These weren’t the best days for me, but I still remember. Shirley and I were birth coaches. We were called early in the morning and went to see what was up. Martha was actually working and exercising in early stages of labor. Shirley, Ricky, and I went to the hospital and everything went very quickly. Never having kids, I was just amazed. Martha was sort of OK and then came “transition”…literally! I saw Martha’s face turn shades of purple I’d never seen before. Then at the last part of the birth process, there was a turd that plopped on the doctor’s shoes, then Marnee was born. It sounds weird, but it really was beautiful. Ricky took Shirley and me to his house, but stopped on the way and bought each of us a rose. I don’t know how Martha felt, but I was exhausted.
Month: January 2009
How Martha and I loved each other as kids!
I came home from school just in the first grade to discover that Martha had chicken pox…10 days later so did I.
My first experience with “pot” and Martha, As kids do instead of playing w/toys, we were playing w/a big soup pot. I promised Martha I’d give her a turn when I was finished, running and sitting in the pot. I took a longer turn than Martha wanted, so she hurls a rock at me which landed sort of between my eyes. I have a hint of the scar today, fifty years now.
Well into my teen years, I was afraid of the dark. Even as late as the Cornstalk Rd house I remember leaving my bed and getting into bed w/Martha. She hated that and but always gave in (even after I layed in the floor for a bit).
Given the fact that I was once afraid of the dark, it is hard to believe I now live totally alone and go outside in the dark without a thought…what was I thinking?! There usually aren’t any boogie men in the dark. I’ve discovered most of the bad men in the clear blue daylight!
Grandma and Grandpa – Amon and Nora Cantrell
Wonder what year. How old were they. They didn’t have grey hair and I doubt they dyed their hair.
It is funny, but this is the way I always remember them.
I am pretty sure this was Grandma, Grandpa and Roger on a visit to Ohio when I was home from the Army. Don’t know which house. Hope Vickie or Martha can remember where we lived when you were this age.
Here is another picture of Grandma and Grandpa standing at the back of their house. I know the well is back there too. They don’t look much different – just a little older. I do hope I can go back through some of my original pictures and match up some dates.
I know we can find the date for this and I think I have a picture of Grandpa helping Vickie and Anita at the well.
Carl visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Not sure when this was either. Obviously, a little older.
Clay Cantrell – Goldie’s Brother
Here is a picture of Clay Cantrell, in front of an ambulance. Don’t have any idea when or why. Wonder what relationship the ambulance played in his life.
Maybe we can locate Gwendolyn, his daughter. I do remember, when I was 10, I went on a trip with Gwen, Clay, and Janny, Clay’s wife. We drove to somebody’s house. I think it was Johnny Vanover’s mother and father’s house in Kentucky or it could have been Janny’s parents. Clay and Janny lived in Dayton. I remember Gwen was studying tap dancing and demonstrated her tap dancing. She even had her costume on. I thought that was pretty. I remember sitting on the porch and feeling so homesick.
I know Clay was shot. I don’t know the date nor for sure who shot him.
Shirley and Vickie – Birth, Christening & Wedding of Marnee Bittner
Can you believe Marnee Mae Bittner, Martha and Ricky’s daughter, is getting married June 27, 2009. She will be 23 years old on June 11, 2009.
Can you believe these were her mother’s birthing partners or coaches or ….? Whatever they were called, they were there at Marnee’s birth. Cute! Nice dress Marnee – Christian Dior Silk and Chantilly Lace.
More from Danielle – Woodie’s Granddaughter
Hey! Woodena said she’s happy to hear from you! She does remember you but not as much as she remembers Vickie and Martha. She says that she remembers visiting you all when you lived in a big house and raised rabbits but she doesn’t remember what part of Ohio it was.
I would contribute to the history but I really don’t know that much about it. Woodena remembers the names of Goldie’s sisters and brothers but don’t know when they were born, birthdates, or anything like that. She knows most of the names of their children but that’s all. So we don’t know too much history!
Woodena said how old are you if you don’t mind us asking? She is getting ready to turn 55 soon. She had both knees replaced so it’s hard for her to get around much. She said that she hated hearing about Goldie passing away. She said Goldie was one of her favorite aunts because she always told such funny stories when she visited Woodie.
I am 23 years old and I have a sister that is 35. My sister has a 3 year old daughter, that’s my moms only grandchild so she is spoiled!
So if you need to know the names of Goldie’s sisters and brothers and their children we can help you out on that but that’s about all we know, sorry!
Danielle