Poppy climbed the mountains

Our milk cow, Bossy was allowed to graze the hills high above the barn. I could see her white face shining in the sun, standing steadily on the side of the hill. I was always wary of her going too far away. The green grasses and shrubs reached all around on the hill. She was feasting on clover and wild greens. Poppy was plowing the corn field that day, keeping old joe, the mule going straight down the furrows. Poppy's straw hat kept the scalding sun from his eyes.He stopped once to get a dipper of water and waved at me. I was chasing a big ole bumblebee around the house till he turned on me and I ran inside. My sisters were braiding their long hair, taking turns putting in ribbons. Shucks with ribbons and bows, I had to keep an eye on ole 'Bossy'. I swept the backyard and picked up rocks and stacked the kindling. Poppy loved his kindling neatly stacked. By now 'Bosst was looking like a white dot upon the hill and I had to spring into action. Poppy said I could go herd her back this way so up the steep hillI trudged. I could climb that mountain better than a billygoat.Then the farther I got the farther Bossy traveled...until Bossy was out of sight. I was zigzagging up the hill very fast...no 'Bossy". She rarely made a sound anyway so when I called to her it was very quiet. In my haste I found myself in an unknown territory. There the mountainside was covered with sweet williams and tanglefoot. As far as the eye could see was a blanket of flowering shrubs too and lying under them was a family of deer, a papa, doe and a speckledfawn. They were asleep so I went farther around the hill. No "Bossy" could be found. I then saw a flight of quails rustling through the leaves, and a host of wild turkeys in flight. An elk made his way to the pond that was laden with lily pads and I saw frogs jumping about. I was thristy and cupped my hands together and got a drink from the running stream that ran through the rocks. It was so cold.I traveled on up the hill and looked for 'Bossy', but could not see her. a flock of doves circled the top of the hill. Then I saw in the distance a place I HAD NEVER SEEN....DOWN THE HILL WAS A BUNCH OF CABINS AND SMOKE BOILING UP FROM THE CHIMNEY. I was awed at knowing people were actually living accross the mountain from me. Then I spotted ''Bossy' at an old barn in the distance. I went down and quickly retrieved 'Bossy'. I had a rope with me and tied it around her neck and started upthe hill. A big black dog began to chase us out of sight. It was getting late and I knew Poppy would be worried, but in the distance I could see movement thru the trees and I saw my Poppy coming towards me and 'Bossy". I was happy and Poppy was too. Poppy picked me up and carried me high up in the air.He gave me a handful of blackberries. He lead 'Bossy back up and then down the hill. Back at the house I was welcomed by my sisters, their braids covered with bows and sashes.I was scratched up and dirty. My shoe bottoms were off , and my hair was full of burrs, but ole 'Bossy' was safe in the barn. Poppy had a big soup steaming and cold milk. We sat and ate together. What an exciting day on the farm when I was growing up......................................have a good day, readers from "The adventurous Irene'

I watched the spider spinning his web. He worked hard weaving in and out making a beautiful design. A fly flew around, wary of the new construction but not getting close enough to become entwined. The crickets hollered from the nearby pond and I watched asthe wind blew up the hill toward the parade of redbuds, dogwoods, and wild cherry trees blooming heartily and the dandelions dotted the mountainside, as did the sweet williams too. It was a warm morning as Poppy cleaned the barn, lifting each pitchfork of hay and shoveling the manure.Chickens clucking, cows mooing and the horse was neighing. I think our visit to the barn was unexpected to the animals and they were letting us know. I helped Poppy push the rusty old wheelbarrow from the barn, and I could not push very much at a time. As the day wore on, Poppy and I took a rest underneath the mulberry tree. I got us a cold drink from the bucket with the dipper. Nothing tasted better as I was getting sweaty.Poppy's shirt was ringing wet and his eyes were looking tired. I looked up to the sky and the clouds were rolling pretty fast and they were darkened. It was a very hot day by now and the wind began to blow the clothes off the clothesline. I started to retrieve them just as a bolt of lightning streaked accross the sky. I was scared and ran to Poppy. Charlie began barking uncontrollable.The thunder rolled and the sky now darkened and the rain could be see coming up the road in torrents. It began to hail.I climbed to the top of the barn as Poppy tried to shut the door. From the barn we could see our house getting a thumping from the hail.My sisters were peering throuh the curtains but hid back when the lightning flashed. We could not o to them now. I hid among the hay bales up the stairs toward the rafters. The guinnies and ducks had taken refuge up there too. It was warm and I could smell the straw and the chicken feed. I covered up with an old coffee sack and closedmy eyes and could still seethe lightning. I think a part of the barn top blew away and the rain began to blow in.. Poppy told me to hold on to his arm as he sat in front of me , warding off the wind and rain. It seemed like forever till it quieted, and then I looked and a lovely rainbow curled over the barn as I went outside..I then looked for the spider whom was spinning his web earlier and at first I could't see him, and then I saw his web, torn apart and drooping. Soon the spider bean to go right back to his work, spinnin again as if nothing had happened. I was thankful for the cool rain though the rest was frightful..Poppy always taught us to take the bitter with the sweet and that that there are things we can not have control of. That belonged to our Maker. Only HE controls the universe, the storms, earthquakes.floods and all of nature's greatness. Back at the house happy sisters opened the door. They had, though, left the window in our bedroom opened and the bed was soaked. Still the day ended with a good note. Poppy and I washed up and I made us a rhubarb pie and I cooked a'mess' of salad greens that Poppy picked earlier. He called them 'fuzzy britches and other funny names. They sure smelled good along with the strips of fresh salted bacon cooked in the beans. Oh, what a surprising day we had, and that is just the way I liked it, never knowing what a day may bring. Poppy sat and smoked his pipe and was content while I brought him a good hot cup of coffee and a big ole piece of rhubarb pie......I gave Poppy a big hug and he patted my head. He said I was his little buddy....and he was my hero.............I am sure you readers have memories of your childhood. You may not write about it as I have, but those memories will always be there for you to think about on a rainy day when the lightning flashes and the Lord shows us who is really the Boss...........................................................GOOD EVENING READERS

Memories Of Easter With Poppy

We had planned far ahead for Easter. We had materials picked out and our dresses were made by the end of February. I remember mine was white with yellow daisies splashed all over and a big yellow sash. I also has a lovely hat with daisies covering the top, and yellow lacey socks and white patent leather shoes. Poppy said I was as pretty as the flowers blooming around the well. My sister loved violets. They were blooming with the dandelions all over the hill so she chose material with violets all over and a hat with violets .Purple was her favorite color and her long brown hair lay in ringlets that she tied a string of violets around.My hair being sandy colored looked just like my Poppy's when his hair was freshly washed. Working in the mines had faded the color in his hair. We arose on Easter morning to the sun shining through my curtains and I could hear Jake, our big white rooster crowing. I could have sworn he was saying 'happy easter. Jake had a big red cone and long tail feathers and he walked spritely accross the barnyard with a quick eye. I did not know there was an (easter bunny). We didn't ever know ofone. The only bunny we had was a brown bunny Poppy caught forus and put in a cage. We had little baby bunnies hopping around the yard every Easter.....Poppy taughtus the realmeaning of Easter, that Jesus arose from his burialand went back to Heaven to be with his Heavenly Father. By 10 o'clock Poppy was all ready to walk us to church. Hand and hand we frolicked down the winding road, not Poppy though, he walked slowly, carrying his Bible and whistling a song as we passed our neighbors. Old man Barnes was sitting on his porch smoking a pipe and waving to us. I told him "Happy Easter", but he was hard of hearing and gave a big grin, though toothless I thought he looked distinguished with his silver hair and long beard. The suit my Poppy wore was dark grey and he fit it good except the legs were a little short. He wore a hat, that he took off as we entered the church door. The church bells were ringing so loud I'll bet the people in the next hollow could hear them. I wanted to ring those bells but I was not strong enough. Preacher Wilson gave us a wonderful story of the ressurection and I so wished I could have been there when the stone was rolled away and Jesus appeared. That story would make the hair raise on your head as it was so miracleous to comphrend. Poppy sang loudly and we joined in. I could hear myself over everyone and I often wondered what would I do if everyone stopped singing and I was the only one singing. I would have hidden under the seats. I gave my offering of 7 cents. I had saved it for awhile after Poppy gave it to me after he sold some es. As we left and shook hands, we all walked proudly back up the winding road, taking off our shoes and had a race to see who could get to the house first. I lost, but only because I fell over a stump and ripped my beautiful dress. Inside Poppy had boiled 4 dozen eggs earlier. We began coloring them and they were so pretty. I fixed the "Lucky Egg'. We all went way up on the hill to picnic. Poppy carried me over the creek as the rocks were slick and I was afraid of the crawdads swimming around the rocks. We took turns hunting and hiding eggs. Poppy sat on a big rock that overlooked our homeplace. There was a contentment on his face. When we were happy, our Poppy was happy too. We had packed fresh-ham on baked bread and strawberry jam. We got water from a running brooke as we cupped our hands together. We all gave thanks to our Lord for the food and the lovely day. I knew he was present with us upon that hill as the wind blew softly as whispers in the breeze. It began to sprinke a little rain as we started down the hill , our tummies full and our hearts full of Easter happiness. Every Easter was celebrated the same way and as Poppy got older he just walked a little slower down that winding road to church. Evening came and we watched the sun fade behind the clouds and Poppy sat in his big old rocker. I climbed up in his lap and snuggled closely as he rocked me to sleep, singing softly.

Remembering Poppy's Baptism

It was a lovely Sunday in June. Poppy had been attending church since he was a child but had not become a Christian. He had taught us good and had lived near the cross, but this day he was giving his life to the Lord. In his Sunday best, he walked up the steps to the church, holding my hand tightly, the others following behind him. I did not know he was going to join church. I just knew Poppy was very happy that day, shaking every hand and singing louder than he ever had. He could be heard over all the others...'I'll Fly Away', and Just As I Am were two hymns I still hear in my mind. My sisters and I were singing right along with him. Poppy was wearing a white shirt underneath his blue surge suit. His tie was blue and white stripes. Poppy only wore that suit on special ocassions. After the singing quieted, the preacher preached a strong sermon and then came down to the people and looked them right in the face. I felt a little fright, as though the preacher knew I had uttered a bad word yesterday when the door slammed on my finger. Was he going to tell the whole church I was a mean girl? I was so happy when he went back up to the pulpit. My Poppy went up the aisle when they were all singing 'Amazing grace. Poppy repeated words after the preacher. He was to be baptized that Sunday afternoon..I walked with him down the hill to the large creek that was flowing quite swiftly and a sandbar was on the side sloping into the water. The preacher raised his right hand up toward heaven and I really think I saw into Heaven that day. The clouds seemed to open up and I was aware that the Lord Jesus was standing there with his arms outstretched. With one arm around Poppy's back and the other holding him strongly......down Poppy went into the water. It flowed swiftly and he actually went completely out of sight. I was a little concerned, as I knew Poppy could not swim and rarely went near water. With a squish and a splash, up he came and he bean to shout and raise his arms up toward the heavens. Cold chills went over me and I knew right then Poppy had become a child of God. I reached him a towel and he held my hand as we walked up the hill. I can still hear the people singing' Shall we gather at the river'..that day was a turning point for me too, as I too was baptized a little later. Poppy would never allow us to say any hate words to each other and we always knelt beside our beds at night. If we were mean he would make us do extra work around the house and we were encouraged to forgive each other and give a hug even if it wasn't what we wanted. From that day foward Poppy went around the house singing and he could strum a few songs on his guitar. I asked him later what it felt like being baptised and he said he came up out of that water a new man..Now as he is growing older he still carries the same black Bible that he carried when I was a child.It is lovingly worn and frayed..and on the front page is the date of his baptism, forever etched in my mind. That Sunday was a special day for Poppy for he now has a home in Heaven........good night all..Jesus loves all of you

Poppy's Days On The Old Farm

The rooster crowed and I heard Poppy's footsteps accross the old screeky floor as I barely awakened. The house was silent and cold.Poppy punched up the fire in the old pot-bellied stove and soon the heat radiated accross the room where me and my sisters slept. The smell of coal burning and the smoke would bellow out the little hatch-door every now and then would delight me and I snuggled back under the heavy patchwork quilt. The windows had a glaze of ice on them and I visioned designs from the icicles that hung down the outside. Sometimes they looked scary, but I had my Poppy and all was safe and secure. Poppy ate a hearty breakfast of fresh-ham from the smoke house, home-made biscuits,gravy,eggs, and home-made strawberry jelly.I helped with the dishes, having to boil the water and be sparing, as we drew water from a well. I wasn't eager to go outside for water. I could see my breath and the warm wooly socks I was wearing were so cozy. Poppy had put on his heavy coat and headed to the barn. There stood the hungry farm animals.Poppy fed the cow, the hog, and the chickens and gathered the eggs. Some chickens were sitting on eggs to hatch baby chicks...come spring.Poppy was strong and could carry two fifty pound bags of feed on his shoulder. Poppy let me feed the cow and she would stand there and chew and chew..Poppy said she was 'chewing her cud'. Then Poppy would fork the bales of hay for the horses and they would prance back and forth. I could see their breath..I helped Poppy gather eggs. Some chickens were nesting high up in little cubbies and a hen would flutter out right in my face and scare me a bit, but ...WOW what a surprise to gather all the eggs.Poppy would hold me high upon his strong shoulders . The sun would be peeping through the barn and the rays of sunshine looked like they went straight up to heaven and I tried climbing up them.Outside the snow scrounched under Poppy's feet and his big ole boots left a big footprintthat I would walk in to keep my feet dry. We stopped by the smoke house and the smell of salted bacon burned my nose, hanging on all sides of the house...and later we would uncover potatoes and apples under the straw to take inside for dinner.Poppy knew I was his "shadow', always so close behind him I was in his blind spot.Poppy's hands were big and strong and also calloused from long hard winters but he had a gentle touch as he would wipe away my tears after I would slip and fall on the ice in the creek, as we crossed to retreive our gallon of milk that he dropped down in a big hole of water to keep it fresh. Poppy had gotten me a big collie dog that I named "charlie', and Charlie always followed Poppy and me from the barn to the back-door. I would ask Poppy if Charlie could come inside and he would stand quietly and nod his head, and with my fingers crossed I would sigh a big sigh of relief as "Charlie' got to come inside beside the warm fireplace in the bedroom. Charlie would watch the fire flicker till he fell asleep.Poppy removed his ole boots, took off his coveralls and turboggin and sit near the fire with his pipe lit and I would watch the smoke encircle his face..Oue chores were finished for this morning. I was proud to have taken an active part in the chores with Poppy. Afterall I knew I was his favorite girl. oon Poppy would sit back in his rocking chair and nod off to sleep. I was busy getting into the big barrel of material as I made doll-dresses for my favorite baby-doll whom I named..Diane".........later in life I would name a real baby-doll 'Diane" and tell her this story.......As the sun shone through the ice-glazed window I was content to sew and talk to my "Diane" as Poppy began to snore, his feet propped up and Charlie flattened out, dreaming of chasing rabbits...what a good life

I Write What Comes To Mind

The story about "Poppy's Old Boots" is not a true to life story. I write from time to time. I was not raised with a dad, poppy or father figure, however I had a wonderful grandpa whose calloused hands keep the home fires burning. I had respect for my elders and then married a wonderful man who worked in themining industry for approx. 30 years. Hope you enjoyed my story. I will write you another very soon when the mood strikes......Have a nice dogwood-winter day from the :Adventerous Irene

Poppy"s Old Boots

He sat in his rocking chair,slightly bent, and his blue eyes twinkled as he Tpunched up the hot coals in the fireplace. The warmth of the fire gave his face a glow. His leathery skin was proof of his years of working the fields. His old flannel shirt, though torn, was clean and stitched. He had worked for his family in the coal mines and raised several of us children, never buying anything for himself. His pleasant smile reflected a gentleness, though tough as he was, he could cradle a sick baby or give a warm blessing at the dinner table. His old boots sat in the corner, and the bottoms were worn thin and there were holes in the toes. Those old boots were the same pair he wore to work when I remember him as a child, coming in with ice frozen on his clothes and his feet were so frozen we all had to help him take them off. Those old boots worked in the wet, cold dark coal mines, and his old jacket was worn and had been patched many times over. His face would be so blackened all we saw was the white of his eyes and his white teeth. Now he smiled with no teeth present, without proper care and money , he had lost his teeth very early. Through all the years Poppy saw to it that we always had a full table, a warm bed and a heart full of love and trust. I always felt secure knowing Poppy would keep out all boggie-men or wild animals or anything that we feared. We respected Poppy and as he slept, we tiptoed around the house and whispered. Mom would say "you could hear a pin drop" due to the quietness we had. When we were sick he would doctor us up and give us a treat when we got better, usually a jar of horehound candy or peppermint. Holidays were special and especially Christmas because Poppy always bought us a lovely doll and trucks for the boys, my older brother got a new red bike.Poppy never owned a car and his life revolved around the old farm. Raising our food and farm animals kept the family going and Mom took in ironing for neighbors. We home-made our clothes and Mom sewed for others for pay. I didn't know any other life except life on the farm . Poppy always took us to church, belting out "Amazing Grace" till the valley echoed with his voice and all of us prayed for everyone that need a blessing. After church we would sometimes have a big dinner of fresh fried chicken, the biggest on foot, fresh green beans, sweet potato pie, cornbread and fresh milk.Poppy was gone a lot when he worked in the mines on the hoot owl shift and weekend were very special..He looked older than his years but always was clean-shaven when he went out anywhere. I remember one suit he had.It was grey with pin stripes, with a blue shirt and he was so proud to dress-up. I sometimes wondered what could he be really happy about? But he always smiled and kept busy. As he punches the hot coals with the old black poker, the shadows flicker accross the room to the old pair of boots that Poppy wore. He put many miles on those boots, walked many rows of corn in the field and gathered the crops. The boots are resting by fireplace in the corner while Poppy remineses the pasr. His eyes are aglow with the innocence of a child and his stories of his own childhood keep us spellbound for hours. Poppy's old boots could outlast him but the memories we share will be here forever and as he takes a little snooze near the warm fire with his shawl around him, the Lord is watching over him just he watched over him over the years while he was wearing the old pair of boots........Yawning Yawning