After my Father passed away we were left to wonder what would happen to us, where would we live, how would we survive?
When you are tenant farmers, you live on someone else's land so we finished the crop that Daddy had started with the help of many people. The song, "With A Little Help From My Friends" was never more true than that year and the next few.Farming we soon discovered was not so easy without years of experience and my Daddy had that which I am told made him an excellent tobacco farmer; he was so good I am told that he won awards from the County and the State. Rufus Junior and Jimmy tried very hard and we finished that year and I was supposed to help because after all I was ten! The three of us went out to weed the corn crop and there I was with my well sharpenend hoe trudging along with my big brothers. Now the corn rows were long and it was HOT! I made it about half way down the first row and they are about three quarters away from me and I was so hot and so tired that I decided I needed help or something so I thought that I would bring them back to me. I came up with this bright idea, Snake I yelled as loud as I could and they came running only there was no snake; boy did I catch it from both of them. "Get back to work" is what I got from them and they went WAY back up the row and I was left to catch up so I hoed for another couple of hills and guess what? a huge black snake wrapped around a corn stalk!
I started screaming SNAKE, SNAKE and they yelled back, "that is not going to work this time" so I starting crying and screaming and finally Jimmy said, "Rufus I think she might be telling the truth this time" so here they came to my rescue. My Heros! I was told to stop crying and get my behind back to the house so off I ran to tell Mama of my escapade; she was not amused! "That will teach you to tell a lie" is what she said and left me to think about what I had put my two brothers through that day.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Dreaded Flu!
You wash your hands often, you keep sanitizer on your desk and lysol in the drawer to spray when people leave and you take the Flu Shot; what happens? you get the Flu!
What a crappy night I had last night; headache, stomach issues, chills and thirst. Today, same problems and dizziness has now crept into the mix. I have not had coffe today so you know I am sick!
Hot tea earlier with lemon and honey and OJ and water.
Why can't people that are sick stay away from others? Do they say to themselves, "let's go to Leda's office and sneeze and cough on her today?" yes and then, they talk about you not being there, give me a break!
Well, I have opened up the blinds to let the sunshine in hoping it will make me feel better. I hope you have enjoyed my story of the dreaded Flu!
What a crappy night I had last night; headache, stomach issues, chills and thirst. Today, same problems and dizziness has now crept into the mix. I have not had coffe today so you know I am sick!
Hot tea earlier with lemon and honey and OJ and water.
Why can't people that are sick stay away from others? Do they say to themselves, "let's go to Leda's office and sneeze and cough on her today?" yes and then, they talk about you not being there, give me a break!
Well, I have opened up the blinds to let the sunshine in hoping it will make me feel better. I hope you have enjoyed my story of the dreaded Flu!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
What Might have Been (continues)
From a loyal reader of the blog. she asked me to expound on my Father! here is more of my Daddy:
I so loved my Daddy! I have been told by others that he was mean when he was drinking but I don't remember any of that, just his fun loving way with us smaller children.
We grew tobacco on the farm where we lived and once it was harvested and placed in the barns to cure; it had to be watched so the men and older boys took turns. I always wanted to help with the tobacco but I was told to "stay out of the way", I didn't listen. When I was seven, I wanted to loop the tobacco on the stick and I twisted my neck so bad I was screaming in pain. My Daddy had to leave the field and take me to the Doctor; he was not happy with me about not listening but once in the car, he was kind and loving.
At another time, I begged and cried for my Mama to let me go to the barns at night with Daddy and her brother, My Uncle Lon. She always said no but after begging and asking Daddy she said okay; I was so excited because I knew they were going to have fun! They did of course have some "moonshine" and they were doing their job but laughing, singing and once they even danced a little jig! I asked if I could taste the drink and my Uncle Lon said to my Daddy, "Ruf. you better not give her that or Lizzie will be mad!" Lizzie was my Mama! I swore I would not tell so he poured some in a lid and let me sip it; oh my what an awful taste! I never wanted to do that again.
That night as we lay on the pallettes made on the tobacco trucks, they starting talking about the flying horse they were seeing and how beautiful and white it was so I looked and looked for that horse until I was told that "you could only see it if you had more of the drink", I decided I did not care about that old flying horse.
My Daddy; as I said earlier passed away just before my tenth birthday. I was so much in shock that morning in August. As usual it was very hot even at 6 or 7 AM, can't remember now. Mama woke us to say that Daddy would not wake up. My little Brother Jerry was lying in the "crook" of his arm so she reached over and picked him up and I guess she laid him on another bed. She said that someone needed to go and call Annie and Punch; our Sister and Brother in law.
We did not have a phone and the nearest one was about three blocks away (on a country highway) at the Brock Country Store. I was told to go and in my shock and haste, I ran all the way there in my petticoat (or slip as we called it). I yelled for the Brock Sisters and told them what happened and while one called my Sister, the other one drove me back home. It was a sad day at the Carters.
I so loved my Daddy! I have been told by others that he was mean when he was drinking but I don't remember any of that, just his fun loving way with us smaller children.
We grew tobacco on the farm where we lived and once it was harvested and placed in the barns to cure; it had to be watched so the men and older boys took turns. I always wanted to help with the tobacco but I was told to "stay out of the way", I didn't listen. When I was seven, I wanted to loop the tobacco on the stick and I twisted my neck so bad I was screaming in pain. My Daddy had to leave the field and take me to the Doctor; he was not happy with me about not listening but once in the car, he was kind and loving.
At another time, I begged and cried for my Mama to let me go to the barns at night with Daddy and her brother, My Uncle Lon. She always said no but after begging and asking Daddy she said okay; I was so excited because I knew they were going to have fun! They did of course have some "moonshine" and they were doing their job but laughing, singing and once they even danced a little jig! I asked if I could taste the drink and my Uncle Lon said to my Daddy, "Ruf. you better not give her that or Lizzie will be mad!" Lizzie was my Mama! I swore I would not tell so he poured some in a lid and let me sip it; oh my what an awful taste! I never wanted to do that again.
That night as we lay on the pallettes made on the tobacco trucks, they starting talking about the flying horse they were seeing and how beautiful and white it was so I looked and looked for that horse until I was told that "you could only see it if you had more of the drink", I decided I did not care about that old flying horse.
My Daddy; as I said earlier passed away just before my tenth birthday. I was so much in shock that morning in August. As usual it was very hot even at 6 or 7 AM, can't remember now. Mama woke us to say that Daddy would not wake up. My little Brother Jerry was lying in the "crook" of his arm so she reached over and picked him up and I guess she laid him on another bed. She said that someone needed to go and call Annie and Punch; our Sister and Brother in law.
We did not have a phone and the nearest one was about three blocks away (on a country highway) at the Brock Country Store. I was told to go and in my shock and haste, I ran all the way there in my petticoat (or slip as we called it). I yelled for the Brock Sisters and told them what happened and while one called my Sister, the other one drove me back home. It was a sad day at the Carters.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
What Might have Been, new section
As promised, here is a couple of paragraphs from my novel:
I was born in the rural South, daughter of a tenant farmer with seven Brothers and three Sisters. We were poor but we had food, clothes and love. I know my Mother loved us all and I know my Daddy loved me as well. My life was happy, as I remember; until a month before my tenth birthday and I lost my Daddy; he was 49 years of age. My Mother was left with 5 children at home, the youngest was going to be four that month, August. We were tenant farmers which meant we had to take care of the land or we had no place to live, what were we going to do?
My Mother was a very religious woman so we were made to go to Church even if we did not want to but the good thing was the Music! I listened, I clapped my hands and I tried to be happy at Church. My Uncle Bill, my Mother's Brother played an old accoustic guitar at Church and had heard me sing so one day he told me,"If you sing, they will probably give you money" so that is when I learned I could be paid for doing what I loved;Singing! (Forgive me Lord for that transgression) After that, I knew what I was going to do some day, I was going to Sing as a Professional! I did not know how hard that road would be to travel-------
I was born in the rural South, daughter of a tenant farmer with seven Brothers and three Sisters. We were poor but we had food, clothes and love. I know my Mother loved us all and I know my Daddy loved me as well. My life was happy, as I remember; until a month before my tenth birthday and I lost my Daddy; he was 49 years of age. My Mother was left with 5 children at home, the youngest was going to be four that month, August. We were tenant farmers which meant we had to take care of the land or we had no place to live, what were we going to do?
My Mother was a very religious woman so we were made to go to Church even if we did not want to but the good thing was the Music! I listened, I clapped my hands and I tried to be happy at Church. My Uncle Bill, my Mother's Brother played an old accoustic guitar at Church and had heard me sing so one day he told me,"If you sing, they will probably give you money" so that is when I learned I could be paid for doing what I loved;Singing! (Forgive me Lord for that transgression) After that, I knew what I was going to do some day, I was going to Sing as a Professional! I did not know how hard that road would be to travel-------
Saturday, January 22, 2011
BRRRRR!
Well it is a brisk, chilly, darn right cold morning here in Raleigh! a few snow flakes falling but mostly just too cold to actually snow.
It is a good day to stay in, write more on my book and recipes and finish up a few craft projects. A good filling and satisfying breakfast gives you energy that you were not aware of before. I had scrambled eggs with pancetta and cheddar cheese, cinnamon toast with tangerine jam and great coffee! Yum!
I need to get dressed, go out and feed the birds and then back inside to put on a pot of beef burgundy for dinner with a spinach salad and a nice glass of wine.
I hope all of you stay warm today wherever you are and enjoy some quiet private time, either alone or with that special someone.
It is a good day to stay in, write more on my book and recipes and finish up a few craft projects. A good filling and satisfying breakfast gives you energy that you were not aware of before. I had scrambled eggs with pancetta and cheddar cheese, cinnamon toast with tangerine jam and great coffee! Yum!
I need to get dressed, go out and feed the birds and then back inside to put on a pot of beef burgundy for dinner with a spinach salad and a nice glass of wine.
I hope all of you stay warm today wherever you are and enjoy some quiet private time, either alone or with that special someone.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What Might have been!
As a child I always heard music in my head, at Church and in the local neighborhood where we lived. It was something beautiful with colors and shapes to match the sounds I heard. I wanted to know how it was done so I began to listen more carefully and then I discovered a secret place; right there, next door and it took me to places I wanted to go and to this day, it is still there in my mind and in my heart; the Music!
So you wonder, how did I get there? from that old country house with the church next door; to Nashville, Tennessee; let me tell you it was a hard road to hoe, roadblocks at every turn. But let's go back to the beginning.
I was born in rural North Carolina on a crisp fall day, the ninth of eleven children to a farmer who loved music and dance and a mother who loved God, church and family.
(An excerpt from my book, What Might have Been)
So you wonder, how did I get there? from that old country house with the church next door; to Nashville, Tennessee; let me tell you it was a hard road to hoe, roadblocks at every turn. But let's go back to the beginning.
I was born in rural North Carolina on a crisp fall day, the ninth of eleven children to a farmer who loved music and dance and a mother who loved God, church and family.
(An excerpt from my book, What Might have Been)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Book Excerpt
An excerpt from my book will be posted this week on the blog! All comments and feedback is requested so I can see if I want to follow up with more postings.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Feel Good Tea!
Last night here in Raleigh with all of the hype about snow and ice and the COLD (Brrrr) I needed something to really warm me up and make me feel good; that was a Green Chai Tea Latte; wow did it ever do the trick!
Start with liquid green chai, steam milk and half & half (equal to tea), add a dash of almond flavor and cinnamon! For more richness, you can add whipped cream and top with cinnamon. This also makes a fabulous shake!
Come on try one!
Start with liquid green chai, steam milk and half & half (equal to tea), add a dash of almond flavor and cinnamon! For more richness, you can add whipped cream and top with cinnamon. This also makes a fabulous shake!
Come on try one!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My Coffee!
I have the best coffee ever! I have introduced it to family, friends and co-workers with rave reviews so if you want to know more, just send me a message or comment as a follower and I will be happy to help you. I plan on offering this to the public soon but it is only a temporary measure for now!
Recipes for the best coffee drinks can also be given.
Have a cup!
Recipes for the best coffee drinks can also be given.
Have a cup!
An Unsuspecting World
While we all consider ourselves to be free and able to do whatever we can to live a successful, happy life; I am not so sure all of that is true anymore.
I think that as a nation, we do not suspect some of the things that life throws at us when in reality, we should. We are all human and we all make mistakes but there are those that know that in advance and they "play" on us because we don't expect it so what do we do? Do we live to check out every one that we come in contact with before we become friends, give our hearts or take a position to earn our livelihood?
I say that there comes a time when we have to believe in people again. We have to believe that if someone wants to be our friend, give it a try; if someone tells us they love us and want a relationship; why not? I am not saying that we trust everyone and everything; I am saying that we learn to listen to our head and our hearts. We are not stupid, so we do not have to allow people to play us, use us or trick us but we do have to keep our wits about us if we want to have what life has to offer.
I want friends (I think I have a few), I want love (my children and grandchildren love me) but I want more; I want it all! I want to work, play,live and love and I can do that if I just keep my head out of the clouds, in an unsuspecting world!
I think that as a nation, we do not suspect some of the things that life throws at us when in reality, we should. We are all human and we all make mistakes but there are those that know that in advance and they "play" on us because we don't expect it so what do we do? Do we live to check out every one that we come in contact with before we become friends, give our hearts or take a position to earn our livelihood?
I say that there comes a time when we have to believe in people again. We have to believe that if someone wants to be our friend, give it a try; if someone tells us they love us and want a relationship; why not? I am not saying that we trust everyone and everything; I am saying that we learn to listen to our head and our hearts. We are not stupid, so we do not have to allow people to play us, use us or trick us but we do have to keep our wits about us if we want to have what life has to offer.
I want friends (I think I have a few), I want love (my children and grandchildren love me) but I want more; I want it all! I want to work, play,live and love and I can do that if I just keep my head out of the clouds, in an unsuspecting world!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Coffee Bliss on a Chilly Night!
I made a fantastic nightcap of flavor tonight!
Some of the best Espresso was added to a little milk, heavy cream and brought to a medium heat
I added some Bailey's (just enough to make me mellow) and then I poured it into a beautiful Latte cup and topped with a big dollop of whip cream that I had made from scratch and added some great vanilla and cinnamon!
Yummy is not describable enough! Come on try one!
Use the best Espresso and if you don't know where to get it from; ask me!
Enjoy anytime!
Some of the best Espresso was added to a little milk, heavy cream and brought to a medium heat
I added some Bailey's (just enough to make me mellow) and then I poured it into a beautiful Latte cup and topped with a big dollop of whip cream that I had made from scratch and added some great vanilla and cinnamon!
Yummy is not describable enough! Come on try one!
Use the best Espresso and if you don't know where to get it from; ask me!
Enjoy anytime!
Winter in Raleigh, North Carolina
When you think of the South, you think of warm, balmy days and starry nights even in Winter but that is not what you always get. This Winter has been a little rough since the Winter Solstice began here in central NC. A few scattered warm days that lulled you into thinking, "wow, this is great for December" but that was not the case. It has been very cold a lot of December, 2010 and the New Year has not been too much better. Yes, we have been luckier than most of the Country but then we are in the South!
A Winter storm cripples this part of the Country and for those of us that have lived in other parts of this great United States, we feel that we could all handle the driving and the road conditions "if it wasn't for those Southerners who don't know what the heck they're doing". Come on now Snow Birds, be nice.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know we may have a little blustery weather tonight and into tomorrow but next week; watch out !, because we will once again be bombarded and we will have to contend with all those Yankees who think they know how to drive in it better than us Confederates!
Happy Driving and stay warm, ya'll!
A Winter storm cripples this part of the Country and for those of us that have lived in other parts of this great United States, we feel that we could all handle the driving and the road conditions "if it wasn't for those Southerners who don't know what the heck they're doing". Come on now Snow Birds, be nice.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know we may have a little blustery weather tonight and into tomorrow but next week; watch out !, because we will once again be bombarded and we will have to contend with all those Yankees who think they know how to drive in it better than us Confederates!
Happy Driving and stay warm, ya'll!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Another Day in Leda's World
Happy New Year to everyone! I wish all of you a glorious, prosperous, fun-filled year with love, happiness, prosperity, joy and peace. We must take love where we find it and hold onto it with both hands but only if it is the right love. You will know in your heart when that happens but don't hold onto someone just to have "someone" because you will be the one who ends up alone and hurting. Make a committment and if they can't and you know they are the right person, you still need to let go and move on.
Well now that the philosophy session is over:
It was an okay day at work, not a lot of issues but a lot of thoughts for my book that I am working on and I promise you that I will place a chapter on here within the next few weeks so stay tuned for that. I will also be adding an audio clip so you can hear me sing for those that have and those that have not.
I am looking forward to seeing Loretta Lynn next month and am sure I will enjoy that as always. I plan on a trip to Florida and to Michigan in the coming year but I will keep you posted.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
Well now that the philosophy session is over:
It was an okay day at work, not a lot of issues but a lot of thoughts for my book that I am working on and I promise you that I will place a chapter on here within the next few weeks so stay tuned for that. I will also be adding an audio clip so you can hear me sing for those that have and those that have not.
I am looking forward to seeing Loretta Lynn next month and am sure I will enjoy that as always. I plan on a trip to Florida and to Michigan in the coming year but I will keep you posted.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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