My Fair "Feathered" Friend

It's that time, again, to join Deborah over at Pictures, Pots, and Pens for Friday's Favorite Family Foto. Be sure to check out Deborah's blog and have fun stepping back in time with all the other participants...you'll be happy you did!

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."~Anatole France

When I was a little girl, my parents gave me a duckling for Easter. I was so excited to finally have a pet to call my own! I, affectionately, named him Ducky Lucky and we were very close. He grew to be a large duck almost overnight. I can vividly remember standing at the screen door in our kitchen and seeing Ducky Lucky on the other side quacking frantically for me to come out. He loved for me to toss him saltine crackers. Sometimes, he'd chase after me all over our yard when he saw that I had a few in my hand. He frightened me a few times because he was so aggressive...he wanted his crackers right then and there!!! Sometimes, I'd be in my little plastic pool in our backyard, and Ducky Lucky would hop in with me! The fun soon came to a screeching halt because he'd do his business in it and I would leap out in a panic! Not fun!

Here I am with my "quacky" friend. He was like my shadow...everywhere I went, he was right beside me! Here we are with my cousin, Lance. We were so close growing up. Our families lived just a few hours away and we'd, often, get together on the weekends and have the best time! We're exactly one month apart in age, which makes us both 26! LOL!

My dad is trying his best to contain Ducky Lucky, but he had a mind of his own! My dad's brother, Bob, is standing beside him. Those were back in the good ol' days when life was much simpler. I can't remember exactly how long I had Ducky Lucky. All I know is that Dad told me he released him in a creek by my Granny and Grandpa's house in north Arkansas so he could be free and happy. He weaved a dreamy tale about how Ducky Lucky floated happily away to live with all the other duckies. Why, then, do I seem to recall our chicken tasting a little "funny" that night at dinner? Oh, I can't bear the thought!!! :)

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people."~ MOTHER TERESA

The Ties That Bind...

Once again, it's time for Friday's Favorite Family Foto hosted by Deborah over at Pictures, Pots, and Pens. Be sure to mosey on over and see all the photos everyone is sharing today! It's always lots of fun!

This first picture I'm sharing is of my paternal great-grandparents, who all passed away long before I was born. Doesn't my great-grandmother on the far right remind you of that little old granny on the Tweety Bird cartoon? She might have been small, but, according to my dad, she had quite a temper, and when she said something to you, she meant business! Don't you see the resemblance? ;)
This is a picture of my dad (on the left) as a little boy with his older brother, Doyne. I love the suits they're wearing, and I wonder what the occasion might have been to call for such attire.
Dad is the second one on the left standing with his some of his siblings. He had a total of 4 brothers and 3 sisters, so I have a whole slew of cousins!
Here's a picture of Mom (on the left) with one of her best friends. She used to tell me about all they fun they had together growing up! Don't you just adore their hairstyles?
This is Mom wearing her basketball uniform; she was quite the athlete, from what I was told! I, unfortunately, didn't inherit her ball-handling skills. I played basketball, briefly, when I was younger. It was during the time when you could only play half-court. Well, the coach put me in and I got the ball, which made me extremely nervous, then, I, accidentally threw it to the opposing team and they took it down and made a goal! They ended up winning the game. Needless to say, my basketball career ended about as quickly as it started! Sorry for the diversion, but I just had to share that story. lol!

Hope you enjoyed taking a look at some of my old photographs...they always spark such a feeling of nostalgia for me. Just so you know, I'm going to take a break from posting this weekend. Chris has been gone all week and he'll be home this afternoon. I want to spend as much time with him as I can, but I will do my very best to visit all of you! So...hope you have a GREAT weekend!!!

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." ~J.M. Barrie

Dustin' Off Old Photographs

First and foremost, I would like to inform you that my dear friend, Sandy Toes, featured ME today for her Favorite Blog Friday! I am SO excited about it...she made my day! Please take the time to pop over and check it out...Sandy is a very special person with a wonderful blog...I know you won't be disappointed!

Alrighty, my friend, Deborah, hosts Friday's Favorite Family Foto. Since it sounded like lots of fun, I thought I'd join in, as well!

I have always loved to look at old photographs, even when I was a young girl. It's like taking a step back in time! This photo shows my paternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Martin. I'm not exactly sure how old they were in this photo, but they look pretty young. My grandpa used to call Grandma his "Black Eyed Susan" (like the flower) because her eyes were very dark, and her name was Susie. I love how they were dressed and wonder where they were going all "gussied up"? My grandpa died when I was around 9 or 10 years of age, so I don't have a lot of memories of him. My grandma died when I was in my mid-20's and she was a very strong Christian woman whose family meant everything to her. Together, they had 5 sons and 3 daughters, along with lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so their legacy continues!
This photo is of my mom (on the right) with her sister, Dorothy. I'd love to know whose shadow that is taking their picture. My mom grew up in Bandmill, Arkansas and times were very tough. She'd have to go with her family to work in the apple orchards of Washington state to earn money. I used to love hearing the story of her riding a train across the Snake River with her sister on the way to Washington. Can you imagine how scary that must have been to venture away from the only place she'd ever really known?
Here I am with my mom at 3 weeks of age. I cherish this picture because it captures the love we had for each other. Just look at how I'm looking staring up at her...we were tight! She was my best friend...EVER!
This picture makes me laugh! I'm in the middle and my brothers are on either side of me. My oldest brother, Mike, is standing next to me in the black shirt...acting "normal". Now, take a look at my other brother's face (Kevin). He was such a mess! He used to "surprise" Mom all the time with snakes he'd found...he could easily have been the American version of the "Crocodile Hunter"! Completely fearless and mischievous through and through! I hope you enjoyed taking a look at some of my old family photos. Hop on over to Deborah's blog and take another stroll down memory lane! Have a super weekend, everyone!!!♥


P.S. I would like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my sweet friend, Ruby Red Slippers ! Just a few days ago, I commented on how much I liked her new blog header. Well, she wrote me an e-mail telling me how to create my own and what to do. I designed it myself, but when "computer savvy Abby" got home from school, we read over the instructions she sent me and we had it up in no time flat! So, THANK YOU, Ruby Red Slippers from the bottom of my heart...you're a real lifesaver! :)