September 2005

Think how great our Divine Creator’s wisdom is above all other wisdom created. The rain which is so needed, the sunshine so needed - along with men in charge of needs like sowing seeds, harvesting crops - supplies the continuation of our cycle of plant life. Thus man’s need for food is supplied by that Wisdom.

It is such an example of infinite Wisdom supplying the needs of man. I like the Wisdom we’re given to keep the continuation of the food supply with man as caretaker.

What if our world which whirls in space weren’t perfect in supplying mother’s milk for babies, from humans, to animals, like cats, dogs, and buffalos. Brains capture this Infinite Wisdom. All creation has an origin too far back to imagine when there was nothingness.

"What’s the good of trying?"

I like to think of all our needs being met from a complete plan set into action.

"In the beginning," that Awesome Wisdom we call God, made all things from nothing that existed before. What unfolds causes us to worship, which comes from those brain cells naturally.

We take each new day so carefully prepared for us with uninterruptible perfection.

It’s the vastness of such perfect doings: night, day, sun, rain, cold winters, warm and continuous hot summer days.

One man had the wisdom to come to Beaver County to settle a grand place for his current family and all the future Spohn family to occupy. It was never to be sold to anyone outside his family. He was part of a large group of those settling in with their schools, churches, and supply stores.

He had a large part in developing the Beaver community, working at many jobs, including county attorney and county judge. All this was accomplished even through the tragedy of the death of his wife and having to send his daughter to live with an aunt in Iowa.

August 2005

A good rain is a good blessing in this country!

In Georgia where I used to live, we would sigh, "Oh, my, it’s raining again." Well, I have lived long in both places and I prefer less rain - I’m a sunshine one for sure and it does seem to me here is best, because we have lots of sunshine, which I do prefer, and it is very seldom if at all we get too much.

When wheat fields need to be cut, we all are distressed but certainly it isn’t often. Of course, here that cool with dampness is a blessing. Well, it’s home to me.

When you get old, one does forget long pasts.

Right now it’s cooling off - that is special. A perking up with the cool, even my dog doesn’t seem to mind rain. It is the cooling I think since it is so hot in the summer here.

Who fusses over weather you can’t do anything about? I like less rain because sometimes it can get distressing as it did in Georgia. "Isn’t it ever going to stop raining?"

It is often said when I lived with Bill in Georgia. We had a very pretty yard which was so big it was a job to keep it pretty, with all the rain making everything grow so much. It amazes me that here with little rain, the soil gets used to it and makes other pretty things to grow, like lots of soapweeds and sagebrush.

Living in both places, I can’t choose which I like better because they are both favorites. In both places, we lived in the country, which I have always preferred. It is a quiet benefit for writing books and columns.

I love "Windmill Valley" except for my wonderful Bill. It’s the reason I came home when I did. Not having him and having been willed this place, it was easy to come home.

Oh, how I love it! My friends are all so special here.

My Windmill Valley is a little bit of heaven, with all my Beaver friends.

-----

It’s interesting to find out you don’t feel any older at ninety-seven than you did at eighty-five.

I have rather blurry eyes, and don’t walk without short steps and a hump.

For many a previous year I have seen old people walk and said I was "not going to walk that way!"

But at 97, my walk is badly bent over and my eyes are blurry.

I take the cake as they say... being old.

What I am so very relieved about is that nothing at all happens to your thinking! Oh, what a relief! That thinking "machine" has no blur at all.

For years, I’ve kneeled down and asked God to tell me what to say and I get a clear result which has not stopped and oh, how filled with gratitude.

I am telling you this because if you are old and never can think the way you used to, I say "kneel down and ask God for what you need to know."

You are pleased to the brim with the contact and joy knowing "God is everywhere and I think for sure, he is our Father in Heaven, we His child."

That was Christ’s way to get the help He needed.

It gives God full attention.

With His mighty unfailing help.

Oh, "Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done."

God the Completer of Life on Earth!

----------------

God never lets go of us is what I hang onto continually as I’ve said often.

From babyhood on I feel safe in my Creator’s arms.

Maybe it’s because I feel safe, well, happy, and at peace.

My conception of God is unequal. Wisdom Creator of all our good, keeping it good.

From a hatching bird in a nest to a tiny child safe as it develops and emerges.

Our infinite wisdom. God fills so much space with the good in its variety of all; from humans to the nesting of the birds.

It’s such a joy to be a part of it all, all perfect from a leaf to our ears.

You say not always? To me it’s God; our infinite creating wisdom.

Where does the bad come from? Rattlesnakes? Fleas? Its own, its own. A disobedience of the mind that thinks you.

Our humble, pure, holy, infinite Creator of good, where freedom makes a very slight slip, where the preacher doesn’t fully catch an intended uplift.

July 2005

In all my 97 years of living I cherish most we were given eyes.

Looking out the window at a beautiful tree filled with every branch loaded with rather large bright pink blossoms it’s a sight I’ve never before seen. I’ve encouraged all to make the trip out to add to your life such a sight.

Something about it seems as though it is overflowing with joy and love. Oh, the gift it is to all who have it to add to their memory.

And much to my delight the blooms are lingering as though to give everyone a chance to see it! And do feel welcome for I don’t think anyone has seen its equal.

I am thrilled over its love. You just feel loved by it!

Oh, the gift trees are! Can you imagine never a tree anywhere?

When my husband and I went to California we found hardly a tree in Arizona. Just sagebrush and soapweeds which we have here, except we can plant trees and with care they grow, like this gorgeous pink bloomed tree. I water it thoroughly to keep it lasting as I promise you have never seen its equal.

I want it to be long lasting. Years ahead, one of the grand sights in the panhandle so that in the years ahead all of the state will have to have a look!

Years ahead, "Have you seen the Pink Tree?"

The top event of the spring.

"Oh, you’re overdoing it!"

Wait till you see it! I say again and again.

----------------

My happiness has hit tops. I feel good, hear good, see good. I am overflowing with thanks to God. Maybe it is my reward for always starting the day with my lesson from the Bible and the book, "Science and Health," by M.B. Eddy. A new lesson every week. This week titled Love.

My life takes a lot of love this morning. For my big cat that dashed out in the cold to go to her tree and settle on that high limb where she spends the day. She doesn’t like the old cat nor the white kitten that loves to play and the other cat is above such silliness.

I myself, woke up excited today. I am close to 97 years old and feel 50. I simply feel fine. I think that a day starts with a very good Bible lesson. It gets me "cleared out."

I gave myself a life thinking I’m 50. Who could drag around at 50? Thinking fifty and stick right to it is a real help. In the long ago before such figures were invented, I kept out of the age numbers.

And I enjoy my pets, all so loving. I think of dear friends I like and pray all are well and keep good food to eat at mealtime.

Being happy is my daily job.

Fifty in age?

------------------

It’s interesting how our big stretches of pasture land have many, many soapweeds, along with patches of cactus full of stickers.

The cactus has beautiful yellow blossoms which end up in nickel-sized pads covered with needles that really stick in like needles if you accidentally step on one.

So many farm lands elsewhere have trees and wild berry bushes.

But our old, old rather gray prairie grasslands are such that you can see in all directions for endless stretches. Along creeks there are often wild cottonwood trees which I like so much. They have small balls that open into loose white balls that blow in our warm summer winds tossing the "cotton" in little whiffs. - "Summer snow."

Grayish buffalo grass covers the lands, so short and curled it would be impossible to cut. For wheat and broom corn stalks, one just plows the soil to loosen it, the little gray grass particles mixed in.

Now and then up leaps a gray jack rabbit with its long ears and little tail.

Our Oklahoma panhandle at least is quite pleasing in its very different areas.

Those big yellow cactus blooms that make them like stickery fruits have been cut (with gloves on) and tasted, slightly sweet in their seeded yellow pulp.

My old unbothered land is quite typical with its soapweeds and sagebrush - the sage is very gray and furry, like an old gray cat. They are no more than two feet high and the bushes a foot or so high and never blooms.

There is not a tree in sight.

The now and then seen rattlesnakes find themselves a good place to get out of the hot summer sun.

My long stays in Iowa and Georgia with all their greenery make this my homeland special. Hot summers, cold, snowy winters make "Home Sweet Home" for sure.

Think how great our Divine Creator’s wisdom is above all other wisdom created. The rain which is so needed, the sunshine so needed - along with men in charge of needs like sowing seeds, harvesting crops - supplies the continuation of our cycle of plant life. Thus man’s need for food is supplied by that Wisdom.

It is such an example of infinite Wisdom supplying the needs of man. I like the Wisdom we’re given to keep the continuation of the food supply with man as caretaker.

What if our world which whirls in space weren’t perfect in supplying mother’s milk for babies, from humans, to animals, like cats, dogs, and buffalos. Brains capture this Infinite Wisdom. All creation has an origin too far back to imagine when there was nothingness.

"What’s the good of trying?"

I like to think of all our needs being met from a complete plan set into action.

"In the beginning," that Awesome Wisdom we call God, made all things from nothing that existed before. What unfolds causes us to worship, which comes from those brain cells naturally.

We take each new day so carefully prepared for us with uninterruptible perfection.

It’s the vastness of such perfect doings: night, day, sun, rain, cold winters, warm and continuous hot summer days.

One man had the wisdom to come to Beaver County to settle a grand place for his current family and all the future Spohn family to occupy. It was never to be sold to anyone outside his family. He was part of a large group of those settling in with their schools, churches, and supply stores.

He had a large part in developing the Beaver community, working at many jobs, including county attorney and county judge. All this was accomplished even through the tragedy of the death of his wife and having to send his daughter to live with an aunt in Iowa.

A good rain is a good blessing in this country!

In Georgia where I used to live, we would sigh, "Oh, my, it’s raining again." Well, I have lived long in both places and I prefer less rain - I’m a sunshine one for sure and it does seem to me here is best, because we have lots of sunshine, which I do prefer, and it is very seldom if at all we get too much.

When wheat fields need to be cut, we all are distressed but certainly it isn’t often. Of course, here that cool with dampness is a blessing. Well, it’s home to me.

When you get old, one does forget long pasts.

Right now it’s cooling off - that is special. A perking up with the cool, even my dog doesn’t seem to mind rain. It is the cooling I think since it is so hot in the summer here.

Who fusses over weather you can’t do anything about? I like less rain because sometimes it can get distressing as it did in Georgia. "Isn’t it ever going to stop raining?"

It is often said when I lived with Bill in Georgia. We had a very pretty yard which was so big it was a job to keep it pretty, with all the rain making everything grow so much. It amazes me that here with little rain, the soil gets used to it and makes other pretty things to grow, like lots of soapweeds and sagebrush.

Living in both places, I can’t choose which I like better because they are both favorites. In both places, we lived in the country, which I have always preferred. It is a quiet benefit for writing books and columns.

I love "Windmill Valley" except for my wonderful Bill. It’s the reason I came home when I did. Not having him and having been willed this place, it was easy to come home.

Oh, how I love it! My friends are all so special here.

My Windmill Valley is a little bit of heaven, with all my Beaver friends.

June 16,m 2005

What cuter than a playful baby kitten! I can watch her play endlessly. I call her Bessie. Her mother is very proud of her baby and watches her constantly.

They want to make sure I am watching them. Johnny Dog has a pleased look as he watches the cats play. His old nest keeps him laying near me.

In a nursing home the old people need a pet to love. Please sons and daughters bring your loved one a pet to love sometimes.

When you go on vacation leave your pets with someone that cares for them until you return.

I enjoy my freedom to have as many pets as I want. Also, I enjoy my collection of music boxes and quite a doll collection. Live things are best...my loving pets.

June 9, 2005

It’s a wonderful feeling to be shown safety.

I was writing when comes a knock at the door. It was a friend who wanted to know how I was feeling and check up on me.

It was a great and sunny morning. We enjoyed a good visit. Oh how wonderful to have special friends. Such a surprise.

It’s a bumpy journey to here but not too bad. One has to slow a bit. What a joy to live here on the farm. I enjoy myself too much to worry. My cat jumps upon my lap when I sit down...so loving.

When I was a child we had a cow named Bess and a horse named Ginger. We took turns riding Ginger.

My neighbor has Black Angus cows on the grass. A happy sight.

I feel safe here and so at home.

May 19, 2005

Oh, what a birthday. Biggest save for last!

Born in 1908, mother died when I was eight, and her last wish was that I GO LIVE WITH HER SISTER Fannie in Iowa since my father John was County Attorney and would have a big enough job in raising their two sons, Jean and Hugh.

So off to Iowa I went, for years so lonesome for daddy and brothers, Jean and Hugh, as well as being a lonesome daddy’s girl.

Grown, I went to Iowa City on the recommendation of my English teacher that I go to study writing since my story writing was good.

That I did. So lonesome for my brothers as well as being a daddy’s girl. When I went to the dining hall to eat lunch and left with William Newton following me.

We eventually married and he got a teaching job at the University of Texas.

Bill was very pleased I wanted to write instead of raising a family as he admitted kids drove him nuts. He lived where there were six noisy kids!

Years later while we lived in Atlanta Georgia on a farm we called Care-Careless Acres and got two grand horses so we could go riding and had three dogs we loved.

I wrote books, have eleven published, when finally he died I immediately wanted to come to Beaver and build a house on the 140 acre farm west of town which my father had willed to me.

Dean Gregg came out and welcomed me to Beaver and said he would take me to the courthouse where I could register as a tax payer and get the advantages of citizen with all rights.

So here I am, happy as a lark even enjoying reading The Herald-Democrat and asked even to write a column for it.

Thank You isn’t a big enough word for Beaver’s birthday party for my 97th!

I thought all who read my column and don’t know me from Adam would like a glimpse at least. So this is it.

May 12, 2005

Think how great our Divine Creator’s wisdom is above all other wisdom created. The rain which is so needed, the sunshine so needed - along with men in charge of needs like sowing seeds, harvesting crops - supplies the continuation of our cycle of plant life. Thus man’s need for food is supplied by that Wisdom.

It is such an example of infinite Wisdom supplying the needs of man. I like the Wisdom we’re given to keep the continuation of the food supply with man as caretaker.

What if our world which whirls in space weren’t perfect in supplying mother’s milk for babies, from humans, to animals, like cats, dogs, and buffalos. Brains capture this Infinite Wisdom. All creation has an origin too far back to imagine when there was nothingness.

"What’s the good of trying?"

I like to think of all our needs being met from a complete plan set into action.

"In the beginning," that Awesome Wisdom we call God, made all things from nothing that existed before. What unfolds causes us to worship, which comes from those brain cells naturally.

We take each new day so carefully prepared for us with uninterruptible perfection.

It’s the vastness of such perfect doings: night, day, sun, rain, cold winters, warm and continuous hot summer days.

One man had the wisdom to come to Beaver County to settle a grand place for his current family and all the future Spohn family to occupy. It was never to be sold to anyone outside his family. He was part of a large group of those settling in with their schools, churches, and supply stores.

He had a large part in developing the Beaver community, working at many jobs, including county attorney and county judge. All this was accomplished even through the tragedy of the death of his wife and having to send his daughter to live with an aunt in Iowa.

April 28, 2005

God never lets go of us is what I hang onto continually as I’ve said often.

From babyhood on I feel safe in my Creator’s arms.

Maybe it’s because I feel safe, well, happy, and at peace.

My conception of God is unequal. Wisdom Creator of all our good, keeping it good.

From a hatching bird in a nest to a tiny child safe as it develops and emerges.

Our infinite wisdom. God fills so much space with the good in its variety of all; from humans to the nesting of the birds.

It’s such a joy to be a part of it all, all perfect from a leaf to our ears.

You say not always? To me it’s God; our infinite creating wisdom.

Where does the bad come from? Rattlesnakes? Fleas? Its own, its own. A disobedience of the mind that thinks you.

Our humble, pure, holy, infinite Creator of good, where freedom makes a very slight slip, where the preacher doesn’t fully catch an intended uplift.

April 21, 2005

This year’s cowchip days were great!

I think they gathered many old dried-up cowchip on my farm since there are many Black Angus cattle grazing on my grassy farm.

I enjoy the sight, especially the bouncing calves.

Long, long ago my father used to take the horse drawn wagon with us three kids and go all around gathering the dried cowchip to burn and oh, how cozy the house was during the winters.

No trees, the cowchips made it possible to live in this wide tree-less Panhandle.

I imagine in this day Cowchip tossing is awful to visitors, but if you saw one you would find they pick up without breaking and do burn in a strong steady blaze.

I well remember the large box full of cowchips keeping us cozy.

"Better go out in the wagon and gather some more cowchips! We want to be cozy at Christmas!"

"Maybe we’ll find a little tree by the creek."

"Oh, we must never pull up a little tree! That wooden one daddy made is all right for you kids to hang your stockings on."

In this day our stores have shipped in trees to sell and we think nothing at all decorating our big shipped-in trees.

We’re pleased when we drive around in the truck, no trees, looking for those cowchips to toss.

In parts of our Nation full of trees I bet it’s hard to collect cowchips if not impossible as it would take so long to find dry ones.

Good old Beaver County is just right for the game!

All those huge machine traveling though town though it was a grand joke to get onto! "Whee!"

I yelled Whee!, too, because I don’t have to go out in the pasture and get a wheel barrow full of cowchips to keep warm when the wind blows in snow and you can’t find the bloomin’ things!

I do thank all our guests in a big way to celebrate those old days.

We don’t need the dang things here on the farm in APRIL

April 14, 2005

To the child, the cats and dogs are something to love and take care of.

This is my case. I have three cats and one dog. All loved and given every care to keep them happy and at peace.

Friends on a trip left their cat with me and the white pretty cat did not like the place, nor me, nor my three cats and dog.

I gave her special attention but in a week she dashed off and with days of calling, searching, and phoning neighbors to find out if they had seen her I found they hadn’t seen a cat like that.

It made me think we must leave our pets at the animal clinic where they cannot escape and get in trouble.

Oh, how I pray she’s safe somewhere!

When we go on trips let us remember our very loved pets don’t like to be left with strange people (cat lovers though they be!) with other cats and dogs they aren’t familiar with.

From the picture you can see of all animals I have them at the top in ability to love people.

Oh, the joy they bring us.

My heart overflows with thanks to our divine Creator of it all!

March 31, 2005

My two brothers surely were disappointed when that baby mama was going to have turned out to be a girl. Oh how awful - a girl!

"What’s her name?"

"You name her."

"Fiddlesticks" is a good name. Mama and Papa laughed. Hugh and Gene thought that was a good name. They laughed and said "Fiddlesticks."

I was told the boys bounced around saying "Fiddlesticks." It was a word Grandpa used frequently. I was told my crying was maddening to all.

And they called me "Crybaby."

"Dear boys, you should have heard Hugh cry." Papa said. Hugh was the loudest crybaby. Gene was a premature child and his cries were rather faint; in fact, Papa said we both prayed a lot that he would even make it.

Papa laughed. Gene Rushkin had a time of it as a child. But here he is my little Jeanie Boy. Even church folks prayed about him. Those little feet and cute little hands. Oh, how everybody prayed. It was a nice circle of dear ones and it was not until Mama died when I was 8 years old that I realized how much it meant to me.

Sometimes we went to the sandhills, running to the top, and rolling down. We had a syrup bucket full of lunch for the trip. If a birthday was present, we would have a big cake, which was all of the special things that we had long, long ago.

Now days it seems all to be entertainment with TV, good and educational. But, oh, the sandhill days were my favorites. Sunday school classes went there for picnics often after church.

So Beaver does have its sandhill playground, which makes our town very special. I hope still it’s the special treat for Beaver’s children.

That picnic to the sandhills.

Never let TV outplay our sandhill picnics!

March 24, 2005

To the child, the cats and dogs are something to love and take care of.

This is my case. I have three cats and one dog. All loved and given every care to keep them happy and at peace.

Friends on a trip left their cat with me and the white pretty cat did not like the place, nor me, nor my three cats and dog.

I gave her special attention but in a week she dashed off and with days of calling, searching, and phoning neighbors to find out if they had seen her I found they hadn’t seen a cat like that.

It made me think we must leave our pets at the animal clinic where they cannot escape and get in trouble.

Oh, how I pray she’s safe somewhere!

When we go on trips let us remember our very loved pets don’t like to be left with strange people (cat lovers though they be!) with other cats and dogs they aren’t familiar with.

From the picture you can see of all animals I have them at the top in ability to love people. (Ed Note. Pictures to come later.)

Oh, the joy they bring us.

My heart overflows with thanks to our divine Creator of it all!

March 17, 2005

She’ll be 97 on May 5. She lives alone, plays her 100-year-old Emerson piano to lift her spirits, and writes a weekly column for the Herald Democrat in Beaver. "I couldn’t live if I couldn’t write," Alice said recently. In July 2002, Alice wrote in her column, "I can’t think of a time in my life I like better than now with this column-writing job." Though she had a desire to write beginning at age four, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and received a degree from Simpson College Conservatory of Music. With encouragement from a college professor, Alice Newton went on to the University of Iowa to study English and writing.

In her 16th book, The Sun Says When, Alice wrote at age 86, "I would feel bad to leave a book idea unfinished — so fulfilling is the job of writing. It’s because it is a form of listening. I put down what Something bigger than I am tells me to. It makes me feel terribly close to our divine Creator, which is a feeling I long to share. Dying, for me, will be one chapter in life’s book closed for the next one."

Alice Spohn Newton’s life has not been easy, but her sunny disposition conceals that fact. "Life is a fabulous adventure!" Alice wrote in one of her columns. She admits to being "a happy person by choice." She advises others to keep active; find something you enjoy doing and do it! She is excited to be alive and feeling good.

Alice and her husband, William, who was a chemical engineer, taught at Georgia Tech. After retirement in 1973, William found he had Alzheimer’s disease and decided to end his life. Having never had children, Alice was left alone.

Alice had yearned for many years to return to her roots in Beaver, Oklahoma. For Alice, Beaver was her home, though when she was eight years old she was sent to Iowa to live with an aunt after her mother died of spinal meningitis. Her father, John Alva Spohn, an attorney, had ridden a bicycle from Iowa in 1902 to homestead 60 acres near Laverne, at Clearlake. The family found its way to Beaver when Alice’s father became the judge, even before Oklahoma was a state.

When Alice moved back to Beaver, she had a house built on 160 acres purchased by her father. Her new home replaced the sod house that had been home for her parents. She included a built-in swimming pool that she swam in daily until about a year ago. She also drove her car until a couple of years ago.

Beaver is the best place on earth to live, according to Alice, full of helpful, caring people. Her special friends bring her mail and meals three times a week, stock her refrigerator, and look after her needs. She wrote in one of her columns, "Beaver is the first step taken on the way to Heaven."

Alice has the key ingredients to a happy life: someone to love (God, her animals, and faithful friends), something to do (writing her weekly column and taking care of her pets) and something to look forward to (her daily Bible study and the hope of life after death).

Alice’s Column can be read on the Beaver Herald Democrat’s home web internet page at www.beavercowchipnews.com. Many of her books are at the Beaver Library and at the Jones and Plummer Trail Museum. Her father’s autobiography, Mountains Herald the Direction, can also be found at the museum.

March 10, 2005

Ed Latta Calhoon
Services were held
Wednesday, March 2.

I read my column to Doctor Calhoon and he was pleased.

Oh, then the terrible news.

Then the awful shock, the sadness, his death.

It makes us think he never told of HIS ills. I’m sure it’s natural for a doctor to do this, yet for the rest of us, we conjure up a good story!

I very seldom went to him for help and enjoyed his jollyness. It was as though he himself was NEVER sick, yet here he suddenly fell forth on the floor dead (I’m told).

I admire him to no end that he was able to continue with problems and yet no one ever thought of such a thing of him dying.

In all my life I have never seen or heard of someone who was that ill and had no complaints.

The column I put in the paper before this event, I thought of him as Never Sick, and I think I told him this.

He just grinned and said: "Oh, maybe NEVER is a bit strong."

He seemed to know people never thought of the doctor himself as needing a doctor.

This is true in a way with me. I thought Doctors would know what they needed to do when THEY were sick.

It’s a good lesson learned from the stand point of their strain of sitting all night with someone in danger of dying, then see many patients the next day.

It makes me think we all can learn a valuable lesson.

Think about the Doctor not only tired but he could be torn up about his patient not doing too well. So WHAT ELSE can he do for him, or her.

There IS SOMETHING.

When I feel awful I pray to God. "Please, God, Help Me!"

I’m such a devout Christian scientist and studying the Lessons every morning that I do get help. The mind has so much to do with how we feel..

Christ Jesus healed all who came to Him. He said He would Be With Us Always and I find He keeps His word!

Life Is What You Make It, so Make It SPIRITUAL!

"Gods Spirit, Man His Likeness SPIRITUAL.

It’s that internal self we see doc as now.

March 3, 2005

My 140 acres of winter grazing land has naught but dried up buffalo grass for its herd of Black Angus cattle so I hope their barn is full of hay.

So much of my life on the farm (other places) I find cattle and horses a big treat, especially the calves and colts.

When my husband died I couldn’t get back to Beaver quick enough and change the old sod house into a comfortable home.

Now days likely it would be hard to find a sod house. They were made by the first settlers.

There was a "sod plow" that dug into the dirt in rows brick size. It had to be free of sand or they would fall apart.

This new land the government opened up was free to people by the government so this part of the Oklahoma panhandle would be occupied.

My daddy tried to add a little wood part for my mom who was from Iowa and never heard of anyone living in the dirt, so to speak.

They had three children, my brother Jean, first, then Hugh, then at last a girl...me.

Daddy a lawyer was soon called in to help at the Courthouse.

All went well. When old enough we three walked the mile, with Daddy, to town, to school, and I remember so well how we picked those stalks of white bells on the soapweeds.

I took them to the teacher and they all liked them. I also found what is a moss rose which is a low plant with red roselike blooms. They were even fragrant. Oh, how I did love a bouquet of them for the teacher.

On our walk to school we often scared up a jackrabbit with very long ears sticking straight up. When the plants moved, they jumped. Hop, hop, hop!

Now and then we would find a spotted turtle crawling along. Once we came upon one which had somehow got turned on its back and wobbled to turn over. We felt sorry for it and quickly turned it over and off it went, glad we had come along just there on our walk to school.

One day we were walking along the path and could hear ahead of us a rattlesnake! We ran around it and bounded forth hoping it would be gone when school was over.

Hugh said, "I bet if we come back we better stay on the path because it will be at the end and turn off to the side."

It may have since there was no sight nor sound of it.

Daddy on his walk to town finally heard it in the sagebrush and got a big rock and killed it at last.

I as the youngest, when I was eight, mama died. Oh, what a horror.

Never again the joy. Then sent to an aunt in Iowa to mama’s sister. Grown, I married, then at my husband’s death the first thing I did was to come home and enjoy the old-time living here where childhood memories are clear and the rest like a dream, happy days back!

The windmill still sings its happy song! Three cats and a grand pet dog for company! Home sweet home!

February 24, 2005

I find myself asking this every day. Why do commentators seem to delight in starting with something dreadful which has happened?

"Silly! We need to know about such things!"

But right off, you barely listen to the rest of the news for being upset over the bad news.

"Thirty people killed in a crash of a plane."

You hardly listen to the rest of the news.

"A line of stretchers."

"Anybody you know?"

The rest of the news becomes vague. If it came first, you would be glad to know your choice for a replaced Congressman got voted in. Glad the weather will continue its warm up. Glad neither parents nor child were hurt in the car missing its turn. Glad beef was on sale.

All of these "glads" helped hearing about the plane crash afterwards.

February 17, 2005

My dog Johnie is a good baby sitter for cats.

When I go outside looking for cats, find the dog, and there they are.

Years back when I got the cats, the owner said if you have a dog there they will be.

He also said the dog will let the cats go in first. With a chuckle he said, "More for seeing them all than for politeness."

These little ones are quite loved by me and they seem satisfied with the new owner.

I never get over thanking God for creating animals, pets especially.

Horses are especially welcome, were certainly when we hitched big Ginger to the buggy and we went to the little country church near Laverne.

There was always a picnic under the tree by the creek, and then the tales about the week’s events. Helen had her baby which was so very grand.

They named her Janie Arlene and she had pretty blue eyes and light hair.

Each span of time has its now that is best of all.

Even elections. Daddy had come down from Iowa on a bicycle and was in Beaver’s elections. He was voted in as Beaver County Attorney.

We filled the buggy full and found a sod house they could mov in to. He built his loved wife, Dee, who was a graduate and had her father send down her piano.

Oh how the family - with its two boys and a baby girl they named Bessie Alice.

Nothing was missing for a grand family life!

There was even a creek in the west. Home Creek it was called, and they went fishing and caught jackrabbits for a treat of their meat. And of course, in the summer there was wild plum patches in the draws.

Nothing was missing!

There was for them cats and a dog Billie.

I’m not going to tell you how the story of mom, pop, and we three kids ended. But here I am on that same piece of land and it’s full of happy dreams I never forget.

I have a cat sitter dog which keeps it all fun.

My favorite hobby is writing, and you can see I have plenty to write about.

But so do you!

I bet Joe could squeeze it in.

Why not.

February 10, 2005

Who watched a calf getting all its food from a cow’s bladder, and found it good?

In the beginning of humans on earth these things so common to us now had to be discovered.

By the pull of the hands, milk came and was good. All good having been discovered by man, this cow milk was very welcome. Babes survived with its mother’s milk, but if needed it was found cow’s milk did it also.

Then came the process of butter from the cream in the milk.

Centuries ago all our eating habits from things were discovered. Man trying everything from the milk to the cow’s meat at its death?

I would guess growing tree with fruit that apples. Oh, what a find! Plants, peaches, berries.

It makes us glad it’s 2005 years later!

How soon after meat was found good did someone find that fire started with the spark of two rocks. So important when the weather was cold - did cooked food taste better?

My goodness! Even spinach - of all things to be thankful for in life I find out time here on earth. It’s a great time. From food to houses, to health knowledge to so many blessings like churches, stores, vehicles for getting around, and then televisions where we can see what’s going on in other countries - as well as the moon!

In that long ago the now was unthinkable.

So what about 2,000 hence? I can’t even imagine, if progress should match the now from the beginning.

I feel deeply, little change will come.

I can’t even think of some marvelous discovery. To me we are at the peak of all the discovered good. We just don’t want to decline, like food shortages from the overflow of population.

It makes me feel the infinite divine Creator we call God had this ruled that all living things die and who can but agree?

Ah, in the mourning the loss of friends and loved ones, remember.

Ah, this problem, no death in thousands of years.

My goodness! It makes one at peace over the idea, sad as it is, we are making room for that newborn child to grow up and add its important life!

February 3, 2005

Depression Days brought us closer

Raise your gloom recalling Depression Days. Or hearing about them. We surely were Depressed! Either no job to find, or the present barely making a go of it.

Bill, my husband, decided to go the long way to California because we were told jobs could be found there.

Money was so scarce no one could splurge! On our drive to California from Oklahoma, we slept in the car and did eat things we could buy, like a loaf of bread and cheese slices, with now and then an apple.

Finally, we got there and so many had come you had to stand in line to apply for a job, any job.

We got a job selling a newspaper for ten cents. The newspaper put in the news of a job teaching at the university. Bill was very excited. He had just graduated from Georgia Tech. He called the college in California and sent his teacher’s recommendation.

The university president said he was considering him, the job was his if he would be willing to put lots of time in on their religious activities.

He said, "No, I’m sorry." He turned around to me and said, "I’ll be darned if I’ll be a hypocrite."

Bill was the most kind, helpful person I have ever known. But he said he couldn’t go for that God stuff with so many poor, distressed people. Wars, killings as much as possible to settle some question. I said I know what you mean. And I think the world is beginning to see how awful it is for our best young men to go out and shoot each other to decide.

I think our many shared beliefs is what made us loving. Bill wouldn’t eat meat because he couldn’t bear for an animal to be killed so he could eat it!

I ate it and still do. I foolishly think as I go home from the store along with most everyone else, that it didn’t die in vane.

With all my heart and soul I love Beaver and am pleased with the opportunity to say I’ve lived in lots of places. But Beaver is far my favorite!

When I was a little girl mama said I’d ask for pencil and paper "to write a story."

I’d be lonesome out here if I didn’t recall people.

Those depression days even brought us closer!

January 27, 2005

My happiness has hit tops. I feel good, hear good, see good. I am overflowing with thanks to God. Maybe it is my reward for always starting the day with my lesson from the Bible and the book, Science and Health, by M.B. Eddy. A new lesson every week. This week titled Love.

My life takes a lot of love this morning for my big cat that dashed out in the cold to go to her tree and settle on that high limb where she spends the day. Because she doesn’t like the old cat nor the white kitten that loves to play and the other cat in above such silliness.

I, myself, woke up excited today.

I am close to 97 years old and feel 50. I simply feel fine. I think that a day starts with a very good Bible lesson gets me, "cleared out".

I gave my self a life think I’m 50 who could drag around at 50? Thinking fifty and stick right to it is a real help.

In the long ago before such figures were invented, I kept out of the age numbers and enjoyed my pets (all so loving). I think of dear friends I like and pray all are well and keep good food to eat at meal times.

Being Happy is my Daily Job.

Fifty in age?

January 20, 2005

I have a big, I would guess old gray, cat willed to me by a friend who could no longer care for her. I was suddenly fond of her and I took her in my arms. She didn’t squirm or try to escape.

I thought here in my arms is a good friend. I was excited. Living alone. I have a very old gray cat I’ve had for years. Martha I call her and she is devoted but seems to think I don’t want to be bothered so she’s careful not to.

But the big new cat recognized by affection and it was as though it was just what she wanted, a real pleased friend.

This morning a few months later she stood at the door and wanted outside. It was very cold and the snow was deep. Still she was desperate. Did she have kittens in the barn? It would seem so. So I called the humane society to get their opinion on the matter. So they came out and checked the barn, found no baby kittens in the cold. I was grateful for their help and avoided my getting out. Somehow I was sure the cat wanted out so bad but she wanted back in as soon as it was too cold out.

January 13, 2005

Eventually you get to the age, "I can’t find my glasses!"

Maybe it’s the stern way to be told by our Divine Creator that yes, you have to keep "I and my Father one." (He the one.)

My eyes have been wonderful. I still see to do this typing without glasses. There’s always something that I want to write about. Even as a little child I can remember asking mom for pencil and paper to write a story.

Mother was a music graduate and they said I should be taught to play her Emerson Piano which I still have and play. (The tuner said the tone was royal. Never had he tuned a more beautifully toned piano.)

I’ve composed quite a lot but none published which doesn’t bother me because with 14 books published I can’t complain.

The big fun now is my Herald Democrat column.

You see my mind wakes up pleased with an idea to sound off about.

My precious husband said, "I have to tell you before we get married that I don’t want any children."

I have always thought God brought us together. Here I a music graduate wanting to go to Iowa City to study to be a writer.

That’s the reason I feel so for certain there is a Father In Heaven who loves us. I think of God as "I and my Father one." I even talk to Him as the Divine Father who listens to us and does for us always what’s best.

Churches, preachers, it all proves it.

Our Father God wants his children to have a full, happy life and I tell Him my life couldn’t be happier because I know all my dears who have "died" very happy in Heaven.

I feel good, my health perfect for which I thank God continually.

He tells me what to say and how to say it.

Listenin’ is a must.

January 6, 2005

Not having a phone to carry in my pocket I usually get to the phone just after the fourth ring. So wait - instead of hanging up at once, just when I get there! It takes some time to get from my desk where I write columns to the telephone.

Oh, what a distress - five seconds wouldn’t hurt just to wait for my answer. I’m on my way!

Very seldom am I gone. Often some special friend brings food from the Center on Wednesdays.

I’m so very happy, all that good food. Although, my dear friend, Ray, keeps my refrigerator full much to my big thanks.

This column writing keeps me from getting lonesome. Here in the country the good old home. With a job to keep my mind off loneliness. We can always love and adore animals. They are a form of company never absent.

To my desk comes Martha with a meow to get my attention, either for food, time, or fun outdoors.

December 30, 2004
 

Long ago there was no such things as numbers. Old people were just old. Family and people knowing one day their life might quit.

I’ve wiped out such things as age as they did back there, and find it works wonders!

Try it! Maybe as a child it’s awful, you watch for that age 15, then 20, on and on better because older!

But old - Gee! 96! You know that’s near the end. People make the world new when they live to be a hundred!

Well, I prefer the no counting years and like it very much. I can think up columns as usual and don’t pay attention to my body as long as I eat and sleep as usual - as it would be before time was divided into years.

So now saying 40 does help in the realm of fooling yourself. Our thoughts are influential to our bodies. "I and my Father are one, He the One" gets us off on the marvels of creation from singing birds to hands that can play beautiful music on the piano. Even milking a cow and taking the appendix out of a person.

I think it helps your attitude when you let thoughts wander and keep out fear, which is a big enemy!

"Oh, what a mess it would be! "I’ll meet you at three!" is better!"

We do have to know in the beginning there was just dark and daylight for Adam and Eve. And right now I like this 96 years old sound because it’s too big a number! I kept to that 40! And did enjoy it, yesterday saying "I’m forty."

Try it!

After all first people’s nothing but night and day.

--------

I have an oversized booklet a friend gave me years ago titled, The Prayer That Heals, written by Ann Beals. Every day I read something to lift me up. I thought it would be nice to share some of the special ideas.

"Man is an idea of God."

"Each individual is an integral part of God’s plan. Therefore, man is obedient to God’s laws and is governed by them."

"What blesses one blesses all under the law of love."

"Spirit is the substance of man’s being."

God is my life," expressing bliss, health, activity, harmony, and perfection.

"The truth in consciousness is the eternal fact of being."

"Love motivates all God does."

"You begin to think of yourself as more loving to be just that."

"Not one atom in the whole of creation can act apart from God."

"Physicists have proven that there is no solid matter as the world thinks of it."

"Trust God for our health."

"The advanced intelligence that Christ Jesus embodied was wholly spiritual."

"Criticism is a violation of the law of love."

"Your thinking determines your experience."

"While we may seem separate from God, He knows we aren’t separate from Him."

"As you discern mind of its ideas as ever present, give over to trust and rely upon them to guide and protect you."

"Remember we think our way is the highway of Heaven."

"Spiritualism of thought comes through as total commitment to it."

"When you make truth real, you challenge evil."

"Every problem, illness, limitation has a mental control."

"All disease has a mental cause."

"Love."

"Break all fear of each."

"Don’t talk about age."

"We have control over our life because we can know how untrue our thinking."

December 2004

What if you didn’t know your age?

Had no way at all of knowing.

What would you guess?

I would guess seventy six years old.

Not young like fifty.

Not old like ninety.

If someone said I was ninety six, I’d say it’s a lie!

It even sounds ridiculous.

That seventy six has a truth sound to it.

So why not say it when you think it?

When you stop and think about it, age can’t do something to you, like hurt. A few wrinkles but so what?

You can’t even make a wrinkle hurt so forget it!

Be that happy, fun-loving you that leaves the day out. All these big celebrations, we’re supposed to celebrate the day we were born!

When you’re little you like those birthdays so you can get grown and be special, like get married, etc.

Why don’t we reach the age of forty and quit?

There’s something silly about piling up the figures till you FEEL old because you are.

I’ve decided to set an age and keep it.

I’m seventy.

Like a house. Built in 1950. Still good.

My house here in the country is good as new.

Why can’t I be as good as new?

Right now I feel good as new.

One thing that helps is this writing, my mind on something that keeps age out of it would be wonderful!

I bet we wouldn’t give it thought and like a tree, no special age looks!

What I’ve done is knock age out and it helps a lot!

I tell myself "no such thing as age!"

It helps and that’s what counts.

---------

Think how great our Divine Creator’s wisdom is above all other wisdom created. The rain which is so needed, the sunshine so needed - along with men in charge of needs like sowing seeds, harvesting crops - supplies the continuation of our cycle of plant life. Thus man’s need for food is supplied by that Wisdom.

It is such an example of infinite Wisdom supplying the needs of man. I like the Wisdom we’re given to keep the continuation of the food supply with man as caretaker.

What if our world which whirls in space weren’t perfect in supplying mother’s milk for babies, from humans, to animals, like cats, dogs, and buffalos. Brains capture this Infinite Wisdom. All creation has an origin too far back to imagine when there was nothingness.

"What’s the good of trying?"

I like to think of all our needs being met from a complete plan set into action.

"In the beginning," that Awesome Wisdom we call God, made all things from nothing that existed before. What unfolds causes us to worship, which comes from those brain cells naturally.

We take each new day so carefully prepared for us with uninterruptible perfection.

It’s the vastness of such perfect doings: night, day, sun, rain, cold winters, warm and continuous hot summer days.

One man had the wisdom to come to Beaver County to settle a grand place for his current family and all the future Spohn family to occupy. It was never to be sold to anyone outside his family. He was part of a large group of those settling in with their schools, churches, and supply stores.

He had a large part in developing the Beaver community, working at many jobs, including county attorney and county judge. All this was accomplished even through the tragedy of the death of his wife and having to send his daughter to live with an aunt in Iowa.

May this Holiday season keep you safe and enjoy your time with family.

November  2004

Good is such a powerful word and can be of great value to us when we use it as Christ did: "Why calleth me good?" There is only one good and that is God."

When we wake up thinking it’s going to be a good day is giving the day a good start.

Waking up thinking it looks sunny and we need rain makes it good - if rain is needed, but if not needed we say, "Oh heck!" Rain again!

One gets a real contentment out of the word good.

It affects us. If in a crowd someone says, "Oh, I have something good to tell you," the group is united, all ready to hear that good.

"Jean and Ethel are getting married." (My brother’s name was Jean) You say, "My name’s Jean!" (Her name Jean Ruth.)

My brother’s name was Jean Ruskin Spohn, I say. And they did have a time in school as there were other "Jeans" since it at that time seemed popular. So we use that word good with a not good. Two Jeans finally for both boy and girl got spelled, Jean for girl and Gene for boy.

On his tombstone the name is printed Jean Ruskin Spohn so one will know he’s a man. Sometimes I’ve been asked, although the Ruskin should make it plain.

He was very loved by friends here in Beaver because he was not only cheery, but helpful. I’ve heard so many say, "I sure did like your brother, Jean." He wasn’t only cheerful but helpful. "Anything I can do to help!"

He ran a filling station and was out delivering gas somewhere in the area of Forgan where his truck hit a car that stopped in front of him and the jolt threw him out and his neck was broken in the fall.

I’ve never quit missing my loving brother Jean. For a long time his friends spoke of missing him.

Can’t you still see that smile always there?

I can!

November 11, 2004

It’s interesting how our big stretches of pasture land have many, many soapweeds, along with patches of cactus full of stickers.

The cactus has beautiful yellow blossoms which end up in nickel-sized pads covered with needles that really stick in like needles if you accidentally step on one.

So many farm lands elsewhere have trees and wild berry bushes.

But our old, old rather gray prairie grasslands are such that you can see in all directions for endless stretches. Along creeks there are often wild cottonwood trees which I like so much. They have small balls that open into loose white balls that blow in our warm summer winds tossing the "cotton" in little whiffs. - "Summer snow."

Grayish buffalo grass covers the lands, so short and curled it would be impossible to cut. For wheat and broom corn stalks, one just plows the soil to loosen it, the little gray grass particles mixed in.

Now and then up leaps a gray jack rabbit with its long ears and little tail.

Our Oklahoma panhandle at least is quite pleasing in its very different areas.

Those big yellow cactus blooms that make them like stickery fruits have been cut (with gloves on) and tasted, slightly sweet in their seeded yellow pulp.

My old unbothered land is quite typical with its soapweeds and sagebrush - the sage is very gray and furry, like an old gray cat. They are no more than two feet high and the bushes a foot or so high and never blooms.

There is not a tree in sight.

The now and then seen rattlesnakes find themselves a good place to get out of the hot summer sun.

My long stays in Iowa and Georgia with all their greenery make this my homeland special. Hot summers, cold, snowy winters make "Home Sweet Home" for sure.

November 4, 2004
 

A good rain is a good blessing in this country!

In Georgia where I used to live, we would sigh, "Oh, my, it’s raining again." Well, I have lived long in both places and I prefer less rain - I’m a sunshine one for sure and it does seem to me here is best, because we have lots of sunshine, which I do prefer, and it is very seldom if at all we get too much.

When wheat fields need to be cut, we all are distressed but certainly it isn’t often. Of course, here that cool with dampness is a blessing. Well, it’s home to me.

When you get old, one does forget long pasts.

Right now it’s cooling off - that is special. A perking up with the cool, even my dog doesn’t seem to mind rain. It is the cooling I think since it is so hot in the summer here.

Who fusses over weather you can’t do anything about? I like less rain because sometimes it can get distressing as it did in Georgia. "Isn’t it ever going to stop raining?"

It is often said when I lived with Bill in Georgia. We had a very pretty yard which was so big it was a job to keep it pretty, with all the rain making everything grow so much. It amazes me that here with little rain, the soil gets used to it and makes other pretty things to grow, like lots of soapweeds and sagebrush.

Living in both places, I can’t choose which I like better because they are both favorites. In both places, we lived in the country, which I have always preferred. It is a quiet benefit for writing books and columns.

I love "Windmill Valley" except for my wonderful Bill. It’s the reason I came home when I did. Not having him and having been willed this place, it was easy to come home.

Oh, how I love it! My friends are all so special here.

My Windmill Valley is a little bit of heaven, with all my Beaver friends.

October 28, 2004

I gave a lot of thought to what to write about that would be of interest.

Now, I want to tell you about what we did before there was any such thing as TV. I can say we were as happy then as now. Grandma made quilts sewing by hand all scraps left from making dresses into squares for the quilt pieces.

Starting out with Mama and Papa coming a year or so later, baby Gene Ruskin. An immature child no bigger than a ball, this meant tiny clothes as well as tiny diapers. They were so thrilled over the tiny child. They prayed and did all they could that their son would grow into a fine young man with lots of talent - and he did!

He liked to sing. When Mama played the piano, brought from Iowa where she was born, in a wagon and team. There was lots of celebrating, neighbors coming to hear music in this little panhandle. A year later came a little boy, lots bigger than the other and they named him Hugh Napoleon. Papa added the last, so he would be special. So here they were, two boys, then a baby girl, they named Bessye Alice. Mama gave piano lessons to help with the income.

Wagon trips to Bluegrass school, where they had Sunday church.

Rabbits caught to eat and the long trips to Laverne to get sugar and flour were also a treat.

I grew up with much happiness then as now. No change in the night bed and day fun.

Those oatmeal breakfasts like today, dinner with fried jack rabbit, and suppers with such, milk from the one cow Papa called "Goody." There was no thought of any lack.

It was such a big treat when finally came a mailbox and mail came from the grandparents in Iowa. We would all wait for the horse and buggy to come. We would hold out the letters to be mailed and he would put the incoming mail in the box.

When I was 5 years old, I got a birthday cake. Oh, what a joy, a luxury for us all!

Our Father God was thanked for as much goodness as today. I remember it so well.

It is such a blessing that I was able to come back to the home place. Now I have more conveniences to make living easier, but my happiness is still as much as when I lived with so little. The experiences through the years of coming here, moving to Iowa, marrying Bill and going to Atlanta, then coming back after his death have all added joy to my life.

October 21, 2004
 

I call her enormous but her name is Norma Smith, and in all my long years I have never found a person who spends all her time helping others.

She must wake up telling herself about someone who needs help, like the friend in Laverne who’s husband died. Then there’s the man and wife in Beaver who are both ill.

"I’ll worry if I don’t go to see if they have needs."

"Then that hospital visit where those desolate friends are - hoping for a visit."

We all know that if we actually make a list of dear ones who could use a bit of cheering up.

Yes, we all could spend many a day scattering cheer where needed.

Clearly Norma gets those nudges about dears which I call "God’s nudges." But life’s just too cluttered with personal problems to go all out to bring cheer if not help that direction...for us.

Maybe God cleared her of so many personal problems knowing she would put her time to their use.

On the go, on the go, but it’s all for others.

Our "on the go’s" are so important!

We think.

You say, "I don’t think so, I know so."

Sick hubby...Norma is widowed.

Yes, I agree that families go to bed exhausted.

Night and day is the divine plan. I am thankful I have been able to follow! I think it’s responsible for my clear thinking and good health!

Norma can sit with the sick, drive all night to get where she is supposed to be living on her thoughts, and that’s what it takes.

Imagine the job God has!

It makes me think of a checker game, a place for all and all in place. Millions of people on earth, of course each one feels special and is! To God. So what more exciting? We were born into this great enormity! How could we be more special?

October 2004

Letter to the Editor,

Age is not a robber of our thinking unless we let it be.

Our brain that catches thoughts from the One Creator of all things won’t let age take over unless WE let it.

I’m 96 and tell myself harshly to quit counting life by years because they rule like a whip!

That’s the way I think of myself. I say I’m 25 years old.

Numbers don’t change.

So I hang like, say June 15th does, it’s a great help.

Try it.

Who’s old at twenty five!

There is a lot of influence in telling yourself you’re @% years old.

There was a time when there weren’t such things as numbers.

There’s a kind of magic in numberless night and day.

It holds a magic no other way found!

Try it when you get to be 96.

God Bless You Always.

Alice Newton - age 25.

Let’s hear about Bud and Cheley’s trip to California!

Bud and I hooked up our trailer and left Beaver on August 29 as soon as church services were over, driving into New Mexico for the night. The next night was spent in Flagstaff, AZ. We don’t recommend that town for any sleeping as the trains whistle through there all night long! But there is an excellent place for dinner and entertainment called Black Bart’s, which we have visited numerous times before. College students who are majoring in music and also wait tables entertain customers throughout the evening.

When we got to California, we went to visit Bud’s older sister, Myrle Richardson, who is very ill in a nursing home near her home in Santa Fe Springs. While in the area we also visited with Myrle’s daughter, Linda Brown and her husband, Al in Norco. The Brown’s have a huge 40-year-old turtle, who lives in their yard and grazes on the grass just like cattle do. Linda’s son Bill Foster was also there along with his wife Lynn, a native of Thailand and his daughters Robin and Amy. Bud had a good time explaining where Oklahoma was and what a cow chip is.

We were privileged to attend worship services at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. The sanctuary, pipe organ, and grounds are indescribably beautiful. At the time we were there, the grandson of Robert Schuyler was the speaker, and I thought he did an excellent job.

We drove on to San Diego where we parked at an RV "ranch" at El Cajon, near where my former boss, Nelson Escue and his family lives. We visited one evening with him and the next day with his office staff nearby. I was dismayed that the weather was so hot during our visit, the ocean breeze usually keeps the temperatures moderate.

My youngest son, Mike Cates, his wife, Joanna, and daughters Jessica and Samantha flew in to San Diego from Idaho Falls, ID. Joanna’s parents, Kathi and Bill DiNallo of Cape Cod, MA came in shortly after. They and we were in San Diego to witness the ceremony of Lima Company recruits as they graduated from basic training, which occurred on Friday, September 10. Our grandson, Brandon Cates, was a member of Platoon 3094.

We met the Cates’and DiNallos at their hotel and went to dinner with a group of Marine parents, grandparents, and other relatives at Old Towne Mexican Cafe. This particular group had family members in Platoon 3094 of Lima Company, and kept in touch on-line during their sons’ basic training.

We all went to Seaport Village the next evening for dinner out on the bay...where we were able to see (at a distance) the newest carrier, the Ronald Reagan.

Friday, the graduation was held at the marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego. The band played several John Phillip Sousa numbers as well as the Marine Hymn and other great patriotic songs. What was surprising to me - since the Supreme Court has ruled against public prayer - that the chaplain gave the invocation before the ceremony began. There were probably 500 recruits who got their "stripes", and were officially in the Marines. It was sad to imagine what those boys might be facing and brought a tear to the eye.

Sunday we left for Tucson and spent a couple of days there visiting cousins, Jerry Phelps and Barbara Phelps. The Phelpses send their greetings and best wishes to family and friends here.

As we were traveling towards home, we saw some country we hadn’t seen before - the White Sands of New Mexico, and some unusual cacti growing in the wild.

Just a side-note: when we went into the grocery stores in California, I noticed that the bread prices were almost $1 higher per loaf than they are here.!

We were greeted by hot winds and hot temperatures when we got to Beaver, but were nevertheless happy to be back home.

September 2004

May and George Porter with Alice

I have some old pictures that tell an old story of the early part of this century.

I’m over ninety-six, (birthday May 5, 1908) and I’ve seen so much of all those years.

What I remember clearly is that my mother died when I was eight years old and I remember it so clearly. She was on a raised bed so that her nurse (my aunt) could wait on her without bending and stooping over.

Around midnight she called together a few special friends in Beaver. There were several who arrived by horse and buggy. They wanted especially to be with my father. I could hear my brother, Jean out behind the house sobbing.

I wasn’t crying because I really did not know what it all meant. There had been several weeks when I faced the corner of life completely. It was such a relief that folks came out and hugged me, "poor little motherless child."

I didn’t really understand the death as much as the attention.

I found it distressing to hear my daddy cry. He said, "How can I live without her?"

Back then are old pictures which show life back then, her dying in 1917. I have included a picture of uncle and aunt George and May Porter who came to stay with me, Jean and Hugh after mama died.

Hearing my daddy crying became a sobbing thing.

I was sent to bed with the women seated there sobbing. I went to sleep.

Later, I was sent to Iowa to live with Aunt Fannie. My brother, Hugh, went to live with the grandparents. Jean, my older brother stayed with father, whose work continued.

October 2004

I had an experience with God (who we call the Creator of heaven and earth.) "I and my Father are one (He the one.) I just suddenly felt Him in all power and presence; I stopped and said aloud, "God, I love You." And heard his response, "I love YOU," as I do all mankind and womanhood from the newborn to the old.

I had such a warm, tender feeling. This was a visit from God. I could feel His never-absence. In His wisdom as Creator of all creation, all very good. Evil is totally missing. God in His love was unmistakable. It filled all space with His love and wisdom till my life was overcome.

With the realness of it all. And I know this earthlife with its heavenlife is endless.

The thought of killers came to mind and I got the message, "Hell, as we call it was a preparation of mercy completely cleaning out the violence until totally in shame cleared out every hate."

Then union with God made us loving little children. They were aware of the joy that came with being a loving person.

In God they lost every fragment of wrongdoing.

A mother in heaven called to her son. I kneeled and prayed for that manchild to overcome so that he would be in heaven one day with her. "Oh, son, I knew God could rid out the bad. Now God’s love lets that mad out like a washing machine, because He loves you and washes out the bad, I expect."

"Oh, son, see how nice it is to be good like a baby. Oh, son." Good makes all His likeness in heaven forever. When you are here, they fill the thoughts with goodness. You’ll see!

That’s God’s way; He loves us.

September 23, 2004
 

I got up at 6 a.m., studied my Bible lesson, fed Johnny the dog, Martha the cat, ate my oatmeal with raisins, and drank my Sanka coffee. And on this day hoping to be able to go to the Wednesday grand dinner at the Beaver Senior Citizens Center. They have such grand meals prepared for anyone (not just for senior citizens) to come to eat.

I miss you all too much!

Right now I forget why I stopped going - except that always having to "bum a ride" now that I have stopped driving.

There are too many things that happen to those who have that real old age. That call for transportation to City Hall is a bother for that big transporter’s bus to turn around in my soapweed-filled field. It is also a bother to call for friends to come, although they will come in their expensive cars.

Botherations were on my father’s list of "don’ts" about how to relate to your friends. His "don’ts" were robbers of friendships.

The solution to this problem is to "let the cooks make their living there selling another plate of food to be delivered." Someone could deliver the meals to senior citizens, much like those who do it for the nutrition site.

"OK. A good way to drop the subject!"

"Free yummy meals delivered over the mile-long soapweed trail! - Now stopped - since so urgently requested by the receiver.

As a writer, I’ve never been lonely because of the contact with our Divine Father!

Oh, but it’s fun to get His help so clear and satisfying. When it’s finished I know and am full of "thank yous!"

September 16, 2004

Oh, what a glorious parade! Our big Beaver on a float in the grand event. The Beaver in all its glory and everything such as fathers wheeling their children to young people from our schools in their colors and bands playing, not only from Beaver, but from towns near.

Oh, what a glorious group parading! Beaver honored and both sides of the street were lined for a long ways.

Surely it was a day for celebration to the limit! To me the day was tops in glory!

There’s something magic about parades and I don’t see how we could have had a better one.

Then we all went up to our pavilion at the fairgrounds and had foods of many kinds from trucks getting the chance of selling loads of things from hot dogs to pumpkin pie!

After that we all went into the pavilion and looked at utterly countless homemade things which were such a treat. All from hats, dressed, and the farmers blue ribbon getting excellent. Wheat, pumpkins, and even marked off places where handsome horses and cows got into the act.

Even a few cute calves.

I tell you, county fairs are hard to beat.

Then at night was young men’s football.

Almost continually you heard friends from one town meeting friends from another town.

"Oh, hello, hello! Haven’t seen you since last year! How are things going?"

"Fine, fine, how about you? My! How your little girl, Edith, has grown! Oh, and here’s that new boy! What’s his name, you said, but I’ve forgotten."

"Joe Mack." adding "Mack for McDonald."

"I like that better, too."

That’s the Beaver County Fair for you and don’t think it doesn’t bring the crowds.

I wouldn’t miss it! Even old people in wheel chairs.

Long, long ago, they were started and who can imagine such a happy time ever stopping.

See you there next September!

-----

"Man made in His likeness is unimpeccable!" This is a statement that does things to you. That I and my Father are one sinks deep. Such thought takes over when you live it - let it!

Frets, worries, and fear just love to rule! But you’re the boss, you and the violent you insist, the more you mark out these dreads, fears, and misbeliefs. You run that think machine and don’t ever doubt it anymore!

Never allow yourself to think you can’t run your think machine. Right now, stop; see how you boss what you think. So now what are you afraid of? You think it’s going to happen and you fear it and it didn’t happen. Put in its place relief, as an example.

There is such a lot of relief in staying sure in all that goes on in your life.

Many have to. Like men with important jobs. They get to be great bosses of such things as when to wake up, what will have to be done before you leave for work. That self bossing is a must.

I like it! Don’t you?

Boss is a word that helps a lot.

That’s the thing about words. I like their power. Listen to it. Such as hungry, sleepy, hurry, don’t never, distress, and love that affects the chest!

What better?

Always when I think wrong, God gives me a feeling that my thinking is wrong. He wants me to be in self-control. I kneel down and ask Him to help me with my thoughts and I get a very definite answer. How you think about things influences what you do. That think machine is mine for sharing thoughts and using them to live in peace.

---------------------

A good rain is a good blessing in this country!

In Georgia where I used to live, we would sigh, "Oh, my, it’s raining again." Well, I have lived long in both places and I prefer less rain - I’m a sunshine one for sure and it does seem to me here is best, because we have lots of sunshine, which I do prefer, and it is very seldom if at all we get too much.

When wheat fields need to be cut, we all are distressed but certainly it isn’t often. Of course, here that cool with dampness is a blessing. Well, it’s home to me.

When you get old, one does forget long pasts.

Right now it’s cooling off - that is special. A perking up with the cool, even my dog doesn’t seem to mind rain. It is the cooling I think since it is so hot in the summer here.

Who fusses over weather you can’t do anything about? I like less rain because sometimes it can get distressing as it did in Georgia. "Isn’t it ever going to stop raining?"

It is often said when I lived with Bill in Georgia. We had a very pretty yard which was so big it was a job to keep it pretty, with all the rain making everything grow so much. It amazes me that here with little rain, the soil gets used to it and makes other pretty things to grow, like lots of soapweeds and sagebrush.

Living in both places, I can’t choose which I like better because they are both favorites. In both places, we lived in the country, which I have always preferred. It is a quiet benefit for writing books and columns.

I love "Windmill Valley" except for my wonderful Bill. It’s the reason I came home when I did. Not having him and having been willed this place, it was easy to come home.

Oh, how I love it! My friends are all so special here.

My Windmill Valley is a little bit of heaven, with all my Beaver friends.

August 2004

I gave a lot of thought to what to write about that would be of interest.

Now, I want to tell you about what we did before there was any such thing as TV. I can say we were as happy then as now. Grandma made quilts sewing by hand all scraps left from making dresses into squares for the quilt pieces.

Starting out with Mama and Papa coming a year or so later, baby Gene Ruskin. An immature child no bigger than a ball, this meant tiny clothes as well as tiny diapers. They were so thrilled over the tiny child. They prayed and did all they could that their son would grow into a fine young man with lots of talent - and he did!

He liked to sing. When Mama played the piano, brought from Iowa where she was born, in a wagon and team. There was lots of celebrating, neighbors coming to hear music in this little panhandle. A year later came a little boy, lots bigger than the other and they named him Hugh Napoleon. Papa added the last, so he would be special. So here they were, two boys, then a baby girl, they named Bessye Alice. Mama gave piano lessons to help with the income.

Wagon trips to Bluegrass school, where they had Sunday church.

Rabbits caught to eat and the long trips to Laverne to get sugar and flour were also a treat.

I grew up with much happiness then as now. No change in the night bed and day fun.

Those oatmeal breakfasts like today, dinner with fried jack rabbit, and suppers with such, milk from the one cow Papa called "Goody." There was no thought of any lack.

It was such a big treat when finally came a mailbox and mail came from the grandparents in Iowa. We would all wait for the horse and buggy to come. We would hold out the letters to be mailed and he would put the incoming mail in the box.

When I was 5 years old, I got a birthday cake. Oh, what a joy, a luxury for us all!

Our Father God was thanked for as much goodness as today. I remember it so well.

It is such a blessing that I was able to come back to the home place. Now I have more conveniences to make living easier, but my happiness is still as much as when I lived with so little. The experiences through the years of coming here, moving to Iowa, marrying Bill and going to Atlanta, then coming back after his death have all added joy to my life.

-------

"Man made in His likeness is unimpeccable!" This is a statement that does things to you. That I and my Father are one sinks deep. Such thought takes over when you live it - let it!

Frets, worries, and fear just love to rule! But you’re the boss, you and the violent you insist, the more you mark out these dreads, fears, and misbeliefs. You run that think machine and don’t ever doubt it anymore!

Never allow yourself to think you can’t run your think machine. Right now, stop; see how you boss what you think. So now what are you afraid of? You think it’s going to happen and you fear it and it didn’t happen. Put in its place relief, as an example.

There is such a lot of relief in staying sure in all that goes on in your life.

Many have to. Like men with important jobs. They get to be great bosses of such things as when to wake up, what will have to be done before you leave for work. That self bossing is a must.

I like it! Don’t you?

Boss is a word that helps a lot.

That’s the thing about words. I like their power. Listen to it. Such as hungry, sleepy, hurry, don’t never, distress, and love that affects the chest!

What better?

Always when I think wrong, God gives me a feeling that my thinking is wrong. He wants me to be in self-control. I kneel down and ask Him to help me with my thoughts and I get a very definite answer. How you think about things influences what you do. That think machine is mine for sharing thoughts and using them to live in peace.

-------------------

July 29, 2004
 

I had an experience with God (who we call the Creator of heaven and earth.) "I and my Father are one (He the one.) I just suddenly felt Him in all power and presence; I stopped and said aloud, "God, I love You." And heard his response, "I love YOU," as I do all mankind and womanhood from the newborn to the old.

I had such a warm, tender feeling. This was a visit from God. I could feel His never-absence. In His wisdom as Creator of all creation, all very good. Evil is totally missing. God in His love was unmistakable. It filled all space with His love and wisdom till my life was overcome.

With the realness of it all. And I know this earthlife with its heavenlife is endless.

The thought of killers came to mind and I got the message, "Hell, as we call it was a preparation of mercy completely cleaning out the violence until totally in shame cleared out every hate."

Then union with God made us loving little children. They were aware of the joy that came with being a loving person.

In God they lost every fragment of wrongdoing.

A mother in heaven called to her son. I kneeled and prayed for that manchild to overcome so that he would be in heaven one day with her. "Oh, son, I knew God could rid out the bad. Now God’s love lets that mad out like a washing machine, because He loves you and washes out the bad, I expect."

"Oh, son, see how nice it is to be good like a baby. Oh, son." Good makes all His likeness in heaven forever. When you are here, they fill the thoughts with goodness. You’ll see!

That’s God’s way; He loves us.

I gave a lot of thought to what to write about that would be of interest.

Now, I want to tell you about what we did before there was any such thing as TV. I can say we were as happy then as now. Grandma made quilts sewing by hand all scraps left from making dresses into squares for the quilt pieces.

Starting out with Mama and Papa coming a year or so later, baby Gene Ruskin. An immature child no bigger than a ball, this meant tiny clothes as well as tiny diapers. They were so thrilled over the tiny child. They prayed and did all they could that their son would grow into a fine young man with lots of talent - and he did!

He liked to sing. When Mama played the piano, brought from Iowa where she was born, in a wagon and team. There was lots of celebrating, neighbors coming to hear music in this little panhandle. A year later came a little boy, lots bigger than the other and they named him Hugh Napoleon. Papa added the last, so he would be special. So here they were, two boys, then a baby girl, they named Bessye Alice. Mama gave piano lessons to help with the income.

Wagon trips to Bluegrass school, where they had Sunday church.

Rabbits caught to eat and the long trips to Laverne to get sugar and flour were also a treat.

I grew up with much happiness then as now. No change in the night bed and day fun.

Those oatmeal breakfasts like today, dinner with fried jack rabbit, and suppers with such, milk from the one cow Papa called "Goody." There was no thought of any lack.

It was such a big treat when finally came a mailbox and mail came from the grandparents in Iowa. We would all wait for the horse and buggy to come. We would hold out the letters to be mailed and he would put the incoming mail in the box.

When I was 5 years old, I got a birthday cake. Oh, what a joy, a luxury for us all!

Our Father God was thanked for as much goodness as today. I remember it so well.

It is such a blessing that I was able to come back to the home place. Now I have more conveniences to make living easier, but my happiness is still as much as when I lived with so little. The experiences through the years of coming here, moving to Iowa, marrying Bill and going to Atlanta, then coming back after his death have all added joy to my life.

July 22, 2004
 

An immediate flood broke just as my dear guests went running out the door to their car.

It was like a river gap opened rising water covering sudden tons on top of my friends as they ran to the car.

As they came back to the door, the same avalanche set loose. They got into the car and left and in minutes the rain was over.

Later there was a slow rain which in time stopped. The shock of the flood upon them as if meant, I can’t forget, It was as if their dousing was my doing!

We knew it wasn’t. No person can make it rain! And the good of God on our fine preacher man and his wife is impossible to take as fact.

So unforgettable as the biggest dousing of water I’ve ever seen is, I say, "Please forgive!"

Oh, how they must have gone home as wet as caught in a tank of water over their heads!

A gate up town to open, then close, who got to take a tub bath first?

It was one of those experiences one doesn’t forget.

Do I own a big water dump from my door to my front gate?

I’ll bet they’ll not forget it, or it would seem so.

I love them both; I vow it was no trick. I think at this point I’ll let him have his say about the huge sky tank of rain unloaded.

It brought tears to my eyes instead of laughter.
July 15, 2004

"Man made in His likeness is unimpeccable!" This is a statement that does things to you. That I and my Father are one sinks deep. Such thought takes over when you live it - let it!

Frets, worries, and fear just love to rule! But you’re the boss, you and the violent you insist, the more you mark out these dreads, fears, and misbeliefs. You run that think machine and don’t ever doubt it anymore!

Never allow yourself to think you can’t run your think machine. Right now, stop; see how you boss what you think. So now what are you afraid of? You think it’s going to happen and you fear it and it didn’t happen. Put in its place relief, as an example.

There is such a lot of relief in staying sure in all that goes on in your life.

Many have to. Like men with important jobs. They get to be great bosses of such things as when to wake up, what will have to be done before you leave for work. That self bossing is a must.

I like it! Don’t you?

Boss is a word that helps a lot.

That’s the thing about words. I like their power. Listen to it. Such as hungry, sleepy, hurry, don’t never, distress, and love that affects the chest!

What better?

Always when I think wrong, God gives me a feeling that my thinking is wrong. He wants me to be in self-control. I kneel down and ask Him to help me with my thoughts and I get a very definite answer. How you think about things influences what you do. That think machine is mine for sharing thoughts and using them to live in peace.

July 8, 2004
 

What if you and your husband moved to a remote place which no one knew about and you were lost. No matter which direction you went, you were on a little bit of land surrounded by sand that left no footprints.

Soon weary, you decided to stop hunting your way out. When the food gave out and you lumped stones together in which to start a fire for cooking birds and little rat-like animals, you began to think, "I am sure folks are looking for us."

"How will they follow the ups and downs?"

"Let’s clear out an area making it flat. This they did. They realized that they had not been too socialable with people. It was possible no one gave them a thought; that they were just probably on a trip somewhere. Not being church goers and really thinking of God as some remote Creator, they remembered the church folks who often sang "God be with you till we meet again."

"What do you think about God?" Marie asked.

"Oh, I don’t know, I just don’t" replied Matt. "Who is God to you?" Matt asked.

She shrugged.

"Where is heaven?" Marie shrugged.

"Not here; in the sky somewhere" as she looked up.

Days passed, and their island was soon going to be bare of grass, and they imagined what they would eat then.

"Oh, Matt, I am scared. Are we going to die?"

"No way out of this trip" she began to cry.

"We’ll die and never be found" he shrugged.

"I hope we die together. To be alone here would be awful, just awful.

"Matt, I am going to do what church people do. I am going to pray to that somebody called God.

Help us, Oh, God, help us.

He cried...she began to sob.

"If there is a God, please, help us."

Suddenly they heard voices. There they are! And Marie and Matt cried. Oh, God, here you are. Never this place!

Sobs of joy.

The man who wouldn’t give up the search said, "God, you know where they are. Please lead us to them."

More sobs of joy.

Matt said to Morley, "You know what I feel "Our Father which art in heaven." Marie said, "It’s an inside relief feeling that someone cares a lot!

One of the rescuers said, "Never would I have come here! Except for the help of God who created Heaven and earth who is always with us to guide and protect.

July 1, 2004

So much to celebrate! I see well, read without glasses, hear well. Oh, how I thank God I can hear what people say, and beautiful music! My large round music box, with the press of a button plays lots of my favorite songs just by the touch of a button, a gift I treasure so much. I have so many music boxes all needing to be wound, a friend, to my relief stopped the continual winding pretty little things though they be. The did interrupt my writing. Now there is music even in another room where before meant going to my high shelf where they are. So decorative with their little glass figurines of heads, angels, and even a little church.

You wouldn’t believe how much all my lifetime of gifts keeps me well, happy, and clear of mind! Reminded of their love!

In all the 96 years here I am back on the old home place I call Windmill Valley, well and at peace to be "In Heaven" from now on!

Anyone who has been in my house among all the years of gifts will know - Ah, no room for more! Just the years of togetherness celebrated!

I’m well aware this could be my last birthday, God ever in full charge, with my daily Bible lessons, "Thy will be done."

I have a black cat 20 years old, a gray cat (given after the owner died) at least that old, and my Johnny Boy dog that old. We get along so well...old. My wise friend, their loving keeper and big helper!

Like the story with its happy ending, I have a deep feeling this will be mine. To my life time of coveted friends I say "God Bless you each in a big way!"

June 24, 2004
 

What if you and your husband moved to a remote place which no one knew about and you were lost. No matter which direction you went, you were on a little bit of land surrounded by sand that left no footprints.

Soon weary, you decided to stop hunting your way out. When the food gave out and you lumped stones together in which to start a fire for cooking birds and little rat-like animals, you began to think, "I am sure folks are looking for us."

"How will they follow the ups and downs?"

"Let’s clear out an area making it flat. This they did. They realized that they had not been too socialable with people. It was possible no one gave them a thought; that they were just probably on a trip somewhere. Not being church goers and really thinking of God as some remote Creator, they remembered the church folks who often sang "God be with you till we meet again."

"What do you think about God?" Marie asked.

"Oh, I don’t know, I just don’t" replied Matt. "Who is God to you?" Matt asked.

She shrugged.

"Where is heaven?" Marie shrugged.

"Not here; in the sky somewhere" as she looked up.

Days passed, and their island was soon going to be bare of grass, and they imagined what they would eat then.

"Oh, Matt, I am scared. Are we going to die?"

"No way out of this trip" she began to cry.

"We’ll die and never be found" he shrugged.

"I hope we die together. To be alone here would be awful, just awful.

"Matt, I am going to do what church people do. I am going to pray to that somebody called God.

Help us, Oh, God, help us.

He cried...she began to sob.

"If there is a God, please, help us."

Suddenly they heard voices. There they are! And Marie and Matt cried. Oh, God, here you are. Never this place!

Sobs of joy.

The man who wouldn’t give up the search said, "God, you know where they are. Please lead us to them."

More sobs of joy.

Matt said to Morley, "You know what I feel "Our Father which art in heaven." Marie said, "It’s an inside relief feeling that someone cares a lot!

One of the rescuers said, "Never would I have come here! Except for the help of God who created Heaven and earth who is always with us to guide and protect.

June 17, 2004
 

I find myself asking this every day. Why do commentators seem to delight so much in starting with something dreadful which has happened?

"Silly! We need to know about such things!"

But right off, you barely listen to the rest of the news for being upset over the bad news.

"Thirty people killed in a crash of a plane."

You hardly listen to the rest of the news.

"A line of stretchers."

"Anybody you know?"

The rest of the news becomes vague. If it came first, you would be glad to know your choice for a replaced Congressman got voted in. Glad the weather will continue its warm up. Glad neither parents nor child were hurt in the car missing its turn. Glad beef was on sale.

All of these "glads" helped hearing about the plane crash afterwards.

"I say it took away a calm day!" Coming after the good wiped out the bad!"

But the good had strength to take the bad. Think if someone you knew whose body hurt and you were going to rush to the hospital, that good news had you well prepared.

It’s just interesting what a good meal does for us.

There is definitely a change in the help it brings when rushing to a sad event.

Long, long ago man divided eating into three meals. Breakfast, noon, and dinner, and night supper.

Now it’s dinner at nihts, although when I was a child it definitely was the big meal when men folks came in from the fields.

June 10, 2004

I opened the door to let the cat out and a mouse was there waiting to come in, since it was that unusual, cool day. The cat grabbed the mouse and went on its way to have a good time outside with a mouse to play with.

Cats fed well on tuna seem not to eat the mice now days - they’re playthings.

I did see the mouse later, then the dog had his turn - then no longer was the mouse seen, either eaten or escaped up a tree till free then; if he was smart, he went back to the barn. My two cats and dog are in a wide fenced area and are safe.

These cool days are a joy. I’m sure after the heat, where the cool house is a blessing to the pets.

I enjoy the company of the pets and like their thoughtfulness of not bothering me when I have my notebook and pen in hand, everyday except Sunday, when I get TV church services so enjoyed by shut-ins so. I was a faithful churchgoer, enjoyed seeing friends. But now the going is over and inside enjoyments are joyous.

My big cat, Martha, doesn’t come out from under the davenport till noon when food starts her day outside and inside according to her mood.

She and the dog are friends, the cat always leaving a bit of her food for the dog who waits for it.

Being an only child, my husband, was brought up with pets so all of our long life together we had them.

It’s almost as though our divine Creator God created them as child replacements.

Happiness is important and pets prove it.

"God is love." More we cannot ask.

Nothing is truer than that my contentment is due to their company.

I hope they are provided for as the oldies.

The silence of aloneness is dreadful. Even though now there’s TV with its sounds of interesting events.

My start, 1908, included a lot of welcome experiences. Best of all now are my pets and getting to hear the daily national events.

My close friends in Beaver toppin’ it all! "Love one another" seems to be their motto along with mine.

Friendship indeed is a way of life!
June 3, 2004
 

My two cats, a little over twenty years old, and one dog that old, do look after each other.

The dog, Johnny wanted out when I got up at 6:30 a.m., and the old black cat, Dickie Boy darted out; the big gray cat, Martha, was still fast asleep.

While I read my Bible lesson and afterwards ate breakfast, dog, Dickie, and cat, Martha, as usual wanted to be fed - then rested.

I called for Dickie but no luck. Off and on I kept calling but no luck still!

Here in the country, skunks and opossums are out looking for food and would munch quickly on an old rather small cat.

So I called off and on with no luck until finally around ten o’clock, Martha wanted to get out and find her friend, having thought about going several times. Then hid in the back of the house with no luck. I prayed for the dear old cat, all those years of showing so much affection.

Ah, then in comes Dickie and it was clear that Martha was relieved as well as Johnny - they are a set of caring pets you wouldn’t believe, seeming to know old age is important to deal with.

It makes me wonder, who will die first?

I hope the pets do go first for my going will have them in a stew and if any one other of them goes first, it will be distressing to them and I have the feeling I must let them see the process for otherwise they will be in a hurting distress.

I’ve come to an age where I seldom leave and the calm is wonderful. The house gets cleaned and mail delivered by friends as well as yard work!

I turn on TV only in the evenings, local, world, and national news is available which helps.

In my 96 years, I have lived through it all and find the now age little we don’t know about.

I remember as a child our first telephone. "Gee! What an invention!" Oh, but we were shocked: "I hear Grandma talking and she’s 10 miles away." Now I wonder what life on earth will be like 100 years from now.

It’s beyond guessing.

I can’t help but hope in our promised heaven we do know what loved ones and special friends are doing, and they are that little silent voice of help.

"Something told me I shouldn’t buy that house and be darned if a couple years later, lightning struck it."

Pets can - days to locate the joy so special is I find I do not mind dying and have a real feeling the next life is joyous. Earned by the degree of humbleness and striving.

Maybe like a graduate school. If we need more we get it.

There’s room for all through thousands of years with our being spiritual.

Can’t you see spiritually the need for unending crowds of people.

May 2004
 

Back to dresses!

My hubby Bill would be breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Well, so am I. Pretty dresses are far more becoming on old women, and 96 is old, I find!

The nice part is that I have plenty of dresses. No need to go shopping for any because I have always liked pretty clothes and now I think our stores meet that requirement.

Short dresses, long dresses, I have both and amazing to realize I have shrunk in body so that some will have to be shortened or drag the floor!

Just above the ankles, I find, the cats like a dress to rub against.

Yes, I have lots of shirts, and also old long skirts that used to be in style. So now with me I’ll stick to the long!

Very tall women usually like long legs covered which helps.

I laugh when I think I have a fur coat in good condition kept in the cedar chest. If I last through the winter, the good fur will be a member of the family.

Zero day weather is taken with the greatest of ease in that warmth of fur.

It’s interesting to me to find I don’t mind dying or don’t mind living since I feel fine!

It’s been such an interesting fulfilling life. I’ve loved it! The greatest joy now with my writing job. Oh, how it fills the lonely long hours. Remember that.

Maybe when I’m gone you can talk Joe into keeping the column space filled with volunteer writers. It’s fun.