Those 70ish Girls

I have fun posting fictional stories about old buildings. I always wonder what their real story is. I believe Dianna Kenobbie Diehm took this photo.

Time Well Spent

I remember sitting in this old school house. I could look out the last window in the back and see the changes in the seasons. Since it doubled as our country church, I spent six days a week here. On Saturdays I did my homework, so I was being truthful when I told everyone I was here every day of the week.

In this little building out in the middle of someone’s pasture, I learned about life everywhere else. I learned how to count as high as I would ever need to, and I learned to count my blessings.

I learned how people survived hardships and how some did not survive success. I learned the happiest people are those who truly care about others. I learned how to pray for strength, courage, and wisdom. I learned how to be humble, grateful, and compassionate.

I learned that nothing is forever, and life would be better if I learned to embrace change. I figured out that we all come from a long line of people who aren’t with us anymore, and we should be proud of our heritage.

This old building shaped my life. I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t come here when it was too cold, or too hot. I learned everything from how to tie my shoes by watching my classmates, to what love is and isn’t from reading 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

Yes, I learned important lessons here. Living what you learn isn’t always easy, and saying and doing are two different things.

My mother was sickly, but she always said, “Living ain’t easy, but life is pretty sweet, so I hang on and thank the good Lord for every day that I can feel the sunshine on my face and look into the eyes of someone I love.”

This is not a story about our dog named Lilie Dale. I have always liked the name since Kip bought the album by Daryl McCall with the song he sings with Willie Nelson called Lilly Dale. I wrote this a while back. It’s another example of a photograph of an old building with a story…

I’m getting some great contest entries. I can’t wait to put the book together. Email kmtexas2@gmail.com or message me on FB. You may enter up to three pictures of barns or other interesting buildings. You have until February 5th, 2021.

My name is Lilly Dale and I’ve come to see this house. I wanted to see if what mamma said was right. She said, “Don’t waste too much time chasing dirt around yur house. It will still be standin long after yur dead and buried.” I guess she was right cause we buried mamma five years ago and this old house is still standin.

My mamma was born and raised here. In fact, she lived inside those broken down walls most all her life. I was born here too. I lived with my mamma and granny till granny died. Mamma got too sickly to take care of herself let alone a little kid, but we managed til her lungs got so bad she had to go to a sanatorium in Colorado. I got sent to live with the man mamma said was my daddy. He must a been, otherwise I doubt he would have been agreeable to that arrangement.

I’m 15 now. School got out for the summer two days ago and instead of going home, I took a bus here. Mr. Jim doesn’t know I come here. I call him Mr. Jim. It just don’t feel right to call him Daddy. He don’t like my name Lilly Dale either. “Why would yur mamma give you a pretty woman’s name and a 2nd name of Dale?” When he does use my name, he calls me Lil, which I don’t like.

You see that window that’s got cardboard over it? It’s been like that for as long as I can remember. Granny said some mean boys threw rocks at it til it busted. She didn’t see no reason to fix it cause she didn’t enjoy looking out that window anyway.

Mamma said the house was kinda pretty once. I think she was dreamin that don’t you? She said they had good times here when her daddy was still alive. He kept things up. You know..fixed things when they broke down. I don’t know about that. I never saw this house with a lick of paint on it, inside or out.

No, It’s been a long time since anybody chased dirt around this house, but I guess it did what it was supposed to. It was a roof over people’s heads. We always stayed warm and had food to eat. That’s better than some have it.

Now that I look at it..That front window might a been kinda pretty once. If a person ever lives here again, they should tear the old lean-to that’s hanging off the side door down. It’s nothin but a place for rats and snakes to live under.

Well, I’m guessin it’s time for me to catch the bus back home. I just wanted to make sure mamma was right. The other thing she always said was, “Lilly Dale, you gotta put up with trash to rise above it.” I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I think I gotta go to school til I get my certificate. Mamma sure did want her daughter to get educated.

“Goodbye house. You did what you was supposed to do, now that’s what I’m gonna do too!”

God blessed me with the ties that bind . They are the strong resilient kind.

I look around me and I see the earthly love He’s given me.

You might think that I forgot those gone from where they once were sought.

I close my eyes and see the faces of those close by and faraway places.

The ties that tug at my heart strings, are sometimes found in little things.

An old letter, picture, or special scent can bring the past into the present.

Some ties that bind take time to form… first brittle and cold then soft and warm.

The small town where I became…who I am still feels the same.

Good memories bind me to that place. Sad ones have left without a trace.

Ties bind me to where I’m now living. Special friendships, loyal and giving.

My friends know without a doubt. They’re ones I deeply care about.

But family ties are strong and close. I feel their Joys and pain the most.

Above all else the ties that bind me when I’m lost know where to find me.

Ties forever with grace and love come to me from up above.

The magical Christmas I describe in the poem is one of many I experienced as a child growing up in the small town of Murdo, South Dakota. My family, including aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents, gathered together each year to celebrate the traditions of Our magical Christmas Eve.

I hope you will all be blessed this Christmas with the magic inspired by the birth of Jesus all those years ago.

She calls herself a Queen, though they’re rarely self appointed. She thinks that when you meet her you won’t be disappointed.

She has costume crowns galore and wears them everywhere. She doesn’t know the reason all her people stop and stare.

She thinks her subjects are impressed by her regal ways. She doesn’t see their eyes are covered over with a glaze.

Her attire always sparkles from her head down to her toes. Even in a darkened room she absolutely glows.

Her heroine has always been the fashionable Queen Liz. I think she knows Queen E is even older than she is.

Lav has stood beside her through all the thick and thinning. They’re longer in the tooth now and the thick is clearly winning.

They only ask one thing in life, but it could be a hurdle. They want to ride one more time down the streets of Murdo.

They’re busy getting ready to wave at all their fans. They work out every day stretching rubber bands.

MG said to tell you if you want to catch her eye, just remember she’s a Queen and wave as she goes by.

My sister-in-law, Liz Francis, and my niece, Erin Francis, saw this awesome t-shirt and thought of me…You’re both royalty in my book.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

Traveling full time would get my vote, but a month on the road is all she wrote.

There’s still so much out there to see and do, and new adventures to wake up to.

God’s country has so much to explore. Each day is different from the one before.

We have an old RV and a Jeep to tow. Our 3 dogs and the cat all get to go.

And no matter where we roam, we have all the comforts of home.

When we need more supplies we can always venture, to the nearest Walmart Super Center.

We wear a mask and social distance and use sanitizer with much persistence.

During the day we’re usually outside. We let science and sense be our guide.

We have noticed something, we’re sad to say…when people throw their masks away,

They often throw them on the ground like cigarette butts, they’re all around.

Forgive me …for I digress. Our trip has been a great success.

We had a good time…the pets, Kip and me. Thanks for coming with us, albeit, virtually.