Story Pages

Ersula Odom

That Little Rocking Chair

Jackie often told me that my little brown rocking chair was her little red rocking chair first. Then out of the blue Aunt Roberta started talking about Margaret's little rocking chair that she was so stingy about letting any one sit in. That confirmed it for me that my little red...
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Ronda Knuth

Like Water to the Thirsty

Like water to the thirsty is laughter to my soul. Without it I would shrivel and die. Life is heavy; times are hard. A hearty laugh lifts the spirit, lightens the load, breathes courage to a fainting heart. It\'s been said by some unidentified jolly soul that, "Laughter is a tranquilizer...
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Administrator

Discovery Toy Adventure

I've often wondered why such strange things happen to me.  Sure, I know sometimes I can bring them on myself, but there are those things that happen "just because."  Here's a little story about one of those times.   When my daughter, Heather, was in her first year of high school,...
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Administrator

Justin's courage

My son Justin has been battling Alopecia Areota; which is a hair loss,  since he was four years old. He is now 17.  We first realized this problem after Justin attempted to cut his own hair.  Due to the "creative hairstyle" he chose for himself, expert help was needed.  At the barber shop,...
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853 Views
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Kathy Larsen

2009 Stacy participates in Gold Cup

Stacy has been taking piano lessons for one year.  On March 3, 2009 she particpated in the Gold Cup Festival hosted by the National Federation of Music, Conroe Chapter.  Stacy memorized her two solos and performed them for a judge.  She received a Superior Rating (5 points).  Good job Stacy!   ...
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Kathy Larsen

2009 Alysia participates in Gold Cup

Alysia has been playing piano for a few years.  On March 3, 2009 she participated in the Gold Cup Festival hosted by the National Federation of Music, Conroe Chapter.  This is her second year participating.  She did very well and earned the highest mark possible, a Superior, worth 5 points.  Next...
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Annie Payne

My Patchwork Quilt

Although I have collected family stories all of my life, I have only been involved with writing stories since the mid 1980\'s, around the time I started making patchwork quilts. My 2 children watched in amazement as I cut up pieces of fabric into tiny shapes and carefully, lovingly stitched the...
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Annie Payne

The Pearl Earring

The Pearl Earring The gold engraved invitation stood propped on the sitting room mantelpiece for several weeks and Dame Roma's secretary had been very gracious when I had accepted her request for my husband and I to dine with her at Government House at a black tie dinner. After much agonising...
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2747 Views
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Ersula Odom

I Am, I Can, & I Will Says Danielle

The first profound thing I saw my daughter Danielle do was fail. It was astonishing what she did after that. One afternoon, she and Rosie were drawing fruit as an impromptu art exercise. At the end of the day Andria, a visiting favorite adult relative, remarked how nice their creations were. ...
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Annie Payne

Ward 6A

n Normal 0 false false false EN-AU n X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ; &l t;style> & lt;![endif] --> Afraid She came up behind me, silently, stealthily and full of mad malice. I was 21 years old, full of brisk, confident starched efficiency, my attention focussed on the ward dinner box which had...
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2069 Views
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Administrator

There is No Arizona

The older I get, the more I enjoy warm weather.  It's amazing how the sun has such a therapeutic effect on what lies deep beneath the skin.  Oh, I can perspire along with the best of them when I'm cleaning a bath tub or just climbing two flights of stairs, but that's different.  I'm...
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115 Views
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Ersula Odom

Digital Scrap book - Sites of Interest

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660 Views
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Ersula Odom

Uncle Johnnie & Kelo

Uncle Johnnie's pastimes never ceased to amaze us. Kelo, a retired race horse, would run around the barnyard like a big puppy. Uncle Johnnie's big smile would erupt into laughter at our reactions and interaction with Kelo.
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Ersula Odom

Ron the Biker Trash

Ronald Stephens, Uncle Johnnie's baby boy (correction-Until William).  The "I love my family gene" has shown up in Ron.  He is the person everyone in the family knows because he makes it his business to connect with them. In this way, he is very much like Grandmother. He is very proud...
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Administrator

Number Two (and much more intense) Adventure

Okay, so you've been introduced to my son at 3-years old.  At least you think you've been introduced.  Actually, you have only seen him from a distance.  It's time you come inside our home and meet him up close and personal.  </div> For most of us 5:30 a.m. is a time...
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Ersula Odom

Henry James and the gun

Cousin Charlie remembered a time when Henry James came in from the field with a loaded  and with the trigger cocked 3? 5?  gaged shotgun on his shoulder.  Charlie took it from him and remarked "that\'s how kids get killed".  Henry, when told of Charlie\'s account, filled in the rest of...
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Ersula Odom

A Five Year Old Mommy To be

June 6 1991 a preschooler was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up.   She turned to the camera and said "a mommy".  I was both proud and horrified.  Others congratulated me on being a great role model. I feared my child would be another teen pregnancy statistic. 16 years...
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Ersula Odom

Janie Shellman -1994 Honoree

Janie Shellman (1994 Smart Family Honoree) On September 22, 1917 twins were born to William Joseph and Ursula Smart Stephens, a happy bouncing baby boy and girl.  These babies were named Janie & Johnnie.  Janie was reported to be the second born.  She became the oldest sister of the 8 surviving...
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Ersula Odom

A Quilt With Family Ties

Aunt Janie is holding a quilt started by grandmother, completed by Aunt Janie, made possible by Uncle Johnny and given to me who have wonderful and horrible memories about it. Uncle Johnny drove trucks and ever so often he would get a load he  deamed useful to himself or the family. ...
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1197 Views
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Kathy Larsen

What Do You Want To Be?

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? age 10           One day my mother asked me,What do you want to be?   Do you want to be a teacher,Or a singer full of glee? Are you meant to be a writer,Who day dreams all day long? Thinking...
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