The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Mornings are nippy, evenings cool faster

Southern Ohio


Sue Wagner, daughter of Johnny and Ann Calihan, enjoying a day at the Cincinnati Zoo with her daughter, Ashley Baker, and her beautiful two-year-old twin granddaughters, Claire and Olivia Baker, who were preemies at birth. Just a few short months ago Mrs. Wagner had a liver transplant.

Sue Wagner, daughter of Johnny and Ann Calihan, enjoying a day at the Cincinnati Zoo with her daughter, Ashley Baker, and her beautiful two-year-old twin granddaughters, Claire and Olivia Baker, who were preemies at birth. Just a few short months ago Mrs. Wagner had a liver transplant.

Happy summer everyone! At least in the day as mornings are nippy to me. Evenings seem to cool down quicker for some reason, at least where I live, as the river isn’t far from me.

Oh well I always have a throw on the back of my computer chair, and the electric blanket is on the recliner. That has been my bed for the past year, as I have to keep my foot propped up to try to keep the swelling down, but nothing seems to work.

I have been accused of living in the past, not in the present. I believe this is getting to be true.

As I was doing dishes my thoughts return to my childhood. In my heart I have never left the small place known as Roxana, which nothing is left there except the memories of my first 13 years of life.

I really would like to go visit Martha Whitaker Mitchell’s old home place, as it is so beautiful and trees that I love are growing along the edge of the yard and road. Along with George and Minnie Whitaker’s, except I would come away crying as it is absolutely nothing like I remember as a child.

Katie Nottingham, 16, just got her temps, and bought her first car herself. Katie is the daughter of Scott and Anna Nottingham of Ft. Mitchell, and a granddaughter of Rose Ballard. Anna Nottingham says she’s mastered first and second gear.

Katie Nottingham, 16, just got her temps, and bought her first car herself. Katie is the daughter of Scott and Anna Nottingham of Ft. Mitchell, and a granddaughter of Rose Ballard. Anna Nottingham says she’s mastered first and second gear.

Minnie was so neat about her porch and yard. Her niece whom was called little Minnie and I would sit under the rose arbor in the yard. I remember when she wouldn’t let anyone use her inside bathroom. I also remember how Minnie layered her towel, hand towel and washcloth with crocheted edging in her bathroom.

Minnie had beautiful ferns on her porch, which was immaculate. Now to look when I go past really hurts to the core of my soul.

While finishing the dishes, I had to put away a box of Reynolds Wrap, and with the thoughts of Mommy that came cascading, I had to sit down and write. When Mommy would somehow manage to get a piece of tin foil as she called it, she would use it, then wipe it off and reuse it again until it wasn’t worth using. I don’t ever recall Mommy ever buying anything like that.

Sometimes when I reach for my cleanser to scrub something tough to remove, I remember watching Mommy remove the stove lid and get a dab of ashes to remove a spot on the white on her stove, or anyplace that had a stubborn stain. Mom never had the luxuries that so many like me take for granted, as she didn’t know what Ajax or Comet cleanser was. Her window cleaner was a little vinegar in a bucket of water, drying with an old piece of white shirt or worn out diapers.

What you did find at our house was hand soap to wash with, and to use as shampoo. I did learn that a little vinegar water would make your hair shine, as the hand soap would leave a residue. Rainwater was good to wash your hair in, and so was river water. As you played in the water you could take a bath with your clothes on.

Mom actually washed the paint off a blond bedroom set that Daddy bought from his brother, Lee Hall, as she didn’t know what furniture polish was.

You might recall hearing the statement that you could eat off a floor. Seriously, Mommy’s floors were so clean you could have eaten off them. I remember the floral design of the linoleum on the floors. Mommy used Johnson Paste Wax. Many times I’ve helped her spread the paste wax then help her shine the floor. This was done by getting on your hands and knees.

When I was first married I did the same thing. My sister-in-law said she didn’t feel comfortable coming to our house, as she didn’t want to walk on my floors.

I don’t wear shoes in my house to this very day. As far as my floors, Mom’s looked as if you could eat off her floor it was so clean, well sometimes mine looks as if you ate and forgot to clean.

My son Keith has been doing my kitchen and the bathroom floors since I’ve been unable to get on my hands and knees. Yesterday was the first time since June 1 that I have been able to do this chore myself. For about five minutes I was able to be on my knees, then I thought I was going to have to wake Keith to help me get up.

I finally sat on a stool to clean the kitchen floor thoroughly, and what usually would take 15 minutes, took almost an hour. When you think you are clean, look under the ledge of your countertop.

Nina Craft, thanks for the package of lettuce seed. Keith drilled holes in the extra wheelbarrow, and I put potting soil in. Now the seeds are starting to come up.

Annette Akers ran into the same problem that I had. Annette wanted lettuce seed for a late lettuce bed, but she wasn’t able to find packs of lettuce seeds.

I finally found seeds then went back to purchase them. Of course the complete display was gone from the store, so I found black seeded Simpsons at Home Depot. Annette will be getting seeds, as I am going to share since Nina shared with me.

I wish I could find someone who was interested in iris plants, as Keith has dug the iris up and divided them. The yard has never looked as good as it does now, for a long time.

My granddaughter Katie Nottingham, who is 16, got her temps to drive. My daughter, Anna Nottingham, is teaching Katie to drive a stick shift. Katie’s dad Scott Nottingham’s brother, Bob Nottingham, had an extra car that is in great condition; a 1994 Honda. Katie paid for the car herself.

Anna said Katie is really doing a great job changing gears. Anna said the car is just Katie’s size, as it is a small car.

The car is really cute, as Anna took a picture. It is green in color. Now this is something I don’t want to try anymore. Of course I am so proud of Katie.

Johnny and Ann Calihan are still plugging along as best as they can. It is sort of quiet since their daughter Sue, Tom, and their daughter Lauren are in their beautiful home.

My daughter Angie Wiederhold has started packing a few things, as she can’t get into her new apartment until August 1.

The place she is moving has a swimming pool and different things that Bennie can enjoy if Angie will go outside with him. After all he is 13 and needs a little enjoyment.

The Mountain Minor movie will be showing on KET, July 24 at 9 p.m.

Hello Les and Pat Wagner, I hope everything is alright with you. I bet the garden is looking good. Keith bought three tomato plants that are blooming.

Keith installed the new window in his room and it is really nice. Keith special ordered it from Lowe’s. It has the same grids as the rest of the windows.

If I had known this when I had the siding put on and new windows installed, instead of a solid picture window I would have chosen this type, as it is two windows that looks like a picture window.

Enclosed is a paragraph from Dale Farmer. Dale shared the news with me a few weeks ago but he wanted it to be a sure thing before I shared.

“Kentucky Educational Television (KET)

“We’re so happy to announce it here first that The Mountain Minor will have its Public TV premier on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) on July 24 at 9 p.m.! Since we started this project I’ve been asked so many times, ‘will it show on KET?’ That KET loved the film and wants to share it with their audience might be the ultimate compliment for The Mountain Minor! We’re beyond honored and so looking forward to our film being seen on all those TVs in Kentucky!”

Thanks to everyone who has purchased my book, The Beauty Of a Rose. I have just a very few copies left. $15, plus $6 postage. A special thanks to one reader who ordered seven copies for her friends and family. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Hello Beatrice and Louanna. Buddy and Bernice Grubb, thanks for the beautiful birthday card. I hope to see you before long.

Hello Hayward and Kim Day. Hayward, welcome to Facebook now we can see and talk on this contraption called a computer.

When it is time for pawpaws to get ripe, please don’t let your goats get them.

I have a busy day so until next time, Rose Ballard, 9110 Lawrenceburg Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030, email: Bluegrassmama4@aol.com.

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