Recently in Family Category

Missing my Dad on Memorial Day (and every day). He and his generation did so much for so few thanks. Thanks to all of them (though they are all gone now) for what they did in WWII.

In keeping with my yearly posting on this date (March 3), here's a letter my mother sent me nearly 15 years ago. Here's a link to my original posting 3 years ago. Here are a couple of videos of my Mama telling stories (she would give me a shake of the head for posting these, but I can't help myself).

Mama died 4 years ago. I miss her so much every day. Photo at left is (from left to right) Bud Hinson, Phebe Hinson (seated), Sadie Lou Hinson (in the back), and Inez Hinson (my Mama).

Here's the letter she sent. The stationary she refers to was some she had printed with my Birmingham-Southern college address at the top. She trimmed each piece with scissors because she hated to waste things!

Dear Joe,

 

Recognize this stationary? It's your B'ham-Southern with a crew cut! It's just my nature to salvage.

I'm enclosing the article about Emory Cunningham--you need the background of those for whom you work. He's also a trustee of Auburn and is on the advisory board of U of A. He worked through the ranks of Progressive Farmer. You can read all about it. I did include the entire article as Laura Drinkard has two honors: Blue Key National Honor Society and Mortar Board.

I'm sending a little money. This you should "let be" to help with your change in May should you not still be with Southern Progress or should you get a permanent job, it could be used to improve your mode of transportation! Just be patient and all will work out.

The other article is about the park near Jasper. It's a TVA financed thing--Foster Falls. It is the southern trailhead of the 12-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail--from the waterfall near Jasper to Tracy City. Are you familiar with this area? It does sound interesting. I believe I could walk 12 miles!

Hope you are doing well--it was good to see Margaret and I did enjoy hearing things about William. He's a dear and you should make time to spend with him while he's growing up and he will adore his Uncle Joe later in life. Otherwise there will be nothing to connect. See how Stacy adores you now? It's because she grew up around you and you always spent time with her. She had prom Saturday night.

I must get back to the bank and post office--reluctantly.

With dear love to you,

Mama

April 15, 1996

I love her letters. She was always filled with cautious optimism, always shared information about home, tried to identify things I'd enjoy (and she LOVED mailing me clippings from the newspaper) and offering advice, all without being a hovering mother.

Mama would have been 87 years old today. I miss her each and every day. The jonquils are blooming in my yard as are the hyacinths (dug from bulbs that bloomed in Octagon for years). I'm sure the blooms in Octagon are a sea of golden yellow!

I find myself regularly turning to a box of old letters Mama wrote to me through the years. I'm sure that I discarded some letters in my youth, but I think I did a pretty good job of holding on to most of them--and Mama loved to write letters, so I have a bunch!

Here's one, without the year:

Dear Joe,

Here I am in the middle of housecleaning--I just have to get it done today! I've procrastinated long enough!--and what do I remember? I wanted to get you an article on Books-A-Million so you'd know the real story behind it. It actually started in 1917 with the building of Wilson Dam in Florence. The grandfather of the current director of the business saw an opportunity to sell newspapers to workers on the dam. He was only 14 at the time and used discarded piano crates to build his newsstand. Can you imagine? It was Bookland then and not until '66 did stores open outside Florence.

Hope you are doing fine. We're at last getting some of the rain that has been everywhere. I called Suzanne yesterday and they are all right, but marooned as is everybody in that area unless they had to be evacuated. Today I'm worried again, I guess, to see if their well is surface water or deep well. Being out in the country you never can tell.

Wilford Hale died yesterday. It's hard for the family, but he's so much better off than to have to be totally dependent on others. His funeral will be tomorrow. Jan has not moved into her new house yet.

Papa and I took Mrs. Hill to the area of Dannelly Field in Montgomery Tuesday. She wanted to visit her brother and family--he's too old to drive this far--he came last year and they spent the night to build up enough strength to get back.

The rain certainly doesn't slow down your Papa. It's around ten and he just came in dripping wet. Oh well!

I think Madeline is planning to come to Wilfred's funeral. I must prepare for the storm! When I called to tell her, both James and Abe played on the other phone, so it was difficult to get a message understood.

We've had a bumper crop of blueberries and are enjoying them. Wish you could have some.

I must get finished with my work and go for groceries--it's been 2 weeks. Do let us hear and take care of yourself.

I love you,
Mama

July 8

I love her letters. They really are a conversation. I get the news, a couple of chuckles, and the latest on everything. I miss you Mama. Happy Birthday!

I've been really excited about this since I first heard about it this fall. We loved "Band of Brothers" and can't wait to watch "The Pacific" tonight!

My dad was in WWII and in the Pacific theater. He didn't talk about it much, but he did write letters home regularly--the last letters I think he ever wrote, I think! There is a box of letters from his time in WWII, but none afterwards...

Here's one:

Philippines
April 10, 1945

Dear Mama,

I rec. several letters from you and Gladys today sure was glad to hear from you.

I don't guess you have thought about it, but this is my Birthday. One year ago yesterday, I was home, but it feels like it has been several years of course it is not so bad here I like it here ok. You asked me if I had been to Manila. Yes I have been there on pass. I know it was a nice place before the war, but now it is not much left there.

I have had some pictures made and they came out ok, so I sent them back to have some more made like them and I will get them tomorrow and send you some I want to send you one of each.

Is Bobby going to get to finish this year of school or are they going to take him on to the Army?

Does Natalie think as much of Bobby as he does her and will Mrs. Cogle let her go out with Bobby or don't she like him?

Do you ever see Edward Agee now?

I guess Antoinette still gets everything she wants.

Well I guess I had better close now but I will write again soon. P.S. Did you send Virginia's pictures to her.

Love Clark

[for reference, Gladys was my father's sister--my Aunt Gladys who lived in Alaska for years before finally retiring in Linden, Alabama. Bobby was my father's brother: the youngest of the family. Antoinette was my father's first (I think) niece, born to my Aunt Margaret.]

Wow. It has been three years. It seems forever, but also just yesterday when Mama was taken away. It somehow makes it that much harder that it is one week from her birthday. I miss her so much.

I've been going through old letters she sent (I promise not to continue to post them), and found the following one she sent me when I turned 25. It is VERY self-indulgent on my part to post, but Mama's not around to say such nice things about me anymore, so thought I'd put it out there anyway.

Here it is:

My dear Joe,

It seems impossible that you are to be 25 Saturday! How proud we were of that tiny bit of love--Dr.  Henry's "pea mite." Since then you have been my "raison d'etre." It has been our pleasure to see you mature--and with many uncompromising traits. Just thank you for being you, for showing tender love and true caring for your family. For whatever we have done, over protectiveness included, it was done in the name of love.

Have a happy birthday and please know that I love you with all my heart.

Mama

October 27

I Miss her so much. She really was such a wonderful person. If half the things in her letter to me were accurate, I'd be delighted. But it all came from having such a loving and caring family. Mama, you were the greatest!

Mama would have been 86 years old today. I miss her so much. She brought a lot of good into the world, including all 6 of us. Below is  part of a letter she wrote a few years ago just after her birthday. I wish I had inherited her letter-writing abilities (or at least took the time she always managed to find to write)...

Dear Joe,

It's 11:15 and can you believe that I have a few minutes to call my own! (It's because I've left the kitchen porch "as is" for the time being.)

It's so pretty here--the redbuds are in bloom, all the white bushes and the daffodils, plus the hyacinths are so pretty.

Billy Milstead just stood and looked around and remarked, "Everywhere you look you see pretty!" He also talked about so many pines in general everywhere else, but hardwoods surrounding us.

You want believe this, but it is now nearly two o'clock as I've had to stop at least a dozen times for some incidental thing, but for Papa it can't wait! For instance, "The mail came. Reckon my medicine is there?" A walk to the mailbox, of course I must get the scissors to clip the end of each piece of mail--mostly junk, but it must be taken care of!

I must stop now as I need to get ready to take Papa for a drive after he finishes lunch.

I love you,
Mama

February 26

Happy Birthday to the person that made me the person I am today (at least the good parts!)

Had to search through some old boxes for a book I needed to complete a project this afternoon. No luck with the book, of course, but did manage to come across a nice letter. Really reminded me of Mama. People do not send letters like this anymore. She managed to share a tidbit that might help me with our backyard, tell a cute story about racoons, remind me about Ms. Florence Mooring, inform me that my shoes (hastily forgotten on my previous visit) would arrive with my sister and that my niece had found a job. Oh, and she shared information about my dad. Oh, how I miss her.

Here is the letter:

Dear Joe,

Just today I went through a stock of papers and this backyard with fountain just happened to be among them. I thought you might get some ideas.

Guess what? Today I noticed some movement of the trumpet vine that remains on the side porch. Slowly, very slowly, there emerged three very small raccoons--getting off the roof onto the downspout. The mother was very patient. The coons were very cautious. I decided to call Florence and see if she could bring Ashley to see them. While I waited for them, I watched them climb down to the porch, explore everything on it, and then disappear before Ashley got here. How sad! I did fix her some cookies to take with her.

Did you hear more movement than usual when you were here? I don't know how, but I believe they've been in the attic.

Julia will bring your shoes when she comes for her doctor's appointment. I'm sure Stacy will be with her. She, too, has an appointment, I think. I understand that she has been accepted as Special Education instructor at the high school in Thomasville. She also interviewed in Grove Hill, but this will be easier for her--no travel.

I plan to go see Papa tomorrow. I went yesterday and things are about the same.

July 27

I love you,

Mama

Christmas 2009 in Octagon. Got to see my very photogenic great niece along with my sister and her grandmother Julia.

Thanks to one of my sisters for sending this photo of Mama (front row second from left). Linden High School, Linden, Alabama.

What a wonderful thing. So much sadness in the world and in our family these last few years, it is a good thing to have a beautiful baby girl to come in and brighten the world.

My niece, Dawn, just had a baby girl!

Marcella Renee Dailey
Date of Birth: June 21, 2009
Time of Birth: 5:04 p.m.
Weight:  8 pounds 5 ounces
Length: 20 1/4"

Top picture: new Mom Dawn with Marcella (that, by the way, was my mother's first name, though she was always called Inez, or more frequently, Mama!).

Bottom picture: Morgan, my very first great niece (and yes, she is great) with Marcee.

Well, I didn't go. I was here working the whole time.

But sisters Julia and Madeline went with my adorable grand niece Morgan. Here they are not looking at all worse for the travels after stopping by to pick up a car.

Really pleased that Ann's great uncle (Lacy Weston, the last veteran interviewed in this short clip) was able to make this trip to the WWII memorial. My father would have LOVED to have gone on one of these trips. Wish he could have. Any veterans who can should go now. Tennessee Valley Honor Flight marks seventh trip to Washington, D.C.

Well, I've been quite a bit less than diligent about updating my blog lately. It isn't for lack of activity--it is for lack of time!

I just finished a newsletter for the American Mining Insurance Group, I have been working on a website blog (using wordpress) for Holmestead Farms outside of Marion, Alabama, I've been doing some routine updates for Brombergs, Underwoods and Alabama Communities of Excellence as well as my usual Your Town Alabama work.

Discovered that the mailing company that has been handling the Sierra Club's bi-monthly newsletter is shutting their doors for good (we've been planning to go to an all digital newsletter anyway, so this may simply speed up that process).

I've been playing around of flickr a bit more and trying to get a handle on twitter (I now have several accounts). The biggest thing though, is our home renovations. Cousin Kevin "Chunk" Mitchell brought a beautiful armoire to our house on Friday night. Beautiful but EXTREMELY HEAVY! It weighs 750 pounds and will house our television soon. For now it is living in our dining room. We're done with painting the dining room and we have our new Bear Creek Glass Chandelier hung (see below for a full room view and a closeup of the hand blown globe!). But the biggest news of all, I think, is that we've decided to go with the Marvin windows. Casement all-wood windows in our living and dining rooms. Very excited!

Update: Obituary found here>>>

Someone who meant the world to me growing up died unexpectedly yesterday: Dave Nelson. He retired from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about a year ago. I'd like to write something a bit more about this later, but really just wanted to say something now:

I first met Dave Nelson when I was probably 5 years old. I may have been a little older or a little younger, but let's just call it 5. My Uncle Bill Watts lived in Florence, Alabama and had a cabin in Waterloo. My father loved to go there and visit and would go for several nights at a time. I don't know the full story, but Dave was working nearby, in Cherokee, Alabama, I think, with the Fish and Game Dept. or perhaps the Dept. of Natural Resources even then. He was an expert on wild turkeys and was using radio collars to track them and learn more about their behavior. My Uncle Bill was also involved with Fish and Game and I guess that's how they met. My father and Dave met sometime after that and, I guess, hit it off immediately.

Dave started coming to Octagon to visit soon after that. He LOVED to hunt turkeys and one thing Octagon had in abundance at that time was turkeys. He would come for several days, perhaps even a week, staying with us and eating breakfast. My sister Madeline was once asked how well she knew Dave. Her reply: "He's seen me in my night gown." That apparently always got odd looks!

Though Dave loved to hunt turkeys, he would always find the time to take little squirmy, twitchy, can't be still me out in the woods with him. He taught me a lot: how to build a blind, how to shoot, and so much more. He had a nifty wicker backpack that he kept filled with woodsman supplies like an axe, a little shovel, matches, etc. I thought he was the coolest thing in the whole world. And I'm pretty sure that, in a wilderness setting, Dave would have taken Daniel Boone and shown him a thing or two. I think that for a little while, I sort of suspected he was Davy Crockett.

I remember visiting his trailer in Cherokee (he was I guess just out of college a few years before--though to me he seemed like an elder statesman) and he showed me some of the many things he was proud of. I recall having burgers there--though I'm not sure. There is another story that I've always loved about Dave feeding Connie, his soon to be wife, burgers made out of beaver. He knew she was the one for him when she didn't stop eating!

Dave loved Marengo County and the Black Belt so much that, when he had the chance, he moved to Forkland, Alabama (just north of Demopolis and right on the river) and put a trailer for his new family to live in. He built a beautiful house on the lot, mostly, if I recall, himself. In addition to being an amazing outdoorsman, he was quite the woodworker as well.

Dave and Connie had two boys, I grew up and moved away to college, but I always had and will always have a special place in my heart for the man who taught me so much about the outdoors and about life. Goodbye good friend. You'll be missed more than you could ever know.