THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN...

ANDREW JACKSON SWEARING IN ~ 1829

The above painting depicts the very first Capitol Inauguration. History will be marked again by the swearing in of Barack Obama this coming Tuesday. No matter what your political leaning, you must admit there has been nothing like this in our lifetime. My grandchildren ~ other than the older two, have the attitude, "what's the big deal?" And, indeed, to them it is not a big deal. A black president doesn't appear to be anything special. Ahhhh. The blessing of non-prejudice in most of our grandchildren is readily apparent. The next generation of children will be appalled to read in their history books about all the dissension this country experienced over race. And right they should be!

I still remember waiting in our living room to catch a ride on the school bus in the 50s... watching in anguish the images on TV of young black teenagers being escorted to school by the National Guard in Arkansas or Alabama. I was horrified that this was happening, and my dad could not or would not give me an answer as to why it was! 

By this time we had lived in several parts of the country, and I had experienced different views and prejudices. As a young girl in San Antonio, I was extremely curious about the ways in which black people were treated. I would often sneak a drink of water at the "Colored" water fountains to see if their water was different than ours. I would sit at the last row on the bus before the "colored" section, hoping I could listen in on their conversations. I thought they spoke another language. I thought maybe it was a language they brought with them from Africa, and I was a little in awe of them. Not fearful, but very curious. I truly thought at that time that they were being given "special" treatment. I later learned what "discrimination" meant.

I had several experiences with older black people in my very young childhood. One was when we lived in Arkansas and I was 4 or 5 years old. My dad was stationed at Fort Chaffee, and only visited us on weekends. I must have been a lonely child, because I sought out older folks who were like grandparents. I do not remember where I met them, but there was a wonderful old black couple who lived in a garage apartment at the rear of a big house near our apartment. Looking back, I think they must have worked for the owners of the house. These were what were known then as "servant quarters".

I would go visit them in their apartment, and the old man was always delighted to see me! His wife would be upset from the time I arrived. I remember he and I would play dominoes or cards at the kitchen table. She would be banging pots and pans around the stove and sink, carrying on something fierce about how much trouble they would be in if I were found in their home! I would worriedly look at the old man, he would wink and grin at me, and tell her to stop her fussing so we could continue our game. I didn't understand at that time what she meant when she said they would "be in big trouble", but looking back, I know what a risk they took during the 1940s in Little Rock, Arkansas! I just know that I loved that old, graying black man and the card games he taught me to play. Treating me like a big girl, and his co-conspirator! I have indelible images of his kind, smiling face to this day.

I had more experiences with kind, wonderful black folks while I was growing up. Here in Ballinger, we had an old black woman Mother used to bring to the house to help her with housework and ironing. I remember visiting her home. Her house was immaculate, and my mother used to ask her if she got mad at my dad, could she come stay in her guest room? She (her name was Irene) was so fussy about cleanliness, she even took her own sheets with her when she visited relatives! My first child, Craig, loved her, too. I can remember watching him at about a year and a half of age run into her arms when we took him to visit her after she was too old to work for us anymore. She was such a dear, interesting woman. I remember her telling me she played the drums in her church here. At that time, I had never heard of drums played in a church! I longed to go and hear her play, but that was so taboo here in Ballinger at the time. It may still be, I don't know. If that Irene were still alive and playing her drums at her church, you can bet I would now go to hear her play, and stay for the sermon, too!

My children grew up in a home that was as liberal as I could make it in a conservative place like Texas. I was really happy to live in Albuquerque, where I didn't have to work so hard at practicing the beliefs I wanted them to share. I remember a funny incidence that happened when we lived in Midland. My daughter Carajean was only three when we were driving down the street. She had the window down in back, and suddenly leaned out, pointed her finger, and started yelling, "Mommy, Mommy, look ~ a chocolate man!" Her dad and I looked at each other and laughed. She had never seen a black person before! It was also while we were living in Midland that my husband was overheard explaining to a friend that our son Craig was "the only 6-year-old in Midland, Texas who had a slingshot instead of a n*** shooter"! A word that was not allowed in my home ~ ever! I still squirm when I hear people use the word.

It's a brand new world....

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I recently received the following email from GLENN SMITH:

"This afternoon I was in Ballinger for the funeral of my father's youngest brother, Neuman E. Smith. I knew him as Scooter. He died quietly at age 92. He was married twice but had no children. In my youth I thought him intelligent because he worked only 'til noon on Saturdays, then took a bath and went to town for a strawberry milkshake. Neuman was a peanut and watermelon farmer in South Ballinger but always thought of himself as a cowboy. He liked riding his horse in parades and loved telling stories of his early days as a ranch hand. The only music at today's service was an a capella rendition of Home on the Range. That song was arranged and made famous by David Guion who was born in Ballinger and grew up there. He and Neuman knew each other.

Neuman's body was cremated, but there was a ceremony in Evergreen Cemetery in which his cowboy hat and handmade boots were buried. Neuman was said to have requested that everyone let the Noyes monument on the Ballinger courthouse lawn remind them not only of Charles Noyes but also of Neuman. (He and Noyes knew each other also).

Something about the simplicity, authenticity, and sincerity of the afternoon's events left me with a smile. Not many funerals are such happy celebrations."...GLENN
(Photo of Noyes Statue by Glenn Smith)


IRENE PIEL BATTS recently wrote the following:"..it's such good news! Almost out of the blue Dr. Huchton said, "We all (the doctors) consider you cured." Coulda knocked me over with a feather and I said, "You do?" And then he talked about the five year period before they could really say "cured." Will be seeing him every few months for the next five years. On Monday, the radiologist said that he was very pleased with my progress and I won't have to see him again, but "call if you need anything or have any questions". He thinks my sense of taste will return 6 to 7 months after the last treatment. That should be April or May. I can't help but wonder if Dr. Cummins (oncologist) agrees with this optimistic prognosis -- he's the one who put my chances at 50--50 if I did it all - surgery, radiation and chemo?"...IRENE

I say, "A pox on that oncologist!!" I know doctors worry about liability these days, but I cannot imagine a doctor giving such an unsolicited pessimistic outlook to a patient. If it's true that "we are what we believe" and I believe it is... then I would think doctors would want to give as much hope as possible to patients. And then, there are always "miracles". Which I believe we had a part in while praying for IRENE'S wonderful recovery. She came to my home recently - even drove herself! It's almost like old times. Once she's able to comfortably eat solid food, we will have a feast of a celebration!

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From NYDAH ELLET: "Greetings from the Northland! I love the snow, but the really cold weather is not fun. It is too cold to do almost anything outside! Certainly no naked snow angels... It was -8 degrees when I got up this morning. Now at noon, it is up to -2. My bedroom windows were frosted on the inside when I got up!!!!! I sleep with even my head covered up with the blankets, quilt and feder decke. (a German feather comforter). I also have the intermittent help of my 4 kitties too. The sun is shining, so when it gets to 0 degrees, Pepper and I will try a walk. Probably a very short walk through the deep beautiful snow."...NYDAH

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The beautiful bride to the right is JUNE HASH CURRY'S granddaughter who married in December. (I'm sorry, JUNE, that I didn't ask her name!) The lovely silver haired lady in the long black dress to the bride's right is none other than our JUNE!

I am still awaiting photos of BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS' granddaughter's wedding, also held in December. I know that BARBARA planned to dance at that wedding!!


The young man on the left is the new Potter County, Texas Junior Spelling Bee Champ. Otherwise known as my grandson, Tanner! He will compete for the Senior Spelling Bee Championship the 30th of January. Way to go, Tanner!

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I don't know how many of you listen to the music on the blog, but you might be wondering about the current selections. Some are musical artists who passed on this past year... Isaac Hayes, BoDiddley, Eartha Kitt, and Odetta. I also put some by artists who were honored recently at the Kennedy Center. Who can ever forget George Jones and his "The Race is On"?? Or Barbara Streisand's "The Way We Were"? Ah, yes... the way we were.

Lots of "good stuff" happened between then and now. Let me know your latest. And send pictures!

Peace and Love,
Marilyn