On Mother’s Day, Mom always wore a corsage of white roses to church. Used to be that was the custom–if your mother was no longer with you, you wore white flowers; if she was still here, you wore red flowers. That tradition has probably flown, like so many. I think of Mom every day and […]
May 3, 2021
The Tornado That Destroyed a Town, Part 2
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This is the second and final installment of my May 5, 1985 Daily Press article about the tornado which destroyed Peggs, Oklahoma on May 2, 1920. In 1920, Walter Neel lived with his parents, brothers and sisters on the Gid Morgan farm, two and a fourth miles southeast of Peggs. The storm went a […]
Apr 26, 2021
The Battle of the Tassels
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My willow oak is “blooming” or whatever that stage in its life is called when little tassels appear before full-grown leaves. I guess it’s tasseling. Since my deck is nearby, the wind fondly blows all those lovely little wisps onto it. There is no keeping it swept clean. Nemo, my furry friend, looks like a […]
Apr 18, 2021
Whippoorwill Winter?
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The maple leaves are as large as a rabbit’s ears; flowers are blooming, but, you know what? We have freezing temperatures, in the upper 20s and a possibility of snow on the way. In the early spring, we have periods of reverting to cold weather, called by various lovely names. Whippoorwill winter? Blackberry winter? Someone […]
Mar 18, 2021
It’s All in the Family
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I’ve heard women say, “I don’t want to become my mother as I grow older.” How sad. If someone tells me I’m like my mom, I consider it a huge compliment. My mother and I were best friends. I think you’d have liked her. If you never had that privilege, you can get just a […]
Mar 6, 2021
How It Began
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I had a feeling there was no use in responding to Miss Evangeline, because she was what my father used to call, “wound up.” She wanted me to listen, so that’s what I did. Without warning, she grabbed my arm. I jumped. She whispered, “Shh. What was that? Did you hear anything, Nettie?” Her grip […]
