I’m wondering how many of you Murdo Girl readers surround yourself with things that remind you of love, laughter, family and friends. I hope all of you do. I had a lot on my mind last night and I have a brain that can’t be spread too thin. I sat and stared at the computer for a while, but I didn’t really feel like writing. Then I started to look around the spare bedroom where I do a lot of my blogging. I have stuff everywhere. (I started this last night and I decided not to change anything other than to tell you that I started this last night.) Here are some of my mementos. (In no particular order.) I have to stop for a minute, I just heard from Teresa…back now.. She and several others have come up with some great questions as you all read tonight’s (last night’s) Connie’s story.

Back to mementos. You probably think I spelled it wrong. Spell check spelled mementos with an e instead of an o, so I’m going with it. Hopefully someone will research the correct spelling and let me know. Oh, wait a sec, I just heard from Sherri. She had 5 questions about Connie’s story.

I took all of these photos tonight right here in this room. I even photographed the picture of Mom and me. (It’s me not I, I checked.)

Mementos

The Beasterhop

We Shall See what We Shall See

just close your eyes and it will be.

Sometimes when we close our eyes, we can see much better.

The Beasterhop came to life and I said…”Dad, let’s look at him together.”

When I first wrote about my memories of growing up in Murdo, I sent the pages to my brother Billy. After reading them he said, “You didn’t write about the Beasterhop.” I hadn’t thought of it until he mentioned it, but I decided it should be a story all by itself.

When I was a little girl, I would sit on my Dad’s lap and he would tell me stories. Usually they came from an old Mother Goose book I had. It’s pages were tattered and torn. Dad knew all the stories and he told them so well. I loved those nursery rhymes. I looked at the book while he recited all the stories from memory and of course, he added a little bit of his own color here and there.

One day he turned the tables on me. He asked me to tell him a story. That day the Beasterhop was born. I have added two more Beasterhop stories to the little book and I will put them all on the blog when we get a little closer to Easter.

I found the figurine pictured above and took my Beasterhop along with my story to visit my friend Pat in the hospital. I dropped the Beasterhop and broke him. Pat said to give her the pieces and she took them home and glued him back together. He looks like new, and every time I see him, I think of my Dad and Pat.

Bonnie Blue

I found this beauty I named Bonnie Blue, standing in a glass case at the Goodwill Store. Something about her intrigued me. I asked the lady working there if she would take the doll out of the case so I could get a closer look at her. The tag on her toe said $6.00. I bought her, brought her home and wrote a 45 page story about her. In a way, she became real to me, and now I know all about her life. I read a quote once that said, “I wrote the story, because I wanted to read it.” That’s how I feel.

I have other mementos stuffed in this little room. The picture above is part of a collage of photos I have on my desk. I love this picture taken several years ago when I visited Mom and Gus and also Billy and Liz and their family in California. Gus took this picture when he dropped Mom and me off at the Pomona fairgrounds. They have simulcast horse racing there on the wk-ends and Mom loved to go. You can see how excited she was. I’m holding the pillow she used to put behind her back. Look at her Converse tennis shoes. She wore them before they became popular. Billy always said Mom was the first person to photo shop. She took an ink pen and colored in areas of a picture that she didn’t particularly like…mostly her arms (age spots), and her neck. She bought cheap tennis shoes and drew the Nike logo on them. She loved to go to garage sales, but only in the rich neighborhoods.

On this particular day, we really had fun. When I went up the two flights of stairs to get my 3rd baked pretzel during the running of a race, the guy sitting next to us leaned over to Mom and said, “I don’t think she’s really paying much attention to the races.”

I look at that photo and remember a fun day with my Mom, and it always makes me smile.

Here we have Jerome and Fay with a few other things I have collected for future stories. Next is a small bulletin board with a Valentine cousin Valerie made and sent to me last year, a card from a my friend Barbara that says,”We can’t all be Queen. Someone has to bow as I go by.” On top is the collage Judy Dykstra Brown and Patti Dykstra Arnieri made and presented to me at the reunion last summer. There is a picture of Grandpa Sanderson picking up the Christmas presents from everyone’s house on Christmas Eve, and one of our two cockers, Sammie and Pattie. You already know them and Cyndie..she is Pearl the dog in the Connie stories. You have also met Dollie the cat. The cross was given to me by my friend Fran, and the other dog picture is of Obie, who was very special to me.

To the far right is the ashtray my cousin Mark won on a “free game” when Dad took us to play Bingo. Mark kept it all these years and gave it to me last summer. Inside the ashtray is a bracelet one of my grandkids made for me. The ball of tinfoil is the very tinfoil Patti Dykstra Arnieri helped me make my crown with the night before the big parade.

I could go to the other room where I have a beautifully framed cork board Heidi gave me to display all of the grandkid’s most recent art and photos, but I better stick to just this room.

I use these old photo albums full of family pictures..both Kip’s and mine. Many were taken during the same time period as the Connie’s stories, so the photos you see are mostly of our families.

I’m sure you remember Dad’s pink ceramic giveaway holding one of the crowns Sherri Miller sent me. (Jerome and Fay fight over it.) I have crowns from my good friend Pat. (She has made 2 for me.) I have another from Sherri, one from Lady J, and two or more from others. I also have two T-shirts with crowns on them.

The 1967 MHS annual was given to me by Connie Jackson’s brother Eddie. It belonged to Connie and I treasure it. The butterfly pin was given to Mom by her best friend Sugar Nyquist Parker many years ago.

The picture below hangs in this room. It was given to Kip’s Grandma Lois McNinch by the Green River Valley Cowbells. Kip’s grandparents homesteaded in Big Piney, Wyoming. You have probably heard Big Piney mentioned on the weather report, as the coldest spot in the Nation.

I recently found this Prayer for Family that spoke to me. It’s not in a frame yet, but it will be.

I’ll stop now, but there is more..so much more..I’m sort of a late blooming Queen. (I can’t bring myself to say old..Okay, less young.)

I was feeling a little sad when I started this. I feel much better now. It’s nice to revisit happy memories.

In honor of Valentines day each misfit in the Brick House Gang has written a short poem for all of you constituents out there.

Happy Valentines Day

Roses are red, violets are purple

You’re as sweet as maple surple

NVP Lav

Convertibles are red, and I’m feeling blue

My fast Valentine, cause I’m without you.

I’ll go to Murdo agin and agin

If we can go for just one more spin.

Without you my love, candy ‘s inedible

One more ride would be so incredible

Oh I admit,

I’ve porked up a bit

Some say the pounds make my crown look smaller

but I think my small crown makes me look taller.

Just kidding Lav is still svelte

*************

Sherri the Photographic Drawer

I‘ll be yours forever, I love you that much.

Even if I leave you, I’ll still be in touch

So see Valentine it’s a win win

put me on your schedule and I’ll pencil you in.

💌✏

Jerry the Bean counter

My whole life has been full of beans

On Valentines day cross my palm with some greens

I’ll be your true love, for any amount

But I prefer 5o’s they’re so easy to count

💚🏦

Pico

Oh Murdo people, it’s you I adore A

Be still my heart so full of amore’

Whenever I see you my heart misses a beat

I throw you all kisses and dance in the street

Is she for real?…Just keep smiling

A I

Valentines candy? I can’t get enough!

I prefer sweets over flowers and stuff.

I’m an Aggressive Informant some say I’m a spy

Be my Valentine, or I’ll make you cry

🤗💟🌰

DM

They call me Danger Monitor. Feb 14th is just like any other day to me. I don’t rhyme stuff any other day. Every day there is lots of danger for me to monitor…I’m busy.. Besides Valentines Day is a lesser holiday..wait is that a limerick?

Treason

All the above sounds way too sappy

 I’m so  bored I feel like taking a nappy

On Valentines day, I do as I please

No flowers or candy, just give me some cheese

TC

Okay Treason do as you please

But I’ll tell you one thing, you can’t have my cheese

Can you believe all of the fawning?

 instead of town crying, I’m sitting here yawning

***

Carol the Singer and Sometime Snake Trainer

This valentine’s greeting is going down hill

I can’t sing my song cause this poem made me ill

“I don’t care what they say, I’ll play with snakes everyd ay ay,

but I’ll send all my lovin to you.”

Queen E.

Some say I don’t know if I’m coming or going

I look in the mirror and think that it’s snowing

I’m really much smarter than you are my chum

It takes one to know one so that means your dumb

hmm

 Murdo Girl

Giddy up Governor, let’s get out of town

Before someone sees me in my crown and red gown

This Valentines I need just 2 things

Please someone buy me a Coke and a Bings.

***************

We were gone all day and I had to hurry

and write this Valentine in a flurry

 

Our beautiful Queen E. hasn’t been getting much attention as of late, so we’re going to remedy that today. You know how much she loves Murdo and Murdo indeed loves Her Royal Highness. She vacations in the South of South Dakota quite often. Occasionally, there will be a Queen E sighting at one of the local campgrounds. She loves spending time roughing it in her RV Coach. 

Queen E. Has her own room at the Brick House. (Murdo’s answer to the White House.) Some of you may remember her palatial Queen Cave as the English Room in the old high school. It still is the English Room in the old high school. How appropriate. Not only does the Queen like her digs, she is close to the Oblong Office, which means she can eavesdrop..I mean attend some of the meetings she is invited to, and all the ones she isn’t.

Now for the expose’ of several candid photographic drawings provided by Sherri the Photographic Drawer. Below each drawn photograph is a description of the moment that has been captured.

BOW AND ARROW

 

“MAKE SURE THEY HAVE CABLE”

Oh here’s for Murdo Coyotes..the orange and black ones.. They’re bound to win..which cheerleader outfit do you like best?

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YOUR TURN..WHAT IS THE CAPTION? put your caption on FB, comment on the blog, or  email…kmtexas2@gmail.com

ONE AND TWO 

 

 

 

 

It’s Monday morning at the Brick House and Next Pres Murdo Girl is at her desk in the Oblong Office. She is busy as usual.. filing her fingernails. Pico (Person in Charge of Brick House Functions), walks in.

MG: Quickly shoves her nail paraphernalia in her already “stuffed with junk” desk drawer..Hi Pico, thanks for getting here so quickly. I have a Brick House function I want you to be in charge of.

Pico: I’m just a hop, skip, and a jump away Next Pres. I spend most of my time down in the employee lounge.

MG: I noticed you’ve been hopping, skipping, and jumping a lot lately..too many mochas? Anyway, I just found out that yesterday was Sherri the Photographic Drawer’s birthday. I want you to organize a surprise belated birthday party for her in the gym. It has to be tonight. Can you do that?

This is Sherri and her daughter Niki. She is planning to follow in her Mother’s footsteps and become a Photographic Drawer…or a veterinarian. 

Pico: Consider it done HRH Next Pres MG. Pico doodles a minute on a sheet of paper then hands it to MG. Here’s your invitation. Gotta go! See ya tonight and don’t forget to bring the cake and ice cream.

Invitation to a Brick House birthday party

Come one come all. You’ll have a ball.

Sherri’s birthday is belated. We haven’t even celebrated.

The Brick House team will unite, and give Sherri a special night.

Her age is still a secret? Has Sherri reached her peak yet?

Every constituent is invited. Not one person will be slighted.

Dress real stylish and come at fiveish.

The Brick House team, except for Sherri, will meet in the gym at 4:00 o’clock for rap practice?) This is a SURPRISE!!

At fiveish, the whole team and a smattering of constituents are in the gym waiting to surprise Sherri…tick tock, tick tock, tick tock..

smattering of constituents 

Smattering of Constituents: TC! Will you please stop saying tick tock?? We feel like we’re on that TV show, “The Price is Right.”

TC: manages not to cry..Okay Smattering of Constituents..I just felt like I should town cry something, ya know? I hate silence ya know? I have to fill voids with something ya know?

Lav: looks at Treason and says: Is miss not so sharp cheddar cheesehead over there for real?

Treason: I kinda feel sorry for her…having to wear a wedge of cheese on her head all the time. I heard she’s having a problem with mice. Can’t we afford to get her a real Town Crier hat?

Jerry the Bean Counter: Who is eavesdropping..No. I had to dip into the bean bag for a new cheesehead when I accidentally squished her old one. A real town crier hat is cost prohibited.

Treason: You mean prohibitive?

Jerry: No..I mean prohibited. I bought the wrong thing first. Do you like Head Cheese?

A I: I have a stupid question. Did anybody tell Sherri she was supposed to be here?

Carol: A I, use your head for something other than a straw hat rack and a place to hang your shades. It’s a secret so Shh! Now let’s practice this rap one more time. Lav’s going to rap it, and we’re gonna tap it.

A I: I have another stupid question. We’re gonna tap dance to rap music?

All gather their props and lineup.

MG: Comes walking in with a cake. Sorry I’m late. I had to wait til the cake was done. It’s not like you can just walk into Super Value and get an already baked cake.

DM: It looks like a pancake. Did you bring syrup?

Sherri..Sherri baby.. Sherri..Sherri baby..Sherri..

Sherri is in the employee lounge drawing a photograph of herselfie, when she hears her name. She proceeds to follow the sound to the gym.

Happy Birthday Sherri…from the Brick House Gang

“Sherri Sherri ..Where B the Cake Rap”…by Lav

 

Queens who wear toilet seats on their heads get stinky head cheese

 

 

 

When I watched Mrs E. eat a  Spam sandwich with lots of jalapeños or the extra “hot” Jimmy Dean sausage patties with her eggs, I would marvel at her iron stomach. She always said, “Daddy told me to eat hot stuff. The hotter the better.” Then she would flex her good arm and double up her fist and say, “He told me it would make me strong!”

I think there is some truth in what her Daddy said. Maybe an iron stomach indicates an iron will in a person. Mrs. E was strong willed..that’s for sure. Personally, I don’t like a fire pit  burning in my tummy. There has to be another way.

I’m not talking about physical brawn. I’m talking about emotional strength. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be able to face every fear with courage. A fox hole prayer doesn’t get enough credit. Even if it’s used as the last resort, it suggests at least a seed of faith. It takes strength to resist saying or doing what I shouldn’t say or do. It takes strength to resist temptation and strength to be disciplined and patient. Patient?

Mom always said, ” Mary… patience is not your middle name.”

It’s hard to outgrow childish ways if you continue to think like an 8 yr old. It’s a lot more fun, but the consequences of the misdeeds of an adult are indeed more severe than the punishment metered out to an 8-year-old. Being sent to my room doesn’t have the same impact as it used to.

Still, being strong and patient doesn’t cover all the bases. The ability to accept the things I cannot change is the hardest thing for me to do. I can’t change people, places or things. The only thing I can change is my actions and reactions to them. Here are some things that have been useful to me…when I remember them.

“Don’t push the river, it flows.” I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating. I am bad about trying to make things happen. As a result, some things have happened that maybe shouldn’t have. Have you ever heard the Garth Brook’s song, “Thank God for unanswered prayers?” It’s about a guy who was jilted by his high school sweetheart.Twenty years later, he went back to a high school reunion. He looked at the old girlfriend and then at the woman he married and thought, “Whoa!! Thank God I didn’t get what I prayed for.”

The above applies to times when we want sympathy because we have suffered consequences of our actions..before we have stopped crossing the ocean. We all need to believe in our own ability to cross our own oceans. Another way to say it is, ” if you want your head to stop hurting, stop hitting it against the wall.” It’s good to try a new solution when the one we keep using… keeps not working.

I’m one who has been given much. I know I don’t always give as much in return. It’s also very difficult to give love and support unconditionally.

I don’t mean any of these thoughts to have a negative connotation. “Think positive,” is my daily montra.

*********************************

5-year-old granddaughter (her daddy is giving her a bath and I’m watching.) Daddy, what is the capacity of this bathtub?

Daddy: What?

Charlie: Daddy..how much water does this bathtub hold? That is what capacity means.

Daddy: I don’t know, but you are very smart.

It’s okay to say we don’t have all the answers.

I just watched the coin toss before the start of the Super Bowl. As President George H.W. Bush and Barbara were crossing the field to toss the coin, they were given such a warm ovation, it touched my heart. While he was in the hospital last week, President Bush’s main focus was to get well enough to be released in time to go to the Super Bowl. This was another goal reached by a man who skydived on his 90th birthday.

Memo to self: Don’t try to be great…aim higher. Strive to be good…

I want to thank all those who are praying for our daughter-in-law as she prepares for her surgery on February 15th. Your prayers and friendship equal strength and gratitude.

 

 

It’s Monday morning at the Brick House and Murdo Girl is hardly working at her desk in the Oblong Office. She’s working on a crossword puzzle. Sherri the Photographic Drawer walks in. Murdo Girl quickly shoves the magazine in her desk drawer. She’s embarrassed at being caught goofing off so she picks up her crossword puzzle dictionary and pretends to be reading it.

Sherri: Are you still reading the dictionary? I tried to get through that book, but I only made it through L. It drags in parts and there aren’t enough pictures.

MG: I agree. I’ll wait for the movie..So, what’s my Photographic Drawer up to today?

Sherri: I’ve been drawing pet photograph posters for Lav. I needed a break. I’m drawing snakes now and I’m not real fond of reptiles.

MG: I don’t know what to say. I’m really afraid to ask why..Okay why?..WAIT! Don’t tell me….Okay, tell me.

Sherri: What rock have you been hiding under Next Pres? The whole gym is full of animals. Lav decided to add dog catcher to her list of Murdo Government responsibilities. She decided while she was at it, she would include all animals and reptiles…and a few bugs. TC has a sore throat from Town Crying and allergies, so she’s going around putting posters in all the merchants windows and on all the telephone poles.

MG: OH NO! She can’t be doing that!

Sherri: Why not? She says other than an irritated throat, she feels just fine.

MG: Not TC..I mean Lav. I better get down to the gym and see what’s going on!

Sherri: Okay, break’s over..I’ll go with you. I can’t miss this.

I’m Sherri..I drew all of these photographs

*************************************

Meanwhile Jerry the Bean Counter is at Harold’s barbershop uptown. Anybody who thinks all barbers talk and joke around a lot don’t know Harold. Since Jerry never has the 2 bits for a haircut, he worked out a deal with Harold. Jerry keeps the customers entertained while Harold cuts their hair, and in turn Jerry gets a free haircut.

Jerry to customer: Hey, how do you want your hair? Do you want Harold to cut it a little longer in the back? Haha. He cut the last guys hair twice and it’s still too short. Haha.

Customer: Haha..say, I was wondering, when would be a good time to bring my 2 yr old in?

Jerry: When he’s 4 haha

Customer: Haha. Hey, could you trim my eyebrows a little?

Jerry: Why? They’re almost long enough for a comb-over..haha

***************************************************

Meanwhile… while Jerry is at the Barber shop, DM and Pico are over at the Harold Thune Auditorium giving cha-cha lessons to the drill team. They don’t get paid or anything. They’re doing some community service work..and they’re having a few difficulties.

Carol is with them. Can you hear her singing? 1, 2, chachacha, 3, 4, chachacha. What is she doing with a snake?

DM: Come on people! We’re not doing.. 1, 2, do-si-do, 3, 4, do-si-do… it’s chachacha, so quit swinging your partner!!!

Pico: See my outfit? Wouldn’t you rather wear this than a square dance skirt and all those petticoats? Comfortable shoes? You want to wear Comfortable shoes?

Murdo Girl has left the gymnasium to go back to the Oblong Office. Here is some of what she has witnessed.

(Kitties: she took us from our home.)

(Treason: She’s trying to find me a home. I already have a home.)

(Carol and snake: How much?)

 (Barney: Barney??)

( Lav: Don’t worry next Pres, I’m going to find them all a home.)

The Town of Murdo is all twitterpated again. Lav has taken everybody’s pets and now she’s trying to find homes for them. The Queen can’t find her Corgi’s..It’s just one awful mess.

Murdo Girl: If I hear one more person tell me Lav’s heart is in the right place, I’m going to scream so loud it will wake the dead! I knew it was a big mistake to give her free reign of the Jeep. Isn’t it enough that she’s Vice Next Pres? Now she wants to be a dog catcher.

I don’t care how many crowns you give me…I quit! But first, I’m going to pick out a nice dog. One that doesn’t belong to someone. One that isn’t looking for it’s rightful owner.

Then I’m going to disguise myself and spend the rest of my life collecting water towers and eating Bings. Yeah..that’s what I’ll do. Haha!!

**************************************

Hey Next Pres Murdo Girl…wake up. I think you’re having a bad dream. It’s Lav, wake up!

I have far too many things going on and it shows up to all of you as a disjointed, all over the place, blog. Since this tiny house project began, I started the Murdo/history/camera story, I’ve posted excerpts from the Beastertown story, threw in a few Pearl stories, and of course, the tiny home progress stories. I have to settle down a little. We stay so busy, it’s hard to devote the time it takes to do this blog I love, justice.

I will get back on track, soon. I have so many things I want to do and write about.

It looks like we’re about four or five weeks from being able to move into the little abode we’ve been waiting for. We have shopped for the few furniture pieces we will need, but we aren’t going to buy anything until we get moved in and can see what will work, and what won’t.

So here comes another rerun. I appreciate that I still have readers and I hope you all hang in there until the house is done and we’re sitting out on the front porch watching the grass grow. I can only imagine how lovely that will be.

 

 

 

It got around that I was having difficulty finding words that rhymed with Murdo. Judy Dykstra-Brown threw out a few, and made the comment that she was only kidding and it would be a miracle if I could make a poem out of those words. It kind of felt like a challenge to me. I had other things going on today as well, so I was in the mood to have some fun with my post tonight. Thank you for indulging me.

I wrote another masterpiece of poetry. (By the way, did you catch the words that band used to rhyme with Murdo?) The song was great, but they used poetic license on the rhyming words. There is a difference between “poetic license” and”poetic justice.” I use both. That’s how I know.

Oh, I like to read my “works” out loud sometimes.. so I can use the right inflection.

Murdo Smurdo

I have self-will. I’m quite tenacious, bold, strong and goodness gracious

I’m like a big dog with a bone. It won’t be me they want to clone

When I was just a child in school, I came up with my golden rule.

The rule I followed through on…gave teachers much to chew on.

I went to school in.. Murdo and I always sat in the.. third row.

I sat in the 3rd row all 12 years, amidst a lot of heckles and jeers

Do you think paranoia will destroy ya?

 lots of people played that game. I smiled at them and said, “for shame”

My mother tried to hoodwink me. Her cookies were supposed to be

Homemade using her dough.. not from a store in Murdo

She thought because I saw her baking, they were homemade cookies she was making.

She put store-bought cookies in the oven, they started to smoke and the buzzer was buzzin

 she burnt those cookies to kingdom come… I’m talking well done and then some.

“Oreos for PTA?” They called me nerdo. I know I was the laughing-stock of Murdo

As I walked home I thought about..all those things that I should doubt

I heard a bird you never hear in Murdo. Was he mocking me? How did that bird know?

 

Are you sure?..Yes I’m sure. It was only 45 years ago. It was a mocking-bird!

******************************

In time I got over the humiliation. I think it was just a culmination

Of falling for the trickery and believing things they all told me

I think about those hard times I endured so.. I guess that’s why I’m strong. I lived in Murdo

Kip and I, along with the pets, are RVing in Galveston with friends for a few days. We’re having a great time relaxing and eating. What could be more fun? It really has me looking forward to our longer vacation in the fall.

Cyndie is having a wonderful time chasing seagulls. Too bad she can’t run free.

Ron and Barbara’s, son, grandkids and friends with kids  are are having fun at the beach. It was a great day!

I’m attaching another Murdo memory rerun. I hope it’s one you like!

******************,****************

I wonder if anyone has ever written a poem or a song about my hometown. I wonder if I could write one. I wonder if I should write one. Okay I’ll try. Keep in mind, the baseline of my life was growing up there in the 50’s and 60’s. I love that town as much as ever.

So we’re back in Murdo Papa John. Does Queen Murdo Girl Have a sign yet?

MURDO

By Mary Francis McNinch aka Murdo Girl

I’ve been sitting here for five long minutes, wondering how I should begin this.

Now I’ve written four short lines and nothing that I’ve written rhymes.

I guess it’s close enough for me. Until I have an epiphany.

I’ve got my crown on. I’m good to go, and I know the words will begin to flow.

Why oh why is my brain so slow. Nothing much rhymes with Murdo.

I think I’ve thought of a better way. I’ll start by describing Mack’s Cafe.

Breakfast, dinner, supper, snacks…The food was always good at Mack’s.

Doris  made yummy cinnamon rolls..served ham and beans in great big bowls.

Hot beef sandwiches were a favorite. Don’t eat too fast, you must savor it.

I ate so much my stomach hurt, but I always had room for a big dessert.

Sanderson’s Store is on Main Street, and everyone there is really neat.

If you’ve read all I’ve written about. You know this store inside and out.

Groceries, produce, they’ve got it all, and mounted deer heads on the wall

Grandpa Sanderson after a successful hunt

 Uncle Jeff, Uncle Al and Great Aunt Tet..Just a second I’m not done yet.

Billy, Jeff H. and Eldon Davis, thanks for the good service you all gave us.

The post office, Ford garage, Mr. Kell…Laundromat, Gambles, and the Gem Hotel.

The Murdo Coyote keeps us in the know, even 25 and 50 years ago.

Maybe they know what rhymes with Murdo.

If the Ford Garage sells you a car, and you celebrate at the Buffalo Bar.

The Hotel owned by Alice Tornow is the place you probably aught to go.

Still nothing rhymes with Murdo.

My dog Berferd got to go, uptown to the picture show.

He was as quiet as he could be, (unless a dog barked in the movie).

If you want to change the way you’re livin, or maybe you need to be forgiven.

We’ve got churches everywhere, so you can go and say a prayer.

Go to Dr Murphy if you’re feeling sick and Doc Bork will fix your teeth real quick.

Joy Payne sells the ladies their dresses and Evie McKenzie curls their tresses

Down on the highway called Old 16, there’s a lot more to be seen.

Fern’s Cafe makes a great hamburger, or maybe dessert is what you’re there fer.

Chocolate cake with lots of frosting. (Writing a poem is so exhausting)

Head to The Pioneer Auto Museum.  Old cars and buildings..Wait til you see em.

Together our motels sleep 800. (Just in case you’ve ever wondered).

 Super Value and Cafe 16, have goods and food fit for a Queen.

If you’re low on gas, don’t get nervous. All our gas stations are full service.

Dean’s Philip 66 will fix your tires, and Dean’s really good to the guys he hires.

later we got a drive-in and a diner. Their food and milkshakes taste diviner.

Than food you usually get “to go”.Still nothing rhymes with Murdo.

I wouldn’t be in such a frenzy if they would’ve named Murdo..MacKenzie.

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My cousin Valerie Leckey with two friends shortly before she and her parents moved to California. I’m sure many of you recognize the other two cute girls. The photo was taken in 1963.

 

 

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the previews of my Water Tower collection. As you peruse the photos, pick out your favorites. After I have named and displayed 50, there will be a vote amongst readers for awards such as: Most Unique,  Ms Murdo Girl Water Tower of Tomorrow, and Most aptly named. We probably won’t get into things like, The oldest, and Who came the farthest.

21

WRIGHT ON WHITE

Whitewright, Texas… submitted by Lewis Williams

This is Whitewright’s answer to the Sam Houston statue in Huntsville, Tx..see photo below.

Now that I see Sam again, I guess “Wright On White” doesn’t have the same stature. Maybe if they hadn’t written a big blue W on the white tower… Oh well,  you have to admit,”Wright on White” is a whole lot easier to say than, ” Wow! The Whitewright Water Tower!” Which is hard to say without whistling.

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22 and 23

I WAS HERE FIRST..I WAS HERE FIRST

East side of Lincoln, Nebraska…Mari and Eddie Jackson

 It’s my understanding there will be an open discussion at the next City Council meeting to determine which of these towers is the interloper. Once that is hammered out, one of the names will be changed to I WAS HERE SECOND.

There is controversy over everything these days.

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24

FIRE AND WATER

Bells, Texas…submitted by Lewis Williams

See..I think having a big water tower behind a small fire department makes sense. Other communities should have this set-up. Since the town’s name is Bells it even makes more sense. IN CASE OF FIRE, RING THE BELLS would have been a great name, but it’s too long. Thanks Lewis. I really like this one!

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25

SHORT AND STOUT

RV Park near Sedona, Arizona…submitted by Mary McNinch

You don’t see many short-legged water towers, but that is the inique feature that makes this tower a collectable. The name is not in any way meant to be degrading, so please no letters from the newly formed group who call themselves W.E.T. (Water Equality for Towers.) The moniker comes from a song that goes something like this. “I’m a little teapot short and stout, I don’t have my handle or a spout, you can’t tip me over, or pour me out.” It would be easy enough to put a handle and spout on SHORT AND STOUT, which would catapult the worth of  this piece right through the glass ceiling of water tower values.

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26

WAKE UP A LITTLE 

Shenandoah, Iowa…where the Everly Brothers grew up..submitted by Mari and Eddie Jackson

What better way to wake up a little Susie, than with a splash of water in the face? Judging from the cobwebs around the base, this is The Rip Van Winkle of water towers. I love getting submissions of water towers from hometowns of famous people.  Thanks Mari and Eddie. Say hi to the bros for me.

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27

HOW LOW CAN YOU LIMBO

(The name incorporates the wire strung in front of the tower. It’s better to do that than to pretend it’s not there.)

Sidney, Iowa…Eddie and Mari Jackson

If I didn’t know better, I would think SHORT AND STOUT was moved from Sedona to Sidney. Looks like short WT’s aren’t all that unique. Well at least W.E.T. can’t accuse me of discriminating. (Please..no more submissions of short water towers.)

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 28

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Deloit, Iowa.. small village…Mari and Eddie Jackson

I will confirm with the submitter, but it appears this Deloit tower is in someone’s backyard, which could put a damp(er) on family BBQ’s. There are no offsets here. The tower is not only in a poor location, it has little aesthetic appeal. Don’t despair Mari and Eddie..they can’t all be winners. You might check to see if anyone famous was from Deloit.

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29

LEAVES ME ALONE

Peru, Nebraska…Mari and Eddie Jackson

A thin stream of smoke from a low flying airplane, and the rich brown and green hues of  the landscape meeting the sky blue sky, give this barely noticable water tower a presence collectors look for. I fear when the trees leaf out in the spring the view of the tower will be obstructed. I still think it’s a keeper. (I can always flip it right before the trees get too tall.)

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30

WHAT’S THE POINT

Point, Texas…submitted by Lewis Williams

I couldn’t resist the obvious name. If I think of a better one, I can register a name change with the local TP (Tower Power) any time I want to. I don’t like all the wires, but love the trees to the right of the tower. Is that a cloud in the upper right side, or does your window need washed? I believe car washes during tower travels are tax deductible.

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31

Bonus

THE PRAYING YANTIS

Yantis, Texas…submitted by Pat Davis

The cross- shaped utility pole and the name of the town made naming this piece a no brainer. When you can name your tower without a brain, you can punch up the price considerably. Thanks Pat

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32

WILD BILL’S WATERING HOLE

Deadwood, South Dakota…submitted by anonymous.

 If anonymous would please come forth and verify authenticity, I would love to display this South Dakota treasure in my portfolio.

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