Evelyn Jackson passed on to her heavenly reward yesterday, September 27, 2010. She was my Mother.
Mom was born December 1, 1918 in Beerston, NY. She spent much of her early life in Cooks Falls. She never went further than 6th grade in school but had more common sense than most college grads! She was the spelling champion for Sullivan County when she was in school. I think she passed that trait on to me as I still point out spelling errors to anyone who will listen.
Mom was a remarkable woman in many ways. She was a great cook and baker. It was amazing to watch her "throw together" a pie without needing to read the recipe; you know, a little of this, a pinch of that. She baked pies for the Rainbow Lodge for years. If only she had charged them what they were worth...
Mom was also in charge of feeding and nurturing the calves on the farm. Replacement heifers are a key part of building a successful business and no one, I mean no one, was more up to that job than Mom. Mom was fully capable of feeding and milking cows too, and during haying season she might have had to do the milking with only a kid or two available to help. More than once she did the milking alone during special circumstances.
Mom would do anything for anyone, no questions asked, no expectation of pay. Have any of you out there ever had your mother drive you to a date, drop you off, drive you and your date home?? I have and it wasn't as bad as it sounds!! When I was a student at Cornell I would look forward to having Mom pick me up on Friday, drive back to Walton for the weekend, and take me back on Sunday with clean clothes for a week or two.
Mom loved her boys and often overlooked things that we did wrong. I'm sure that all the child raising experts would pronounce her a failure in today's world, but she only did what she knew how to do, and we all turned out OK, well sort of.. I don't ever remember being spanked as a kid by Mom, maybe a slap or two on the butt, or making me wash my mouth out with soap after I cussed, but never a spanking. When we were kids in Beerston I remember Mom threatening to pour ice water on us to get us out of bed!! She never did but we stayed in bed as long as we could before hearing her stomp up the stairs. We never did check for a pitcher of ice water, I doubt if it ever existed!!
Mom loved and enjoyed her grandkids too. Oh, how she loved to look at pictures of them and snuggle with them when they were babies. And she always had cookies. pies and cakes for them to eat. Food was a central part of our lives. It was really sad to see her only be able to be fed through a feeding tube the last couple of years. Life just ain't fair sometimes!!
Mom never travelled much or got to see many things. Milking cows twice a day kind of ties you down. She did come to Florida a couple of times, visited JoAnna and Russell in Tennessee, and visited Cousin Mary and Eric in Kentucky. She loved to drive her friends to Doctors appointments or just go riding. It was hard for her to give up her driver's license a few years ago, but when she was told that she could hurt someone , she gave it up willingly.
Mom never intentionally hurt anyone in her life; she wasn't capable of doing that. She saw the good in everyone, thought that everyone was capable of turning their lives around at any time. Going to Church was an important part of her life. Mom was a dyed in the wool Republican and was active in local politics.
Mom never drank or smoked in her life. A lot of her family were addicted to tobacco or alcohol and I think that she just made up her mind at an early age that she wasn't going to be part of that lifestyle. She lived the longest of any of her siblings; as I remember her sister Aggie died at 87.
It is really hard to write something to honor someone as special as Mom was. Any effort falls short. There just aren't words to describe the kind of lady that she was and the impact that she had on people's lives by doing the simple things that she did so well; a cup of coffee, a piece of pie, a ride to the Doctor's office, an ear to bend, a couple of bucks to "borrow". Mom was very self deprecating, and never thought that she was very good at anything. She was, in fact, great in her own way at everything!!
So St. Peter was sitting at heaven's gate yesterday when Mom came up to him with an apple pie and handed it to him. He asked what that was for and she said that when you visit you always bring something to eat. St. Pete looked at her and said, "Thanks for the pie but you aren't just visiting, and there's a guy named Graham over there who says he's been been waiting 15 years for a piece of your apple pie a`la mode with cheese!!!"
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
"When I'm Gone"
I wonder what the world will be,
When I'm no longer here;
Will it be filled with hope and love,
Or full of so much fear?
Will we have learned from history,
Or will we blindly go,
Into alliances and wars,
With those we do not know?
Will we choose leaders carefully,
Or will we blindly follow,
Like lemmings jumping from a cliff,
And leaders lies we'll swallow?
Will we respect our founders' wish,
That every man be free;
And opportunity will knock,
From sea to shining sea?
Will we take our country back,
From those who wish us harm;
Will we be sleeping at the switch,
Or sounding the alarm?
Will we stand on the principles,
That made us great before;
Or will we socialists become,
And not protect our shore?
For when I look down from above,
And see what's happened here;
Will freedom be alive and well,
Or will it disappear?
When I'm no longer here;
Will it be filled with hope and love,
Or full of so much fear?
Will we have learned from history,
Or will we blindly go,
Into alliances and wars,
With those we do not know?
Will we choose leaders carefully,
Or will we blindly follow,
Like lemmings jumping from a cliff,
And leaders lies we'll swallow?
Will we respect our founders' wish,
That every man be free;
And opportunity will knock,
From sea to shining sea?
Will we take our country back,
From those who wish us harm;
Will we be sleeping at the switch,
Or sounding the alarm?
Will we stand on the principles,
That made us great before;
Or will we socialists become,
And not protect our shore?
For when I look down from above,
And see what's happened here;
Will freedom be alive and well,
Or will it disappear?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
R.I.P. W.T. Kersey
W.T. Kersey passed away on 9/11/2010 at age 76. He was a true genuine original! He was a true Florida "Cracker", was a font of practical knowledge and information, didn't have much use for Doctors (he referred to them as "sawbones"), didn't put on any airs, and was a "what you see is what you get" person.
I met W.T. when his son Randy was in my Ag class at Bayshore High School in 1987. Randy was taking Ag for a semester science credit and was not real happy in my class. He soon warmed to the whole "Ag" thing and ended up being a leader, showed a steer ("Boss") at the fair and had a love for writing. Randy's untimely death in August, 1989, brought us all closer together and brought out the love that we truely had for the Kersey family.
I also worked a part- time job at the Circle K store across the street from where the Kersey's lived. W.T. was there every morning making coffee and dispensing his brand of knowledge to one and all. Whenever the lights would dim W.T. would say, "They've just fried another one in Stark", referring to the prisoner executions that were happening regularly in Florida during that time. More story: One morning I was in the backroom, door locked, preparing the previous day's receipts for deposit, when I looked up and there was Randy standing there. The little pill had stealthily crawled through the cooler door to say good morning to me. I could not be angry at Randy for doing this but suggested that he just knock the next time!
The Kerseys were a close- knit family. When Shirley passed away in 1998 I saw the love and admiration that the family and those of us who knew them shared. W.T. was the man of the family but we all knew who really ran the house!
I didn't see W.T. too often during the past ten years but whenever I did, it was the same old W.T., always quick with a joke or a story or a life lesson. Time seemed to melt away when you were around W.T. He was a hard working carpenter, never asked for anything that he didn't deserve, and I'm sure that his handshake was his bond.
Heaven needs W.T. up there too. I'm sure that "swamp cabbage" will be added to the heavenly menu from now on!
R.I.P. my friend. I have admired you as much as anyone that I have ever met during my life. You were a positive influence in many people's lives, including mine, in your own straightforward, sagacious, yet simple, way!
I met W.T. when his son Randy was in my Ag class at Bayshore High School in 1987. Randy was taking Ag for a semester science credit and was not real happy in my class. He soon warmed to the whole "Ag" thing and ended up being a leader, showed a steer ("Boss") at the fair and had a love for writing. Randy's untimely death in August, 1989, brought us all closer together and brought out the love that we truely had for the Kersey family.
I also worked a part- time job at the Circle K store across the street from where the Kersey's lived. W.T. was there every morning making coffee and dispensing his brand of knowledge to one and all. Whenever the lights would dim W.T. would say, "They've just fried another one in Stark", referring to the prisoner executions that were happening regularly in Florida during that time. More story: One morning I was in the backroom, door locked, preparing the previous day's receipts for deposit, when I looked up and there was Randy standing there. The little pill had stealthily crawled through the cooler door to say good morning to me. I could not be angry at Randy for doing this but suggested that he just knock the next time!
The Kerseys were a close- knit family. When Shirley passed away in 1998 I saw the love and admiration that the family and those of us who knew them shared. W.T. was the man of the family but we all knew who really ran the house!
I didn't see W.T. too often during the past ten years but whenever I did, it was the same old W.T., always quick with a joke or a story or a life lesson. Time seemed to melt away when you were around W.T. He was a hard working carpenter, never asked for anything that he didn't deserve, and I'm sure that his handshake was his bond.
Heaven needs W.T. up there too. I'm sure that "swamp cabbage" will be added to the heavenly menu from now on!
R.I.P. my friend. I have admired you as much as anyone that I have ever met during my life. You were a positive influence in many people's lives, including mine, in your own straightforward, sagacious, yet simple, way!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Color
This blog uses all of the colors of the rainbow with no punctuation to make a political statement. Yes it may seem a little strange to you all but here goes anyway...
"There once was a prez who was neither white or black who thought that everything was black and white politically with no shades of grey for discussion and all of his friends were reds or pinkos with yellow streaks down their backs all of which left Americans black and blue from the beating that these reds put on our rosey economy and way of life and we couldn't wait to throw these black hearted bastards out of office through the glorious red white and blue power of the voting process and look forward to the day that the grass will be green and the skies will be blue and the orange blossoms will fill our olfactory senses with the violet smells of freedom again"
"There once was a prez who was neither white or black who thought that everything was black and white politically with no shades of grey for discussion and all of his friends were reds or pinkos with yellow streaks down their backs all of which left Americans black and blue from the beating that these reds put on our rosey economy and way of life and we couldn't wait to throw these black hearted bastards out of office through the glorious red white and blue power of the voting process and look forward to the day that the grass will be green and the skies will be blue and the orange blossoms will fill our olfactory senses with the violet smells of freedom again"
"Global Warming Denier"
On a more serious note, this global warming lie has been shoved down our collective throats for an entire generation now. So here are my thoughts. Feel free to set the words to music, rap it, whatever. Here goes...
"Well I'm a global warming denier,
Don't want to be told by some old liar;
That I'm hurtin' things by using oil,
That our planet I will surely spoil.
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!!
You know when volcanoes spew,
Their fire and ash as they will do;
They pollute the atmosphere,
More than man has all these years.
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
"Cause they can't look me in the eye'
That's the reason I deny!
All the numbers that I read,
Were made up by a man you see;
Who has a book or stuff to sell,
He doesn't care what he will tell.
(Chorus again!!)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!
I may sound like the lone ranger,
But polar bears are not in danger;
And greenhouse gas and ozone hole,
Will fix themselves, it's nature's role!
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just can't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!
It's time that people took the power,
From leaders in their ivory tower;
Mother nature soon will rule,
She's someone that you just can't fool!
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's something that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!"
"Well I'm a global warming denier,
Don't want to be told by some old liar;
That I'm hurtin' things by using oil,
That our planet I will surely spoil.
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!!
You know when volcanoes spew,
Their fire and ash as they will do;
They pollute the atmosphere,
More than man has all these years.
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
"Cause they can't look me in the eye'
That's the reason I deny!
All the numbers that I read,
Were made up by a man you see;
Who has a book or stuff to sell,
He doesn't care what he will tell.
(Chorus again!!)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!
I may sound like the lone ranger,
But polar bears are not in danger;
And greenhouse gas and ozone hole,
Will fix themselves, it's nature's role!
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's one that I just can't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!
It's time that people took the power,
From leaders in their ivory tower;
Mother nature soon will rule,
She's someone that you just can't fool!
(Chorus)
Global warming is a lie,
It's something that I just won't buy;
'Cause they can't look me in the eye,
That's the reason I deny!"
Redneck Ten Commandments
Sometimes I just want to have fun with my blog. When my wife and I are in NY we attend the Plymouth Church on County Route 21 between Walton and Franklin. A couple of weeks ago I saw the "Country Ten Commandments" posted on the wall. I have taken that idea and now present to you the "Redneck Ten Commandments"!!
1. Worship the one true God or y'ul end up in you know where...
2. Don't think about takin' yer neighbor's stuff or you might end up with a load of buckshot...
3. Cussin' ain't allowed if you don't want yer mouth washed out with lye soap...
4. Go to meetin' on Sunday after you finish yer chores...
5. No killin' 'ceptin' animals fer meat (and their ain't no season that you have to worry about either)...
6. Mind yer Maw and Paw or y'ul get the switch...
7. No hanky panky 'til yer hitched. 'Nuf said...
8. No takin' stuff that ain't yers...
9. No gossipin' 'bout other folks...
10. No worshippin' false idols such as fame an' wealth. You ain't any better than the rest of us folk...
1. Worship the one true God or y'ul end up in you know where...
2. Don't think about takin' yer neighbor's stuff or you might end up with a load of buckshot...
3. Cussin' ain't allowed if you don't want yer mouth washed out with lye soap...
4. Go to meetin' on Sunday after you finish yer chores...
5. No killin' 'ceptin' animals fer meat (and their ain't no season that you have to worry about either)...
6. Mind yer Maw and Paw or y'ul get the switch...
7. No hanky panky 'til yer hitched. 'Nuf said...
8. No takin' stuff that ain't yers...
9. No gossipin' 'bout other folks...
10. No worshippin' false idols such as fame an' wealth. You ain't any better than the rest of us folk...
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