ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
O
to
see
that
first
sliver
of water
glinting
past green.
Wood violet,
salmon phlox
tumble along
roadsides, our
gleeful escort.
Are we there yet?
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
― Orison Swett Marden
talya
Musical Pairing:
GBE 2: Blog On Week #109: Siblings
Momma uses a tiny bit of Dippity Do to arrange her dark hair into a curl in the center of her head.
Everyone comes with pink flowers and presents for the baby with pouty lips.
Nana gives me a new coloring book.
While Momma irons, I give her a bottle. We sit in Daddy’s big leather recliner in front of the television, but I watch her instead of Captain Kangaroo.
She is heavier than my doll.
She grabs my little finger and holds tight.
Momma says she will be my best friend, but I have doubts.
Her hair smells like powder.
I guess she is okay.
 |
| Talya and Staci, April, 1965 |
talya
“Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life.”
― Charles M. Schulz
 |
| Original Johnsons + Grandpa Johnson |
Last weekend I attended the Johnson family reunion. My Nana was one of twelve Johnson children who grew up at the turn of the century in rural Arkansas surrounded by a God-loving family The original twelve still attend in spirit as our huge group gathers each year for delicious food, lots of laughter and great storytelling.
We have over fifty 1st cousins in the family.
Fifty 1st cousins equals lots of 2nd and 3rd cousins.
 |
| with a few of my 2nd cousins… |
How long will these reunions continue?
When the 1st cousins can no longer travel, will the 2nd cousins continue the tradition? We are spread around the South, busy with kids and careers and life. Some cousins I only know through Facebook. Some are complete strangers. Even so, that one weekend a year we realize our special bond is worth the effort. Plus, the original twelve would miss these family celebrations if we stopped.
talya
(Johnson 2nd cousin)
Musical Pairing:
In the Sweet By and By, Dolly Parton
