Hometown Monday - Sheila first meets Donnie and Christopher

Hometown Monday

Sheila first meets Donnie and Christopher

[Sheila drove a convertible like this up from Mississippi]

This is the second of an expected irregular series of posts of excerpts from the novels, novellas, and short stories of "The Homeplace Series" Family Saga story-telling, to provide an insight into the story lines that may not be clear from other promotional pieces about "The Homeplace Series." These will also be coordinated with the content of the developmental Wiki, "Beyond the Books" - to expand the information available there, as well.

The following excerpt from "Back to the Homeplace" is from Tuesday, February 17, 1987:

            "I was really surprised when someone said there is a McDonald's in Oak Springs. I thought this would really be the “sticks”… with a McDonalds here, I may survive!"

            "The town has changed a lot recently. I hear Daddy talk about the industrial park and the college. New people are showing up all the time now."

            Sheila waited for the car coming out of the drive to clear then turned into the McDonalds's parking lot. "Here we are."

            "We're right on time," Melanie checked her wristwatch as they got out of the car, "Donnie should be here any minute. His last class at O.C.C. gets out at four. It's about a twenty minute drive."

            "What's O.C.C. stand for?"

            "Ozark Community College. It's out west of town. The campus is built on a farm that was donated several years ago. Daddy was involved with it somehow. A lot of people wondered if it would work having a college out in the middle of the country."

            Sheila walked up to the counter, and to the clerk said, "One large diet coke and a regular fry. What about you, Melanie?" She glanced at the taller, honey-blond haired girl standing next to her.

            "Just a small coke, I'll pay for it." Melanie was digging in her purse.

            "I've got it this time, Melanie. I still owe you one for steering me to Carla's Beauty Salon.  It felt almost like home in there."

"That's probably because Carla came up here from Mississippi about three years ago."  They took their food to a booth facing the street. "Mom wasn't too happy when I started going there, but it has worked out just fine. My mother still thinks old Eva Hobson out on the east edge of town is the only person who can do hair right. Her place looks like an antique store to me. I'll take the modern look at Carla's."

            "Is that Donnie in the black pickup? Someone is with him." Sheila had shifted her attention out the window. She watched two young men get out of the truck and stride toward the door. Maybe this visit will be more worthwhile than I thought, Sheila mused. Donnie is a hunk and this blond friend of his may be even more delicious.

            "That is just my brother, Christopher. He and Donnie seem like two peas in a pod, sometimes. They hunt together, they play sports together; they even watch sports together. Since Donnie has been at O.C.C. it has gotten even harder for me to find time with him." Melanie waved to let the guys know where they were sitting. Donnie waved back and proceeded to the counter.

            As they stood at the counter with their backs to the girls, Sheila noticed how similar the two young men were built. They could easily pass for brothers.  Donnie had darker brown hair and appeared to be a little older. Their broad shoulders and slim hips brought to mind a pair of halfbacks lined up ready to take a football hand-off from the quarterback. I look forward to experiencing some of their moves, Sheila pondered. 

*****

For 'the rest of the story' read the book:

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill  ;-)

[Image credit: http://www.hemmings.com]

Surname Saturday - Bevins Family Line

Surname Saturday

Bevins Family Line

[This blogging exercise is part of the 'reverse research' for the major, and minor, characters in the forthcoming books in The Homeplace Series]

I began this Surname Saturday exercise on April 17, 2010, with BEVINS 1 and and next six posts were all related to taking the McDONALD family line, the maternal line, back to the earliest settlement in the Oak Creek valley in 1833.

In the meantime, in creating the history of the valley, from the four founding families and other early arrivals, much more has been learned of their inter-relationships and how these developed, through the Civil War period. I have recently, to provide context for Jennifer BEVINS' family history searches, in "Christmas at the Homeplace," currently, and "The Homeplace Threatened" in the future, as well as building the content of the developmental Wiki, expanded the connection of the 'past with the present' on a family level for The Homeplace Series, as a whole. In coming weeks in this series, more of the family surnames, and relationships, will be shared.

Frank and Mildred (McDONALD) BEVINS were the subjects of BEVINS 1 along with their four children, the primary characters in "Back to the Homeplace" with the unusual video will left by Mildred on her passing in last 1986. Subsequent McDONALD posts followed her line back to Henry and Laura McDONALD of the founding families. Although not as direct by surname, Frank's ancestry goes back to the founding families, as well, as will be recorded, briefly, below.

Ora B. and Sarah Jane (WATERS) BEVINS had one child, possibly others:

1. Franklin (Frank) Leonard BEVINS, born 9 Aug 1917, in Oak Springs, MO

Howard and Myrtle (TRUESDALE) BEVINS had one child, possibly others:

1. Ora B. BEVINS, born 1891, Oak Springs, MO

Lewis and Caroline (McDONALD) TRUESDALE had two children, possibly others:

1. James (Jimmie) TRUESDALE, born 5 Feb 1866, Oak Springs, MO

2. Myrtle TRUESDALE, born 1868, Oak Springs, MO

Lewis TRUESDALE was the son of Hugh and Victoria (PATTON) TRUESDALE, each of whom was an original settler in the Oak Creek Valley, the first couple to be married in the valley.

Caroline McDONALD was the oldest daughter of Harry and Sarah (BALDRIDGE) McDONALD, each of whom was also an original settler, as young children, in the Oak Creek Valley [See McDONALD 3, 4, and 5]

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill  ;-)

Wiki Wednesday - Bevins Stables & Trail Rides

Wiki Wednesday

Bevins Stables & Trail Rides

OK, so I love this photo image!  ;-)

Wiki Wednesday is my (one more) way of introducing you to some of the characters and stories of "The Homeplace Series" of Family Saga tales and adventures.

Today, I'm encouraging you to visit the Bevins Stables & Trail Rides at the collaborative wiki: "Beyond the Books."

On Monday, we shared a book excerpt that took place at these stables. I hope you enjoy your visit, however brief, and perhaps even click on a link to two, to learn more about our people.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Comons: Palamio_Horse.jpg

*****

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill ;-)

Hometown Monday - Heather starts her FFA Horse Project

Hometown Monday

Heather starts her FFA Horse Project

This is the first of an expected irregular series of posts of excerpts from the novels, novellas, and short stories of "The Homeplace Series" Family Saga story-telling, to provide an insight into the story lines that may not be clear from other promotional pieces about "The Homeplace Series." These will also be coordinated with the content of the developmental Wiki, "Beyond the Books" - to expand the information available there, as well.

[Palamino Horse - Wikimedia Commons - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Palomino_Horse.jpg]

This is what I envisoned Marilyn to look like - and also Sunshine, below]

The following excerpt from "The Homeplace Revisited" is from Thursday, August 22, 1996:

"At the stable, Jennifer, Diane and Heather were discussing the improved horse breeding plan and how it might, or might not, fit in with their existing plans. They were sitting around the table in the break area at mid-morning. Diane mentioned that in the remodeling they had made two of the stalls larger with the thought that they might want to do more regular breeding in the future. Mares typically need stalls with more space to have their foals. “Perhaps a plan to have two foals each spring would be a good plan to start. Then we could decide to sell one or two each year, and keep one or two each year.” Diane was thinking out loud.

Jennifer picked up the line of thought. “Yes, foaling will take more labor, all around, as well. Starting with two a year seems to be a good plan, to start. Of course, Christopher had us breed Shadow, last month, so she will be the first. We would need to pick one other.”

Heather had been listening and thinking. “I need a new FFA project this coming year. Might it be possible for me to work with each of you to develop a plan, and take responsibility to carry it out yet this fall, next spring and into next year? Jennifer, you did a project like this in high school, didn’t you?”

“I did a cow-calf project for 4-H, and, I did a horse project for FFA. It wasn’t quite this complex, but, yes, it would make a good project. Diane, what do you think?” Jennifer looked pleased with the idea.

“Frankly, it would solve one concern I had that we hadn’t discussed yet – who was going to do the follow through work on the plan and help keep us on schedule. Jennifer and I can each do our parts, but we can’t be thinking about it all the time. We do have other responsibilities that must take first priority – and that wouldn’t work with the breeding plan very well.” Diane looked a Heather, seriously. “Do you feel you are really up to this?”

Heather responded in kind, “I’m ready to lead the team, if we can work as a team, and you support me. I know you will.”

“We will.” Diane and Jennifer responded, in unison.

“Then let’s get to work. The mares each have at least two more cycles yet this fall, for breeding. Jennifer, do you think Sunshine is ready?”

Sunshine was a palomino four-year old mare that traced back to Diane’s favorite saddle horse, Marilyn, from years past. Sunshine had become Heather’s favorite in the last couple of years.

Jennifer responded, “I can certainly check her out, to be sure. What do you think, Diane? Is Sunshine a good candidate?”

“Yes, I tend to agree. Can we get some palomino semen to keep the line clean?”

Jennifer looked to Heather, “I’ll work with Heather to accomplish that… it is now part of her plan and responsibility, I believe. Correct?”

“Correct. I’ll get to work on the plan. Anything else?” Heather was about to jump out of the chair she was sitting on.

“Move ahead with planning,” Diane added, “but let’s talk some more before we take any serious actions. Caution is still our watchword, and it applies here as well. You get to work on the plan as we seek alternatives. I think it is a go, but a ‘go slowly’ not ‘a jump in with both feet without thinking,’ ok?

“Agreed. OK!” Heather replied.

“Yes, good approach.” Jennifer concurred.


For 'the rest of the story' - you may get the book, here, now:

*****

"May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds."

Bill ;-)

The Founding of the Homeplace Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833, Part 3

The Founding of the Homeplace

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833, Part 3

"The Founding of the Homeplace" saga will continue here on the first and third Friday of each month, going forward. See Story 1 (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), Story 2 (Part 1, 2, 3, and 4), Story 3 (Part 1, 2, 3 and 4), and Story 4 (Part 1 and 2) earlier. This is a serial presentation of the story, beginning in 1833, when four families decided to settle the land, the valley, that would become the setting of the first two books in the The Homeplace Series: "Back to the Homeplace" and "The Homeplace Revisited" as well as the forthcoming third book in the series, "The Homeplace Threatened." These three books are set in the years 1987, 1996, and 1999, respectively. The underlying premise of this series is the desire of the family matriarch to retain the family farm in the southern Missouri Ozarks in whole and in the family. 

[Source: Currier & Ives, "Summer landscape, c1869"; Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002695754: accessed 17 Mar 2013)]

Characters in this series become actively involved in the study of their family history and snippets of that research appear, from time to time through the series (one example). This serial presentation begins to share that ‘research’ in Story Form, and, some of the Stories represent 'writings of the family' that were ‘discovered’ in the process of that research. Each Story is an essay or report of the activities of the initial four families and their descendants that settled the Homeplace – the farm and the surrounding valley.

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833

In this episode, we share "Part 3 of 4"

On Tuesday, each person knew exactly what their role was as soon as they finished their individual chore responsibilities and converged on the McDonald building site to get right to work. The ground had been prepared, the site had been laid out, and materials had been placed in the most advantageous positions to ‘raise the cabin’ in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Having already done this twice, recently, certainly helped.

At appropriate breaks in the work, water and nourishment were available in the designated shady areas. Following the breaks, work began again immediately so that the ‘cabin had been raised’ well before dusk. Finishing work would follow, but the cabin was now ‘built’ and no longer required the entire combined work force. Everyone was very satisfied with their long day of work. They even noted a few improvements they would make for the next planned ‘raising.’

The following week on Thursday everyone looked forward to the 4th of July Independence Day celebration. A short program, beginning at 11 a.m. was organized. Jake Patton agreed to serve as Master of Ceremonies for this event and gave a short address at the end of the program. Hugh Teasdale read the Declaration of Independence. Patriotic songs were sung. Both Robert Barksdale and Henry McDonald spoke briefly about their ancestors involvement in the Revolutionary War and the fight for Independence from Britain. A community picnic followed the program. The men used this holiday gathering as an extra community planning opportunity as well.

The Barksdales shared their plans for the mill with the others, based on the results of their trip to Big Piney and their work since their return. Henry McDonald finalized plans for a four day trip to ‘widen the trail’ in a couple of weeks. Jake Patton announced that the wagon was already under construction. Hugh and Owen discussed their planned timing to raise the Owen cabin in about three or four weeks. By mid-afternoon, everyone had returned to their own places to take care of work that always needed to be done. 

Five men made the trip back up the trail westward toward the Big Piney to widen the trail in the necessary places so that the bigger wagon would be able to make the trip when it was ready. They were Henry McDonald, Robert and David Barksdale, Owen Olson and Hugh Teasdale. It was hard work but with good planning, use of the mules, a couple of oxen and one of the two wheeled wagons, they managed to achieve their goals, and returned without serious injuries before sundown on the fourth day, as planned. Although the summer heat had worked against them, there was no rain, so they were able to work straight through and stay on schedule. They were a welcome sight to those left behind as they returned to the valley that evening.

On the afternoon of the third day following their return from working on the trail, as they were working on their mill site near Oak Creek, Robert and David Barksdale became aware of a stranger, on horseback, leading a fully packed mule, coming down the east bank of the Creek from the north. With their rifles at the ready, they watched the rider who now obviously knew he was being watched, cross the Creek while still on the ridge and then proceed down the ridge toward them. He looked much like a trader, but unlike Big John, he had a more menacing air about him. They weren’t sure what it was, but both Robert and David felt it, as the rider approached.

The rider introduced himself as Warren Mather, an explorer, writer and sometime trader. The Barksdales introduced themselves and welcomed Mather to the valley. They of course asked him early on where he’d come from and where he was headed if he didn’t mind sharing that information with them. He was very open about having no particular firm plans; today he was following this creek to see where it took him. He said he would pause, from time to time, to make notes of his surroundings and new things that he saw. Further, he said that one day he would like to write a book about his travels on this part of the frontier. The Barksdales briefly told him about the settlements here in the valley and invited him to join them at their evening meal. When he accepted their invitation, David went to let the women know that their guest was staying for dinner as Robert kept Mr. Mather engaged in conversation. 

By the conclusion of the evening meal, Robert had concluded that Mather was a self-absorbed, well-educated loner who, in fact, was out exploring the world, for his own gratification, but otherwise seemed to be harmless. As he said he would, Warren Mather had cleared his small campsite on the edge of the forest west of the Barksdale cabin by sun-up and moved south down Oak Creek. Henry McDonald reported seeing him pass by their place as Mather went south along the river, but they did not speak. No one in the valley ever saw or heard from him again. 

[...to be continued... on July 19, 2013, with Part 4 of Story 4]

The Founding of the Homeplace - Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833, Part 2

The Founding of the Homeplace

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833, Part 2

"The Founding of the Homeplace" saga will continue here on the first and third Friday of each month, going forward. See Story 1 (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), Story 2 (Part 1, 2, 3, and 4), Story 3 (Part 1, 2, 3 and 4), and Story 4 (Part 1) earlier. This is a serial presentation of the story, beginning in 1833, when four families decided to settle the land, the valley, that would become the setting of the first two books in the The Homeplace Series: "Back to the Homeplace" and "The Homeplace Revisited" as well as the forthcoming third book in the series, "The Homeplace Threatened." These three books are set in the years 1987, 1996, and 1999, respectively. The underlying premise of this series is the desire of the family matriarch to retain the family farm in the southern Missouri Ozarks in whole and in the family. 

[Source: Currier & Ives, "Summer landscape, c1869"; Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002695754: accessed 17 Mar 2013)]

Characters in this series become actively involved in the study of their family history and snippets of that research appear, from time to time through the series (one example). This serial presentation begins to share that ‘research’ in Story Form, and, some of the Stories represent 'writings of the family' that were ‘discovered’ in the process of that research. Each Story is an essay or report of the activities of the initial four families and their descendants that settled the Homeplace – the farm and the surrounding valley.

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1833

In this episode, we share "Part 2 of 4"

Sunday, June 23, was 4th Sunday, of course. Stories related to the freight run to the lumber camps and what was brought back continued to dominate conversations as everyone in the valley got together for their monthly social event. Of course, some discussions also related back to the visit of the Rev. Mr. Jenkins and to that of Big John, the trader. Young Harry McDonald spent some time talking to Sarah Baldridge about how she handled their chickens since that was now a new responsibility of his with the new coop coming into the family. 

It was noted by all that most of the grown food for the meal had come from the common garden, even though it was late getting started. All agreed they had been fortunate with good growing weather, but they all congratulated each other on the fine cooperation everyone had shown in getting the planting done well and early as possible along with a fine job of weed control with everyone contributing, especially the children and young folks. 

Meat was continuing to be obtained by hunting wild turkey, deer and supplemented with rabbits and squirrels. No hogs had yet been slaughtered for food. Two of the four sows had recently had litters of eight and ten, respectively, while the other two were due in the next couple of weeks. Assuming they were also successful, when weaning time arrived, the litters would be divided among the four families as previously agreed. The second litters later in the fall would also be divided in the same manner.

The men reminded themselves that the next couple of months would be breeding period for the four milk cows, as well. Each seemed to be healthy and was continuing to produce well, as expected.

As the conversations turned to the future, one of the first items of business was to determine that everything was in place to be ready to ‘raise the cabin’ for the McDonalds.’ Henry confirmed that everything was now in place, and, stated that it would be nice to get it done at the first opportunity. With no objections, the decision was made to do it on Tuesday, subject to weather, of course, so everyone had a day in between to do what other things they needed to do.

Following that decision, they also agreed to aim for completing the Olson’s cabin later in July, and Truesdale’s cabin by mid- August. Discussions among the men then turned to the need to harvest some of the long grass in nearby pasture lands as winter feed for the animals. A tentative plan to ‘put up some hay’ was made and agreed. They also discussed the possibility of constructing a pole barn to protect some of the hay put up from the weather for the winter. They decided to each think about the best approach and discuss it further in the future.

[...to be continued... on July 5, 2013, with Part 3 of Story 4]

The Founding of the Homeplace - Story 4, Fourth of July, 1933, Part 1

The Founding of the Homeplace

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1933, Part 1

"The Founding of the Homeplace" saga will continue here on the first and third Friday of each month, going forward. See Story 1 (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4), Story 2 (Part 1, 2, 3, and 4), and Story 3 (Part 1, 2, 3 and 4) earlier. This is a serial presentation of the story, beginning in 1833, when four families decided to settle the land, the valley, that would become the setting of the first two books in the The Homeplace Series: "Back to the Homeplace" and "The Homeplace Revisited" as well as the forthcoming third book in the series, "The Homeplace Threatened." These three books are set in the years 1987, 1996, and 1999, respectively. The underlying premise of this series is the desire of the family matriarch to retain the family farm in the southern Missouri Ozarks in whole and in the family. 

[Source: Currier & Ives, "Summer landscape, c1869"; Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002695754: accessed 17 Mar 2013)]

Characters in this series become actively involved in the study of their family history and snippets of that research appear, from time to time through the series (one example). This serial presentation begins to share that ‘research’ in Story Form, and, some of the Stories represent 'writings of the family' that were ‘discovered’ in the process of that research. Each Story is an essay or report of the activities of the initial four families and their descendants that settled the Homeplace – the farm and the surrounding valley.

Story 4, Fourth of July, 1933

In this episode, we share "Part 1 of 4"

Shortly after Big John had left the valley, the men decided to send Robert and David Baldridge and Henry and Harry McDonald on the first freight run back to the Big Piney lumber camps with two wagons each pulled by an ox. With the latest knowledge of their trades with Big John, each family prepared a ‘wish-list’ and a ‘to-do list’ for the men when they are in Big Piney. 

Although they were a day later returning than some had hoped, on Friday, June 21, just before noon, the little party was spotted coming off the northwest ridge and into the valley along Center Creek. Robert and David Baldridge turned off to drop off part of their load with Jake and Kate Patton while Henry and Harry McDonald kept moving directly to their home base at Cardinal Corner. No one was happier to see them, of course, than Laura McDonald. 

As they were unloading the blacksmith supplies Jake had ordered, Robert shared with Jake that he had arranged to purchase the grinding stones and some key gears and belts he needed for the mill, later in the year. Robert was pleased that he was able to make the necessary contacts to confirm the deal while they were on this trip. They would plan to bring them back on a later trip, likely in the early fall.

The trip had been a complete success with all the ‘hoped-for’ items along with most of the ‘wish-list’ items as well. There were a few substitutes, of course, but that was to be expected. Each of the wives got a couple of small furniture items from their storage that they had missed greatly and really appreciated receiving. Fresh basic staples and supplies were appreciated by everyone. Henry had been able to obtain another coop of young chickens that would allow expansion of that part of their agricultural output and be useful for future breeding, as well. These would be kept at their Cardinal Corner location with some appropriate exchanges with the Baldridge flock from time to time.

Henry McDonald also brought back four young mules that had recently been broken to pull a medium-sized four wheel wagon. With their arrival, Henry also put in an order with Jake Patton to build such a wagon for him. On their return trip, Henry and Robert took the time to identify the locations along the trail from Big Piney that would need to be widen or ‘improved’ in order for such a wagon to make the trip. Henry said he would lead the effort to get those ‘improvements’  made during the next couple of months along with the other work planned. 

An added bonus from this trip was picking up mail for the valley residents at the Big Piney post office. Hugh Truesdale had three letters from his parents who he discovered had moved to Jefferson City. Laura McDonald had a letter from an aunt and a sister back in Kentucky. Kate Patton had a letter from her mother, now living in Louisville, Kentucky. Susannah Baldridge had a letter waiting for her from a sister in Illinois. Everyone was happy to get their letters as well as being reminded to write letters themselves, to be taken out on the next freight run.

[...to be continued... on June 21, 2013, with Part 2 of Story 4]