Time to Share

This month has had spurts of activity and periods of idleness. My cousins Ellen and Kathy were here for three wonderful days. Sometimes I consider this "if only" thought. If only my father had stayed in Indiana and I could have grown up with my Indiana cousins...but then my life would have taken a completely different course.

Back in March 2022 Ellen let me know that she was interested in this flower painting. 

She told me she loved the colors. I offered it to her- no charge. I'm happy to report she has it now displayed on a wall in her Indiana home.

Ellen also picked out a few more smaller flower paintings. a church, and an angel.

Kathy chose these two.

The photo below is of Jane Crum Waggoner, Ellen and Kathy's mother. Jane was my dad's youngest sister.

Jane married John Waggoner, the handsome guy in the black shirt.

Aunt Jane and Uncle Johnny were a striking couple and had four children - 

Steve, Ellen, Kathy, and Keith.

L to R Marvin Roseberry, Elmer Crum, Everett Crum, John Waggoner

Uncle Marvin was married to my dad's sister Mary Ruth. I loved visiting my cousins Nancy and Susan as they were closer in age to my brother and me.

Uncle Everett was married to Clara Belle. They were such sweet, gentle people and raised one son David.

So growing up experiences with my cousins were limited to family vacations when my parents would return to Indiana for visits.

On a different note -

 This month I have caught up on Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of  The  Chosen. Each episode has been powerful, revealing the early ministry of Jesus and his twelve disciples. The actors and location scenes make the programming a worthwhile experience. I downloaded the app on my iPhone and have thoroughly enjoyed it. And truthfully this series has prompted me to reread Bible chapters from the New Testament. 

Also the Wednesday night Bible Study of The Epic of Eden has been very enlightening. The videos with author Sandra L. Richter have provided a greater understanding of the Old Testament.

And finally I'm reading additional books by the inspirational novelist Karen Kingsbury.

I have more to share, but will wait until another time.

A Very Special Birthday

So happy I was able to be with my aunt for her 100th birthday celebration. She is such an inspiration. Sweet, generous, and loving...a dear person with true Christian faith. 

A group photo of the Crum cousins that were able to come. 

Ellen, Ron, Nancy, Steve, David

Kathy, Sandy

Wish Susan and Keith could have made it.

After pizza, cake, and ice cream we sat in Aunt Clara Belle's living room, listening to songs that Steve and Ron played. Some were old hymns, and we blended our voices and felt an amazing peace and contentment.

A Special Trip

One of the main reasons for the trip to Indiana was to see my aunt Clara Belle. She was married to my dad's older brother Everett Crum. She has always had the sweetest nature. Loving her and her home has always been easy. She and I both like old things with family connections. 

Aunt Clara Belle 
is a young 98!

She gets around better than I do!

 The cousins met at her house and posed in front of the fireplace. 

She tucked under her legs and got up from that sitting position with total ease. 

She is amazing!

Her home is charming and full of family heirlooms. She showed us that old bucket and said that long ago it held peanuts.

The following information will explain about the blue chest.

"Everett Crum's great grandmother Catherine Smith came from England in 1840 when she was a small girl with her parents Edward Smith(B-1785 D-1864) and his wife Elizabeth, and brothers and sisters. They brought their belongings across the Atlantic Ocean in an old blue sea chest. It has E. S. on the end of the chest.  [ Currently in the possession of Clara Belle Crum]"

These spinning wheels are on either side of the fireplace. 

 This corner cupboard was once in my grandmother Crum's house.

I remember it and where it was located in her parlor.

Many of my aunt's treasures are old, beautiful, and unique.

I am so thankful she is doing well. She is such a blessing to the Crum family.

Music and Barbecue

Thursday, November 10

It took my Indiana cousins coming into town to get me to the famous Sun Studio. I'm glad Ellen was determined to see this Memphis landmark because it did not disappoint. Our young guide knew her background material, shared it enthusiastically, and enjoyed playing the famous recordings of the past for us in the tour group.

THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Our next stop that day was The Bar-b-q Shop for sandwiches and ribs.

Ellen and Kathy 

My brother Ron with Ellen and Kathy

We had such a fun day. Maybe my cousins will share their pictures, and I'll be able to post another quartet -  we four cousins standing in the very spot where Elvis recorded and with the microphone he used.