Thursday, March 11, 2010

Ruth

She is my sister in law; she was married to my oldest brother. She has out lived her husband and three sons. One tough cookie, approaching 90 this lady was a picture of a pioneer. After WWII they bought a lot in the country, about a mile and a half from where they were renting. Odis bought some brick molds from Sears and Roebuck and they started making brick. After work they would make sometimes up to 24 brick, To be stacked and cured. Then in a homemade wheel barrow hauled them to the lot. (cutting up as young people do, he would push her part way back in the wheel barrow).

Together they built a beautiful two story three bedroom home. They cut the trees, traded trees for the cutting for lumber. Working they built a home that is standing today, but of course it is no longer in the woods. The town has grown around it.

(Background is Helen (The daughter in law) foreground is Ruth at our 50th anniversary)

But, when I drive by there, I can still remember as a boy of 6-7 yrs old, the two rut road running out to the house in the woods. I am sure it was their love nest. At the time they already had one boy. Howard was more like a brother than a nephew. We played together when I would go stay all summer with Ruth’s family. She was a pioneer cook. She could make a meal out of about nothing, and it was always delicious. She had never seen a pizza. Her sons told her about them, and she made them.


(Ruth and her first-born, Howard, 1950's)
I’ll never forget her biscuits, the best in the world. Great for the delicious gravy she made. But there she is in the nursing home. Old, but not broken. We outlive our families and peers sometime. Then we will be placed with folks our age that we do not know, they too have outlived their friends. There are so many folks there who just exist; looking for someone familiar to visit.

(Ruth 1940's)
She is blessed with a beautiful daughter in law who visits three times a week, and takes care of any and everything she needs. It was good to see Ruth. Shirl and I were late children (mistakes? Nah), so My brother was just about old enough to be my daddy. So Ruth was like a mama. She treated me and her sons the same. She said today that I ran off a lot, I probably did.
WE see old folk and we never know what that old woman (or old man) has done in their lives. To us they are just old people. But at one time that was someone’s dearly loved son or daughter, mother or father or grandparent.
But plain folks, Scientists, Doctors, politicians, preachers, welders, farmers, ranchers, etc. all get old if they live long enough. (Don’t we?)
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Some people try to turn back their odometers.. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
Ruth is now the oldest member of the family. We lost the other Sis. in law, Mozelle, earlier this year while we were in Arkansas.

13 comments:

Paula said...

I was just talking about this to my massage therpist this morning. One of the ladies we go to Curves with can hardly walk but she keeps trying and the interesting thing is she was a barrel racer in her younger day. When you see an older person you kind of have a mind set there but they could have done or been all kinds of things. I like Ruth's story and she is a pretty woman. My middle name is Ruth. Just thought I would throw that in for good measure.

shirl72 said...

Ruth was a survivor. She always had a good outlook on life. I always loved to hear her laugh. She has weathered many storms and still
holding her own. She was just as beautiful inside as out. I don't think I ever saw her get angry. She sure could cook and always had
food ready. She may out live all of us.

Shirl

Dar said...

What heartfelt sentiments about your loved Ruth. She sounds like a wonderful lady. We can only hope that we can live as long and as loved and appreciated. She said you ran off a lot...so is that why you travel all over? I run too and half the time, I don't know where I'm going so I have to go back to the starting point. So, what's with that...thanks for visiting and your concerns...my back is feeling better but apparently, I really messed up my foot again.

Wonderful entry...I feel like Ruth is family. By the way, we are as young as we think we are.
GodBlessYourJourneys

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

i felt your sentiments in here and im sorry to hear that she need to stay in a nursing home to be taken cared of with people she barely new...this is one thing i don't wanna happen to me if i grow old my dad and mom was actually very very lucky to have us watching over them now,my dad just past away and i can say we did our best to serve him before he die.

btw,did you win the lottery,lol!
wish you a happy friday1

Fred Alton said...

Jack, This is A great and thought provoking post! I always loved the old folks - but so many of them have died off. I have to look around carefully - but manage to find one now and then (other than my mother) who is ready to tell me the way things were. I love hearing them tell their stories. I really do.

I was out to the barber shop today and started to go home. Just for fun, I thought I'd turn on the GPS. The electronic gadget asked me, "Where do you want to go?" So I said, "Home." I thought - "Mmmmm maybe this will come in handy when alzheimer's starts to affect my thinking."

Anonymous said...

JACK, YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. OLD PEOPLE HAVE A HISTORY.
I HAVE LIVED HERE NINE YEARS IN THE 'ROYAL GORGE MANOR'. MUST BE AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD TO STAY HERE.

'MADELIN' WAS A REGISTERED NURSE IN THE U.S. ARMY DURING WORLD WAR TWO. WAS DRIVING HER CAR AND TRANSPORTING OTHERS HERE WHEN FIRST KNOWING HER. MADELIN HAD TO MOVE TO A 24 HOUR CARE PLACE.
SEVERAL VETERANS HAVE DIED. EACH MONTH FRIENDS HERE FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MADELIN.
OTHERS MOVE IN. MOST PARTICIPATE IN SATURDAY MORNING COFFEE AND DONUTS. ONCE A MONTH POTLUCK IN THE PENTHOUSE.
EACH OF THE ELEVEN FLOORS HAS A SOLARIUM, A NICE PLACE TO HAVE VISITORS.
WE HAVE NICE APARTMENTS, KITCHEN AND BATH, PRIVATE IF WE WISH WITH DOOR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED IF VISITORS ARE WELCOME TO JUST WALK IN.
GROWING OLD IS GREAT. WRINKLES ARE BEAUTIFUL IN A SMILE.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT. FOR MY ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT THE CHARGE IS 422.00 DOLLARS A MONTH AND THE ONLY UTILITY CHARGE IS THE TELEPHONE.

I LIKED THE STORY WITH HELEN AND RUTH. LOTS OF HARD WORK DID NOT SEEM TO BE A DETERANT.

THERE ARE NAVY MEN HERE TOO. WE SWAP STORIES. SOMETIMES EMBELLISHED SLIGHTLY.

HOWEVER, WHILE ENJOYING LIFE HERE, IT IS GOOD TO SPEND SOME TIME LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 'GREAT BEYOND. DISMISS ALL GRUDGES AND THANK OUR LORD FOR WHAT WE HAVE.
BE GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE AS FAR AS IS KNOWN, THERE'S NO WAY TO TAKE THAT CASH WITH US THAT LAST DAY. HAVE A NICE ETERNITY. sam

Glenda said...

This one hits home, today is Dad's 89th Birthday
and he doesn't know any of us. But, he'd have
been in there with the ax and crosscut saw if he
had been around when your brother was felling trees to trade. He would've chowed down on Ruth's biscuits for sure! Great memories, Jack.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jack...and Sherry....well an interesting blog for sure...and that Ruth...she sounds like someone I could spend the day with...and probably never stop talking or taking notes!!! Memories...what would we do without them...in a family of fourteen...(I am number 13) and I find myself at this stage of life alone...except for a brother Danny...we are the last...and he isn't doing well...but hanging on!!! yes...we get old..everyone does...and I find myself when I am in Walmart wanting to go up to all the little old ladies to give them a hug and say hello..just in case they should happen to be alone!!! I haven't hugged one...but have had some great conversation with some of them!!! LOL...I told you I was weird..gues now I have opened my mouth and removed all doubt!!?? LOLOL...God Bless...hugs and love...Ora in KY with you now who????

Sheila Y said...

Thanks for introducing us to Ruth. She sounds like a special lady. My daughters have a brother old enough to be their father too. :) Have a nice Friday, hope you got the phone working again. Sheila

betty said...

Ruth sounds like a wonderful woman; what a history she had, I can't imagine building my house like that; thanks for sharing her with us :)

betty

Anonymous said...

Once I had a grandmother, of which I can't really remember the name, but only to have called her "buisuit granny" - thank you for the outstanding entry of yours and the memories as well. Please have a nice Friday you all.

Lucy said...

Isn't it sad, I do not ever know a grandma. My grandma on moms side was still alive when I was born and I may have met her once when I was very small. I do not want to turn back my odometer either. I earned every wrinkle and white hair and I am proud of it ... even if I complain about aches and pains. I think the flu bug is on its way out!!!

ilovepink1078 said...

A heartbreaking memories, me too When I was born I haven’t seen grandparents. I wanted to turned back time. But, I knew I can’t. At this time, what keeps me strong is to surrender with him all my anxiety and doubts.

As we face the uncertainties that today may bring, we have the assurance that God knows what we are facing. He is in touch with what is happing to us, and he is concerned.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Hope to hear you soon. Cheer up! Have a great weekend!

Love and Prayer,
Pink