Planting Cotton and building "Eudora" The Joggling board. At my Nebraska home "Mississippi on the Plains"

Hinds County News

June 2017

Me in my brand new bibs!  my Spring gardening uniform

I, Gloria Christiansen, living at my home, “Mississippi On the Plains” in Holdrege Nebraska, soon will be a cotton grower!  Yes, I will!!!  Of course, my planting of cotton will not be of the magnitude of lets say, a Mississippi Delta plantation or of a Gaddis Farms in Hinds county…. doubt you would even describe mine as patch of cotton…I am suspecting my cotton growing will be more in the manner of a large galvanized tub from the farm store in size.

Y’all, at Garden Club Monday evening (April 17), our speaker was a Nebraska Master Gardener, toward the end of the meeting he held up beautiful fluffy boll of cotton, he vowed and declared he grew it right here in Holdrege.  Well, you know I light up like a Christmas tree! I was so excited!  I had to know where I could get seed.   lo and behold he had cotton seed with him and he gave me a package!   Now it is just a matter of waiting for the ground temperatures to come up to between 65 and 70 degrees.  Wish me luck! Because I do not even live on the south side of town.

 There is not a cotton gin close by….so to get my cotton ginned, I may have to box it up, send it priority mail, to the Gaddis McLaurin Hardware store, Main Street, Bolton, Mississippi, and ask Joyce if she would mind stepping it across to the Bolton Gin.

"Eudora"
The Joggling Board

I told you last month I had lumber delivered so I could construct a Joggling Board, like the one Eudora Welty mentioned in her book “The Delta Wedding”.   It is finished!  And It is Grand addition to the back yard! Some of those who have seen my joggling board, have speculated it is perhaps the only one in Phelps County…. Maybe even the whole state of Nebraska!    Wouldn’t that be wonderful!   I have never been first at anything…ever. 

“The Delta Wedding” Joggling Board and the tub of cotton will be the focal point of my Mississippi Garden.  In addition, to the Joggling board and cotton there will be okra and collard greens.

Love to all,

 stop by if you get this way!

Run For the Wall

Christiansen's Comments

First Published

Hinds County Gazette News Paper
Raymond Mississippi
 May 30 2013

I am writing this early morning, Monday May 27, Memorial Day.  Last Monday the Veterans riding motorcycles, passed through Hinds County, headed to Washington….making their annual Run For The Wall  

Run For The Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by all veterans who have served our nation.

Mission Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Philosophy: We strive to maintain a safe, supportive and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.
Goals:

1. To guide the participants across America.
2. To educate future generations as to the importance of accountability in wartime actions emphasizing that no one should be left behind.

I wanted my little buddy, three year old, Whit  to see the veterans on motorcycles.   “The Run” is impressive sight… hundreds of veterans participate. The group that came past us was the on the southern route, there is also a northern route, and as they travel the route more veterans join the band of vets.  By Memorial Day weekend there are hundreds and hundreds riding in to Washington.

 We stopped at the dollar store and bought an American flag to wave, so we could show our support for their cause.  Then we drove to the Farr Road I 20 over pass, between Edwards and Bolton, and joined a group of Bolton folks, many of the same people are there every year.

Whit

 To those gathered on the bridge to watch the motorcycles pass, it was both a solemn and celebratory occasion. I believe that to an appropriate response.

Many men and women have served in the armed forces, giving their lives, and far too many veterans sacrificed their sanity to defend this nation.

The cyclists, all they are asking, not for glory for themselves, but that those veterans and their families who each and everyday suffer the consequences of war, that they not be forgotten.

Keith Jenkins, himself a veteran, invited those gathered on the bridge to his house in Bolton, for a cook out…Pulled pork and all of the fixing…Grilled hot dogs, Jess Tackett was on the grill….Whit ate four hot dogs. We had a grand time!

Jess Tackett

And of course it is the right thing to do to make the day, a festive one, other wise their service would have been in vain.  Those men and women served this country, so we Americans could live, celebrate, and go on with our lives.

 Thank you

Love to all

Call if you need me

"Christiansen comments" Hinds County Gazette January 19 2012

My life is grand…Oh, there have been up and downs…peaks and valleys…but all things considered it has been good. Why I bring this up, is lately, I have been giving life “The Big Think”…as a result of this “Big Think” I have come to believe that there are two sweet spots in this life…one was my childhood.

This picture did not end up where I wanted it to...
This is down town Bolton Mississippi...

I grew up in a small town on the Nebraska plains…where we even at the age 5 and 6 we could roam the entire town….We were never bored because we had places to go and things to do… And our mothers turned us loose with no fear because the whole town watched after us. If we went to misbehaving, even mildly misbehaving, seemingly out of no where an adult would appear and tend to us…the ladies were usually wearing an apron….The men who stopped to inquiry about our activities, they might be wearing a suit and tie, more often overalls, or coveralls. Farmers hauling a full load of grain, on the way to the elevator, or a load of cattle to the stock yard, would stop and get out, to find out what we were up to…we could have pocket knives, BB guns, our homemade sling shots and bows and arrows…but you better not get caught with matches, cigarettes….or any liquid that resembled gasoline.

House I grew up in..back then the front porch was not enclosed

Main Street Palisade

Palisade from North of town

As a kid growing in Palisade Nebraska, my days were my own; there were not many demands on my time. Back then, we didn’t have soccer, dance classes etc. that we had to deal with and make plans around. Oh, once in a while somebody would have to break off, go home and get cleaned up, so they could go to their piano lesson. But life as a kid for me, was relatively uncomplicated, as long I respected my elders, behaved at school and church, and was home for dinner and supper on time,.



After childhood came 40 years that I had to be grown up, be responsible and productive, I am not complaining and those 40 years were good, and I enjoyed them.



But I am coming to realize my old age is not unlike my childhood… when I wake up in the morning…..most days are my own… I can choose what I want to do….. Make concrete leaves; hang out in my shop, play with my friends or just putter. Nobody is depending on me.



My little buddy Whit, he is 18 months old now, I am 67,   I am coming to realize he and I are not at unlike stages of life, just at opposite ends of it. My old age and Whit's childhood are alike in many ways….As long as, we don’t make a lot of noise;  behave and do not do anything dangerous. The adults of this world…. pretty much leave us alone to do what we please.

Love to all

Call if you need me

PS. My friend Alan Huffman has a new book coming out soon….The title is We're with Nobody: , The Web page for the new book is  http://www.werewithnobody.com/

Alan lives in “The Greater Bolton area, where the grass is green, the sky is blue and the water is brown”….that is what James Anderson always says about Bolton…I couldn’t help myself. But any way Alan will be in Jackson at Lemuria February 21 signing copies…he will be other places too…. Oxford, New York City, Greenwood



But if you miss those events… buy the book…I feel sure we can get it signed for you….perhaps we can arrange to have a signing off the tailgate of his pickup right down town Bolton Mississippi…”Where the grass is green, the sky is blue and the water is brown.” Again sorry I just can not help my self….anytime I say “Bolton” I have to say, “Where the grass is green, the sky is blue and the water is brown.” Sorry………



Oh!!!! There is a video trailer for the book…I am in it!!!! I am expecting Hollywood to call anytime now.

Christiansen's comments...Published Hinds County Gazette 08/18/2011

I must write fast today…

I need to get in the yard bad! It has just been too hot to do anything outside….it is suppose to be cooler this week, so in the yard is where I plan to be. I do not need to mow …no rain no mow. But the shrubs need trimming. And there are lots of little limbs and twigs laying in the yard…waiting to be picked up, we have not had rain but we have had wind…doesn’t take much wind to get a pecan tree to drop limbs and branches.

It was cool one morning last week, I turned on the attic fan and opened up the house and let cool fresh air in….The air conditioners had been running for so long I felt like I was breathing stale, recycled air….like hospital air.

Recently, Brain had me pondering on hot air and cold air ….Brain is still thinking on it…but it is my experience, from living in this old drafty house…that cold air is easier to heat, then hot air is to cool. We will wait and see what Brain decides. But sadly, Brain before he sorts one thing out, often moves on to something else….and leaves me to contemplate on abstract topics, that I would never considered thinking on…. if he wasn’t always bringing them up.



Sunday afternoon I went to Bolton for Second Sunday at St. Mary’s….It was wonderful as usual! Anna McDonald sang several versions of Ava Maria…..Fabulous!!!!! James Anderson arranges for the talent …. I do not know how he does it…. James must be close friends with every talented person and group in Mid Mississippi. Talent worthy of the stags in New York have come out to rural Hinds county, to Bolton Mississippi, to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church to share their talent with us! What a treat!

St. Mary's

Bolton Mississippi

James Anderson

Well, that is about it from 201.…maybe when it gets a bit cooler, I will get out and about more…and I will see something exciting that I can tell you about….

201

Oh!! Oh!! Something exciting is happening in Edwards…they are moving dirt up there around the newer water tower…rumor has it, we are getting a dollar store! Call if you need me

Site of new Dollar Store

Christiansen's Comments from Hinds county Gazette June 02 2011

Okay first things first….

Very Urgent

We are having Bible School at the Edwards Presbyterian Church , July 20, 21, and 22...every child is welcome….so mark your calendars. But the reason I bring this up now is Lesley Cannada is organizing Bible school for us and she is in a desperate search of a camel …a real camel….You got one? I promise it will be well loved and we will not be trying to pull it through the eye of a needle.

Edwards Prebyterian Church

***************************************************************************************

It is not what you know, it is who you know…

I did not know Keith Jenkins except that he is the writer of the Bolton News. But I do know Doug Beard. Doug Beard invited Doug and Kay Turner and myself to come to the Farr Road Bridge that goes over I-20 to watch the Annual “Run for the Wall” , well the riders came through much earlier then in previous years, so we missed it , but we didn’t miss the neighbor hood cook out Keith hosted in his front yard….Hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade desserts, good conversation…. those Bolton folks are so hospitable and friendly!

**************************************************************************************

Speaking of Doug Turner…he retired recently and he has been working replacing the rotted wood on my house…as I said. Doug is retired, so he works me in when there is not something more fun to do….like cook outs and the like….Which suits me, I am retired too and no hurry. Doug is about finished with the front porch…Remember way back yonder I told you my back steps had been built as a temporary solution? So I asked Doug to put me on his list for new back steps….



Doug and Scout



Doug and were discussing the back steps… when I had an epiphany! …“I don’t want steps! I want a ramp! “ ……at first Doug was not sure a ramp was such a good idea, because right now he didn’t think I needed one. But when I explained I could just load my groceries, bottled water, etc in a cart and pull them up the ramp and how helpful a ramp would be getting those 50 pound bags of dog food to the back porch, I sold him…But I thought if both Doug and I think the ramp is a good idea…I just knew Kay would hate it…Kay is sort of my ecstatic advisor.

 I called Kay, and she did hate the ramp idea… vehemently hated the ramp idea….Kay didn’t care if the ramp would ease my burden, it was tacky …Then, way on after while she remembered Charlie, my old dog, and how his old bones are beginning to bother him…and she said, ”It would make it much easier for Charlie get in and out.” and with that thought, Kay was on board. With Kay Turner, Kay Turner it is all about the animals and their comfort and their convenience.

By the way, Kay and Doug son, Jeff will be in New York New York doing a show in June…so if you are in New York !

http://metropolitanroom.com/show.cfm?id=84640

Hey I got to go,

call if you need me or find a camel.

Post Script

We are in mourning here at 201.....My old dog Charlie died this week.



Charlie at my pre Chemo party
March 2006



Hinds County Gazette, Christiansen's Comments

Charles Rather Alderman at large


Gaddis McLaurin Hardware Store
Bolton Mississippi



Jack the Hardware Cat

It is calm around Edwards. The heat and humidity are on the rise, so life here in mid Mississippi has changed, it is still proceeding, but the tempo is a bit slower…and the rains have stopped. The rains stopping that is disquieting.

We do have new aldermen, Charles Rather, is our alderman at large, Leon Goldsberry won the race in ward 3 and Marty Green will be taking the seat for ward 2.

Our Mayor RL Perkins, will be serving another term, as will Ira L Thompson and Wilson Larry Jones, aldermen wards 1 and 4, all were unopposed. I understand the swearing in ceremony for the board will be Monday July 6.

Thank you, all of you who ran, I am grateful there are those who are willing give up their time and sanity in the effort to make our town, Edwards, Mississippi a quality place to live.

Last week, I was in the Gaddis McLaurin… the day Jack, the hardware cat, was having to get his flea medicine on his back….it was quite a show, Joyce was slipping around trying to keep Jack from knowing what was fixing to happen…there were a couple of false starts…Joyce had a bit of trouble getting the container open, then she had to go back and read the directions one more time. Of course us on lookers were captivated by the drama, causing us to be very quiet…Jack not being a stupid cat, he knew something was up, when it went to silence at the Gaddis McLaurin…If there are folks in the store, it is not quiet at the Gaddis McLaurin….

Jack was laying in his drawer, but when he became suspicious, he got up, turned around , sat down and looked straight at Joyce, and calm as anything, watched Joyce fumbling and bumbling with that tube of medicine.

Nettie shook a few cat treats on to the counter…in an attempt to distract Jack. It worked he turned around and commenced to eating….when Joyce finally got it all together, she came over to the drawer, put the medicine between Jacks shoulder blades….Jack did not care…granted he was momentary preoccupied by the treats…but he really did not seem to give a hoot. My cats after they get their meds…they scatter, and any bits and pieces in their way get tossed Up, Down, East and west….leaving a path of fallen and up tipped objects in their wake, and I don’t see the cats again until they get hungry…Real hungry….My cats hold a grudge. Jack just kept on eating.

Saturday, I was back at the Gaddis and the folks standing around the west counter were studying on growing pineapples…wondering if when you cut that green top off , if you set it down in dirt would it root? I wasn’t there when the discussion began, apparently it had been going on awhile…they had computer print outs of pineapple plants spread out in front of them…I really didn’t get the feeling anybody was going to go home and try it….I don’t know what it was all about…Maybe just keeping a conversation going …allowing them to stay out of the heat a bit longer.

I gotta go now….I was in the Gaddis buying stuff to work on my back porch…caulk and a caulk gun. well….I have caulk strung all over the back yard and on the back steps…I tried to wipe it off the steps…I just smeared it and made it worse…so I am going out now, to see if can I cover the smears with potted plants…like in those beautiful photographs of places in Italy….…..we’ll see.

Call if you need me

I am always conflicted when it comes to praying for rain….Just because I want rain…doesn’t mean that everybody needs rain…I commence to wonder…. is there some old person with a hole in the roof and the repair man can’t get there right now?…or a single mother who has to wait until her next paycheck to her roof fixed? A farmer trying to get a crop in the bin. Or a job, a project that would be ruined by rain?Prayer is a duty and obligation and a privilege and a great comfort…..but still not without it’s struggles. Not that God would do what I asked…. Against His will or the prayers of others…but he might want me to be more mindful of the consequences, if he did answer every one of my long list of whinny prayers ……