Violet was her name

Here is something I have been working on. Most of this is a combo of things I remember, things that were revealed to me later on and the imagination of my mind.
Please let me know what you think, be honest! I am freely asking you to judge me.


Violet was her name

Violet was a shy, slightly average looking (so she said), church going girl.
The milk boy Edward was always smiling and making her laugh.
He was very witty and the jokes just flowed from him.
She was thrilled to see him everyday.
She would time her day around the delivery of the milk.
She knew he was the one she would marry.

They finally got married and she moved with him to the dairy farm.
She knew a little about cows, but learned quickly the process of having a business.
Business was good; there was the dairy side of it and also the farming side.
They raised cows and grew large corn fields.
They worked very hard, from sunrise to sunset.

Violet was also the common housewife.
She cooked, canned, tended her garden and cleaned the house.
She washed the clothes by hand in the kitchen sink.

They wasted no time in starting their family.
It’s a boy!
Violet was very happy to give her husband a strong son to help on the farm.
It’s a girl!
Their family was shaping up nicely!
It is starting to get harder for her to help out on the farm, with having two kids to manage plus her daily responsibilities.
Edward has to hire more help; he employs the local high schoolers on summer break.
It’s another boy and another boy soon after!
She loves her life on the farm and can’t ever imagine leaving.

Many years pass and their two oldest children have left the nest.
The boy went on to serve his country.
The girl got married and had the first grandchild. The marriage did not work out. Their son in law got custody.
Violet and Edward felt very fortunate to still have their grandchild in their lives.

With just two sons left at home, things were different.
Business had gone down.
The larger dairies are getting more progressed and getting a large amount of the contracts.
It was one of the hardest choices they have ever had to make, but it was time to sell the farm.
Before this could be done, they had to find a new place to go.

By this time Edward had saved a good penny and decided to build his wife the house of her dreams.
Within reason, of course.
He found a beautiful piece of property just outside of town.
He made sure the new house had all the amenities his wife had always talked about.
She would have a sewing room.
She would have a wheeled clothes line.
She would have a large picture window in the living room that looked out on the river.
The remaining two boys will both have their very own rooms.

Even with having to lose her lifestyle at the farm, which she was very sad about.
She felt like they were moving up in the world.
She was proud to have Edward as her husband.

A Box of Memories from Dad

My father gave me a box of stuff that he thought I might want.

Some books, some trinkets of things we had done together, the cards I gave him for his birthday or father’s day, playing cards that I had sent him from various states…You get the idea right!

Well in this box I found some items that blew me away, that he had saved.

Here is a lovely card that my grammie (birth mother's side) sent me in 1984.



She wrote:

Dear Ones - I wanted you to know I was thinking of you this morning as I went about my chores, so I decided to drop a line, and send along the envelope (She sent a self address envelope with a stamp) hoping I might hear how things are going. Also I have heard from ____, she wrote back that she had tried to call you, but no phone. So I guess all I can do is send along her address for correspondence. (A little piece of paper with the address, right here in Texas)

We are all okay - I keep busy with my volunteer work to help feed and clothe needy children. Nana (Her mother) is getting stronger each day since her fall and the hip should be mended so she can go back home (to Maine) the last of April. Grampie is finishing the inside of our new house, just across the highway by the lake here (Florida). None of the eight rents (rental houses) have sold yet, so he is busy as ever. Well, I'll go sew a few more quilt squares = do hope I might hear good news from you.
Our Love, Grammie.

I never received this letter. I'm guessing my parents didn't want me to want to see my birth mother or to know that see was so close to us. I know they were just trying to protect me from her evil ways.


This next one is a postcard, also from grammie in 1976.



She wrote:

Hi (to my daddy),

Was so pleased to hear from you, and happy about your coming marriage, very happy. Saw (new mom's) picture in the paper - she is nice looking. Your folks called on us - left note as we was away darn it. We'd love to have Heather visit us, okay? You and your new wife too if you can, any time.

Hope to see you friday eve, around 6 o'clock - if Heather can come for a week or so. If not please drop us a card.

Our Love, Grammie.

I just thought that was soo cool of her to be so accepting of my dad getting a new wife, especially considering they were my birth mother's parents.

This was a gift I bought for my dad in 1978.



I was lucky enough to have gotten to go to a camp for the summer. I still don't know how my parents managed to come up with the money, but I was thrilled to go.

I remember it was the first time I got to ride an elephant. I have been fascinated with them ever since.

Some how I managed to have some pocket money. Right before it was time to leave, I went to the gift shop and bought this captains wheel (as you can see the spokes have all broken off). I knew daddy would love it! I guess he really did, cause he kept it all these years!


It was so nice that dad gave these things to me. Although it does reveal his hoarding side! LOL! Sometimes a little hoarding can be a good thing or I wouldn't have these little gems.

Spin Cycle: Blogging

What makes my blog breathe? I'm not really sure that it breathes, but it definitely helps me keep breathing, thinking, remembering and it really helps having followers who think my words and life are worth reading.

I have always lived in rural areas as an adult and I like it like that. I like being removed from the city and all its noise. Living in rural areas and not having the latest technology always available or sometimes affordable, I was forced to have a phone with no long distance. Most all calls were long distance, like to family and even some of my friends. I would go months on end (sometimes years) without talking to certain people cause of the cost.

Getting a computer changed all that! Sister J had a myspace and so that was the first place I went. I ran across the blog page and from that moment on I was hooked. I began blogging so my friends and those long distance family members could get a glimpse of my world and of me. (I also found it to be a great way to deal with my spelling issues and to get my typing skills a boost from one finger to four, plus it forced me to remember things) They were also a way to let my long lost brother (that is another post) to get to know me.

My Step daughter #1 (who I call daughter, I hate the word step) had a blogger page, that is how I was introduced to it. After myspace started changing things and became more about games and music, lots of my friends and family switched over to Facebook. I followed suit but didn't like the blogging area on facebook and so I decided to start my own blog here on blogger.

Welch Happenings was born! While exploring my new surroundings, I went to the Blog of Note and found Kathryn (From the inside out) and Nancy (f8hasit). I was looking for some bloggers I could possible relate to and who weren't over or under my head. I know that sounds bad, so here's the thing...they do sometimes go over my head, but not bad enough that I can't follow what they are saying. Like you all know..the dictionary is within arms reach and gets used A LOT! But I like that, it challenges me to learn new words and even sometimes how to spell it.

Anyway..I found and received some very dear friends just from starting with those two amazing gals.

Am I staying on topic, probably not. Another one of my issues! LOL!

I have run across a lot of folks who write because:
It is their passion in life.
They just want to be heard.
They need an outlet from their daily lives.
They want to pursue a career as a writer.
Many, many other reasons.

I write cause..I am afraid that when I am older I wont be able to remember a darn thing! Dementia runs in my family and grammie had it real bad. She couldn't hardy remember anything and now all those fabulous stories are lost forever. I don't want that to happen to me or my family. I want a chronicle (or Journal, if you will) of my life.

Having my wonderful new blogging friend enjoy my stories and daily junk, makes it even better! Love and Hugs to you all!



For more great spins go visit Sprite's Keeper.

A Must See..Amazing!

This story was on the world news yesterday morning.

Hubby and I just sat here watching and cringing with every move, but yet totally blown away by the gumption of this 75 year old grandma!

Go here. Make sure you watch the video, if you can!

Just goes to show, that anything is possible. No matter how old you get.
For some people, NOT me.

That is a broken hip waiting to happen!

I couldn't do that! Could you?

Sneeking a Peek

I was eleven and the Christmas tree was set up and some of the presents where already under the tree. My grandmother had just been to our house (the day before) to drop off the presents from her. My parents weren't home and the kids (siblings) were napping.

I kneel on the floor and look through the presents to find the one with my name on it. I find it and am curious as to why it is so small. It feels light as air, like nothing is in it but paper. Curiosity peeked as bad as "What prize is in the Cracker Jacks?!" I run to the door, look out the peep hole, nobody is coming. I go to the kitchen with the big window and scan the whole area, still nobody is coming. I still have this light as air present in my hands. I knew what I was thinking was wrong and if I got caught I was going to get a whipping. I just couldn't resist the curiosity, it was too strong.

I had seen daddy do this many times, I knew I could do it to. I ever so gently pulled on the tape, trying real hard not to tear the paper. My heart is pounding in my ears, the excitement was giving me a adrenaline rush, but the fear was ALMOST enough to make me stop. I didn't of course. I felt like I was moving in slow motion and breathing was too much noise. I get it peeled off and every so quietly unfold the edge.

It is something green and crocheted. My heart sank, I was so disappointed it wasn't something fun or fashionable, but still I just had to know what my grandmother had thought I would want. Maybe it is a dress for my doll, that would be neat. (Yes, I still played with dolls) My mind went all over the place, trying to think what it could be. I wasn't going to pull it out of the wrapping, for fear that I would never get it back in. Before I could stick to my plan, I was pulling it out!


SLIPPERS! The ugliest things I had even seen! Even the color of the green was sickening. They were two rectangular strips sewn together, they pointed at the toes!


Today, I could kick my eleven year old butt. Not knowing then that that was going to be the last present I ever got from my Grandmother. Not because she was gone. No, we were gone, we moved from Maine to Texas eight months later. I only saw her two times after that, at 18 and again at 25. She passed two years ago at the age of 92.

The point of my story is...Love your family, TODAY! Appreciate their efforts, even if you don't really like it. You never know what the future holds.


Ps...In the writing of this memory, the realization of this being her last present swept over me and of course changed my ending. No, I didn't get caught

This Little Old Lady

My first attempt at poetry, I hope you like it.

I was walking along and what do I see?
This little old lady looking at me.

I try to not make eye contact,
But I couldn't help but look at her back.

Who is she? Do I know her?
I felt a shiver run through my spine, Brrr.

It isn't a very chilly morning, this day.
Why is she just standing there in that way?

Does she need something from me?
My feet inform me, that I must go see.

Two more steps and we are eye to eye.
Her eyes well up and she begins to cry.

I've been waiting for you, my dear!
Did you forget that I was here?

From my blood you are alive.
Remember all I taught you and you will thrive.

I stand there frozen to the ground.
My heart refuses to pump and pound.

Grammie dear, is that really you?
How can that be? Your life is through.

The tears are coming from all the memories.
She touches my face like a gentle breeze.

I close my eyes with our sweet embrace.
My heart finally picks up pace.

She drops her cane, I steady her from falling.
She smiles and says "Now their calling"

I'm always here, just think of me.
I will help you, to better see.

Without a chance to to beg and plead.
She walked away from me.

I suddenly saw a big bright light.
She opened her wings and took to flight.

Be honest, tell me what you think.