About Mom: My early memories

In Loving Memory of My Mom...(Face Book)

2012-01-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

June Kellum

(from Face Book)

January will always be a sad time for me...

My sweet Mom's birthday was on Jan. 6th and we lost her on January 27th. 9 years ago.

Always in my heart, Mom.

Love you ,
Junie

2011-12-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mom's Christmas flowers-2011

The month of December is 'getting on with it,' and I'm falling behind with everything - even more so than usual! 

   I decided I needed to get Mom's Christmas flowers out  today, before  time completely got away from me!  Charles was happy and willing to take  me, and we had an enjoyable time together, though, of course, it was  shadowed with some sadness.  Still, I felt better, having brightened  that little spot up for this holiday!

~Love and miss my Mom~

~~~

Junie 

Christmas memory of Mom-

2011-12-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas memory of Mom

June Kellum (from Face Book)

♥▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬♥ஜ۩۞۩ஜ♥♥ஜ۩۞۩ஜ♥▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬♥ There are moments in life when you wish you could bring someone down from Heaven. Spend the day with them just one more time, give them one more hug, kiss them goodbye or hear their voice again, or even a text. One more chance to say I LOVE YOU. Copy and paste in remembrance of someone who is not here.

Love You, Mom!

Junie

Yellow Flowers for Mom-(Repost from Junie's Place)

2011-07-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

(repost from Junie's Place)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday ~Yellow flowers for Mom~

~~~

~go here to find other MYM posts~

~~~

~Flowers for Mom~

Today my sis and I took  some yellow flowers out for Mom!

You  can see on the marker that she's been gone now for a long time, but Joy  and I agree that some days it still seems so recent...that day in  January, 2003 when she had to leave us!

I can close my eyes and let my 'Mom' memories come and it's almost like having her here with me again!

I'm glad I can still feel her here with me!

  I hope it never ends.

Junie

Labels: family, Flowers, june, love, mellow yellow, MEME, Our town, Roses, yellow

Mom and "Fashion Frocks"~

2011-06-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Recently I posted this picture of my sister and me on FB as my profile picture! :)

I like to change my pictures there often and it's usually without a predetermined idea or plan... I just go looking in my family pictures! I'm often drawn to the Way Back times of our lives. It was that way with this picture change.

Seeing the picture again brought back memories of those little dresses we were wearing! We didn't have a lot in those times so I suppose that's why I remember this so vividly! They were both of a cotton material.

(Cotton Pi cay???...

I know that's not the correct spelling...:( )

My dress was a combination of white and aqua and my sister's was, mostly, baby blue. Mom always managed somehow to get pretty things for us - bless her!

OK-Remembering our dresses of this time brought back memories of our mom selling dresses for a company called "Fashion Frocks." It was one of those deals where you could sell merchandise to family and neighbors and friends from your home! You would be supplied with catalogs and sample swatches of the clothing materials to show your customers. It seems like Mom was into this for quite some time and I remember her being involved in this from the mid 40's....when I was very young. I liked looking through those books and being able to feel the material of the dresses pictured. Mom would sometimes use some of the money she made with the sales to buy herself a new dress.

I'm not sure if this company carried childrens clothing, though; so I'm not sure where Mom bought these dresses for my sister and me!

I looked up Fashion Frocks online and found a lot of info is out there about this company that came wandering back into my memories today! Check out the link!

Notice the size of the women's waists-and the lengths of their legs in these illustrations! LOL

To this day I have never been able to reach the status that would qualify me as some folks idea of what a woman is supposed to look like! Have you? ;) - OK-In my youth I DID have a small waist....but everything else was small too ....so I guess that didn't count for much! :) At my tallest I was barely over 5 ft tall! :)

Mom, too, was a little lady...but always beautiful!

This is my mom and dad in 1950.

This is my mom and me in 1972.

Love,

Junie

January 6 ~ a date of importance~ ( re-post from Junie's Place)

2011-01-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

~~~

January 6, 1909 was the date my mom was born.

This month on the 27th will be 8 years since she left us.

January will always be a sad time for me. Yesterday's gloomy, gray skies didn't help at all to lift my spirits!

Charles and I went out for a few minutes yesterday. The flowers that my daughter and I had taken early in Dec were still nice... so I just added some holly.

Always with love,

Junie

Memories of Mom on Ruby Tuesday-Dec 21, 2010

2010-12-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

Ruby Tuesday_ Dec 21, 2010- Mom Memories

***

*Go here to find more RT posts!*

***

My sweet mom at Christmas in 1981-always our 'Ruby!'

Love,

Junie

Mom's Christmas flowers

2010-12-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

 (post from Junie's Place-Dec 6, 2010)

~~~

Today  my daughter, Tina, and I took flowers for our Ma-Ma.  It's always a  bittersweet event-bringing Mom flowers but I always will-as long as I'm  able.

  Joy, my sister, was unable to come with us because of a medical appointment with her husband.  

Tina  and I also did quite a bit of shopping today. I appreciated her taking  me out because I really do not like driving a lot.  We had a fun day  Christmas shopping -and just being together for a few hours! Oh-and we  had both breakfast and lunch out-lol- We really made a day of it!  :)

~~

Here we are at home and later with Mom's flowers.

Love,

Junie

Fall Flowers for Mom~ (From Junie's Place)

2010-09-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 26, 2010

~Fall flowers for Mom~

~~~

Today  Charles and I took some silk fall flowers and colorful leaves for Mom.   I hadn't changed her flowers since my sister and I were out in the  spring...

(Somehow summer slipped away) 

Someone  had added a bunch of beautiful Hibiscus flowers  since we were there  and since they still looked fresh and pretty I just added the fall  colors to them!

 (Mom would love them together anyway )

In  January it will be 8 years since Mom left us and I can  honestly say  she has been in my thoughts every single day of all those  years. 

In  case any of you have doubts of who the greatest love is, in your life,  take a lesson from me...You'll have no greater love than your mom.

 (at least not in this mortal world)

 Don't wait until it's too late to say those words to her and to show your love in your actions!

I hope I expressed my love in words and deeds to my

 dear mom....

What I would not give to have a hug from my mom one more time-and to see her sweet smile!

This statue stands near Mom's place. It's a comfort for me to see this when I go out there.

 This picture
(below)shows the spot where my nephew and grand niece  lie...so near to Mom.

 ( "Ma-Ma" -Paul's grandmother and Brenda's great-grandmother)

 They died together in a motorcycle accident after Mom passed away.

 (Thankfully-in this mortal life- Mom was spared the heartache of losing those loved ones and also, Phil - Paul's brother)

So much sadness, visiting out there...Well... but really- there is no escaping it, anyway! 

I guess the only way NOT to hurt is Not to love at all- and I wouldn't want that!

Junie 

Labels: family, Flowers, love, Mom, Mom's Flowers, sad

Sepia Scenes ~9-8-'10~ Doves

2010-09-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

~~~

For more Sepia Scenes posts,
visit*Mary/Teach*

~~~

This pair of Doves is a part of Mom's Memory Garden.

Love,
Junie

Thinking of my mom and my dad

2010-09-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

~~~

This is in the little garden spot I have made for Mom in my back yard.  The rose bush I have planted there is blooming!

Isn't it strange how the sorrow never leaves you after losing a loved one ~ your mother or father ~ a child ~ a lover? Losing anyone close to you, no doubt is hard!

 I have only experienced losing my mom and dad of the ones closest to me.
 (Oh-many others who I loved dearly I have lost also... and it always hurts)

 We lost Dad at a much too young age (59)and at a time when I was a young wife and mother and immersed in that all consuming role. Of course it hurt terribly, just the same...and through the years I've felt a sadness that he never knew some of his grand kids; only one of my three kids were old enough to remember him.(Chis was 4-Tammy was 1 and Tina came 2 months after Dad's passing!)

  We had Mom another 40 years, to age 94! (Mom knew her Great-Grands and even some Great-Great Grands!) All those years and memories are added on...Somehow it makes it harder~not that my daddy wasn't loved as much as Mom...but I think my circumstances when Dad left us and the time of my life that I was in ~ my age (23) ~ sort of served as a cushion between me and my grief.

Truth be told, though, I often dream of both my parents~(Dad having been gone almost 47 years...and Mom will be 8 years in Jan 2011!)

And even though the memories and dreams make me sad I'm glad I have them.

After seeing the stepping stone in the garden today Mom has been in my thoughts more than usual. Here are some of the little things of her's  that I have on a shelf in my family room.

Mom and her 5 'kids!'
The doves were hers.

I gave Mom this when Charles and I were first married!

Mom had this fascination of exotic places- especially Hawaii-not that she ever traveled to any of them. I was happy when I found this little plate for her, many,many years ago!

She donated to this organization (Salesian missions) for a  very long time and  loved these little books  of inspirational poems.  She gave us these all through the years...I have many among my poem books but this one was in her room and it ended up here with a few  of her other things.

A gift from my mom to me.

Our Family

(Love you always, Mom and Dad)

Junie

Remembering Daddy again!

2010-08-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

~~~

....Not that we can ever forget our dad-no matter how many years go by...

It's been almost 47 years since Daddy passed on and I still sometimes dream of him!

Always loved you Daddy-always will!

(Click on pics to enlarge)

~related post here~

This church was started by my great-grandfather (my Mom's family)

June

Thinking of my mom

2010-07-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful song.

For you, my sweet mom!

Love always,

June

Yard Art ~ July 1, 2010~ (Mama's gift from Phil)

2010-07-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

~~~

Time to share our Yard Art pictures!

Visit *Mary/Teach* for more Yard Art posts!

~~~

This owl was a gift to my mom from a grandson. It seems to be hand carved out of a piece of hard/heavy wood. Mom kept it for years on her front porch, among her potted flowers.

Today it perches in the little memory garden I have for mom, next to my kitchen window!

This seems the perfect spot for this owl and I know Mom would be happy that he's here!

I'm reminded every time I 'm near the garden or glance out the window- of both my mom and my nephew!

(both have passed on)

Junie

2010-01-27T06:14:00.000-08:00

***

Go here to see other *Sepia Scenes* posts.

***

My mom in 1995

Today I awoke thinking of Mom as I, often, still do.

Today is the 7th. anniversary of her leaving us and it still seems strange and unreal, not to have her here! The sadness will never leave us.

This is a well remembered pose of our 'Ma-Ma' -talking on the phone to some of the family! :) She always wanted to keep in touch with those she loved!

Remembering Ma-Ma
~always with love~

Junie

Mom's Night Blooming Cactus

2009-10-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

This post is taken from one of my other blogs...It belongs here too, because Mom always loved these flowers!

I remember when we were living in south Florida (Perrine) there was a big old Estate place by the water that was overgrown with these exotic flowers. The property, of course , was fenced but these flowers were growing up into the towering trees and the rock wall that enclosed the place! Mama and Daddy would go for rides late at night , just to see these flowers! It was something very special, as these well established vines bloomed abundantly in that jungle-like setting!

...The main reason I want to ALWAYS have some of this plant growing...

~~~

first posted here:

http://ourplace-junierose2005.blogspot.com/2009/09/night-blooms.html

Night blooms

Late Night Blooms

Late last night I remembered I had 2 blooms that were due to be opening on my night blooming cactus plant. I always try to catch these, if possible, because they only bloom at night and are gone by early morning.I remembered to check them just before going to bed last night-past mid-night! (almost missed them)

There are only a few blooms on each plant each blooming season so it's a challenge for me to watch these plants closely and NOT miss the blooms! I DID miss the first 3 this year! :(

This was one of my mom's favorites so the blooms always bring back sweet memories of her... This is one of the things she and I enjoyed together- all through the years!

~~~
I wrote about these flowers recently and linked to a website that tells all about these flowers, if interested.

(post link below)

http://juniesplace.blogspot.com/2009/09/todays-flowers-sept-20-2009.html

Junie

Flowers for Daddy!

2009-08-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

***
Every year we go to Alabama in early August for my husband's family reunion...

... and I also have the time to take flowers to my dad's grave.

It's been so many years now since he left us!
It was much too early...
It seems strange to realize that I am now almost 10 years older than Dad was when he left us!

Always in our hearts, Daddy...

Love,
June

About Ma-Ma

2009-01-27T18:49:00.000-08:00

Thinking of Mom...

Today is the 6th. anniversary of Mom's leaving us. In many ways it seems much longer.I can honestly say there has never been a day I have not thought of her and missed her and wished she could still be here with us all.

So many things have happened since she passed on...so much sadness within the family...

This is a picture I found tonight of a happy day for all of us! I believe this was the second birthday/reunion party we had for her. It was Jan.6th, 1990, on her 81st. birthday!

She , so, looked forward to these reunions every year and we were able to share this with her for 12 years! She loved having all the kids, grand kids, and great grand kids come-as well as other relatives and friends. Our little farm was the perfect place for a bunch of folks to get together! :)

Here is Mom with her 5 'Kids!'

Love,

June Bug
( Junie )

Remembering my loved ones...

2009-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was such a sad day in so many ways... I was saying my final farewell to my beloved little dog, 'Peaches'.

She would have been 13 years old in April and she brought such joy to our lives for all those years... It was so hard to realize it was over...but time will ease the sharp loss as it always does.

~~~
January will always be a sad month for me...now more than ever...

This picture is one my sister recently gave me of Mom and my two nephews ~ brothers, Phil (glasses) and Paul. Both boys have gone on since Mom passed away 6 years ago this month. We know they are there with Ma-Ma .

Paul's time came the next year after Mom left us. Sadly, his daughter Brenda was with him on his motorcycle when a drunk driver ran a red light and hit them.

Yesterday would have been my nephew Phil's birthday. Phil has been gone from us since Oct 2007.

So much sorrow...but life goes on and there is always some joy ahead for us.

There are a lot of good memories of my lost loved ones...

This picture was taken at one of Mom's birthday-reunions that we had here for her every January. She was surrounded by her grandsons- Phil and Paul and most of the rest!

Sweet times to remember!

She was happy! :)

With Love Always,

Junie

Thinking of Mom~2008

2008-05-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Thinking of mom ~ 2008

Mom has been gone, now, more than 5 years...and I still think of her every day! And she's on my mind more than ever as this Mother's Day draws near!

This was one Mother's Day we had together ... Mom was almost always with us on special days!

I miss you, Mom!

I wrote this in memory of our sweet Ma-Ma!

It's been posted a few times here but this is for Mom so I'm putting it here again! The roses I saved were the last ones we could give her!

~~~

Mom’s Last Roses

These are Mom’s last roses.

I kept a little part

of all the roses given,

from every grieving heart.

I handled them so gently

and dried them - as you see.

I found the perfect basket-

arranged them carefully.

I found the sweetest ribbon,

and made this fancy bow-

attaching it, expertly!

It had to be - just so!

It had to turn out special,

and easily convey…

how much I do still love her

and miss her every day!

These are Mom’s last roses.

They’ll always be a part

of all my memories of her

and the sorrow in my heart.

June Kellum

Sept. 2005

5 Years Today

2008-01-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2008
5 Years Today

Today is the 5th anniversary of Mom's leaving us. The date had not hit me until my sister reminded me tonight!

I never would have thought this day could slip by without me remembering but I know Mom would understand and forgive me with all this sorrow that's in my heart with the recent events in our community.

Mom would be so hurt to know of the loss of these young men's lives....It wouldn't matter that she had not known them- just as it doesn't matter that I didn't know them!

~~~
The picture is Mom and me in 1977...31 years ago!

...This puts Mom's age here just about a year older than I am now!

Folks say I look like my mom ~ and I say, "Thanks!" :)

Love,
Junie

Remembering Mom on her birthday

2008-01-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

NOTE:

pictures are Ma-Ma and my 4 grandkids.
The one of her alone was her birthday celebration in 1995.

Happy Birthday to my mom

Tomorrow (Today-Jan 6 ) would be my Mom's birthday...but later this month marks the 5th. anniversary of her leaving us. She had just had her 94th. birthday.

This time of year is always especially sad for me...remembering Mom and how we finally had to let her go. Sad memories but happy ones too- throughout all the years we had her in our lives.

I never have known anyone whose heart was so full of love as my Mom's! Her love for her family had no beginning and no end!

It was a big impact on everyone when our Ma-Ma passed away, and something that is still very hard for me- even after almost 5 years now!

Since her passing, our family has experienced some other devastating happenings ... the death of 2 of her grandsons and a great-granddaughter! I have been thankful that Mom didn't have to endure that pain.

~~~

We would have this big birthday gathering/ reunion for her every year. Most years almost every one of the family would come to be with her...sometimes even the ones in California and Oregon. She loved it and I'm so glad we were able to give her that in her later years!

This picture I found was from one of her last birthday parties.

Mom would have been 99 years old.

Thinking of you, Ma-Ma!

Always with love,

Junie

Remembering Daddy~2007

2007-07-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

On all our trips to Alabama we take flowers for my dad....so it was a part of this trip too.

Most of his family are buried here and most of Mom's are too! They both grew up in this area of Alabama (Springville~about 100 miles north of Birmingham) and knew each other most of their lives.

Mom's original plan was to be buried here but in her later life she decided she belonged in Florida...I think she wanted to remain close to her kids here!

...and I guess it doesn't matter...

I visit each spot as often as I am able!

Always in my heart ~my mom and dad~

Love,

June

Daddy~

2007-06-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

I am remembering Daddy today~~~over this vast time span of 44 years!

Daddy died much too young at the age of 59 years. There's always been a special kind of sadness in remembering him~ a feeling that he missed out on so much.

But~ love stays with us forever!

This photo is probably 1954-55

Daddy with my little sister and me~ and a nephew. This was in Perrine, Florida.

(click to enlarge)

Love,

June

Aunt Ruth-a sad goodbye.

2006-11-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

My dear Aunt Ruth passed away this week at age 96.

I have fond memories of visiting Aunt Ruth's house during my childhood years. It was always a pleasure to see her and my uncle and cousins. She had SIX boys- no girls!
I remember sitting on the back porch with the boys and eating buttermilk and hot corn bread, with a spoon! Once there was a big family reunion at Aunt Ruth's place, with
almost the whole Burttram (my mom's maiden name) clan. All the Aunts, Uncles and cousins were there! My grandpa (Big Papa)was still with us. A fun time to remember-oh-so long ago.(I was a young teen)

Aunt Ruth was younger than my mom by about 2 years, I believe. (We lost mom almost 4years ago, at age 94.) Aunt Ruth was the last of Mom's 7 sisters and 4 brothers.

Mom was close to her family. They all kept in touch with long, newsy letters of family stuff. Some might call them rambling and boring but I always liked reading those letters from all the aunts. Through the years the sisters would exchange pictures of their kids and later, their grandkids. They were all equally proud of their own families - as our mom was of hers. Because of these close ties between the sisters -our mom and aunts- I felt closer to the cousins; though we actually didn't see them often through the years.

I had not seen Aunt Ruth or my cousins in many years until 2004. We went to visit her in Alabama, and all her boys were able to be there. It was just great seeing them all again. Aunt Ruth enjoyed it so much! We all did.

It was easy to see the love her 6 sons had for her and how well she was looked after!

Aunt Ruth was a little lady- well under 5ft.
( I'm just 5ft.tall and you can see I tower over Aunt Ruth in this photo! :) )

She always had the sweetest smile!
Aunt Ruth and her boys-Hoyt, Glenn, Randall,Edward, Don and Lamar (2004)

Aunt Ruth and June (ME) (2004

Undated picture of... Back row- Uncle Rudolph & Aunt Bernice, Center row -Essie(my mom) and Aunt Ruth, Front-Aunt Willie

Remembering,
With
Love,

Junie

Thinking of Daddy

2006-07-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

My dad passed away far too early in his life. He was just age 59 when he died in Nov, 1963.

Only my son Chris, of my children, has memories of him. He was age four. Tammy, my baby girl, was just age one. Tina would be born two months after Dad's passing!

It seems so sad and unfair that he never knew several of his grandchildren!

I will never forget the day we said our last goodbyes to Daddy at his final resting place at Pleasant Hill! The combination of the extremely hot day, my being several months pregnant, the long trip we had made from Florida to Alabama, and the natural emotional experience of having lost Dad, all worked together against me! At one point I came near to fainting; with only a sip of water from an aunt- saving me!

This was my first experience in losing someone really close to me...I remember the feeling of just wanting Daddy to get up from his sleep...

I always take flowers when we visit Alabama. I remember yellow was his favorite color! I added some yellow roses this time, to flowers that some of the relatives had recently put there.

Love you, Daddy

Junie

MOM

2006-06-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Last night I was going through old photos and I came across this one of Mom. She looks so pretty in this picture. This was in 1987.

Made me sad to see the pictures...but happy, too, that I have them!

It surprised me that the tears still came , after all this time.

June

Remembering Mom-5-13-06

2006-05-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Thinking of you Mom, on this day before Mother's Day.

I added ivy to your roses...

Love,

Junie

Thinking of Mom

2006-04-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thinking of you, Mom, as I often do! In fact, there has been not a single day since you left us that you have not been in my thoughts!

I miss you !

These little wildflowers remind me of you. We shared the love of them, as we did so much of God's beautiful creation!

Spring roses for you , Mom!

Love,

June Bug

Happy time with Mom!

2006-04-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

This was in 1972-at Christmas.

Mom was living in Ocala at this time and we were in Miami. She would be with us every Christmas (well,almost always)
She would come down on the train. The kids were young and it was always a big deal to meet Ma-Ma at the train station, downtown Miami!

This picture reflects the happiness of having Mom with us for a few days! This was Christmas Eve!

~~~

"1972" -Mom was a couple years younger than I am now! (63) And I was a young mom of 3-age 31 years!

Time just keeps rolling!

It's both sad and happy times - looking at old pictures...

Mom was always so pretty!

I will always miss her!

J.

Radios in Heaven

2006-03-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Allison, my granddaughter, was age 12 when we lost Mom just over 3 years ago! She was one of the ones at Mom's bedside at the end! I was on the opposite side; along with others. I will never forget the helpless, hurt, look on my baby Alli's face, as she looked from one to the other of family members gathered round Ma-Ma., as if pleading for someone's intervention to keep her beloved Great-grandmother with us!

...But it was Mom's time and we had to let her go! I hope she knew we were all there...

I took care of Alli from infancy and Mom lived with me those 12 years, so Alli had been with 'Ma-Ma' just about every day of her life . It was especially hard for her, losing Ma-Ma. They were the greatest of friends. When Alli was a pre-schooler and on up, they would play their games; Mom never tiring -always thrilled with the attention she got from Alli...and it worked both ways-equally!

Alli put together this little tribute to Ma-Ma, using words from a song of one of her favorite bands; 'Plain White Ts.' This picture of Alli and Mom was not long before she left us.

The complete lyrics of the song below.

Plain White T's

Radios In Heaven

Your time has already come and I don't know why
The last thing that I had heard
you were doin' just fine
It seems like just yesterday
I was laughing with you
Playing games at Grandma's house
well you taught me well, didn't you?
I hope I'm just like you

Do they have radios in heaven?
I hope they do
'Cause they're playing my song on the radio
And I'm singing it to you

You left before I had a chance to say goodbye
But that's the way life usually is
it just passes you by
But you can't hold on to regrets and you can't look back
So I'll just be thankful for the times that I had with you
I hope I'm just like you

Do they have radios in heaven?
I hope they do
'Cause they're playing my song on the radio
And I'm singing it to you
If they don't have radios in heaven
here's what I'll do
I can bring my guitar when my time is up and I'll play it for you

Tell me can you hear me now
if not, then I can try to sing real loud
What's it like up on the other side of the clouds?
I hope I'm just like you
I hope I turn out to be as good as you

Thinking of Mom

2006-02-25T11:34:00.000-08:00

Today I find myself thinking of Mom and feeling very sad. And although this blog is titled 'My early memories' I find myself thiking of her more and more- and not just my early memories but right up to the day that she left us!

She didn't really leave me - as she is still here in my heart and always will be.

I remember her love and generosity toward everyone...how she wanted to do so much and how she MANAGED to do so much for everyone - with so little!
Christmas gifts were given to all-right down to great-grandchildren, when at all possible.(meaning-if she had an address for them)

In latter years she would send my sister and me on errands for gifts... of the fancy boxed cookies or chocolate covered cherries candy or those big colorful cans of popcorn to give the families...little stuffed toys for the little ones, little trucks and cars!

In years past, when she still could see well enough and her hands were more agile, she would crochet gifts for all of us! I still have all the things she made for me over the years. The last years she had been giving her 5 kids and spouses a gift of cash together! (all of this out of a very small S.S. check each month)

...And Christmas cards would have to be bought and written for her to all the people she knew and loved. Sadly, over the years those lists grew shorter.

The last Christmas season she was with us was the beginning of her final battle. Although she was home at Christmas she was in the hospital shortly after.

In years past, most of the family would come for her birthday/reunion party (Jan.6th.) -a tradition we had started on her 80th. birthday. This year many of Mom's family came, but not to the happy times we had known before! This time was to say goodbye to Mom - to Ma-Ma!

Mom left us exactly 3 weeks after her birthday, on January 27th. There were 40+ family members at her side or in her room!

Days after - I found the Christmas card from her that I had put aside as we opened gifts on Christmas Eve! Inside, of course, was the cash for Charles and me!

This is what we bought with Mom's last gift money for us... a fountain/birdbath. It is part of a small garden we created for Mom just outside my kitchen window.

I think of her often as I watch the birds there each morning!

Junie

Picking flowers for Ma-Ma

2006-02-24T11:21:00.000-08:00

Picking flowers for Ma-Ma...

This is a springtime photo I have always loved of my granddaughter, Alli (in pink) and my sister’s granddaughter, Chey.(in blue)

They are just weeks apart in age and spent a lot of time together in their younger years, and, thankfully, Mom was able to spend a lot of time with both of them when they were little.

This was a spring day when these little girls were about age 2 1/2. They were caught up in a flower-picking race; it seemed, to see who could bring Ma-Ma (Their great grandmother) the most flowers!

This meadow was abundant with the little pink wildflowers this year and we let them pick as many as they wanted. Later, my house was filled with numerous bouquets of the sweet, delicately scented, little pink and white flowers, which we saved from their offerings to Ma-Ma!

It was such a thrill to see Alli and Chey bring handfuls of flowers to Ma-Ma, over and over. Such a delight for her, for the little girls and for my sister and me!

This is a memory I will always cherish!

Ginga
(Junie)

About Mom's Garden

2006-02-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

Beautiful day here

...beautiful day here and I am feeling a little more back into the world!
How can I NOT enjoy the beauty that surrounds me here?

First thing every morning I spend some time watching the birds that come
to feed from the feeder we have in Mom's garden...just outside the kitchen nook.
...and think of how mom would be loving this! She loved these things of nature,
just as I do!

The little garden is in need of attention, but spring is not far off now-
soon I will be bringing in the flowers by the arm loads, to plant in Mom's garden.
She would say, "Honey, don't work so hard."
....I think even the little rose bushes will have to be replaced.
I have sort of let things go recently! I want to get a lot of blooming flowers there
this spring...maybe even a window box! Wonder what my Handy-Man will think of that?
'OH, Charlie!!!'

SOOOO- Time to make plans- time to get on with it- 'The Rest of My Life!'

Juniper

(I posted this today on Juniper's World, and since it is thoughts of Mom I decided to put it here also.)

http://journals.aol.com/juniper5541/JunipersWorld/ (My journal/blog on AOL)

Junie

Things I got from Mom...

2006-02-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

Some Things I Got From Mom…

I got from Mom…

The love of reading…Mysteries, Poems, Romances …

The love of doing new things…Crafts, Art, Writing, Needlework…

The love of nature…Birds, Flowers, The Sky…

The love of family…No matter how far it extends…

The love of Christmas…

The love of God…

Thanks, Mom!

Remembering some good things…
Nov. 2003

~~~~~~

Poetry…

Mom loved poetry. I remember her reciting poems for us, from our young years, all through life - almost to the end!
Poe was a favorite of hers. She knew so many of his poems, and we loved to hear her recite them!

…Mom would, in later years, express her own thoughts and emotions, through her own poetry!

I developed a love of poetry –reading words of others and writing my own- because of Mom’s inclination in that direction.

Thanks Mom!

~~~~~~

I , Laquita …

Mom gave me a name, which, as a child, I liked – not at all!
“Laquita!”
It has a, decidedly, Spanish sound!
Mom always WAS intrigued by the unusual and exotic
things she encountered in life!
She came across this name in a book she read, I was told!

I always wished I had a simple name
such as Mary or Carol! :)

Well, luckily, there WAS my middle name, “June.”
Not surprisingly, this became “June Bug,”
with Mom and others in the family?

In later years, I came to realize
that Laquita has a nice sound to it.
…And is not a name to be embarrassed by at all. :)

I wonder about this character,
who’s name Mom borrowed for me.
Was she a unique and special lady?
Did she have qualities of which Mom admired
and hoped to see emerge in me as I became a woman?
Did I live up to Mom’s expectations?

I will never know!

Oh! How I would love to read that book
where Mom found my name!

“Laquita”…remembering -June 2004

~~~~~~

Remembering Mama’s Stories…

Mama would tell us stories of when she was a young girl,
of her brothers and sisters and cousins!
She told of finding baby birds with her cousin, Ben.
And she told of the two of them
pretending to be the Mama and Daddy birds…
of searching for worms and bugs to feed the babies!

I never tired of hearing her stories of long ago!
I wish I could hear them still.

~~~~~~

Photos are of Mom and my 4 grandchildren (Her greatgrands ) and of Mom and me ( mid-1970s)

Poem: Mom's Last Roses

2006-02-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

Mom’s Last Roses

These are Mom’s last roses.
I kept a little part
of all the roses given,
from every grieving heart.

I handled them so gently
and dried them - as you see.
I found the perfect basket-
arranged them carefully.

I found the sweetest ribbon,
and made this fancy bow-
attaching it, expertly!
It had to be - just so!

It had to turn out special,
and easily convey…
how much I do still love her
and miss her every day!

These are Mom’s last roses.
They’ll always be a part
of all my memories of her
and the sorrow in my heart.

June Kellum
Sept. 2005

Whip-Poor-Will

2006-01-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

Whip-Poor-Will …

Mom would reminisce sometimes
of when she was young and able to hear
the lonely night call of the 'Whip-Poor-Will.'
She missed that!

Mom, I hope you can hear it now!

Note:

Mom was severly hearing impaired from an early age ...
but was blessed in so many ways.
We ALL were!

June

Christmas-Perrine

2006-01-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

The Christmas I was twelve, my sister got a beautiful walking doll with shiny blonde hair!

I got a red silky and ruffled party dress. Mom gave me my gift early. I needed it for a very
special event at school. It was for a school-boy/girl type - social...a Christmas Sock-Hop!
We all danced in our elaborately decorated socks in the school gym!
(something new and exciting, for me!)

So I had one less gift to open on Christmas morning. I did, however, get my first camera that Christmas!

This was my first Christmas of not getting a doll and probably my sister's last Christmas doll!

SO...a page turned...

I felt a sadness in leaving my childhood behind...

( Some might argue that I STILL haven't done that! ) :)

Just remembering...Dec. 2003

Indiana

2006-01-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

Just weeks later we would be in Indiana...

Huge red and juicy tomatoes we picked…
in the ever increasing cold of the North Country
in which we all found ourselves trapped.
We were desperate to get enough money to get back south -
back home!

Mama was there, too, taped tightly across the chest, with broken ribs!
This due to a terrible turn of fate…
a car wreck, which occurred on my sister’s 8th birthday! It was August!
Mama and Daddy had gone into the little town to get a cake and some gifts
when the accident occured.

So we picked those tomatoes ...We had to get back home!

We had started school there, but knowing we would be leaving before any kind of
friendships could be formed with the local kids. That would not have been likely to happen,
regardless of how long we might have been there. The gulf between us was too wide...

We finally left Indiana on a cold October day, with a bag of fresh baked biscuits and country ham; provided by the folks who owned the farm on which we had lived for the past couple months…

We left with some fond memories…but more bad ones, for this period of our life.

We were sad to leave the new little friends we had there ...Steven , Michael and Rex – the little boys of the farm- and, the farm, itself! The big dairy barn had been interesting – the milking machines- and, too, the fresh, foamy, warm (fresh from the cow) milk offered to us - and taken, once or twice - straight from the milk pail :) I had been enchanted, too, with the free roaming bantam chickens of the farm, in their fluffy, colorful, splendor!

With our bedding and other belongings loaded, and a quickly assembled ‘crate-cage’ made for the chickens our farm friends had given us, once again, we headed south!
… A long ride, mostly faded from my memory now – except for the part about the chickens escaping as we traveled on our way!…Escaping on some long forgotten road, In some state between Indiana and Florida.

But ... all were not lost! :)

We eventually arrived in South,Fl.,with some chickens still captive!

Perrine (So.DadeCo.-Miami) would prove to be our home for the remainder of my own and my sister's childhoods. We were able to make friends there…friendships that would carry over into the next school year…and the next!

Mama was happy to get back in the tropical clime - and so- we were too!

…Remembering…
Nov.’03

Photo #1
This is the day we left for back south- Oct9, 1952
I had turned 11 in May, My sis was 8.
My older sister had gone back by Grey Hound bus!

Photo #2
This is me, back in So. Florida, with one of the hens that made the trip from Indiana-and some chicks she hatched.
The cat is Tom!
This was when I was 12 years old, I believe. A few months after our return south!

Trip North-Michigan

2006-01-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

The long trip to Michigan proved to have been a mis-represented
endeavor, as the work opportunities were bleak,
and available housing, almost non-existent!
Daddy and Mama and our sister worked harvesting cherries and apples.
For awhile we lived in someone’s garage -
Just one big open space for all five of us!

My sister and I, as children will,
figured out ways to have fun, in spite of the negative vibes!
We filled bottles with water and different fruits and berries
and grasses, just to see how they would look
after several days of 'setting up!'
Alas! Those bottles disappeared from the side of the building where we had them,
so we never knew the outcome of our experiment, nor did we ever know
who ended our project - took our bottles away!

Was it Daddy?

Remembering…wondering…

Nov.’03

Leaving Immokalee

2006-01-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

At the end of the school year we would be on the road again,
leaving our Wild West town of Immokalee,
This, for the most part, had been a fun time for us.

…. Comes the long ride north…

We were going north for summer work, with
much uncertainty of what was ahead…
And such a long way to go!

We traveled with bedding and essentials on a small trailer,
pulled behind the old Plymouth Daddy drove!

My sister and I played games along the way…
counting the cars we saw..
dividing them into color categories...
trying to spot the highest number
of our chosen color!

…And we thrilled to the billboards along the way,
of the famous singer, Bing Crosby…
…and had fun reading the Burma Shave signs! :)

We would sing songs ... and Mama would tell us stories of her young years,
or recite poems for us!

We would See places we had never seen before...Big cities! Until that time we
had not been further north than Alabama. We were heading for Michigan and Indiana.

We slept in our car, in places Daddy and Mama felt were safe. One night we found
a park, with swings and slides...

Our meals were sandwiches of packaged lunch meat from stores,
or peanut butter and jelly...little packaged cakes...bananas...
Somehow, Mama was able to give those sparse meals an air of a picnic!

We were all together, so all was ok!

Remembering…
Nov.2003

Another Christmas Eve

2006-01-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas Eve…
( In Immokalee )

This Christmas Eve, Mama and Daddy both had to work late.
We wait in the car, my sister and I, for their work to end; getting
increasingly more antsy as time drags by!
We want to get home … get to bed - to sleep - so Santa can come!
Their work ends, at last!

As every child on Christmas Eve must eventually do,
we managed to subdue our excitement enough to,
finally, sleep!

We had left a snack of nuts and fruit for Santa,
as was our custom.
In Santa’s haste to get out quickly and quietly,
after dispersing his gifts,
he dropped a small bunch of the grapes on the back stoop!
I know this to be a fact because Daddy said so!
He found the grapes! :)

My Christmas doll of that year not only talked,
but recited the Lord’s Prayer,
word for word!
I was amazed!

Remembering…Nov ‘03

2006-01-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

Immokalee

I got blue jeans when we moved to that little
Florida farm town.. Joy got a little red cowgirl outfit..
Mama told us before we moved there it was like a
Western town - and so it became that for us!

We played cowboy games in the palmetto woods ...
ever mindful of the abundant cactus plants, with stickers
almost impossible to get out if touched…

and snakes!!

My new friend, Eugene, and I, dug shallow holes in the sandy ground, and lined them with -
very carefully gathered -cactus plants.
The plan was to ambush imagined (or real) enemies!
To my knowledge, none of our enemies actually fell into the camouflaged cactus traps, covered with palmetto fronds!

Mama never knew of all the cowboy games we
invented during that time.
…But we did watch out for snakes! :)

Eugene had a bike. I had never had a bike of my own (never DID have a bike)
so was thrilled that he wanted me to ride with him, though he never let me try it solo!

When we weren't involved in our cowboy games and cactus traps, we would be on his bike,
looking for discarded soda bottles along the roadside. We would take those to the local store
a few blocks from our houses (which were side by side) and get enough money for a treat of candy
or a soda for each of us!

Other times we would just ride on his bike, exploring. Once he dared me to crawl through a culvert under a road...
Not a big one- but , hopefully, big enough for Ten year olds. (I had my doubts)
To be fair, he did it first, leaving me no option except to match his feat! I couldn't back down, even though,
ten year old girls are sometimes chubbier than boys of the same age! I did it and luckily, didn't get stuck!

...As with the cactus traps, Mama never knew of this either! :)

Alas - Our friendship was to be shortlived because of our little sisters. They were about the same age-
about age seven.

One day the two little girls got in a fight. As I recall- it was about which was
the prettiest! Blonde hair flew! Dust swiriled! Tears flowed! ...And no way to judge the winner by the
amounts of hair balls at the end of the fight, since both little girls were blonde!

Being a witness to the event , I would say it was a tie! ;)

During our time living in Immokalee, Fl, we saw movies almost every Saturday at the movie house
a few blocks from us. They were usually westerns or Tarzan movies! BIG adventure movies for kids
our age, in those days!

The Carnival came to town. Mama and Daddy took us two nights -a real treat!
We rode the Ferris wheel...something new and scary for us!
Daddy won a teddy bear in some game, for my sister, since she was the baby! He tried again
but couldn't win one for me!

The thing that stands out the clearest about this event was the baby with two heads -
in a jar of some liquid preservative. At the time I had no doubts of it being real.
Daddy and Mama thought so too!...But was it?

...Still wondering...

We walked to school, through the sandy, Palmetto and Cactus filled lots. I DID NOT like the school but made
decent grades!

One memory stands out about my school experience there in Immokalee.
I was in 4th. grade, and until that time had not admitted to myself that we were Poor!

We were asked to write a little story about our life, our families. That, in itself, (reflecting on it now)
seems a callous thing to ask of children who are obviously from poor families;
which many others were , besides us!

With that request from the teacher, I made up a brighter make believe story... of my family owning
a big farm in Georgia. A story, I'm positive, was not believed for a moment!

I felt guilt for that story (LIE) for many years...well, I still do- *truth be told!* Because, I realize now, it is not
a shame or a sin to be poor.

(worse, by far, to tell a lie!)

I don't remember ever telling Mama about that paper I wrote.

Remembering...2004

Photos :
Joy age 7 - June age 10

And the type CACTUS that grew in the area

The 'Way Back' of our lives

2006-01-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

Photo #1

Mom and Dad..undated-but probably in early 1930s

Photo #2

Mom and her first 3 children-
Ray, Gloria and baby Dolores

Photo #3

Big (pouty) sister, June-Little (smiley) sister, Joy!
Probably 1945-or '46

Through Mama's Eyes

2006-01-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

All the upsets, the moves,

the changes in our lives

could be turned into an exciting adventure ,

if we only looked at things through Mama’s eyes!

We DID! :)

Photo:
Mom in early 1970s- in Marion co, Ocala,Fl. area

Leaving Redlands, South Florida

2006-01-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

About Mom: (Leaving Redlands)

The time we spent in the Redlands was, for the most part,
a fun time for all of us.
...I liked the school, better than I had any other... I discovered I had a talent for art,
and so enjoyed contributing to the big mural we were doing that Christmas season in
our class.
I remember I mastered the art of drawing palm trees and camels! We were doing a wall drawing
of the wise men following the star to the birth place of Jesus! Each student added to it.

(Oh, how times have changed !... that would not be allowed these days!)

...But our time in the Redlands was drawing to it's end...

We would soon move again...

Photo: Sisters- Joy, Dolores and June

remembering...June 3, 2005

Mama's Christmas Tree

2006-01-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

Never did we have a 'bought' Christmas tree, but one chopped down
from some surrounding wooded area by my brother or Daddy.

Our earliest Christmas trees, naturally, had no electric lights. Still,
they were elaborately decorated with colorful ornaments! These were of glass,
celluoid, and sometimes balls of tinfoil, collected and made from juicy fruit gum wrappers
by my sisters!

In later Christmases we had electric bubble lights on our tree! Mama loved those lights,
and, so, did we all! Mama always wanted foil icicles hanging from the very tips of each branch,
and as a finishing touch, Angel Hair covering the whole tree!
What a beautiful glow that made!

Another of Mama's favorites were the paper honey- comb type bells
to hang at the windows and doors! These were in the deepest reds and greens - so festive!

Mama always managed to have brightly wrapped gifts for everyone, under the tree.
Sometimes it might be five and dime finds...little toys, puzzles, coloring books!
Often there were handmade gifts of clothing, warm mittens, scarves, house slippers-
all made with Mama's love!

And always there would be a doll for my sister and me on Christmas morning!

What sweet memories - our Christmases of the past!

~~~~~~~

Photo #1

The type paper bells Mama loved

Photo # 2

Mama, Daddy, Joy and June (ME)
Christmas day in sunny Florida ...with our new dolls and bare feet! : )

Little Sister Lost

2006-01-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

About Mom: (Little Sister Lost)

When we lived in the Redlands, we would go to the town of Homestead for shopping.
It was always a treat for us to go into the town, see all the sights - talk to people.
Daddy loved the hamburgers that he could get in a restaurant there. Mama, Joy and I
would choose the thick and delicious milk shakes, usually. (Milkshakes remained a life-long
Favorite of Mom's)
Our older sister, Dolores, was a teen-ager and would go off on her own for awhile.

Sometimes Joy and I would be allowed to go to a movie, while Mama and Daddy shopped .
Usually, what we saw were westerns - Roy and Dale...Gene Autry with his side-kick, Pat Buttram...
( Mama had told us about Pat being her 2nd. cousin and of remembering him from her childhood!
We were impressed! And -there he was - in the movie with Gene Autry!) Sometimes we saw
The Lone Ranger. He was my favorite!

This Christmas season we were shopping in Homestead. We were in a department store
which had decorations all sparkly and bright. Mama liked the glass ornaments with the indented
designs and would, when possible, buy a few each year to add to our collection.
This store also had little dresses, sweaters, jackets, shoes, dolls and toys...all the things Mama longed
for, for her children. So much to see and ponder over!

Suddenly, Mama became frantic with worry! I was still by her side but my little sister (who was five or six at the time)
had wandered away.
She was found quickly, safe and sound, and brought back to Mama on the hand of a policeman!

Mama's worry and swift and desperate search is what I remember most.
Many years later, this came to mind with my own children, if they wandered from my side, in crowds.

I'm sure I turned out to be just as protective of my babies as our Mama was of hers!

Remembering Mama...

June 4, 2005

"Sparky" - in the Redlands

2006-01-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

My brother and oldest sister, each, were married about this time,
leaving just my 16 year old sister and my little sister and ME
of the Hodges kids!

PHOTO: Dolores, June, Joy and a playmate we had there!

These are the woods
we liked to play in! It LOOKS snakey!

~~~~~~

Sparky

My sister and I loved the story programs on radio during this period.
One we liked a lot was called ‘Big John and Sparky!’
We never missed this, if we could help it.

I liked this show so much that I named the stray pup that showed up at our door
(and we were allowed to keep) ‘Sparky!’
This pup was small, frisky and all white - and soon became my very own dog.
This was a fact at least recognized by Sparky and me!

Every day I waited with excitement and anticipation,
for the school day to end and the long bus ride home to be over.
Playtime with the pup had taken the number one spot in my line up of things
I wanted to do.

One day, as I got home with smiles and happy calls for my pup,
Mama had sad news for me.
She told me Sparky had been killed in the street that day!

With those words I felt my heart break!
I ran to the edge of our back yard and cried and cried
until my eyes were sore and hurting…and the ache in my heart like a
heavy, hot stone!

The hurt was so unexpected and so deep,
not even my dear mama could console me.

Remembering little Sparky...June3,2005

PHOTO: Me with little Sparky. Joy with a kitten!

Living in The Redlands

2006-01-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

When my sister and I were six and nine years old, we played Tarzan in the jungle-like setting of our Florida Redlands yard!

Mama loved the tropical flowers; the palms, the citrus trees, the avocados…and so-we did too!

I can vividly remember the fragrant smell, heaviness, and smoothness of the fruit we pulled from the trees; and I can almost taste them, still!

Once I found a Pineapple plant, with ripe fruit, in the far reaches of our domain - Mama’s tropical paradise!

Mama sewed for us, little shorts and halter sets, and made pictures of us among the tropical splendor! :)

…And, too, there were pictures taken of Mama and Daddy!
Mama in her sun dresses, and sometimes, in her shorts and bathing suit, posing by the Coconut palms and Hibiscus flowers! Daddy in his usual Khaki slacks…his ever-present hat!
Mama so pretty - Daddy so handsome!

Good days to remember...

~~~~~~~

Playing in the Redlands…

Many afternoons were spent in the
Pine and Palmetto woods across from our house;
building forts and living out our make believe adventures.

Mama worried about snakes - but we were always careful! :)

Remembering…
Nov.’03

Moving

2006-01-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

...From 1945 0nward for a few years, we moved a lot...mostly back and forth between Florida and Alabama...

~~~~~~~

Moving...

With every move- from house to house -state to state-
we’d pack all our things into a trailer or truck!
We would leave what wouldn’t fit in, of material objects,
along with the tentative friends, we might have made!

I always felt we were, again, home –in any new place-
when Mama’s corner what-not shelf was unloaded,
and her collection of souvenirs placed
in their familiar spots!

Home for awhile…

Remembering…
Nov.2003

First Trip to Florida & House Near Homestead

2006-01-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

Our first trip to Florida, when I was just four, was long!
We slept along the way on mattresses in the big truck,
piled with our other things...
with just enough room to lie down!
Sometimes we slept in orange groves.
I remember
the fragrant citrus aroma…

~~~~~~

House Near Homestead…

After arriving in South Florida, we eventually lived in a house
near Homestead, among huge Royal Palms and Australian Pines! The scenery was lush
and pretty. Mama and I loved the flowers and tropical plants-the coconut palm trees,
the orange and grapefruit trees!
It was all so different from what we had been used to in Alabama!

Daddy got work at a dairy. We were not far from the town and would go
there to shop on Saturdays!

The house we lived in had a big screened porch,
though not securely screened, as birds were able to get in and fly around;
but have trouble finding their way out again!

I was out there, among them …trying to catch them, no doubt!
All I got for my efforts were Mites in my eyelashes!
I remember Mama crying, as she worked way into the night,
trying to rid me of the pests! I'm sure she did but I don't remember HOW she did!

Remembering…

2003

Photo #1
...such as we encountered on our first trip to Florida

Photo #2
Our family 1945
Brother Ray, Mom holding Joy,
Sister Dolores, Daddy , Sister Gloria. and June (me) in front.

Photo #3
Sisters - Dolores,June and Joy

Early School Days

2006-01-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

In first grade, on picture taking day, Mama put my hair in braids.

In second grade, I had my hair in Shirley Temple type curls, due to my older sister’s efforts.
She liked doing my hair in those days. :)

I remember a production at school during this year. Perhaps a spring thing, as it involved flowers!
I was a blue “Forget-Me-Not”, with sky blue petals around my face, which Mama helped to make!

…But the little girl who was a ”Rose” was prettier, I thought!

An early disappointment! :(

Remembering….
Nov.’03

Note:

thus - the source for my passion for roses in later years?? ( SMILE )

wondering... as I write this on May 29, 2005

~~~~~~

The Colored Rose…

Once, as a child in my early school years,
I colored a picture of a rose and copied a poem.
(someone else’s words, but pretty)
It was a Mother’s Day card for Mama!

Going through Mom’s things, packing them away,
I found this card again.
…Something she had treasured all these years…so many years!

Later, in my life, I learned to express my own thoughts
and feelings in my own poems.

I hope I said “I love you” enough, Mom! :)

Remembering…
Nov. 2003

Mom and Dad

2006-01-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of Mom and Dad in 1950.
We were living in Redlands of South Dade Co., Miami , Fl.
This was a happy period of our lives. My sister, Joy, and I remember it fondly!
We were about 6 & 9 years at this time.

June

Shiny Shoes

2006-01-24T21:29:00.000-08:00

Shiny shoes

When my sister and I were about five and eight years of age,
Mama got us each a pair of
black patton-leather shoes.
The way to keep them looking new was easy!
…Just break a biscuit in half and use the
soft, slightly moist and greasy inside to polish those
shiny, black shoes!

Mama knew lots of good stuff! :)

Memories of Pleasant Hill

2006-01-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

Memories of Pleasant Hill…

The yearly event approaches with a flurry of activity!
I watch as Mama fashions flowers from tissue - and wire, from the barn.
They are soft to the touch, as real ones are,
in pastel colors of pink, blue and yellow.

In soft, sweet bunches we take them to Pleasant Hill;
to offer to our long absent loved ones.
It’s a daylong outing, filled with pain and pleasure, too!

It’s sad, now, to know that Mama's final resting place isn’t there with the others,
but in a spot far removed from her beginnings.

but still- they’re all together…

Remembering…
Nov.2003

Chicken One Day-Feathers The Next

2006-01-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

Chicken One Day-Feathers The Next

One notable memory I almost forgot from the early, early, days...

This was before I started school and before schools had cafeterias to serve
the students on a daily basis!

But,on rare occasions, perhaps around holiday times, a hot meal would be prepared.
Donations were taken from the folks who had children in the schools to help out with
these meals!

...This was before wide use of refrigerators - at least in that part of the country-
so no tupperware covered containers of potato salad - no hot dogs to pop out of the freezer
and onto the grill. The food had to be prepared and served to the children quickly - on the spot!

I remember riding to school as my older sister's guest, to this festive occasion, with a LIVE hen
in a bag; with her feet tied together...our contribution to the meal!
Our hen had a lot of company on that school bus, too! :)

For those unfortunate Yard Walkers, it turned out to be "Chicken one day - Feathers the next!"
:)

Remembering...June 1, 2005

(Good Old Days???)

Poem: My Sisters' Fudge & Music Matters

2006-01-24T12:03:00.000-08:00

Music matters

In the early days, wherever we were living…
on Saturday nights, the family would listen to
The Grand Old Opry!

The older sister’s had their favorites…
Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, Hank Williams...Daddy liked Bill Monroe!

Mama liked the romantic ballads of types like Slim Whitman...
but maybe he came later!

Mama - always the Romantic!!

In those days, before Television, (before a lot of things :) ) people found ways to entertain themselves. I remember music fests of sorts, where whole families from all around would get together and 'Make Music!'

Daddy played the FIDDLE! (NOT the violin-the FIDDLE!) Daddy did some pretty MEAN Buck-Dancing too! I never saw Daddy happier than when playing music and having fun with some of his brothers!

Mama played piano, when she would come in contact with one - she never had one of her own until late in her life! It amazed me, how well she could play the piano!

~~~~~~

I remember my two older sisters could make the best
chocolate fudge ever tasted!!!

My Sisters’ Fudge

My sisters made fudge
in the old fashioned way,
just as everyone did
in that day!

Butter-sugar-cocoa-
no short cuts to take;
just skillfully mastered!
..And with no mistake!

They cooked it until,
when dropped from a spoon,
it formed lumps in water.
(Don’t stop cooking too soon!)

At last the vanilla-
then poured up to set!
The old fashioned taste,
I will never forget!

June Kellum

Remembering...

Nov.2003

Another Alabama Christmas Season

2006-01-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

Another Alabama Christmas season

One Christmas season, as we anxiously counted down the days,
Santa appeared at a window,late one night!

As the story goes, Santa routinely checks up on children,
keeping tabs on who's naughty and who's nice!!
We, my baby sister and I, were in awe at having that brief glimpse of Santa at our window!
...And we hoped we had been nice enough all year!

Much later that year, I came across a fake beard in a dresser drawer!
That puzzled me for awhile - but I put it out of my mind before
the next Christmas season came around!

Some things are just too precious to give up before it's time! :)

...wondering...

...was it my brother or Daddy?

Remembering - June 1, 2005

Early Morning Rising

2006-01-24T11:13:00.000-08:00

Early Morning Rising…

…Dress warmly - high socks, old shoes, long sleeves,
and a sunbonnet for later, in spite of the early morning chill!
…Off to the fields with Mama and sisters!

The baby is put on a quilt to be watched over.
…And there’s Mama’s ever-present warning of snakes!

The deep purple, dew kissed Morning Glory catches my eye
and finds a place to live in my memory, over all these years!

Remembering…Nov.2003

Tiny Blue Coat

2006-01-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

We had so little money in our young years but Mom managed as best she could! She made our clothes...I remember her making us little dresses- and bonnets to wear in the fields.

...And it amazes me how she managed to always have gifts for us at Christmas...
but she always did!

~~~~~~~

Tiny Blue Coat…

A tiny blue coat, Mama made for my baby sister,
with pink flowers embroidered on the front, near the collars.
I envied my sister having that coat
and wished there had been a bigger piece of that blue, wool fabric,
so Mama could have made me one, too!

Remembering Mama…

Nov.2003

The Log House

2006-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

...in my young years we lived in several different houses - in Alabama and later in Florida.(I remember living in 7 different houses, in Alabama, alone, in my early years)
This is one I remember well, as it was kind of scary place with woods all around. I remember being with Mom at the spring where she washed our clothes. We were always aware of the possibility of snakes around that place. Snakes were one of Mom's greatest fears.
She told of an encounter with a rattle snake, when my brother was a young boy!(he's 13 years older than me) Between the two of them they managed to kill it! Thankfully, I never had any close calls with snakes!

~~~~~~

The Log House…

Nights in the log house were scary,
with lights that were extinguished with a puff of Mama’s breath
-not a switch on the wall.

After our prayers were said,
in which we went through the list of all our loved ones to be blessed
and kept safe through the night,
Mama would then look under each bed,
making sure no SNAKES had found a way into our house!

…Just an extra measure, of Mama’s,
to keep us safe! :)

Remembering Mama…

Jan.2004

Christmas Eve

2006-01-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

This memory is a favorite Christmas memory of mine! It was probably 1946 or 47...not sure!
(I wish I could ask Mom!)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve!
Heavy Alabama snow fall!
Night-the whitest white!
Too cold to venture out-
but we must -one last time before bed,
to the outhouse.

We then get snug and Mama tells us stories.
Of the Baby Jesus, of his mother, Mary - of
Joseph, the Shepherds, the Wise Men,
the Angels. We sing “Silent Night,"
“Away In a Manger” and feel,
through Mama’s words, the wonder of
HIS birth!

Being little girls, too, we feel the excitement
–the anticipation- of Santa’s visit and
wonder what he’ll bring us! We have no doubt
he will come, as we search the skies
through the frosty window; hoping for a glimpse of him.
As usually happens with children and Santa,
sleep came to us before Santa did!

The morning proved our faith well placed,
as this was the year we found our
Betsy Wetsy baby dolls under the tree, along with
puzzles, a spinning top and books!

...A book about Santa...
and a book about the real Christmas, the birth of Baby Jesus.

Remembering Mom…
Nov.’03

Baby Sister & About Paperdolls

2006-01-23T17:37:00.000-08:00

Baby Sister…

…The time came…

My two sisters,
who were older than me, by seven and nine years ,
took me to a neighbor’s house!

We stayed and stayed…so long!
Finally, we could return home again –
to meet our new baby sister!

Her name was JOY! :)

~~~~~~

About Paper Dolls...

When I was a very little girl
Mama would cut out paper dolls from catalogs.
We would make whole families, Mama and I!

Later, there were store bought paper dolls,
or, Santa delivered ones , for my sister and me.

My sister and I loved those, and played
for hours on end, with them!
My favorites were the babies.
Later we got some of movie stars,
but the babies I loved most!

Germs didn't seem to be a big concern in those days
for I remember we would lick the little tabs to attach
the clothes, over and over! :)

Remembering...

Nov.’03

Long Ago Thoughts of Mom

2006-01-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Long Ago Thoughts of Mom…

The sun, slanting through the windowpane
and through the curtains, makes patterns,
as I listen so intently to intriguing tales.
The actual stories are now long forgotten, over all these years,
but the feelings linger.
My Mama and me, traveling on our daily adventure
to our afternoon nap!

~~~~~~

Walking Through The Woods…

Walking through the woods with Mama-
and with the Aunts…
...Black Gum tooth brushes -chewed into soft sweet pulp by all!
They dip theirs into the tin snuffboxes!

But not me!!
Mine, I will just chew! ;)

Poem: Annie Down the Well

2006-01-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

Annie Down the Well

“Annie down the well!!”
Panic! Panic!

“Get Daddy’s help - and Brother’s!”
Mama and I are both frantic!

“As fast as you can- crank the handle-
send the bucket down!”

They do - again and yet again - in vain!
Annie is never found!

A three year old is broken hearted.
Her face is washed clean with hot tears.

Rag doll, Annie, is forever lost,
yet, remembered over all these many years.

This is one of my earliest memories and, apparently, a traumatic
event in my young life. I have never forgotten it through the years.
As far as I can figure, I was around three years of age.
All through my life I have had a love of dolls, all types of dolls,
but especially rag dolls - homemade dolls.
I believe losing Annie in the well had a lot to do with my lifelong
love of dolls.
Or was it BECAUSE of my love of dolls
(at such an early age) that I was so affected by losing Annie in the well?

Just some thoughts…

June (Ginga)
Remembering…Nov 2003

Poem: Mom

2006-01-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Mom, So Many Months Have Passed

I never knew how very much my heart would ache.
I never did imagine - or come close to knowing-
how much time that it would take.
Just going through the things
you once held dear -and touched…
it’s so hard to cast them all aside,
these simple, ordinary things you loved so much.
...So...here are boxes, filled with memories of you;
things I can’t find the courage to discard.
The last of my dear Mom, packed lovingly away.
Oh, it’s hard - it’s all so very hard!
Just bits and pieces of your life,
all so much a part of you.
Little things you’ve saved, and valued,
and so- I will always treasure too!
...But how to keep the smile, to hold on to
the memory of your warm embrace;
the sweet and funny ways of you...
the things impossible to ever be replaced?
As of now, I still can close my eyes
and see your smile,
hear your voice, feel your gentle touch.
…But in awhile,
I fear these memories will start to go-
to fade away-
leaving just these things of yours,
of which I’m struggling with today!
I pray the memories of you, Mom, will always linger,
never will depart,
bringing me both pain and pleasure
in equal measure,
always and forever,
here in my heart!

June Kellum
Sept.2003

Remembering Mom

2006-01-23T07:03:00.000-08:00

Remembering Mom…

We lost Mom January 27, 2003,
exactly three weeks after her 94th birthday.
We had her a long time, yet, not long enough.

Randomly writing down these thoughts
and early memories of Mom,
helped me to get through the painful months
following the sad day she left us!
(It helped, at least, a little)

With each remembered snippet of my past
with Mom and our family
I re-live again the good times,
the laughter,
( and some bad times, too)
the feelings we all shared.
The love we all had for each other.
…And Mom always at the center of it all!
Mom - the cement that held it all together!

I believe that with the memories of her in out hearts
she will always be with us.
Mom (Ma-Ma) will still be holding us all together!

June

Remembering…June, 2004

About Mom: My early memories

In Loving Memory of My Mom...(Face Book)

June Kellum (from Face Book)

January will always be a sad time for me...My sweet Mom's birthday was on Jan. 6th and we lost her on January 27th. 9 years ago. Always in my heart, Mom. Love you ,Junie

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mom's Christmas flowers-2011

Christmas memory of Mom-

Christmas memory of Mom

June Kellum (from Face Book)

Yellow Flowers for Mom-(Repost from Junie's Place)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday ~Yellow flowers for Mom~

Mom and "Fashion Frocks"~

January 6 ~ a date of importance~ ( re-post from Junie's Place)

Memories of Mom on Ruby Tuesday-Dec 21, 2010

Ruby Tuesday_ Dec 21, 2010- Mom Memories

Mom's Christmas flowers

Fall Flowers for Mom~ (From Junie's Place)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

~Fall flowers for Mom~

Sepia Scenes ~9-8-'10~ Doves

Thinking of my mom and my dad

Remembering Daddy again!

Thinking of my mom

Yard Art ~ July 1, 2010~ (Mama's gift from Phil)

Mom's Night Blooming Cactus

This post is taken from one of my other blogs...It belongs here too, because Mom always loved these flowers!

http://ourplace-junierose2005.blogspot.com/2009/09/night-blooms.html

Night blooms

Flowers for Daddy!

About Ma-Ma

Remembering my loved ones...

Thinking of Mom~2008

5 Years Today

Remembering Mom on her birthday

Remembering Daddy~2007

Daddy~

Aunt Ruth-a sad goodbye.

Thinking of Daddy

MOM

Remembering Mom-5-13-06

Thinking of Mom

Happy time with Mom!

Radios in Heaven

Thinking of Mom

Picking flowers for Ma-Ma

About Mom's Garden

Things I got from Mom...

Poem: Mom's Last Roses

Whip-Poor-Will

Christmas-Perrine

Indiana

Trip North-Michigan

Leaving Immokalee

Another Christmas Eve

The 'Way Back' of our lives

Through Mama's Eyes

Leaving Redlands, South Florida

Mama's Christmas Tree

Little Sister Lost

"Sparky" - in the Redlands

Living in The Redlands

Moving

First Trip to Florida & House Near Homestead

Early School Days

Mom and Dad

Shiny Shoes

Memories of Pleasant Hill

Chicken One Day-Feathers The Next

Poem: My Sisters' Fudge & Music Matters

Another Alabama Christmas Season

Early Morning Rising

Tiny Blue Coat

The Log House

Christmas Eve

Baby Sister & About Paperdolls

Long Ago Thoughts of Mom

Poem: Annie Down the Well

Poem: Mom

Remembering Mom

June Kellum

(from Face Book)

January will always be a sad time for me...

My sweet Mom's birthday was on Jan. 6th and we lost her on January 27th. 9 years ago.

Always in my heart, Mom.

Love you ,
Junie