kay drake - Honeysuckle Farm, LLC

Antiques

Today’s theme is ‘antique’. That’s like saying “go search for Sam Williams”. WHICH ONE??? I go from “almost impossible” (‘sky’ theme) to “the world is available” (‘antique’ theme). Feast or famine, I guess. Today’s antique is something my grandma (Audrey DRAKE- ‘Mam’) made. I believe this one was made in the late 1980’s but I can’t be sure. I also have some individual blocks that I framed. They were supposed to be coasters but I wanted to keep them from getting stained so I framed them.

Crochet runner made by my grandma, Audrey (Larkin) Drake.

Crochet runner made by Audrey DRAKE.

Audrey (Larkin) Drake. We called her Mam.

Mam- Audrey DRAKE
Over the years I’ve acquired a variety of homemade items. Mam often made things for Christmas, weddings, etc. I have several pieces she’s done. Somewhere packed away I also have a doll that Bess LARKIN crocheted for me. I have several quilts that hold special meaning. Some were made by Jessie BATES (‘Granny’) for me, some were made with individual blocks she made but never put into a quilt or with extra fabric she had on hand when she died. I have quilts Kay DRAKE (‘Mom’) made, quilts that Joyce WILLIAMS (my mother-in-law) made, and quilts I’ve made and not given away. I have paintings that Becky DRAKE has done and given me, things my kids and Melissa SCHREIBER (my daughter-in-law) have made for me, things my nieces and nephew and Jared DRAKE (my brother) have made, etc. I love these items dearly. Each of these items is very special to me. Each time the items are used or viewed I remember the person who made them and what that person means to me.

Framed quilt block quilted by my Granny, Jessie (Riter) Bates; framed and gifted to me by my brother and his wife, Jared and Becky Drake.

Framed quilt block. Block was made by Granny.

Jessie BATES- Granny
Some of my favorite Christmases were the ‘handmade Christmases’ we had at my Mom and Dad’s house. Everyone should give that a try at least once. I need to start labeling my treasured items soon so if I should die at least people will know what each item is and why it’s special. This is a task Becky and I have talked about doing for a while now. We need to get moving on it! I encourage each of you to post a photo of one homemade item you treasure and why it’s special to you. You may be the only one on earth who knows the significance of a particular piece. Mark your items this week whether you do it by video, by photograph, in writing- however you choose to do it. Make plans for who will get the item when you pass and make your wishes known. If you don’t make plans for your special items they may end up in the trash when you die if for no other reason than no one else recognizes what those items are. Enjoy your week and get busy with your ‘assigned task’.

Until next time,
Lisa @ Days of Our Lives

Flawless Friday: Weathered- A Worn Bible Equals a Life Well-Weathered

It’s Friday. The photo/blog challenge theme of the day is ‘weathered’. I love these challenges. I’ve told my SIL, Becky, before that we could be given the same ancestor and the same theme and never come up with the same or similar blog post. I love that. I think that’s one of my favorite things about these challenges is seeing where the theme took her versus where it took me. You can read her ‘weathered’ blog post here.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105, The Holy Bible
A LIFE WELL-WEATHERED
That’s what I want- a life that is steady in the word of God no matter what life brings me. In the past, a family’s Bible reflected how much time they spent in the word. Today we have digital Bibles and, I confess, that’s mostly what I use now. It’s not the same as my physical Bible, though.

My Bible I received as a gift in anticipation of my high school graduation. My then-pastor, Les OSBURN, gave it to me.
This Bible has seen me through so much and sadly, it doesn’t look worn enough. This Bible was mine when I got married, when I had my children, and through all the many problems life brings. It also saw me through my successes- graduations, births of children, marriages of children, births of grandchildren, a million things that gave me joy in my life. It has been my companion for three decades. It’s well-traveled, having been to almost every state I’ve been to and even went to school with me when I was in high school. This Bible has been chewed on the corners by our puppy. It’s had pages torn and ripped out by my children (and probably a couple of grandchildren). Pages are highlighted, corners folded over- all the highlights of use and study. Lots of things are tucked in there- photographs, church bulletins, sermon notes. There were times in my life that were so scary I’ve gone to sleep with my Bible on my chest and my arms folded across it. It’s been to the hospital with me when I had a brain tumor removed. It’s been pretty much everywhere with me. My Bible should be more weathered than it is. I have purchased new Bibles over the years and now have a digital Bible, but this Bible- this one is mine and the one that I love most.
EDITH’S BIBLE
My great-grandma, Edith HUBBARD, had a Bible. Like me, she lost a son. It is said of her that she read her Bible every single day of her life without fail. When she heard her son had been in a bad car wreck she was down on her knees praying hard for his life right up until the moment they told her he had died. My heart knows why her Bible looks like it does, with no cover and tattered with use. Her Bible and in turn, her life, was well-weathered.

Edith (Hubbard) Drake's Bible. — Edith (Hubbard) Drake’s Bible.

Edith HUBBARD’s Bible

JESSIE’S BIBLE
My granny, Jessie BATES, had a large Bible on her table and also a Bible for reading. I never saw her reading the Bible and I never knew her to go to church. She was a good grandmother. Very loving and kind. She also lost a child. I can’t imagine that a person can go 8 decades without her son and never pray to God for guidance, help, or comfort. Especially while still retaining such a sweet spirit as my granny had.

Jessie (Riter) Bates' Bible. — Jessie (Riter) Bates’ Bible.

^^Jessie BATES’ Bible- reading size.

Jessie BATES’ Bible- table size.

AUDREY’S BIBLE
This is my mam’s Bible. All my childhood I attended church alongside her every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. I watched her help raise four of her grandchildren and care for my grandfather as he died from cancer. She helped care for elderly relatives as they lived out their final days and years. I know she prayed fervently and often and always read her Bible. Her Bible is definitely worn and indicative of a life well-weathered. It is missing it’s front cover.

Audrey (Larkin) Drake's Bible. — Audrey (Larkin) Drake’s Bible.

Audrey DRAKE’s Bible

ROY’S AND KAY’S BIBLES
My parents, Roy and Kay, took me to church from the time I was born- every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night- and any other time the church doors were open. They made sure I was raised to know God and to love Him and I’m so grateful for that. I probably would have been a wild child if they hadn’t taken me to church early and often! I know they prayed often and always read their Bibles. They’ve had many Bibles over the years but these are ones they owned early in their lives.

Both Roy and Kay DRAKE’s Bibles

DEREK’S AND SHAINA’S BIBLES
My kids had Bibles from the time they were old enough to carry one around. They wore their early Bibles out. I’m quite certain that the last time I saw those Bibles they didn’t have covers and the spines were separating from the books. They also had tiny little pocket New Testaments. Derek’s was given away years ago to a homeless man in Boise, Idaho. Shaina’s is packed away. I also have a tiny pocket New Testament packed away somewhere that belonged to me when I was young. Somewhere packed away I’m sure we also have my husband’s old Bible. These Bibles are worn with use and we’ve gotten new Bibles over the years. I don’t have pictures of any of these Bibles so I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it. Derek’s favorite story when he was a child was in Judges 3 where Eglon, King of Moab, was stabbed by Ehud. He loved the battles in the Old Testament. Shaina’s favorite story was the story of Esther.

Derek and Shaina as children

YOUR LIFE WELL-WEATHERED
“A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone that isn’t.”– Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon was one of my son’s favorite preachers. He is very good and I highly recommend listening to his sermons if you get a chance. You can find them in various places on the internet including Spurgeon.org, Sermon Audio, and Spurgeon Gems. Google his name and you will likely find more. He is called “Prince of Preachers”.
I’d love to see photos of your Bible. Show me your Bible-proof of a life that has been “well-weathered”. Tell me your favorite verse or favorite Bible story. Show me photos of your family Bibles and tell me their stories. I’m looking forward to it.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, The Holy Bible

Until next time,
Lisa @ Days of Our Lives

Flawless Friday: Weathered- A Worn Bible Equals a Life Well-Weathered

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105, The Holy Bible

A LIFE WELL-WEATHERED

That’s what I want- a life that is steady in the word of God no matter what life brings me. In the past, a family’s Bible reflected how much time they spent in the word. Today we have digital Bibles and, I confess, that’s mostly what I use now. It’s not the same as my physical Bible, though.

My Bible I received as a gift in anticipation of my high school graduation. My then-pastor, Les OSBURN, gave it to me.

This Bible has seen me through so much and sadly, it doesn’t look worn enough. This Bible was mine when I got married, when I had my children, and through all the many problems life brings. It also saw me through my successes- graduations, births of children, marriages of children, births of grandchildren, a million things that gave me joy in my life. It has been my companion for three decades. It’s well-traveled, having been to almost every state I’ve been to and even went to school with me when I was in high school. This Bible has been chewed on the corners by our puppy. It’s had pages torn and ripped out by my children (and probably a couple of grandchildren). Pages are highlighted, corners folded over- all the highlights of use and study. Lots of things are tucked in there- photographs, church bulletins, sermon notes. There were times in my life that were so scary I’ve gone to sleep with my Bible on my chest and my arms folded across it. It’s been to the hospital with me when I had a brain tumor removed. It’s been pretty much everywhere with me. My Bible should be more weathered than it is. I have purchased new Bibles over the years and now have a digital Bible, but this Bible- this one is mine and the one that I love most.

EDITH’S BIBLE

My great-grandma, Edith HUBBARD, had a Bible. Like me, she lost a son. It is said of her that she read her Bible every single day of her life without fail. When she heard her son had been in a bad car wreck she was down on her knees praying hard for his life right up until the moment they told her he had died. My heart knows why her Bible looks like it does, with no cover and tattered with use. Her Bible and in turn, her life, was well-weathered.

Edith HUBBARD’s Bible

JESSIE’S BIBLE

My granny, Jessie BATES, had a large Bible on her table and also a Bible for reading. I never saw her reading the Bible and I never knew her to go to church. She was a good grandmother. Very loving and kind. She also lost a child. I can’t imagine that a person can go 8 decades without her son and never pray to God for guidance, help, or comfort. Especially while still retaining such a sweet spirit as my granny had.

Jessie BATES’ Bible- reading size.

Jessie BATES’ Bible- table size.

AUDREY’S BIBLE

This is my mam’s Bible. All my childhood I attended church alongside her every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. I watched her help raise four of her grandchildren and care for my grandfather as he died from cancer. She helped care for elderly relatives as they lived out their final days and years. I know she prayed fervently and often and always read her Bible. Her Bible is definitely worn and indicative of a life well-weathered. It is missing it’s front cover.

Audrey DRAKE’s Bible

ROY’S AND KAY’S BIBLES

My parents, Roy and Kay, took me to church from the time I was born- every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night- and any other time the church doors were open. They made sure I was raised to know God and to love Him and I’m so grateful for that. I probably would have been a wild child if they hadn’t taken me to church early and often! I know they prayed often and always read their Bibles. They’ve had many Bibles over the years but these are ones they owned early in their lives.

Both Roy and Kay DRAKE’s Bibles

DEREK’S AND SHAINA’S BIBLES

My kids had Bibles from the time they were old enough to carry one around. They wore their early Bibles out. I’m quite certain that the last time I saw those Bibles they didn’t have covers and the spines were separating from the books. They also had tiny little pocket New Testaments. Derek’s was given away years ago to a homeless man in Boise, Idaho. Shaina’s is packed away. I also have a tiny pocket New Testament packed away somewhere that belonged to me when I was young. Somewhere packed away I’m sure we also have my husband’s old Bible. These Bibles are worn with use and we’ve gotten new Bibles over the years. I don’t have pictures of any of these Bibles so I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it. Derek’s favorite story when he was a child was in Judges 3 where Eglon, King of Moab, was stabbed by Ehud. He loved the battles in the Old Testament. Shaina’s favorite story was the story of Esther.

Derek and Shaina as children

YOUR LIFE WELL-WEATHERED

“A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone that isn’t.”– Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon was one of my son’s favorite preachers. He is very good and I highly recommend listening to his sermons if you get a chance. You can find them in various places on the internet including Spurgeon.org, Sermon Audio, and Spurgeon Gems. Google his name and you will likely find more. He is called “Prince of Preachers”.

I’d love to see photos of your Bible. Show me your Bible-proof of a life that has been “well-weathered”. Tell me your favorite verse or favorite Bible story. Show me photos of your family Bibles and tell me their stories. I’m looking forward to it.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, The Holy Bible

Until next time,
Lisa @ Days of Our Lives

Close to Home, Close to the Heart- Part 2

There were a couple of late entries for stories about Uncle David so I thought I would do a mid-week post. Included in this post is an article I recently found that mentioned my Aunt Carol so I thought I would include it as well.
After publishing the previous blog post, my cousin said he remembered the long drives from Iowa back to Oklahoma that his family made when his dad wanted to go fishing with David. He remembers his dad and David shooting at snakes while the kids swam. Troy and David would sit on the bank fishing while the kids swam and they would shoot at the occasional snake they saw in the water.
Memory is a strange and unpredictable thing. After reading the previous blog post, David’s sister Kay commented that she must have been wrong about David enlisting at such a young age. David was actually 17 years old when he enlisted.
David’s brother-in-law, Roy, remembers going noodling with David over in the Disney-Tiajuana, Oklahoma (Delaware/Mayes County), area when they closed the spillways on the dam. They took a gunny sack to put the fish in. Roy caught some fish and put them in the gunny sack but David made him take them back out and throw them back because David said they were too small. Afterward, David regretted that because they didn’t get too many fish that day. Roy commented that David always knew when they were going to close the spillways and he could go fishing. Overall, everyone commented how much David loved fishing. Here is a photo from the GRDA website showing the Pensacola spillway gates:

Photo found at http://www.grda.com/

Carolyn BENNETT
My Aunt Carolyn passed away a few years ago. Yesterday I was doing genealogical research on Ancestry.com and came across a newspaper article that mentioned her. The article was from the morning edition of the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas- Taylor and Jones Counties) dated 14 October 1954. Below is a transcription of the relevant portions of the article:

“Tuscola Residents Visits in Missouri“
“TUSCOLA, October 13 (RNS)- Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Larkin and children, and his brother, Carl Larkin, visited in Southwest, Mo. with Mrs. Gene Drake, sister of Ralph and Carl, and her family. They were accompanied home by Mrs. Drake and her daughter, Carolyn, who visited the Larkins and the N. J. MINITRA family.”
The Ralph LARKIN mentioned here is not our great-grandfather but rather his and Bess’ son, Ralph LARKIN, JR.. Ralph, Carl, and Audrey were siblings. I have no idea what connection the MINITRA family had to ours.
I love that old newspapers include gossip sections like this. They hold interesting information on our ancestor’s lives that can help us place them in a certain location at a certain time. This article also helps explain why Gene and Audrey moved back and forth between McDonald County, Missouri, and Abilene, Texas, several times between 1954 and 1957. An article similar to this one that was published in 1953 helped explain why Ralph LARKIN, JR. moved to Abilene, Texas. It stated that his then-wife was a long-time resident of the area and her family still lived there.

Until this weekend,
Lisa @ Days of Our Lives

Tag: kay drake

Antiques

Flawless Friday: Weathered- A Worn Bible Equals a Life Well-Weathered

Flawless Friday: Weathered- A Worn Bible Equals a Life Well-Weathered

Close to Home, Close to the Heart- Part 2