Memories...

                       

Sisters Come in Black Bags

     It was January.  There was snow on the ground.  I hardly ever got to go to the far side of the road to play when it was this cold.  But, believe it or not, I was riding on Daddy’s shoulders over that skinny bridge to my friend’s house.

         Well now, the thing was this time I didn’t really want to go.  I wanted to stay at Granny’s house.  Something was definitely up!  Mama was layin’ in Granny and Papa’s bed and Doc Cameron had even shown  up. 

         Usually I would have thrown a little “Judy fit” and Daddy would have taken me back.  When we got to my friend’s front door I could smell cookies, so, I decided I would stay after all.  But, those cookies ran out, we had played all the games we could think of and I was really getting anxious to know what was goin’ on across the road. 

         Finally, Daddy came back and we hurried to Granny’s.  We were too late, Doc Cameron was leaving.  Then he told me he had brought something special in his bag.  Oh boy, maybe not all was lost...I bet he brought me a sucker!!

         When we got inside, Daddy took me straight to the bedroom.   Mama was still in Granny and Papa's bed and she looked kinda funny...all teary eyed like she was cryin'.  But, she was grinnin' too big to be cryin'.  When she saw me she pulled back the covers.  Snuggled up beside her was this pink,wrinkly, little baby sucking her thumb.  Mama said, “See your baby sister?”  Hmmm, well, so much for that sucker!!!  Who knew baby sister’s came in black bags, anyhow.  I figured they woulda’ been under a big patch of weeds or in a hole out in the pasture. Everyone knows that's where you find babies...that’s where Daddy always found the baby pigs and calves! Too bad he couldn’t have gone out and found a puppy.  At least I knew why Mama was cryin'...what in the world were we gonna do with a baby!!

    That was a "few" years ago and a lots more tears have been shed...tears of great joy, tears of great loss.  Those tears you get when you laugh so hard it hurts.  Yep, we have shared our lives and have grown together.  Yep, I figured out really quick that baby sister’s are even better than puppies.  I love you, Juletta...Happy Birthday!

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        Just in case you’re wondering…you have to go to the hospital and pick up baby brothers.  But, that’s another story.

from "Moccasin Holler Memoirs", a collection of my memories.  Copyrighted-do not use without my written permission.

Back by popular demand...

A MOCCASIN HOLLER CHRISTMAS

     There was electricity in the air.  Every kid in the Marston grade school was lined up and down the sidewalk in front of the school.  We could see our breath in the air but we were too excited to be cold.  This was the day Santa Claus came to school.  I’m tellin’ you, the longer we stood the more excited we got...wait, are those bells?   Do you hear bells jingling?  And music, do you hear that?  “Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane…”  He’s gonna be comin’ round the corner any minute.

     Oh, it is magnificent…all the reindeer, with Rudolph in front, pulling the sleigh.  Okay, so they aren’t the real reindeer, but that’s because the real ones are at the North Pole.  They can’t be travelin’ all over now.  If they did they would be too tired to pull Santa and that big ole’ sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve.   So, its fine with us that the Pepsi truck is pullin’ the sleigh.

      Santa looks so grand in his bright red suit.  And, I have to admit he is the only fellow I have ever seen with cheeks that rosey.  He sure is jolly, too.  He laughs the whole time he is going by.  His bag is full of candy that he throws out to all us kids.  Most of us are being really nice about letting each other catch some of the candy.  After all, Santa’s right there watchin’ and it’s still not too late to be put on the list with the bad boys and girls.

     We watch as he travels out of sight.  Santa has gone on to see all the rest of the boys and girls in the other towns.  Although we wish he could have stayed longer at our school, it is okay because we know that it won’t be too long until Christmas Eve.  Of course, we all have plans to stay awake that night and try to get another glimpse of him when he comes to our house.

    

     That visit from Santa was the beginning of the Christmas season for us and there were lots of things to look forward to.  We would always make decorations to take home.  I’ll never forget one in particular.  The teacher asked all of us that had gumball trees to gather up some of those round, prickly things and bring them to school.  I couldn’t imagine what we would do with them but I gathered up a sack full and I finally found out what the holes in them were for.  We stuck a toothpick in each hole, the teacher sprayed them gold and silver and we sprinkled glitter all over them and they were absolutely beautiful.  I knew Mama was going to love this treasure and I couldn’t wait to take it home and hang it on our tree.

     My sister, brother and I always got a little antsy waiting for the 15^th of December.  That was the earliest that Mama would let us get a tree.  She said it was because those trees dried out really fast and if we got one any earlier it would burn the house down.  I never really knew who would set it on fire but Mama must have had someone in mind because we never, ever got our tree before 15^th and it always seemed like it would take forever for that day to arrive.

       Those trips when we would all go to town to pick out the tree were wonderful.  But, the trip I liked best was the one we made on Christmas “Eve eve” night.  This was the only time I can remember going into town at night.  It would take my breath when we turned onto Main Street.  The streetlights were adorned with decorations and the glow of the Christmas lights made things seem almost magical.  Daddy would go to do his shopping and the store clerks would usually have some candy for the kids.  The sidewalks were filled with people, all enjoying the spirit of the holiday.

     Finally, Christmas Eve would arrive.   Early in the evening we would head to Granny and Papa’s to exchange gifts and then head home.  All the way home I watched the night sky trying to see Santa and his reindeer.  I’m pretty sure I spotted them a couple of times.  For the longest time I worried about Santa.  We didn’t have a fireplace.  Instead, we had a coal oil heater and you could see the flames thru the window in the tiny door on the front of it.  It would be hard enough for Santa to get down our skinny chimney but how did he get through those flames and squeeze out that little door?  Magic!!!  Yep, that’s what Mama told me…magic.  And, she was right.  Because, even though we could never stay awake and catch him in the act, Santa always brought us gifts and filled our stockings with oranges, apples, nuts and candy.

     Waking up on Christmas morning we would find that Santa might not have brought exactly what we asked for but we always loved what he did leave…I mean, it was magic…how could you not love the gift you were given. 

     I wish you could see me now…I’m grinnin’ from ear to ear because I know the magic is still alive.  How do I know?  I just took a trip back to a special time and I “Believe"!





from "Moccasin Holler Memoirs", a collection of my memories. Copyrighted, do not copy or use in any way without my permission.   

       

Thank you's are in order...

To Deena of  Ewe n Me Printables for fixing my blog.  It sort of went crazy on me and she knew just what to do.  I think she made it even prettier!  Click on the name of her shop and see what other great things she does.  She and Bette (another OFG sister) have this great blog called By Your Hands  that you just have to visit.  You will find tutorials, featured artists, recipes, give aways and more.

Next, I want to thank all of my followers.  I haven't forgotten about the Celebration Giveaway...Christmas just sort of snuck up on me!  But, it is gonna happen so stay tuned.

Speaking of Christmas, I am going to post my Moccasin Holler Christmas Memoir in the next couple of days.  Hope you will stop in and share some of your memories.

Congratulations...

to Donna of Brushstrokes and Stitches...her Grandma and my Mama had something in common.  They both said  those little white bumps (canker sores) that hurt so badly appear when you tell a "story".  We had to say story because the word "lie" is a cuss word...if Mama was still here she would set you straight on that.

I will share a pic of Donna's "surprise" as soon as she lets me know she has received it.  After all, we don't want to ruin the surprise.

On another note...did you notice I am up to 91 followers.  Thanks to all of you!!!  Now, tell your friends and neighbors 'cause as soon as I reach 100, I am having my first giveaway.  I'm not gonna tell you what I am giving away but here is a hint for one of the items...there is a gourd attached to it!!

Thanks for stoppin' by...

Judy

Mama woulda said I have a "story bump"

Can anyone tell me what I have?  There is a little surprise waiting for the first person who's Mama thought like mine.  So, please leave a comment and don't forget to let me know how to get in touch with you.  And, while you are here be sure and become a follower so you can participate in my upcoming giveaway!!
I'm am looking forward to what everyone has to say.  Oh, and sorry Gay...it's not a bump on my head or writer's block, lol.

THE ROOSTERS ARE LOOSE ...

That's the title to the new Etsy treasury I created...please take a look and leave a comment!!  Just click HERE

Thanks a bunch,
Judy

I'm gettin' there...

Thanks to everyone who is now following...I'm up to 86!!!  Remember, we celebrate with a giveaway at 100.

I have some great news to share.  I will be going to part time at work beginning this coming Monday.  I am so excited...I have so many things I want to get done...painting my new designs, working on my Etsy shop, photography (it is cotton pickin' time here), blogging, and on and on.  Oh, I may even do a little cleanin'.

Speaking of cotton pickin' time...how many of you are ready for another "Moccasin Holler Memoir"?