Wishing Wells

Well my dears, This story is for my Uncle, my Aunt and their children, Roxanne, Shannon and Brad.  


He came from a large family and each one had a talent.  His was creating things with his hands.  Ask him to build it and he would.  Didn't matter how whimsical it was he would build it!  Wishing wells were his trademark.  No matter where they lived he would build a wishing well in his front yard.  Some were elaborate and complete with a working crank!  Others were more scaled down and for ornamental yard use.  But you could count on seeing one in his yard.  I never got around to asking him why wishing wells.......I suppose he would have told me everyone one needs a wishing well so they can make a wish.  I know I threw quite a few pennies down that old wishing well on Brawley School Road.

He had built benches and tables, cabinets and rabbit boxes, sheds and barns, houses too.  He was a builder, a son, a teacher, a brick mason, a brother, a neighbor,a best friend.  Most of all he was a father and a husband  to his wonderful family. 

Coming from hard working people, he learned at an early age if you wanted something in this world you would have to get out there and work for it.  No one was going to give it to you for free.  These traits were passed on to his three children Roxanne, Shannon and Brad.  He was very proud of everything they have accomplished in their lives.   He was especially proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I was proud to have called him Uncle as I am sure were the rest of his nieces and nephews.  He will be sorely missed by us all.  Praised be to God and Peace be with him on his Journey to Heaven.  At 11:11 March 17, 2011, God asked a good man to follow him home and help him build a wishing well.  Our Uncle Vernon replied "Let me get my hammer and I'll get right on it." Perhaps this is why he put wishing wells in his yard.

Tripping down Memory Lane

Lately I've been finding myself looking for things to do, you know, keep my hands busy?  So I've taken up crocheting again.  I know it tears up my wrists but at least it keeps my hands busy and I do turn out some pretty good looking items if a say so myself!  lol 

All this crafting has got me to looking for my yarns and quilt scraps.  Now I know the Hubs wouldn't throw those precious items away now would he?  He better hope he didn't!  Got some real old patterns I sure would like to try out.  On a recent trip with a friend I found a heck of a deal on patterns so I snatched me a few.  Think I might give myself a whirl on mama's old sewing machine.  Nothing like the hum of a Singer sewing machine.  Some of my earliest memories were played out to the tune of a sewing machine humming in the back ground.  I miss those days! 

When I was growing up mama made practically everything I wore and if she didn't make it my grandma did.  There was a time when I was known as the best dressed kid on Catawba Avenue!  Recently I ran into a friend at Wally World.  She was telling about her granddaughter entering the 4-H fashion show.  We reminisced on our own days in 4- H and Girl Scouts.  I told her granddaughter I made my first outfit at age 8 on my mama's sewing machine.  I can see it all so clearly.  A pair of blue bell bottom pants and a sailor top.  I remember crying over it trying to get it right.  My poor mama tried so hard to teach me without losing it!  lol  I know that was hard!  But she did and I finished my outfit.  Can't remember how it turned out or even if I wore it but I know what it was suppose to look like and I know how to sew and that's what's important.

I can remember going to the fabric store downtown with Mama.  Just the smell of the fabric was exciting in those days because you knew you were going to have something nice and special that no one else had.  The smooth feel of the cotton blends and bright colored calico. 

On a recent visit with my Grandma and Aunts I discovered what a dying art sewing has become.  Most of the Wal-Marts have quit selling fabrics and only a few fabric stores remain in the larger cities scattered about the state.  Grandma has to rely on my Aunt to take her up to 30 miles one way just to get supplies she needs to make her famous quilts. 

Mama's sewing machine is the heaviest sewing machine!  I believe it is made out of cast iron!  Back in the day they made things to last and this baby was made to last!  Makes some of the prettiest stitches I've ever seen. So I am really looking forward to my trip to JoAnne's, my trip down memory lane.

On a sad note, my thoughts and prayers this day are with my Aunt Joan and her family.  Uncle Vernon is getting weaker and prognoses is not good.  One of the most talented and gifted men I have ever known!  May the Lord open his arms and take him home soon, bring an end to all his suffering.

 "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."  ~ an Irish Blessing

The What A Burger Still Stands!

Thought I would drop you a line and let you know what I am up to folks!  It appears I have been chosen to go on a mission.  Yes I know!  Isn't it exciting?  Me?  On a mission?  I know but it isn't just any mission mind you but a very special mission.  It is my job to connect the dots. 

You see my nephew's mother in law told me a story about a friend of hers and asked me to help him out.  It's about his family tree.  Well sir that is just up my alley!  I simply LOVE climbing family trees!  Yep sure do!  And I have had a ball working on this one!  First off if you know me you know I love history and to find such a rich and unique family!  Wow is all I can say and I am so honored!  So thank you so much for choosing me!  And thanks be to God to putting us all together.  I mean after all there had to be a higher power involved here....

All  this family tree stuff and brought me back to my home town.  Back to my roots which is where I just love to go when I need a quick "Grandma fix".  Well I have had a wonderful visit with my daddy's side of the family and wish I could stay longer.  No matter how hard I try I can't seem to get up here enough always something in the way.  Someday I keep telling myself.....

Tomorrow I will head out to another town and check on my mama's people that is what is left of them and search for more answers for my new friend.  You see looking for answers concerning his family bring me back here because like me we share the same background.  Growing up on the mill hill, listening for the factory whistle late at night and the smell of wet cotton are forgotten to all but a few of us now.  Oh how I miss those days...

Do you know why the streets of Mooresville are so narrow?  Because Mr. Moore didn't want the streets to interfere with crop plantings.  It is also why they are "laid out" as they are today.  I drove thru the streets of my hometown this evening remembering what it was like on a Sunday night long ago when I was just a kid.  We would drive from Hardees to Tastee Freeze in a circle thru town.  I remember hanging out behind Belks Dept Store downtown.  I remember the night MHS brought home best in the state in Band!  Wow we were so proud of our school!

I drove by my old house and my friends old houses.  Our hangouts are now gone but the What A Burger still stands!  My family has been in the town forever and will probably still be here when forever ends.  I hope to someday come back and live.  It is so hard for me to come because I know I must leave.

Well folks tomorrow is another day and a busy one at that.  Until then, that's the way I see it!