Quilt Pieces Shirley Noe Swiesz I had a really frightening experience a night or two after Halloween…I was lying on the couch, watching a movie late at night. All of a sudden I saw things outside my windows that looked like birds, flying all over the place. I was sure it was bats. We have a huge light outside so the windows were lit up really good and these things were all over the place. Now normally I don’t get scared over ‘things’. But I could imagine the bats swarming all over me when I opened the door. I actually tiptoed to the door, a little black cat right on my heels…imagine how I felt when I realized that we had quite a storm going on with the wind picking up the huge leaves and flying them all over just like bats! I swear I heard the little black cat named Flap Jack laughing at me. In case you are wondering about the kitten’s name…my daughter found it on the road, flat as a ‘flitter’ and I call her Flap Jack. Maybe I should have named her Flitter??? Well, I haven’t started decorating for Christmas yet, have you? I remember when nothing happened until the day after Thanksgiving. Back in my days sales did not go on until after Christmas. That made it kinda rough on us. Actually we lived on layaway back then since we didn’t make a lot of money in the military. Things were so different back then. There was no wic or food stamps and even if there was, I don’t think the military would have been included…like I said it was different. My husband was in SAC, (Strategic Air Command) which no longer exists. When the base went on alert we had to pull down our shades and no one was allowed out of the house or on the streets. Who knows, maybe I will do a book about it someday…I enjoyed all the traveling and moving around and missed it after my husband retired. Several years ago, my mother told me that a craft shop was trying to open but some of the business people did not want them to do so…they truly felt it might hurt their businesses. Cumberland was a lot busier back then. I wrote an article to the newspaper encouraging the craft shop to open and the editor used it. I think it was Jeff Wilder, but I am not sure. Anyway, the craft shop came to be and it was named the Poor Fork Arts and Crafts Guild. Whenever I came to town I always visited and bought things to take back to my friends. Now, I feel that again that the shop needs our support. Two of the ladies who were very faithful supporters have recently passed away. One was Dot Disney and I have forgotten the name of the other, but I will find out. The shop is lovely and it depends on volunteers to run it. I think that we should pitch in with our time and try to help out. Cumberland is such a charming little town and it has a great history. I will do my best…how about you? One day a week would mean so much. Or if you are computer literate perhaps you can set up an online shop for them? Our town needs this…blessings…I knew you would volunteer! A wonderful couple came in to visit me a couple of weeks ago…George and Lorene Scott. George is the brother of Jimmy and Homer Scott. Lorene is the daughter of Ida and Will Kelly. She told me that her daddy was a moonshiner who later became a preacher at Gilliam’s Chapel. I imagine a lot of kids from around here were sent to school from moonshine money. The Scott boys mother was Nora Ison and I think she might have been kin to my step father, ‘pap’ Ira Ison. I know that Pap was kin to my friend Cleon Cornett…I believe on his mother’s side. Lordy, I sound like my mother. When she met someone the first thing she said was, ‘who was your mother and daddy?’ I do the same thing. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with George and Lorene. They were childhood sweethearts but married other people and later met up again and married each other. George graduated before we did, in 1955. Speaking of childhood sweethearts Jewell Bowling and Jimmy Scott were sweethearts when we began high school. Where you saw one you saw the other. I don’t think they ever dated anyone else. They have been married since high school and I think that is a success story if I ever heard one…a success of the heart. They are both great people and good friends. We graduated in 1962. A friend of mine was using some old words the other day…hope for help was one of them. I figured out something about ‘tech me nots’ the flower that grows wild…perhaps the name didn’t come because they fall to the ground easily as I always thought…perhaps it is because if you rub the weed/flower on your body, bugs will ‘tech you not’. Ok, that was a little dumb but it is very effective as a bug keeper away…I have tried it. My cousin Mainus Halcomb, better known as Jr. told me that and I tried it and it works. My good friend Mary Ray Rogers has been quite sick lately but she is doing better. She had the shingles and it went to her eyes. There is a shot for the shingles and I am going to get one and I hope you do as well. If you don’t have insurance try the health department. I think they have them there as well and are not very expensive. I did not know it would go to one’s eyes, but the painful issue can actually make you lose your eyesight. I also hope that you older ones like me get your pneumonia shot. I got it twice in one year and I finally got my shot which is good for five years. It is also a good idea to get your flu shot. I hope you all get geared up for Muggins’ and his auction this year. He has been doing food baskets and toys for the local people who need it for over thirty years. He also remembers the older people who are alone, in his endeavor to make Christmas happy for as many as possible. His wife, Naomi is a great help as well. Well, take care and blessings. Remember to smile at someone. By the way a really wonderful person received an honor at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet this year, my friend Jeremy Williams. He works for the Harlan County Extension Office. That is a great office. They have been helping this area for a long time and go above and beyond for the people of this area. My mother used to send me recipes years ago that she had gotten at the Home Makers Club. Theresa Howard used to go to people’s houses and preside at the clubs. My mother loved the club and she loved Theresa as well. Doc Fields’ wife was instrumental in starting that club which is still in existence and very active. I think my cousin Pee Wee Cornett got an award the other night at the Banquet…at least I saw his picture…love that guy! Gladys Dixon has not been doing well and needs your prayers. Ms. Gladys is 97 years old. She has seen a lot in her lifetime and three of her children have preceded her in death. That has got to be very difficult regardless of the age. Well, blessings to you all. Call or write to me any time. (606)505-0515. Don’t forget to dress warmly…I was ready to go outside in my flip flops the other day…talk about forgetful!
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:41:01 +0000
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