It's Not A Party 'Til Somebody Does The Hand Bone.

When I was around the age of 4, my parents turned from their wicked ways and became christians. Their lives as they knew them were changed. Except for the occasional smoke behind the clothes line (sorry Mom)- they totally had committed themselves and our family to a new life. I'm grateful for this. In fact, if it weren't for this decision- I'm sure today I would be selling giant brown panda blankets, dream catchers, and my "art pieces" on the side of the road- while balancing a naked baby wearing only a diaper on my hip. Wearing tight short shorts with my muffin top hanging out.

But, I remember the parties. Oh yes I do. Guitars everywhere. Beer. "Oh, here comes Mamaw Hazie- quick put the beer in the wood burning stove." Those parties. Really not much went on except a lot of guitar tuning. I mean, somebody get those people a tuner. Because that's all they did for 3 hours. For 3 hours they'd all try to get their guitars tuned together so they could play- "In The Garden". Later we'd hear some Johnny Cash or maybe Hank Williams, Sr. Which by the way- what's up with Hank Sr.? Was Prozac not invented then? Because he really needed some. Later, I'm sure after a couple alcoholic beverages, Daddy would pull out the "Hand Bone". (You Tube it.)

Our Place of Honor

This is the sign on the road where I grew up.


Mabe Stillwell Lane.

We're the Mabe part. See, that's OUR name first. Like we are the important ones. Cause you know those Stillwells. They can't be trusted.

I think we got our name first because of our fine family heritage, and place of honor in our town.
Or, it could of been an alphabetical decision. But I'm sure that's not it.

Yeah, I'm sure it was the place of honor reason.

Family Tree

On a grassy, green hill- near creeks and lakes and cliffs, springs and fields- stands this tree. It was planted by my Great-Grandfather. If you look closely you can see a flat, wooden swing. Many kids have swung from that swing. And even a few grown-ups.

My Mamaw Hazel (his daughter) grew up in the house by this swing. Her Mother died when she was young and so Mamaw "Hazie" was left to care for her siblings as well as her father. Soon after, she married and had 9 children of her own. Dark brown kind eyes. Her only fault... believing her children could do no wrong. All of her life has been about her family. And her life still is all about her family. When the weather is warm, she sits on her porch swing and waits for her kids and grandkids to come visit. She has never cared for material things. As long as she had food to feed anyone who comes to visit- she's happy.

I wish I was more like her.