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Almost Elvis’s Birthday
We spent two days in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area to celebrate our wedding anniversary, St. Joan of Arc’s birthday, and my birthday, and we had a very relaxing time. Except for the extraordinary amount of walking and climbing we did. We spent too much and ate too much, but we enjoyed ourselves. By the time we arrived back home on Friday, we were all stove up and ready for a nap. Once we got the dogs settled in and the bags unpacked and put away, that’s just what we did. Sprawled out in recliner and on couch, with dogs piled up on us, and we got some good catchup sleep.…
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Days Upon Days
The temperatures are so very mild here now…about 72F , sunny and mild, with rock-bottom humidity. The sensitive antennae of my bones tell me that winter will approach with more speed than I had anticipated. Mrs. Orr and I were talking recently about how we used to dread the hot weather — because in Texas, that’s really all we had — and how we welcomed the fall and winter months. Not no more, ese! The cold has an effect that it didn’t in our salad days, so there is a novel sense of dread now with the shifting sun patterns and the almost-chilly breeze. I am watching the hummingbirds closely,…
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The Thirteenth of August
Today would have been her 103rd birthday, and her absence these nine years has left a divot on my life’s surface. I miss her, and I am glad she isn’t here to see what has become of her country and her region. Seeing such ugliness would have grieved her tough, hidden old heart. Her middle name was Viola, which she hated. I always loved it, thinking it had a Southern literary lilt to it, like Eudora or Flannary, and I would sometimes address her by it, which enraged her. “Viola,” I’d say, “Reckon what it would take to get you to make me some bacon for supper?” And she would…
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7 October
We haven’t seen many bluebirds at all this year at the farm, but this evening, my wife called me to the window to watch a large group of them taking turns at the birdbath in the front garden. Gorgeous creatures, blue and orange, splashing and playing their bird games. It was God’s gift to my wife, whose birthday we celebrated today. I played hooky from work and we went on a jaunt, ate lunch at one of our favorite little hideaways, did some browsing, then came home and rested. Happy Birthday to my beloved wife, my best friend and the best human being I’ve ever known. I’m so glad you’re…
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Last Sunday of the Summer
We spent yesterday down in North Carolina, starting out at an apple orchard we’ve visited a couple of years back. At that time, we took some of the grandkids with us and had quite the tiring day, hiking the orchards and picking our own apples. Just the two of us this year, and we opted for a less strenuous agenda. When we arrived, we got in line for the bakery. Priorities, dontchaknow. The line was long, but from the time we joined the queue until we paid for our purchases, we spent only 30 minutes. The day was warm but pleasant, and it was an enjoyable half-hour. We were mindful…
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September Morn
Today is, as near as we have been able to figure, Jinx and Bluebelle’s third birthday. When I walked out of the bedroom this morning the spotted twins were waiting for me. I sat down and they jumped all over me, greeting me. And JInx, predictably, scratched me with one of his ragged claws in his exuberance. I was grateful that he got me in the beard-covered area of my chin; the swipe drew blood. But it was okay. It’s the heeler twins’ birthday, but they are gifts to us. So Happy Birthday, you wild, rambunctious rumpus-makers. We’re so glad you’re here with us. ~ S.K. Orr
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Happy Birthday, Mrs. Orr
Happy Birthday to the love of my life, who is the best and kindest and most virtuous human being I have ever known. The two of us spent the day doing exactly what we wanted, and it was fine. I even got some country ham out of the deal… As the day ends, I am aware of all that I have, of all that has been given me. I love you, Mrs. Orr. Happy Birthday to my little Texas girl. ~ S.K. Orr
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Century Plus
My mother was born one hundred and one years ago today, in the shadow of a small mountain. Tough, taciturn, and tortured woman that she was, she never did anything the world would call notable, but she did something that impressed me. She endured. My sister and I were discussing Mother this morning. We agreed that we’re glad she’s no longer in this world, that she’s not here to see what has become of the country she loved. It would have grieved her beyond measure to see the horror show called American life today. I comfort myself with the hope that I’ll see her again someday, on the other side…
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Happy Birthday, Nanny
You would have been one hundred and twenty one years old. You and your ways are as clear in my memory as creek water and pebbles scooped up and held in my hand. And I love you, Nanny. I will see you in Heaven someday. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Happy Birthday to Kristian, also. ~ S.K. Orr
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Thursday In Holy Week
It’s a shame that we’re going to have some snow today, along with freezing temperatures the next two nights. The blooms and blossoms around our little farm are particularly zestful right now, with the peach trees, dogwood, redbud, forsythia, pear trees, daffodils, and various bulbs all in full glory. It would have been a spectacular Easter Sunday morning, but will probably be somewhat muted. Ah, well. The good Lord knows what He’s doing. Today marks what would have been the 100th birthday of my wife’s beloved father. Pawpaw was a remarkable person, a self-made man in every sense of the term. Forced to leave school at age eight in order…