family

I Know Better

/ doubledacres / 3 Comments

You ever just have one of those days? I am an avid fly fisherman and after a few days of above freezing temperatures I decided to do some fly fishing. I spent the night before cleaning fly line and getting tackle ready to go. The Missouri Conservation Department stocks a local lake with trout in November. It is catch and release until February first, at which time you can start keeping your catch if you have a trout stamp.

I pull in to Engler Park where the lake is located, and I see an empty parking lot. Well, this is my first clue. From where you park you really can’t see the lake that well. At least I showed I had a little sense left about me, because I decided to walk down to the lake and see what’s up, before I pulled my gear out. Then I saw the problem. The lake is still covered in ice. No open water to fish. Really! I have fished this lake enough that deep down I knew it would be but yet, here I am.

Being a photographer I always have a camera with me so the trip wouldn’t be a total loss. There is another smaller lake in the park, with an island. I thought I should be able to get some descent pics, so I decided to drive to the other lake. I had never really checked the island out before so now I figured I would take the time to check it out.

What I found was a surprise. The many times I have been here, and I had no idea what inspired the memorial or even that it existed. Very moving! I am glad the lake was frozen over. Thanks to the Farmington, MO Community for their work on this memorial.

Thanks for stopping and visiting. You are deeply appreciated.

In Memory of Kate and Eros

/ doubledacres / 10 Comments

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

Will Roger’s

Some people may not understand how someone could make this statement, but to those of us who have experienced the unconditional love of a dog can understand what he is saying. I consider my dogs family members. They are just pets you say. They grieve, get depressed, and feel pain and happiness just like humans.

Call me crazy if you like, but you won’t find a better listener and they lift us up when we are down. Maybe I am getting senile, but I agree with Will Rogers.

In November of 2019 and January of 2020, I lost two of my best friends to cancer. I miss them dearly. I write this in memory of Eros and Kate.

Another Family Reunion in the Books

/ doubledacres / 8 Comments

“The memories we make with our family is everything.” – Candace Cameron Bure

It’s official another White family reunion is under our belts. All my dad’s brothers and sisters, that are still with is we’re there. Lots of great food and trips down memory lane.

I went to the cemetery to visit the graves of family members. As I stood there I thought back to when I was a child and the Decoration Day’s of the past. Now off to visit my grandparents old farm.

As I stood there in front of my grandparents house my mind began a journey back in time. An image of the house of yesterday began emerging and the house that used to be filled with love and life was once again before me. Much different than the house that was void of both in present time.

I saw my grandpa working the truck patch with his old mule Mike. Grandma was planting marigolds in the soil he had ready for planting. She was wearing her sun bonnet and her apron was covering the dress she wore. She always said the marigolds would keep bugs out of the rest of the garden.

Then the vision of us sitting in the porch swings waiting to take our turn at cranking the handle on the ice cream maker appeared so vividly before me. It was so real I could taste it.

I revisited the Christmas celebrations that happened within the walls of the old house. I remembered sleeping in the unheated bedroom snuggled in the warmth of the featherbed with a hundred pounds of quilts covering me. I would be awakened by the aroma of fresh made coffee and the unforgettable smell of bacon frying and homemade biscuits baking. I would jump out of bed and run into the living room and stand next to the wood stove to get warm.

Life was so simple then. The only technology in the house was the rabbit ear antenna wrapped in aluminum foil to help television reception.

The old outhouse was gone. Grandma had an old tom turkey who would always lay in waiting until I made my morning visit to the outhouse and he would chase me until I reached the safety of the outhouse. As I stood there I caught myself looking over my shoulder making sure the old tom wasn’t stalking me.

The old barn is gone but my grandpa’s pond was still there overgrown with brush. All the grandkids had fished in that pond at one time or another.

The trip down memory lane was so refreshing but the real world is starting to creep back into my mind. Time to go…………..

During your celebration of Memorial Day please take the time to remember those who gave all.

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