A Painted House

 

A Painted House by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book club selection for me. I had never read a John Grisham book and enjoyed reading it. You will get a true picture of what it was like to make your living by growing and picking cotton. Mr. Grisham did not hold back. It was not an easy life; it was a time when people made their good times with people-family, friends, and neighbors.

This story brought back good childhood memories for me. It takes place in 1952 and is told by a seven-year old boy, Luke. In 1952 I was 12/13 about about 6 years older than Luke. Even at that age I don't remember being as introspective as Luke.  

From 1942 to 1946 when I was closer to Luke's age, I lived on a dairy farm with my Mom and Dad in an unpainted house. These were some really good times for me as a child. Luckily I did not have to work picking cotton like Luke.

I do remember gathering eggs and my MOM killing a chicken to fry for dinner.  She and I picked blackberries to make a pie. I gathered eggs from our chickens and stopped when I put my hand in a box and met up with a black snake.

I had a sandbox, a horse named Red, and a cat with kittens. 

My friends came to

visit. We rode Red.

That's me with Hank

Giles and Dad on 

Red. Then, we had

a wienie roast

 

 

Me on Red.

I got my first dollhouse furniture one Christmas. (That was the Christmas I played detective and discovered that my Mom's handwriting matched Santa's.) I had the measles and they kept me in the dark so my eyes wouldn't be affected. I stayed with Berniece, a black woman who lived up the road, when my Mom had to go to town with my Dad.  I remember riding on a hay baler with my dad and trying to milk a cow.

My Dad and I by unpainted house with my new storybook doll. It looks like we did get a painted screen door.

I started the first grade there and rode the school bus. Then, we moved to the city so I could go to school without having to ride the bus. I was little for my age and my mom thought I might fall off and get hurt. I am not sure, but I think she was like Luke's mom. I can see her smile as we packed up and moved. 

Enough of my memories. I think you will like Luke's story. It takes about three-fourths of the book to develop the scene and characters. Hang in there. All will be revealed in the last fourth of the story. Recommend.

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I'M CHARMED

I recently saw an article about charm bracelets and started reminiscing about mine. My charm bracelets are more than decoration. They are a journal of my life, my family, and the trips I have taken. They are easy to find and easy to pack. They do not catch dust. 

My collection began when I made a trip to Williamsburg and bought a bracelet. The rest is history. The gold and silver ones are mementos from my life and travels. I started the silver one when gold got so expensive. 






Then, I branched out when I started collecting heart lockets and crosses. Each locket has a picture of a member of my family tucked inside. 

The one with the evil eyes was bought in a favorite antique store. I added the Scorpio and Libra charms that were bought from the same store. It helps ward of 'evil spirits'.

I still wear them from time to time and feel 'charmed'.

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree

With anyone else but me...especially if it is a "Tull Apple Tree". 

Yes, there is a Tull Apple Tree and it is named after one of our ancestors. Best of all, we were given a sprout from our cousin's yard.  We over -wintered it in our garage for two winters and thought it was a 'goner'. We were surprised to see it survived and is thriving. It has been transferred to a garden in Benton, Arkansas, so it can stay in the family.  

The Evolution of our Tull Apple Tree

In its new 'temporary' home on the
patio...until it can be transplanted
to the garden in the Fall.

You may find more details by clicking on this link: "Tull Apple".

Briefly: Supposedly coming from France, the Tull Apple originated before 1868 on the farm of Abram Tull in Grant County, Arkansas.  It is grown from root sprouts and is well adapted to Southern growing conditions. We heard on the grapevine that one sprout may have been given to P. Allen Smith to be grown in his Heritage Apple Orchard at Moss Mountain Farm. (psst...only a rumor. I don't see it in the list on his web site!)

Memories of Mavis

May Day                      May Day                         May Day
May 1 is Mavis' birthday.  If my calculations are correct, she would have been 100 today. 

The McLean Girls
From Left to Right: Mary Lou, Betty, Mavis, Sybil (Mom)

Mavis, was my Mother's sister.  She is the #2 McLean girl. Mom was the #1/Oldest and Mavis was next.  I think Mom was closest to Mavis in age and temperament.  She was five when Mavis was born and they had each other for five years before Betty came along and another three before Mary Lou was born.  I think Mom watched out for Mavis.  I think that Mavis went where Mom went by looking at some of the early pictures.

Can you pick them out in this picture?

Mom and Mavis with
the Fitches in Kansas

I digress.  These are my Memories of Mavis.  

She used to take naps on the couch in the living room on 16th Street in Muskogee.  They said she had a bad ear. When she wanted to tune out her three sisters, she would turn on her 'bad ear' side and take a nap.  I imagine that was often, because if all four sister were together, they all talked at the same time. Then, Mavis would hit the couch!

I have no idea why Patricia
had her head down.

I remember Mom and Dad taking me to Muskogee to visit Mavis, Jim, Lillian, and Patricia.  I can see the adults sitting in lawn chairs outside.  I was inside reading to Lillian and Patricia at nap time.  I was a kid. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to read to them until they fell asleep.  Mavis finally came and got me.

Grandmother, Mavis, Mom

Mavis (standing)
me, and Mary Lou

She visited me several times over the years.  Some I remember; some I don't.









I thought it was neat that she was 'Mavis Davis'.  She married Jim Davis and was always with him.  The only time I remember her being without Jim was when he was in the Pacific in WWII. 

On a visit to Little Rock

The date on the back of the picture was 1942.
I think they were married at home.

Mavis was the Librarian of the family. Mom had worked in one.  I always wanted to be one-maybe because of Mavis.  I think I knew Mavis less than any one of my other aunts. She was married to Jim Davis when I came into the picture. Betty and Mary Lou were 19 and 16.  They played with me.  Mavis was 24 and an adult in my child's eyes.   She didn't play with me; she found someone who was my age to play with me.

I will always remember that she helped Mom and Dad financially to pay from my college.  It wasn't a whole lot, but any amount was appreciated.  I didn't know until she was gone.  I wish I could have thanked her. I love Mavis Davis! Happy Birthday!

From Arkansas to Maine to New York and back

To Maine and Back...in 2013 we took a 5,000 mile trip from Arkansas to Maine and back to Arkansas via-Tennessee-Virginia-West Virginia-Maryland-Pennsylvania-New York-Connecticut-Massachusetts-New Hampshire-Ohio-Kentucky. What a wonderful adventure!  We stopped to see a cousin in Tennessee, one in New York, and a childhood friend in the Finger Lake District of New York.  I had only been in and out of Maine at the border and Chuck and never been there.  It was on our 'bucket list'. Our  destination: Deer Isle, Maine. 

Left Arkansas-Stopped in Tennessee-

to visit our cousins (old pic)

Stopped in Virginia-

Monticello 

Through West Virginia-

Stopped in Maryland-

Nora Roberts' Bookstore'Turn the Page'

Through Pennsylvania

Arrived at Destination MAINE-Camden-

White Hall Inn 'Peyton Place', the movie was filmed here.

Sailing on West Penobscot Bay

Shopping at Jo Ellen Designs was a highlight

Side Trip: Portland
The Wyeth Center
Farnsworth Art Museum
The Works of N. C., Andrew, and James Wyeth

Maine-Deer Isle-East Penobscot Bay-

A little food...

How about a 'big' lobster?
We got four of these for about $20
right off the boat!

A little music...

A little R & R...

...we are ready to head for Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park 

Checking In 

Breakfast at '2 Cats'

Lunch at the Harbor

Another lunch at Jordan Pond
Located in Acadia National Park

Famous Blow Hole in the Park
No it didn't blow while we were there!

Fun times, but time to head South and Home!

Leaving Maine...Heading to Arkansas

1st Stop: Schenectady, New York

An overnight visit with my cousin, Mac
Home cooking for dinner and
a tour of MiSci.(Mac is the Exec. Dir.)

 Next Stop: Naples, New York, in the Finger Lake District: 

Another overnight visit with
my childhood/forever friend Carolyn
A Tour of Naples and another home cooked meal!

Up and at 'em early; put the car on cruise control; and one more overnighter; and we have made the loop.

We loved our trip, but the best part of traveling is coming home!

There's no place like home!  ...and we hereby resolve that this is our last 5,000 mile car trip.  All other trips will be flying and then renting a car.  And then again, we may drive to Colorado in 2015 during the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Rocky National Park where Catherine is a Park Ranger. ---Well, at least it's not 5,000 miles!

New York 26 of 50*

My very first visit to the State of New York was in the early '70's.  I went to New York City and attended a Seminar on International Banking at Chase Manhattan Bank...right at the tip of Manhattan.  

I flew in during the day and my first sight of the city was from the airplane.  It took my breath away.  I got the same feeling when I looked over the rim of the Grand Canyon.  Pictures do not do it justice.  New York City should be on every one's 'Bucket List'.  

My next trip to New York was in 2006 to the Naples, New York, in the Finger Lake District. I flew into Rochester to send a few days with three of my lifelong friends.  One of those friends lives there and invited us to come see her. It was a mini-reunion. 

Scenic View 2006

What a great time in a wonderful part of New York State.

Lucky me!  I got to go back to New York in 2013 on our way home from Maine. 
We stayed on night in Schenectady with my cousin and his family.
Now and Then-------

2013-Mac and Me in Schenectady

ca.1955 Mac on left Me on right!

2013 - Same Scenic View

Then, one night with my friend in Naples.  The scenery was just as beautiful as I remember it.  The weather was perfect and the hospitality exceptional. 







Don't know if we'll get back or not.  A Canadian Rail Trip is on our 'Bucket List'.  My Naples friend has said she would take us to the train. We'll see!

*For "new to my blog" friends...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.

I can now say that I have been in, to or through all 50 United States.

I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of

the 50 States...Only 22 more to go!