"Bear"

Wednesday - October 8, 2008

Strange title??? Not if you knew who I am writing about today! 29 years ago on October 5 a second son was born to Dink and Rhonda - Bobby Layne. As a baby, Dink called him "Bear" because of the head full of dark curls he had. So many thought he was a girl because of that full head of hair! Dink and Rhonda finally got his hair cut after Bobby would say "I'm not a girl! I''m a boy." He also was a little put out because people thought he looked like me - Aunt Sue. He always said, "Billy looks like Dad; Todd looks like Mike; JD looks like John; and I look like Aunt Sue!" Needless to say, he was not a happy tyke. Had he known David at that age he would have also said "and David looks like Bill!" This would have really upset him that he was the only grandson who supposedly didn't look like his father. He makes up for that now!

Just in - Rhonda reminded me that Dink called Bobby "Bear" because of how hairy he was on his back for a new born!!! I remember that now - guess I was just thinking about that head full of curls!!!!

He and Dink came out yesterday, and they were sitting on the porch -wish I had the camera with me - they looked so much alike! Sorry Dink, you may have a few more grey hairs than Bob! Bob cleaned out the ferns from the front of the house, did some weed eating and mowed, and helped us pack the shed with a little more junk! Some day the shed will be a job all on its own! Bob was a great help! We love you!

Thought I would post some of my favorite pictures with Bob in them!

The family heading out to church! Ohhh so precious!



Bobby with one of his favorite girls!


This has always been one of my favorites!


The three musketeers from WV taking a nap? Think again! For your info in case you can't tell which is which :)- Todd, Billy, and Bobby!


Not sure why the boys look like they are mad - oh, because Aunt Sue wanted a picture of the grandkids together. Front row - Dawn, Meghan, Billy; back row - JD, Bobby, Todd, Lindsay.


Here's another pictures of the grandkids - Bob still doesn't look happy!
Meghan, Dawn, Lindsay, JD, Billy, Todd, and Bobby


Goodness, they look like they are in a line up!! Billy, JD, Bobby, and Todd


Bobby would have rather been next to Papaw! Papaw, Bill, Bobby


Dink with his boys!


This one I really love - the boys after a day of fishing!! Poor Billy looks like he is losing his jeans! oops! Hard job fishing! :):)


I'm going to end with this picture - there are so many I could have posted! All I'll say about this picture is - "Where's the plane, where's the plane?" (For those old enough - remember Fantasy Island?)
Love you Bobby!

Fall's in the Air!

Friday - October 3, 2008

One fall, many many years ago, Dad surprised me! I was trying to pick out a story or poem that my kids in the sixth grade could recite read and enjoy it. He startled me when all of a sudden he started reciting a poem he had to memorize when he was in school! It was a poem by James Whitcomb Riley - "When the Frost is on the Punkin." He recited the first stanza which I am posting for those who may not know this poem. Dad really amazed me - remembering a poem after all those years!!!!

"When the Frost is on the Punkin"

WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

I thought of this poem and Dad as Bill and I put a fall display on the front porch. We are taking care of Halloween and Thanksgiving with the mums, carved pumpkins, and scarecrow! I am going to post some pictures of our display - hope you enjoy them!

This picture shows our scarecrow surrounded by real mums and some artificial ones. Can you pick out the real ones? The big pot is real!!!!!! Our little carved pumkin lights up!



This next picture shows my geese dressed up for Halloween. I will tell you that the flowers in the pot are not real - I can use them again next year! The sign up against the post says "One spoiled Boston Terrier lives here!" How true!



This next picture I like because you can see the reflection of the trees on the glass!



These are views of both displays! Can't see them from the road yet - trees need to be trimmed!





This is our wreath of WELCOME!



Happy Fall!

I'm in God's Hand

Wednesday - October 1, 2008

For the last week or two I have been down in the dumps a little. Those who know me know that I am the one who has always tried to stay upbeat - always because of Mom and Dad. I never wanted them to worry - especially when we knew that Dad's time with us was coming close to where he would be soon going home. But since John's death, I find it really hard to be in that upbeat cheery mood. I try to remember that they are in a far better place than I am! But I still miss them so much! I have been listening to our Steve Green cds and two songs have made me cry, but at the same time been a comfort to me! I would like to share those words with you. I noticed that Jeni had posted another song's lyrics that is a comfort as well - it was played at John's funeral!

The following is called:

"I AM in God's Hands."

Safe in the grace of God
my soul finds rest,
strong from a confidence
that he knows best.
Following where he leads
my heart is blessed.
CHORUS
Evil makes its plans
but my faith still stands,
I am in God’s hands.
Gone are the lonely
fears of former days.
Jesus is always there
to guide my ways.
Gladly I offer him
my thankful praise.
Evil makes its plans
but my faith still stands,
I am in God’s hands.
In his hands,
peace comforts my life.
In his hands,
I see a path
I can walk through
the passage of time.
Angels will greet me
when I leave life’s pains.
Sent there to guard me
at that final change.
Bearing me up
to where my father reigns.

The next song is beautifully sung by Steve Green and let's us all know that our loved ones are in a much better place!

"Safely Home"

Children, precious children
I Know you're shaken,
A loved one taken.
Oh but hear me.
Come, draw near me.
Their pain is passed now.
They rest at last now, safely home.
They are strong and free.
They are safe with me.
This life is nearly shadow.
Today there's sorrow, but joy tomorrow.
Safely home. Safely home.
One day you will join them,
all together, this time forever,
safely home. Safely home.

Steve Green is one of mine and Bill's favorite Christian singers. We actually got to see him in concert many years ago in Charleston. It was by far one of the best concerts we have attended. The words are themselves a comfort, but when he sings the lyrics, you feel the comfort throughout your body. I pray that those who might read this will receive some comfort from these words. Jesus is always there,; our faith still stands; and we are still in God's hands - just as the lyrics say. May God bless all of you and that you have a great day. I am feeling so much better by just writing this post. It helps me when I think I can write or do something that will be helpful to others. I know John's family reads this post and this is for you as well as for my other brothers and their families. I love you all!!!

Keeping Up!

Sunday - September 28, 2008

Just a quick note to let the family know what's going with the family in WV!

Mom had a dentist appointment last week for some work on one of her teeth. She gets to go back Tuesday for some more work! They will be numbing this one for her - ouch - she has a filling that has chipped away from the tooth!

Dink is doing better; he has been supervising Bobby working in hay! I'm sure he is gloating about the MU and WVU game. There are a couple of little boys he loves to give a hard time to - they are BIG MU fans!!!!

Rhonda has been busy canning and freezing - I know where to visit this winter!! Actually she has been sharing some of her hard work - ummm good too! On top of all the canning she still works and tries her best to take care of my brother!!! Thank you Rhonda!

Mike has been sick! Something going around - sore throat, achy body, and just plain doesn't feel good! He did say he was feeling a little better today! He missed church today and was missed! He needs to take care of himself - we don't want him end up in the hospital like Dink!

Debbie is on the not feeling well list as well! She went to a church retreat this weekend and had to sleep on a bunk. Her back is not feeling so good right now.

Todd and Meghan are busy with school and work! Todd and Cassie are also working on their wedding plans for May 16, 2009. Yes Dawn, you should be able to remember that date!

Mom and I talked with Laurie on Saturday - we interrupted her doing "homework"!!!! That's right, I said homework. She is taking some online classes. John was so proud of her first set of grades she had received. He called Mom and bragged about her getting A"s. He though it was great that she was taking classes and was doing so well! He was so proud of you Laurie!!

Laurie also told us that JD, Darcie, and the kids would be moving back form Wheeling. They were packing up this weekend! JD already has some job offers! I'm sure Laurie is pleased that they will be closer to her, and I know John is looking from above and grinning from ear to ear and prancing from foot to foot saying I'm glad you're coming home! If JD doesn't watch out, he may find lists of things to do which mysteriously appear from no where! :) (from his dad and papaw)

Bill and Toby kept things together while I was with Mom this weekend. I was with her a little longer because Mike was sick. We had a good weekend together.

Bill and I need to go get the licenses for the car tomorrow. We have been cleaning out closets and drawers of all those things we won't (can't) wear and sending them to the rummage sale where Mom goes to church. Bobby came out last week and took a truck load to the church. (Small truck!) We hope to clean out the kitchen cabinets this week of all the extra things we don't use! We would also like to take the cabinet doors off; paint them white; and put on new hardware. We think it will brighten up the kitchen - it's too dark! We also have some plans for cleaning up the ferns around the house and doing some fall yardwork! Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

David and Jeni were suppose to come into Huntington this week, but their plans had to be changed. We were looking forward to seeing them. Jeni is still sick, but the doctor says she and the baby are doing okay. We just pray that Jeni will soon feel better. We love you guys!

To all who read the blog, we hope and pray a good and safe week for all of you!

ANNNNND to all those WVU fans - wait till next year!!!!

Uncle Mack

Sunday – September 21, 2008

We have been posting pictures and memories of my family and so we decided to give a little history of the Hardin side of the family. We chose Uncle Mack to write about. Sorry Uncle Mack White – this is about Mack Hardin! Maybe one day it will be about you!!!!!!

Uncle Mack was the youngest of the Hardin clan. He was the ninth child of Harve and Angeline Hardin. He was born in Pike County Kentucky on November 25, 1915, but the family moved to Mingo County when Uncle Mack was very young. Bill was named after his grandfather – William Harvey Hardin. Needless to say, Bill does not use his middle name. Bill’s grandparents passed away before he was born. What he knows about them had been told by his father, Clyde, Uncle Mack, and older cousins.

Uncle Mack was injured in a truck accident when he was fifteen. He lost his left leg up to his hip joint and had some internal injuries which caused him to live the rest of his life with a tube attached to his bladder. The medical world was not what it is today back in the 30’s. Had modern medicine been available, I’m sure Uncle Mack would have had an artificial leg and would not have needed the tubes after reconstructive surgery. Even with all his injuries and disabilities, he still lived a full and productive life. He was 83 when he joined his Heavenly family. Uncle Mack believed with all his heart that God sent His Son to die for all our sins so that we could join him in Heaven. He loved his Lord and Savior.

Some may wonder as to why we would write about Uncle Mack first. There were many reasons, but one reason was that he was like a second father to Bill and his brothers. After Uncle Mack’s parents died, Clyde was the one who looked after his younger brother. For as long as Bill could remember, Uncle Mack lived with them. Uncle Mack used crutches and a wheelchair to get around. When Bill and his buddies would go out front to play ball in the street, Uncle Mack went out to play as well. He did not let having only one leg keep him from playing his favorite sport – baseball.

Uncle Mack bled blue and red. Blue was for Kentucky basketball and red for the Cincinnati Reds. Ahhh – some of you may have figured out why Bill loves Kentucky and the Reds! Yes, it was Uncle Mack who helped Bill become the die-hard Reds fan that he is today – win or lose – he loves his Redlegs! Bill said they would listen to the radio and Uncle Mack taught him how to keep score. This was something Uncle Mack loved to do, and it was something he could do with his little nephew. Bill was about five years old when he started keeping score with Uncle Mack while listening to the Cincinnati Reds. What memories! Bill was very close to his uncle. He talks about some of the meals Uncle Mack would fix for them and grins – one in particular included cornbread being made using boiling water. Not sure what that was, but Bill said they ate it and it was pretty good. Uncle Mack was a gamer – he would try anything and did not feel sorry for himself.

When the highrise was built in Williamson, Uncle Mack and Clyde decided it would be a good thing for him to move into one of the apartments that would be equipped for a person with his disabilities. I’m sure it was a hard move for both of them. They had been together since Uncle Mack’s birth in 1915, and now it was 1975. Clyde had been away from Uncle Mack during WWII, but Uncle Mack could tell us every move and place Clyde had been during the war. He was a walking book of knowledge of family history. After settling in to his new home, Uncle Mack made lots of friends. We never visited him that he always had someone stop by to chat with him or to check on him. He was well liked and loved by all who knew him.

Uncle Mack had two passions – Red’s games and the Democratic Party! Ohhhh, he loved to talk politics. He was a die-hard Democrat who had pictures of FDR, JFK, Rockefeller, and Bill Clinton on his wall. Should Uncle Mack say he was feeling “poorly” and you asked him a question about politics or the Reds – he would become focused on those topics and forget about feeling bad. We loved our visits with him, and we miss him very much.

If I had to sum up who Uncle Mack was I would have to say he was a very compassionate and caring man. He did not feel sorry for himself, and he did not allow anything to keep him from doing what he loved. He was a man who loved God and praised Him; he loved watching ball games on his TV; and he loved to keep an eye on the political events. He had a smile that just makes you warm inside, because he always had a happy smile!

The following pictures are of Uncle Mack with Clyde, his mother, Bill, and David.

The first picture is one we all love – Uncle Mack and Clyde – looks like they’ve been playing in the creek!(1921)
The second picture is Uncle Mack before the accident.
The third picture is of Uncle Mack and his mother probably taken at Lenore.(1950)
The fourth picture shows Clyde and Uncle Mack.
The last picture was taken on one of our visits with Uncle Mack at the highrise - Bill, David, and Uncle Mack.