Episode 26 - February 1st, 1999 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

February 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, moving forward during 2016 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began.

Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through January 1999. We now pick up our story on February 1st of 1999, continuing in episodic serial format…

Virginia's Farm house

Episode 26 - Monday, Feb. 1st, late afternoon - Karen visited Virginia again

Karen visited Virginia at the nursing home. Virginia seemed to be in good spirits.

Karen: I wanted to share some news with you about a person we met recently who turned out to be a relative.

Virginia: That is usually a pleasant thing to learn.

Karen: Yes, that was especially true, in this case. His name is Bruce Randolph. He lives in New York City and is about my age, a couple of years younger, actually.

Virginia: New York. Did you know you had any family in New York?

Karen: Not until I talked to you last time. He is Ethel’s son.

Virginia: Well, isn’t that something. I suppose it makes sense, but it has been a very long time. [Karen could see Virginia’s mind wander off into the distance for a few moments. Karen waited a bit to reply.]

Karen: We learned a little more about the story. [She paused] But we also learned there is much of the story of Ethel we will never know. She died shortly after giving birth to Bruce, in 1939. It was within a few days of when Grandpa William died.

Virginia: Did William know?

Karen: We cannot know for sure. It appears he may have had a letter from Ethel that she was having a baby… but then, they each passed away without further contact.

Virginia [Taking that all in, and reflecting]: Then, he and Ethel did keep in contact?

Karen: That does appear to be the case. We did find evidence that he did support her move, financially. However, we did not find any letters between them, just a few brief notes in the journal he kept, that mentioned her, almost in coded words. He was keeping it a secret from the rest of the family, it appears.

Virginia: He did become quite a self-centered man, lived alone, after his wife died. I’m not surprised to hear that.

Karen (turning the conversation back to the positive): Bruce is a very nice man. We are happy to have a new cousin. He met everyone, and I’m sure he will visit, again.

Virginia: That’s nice. That is as it should be.

Karen (changing the subject completely): Is anyone living on your farm now?

Virginia: No, the house is empty right now. The cropland is rented out, of course, but no one is living there. I thought for a long time that I would move back out, but I know now that I won’t. I’m very happy here. I should probably sell it to some nice young family, but just haven’t, yet.

Karen: Well, there is plenty of time to do that, when you are ready.

[To be continued, next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Episode 25 - February 1, 1999 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

February 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, moving forward during 2016 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began.

Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through January 1999. We now pick up our story on February 1st of 1999, continuing in episodic serial format…

Episode 25 - Monday, Feb. 1st - Lori and Karen at the Homeplace Country Inn

Lori [setting a cup of coffee in front of Karen and taking her own around to the other side of the kitchen table]: After a week or so, now, how are you feeling about learning you have a first cousin you didn’t know you had, this Bruce Randolph?

Karen: Well, now that it has played out the way it did, I guess I am just fine with it. It certainly was unsettling for a while though. We had a few scary days there, but then things fell into place, and it all worked out for the best, I suppose.

Lori: He seemed to be a really decent guy after we all got to meet him, and we could all relax a little bit.

Karen: Yes, that certainly is true. It was great for us all to be able to get together here in Heritage Hall, and just relax, and get to know him a bit more. He grew up with such a different background than all the rest of us; it really is amazing we got along as well as we did. I honestly think he was ready to got back to New York City, after meeting all of us, though, don’t you?

Lori: I got that impression, yes. I think he was perhaps as relieved to have the ordeal over with as we were.

Karen: He really didn’t realize what he was getting himself into, for sure. Christopher set him in his proper place much more than he was expecting, I do know that. Bruce found out quickly he was not dealing with some ‘country bumpkin,’ that is for sure.

Lori: Have you talked to Virginia about Bruce?

Karen: No. I suppose I must do that. I don’t look forward to it, but it is only fair that I share what I know with her, soon, otherwise she is liable to hear about it from someone else.

Lori: If she hasn’t already. Word seems to travel around the community very quickly.

Karen: I know. I’ve got later today, and tomorrow, before I leave to drive down to Austin. I really must do that. Thank you for reminding me.

Lori: It is your call, of course, but I do think that is a good idea. You’re leaving first thing Wednesday morning?

Karen: Yes, and I should be back Monday night. The birthday party for Jessica is on Saturday. She’ll be a good ‘party girl,’ I’m sure, this year for her 2nd birthday. Erin says a couple of others in the daycare have already had theirs, so she is following their pattern.

Lori: Did I have a 2-year-old birthday party, Mom? [A bit of a chuckle]

Karen [with a big smile]: Certainly not. Those were very different times. You did have a cake, and a couple of presents, as I recall. But that was about the extent of it. Doing any more than that for a 2-year-old never crossed my mind, and certainly not your father’s!

Lori: Dad would have liked a party.

Karen: Yes, he would have. And we had many of them, over the years, but not that young, not for any of you.

Lori: Well, on that happy thought, I’ve got work to do. There is a work schedule to finalize for here, and some prep work I need to do before my next meeting with Trace and Gary on Thursday evening.

Karen: Me, too. I need to start packing for my trip, and, think about what to say to Virginia… and then go do it.

[To be continued, next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Does your book have a Video Book Trailer?

Does your book have a Video Book Trailer? 

Here are two examples to consider... have you viewed them?

This one is for my first novel in this series, "Back to the Homeplace."

http://youtu.be/77uQ8qGG8jY - if you haven't seen it, please take a look, and leave a comment.


The second example is for the latest novel in the series, "Christmas at the Homeplace."

http://youtu.be/pnilAflMESg - I've used this one on a lot of my Hubpages...

If you haven't taken the time to view it, this is a great opportunity... it is short, too!

I appreciate comments on either or both. Will you try one? Are they useful, in your opinion?


See you next Friday! ;-)

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Homeplace-William-Leverne-Smith/dp/1451560400/

www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homeplace-William-Leverne-Smith/dp/1493510401/

While we are on hiatus...

While we are on hiatus...

Click on one or more of the tabs, above, start with "About..." Thank you! ;-)

Comments appreciated...

Episode 24 - January 1999 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, moving forward during 2016 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began.

Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We are now in January of 1999, in episodic serial format…

Episode 24 - Christopher, in his office, Thursday morning, with Bruce

(Part II, continued from Part I)

[From the end of Episode 23:

Christopher: Really. Do you know how much she had ‘accumulated?’

Bruce: It was something in excess of $10,000 at the time of her death.

Christopher: Interesting. She must have gotten some pretty good roles. Did she work other than acting?

Bruce: Not that I ever heard of. [End of Part I] ]

Christopher: Were there any other markings on the box?

Bruce: Yes, there was one. There was a Masonic logo on the top.

Christopher: I was pretty sure you would say that, Bruce. Here is something we learned, about that box. Ethel’s grandfather, William, kept a personal journal that recently came into the hands of the family. His notations on farming and the weather were often detailed. His comments about family were generally pretty cryptic. From what we have learned, from the journal, and talking to a elderly friend, still living, William referred to Ethel as “Snooki.” He apparently thought a great deal of her. There is some evidence they exchanged letters over the years, but none seemed to have survived. However, one entry in his journal referenced a box, about the time she left for New York: “Took care of Snooki. Sent with her in Mason box, to remember me by.” William was an active Mason.

Bruce: Did it say what was in the box?

Christopher: No, not in the journal. However, it seemed he was the only one in the family who was willing to offer her support to follow her dream. My grandfather was a young lawyer in town at the time, the only one in town. It seemed logical to me that if William ‘took care of’ her, there might have been a legal consultation and perhaps a record. Before my father died, he made me aware that there were legal records of the firm dating back into the 1920s in the bank vault, for safekeeping. He said they might still come in handy one day… he had used them a couple of times.

Knowing the approximate date, and the parties, I was able to retrieve a copy of the document that was in that box that went to New York with Ethel. It is short. I’ll let you read it.

Bruce: [after reading the document] He sent along ten thousand dollars in government bonds. He actually said, ‘This is your inheritance.’ [Bruce paused for a moment.] They would have survived the Great Depression. He recommended she only spend the interest as needed, and save the principle for ‘a rainy day.’ That was the money Carlos had for me.

Christopher: That is how I read it, as well. A few days after you were born, Ethel wrote him a letter. He noted, “Snookie has great news.” But then, she died. Several days later, he noted, “Haven’t heard from Snooki.” He died a few days after that, of an apparent heart attack. 

Bruce: And that is why you all knew nothing of this relationship.

Christopher. It certainly appears that way.

Bruce: It also appears I already got my inheritance, didn’t I?

Christopher: Yes. You were very fortunate there was one to receive. You were able to make the most of it, from what you said earlier.

Bruce: Yes I was. I certainly was. This is a bit of a relief. Thank you.

Christopher: By the way, Bruce, welcome to the family. I think we have clearly shown that you are a McDonald, even though your name is Randolph.

Bruce: That is very nice to know.

Christopher: Let’s arrange to have you meet the rest of the family.

Bruce: I’d like that.

…and that is what they did.

[This Friday series of posts will now go on Hiatus for a bit. Thank you for your support!]

Follow earlier stories of William and his extended family and friends at:

http://hubpages.com/@homeplaceseries

…as well as related stories at: http://hubpages.com/@drbill-wml-smith

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Episode 23 - January 1999 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, moving forward during 2016 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began.

Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We are now in January of 1999, in episodic serial format…

Episode 23 - Christopher, in his office, Thursday morning, with Bruce

Bruce: Here is the Birth Certificate I promised to show you.

Christopher: Thank you. [Paused, as he read it] This says your mother was Ethel Randolph, and your name is Bruce William Randolph. Her parents’ name spaces are blank as well as the father space. What can you tell me about that? Also, a Carlos Chevez provided the information? Who is that?

Bruce: Well, you certainly asked the pertinent questions. Let me tell you what I know. I suppose I should say ‘what I’ve been told.’ I know of no one living today who was there. Carlos Chevez was the father of my mother’s roommate during the years she lived in New York City. The roommate’s name was Bernice. Her mother was Maria. Carlos and Maria raised me. Virtually all I know is information they told me, as I was growing up, before they each died, in the 1970s. Bernice died in the late 1950s. I don’t recall ever seeing her. [He paused… reflecting.]

Christopher: OK, tell me more.

Bruce: They told me that my mother called herself Ethel Randolph from the day she arrived in New York City. It was not until fairly recently that I even questioned that. The only physical thing they gave me that they said was hers, that she wanted me to have, was a wooden box with some of her scarves, and some small costume jewelry, in it. I kept it on a shelf. A couple of years ago, I picked it up, and for the first time, apparently, I looked at the bottom. There were the words: “McDonald - Missouri.” I initially assumed that was the maker of the box, or where she had purchased it. I gave it no further thought, but the words apparently stuck in my head. When I say the newspaper article about the McDonald Conservancy grant from the State of Missouri - “McDonald - Missouri” rang up in my mind.  

Christopher: We didn’t even know about Ethel. How did you make the connection?

Bruce: The Conservancy story gave the family names and location. I knew from the stories about when she came, so it was the 1920 census information that confirmed for me her name, when I got to that. It did take some searching, many dead ends along the way.

Christopher: How did the Chevez couple happen to take you in? What happened to your mother? To Bernice?

Bruce: Ethel, my mother, died just a few days after I was born, they said. Complications from childbirth, it says on her death certificate.

Christopher: Do you have a copy of that, as well?

Bruce: Yes, I do. Here is a copy.

Christopher: May 1st, 1939. Most interesting. Carlos was the informant on this document, as well?

Bruce: Yes. The way I understand it, my mother had actually gotten closer to Carlos and Maria than their own daughter. Especially after she got pregnant and was going to have a baby. Bernice really didn’t want anything to do with it. It seems she pulled clear away from the situation. At the same time, it seemed her parents became very protective of my mother. We’ll never know all the details, of course. Carlos was an accountant. Very respected in the Cuban-American community they lived in. I think he looked after the money my mother had accumulated, as well. She actually left more than I would have expected. Carlos kept it invested. By the time I was of age, it actually got me started in my own brokerage business.

Christopher: Really. Do you know how much she had ‘accumulated?’

Bruce: It was something in excess of $10,000 at the time of her death.

Christopher: Interesting. She must have gotten some pretty good roles. Did she work other than acting?

Bruce: Not that I ever heard of. [End of Part I]

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Episode 22 - January 1999 - Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

Life in Oak Springs, the Homeplace

January 1999

This series of posts on each Friday, moving forward during 2016 will continue the stories of “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction families in the area of Oak Springs following the novel “Christmas at the Homeplace,” which ended as 1997 began.

Earlier, we have seen the community move from January 1997 through December 1998. We are now in January of 1999, in episodic serial format…

Episode 22 - Jennifer with Karen and Christopher, mid-morning on Wednesday

[From Episode 21:

Karen: No, I think that was all. It was striking, however, how strong the memory was for Virginia when she talked about it. She became visibly upset, and I had to excuse myself and end the conversation. Also, I cannot believe they never heard from Ethel, again. Those were certainly different times.]

Jennifer asked to meet Karen and Christopher in his office, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. She had the following information to share with them.

Jennifer: There are occasional “Snooki” references in William’s journals, but the following ones appear to include wording that may be useful clues, for our purposes.

June 22, 1929:

“Snooki to follow her dream.”

July 14, 1929:

“Took care of Snooki. Sent with her in Mason box, to remember me by.”

Then, nearly ten years later, we have these entries.

April 26, 1939:

“Snookie has great news.”

May 2, 1939:

“Haven’t heard from Snooki.”

This was actually the last entry in his journal. William died four days later on May 6, 1939, of a heart attack. I checked on the death certificate we have on him, to verify this.

Christopher: So, the ‘follow her dream’ entry fits with what Virginia told Karen.

Karen: That does appear to confirm the dates Virginia mentioned.

Christopher: The ‘took care of Snooki” may be the one I was looking for. That gives me a date to work on. This afternoon, Edith Brown, my dad’s secretary, and I are going over to the bank vault, to search the records of my grandfather, C.P. Odgen, who would have been the lawyer in town in 1929. Before Dad died, he reminded me to have Edith show me where those very early records are kept. We went and looked at them once, but were not looking for anything particular, at that time. With this date, we have something to go on, to pinpoint our search. That is, If there is anything there, from William, of course.

Karen: I imagine the ‘great news’ entry is about the birth, if that coincides with Bruce’s birthday. The last entry is very sad. William apparently died without hearing anything more.

Jennifer: That is certainly the way I read it as well. I wonder why he didn’t hear from her, or the family never said anymore about it.

Christopher: I’ll be talking to Bruce, tomorrow, about those dates. Let’s not say anything about this to the others, just let. Let me see what I find, and I’ll talk to Bruce more tomorrow. Then, we’ll go from there. Agreed?

Karen: Agreed.

Jennifer: Agreed. And, best of luck.

Christopher: Thank you.

[To be continued - next Friday]

"May everyone have a homeplace, if only in your mind."

Dr. Bill  ;-)