At my grandparents home, there were several out buildings. There was the main house, two bedrooms, and one bath. One bedroom was just big enough for a twin bed. There was a small kitchen with an added on dining area and a small living room. Outside was the dirt lined storm cellar where my grandmother kept her canning.

My grandfather, Hugh Robert Etter and his "brother" Spud.

Behind the main house was what we called the little house if there could be anything littler than the main house. Well, it was. It was two rooms and a tiny bath and closet. One room housed the kitchen and a small dining area. The other room was where the bed and living room were. The only thing is it was barely big enough for a bed. Anyway, the little house is where my grandparents housed people with needs, and then later my parents lived there and then my brother and me for a short time.

The little house getting spruced up for helping others. My grandmother, Lucy May Etter, my mother, Lorena Zoe Etter, Mary Lou (Spud's sister and Bertram Etter's children, Virginia Etter, and ???

On the south side of the little house was the washroom. It was no bigger than a small closet. It always smelled of laundry detergent. There was a square sheet metal tub with a spigot over it and a rubber hose piece draining from it under the floor, aka drain.

Behind the little house were the barracks. It was an old army barrack building that was moved in, and I know that my grandparents helped many an alcoholic in the front two rooms of that structure.

Off to the south of the barracks was the hen house. The hen house was semi-connected to the shop. The shop was the best-built structure on the property other than that big old tree that sat in the middle of it all.

My Cranny (Lucy May Etter) walking from the shop.

The shop is where Hugh R. Etter Electric ran their business. You could find everything from my grandfather's early artificial limbs hanging from the rafters to deer heads mounted on the walls. There were light fixtures and motor parts. There were grease spots on the floor and a grease can on the work bench and a set of solid oak bins that came from the first grocery store in Plainview. In the bin drawers were my grandfather's and his brother Bertram's early books and in other drawers, electrical parts and pieces.

High up above were the rafters. As we got older, we were allowed to climb up top and play there. There was no floor to speak of, only huge rafter structure boards. An area of about 8 x 8 foot had some loose plywood laid out over them. A few things were stored there. I can remember being perched up there and watching people below.

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire. My cousin, Janis and I were sitting up on the rafter area and for some reason, we had a book of matches. I'm sure it was my fault, even if it wasn't me, but someone struck a match and caught a box of straw packing material on fire. Of course, we could take care of it. Quickly we were down the ladder and headed to the wash house to get cups of water. We used the cups that our grandmother used to pour her detergents into the washer. We filled them with water and rushed up and down, and up and down that tall ladder trying to put that little fire out. My grandfather, Bo, as we called him, hollered out Suzy and Pete, What are you girls up to? When we told him our little problem, he called Cranny (our grandmother) on the phone from the shop that would ring over to the house and yelled, CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Since most of the time he wore knee pads and walked on his knees, this is how he was that day. He rushed as fast as his knee pads would allow to the hose on the house and we helped uncoil it, and he sprayed that fire out. The firemen came with their siren a blarin' and caused a neighborhood scene. The fire was out. Thank goodness. No real damage to anything. I don't ever remember going up on the rafters again until I was an adult.

Psalm 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life...

Fresh Find: Love this bed!

The truth is... 

As a very young and little girl, I would let myself into the neighbors house (no one locked their doors) and I would climb up on their kitchen counter to sit and wait for them to get breakfast ready. I would be sitting there when they got up. 

I did eat mudpies with Leah under their big tree.

I did smoke cigarettes for about an hour with my friend Debby in her playhouse. Knock, knock, nothing, we aren't doing anything, as smoke billowed out the window. We were pre-teens at most. Neither of us smoked again.

I did chase Debby (my dearest friend since age 2) up to her house telling her I was going to tell her mother what she said. I was teasing. I stopped and stepped back. She went through the glass door. Fortunately, she only had a minor cut.

We did sit in Mr. Howell's Cherry trees all afternoon and eat cherries then spit the seeds on the ground.

I did stab Skeeter in the hand with a broken blade pocket knife. Our parents were playing some game in the kitchen. We were in the garage. I don't remember the circumstances. I jumped off the ladder, and it caught the fatty part of his hand. I tried to fix it up with a band-aid, but we had to tell the parentals. I have apologized several times for this.

I did take something (don't remember what) from the 5 and dime. My brother walked me back to return it. I learned from that.

We did walk to the Plainview Country Club every day, all summer long. We would slather on that baby oil mixed with Iodine.

I did get a spanking from a Plainview police officer. My cousin and I walked across town from my grandparents home on Nassau Street to my home on Irene Street to get some money from my mother's purse to go to Mrs. Breland's. It got dark, and we were missing. Just as we got to our house, the lights moved across the walls. Ruh-oh! We were put in the police car to ride back to Nassau Street and then, the spanking. Only I got a spanking, not the cousin.

I did sharpen a white Crayola in the pencil sharpener in first grade and got a spanking.

I did wet my pants in 1st grade because I told the teacher I needed to go. Sweet Mr. Chumrey was so nice. Next time she let me go when I said I needed to go.

I did wear grass green patent Mary Janes in junior high. What was I thinking?

I did get a paddle hit in high school. I think it was because I said I could take it.

I did drink alcohol one time. Threw up on my mother's new white carpet. My choice made my dad sad and I never did that again.

The list could go on and on. I know, I know, you all thought I was perfect!!! I look back on my school days and just smile. Honestly, I was a very good girl. In those days, we had the freedom not to lock our doors. I came home every day with no need for a key. We would leave the doors open at night for circulation, walking all over town; the days when life seemed safer and simpler. 

It is by the grace of God that I am who I am today. He certainly carried me with a hedge of protection through those years. He placed special friends and relatives in our lives to help my parents, who both worked full time, to help raise me. My grandparents, Lucy & Hugh Etter, friends, Mom-rie (Marie) and Delmar Duncan, Nan & Bill Ballinger, to name a few. He still provides for and protects me. Discovering that I am wired with an Aspergers operating system, I have a much better understanding of my early life struggles and the patience of those who loved and do love me.

All my sins are forgiven. 

Psalm 86:5 “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”

My biggest partner in crime (only she was mostly very good). What a sweet friend.

Fresh Find: Cute boots!

Here is Clinton in his First Baptist Church youth choir uniform. Sweet, huh? I think I may have made the vest for him??? Who is that little photo-bomber? Well, that would be Kathy, the youngest of the four siblings.

This would be on Jefferson Street. I did not realize there were no houses across the street then??? Hmmm, vewy interesting.

Fresh Find: Hold on to your toboggan in tomorrow's wind. I like these colors!

For 43 years I have had a relationship with the Wall family. I always said that Peggy and I were soul sisters. There are so many very personal things that she shared with me over the years, her hurts, pains, disappointments and joys. So much of my good, I learned from her, too. I heard last night a statement that I find very true. We grieve not because of the loss of the loved one to their Eternal home, but the loss of fellowship with them here. 

As I have looked through the pictures, I have been reminded of the importance of the lives that have gone before us and the way they pave for us. The road is not always easy, but it is necessary to connect the past with the future. It is important that God is the foundation of one generational stone to the other.

 I can remember looking at TC Wall when Clinton and I first started dating and thinking that if Clinton grew up like him, then everything would be okay. In looking at this picture, I am reminded that they do look so much alike. Their quiet personalities are similar. Where they differ is TC would work 24/7 if he could. He is still going strong in his 80s!

TC Wall and Elbert Garrett Wall look out over the land. 

As far as I recall, I was only at the Glasgow home in Temple, Oklahoma, one time. This is how I remember it. I love this picture of Peggy Joyce Glasgow (Wall) outside the Glasgow home.

I love this picture of Jonci with their Great Dane, Leviathan. She is the dog whisperer.

Fresh Find: A fun wristlet for when less is best.

"The good leaves will cover the torn leaves; the torn leaves will cover the shredded."   Vietnamese Saying

I'm not sure how this movie came into my spirit mind today. Oh, yes, the Holy Spirit brought it there, but where I knew it existed from my day, I am clueless. 

Rewind to many years ago, almost 40 years, a beautiful family from Vietnam was delivered to Plainview by God. Amidst the ending of the most confusing war in the history of my mind, they sought freedom. They had a dream. They were labeled "boat people." The children especially sat in a squatted position for a long time. They were highly intelligent and honored to be in America. They took advantage of all they could learn to create a better life for themselves. The school district and the children taught themselves the English language. They studied day and night in those first months, maybe the first year. 

They were so appreciative to First Baptist Church and the many local families that helped them in any way. They were so giving even creating a beautiful white hooded blanket for our new daughter. They delivered Vietnamese foods on many occasions. They are beautiful people.

Their war-ravaged country was torn apart, lives lost and the landscape covered with Agent Orange. 

Now, fast forward to today and the movie, Thao's Library. The movie is about two American girls, sisters. One sister breaks a world record by being the youngest, 11, female pilot to make a transcontinental flight. Somewhere her accomplishments turn to tragedy, and she takes her life.

Her older sister, Elizabeth struggles with her loss and trying to understand the why and live with the guilt of what could have been, finds herself drawn to a picture of a Vietnamese young woman who was damaged from Agent Orange but lives her life with passion for teaching children and providing a library for them in her village. She had a dream, a gigantic one.

Elizabeth reaches out to Thao and travels to visit her with a suitcase of books. A beautiful friendship develops, and the promise of a new library for Thao is planned.

The beautiful Vietnamese countryside is breathtaking. The simplicity of the lives lived there reminds me that we are traveling way to fast and missing so much of God's beauty here in America.

The two woman find healing through the love found in helping one another.

It isn't by chance that our friends ended up in Plainview, Texas. It isn't by chance that Elizabeth found Thao and Thao found Elizabeth. It was not by chance that this movie came into my life today. The Holy Spirit is at work with the Director of everything good, God the Creator of all.

This quote, "The good leaves will cover the torn leaves; the torn leaves will cover the shredded," used at the beginning of the film reminds us that even though we may have little, there are those with less that we can help. One act of kindness is covered by another that is covered by another.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

(P.S.  It was not by chance that the Wall family moved to Plainview from Oklahoma, either! Here is a sweet picture of Clinton playing some baseball)

Fresh Find: How fun to wear flowers in a sweet vase on a necklace!

Okay, you may get tired of the Wall family pictures, and I promise I won't share them all, but this one is a classic. 

I sure wish we had that car! I do like Clinton's letter jacket and how about those shoes!!!

Fresh Find: Cute dress!

They can be considered vintage!

A great picture of the TC Wall family, circa 1969. This is just before they moved from Temple, Oklahoma to Plainview, Texas. It is hard to believe that I have known them for about 45 years. Blessed.

And, then there is a picture like this that should have gotten lost somewhere in time! Because I know you need a laugh today AND I want to help you attain it...

Fresh Find: A fun Texas Tech storage box!

I am elated to have Peggy's family pictures to add to our ancestry information. It will take time, but to have them available is priceless. It brought tears to see pictures of Clinton when he was a young boy. We only had a few of him. There were just a few pictures of Peggy that I had never seen. This one, I love!

Her picture may have been taken about this time or a little before TC's military service.

This was a fun picture to find that we did not have. Christmas 1973-ish.

I am thankful to get the opportunity to view the pictures.

Fresh Find: Beautiful patchwork chair! A statement piece!!!

I can talk about addiction. God has given me a journey that includes growth in faith from it. I do not have an addiction unless you consider overdosing on Oreo Thins. Yes, sugar would be an addiction. I might have a picture taking addiction or a Facebook addiction, too. I acknowledge them.

In the picture below is my grandfather, Hugh Robert Etter. He had an alcohol and a nicotine addiction. He overcame his alcohol addiction and was over 60 years sober and helped many others find their days of sobriety. He lost his legs below the knees and most of his fingers from a freezing cold accident that was mixed with alcohol abuse. How tragic. Addictions and life do not mix. Praise God for the overcomers.

He gave up cigarettes for pipes.

He was a great man who was an overcomer. I am me because of him and all that he taught me in word and deed. He died 25 years ago on October 31, 1991. I had 36 years to learn from the man I called, "Bo."

In February 2016, We will have a sweet "Bo"-peep little sister. Excited! May she grow strong in the Lord!!!

Fresh Find: Cute dot rain boot!