Memories of Graduation Day

Dortha Worthington
1946

Another school year has just ended and the many students will be going their separate ways for the Summer. While many of those students will be returning to their familiar schools again in the Fall, others have graduated from their high school days and will be making plans to prepare themselves for higher education perhaps, or going into a chosen vocation. At any rate, one phase of their lives will be forever closed while another will be opening.

So well I remember a day in May, 1946 when I, too, graduated from high school. I am not sure why we seem so anxious for the day to arrive when we no longer have to meet a schedule and study for tests. The freedom feels good for awhile but all too soon we find ourselves searching for answers to the many questions that fill our minds. What shall we do now and where shall we do it? Truth be, I had no plans nor answers to the questions I might have had. I had attended only two different school during my 12 year of schooling. My first 9 years were spent in a two room school house one and one-half miles from my home. When I was ready to enter the 10th grade, I had to go away from home for my last 3 years.

One week after my 15th birthday I rode a bus 18 miles to Searcy, AR, where I enrolled in the 10th grade. I rented a bedroom in Searcy and stayed there from Monday until Friday each week when I rode the bus back to my home. That schedule continued until I graduated from the 12th grade 3 years later. Since I had no car and no money, I felt it not possible to attend college even though I was offered a scholar ship to a college in Little Rock, AR. Perhaps there could have been a way for me to attend but I did not pursue the opportunity. Instead I married the following January and the rest is history!!! I do not regret my decision and I am so thankful for my family and all the blessings I have received these past 63 years but I do think it would have been nice to have been on my own for a time rather than going from one authoritative figure to another. If that had been the plan I chose, perhaps I would have become too independent and would not have become the person I was meant to be.

I am thankful for all the opportunities that are available for young people today and I wish each of them the best.

I have good memories,
Dortha

Calm After The Storm!!

Walking In The Rain!!!

We complained when it was too cold, we complained when it was too hot, we complained when it was too wet, we complained when it was too dry. We could not blame God if He gave up on us and never blessed us again. However, that is not the way God does things. He blesses us even when we do not deserve to be blessed. Yesterday He gave us a wonderful blessing when the black clouds gathered above us and dumped one inch of rain onto Holland Hill in less than an hour. Such a good, much needed and much appreciated rain it was. Now our gardens can grow even better. This morning the air is crisp and fresh. We are still promised temps in the 90's for the rest of the week, which is a bit higher than we sometimes have during the month of June. We are ever so close to July, however, and we expect HOT temps during July and August.

We just completed a very interesting and informative prophecy conference at our church. The speaker was Jimmy DeYoung. He has an unbelievable wealth of knowledge and his messages were very timely. He has a website: Prophecytoday.com, also a daily devotion on the internet. He has lived in Jerusalem for several years. We had a Q & A session each evening before the regular service. Regardless of the questions asked, he could immediately quote the related passage and explain it's meaning.

My you be blessed today,
Dortha

Happy Father's Day

Watching You

Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
A Green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit on my brakes and mumbled under my breath
As fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
It started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now where'd you learn to talk like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's scooby doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
Spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you
With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
And he said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
Then I'll be as strong as superman
We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad
When I can do everything you do
Because I've been watching you
Hey yeah.. uh huh

Word of Advice!!!

show details 9:18 AM (0 minutes ago)

Reply

Using GPS for driving directions might be a good idea, but for driving directions to a home you have to demolish might not. According to Consumer Reports, a house in Carrol County, Georgia was demolished by accident when a wrecking crew was misguided by a GPS device (oops!).

Just a word of advice to you drivers who depend on your GPS for directions!!! Double check if you are planning something destructive!!! I am reminded of a similar incident that happened several years ago. When I lived in AR and had my Decorating Services, I did some window treatments for a house in Bella Vista. When I went to install them, I heard that some builders had built a house (next door to the one I was decorating) on the wrong lot. Good fortune for the person who owned the lot and bad for the builders. Someone got a FREE house. Many people who lived out of the area and even out of the state, bought lots, gave instructions for building a house then never returned until the project was completed. BIG SURPRISE!!!!

Dortha

Thanks DJ

What a wonderful new day!!! The sky is bright blue, the air is cool and crisp and the sun is shining brightly. The world is calling!!! This is an exciting time of the year----flowers are in bloom, birds are singing their happy songs, seeds are bursting through the soil and we have the promise of Summer vegetables soon!!!! Life is good and God is blessing. If you have two legs that work, two eyes that see and a mind that helps you make wise choices, you are blessed!!! I hope you have a GREAT day.

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a 58 year old friend and am reminded once again how precious---and how fragile---- life is and how thankful I am for the years God has granted me. I thank Him each day for one more day to enjoy life, family and friends.

Darla, you made my day when I read your post last night. I am thankful that you enjoy reading what I write. I realize it can be rather boring when I write mostly about myself and my life but feel that is what I need to do as I do not want to invade on someone's privacy and write something that shouldn't be shared. Thanks for your kind words. I never know if ANYONE reads or cares.

Love and good wishes to all,

Dortha

Thanks Grandmother

I'm so glad that you are writing again! I've been catching up on my reading since I realized you were writing again. Thanks for the picture of your dad- I don't think I've ever seen his picture before. I'm glad he left you good memories. Father's day for me is now a special day, because I have so many amazing, godly men in my family that have shown me what being a father was supposed to be- for that I'm very thankful! So to all my uncles, granddad Holland and cousins -THANK YOU! -DJ

Dortha's Dad

My Dad,
George Hunter Worthington
1894--1967

Even though I was not privileged to spend a lot of years with my Dad, I always think of him on Father's Day and like to honor him. The above picture was taken when he was in his early 20's so you can see he was a very handsome man. I have special memories of him during the years he was a constant in my life. I remember how I looked forward to his coming home each night and many nights he would bring a candy bar or a few pieces of candy he knew we liked. He was a hard worker and a very strong man. He built his own saw mill and sawed trees into lumber to sell. He only finished the 3rd grade in school but he had a sharp mind and was master of many things. I always felt he could do ANYTHING!!!!

It was a sad day when he walked out of my life as well as my Mother's life and my Sister's. My only explanation is that he and my Mother fell out of love. His leaving left an empty place in my heart that no one else could fill. I prayed many, many years that he would come back and live with us again but apparently that was not to be. He spent the last 27 years of his life in California and is buried in Modesto. Because of the distance between Oklahoma and California and no extra money for long road trips in those days, I did not see him for 11 years. In 1958 my Sister and her family and my family drove to California to spend some time with him. We saw him a few more times before he passed away in 1967. When he got sick and felt he would not recover, he called Marie and me and said he would like to see us one more time. We drove out and spent a week with him. A few weeks later he passed away. Marie and I flew out for his funeral.

I regret the years when an occasional letter was our only contact. I loved him because he was my Dad and I felt he loved me. I have never felt that I had anything to do with his leaving so I have no guilt, only loneliness and regrets that I could not have been a more important part of his life. He and his wife raised two of her relatives---a niece and a nephew. He sent pictures of the niece's wedding when he walked her down the aisle. Yes, I feel jealous that he was not available to do the same for me when I was married.

I am thankful for the memories that shall forever be tucked away in the corner of my heart and for the years I did get to spend with my Dad.

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Jan!!!!

Happy Birthday, Chocolate Lover!!!

I promised I would not embarrass anyone on their birthday but maybe one exception won't hurt!!! She liked chocolate at 6 months (see it dripping from her hand) and she likes chocolate today at '??' years. '??' years ago today was a very special day for me. I became a Mother and was now responsible for a little life and as I remember, no instruction book came with her. No doubt I made my share of mistakes but if loving her with all my heart were a mistake, then I take full responsibility. I was so thrilled to have a little girl. I was the youngest in my family and remember how I longed for a younger sibling. I was always drawn to babies and I guess I thought if I had a younger sibling it would forever be a baby. Dressing my dolls was my favorite pastime and since I enjoyed sewing dresses for them, I could only imagine how great it would be to have a real live baby girl to sew for. My sister, who is older than I, had her first baby when I was a senior in high school. Of course, in those days, we did not know if she would have a little boy or a little girl. I was so anxious for her to have a little girl, I made the statement if she had a boy, I would not even come to see him. Well, I forgot those words when I got the call that the baby had arrived and guess what!!! I was the very first person to get to the hospital to see my first little nephew and must admit, he was a keeper and a real delight----and still is very special to me. We call him Donnie.

Now back to my little bundle of love. She woke me about 2:00 A.M. on a Sunday and I realized it was time to go to the hospital. Her dad drove me there, checked me in, kissed me good-by and I went one direction and he went the other. Rules were---no one could go with me past the waiting room so he went home and worked on his car. Since we had no phone, he would walk to the neighbor's house once in awhile to call the hospital to see if the baby had arrived. Finally at 2:10 in the afternoon, she did arrive but I did not know I had a little girl until around 6:00 P.M. When I awoke and first saw her with a little curl on top of her head, I was the happiest person alive. From that day until this, she has been a delight and a true blessing. I am so thankful for her. She was a great, big sister to her two younger brothers (they didn't think so since she liked to "tattle" on them) and I constantly wonder why I should be so blessed with such a dear daughter. I don't even remember ever needing to spank her and I guess she didn't know she could have rebelled and been a terrible teen but instead she was always willing to abide by the rules. She didn't even know about the "terrible two's". She has just continued to be that sweet little girl all through her life. I am so thankful for her today. She has been a perfect daughter, a good mother and is now a good grandmother.

Jan, I love you so much and I pray God's blessings for you each day. Thank you for being such a blessing all these many "short" years.

Your Mother

June 10th

Happy Birthday to Everyone With June Birthdays!!

I don't want to embarrass anyone who doesn't want to be reminded of their birthday and neither do I want to leave anyone out so will just do a generic Birthday Wish for everyone who was born in June.

And the year marches on!!! We will soon be seeing the longest day of the year which means the days begin getting shorter and then all too soon, Fall will be here. We cannot complain about our weather this Spring. Only a few days we have needed our air conditioning on. We had too much rain early on but now we would be thankful for a nice shower. We have had clouds today but no rain so far. Perhaps tonight!!!!

Not much happening on Holland Hill. Merrel keeps busy with his gardens and yard work. I keep busy not doing much of anything. My sister gave us a scare last night when she collapsed and was rushed to the ER. After spending 6 hours in ER, she was admitted. Lots of tests have been taken but we have no results from them yet. Oh, how I need her to get well !!!! I don't like to think of her being sick.

Love to all,
Dortha

JUNE 2nd!!!

Flowers in June

I turned a page on my calendar and it now says "June". That means in only 28 more days the year of 2009 will be half gone. How do the days pass so quickly? I learned a few things about the month of June. June was named for the Roman goddess, Juno. It is the month embraced by brides, gardeners, school children and strawberry growers. The month of June has more daylight hours than any of the other months.

For the most part, June is a very pleasant month in our little corner of the world Everything is beautiful and fresh, trees are leafed out, flowers are blooming and the temperature is not too hot and not too cold most days. Vegetable gardens are getting planted, finally, since we have been rain-free for a few days. (We may have rain and storms later today and tomorrow, however!! No storms, please!!) Our lawns are nice and lush and the grass is growing so fast, the gardener is having trouble keeping the mowing done.

We had a nice visit and fried chicken dinner with some friends from AR last evening. I still have some cleaning-up to do in my kitchen as we just kept visiting until bedtime!!! They will be here for a few days.

I wish a great day for everyone.

Dortha

A Beautiful Morning!~!~!~!

Spring Flowers

This is a BEAUTIFUL morning, sun is shinning, nice breeze is blowing, everything is just about perfect. After receiving more rain than we need during the past several weeks, it is very refreshing to see the sunshine.

Spring time is my favorite time of the year. I like seeing new life and the beautiful flowers blooming. I like the night time and early morning sounds. The temperature is perfect in our bedroom with the sliding door open and the first thing I hear in the early morning hours is the birds singing in the trees just outside our room. A very good way to wake each morning. Then as I come to the front of the house, which faces East, I see the spectacular sunrises. Only God can provide such beauty. Are we blessed or what????

I trust everyone is looking forward to a blessed day in God's house tomorrow.

Dortha

Another damp & dreary day!!

Five Brothers, Aren't They Handsome????

I think these little guys are so handsome. They have one sister who is third from the oldest. Such a great family. Don't know why the baby could not have been a little girl but God knows.

Well, we have had yet another rainy day---more clouds than rain but we are promised some sunshine tomorrow. We will like that. At least we are saving on utilities. We need neither heat nor air. The temp is very comfortable.

Thanks for your comment, Kim. I see the hits change ever so slowly but I have no way of knowing who logs on. I know what I write is not very interesting and especially since I am making an effort to protect the innocent, it can get down right boring.

My trip to AR last week was very rewarding and interesting. My sister and her daughter, Barbara, met me there and we spent several hours at the White County Court House searching for info concerning the property Marie and I inherited when our Mother passed away. We had never done anything more than ask that the property be put in our names so we have no deed nor anything official showing that we are now the owners. We looked through several of those huge legal record books. We found info where our Dad purchased the property in Dec. 1925. The original purchase was for 45 acres and the price was $750.00. Our Dad made a payment of $150.00 the first year then payments of $200.00 each year until the $750.00 was paid in full. A few years later, he purchased an additional and adjacent 40 acres for $300.00. He made payments of $100.00 a year for 3 years. We also found record that our Dad signed the property over to our Mother in 1950 which was the same year they were divorced. Our Dad's signature was so typical of his signing his name.

There have been times when we have considered selling the property and have no idea what we could have sold it for. Perhaps somewhere around $80,000.00 but we are very glad at this point that we did not sell it. A few years ago, we made a contract with a drilling company giving them the right to drill for oil and/or gas. Possibly drilling will begin before the end of the month. Even as I type, drilling is underway on the property immediately South of our property. That acreage is not in our section so we will not receive royalty from there. We would be so very pleased and thankful if a producing well would become a reality in our section but as I said, God knows where the pool of minerals is and if it is His will, it will come to fruition. It is totally in His hands and we accept whatever is His will for us.

We patiently await the rest of the story!!!

Dortha

A Day to Remember!!!

God Bless America!!!!

Today is the day set aside to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country and who make it possible for us to enjoy the freedom we know today. We owe much to those who have left home and family and gone to foreign lands to fight for the freedom that we sometimes take for granted. Without our Military, we might very well have no freedom.

We look forward to Memorial Day for many reasons. Since it is the first three-day holiday of the year, it represents many things---the opening of the pools, family picnics, barbeques and parades to name a few. While it is great to celebrate all these things, there is so much more to remember. We need to take a moment to reflect on the real meaning of the day and offer a prayer for our men and women in uniform and for their safety. We know many will be wounded, many will not return to their families and other will be changed forever as a result of the dangers they endure. I am honored and humbled that my dear husband served in the Navy during World War II. He was very blessed to have survived the many battles he was in.

Even though today is a day set aside to honor those who are serving and those who have lost their lives for the cause, we must remember them and up-hold them in prayer each and every day. It is only through God's blessings that we are free to live in the land of the brave. May we never take that freedom for granted.

WAY TO GO RYAN!!!!! We are proud of you.

Yours and His,
Dortha

Reminising!!

A Typical Farm Scene!!

I suppose this picture is more possibly a Fall scene rather than Spring time but it reminds me of our farm and is very typical of our raking and burning leaves in the Spring time as well as the Fall. Our farm house was not nearly as elegant as the one in the picture but the trees could very well represent the ones we played under and sat under when we needed shade.

I spent this past week end in my little home town in AR. Each year when I go there, my mind is flooded with memories of the 18 1/2 years I spent there. I realize now that 18 1/2 years is a very short time but it seemed long during my growing up years. It seemed ages from one Christmas to the next and it was very difficult to wait for special events such as a visit from our relatives or other treats. Most of our days were simply repeats of the day before---do the chores, work in the field, plant and harvest the garden vegetables and many other things that had to be done. There was very little time for play and I knew better than to tell my Mother that I was "bored". She would find a job for me right away.

I was born on a hot August day in 1928 and lived in the very same house until I married when I was 18 1/2 years old. Merrel and I were married on a Wednesday and left 2 days later to drive to Oregon. His brother and sister-in-law went with us. I had never been very far from home and felt as if I were going half way around the world. I left my Mother and Sister and everything that was familiar to me. I am not so sure that it was the best decision for me but I adjusted and have had a good life. I regret never having a life of my own as I went from one authoritative figure to another but I am thankful for Merrel and the family God has given me. My life has had some valleys but after each one, there is a mountain top. I have been blessed beyond measure and far above and beyond anything I have deserved.

I enjoy going "home" and driving over to the farm and remembering how we walked a mile each Sunday to the little country church where I heard about God and the plan of Salvation. I have never regretted the day I asked God to forgive my sins and to save me. I then drive by the location where our school house stood. I am thankful for the education I received there. I am thankful for the friends and neighbors who were all like family and how we helped each other. Some years, if some one were ill and unable to plant or harvest their field crops, neighbors would gather and do the work for them. No one had phones but word could spread throughout the entire community within a few hours.

It is good to spend time with the few friends who are left in the community and who have kept the church doors open and souls continue to be saved. I am thankful I got to spend 4 days there last week end.

Happy Memorial Day to all,
Dortha

Didn't Keep My Promise

Sorry I didn't keep my promise and post some memories of my Mother for Mother's Day. I didn't have any good reason for not getting it done. Just got busy and my mind didn't seem to be ready to do it. Actually I have the same feeling about Mother's Day that I do about Thanksgiving Day. I agree we have set aside a special day to honor our Mothers but we should honor them EVERYDAY just as we need to be thankful for God's blessings each day. I will get my mind in gear soon and post some memories.

We are expecting some storms tonight and I trust they will not be serious and destructive. We are all anxious for some sunshine and a few dry days. We need to get our vegetable garden planted so we will soon have some nice fresh vegetables to eat.

I hope every Mother out there had a great day. My special day was wonderful. Ten family members joined us for Sunday dinner. I requested, "NO GIFTS , please". My request: just spend some time with me!!! A few people didn't get the message!!!!

I am driving down to my old home town this week end. I will meet my Sister and other relatives there also friends. It is good to "go back home" and re-live lots of memories.

Love to all,
Dortha

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Can you believe today is May 2nd? Where did April go? I am reminded also that one week from tomorrow is Mother's Day. I would like to post some memories I have of my Mother next week.

I wish a blessed day of worship for everyone tomorrow. God is so good to give us the freedom of worship.

Yours and His,
Dortha

Thanks Kim

Thank you Kim, for your kind comments. I will consider posting again. I am so afraid of making more mistakes and that I do not want to do. I never wanted to hurt anyone in anyway. Talking only about myself may be very boring but at least I can post pictures and perhaps someone will enjoy them.

Love to all,
Dortha

Miss You

Grandmother, I miss your post and pictures! Are you going to start back up again?

Kim

Hellooo? Anybody out there?

Where is everybody? I believe there's been some events in Springfield lately that others that live far, far away would like to see pictures of . . . .

Christmas is over already? I can't believe it!

We had a wonderful Christmas Day. Very busy, but lots of fun. Our Christmas Eve service featured old-fashioned carolers, and the kids tried on the costume hats afterwards. Later that night, I made a Christmas Eve dinner of turkey, sweet and sour meatballs, shrimp cocktail, spinach salad, cranberry tea, cold cuts and cheese, salmon ball, and satin pie! It turned out pretty well and we have tons of leftovers.

Christmas morning we started with our traditional breakfast of grapefruit, sausage balls, and buttered raisin bread . . .still more leftovers. Then, on to presents. The kids had a great time with all of their clothes and gifts. Later that afternoon, we traveled up near Detroit for an extended family gathering. When I got home that evening, the cleanup process began. I told Brett that if a tornado would go through our living room, it might actually leave it cleaner than it was!

I'm back at work today after braving some scary black ice on the highways (again). At least it's only one day, and I'm sooo looking forward to the weekend, where I don't have anything planned and I intend to keep it that way!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas too!