DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/22/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/22/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Deer season has been a major topic of conversation for the past week. Rick got a nice buck with his bow just before the beginning of firearm season. We had it cut up into a lot of nice roasts, some burger and loin steaks. One of Rick’s favorite meals is roast with potatoes, onions and carrots in the crock pot. It is easy to fix; I put meat and onions in to cook early in the morning, then later in the day he adds potatoes and carrots.

He has been hunting all week with his rifle, but still waiting for the big one to come within his sights. When this season ends on Tuesday, he can go back to bow hunting, so I pretty well know where he will be most of the time.

Neal took Erin hunting in my blind on opening morning. They were back home by noon and he said she probably would not have stayed that long if she had not slept for an hour.

Connie Hammond nailed a young buck with a neck shot using her 30-30. It was a Sunday morning kill, but early enough that Leon got him field dressed and they were still on time for choir and church. She will be bow hunting and still hoping to see one of the BIG GUYS that came around the day BEFORE firearms season began.

Our bathroom remodels are just about done. After installing the new shower, Neal made beautiful hickory cabinets for the master bath. Now I have more drawers and shelves than ever before and am still reorganizing. So much stuff has accumulated and it is hard to decide what I may never need again, because it is likely that if I throw something away, I will need it next week. There was a drawer full of hair brushes and a bag full of curling irons. There are only two heads of hair in this house, so why?

Uncle Bill Smith had a light heart attack and ended up in the hospital the night before their kids came for vacation. The last time they came on vacation, he worked so hard that he was down in his back. I think they decided that it may be best to not give any advance notice and just show up. Chuck and Marilyn will be here for at least another week while Uncle Bill gets back on his feet.

Christie and Madison came to see Rick and me Saturday night. Their main reason for coming was to bring Frontline for Little Fox and the cats, and then Christie helped me get it on them. Two sets of hands are helpful, although Big Foot eluded us and I caught up with him later. They admired the new bathrooms and then connected a digital converter to our bedroom TV. Rick and I are thrilled to get nine channels on that TV now, when previously got pretty poor service with the rabbit ears antenna.

I saw new neighbor, Francine Robertson, at the Kissee Mills Post Office last week. She said they are just about completely moved and settled in their new house. I apologized for not being a very good neighbor, but hope to get over to see them during the Christmas season. She is looking forward to having all of her brothers and sisters here for Thanksgiving.

Iva Cummings Folck and Georgine Cummings were guests of honor at a surprise birthday party at Taney Center on Friday night. It was their 80th and the family planned a big potluck dinner and pickin’ party. We wanted to go but just could not make it. I know we missed some good times with family and friends.

This is Thanksgiving week and we have many things to be thankful for. Not long ago I shared with you about our friend, Mike, who was at Mayo Clinic awaiting a heart transplant. Due to Marfan’s Syndrome his heart already had a mechanical valve, a defibrillator and was only working at 10% capacity. The transplant heart came in record time and now, eleven days later, he is at home with his family and a new heart. During his hospital stay the family moved from Ava to a home near the hospital and the kids have started to their new school. We thank God for the gift of life and ask that you continue to pray for this family.

Family Time

My cousin, Alvie (Doug) Davis and wife, Judy - live in Charleston, IL, and both retired from Eastern Illinois University. They visit Branson a couple of times a year and we usually have a family get-together. This time we met for lunch in Forsyth @ Two Fat Daddy's BBQ Restaurant - Loaded Baked Potato - AMAZING!!
L -R - Uncle Bill & Aunt Roma, Aunt Wanetta & Uncle Ros - (ME) and Doug

Uncle Bill & Aunt Roma, Aunt Wan & Uncle Ros, Judy & Doug

Christie & Bill, Colby and Jenn also had lunch with us, but had already left when the picture was taken.

VETERANS DAY, 2009

PaPa Rick was Erin's Veteran guest of honor at her school assembly today. I had to work, but rest of the family was there...left to right: Neal, PaPa Bill & Granny Mary Lou, Erin, LeaAnn & Rick
Rick's dad, Lloyd Crum, served in WW II, participating in the Tiger Operation, prior to the Normandy Invasion. The ship he was on was torpedoed and sank and he was one of the few survivors. Thank God that his life was spared.

Roger Dee Crum, Rick's twin brother served in U.S. ARMY 1966-1968,

with overseas duty in Germany.

Ricky Lee Crum served in U S ARMY 1966-1968

Overseas Duty in Vietnam, 1968

9th Infantry Division, Mekong Delta

Roger and Rick at their Grandma Ragsdale's house on summer leave after being drafted in May, 1966. Twins, but sent in different directions. Roger had basic training at Ft. Ord, CA, and went to Germany. Rick's basic training was in Ft. Riley, KA, where the 9th Infantry Division was reactivated and sent to Vietnam.

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/09/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/09/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. Today we are thankful because our friend Mike DuBois has a new heart. It was late last night when the call came that they had a heart and would begin surgery in a few hours. Mid-afternoon today his wife called Neal to let her know the surgery was completed. I am sure there is still a long road ahead but we are thankful to at least have Mike on that road. Please do keep Mike and his family in your prayers.
Rick got home Friday night after being in Little Rock most of the week. He had taken Jeff Dalton to the V.A. Hospital for the second knee replacement and now Jeff has two new knees. He has been lopsided since the first knee was done and that leg straightened out a couple of inches. Janet may have to take the hems out of his jeans to make them long enough for those new long legs.
The animals and I made it okay while Rick was gone. I would not let Little Fox get up beside me on the couch, so she would lie on the floor near my feet or just crawl into her crate. The little dog pretty much went crazy when Rick got home. He said she acted happier to see him than I did, but I guess we just have different ways of showing affection. I told him I could jump up and lick him in the face if that would make him feel better.
Well, I just had to have a little fun, but it is good to have him home again. Ashton and Erin came over Friday night and stayed until Sunday. Rick went hunting Saturday morning and the kids and I went to Branson Saturday afternoon. We did some shopping at The Landing, ate at McDonald’s and went to see The Dutton Family show. It made for a long day, but was a lot of fun.
Christie and Madison came to see us before we got out of the house on Saturday. Madison had a cute new haircut and was all dressed up for an outing with her Grandma. She brought me some of her artwork, a beautiful froggy picture that is cute and makes me smile.
Work is progressing in our bathroom remodel. The new shower is in, all trimmed out and as beautiful as a shower can be. It is a corner shower, they call it Neo-Angle; and was a real pain to put together. Thank God, that Neal is a patient man and it went together beautifully. This time tomorrow night, the new vanity will be in and I will spend all evening reorganizing.
Little Fox and the fluffy kitten helped me plant pansies and flowering kale in the two half-barrels on either side of the steps. It has been awhile since I had winter pansies, so am looking forward to watching their bright faces peaking through the snow.
The fluffy kitten remains unnamed. I asked Erin for help and she got on the computer and pulled up several name lists. After checking all of her favorites, there are at least two dozen to choose from and I am not ready to make a decision.
Our family is sad to hear that Larry (Buzz) Glover passed away on Saturday. Just last week brother Jim was looking through my old photo album and found a picture of us and the Glover kids, taken about 50 years ago, I guess. The old days were fun when families would just drop in to visit. We did not have TV to occupy our time, so it was great when there were other kids to play with. Our sympathy goes to the Glover family. Bye for now.

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/02/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/02/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. November greets us with many changes, both daylight and dark come earlier, rain has stopped, most of the trees have lost their leaves, sun is shining and the sky is blue.
Halloween was pretty uneventful for us. I bought Hershey bars and Pumpkin Kisses just in case anyone should come by. Our only visitors were Jim and Dawn, who treated us. They had prepared some treats at their house, but when nobody came, gathered up their treats and visited the neighbors. We had a good visit and caught up on some of the family happenings. Dawn’s home canned green beans are a special treat that we will enjoy.
Patsy Ayers called last week to check on some of our family, I found out she, and Butch have had a lot going on this year. They are both recovering from some health issues and Butch’s dad passed away a couple of months ago. I am so sorry; it is always hard to let our loved ones go.
Guess it was a week for family connections as I also got a call from Patsy’s cousin, Ron Lathrope, who lives in Kansas. We met Ron several years ago when he came to visit Rick’s mom, while she was here in the trailer. He does a lot of family research and thought I might have an answer or two. I don’t think I was much help, but was nice to hear from him. Ron also mentioned his cousin, Glen Lathrope, who keeps up with local news through Dogwood Acres.
I don’t think we have met Glen, but I have fond memories of his mother, Thelma Rice Marler. I knew her as Belle when she worked with my Granny at the Brown Hotel in Rockaway. She was so jolly and good to us kids. Belle was also a talented artist; in fact, I still have a gallon vinegar jug that she painted strawberries on. It sits high on my kitchen cabinets with other red and white vintage kitchen things.
Neal was here early last week working on our bathroom, then he was called away to help people move all the rest of the week. Martin and Amy closed on their new home in Nixa on Wednesday and the family worked hard all day moving their belongings from storage. We will miss having them at Forsyth, but Nixa is a good location, halfway between their jobs. Martin is a Physical Therapist at Skaggs in Branson and Amy is a Speech Pathologist at Clever Schools.
On Thursday Neal and LeaAnn helped move the DuBois family from our Sandy Church community to Rochester, MN. Mike is in Mayo Clinic awaiting a heart transplant and his family needs to be close by. They were blessed to find a house not far from the hospital and close to school for the kids. After getting them unpacked and settled, Neal and LeaAnn were able to spend some time at the hospital with Mike and then, came home on Sunday.
I think I am back on Neal’s list for this week and look forward to having the new shower and cabinets completed.
Since Pastor Neal was away on Sunday, Sandy Church was blessed with the anointed ministry of Sister Frances Humbyrd. On Sunday night she led us in a “God Bless You” testimony service, encouraging each one to share about their walk with God.
Mike Stenger gave us a good report on Joyce’s mom, Anna Belle Dalton. She had surgery to repair an aneurysm, is up and around and doing her own cooking. I wonder if she has baked any pies lately? She sure knows how to make ‘em good! Annie, we wish you continued good health! Bye for now.

Kids Day and Pastor Appreciation @ Sandy Church

Kids helped Pastor Neal open his gift - a Shofar from Israel

Sunday morning
This group of kids and adults picked up walnuts from Bob Siler's yard. Proceeds from sale of walnuts donated to Nancy Humbyrd, Director of Options Pregnancy Clinic in Ava.

Trick or Treat!

Here are just a few Halloween memories when it was still just fun! See if you can identify anyone in the old pictures. These are all from my personal albums, but some so old that I am not sure who they are.

Make a Smilebox slideshow