My Portfolio

Mother's parents were Maria Brunton & John William Johnson Jr.  Maria’'s story begins in            northern England, in the tiny village of Staveley, county of Yorkshire.  She was the firstborn of seven children to parents Jane Farmery and John Brunton, a farmer, on Mary 21st, 1860 in Staveley, Yorkshire and named...

When someone you love becomes a memoryThat memory becomes a treasure!

It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.

Mother worked from age 15 in other people’s homes; most memorable were the Smith Estate and the Cochrane Estate where each meal she helped prepare was usually seven courses and after the meal, she'd serve coffee in the parlor.  She was also the seamstress for the families and would sew party...

A mother holds her child's hand for a short while, but their hearts forever.

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...

You already know how valuable a family story can be.  It can bring back memories, shape our character, build self esteem and strengthen  our family.  But did you know there is a way you can preserve these stories in a book, along with your photos?Heritage Makers is an online publishing company that helps...

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL    In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new  voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4.  Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and  decided to...

A Curious Lesson   "I don't like it here!" declares Dana*, her measured pacing keeping tempo with her anxious words, "I want to go back to the other place?" I'm confused. It's not unusual for Dana to feel restless toward the evening hours, but this is mid-afternoon. "What other place, Miss...

   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...

Love Them While You Canby Ronda Knuth"Help. Help! Help!!" Like fingernails on a chalkboard his cry unnerves me. It's unrelenting, insistent, demanding. It requires a response but I don't know what that response should be. From the desk where I answer phones and direct resident traffic I can see that he...

Something as Simple as Touch by Ronda Knuth At times the tyranny of the urgent bullies its way to the top of the daily to-do list extinguishing even the most rudimentary kindness. Indeed, in our desire to conquer our categorized index of mandatory responsibilities, we often leave little room for even...

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...

Nellie Turnage died on April 4, 1937 when she was 29 1/2 years of age.  My father, Paul was 4 years, 8 months of age and his brother Jim Hunter was 7 years, 7 months of age.  Nellie wrote a letter to "Dodie" when my dad was about a month old.  When she...