My Portfolio

During the war Mother knit socks, mittens, and scarves for the sailors overseas.  She sewed stuffed animals for the Red Cross and many of her gifts are still treasured by family and friends. She was also talented in quilting, crocheting, and making rugs.  She crocheted my favorite granny square afghan.  She...

My Great Grandmother Laura Jane Libbey, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Libbey and Susan (Sukey) Demerit, was born January 25, 1815 in Compton, Quebec.  Her family moved from New Hampshire to Goshen Gore, Vermont around the year of her birth.   Great Grandfather John Sanders was born on September 11, 1818 also in...

Great Grandparents John Brunton Jr. and Jane (Farmery) Brunton were Grandmother Maria Brunton'’s parents.  Jane parents were Thomas Farmery (1776 - Jan 9, 1843) and Maria Hoyle (1796 - ?).  Grandfather Farmery's birthplace is unknown but his three marriages took place in Ripon. His third wife, Maria Hoyle, was born in...

Amelia Caroline (Sanders) Hyatt was the daughter of John Sanders II and Laura Jane Libbey and descendant of Betsey Webb, Azariah Webb, Joshua Webb, Hannah Ripley, Hahhah Bradford, William Bradford IV, Governor William Bradford III.  Amelia was born December 15, 1843 in Compton, Quebec and died November 14th, 1931 in Moe's...

   I lost my two best friends in 2008. It was not a great year.   Early in November I got an eamil from my old friend Brian's wife telling me Brian passed away the previous week from a sudden heart attack. It was devastating news.   I hadn't talked to or seen...

   It's just January 1 and I've already busted my first resolution.   I had decided that I'd get up each morning at 7:30 and take our chihuahua Buddy out for a walk - as much for his exercise as mine. Well, that's history, at least for today.My next resolution is this...

Chapter 1  Moma was born in a small house in Wilmer, Texas.  It was the days when doctors actually made house calls.  Someone went to fetch the doctor.   Dr. W. J. Ridgell had come to Kleberg, Texas, a small community near Wilmer and in the southeast corner of Dallas, Texas.  Kleberg,...

Eva Irene Chailland was my grandmother (granny).  She was born January 22, 1920 in Kennett, Missouri.  Her birth was like anyone elses of the time; meaning that she was born at home.   However, unlike everyone elses birth, hers was unique in one way...the doctor delivering her was drunk.  So drunk in fact that he...

The day began lazily as we sat and sipped piping hot Dunkin Donuts in the living room of the boathouse.  Perched over 16 feet above the water, the two-bedroom house has large windows overlooking Alabama's sleepy Fowl River.  The weather channel predicted only a chance of showers, so Bart, Tena and...

Whew!  What a night.  If anyone ever told me I would have some slobbering drunk egghead bawling shamelessly on the edge of my bed at 1:30 in the morning, I'd tell them they were nuts!  But that just goes to show you that in this life we have to be ready...

In one final attempt to get a response out of the menacing shadow headed for my daughter and me, I yelled as loudly as I could, "What do you want!!??"  Then, he opened his mouth and began to speak . . . "Hey, I've been looking for you.  I need to...

Chapter 1In 1978, I lived in a rural community in Northern Michigan, where a car passed by my house approximately five times a night.  It was wooded and lovely but defintely remote.  The mobile home I lived in with my two small children was neat and clean.  Although about 10 years...

For a brief period of my life I was actually unemployed.  Now, when I say brief, I do mean brief, but during those few months I was able to fully enjoy being with my two small children for more than just a couple of hours a day.We lived in rural West...

Its wings emit a whisper that flows softly through my hair;A symbol of tranquility, it churns the aromatic air.Found among green pastures it stands dignified and tall;I gaze upward at the majesty and wonder of it.But when the storm approaches it sends forth a mighty sound;From its wings the rain falls...

The coolness of a gentle breezeBlows through the meadow fair.I listen for rustle of the grassAnd smell the punguent air.A momentary silence bringsThe peace for which I long.If only evening sights and soundsCould make my spirit strong.The night owl moans and sweeps the groundWith gracefulness and speed.As my soul cries out...

We love the times when get to sit,My sister and I - we talk quite a bit.It's amazing to think that we know the Lord!But with the Pharisees this strikes an angry chord.Jesus told us someday His kingdom would come;I try to understand but it confuses me some.Will He sit on Jerusalem's...

When the world comes crashing downUpon my hungry soul;I pause, take a look around,And know I'm not half, but whole.The moon so bright and shining;The leaves all orange and red.As they prepare the silver lining;For Winter's warm and cozy bed.Who made the trees and helped them grow?Who gave the birds their...

Roses refresh us when they're in full bloom,Stop just to smell them; there's plenty of room.Take time for laughter, and get lots of rest,Then you'll give others the best of your best!Gathering sunshine along with the rain,Sweetens the soul and diminishes pain.Moment by moment your life rushes by,Grab onto its precious...

Being the fifth of ten children could be considered the worst scenario for a child seven years old.  Oh sure, it had its moments, but for the most part I was a happy little girl.  I played with my friends in our "big" back yard and learned to jump rope with my sister, Joan.  Of...

Drugs . . . The beginning of the end of who I was.  Getting involved in drugs was the worst mistake of my life or so I thought.  Actually, it was what happened as a result of taking drugs that changed me forever.  I can say it wasn't my fault, that I was...