle baby. She weighed 1 pound, 12 3/4 ounces at birth. She was born during my 24th week of gestation. She was in the NICU at the University Hospital in Columbia, MO, for five months. She was not to speak, walk, see, sit up etc. etc. God had different plans. Not only can she do all of the things listed, but she is able to memorize songs, actors names, and keeps us in stitches on good days. Although she is mentally delayed she has been our port, our solace during numerous upheavals. So during my blogging journey you will see Chelsey mentioned a great deal, because of her funny quips, and the optimism she displays in so many ways. 

 My husband, Bob, Chelsey and I love to take trips. Antiquing is our #1 time waster. So if I enter a large antique mall, let's say in the next state over, on a rainy or cold day, and classic music is heard over loud speakers and a wonderful scent of a candle is meandering through the aisles, I'm a goner. My mind is shifted into "remember this and remember that", and that would look really good on my hutch or in my dining room. My husband knows not to pass a building that has a sign that reads, "Antiques". To be truthful he and Chelsey both enjoy the adventure too. We consider it treasure hunts. 

We have created some very interesting pieces of furniture from cast away windows, hinges, pieces of wood etc. A couple of summers ago we went hog wild and constructed a shed for needed storage in our back yard. We also painted a quilt pattern and placed it on the west side of the "Little Red Shed."

One of my favorite creations, Bob built and I painted is:

Well this concludes my very first blog. I'm not sure what other topics will be brought up during this new adventure, but I hope I can bring encouragement, a little laughter, and some knowledge to others while sharing a small portion of my thoughts. My other interests are reading, eagle watching, decorating with primitives, and family. Hopefully I will get more comfortable and you will find interest in what I have to share. I would like to take you along on our travels and maybe post a recipe or a tip on how we made something.