I ran into an old school mate of mine today. This couple came into the store and did quite a bit of shopping. They went up one aisle and down the other. I did not know who they were until the wife wrote a check to pay for their purchases. When I saw the name on the check, Billy Ray Henderson, I asked him if he was the Billy Ray that used to go to Dora High. He said yes and had graduated from there in 1959. I told him that he and I had gone to school together. He asked my name and I told him my maiden name. He said he did not recall that name but would go home and look in his yearbooks.

I remember Billy Ray when he first started Dora High in the seventh grade. He had bright red hair cut in a crew cut, blue eyes and a sprinkle of freckles across his nose. He had attended a different elementary school than me but we met up in the seventh grade. Since my name didn't ring a bell with him, I tried to describe myself to him. I said, "You remember! I was the real skinny kid with real dark brown hair." He said, "Look! it will be fifty years next May since we graduated high school. Surely you don't expect me to remember that far back! I will look you up in the year book." We had a good laugh about how short our memories are before he left.

About a month ago one of the girls I went to school with and was really close to when we were in school, came into the store. I recognized her immediately and spoke to her. She looked the same except her hair which was white as snow. She recognized me, too, and we hugged necks right in the middle of Walgreen's. I had not seen her in years. Come to find out, her daughter, Tamara, was one of our cashiers. I had no idea!! Now Linda's granddaughter, Halli, is working at our store as a part time cashier. Small world, isn't it?

One of the funniest memories I have of Linda and me was when we were in the eighth grade. One day Linda had forgotten something that morning that she needed in school. She didn't live more than a mile from the school so she asked if she could go home during her lunch break to get this item. She asked permission for me to go with her. The weather was HOT, HOT, HOT!!! Temperatures in the nineties! We had to hurry because we had less than an hour. We walked to her home and back, perspiration dripping from our faces as we entered the school building. The last thing I remember was sitting down at the table in study hall. When I woke up I was on the floor and everyone was gathered around me. I had fainted dead away! Everything looked sorta hazy at first and all I could see were eyeballs staring down at me. The teacher was bathing my face with a cold wash cloth. I didn't know if I was dead or not. Everything just seemed so surreal, like I was half in this world and half in another. Next thing I knew they were helping me into my chair. Just as I got seated in the chair I heard my mother's voice as she came through the door. " Oh, Honey, are you alright? What happened? I'm going to take you to the doctor!" she said rather loudly. Momma always got hysterical when she thought one of us were sick and this time was no exception. She was trembling all over, wringing her hands and crying. By now I was so embarrassed I could hardly stand it. I just wanted to crawl in a corner somewhere and hide.

I asked Linda if she remembered that little episode and she said she did not. Well, she might not have, but I surely did. Could have been because of the embarrassment of it or maybe I got too close to the pearly gates for comfort. Who knows?

I started to ask Billy Ray if he remembered the day I passed out in study hall but decided not to. Why add insult to injury? He hadn't even remembered my name!

I can't wait until he finds my picture. Bet he'll look at it and ask his wife, "Who is that skinny little kid with the thick black hair? Do I know her? Then he'll probably say, "Oh, yeah! I know who she is! She was the one sprawled out on the floor in study hall that day!"

Maybe I should have just left well enough alone!!

I recently wrote about wishing there was more excitement in my life. You know, good excitement, not the bad kind. Well, the other evening I got off work and headed home. As I came up the road in front of my house, I noticed a white truck blocking half of my driveway. Who in the world could that be I wondered? I pulled in the other half of my drive, the half that wasn't blocked, and noticed a young man looking at the water meters that are in the edge of my back yard. He had his cell phone out making pictures of the meter. "Is anything wrong with my water meter?" I asked. "No, not yours. I'm checking theirs." he said pointing toward the house behind mine. It was plain to see this young man was angry. I saw daggers of fire shooting from his eyes.
Without pausing for a breath he continued , "She got her water bill and it was $180.00. She said there was no way it could have been that much. She just filled her swimming pool up and is just trying to get out of paying her bill, that's what! She's trying to make it look like I'm not doing my job."

The house he pointed to belongs to my brother and his wife. The "she" he was referring to was my sister-in-law, Helen. From what I could gather he was angry because she went to the mayor and demanded that the meter be reread. "Why are you taking pictures of the meter?" I asked. "So I can prove I'm right. She's supposed to meet me here and she better hurry up," he said.

I excused myself in a hurry when he said that and headed in the house. I did not want to be around for the confrontation. I had no more than got in the house and closed my front door, when Helen pulled up. From the sound of their voices I knew there was going to be quite a debate going on in my yard. Later my sister confirmed it. She was sitting on her front porch and heard the whole thing. She said it was a very heated exchange of words going on between them.

I don't know the outcome of the water bill. I don't know who was right or wrong. I really don't believe Helen would have lied about using the water to fill up her pool though. All I know is there was a lot of precious time and energy spent in anger and harsh words that could have been used in a more positive way.

One good thing came out of this though. While she was talking to the mayor she, also, complained that they were not trimming the bushes on the side of the road leading up to our houses and they were scratching her vehicle. The very next morning the city was out here with a bush hog just cutting away. We now have a nice clear road with no bushes hanging over.

Sometimes you have to speak up to get results BUT, YA'LL, THIS WAS NOT THE KIND OF EXCITEMENT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!

Yesterday, July 5th, was my paternal grandparents' 105th wedding anniversary. I am into genealogy and through my research I learned the story of their wedding day. This story was told to me by my mother:

"My grandmother, Nancy Hester Elizabeth "Bettie" Mathis was a single mother of a little girl. She lived in the Rocky Hollow community of Walker County. Times were hard and jobs were scarce in this part of the country, especially for women. She needed work in order to support her little girl, so in the latter part of 1902 or the first part of 1903, she moved to Cordova, Al. in search of work in the cotton mill there. Indian Head Mills had opened in January of 1898 and provided jobs for hundred's of people in the area. She was hired and soon found a place to live. She rented a room from a man named Billy Hicks and his wife, Sis, and moved in.

Billy, along with his parents and siblings had moved to Alabama from Marshall County, Mississippi. His father was originally from the area, and for whatever reason, decided to move his family back to the area. Billy had a brother named George who also worked at the cotton mill. Billy introduced George to my grandmother and she fell madly in love with him.

They soon began to discuss marriage and plans were made for a wedding. Aunt Sis made my grandmother a new dress to be married in. On July 5, 1903, my grandmother Bettie, proudly wearing her new wedding dress, married the handsome young man from Mississippi. They were married by Rev. S.R. Crumpton, M.G. in Cordova, Al.

That union lasted twenty-two and a half years and produced six children, until the death of my grandfather in 1925. My grandmother said she had never loved anyone like she did George and never would. She never remarried, vowing her love for him until her own death in November of 1963.

They are buried side by side at Union Chapel Cemetery never to be parted again.

They were affectionately called Ma Hicks and Pa Hicks by all their grandchildren.



George and Bettie Hicks
Dovie and Liney Circa 1908

What a fun day yesterday was! My brother invited me to spend the fourth with him and his family. I am so glad I did. Earl and Mary have a lovely home and they love to entertain. I especially enjoyed seeing my niece and nephew, Wendy and Alex. It has been quite a while since I've been able to sit down and talk to them.

Earl told me to come early so I would have time to visit before lunch. I arrived about 10:00 AM. Wendy was already at the pool with her little son, Park. He was ready for a good swim. All he needed was an adult to go in the water with him. He was standing at the edge of the pool with his little water wings already on his arms, and the most adorable little green hat to protect him from the sun, you've ever seen. I mean this little boy is ready for action!!

Alex and Michelle were there with their three little daughters, Clara Paige, Maggie and Gracie. They brought a couple of friends
along with their two little sons, Nicholas and Zachary.

These little kids were rarin' to go in the pool. All of them were under six years of age and their squeals of excitement rang thru the air. Their joy was contagious. I sat there happily watching them, as they pranced around the pool, their floats and noodles trailing behind them. Finally the Momma's and Daddy's jumped in the pool and the kids were right behind them. They were ecstatic when their Mimi got in the pool with them.

Rich and Sue, the next door neighbors, rounded out the group for the day. The delicious aroma of bar-b-que filled the air and so did the laughter and chatter of family and friends.

The weather cooperated wonderfully with our celebration. The temperature was in the ninties, but we had a nice shade to sit in, so we were very comfortable.

Lunch was served promptly at 12 noon. Bar-b-que ribs, pork chops and wieners rounded out the meats. Along side that were baked beans, Mary's scrumptious potato salad, sliced tomatoes, green beans, cole slaw and I could go on and on... For desserts there was a chocolate delight pie, brownies and a homemade blackberry pie. Iced tea, Michelle's funky tea, cokes, ice cream and a WHOLE LOT OF FUN rounded out the menu!!

After lunch I was ready for a nap, but no, Earl said he wanted me to come outside and watch the children ride their bikes and so I did. You would think the kids would be tired by now, but not this little group. They put on their helmets and as children often do, they giggled and giggled as they rode their bikes round and round in circles, not having a care in the world.

The day went much to quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to go home. All that was left now was the fireworks. Earl and Mary planned to go to Birmingham to watch Thunder On the Mountain. I opted to come home and watch it on television. As I was sitting in the living room waiting for the fireworks to begin on TV, I kept hearing firecrackers in the neighborhood. I kept looking out the windows in case it turned into a fireworks show. About eight thirty I saw the glimmer of a bright light through my living room window. I went outside, and sure enough, the neighbors just down the road were beginning their light show. It went on and on, the lights never getting over a few feet from the ground, but I thought it was spectacular. I'm glad I was at home to enjoy it.

Mary and Earl, thanks for a wonderful day, allowing me to join in your family celebration. I missed my own children and grandchildren, but thanks for letting me share yours. They are beautiful children and a delight to be around.

I love you all!!!!

Just had to share this photo of my grandson. (Bottom of Page.) He will be fourteen in just over a week from now. He was flag guard at his school, Brookwood Middle, for the past three years and has learned great respect for the flag and what it stands for. He is not ashamed to salute the flag or say the pledge of allegiance.

Recently Jacob began to talk of a career in the military and when I saw this picture his Mom made of him, it frightened me. I saw how quickly he is growing up and in a "short" few years he will be able to make important decisions about his life and career. This time has come much to quickly to suit me. Grandmothers are like that, you know.

A cute story I must share on this subject is about my youngest daughter, Debbie. When she was a little girl, probably about two or three years old, she memorized the pledge of allegiance. She was so proud of her accomplishment that every time she saw a flag, no matter where we were at, she would place her little hand over her heart, and with all the patriotism she could muster, she would recite the pledge.

Her version went like this:

"I pedge 'egence to the fag of the oonited states of Ameryca and to the public fa which it stands, one nation, unda God, inde visiable, wit libety an justis fa all." (Now did ya'll get that?)

Yes, Debbie, we are still pledging allegiance to the flag and will for as long as we have breath. May the flag ever fly freely over this great nation of ours.

Have a wonderful day and be safe.



Jacob Michael