Sunday, August 25, 2019

Lucile Ellingwood Morrow Elementary Welcomes First Students

WELCOME to the first students to attend the new Owasso Lucile Ellingwood Morrow Elementary School!  

                       First day of School - August 22, 2019! 

An unusually moist August morning greeted the first students to enter the newest, and final, elementary school to open in Owasso, Oklahoma - the Lucile Ellingwood Morrow Elementary.  An overnight rain made for a nice walk to school from the surrounding Morrow Place neighborhood and children and parents alike were delighted!
Mrs. Morrow would have been amazed at what has happened to the Morrow land.  Homes bursting with happy families have replaced open fields populated by dairy cattle, hens, chickens, horses, hay-filled barns and white-faced Herfords.  Roads and highways cut through what was once open pasture land thick with fescue, Kentucky bluestem and native grasses.  Often the only car to drive by the Morrow home was the rural mailman delivering the much anticipated letter or announcement. 
But, this morning, August 22, 2019, buses and many cars delivered up to 700 busy, chattering and excited children!  How exciting!
Come take a tour!




And, then the BEST part!  The hallways were filled with Morrow students!  Ready to learn!




So, Welcome!  Come and learn and become a fine, upstanding citizen!  Be a Morrow!

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Recipe for Preserving "Choice" Children - Good summertime recipe

Excepts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" published in February 9, 1950 in The Collinsville News.  

". . . . Through it all, they, as well as we, were looking for a way to have good children;  here is an old recipe presenting a philosophy that might well be followed through all the ages:  

                  Preserve Choice Children 

Take 1 large grassy field; 1/2 dozen children, 2 or 3 small dogs, pinch of brooks and some pebbles.  Mix children and dogs well together and put them in the field, stirring constantly;  Pour the brook over the pebbles;  sprinkle the field with flowers; spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in the hot sun.  When thoroughly brown, remove and set away to cool in a bathtub."  











What Goes Around Comes Around - Perspectives on Korean - US conflicts and relationships on this 4th of JULY!

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman"  originally published July 9, 1953 in The Collinsville News.  

Note:  This was a time period when The Boy had just returned from the front lines of the Korean Conflict.  Troops had been pulled back but "war" was never declared.  The fight was termed a "conflict" which limited political options, limited military benefits to those who fought and placed many constraints on future peace negotiations.  
In light of our new "relations" with North Korea, I thought the historical perspective presented in this 1953 column might be of interest.  

"It is hard to write about the 4th of July this year. After three long and terrible years of war in Korea, and two years of dickering for an honor able peace, we seem to be considering an armistice that will be humiliating to both us and Korea. We are more confused than ever about our part, our duty, our future. Of course, it is easy for us to say, "Why in the world don't we drop a few atom bombs!" then pack up our picnic basket and go to a cool, pleasant place for our national holiday celebration.

We can't blame Synman Rhee for wanting his country back all in one piece instead of having it stopped near that hated, 38th parallel, but we must remember that our own Mason and Dixon Line was what the Civil War was fought over and the war wasn't over until the battle in the Deep South and New Orleans were fought and won. Our nation was restored to a Union for which all truly patriotic Americans are forever grateful. 

The question is, of course, whether we are the ones who must bring about Korean unity. But before we put the last sandwich in our picnic basket and hurry off to our patriotic celebration, let's look again at our present situation. Our young men are far from home; we wonder why. Our government seems to be outwitted and for every step forward we seem to slip two backward. I feel like burying my head in my own affairs and letting the world rock along its own crazy way. 

However,I find these reassuring words of Judge Larned Hand explaining why nothing can ever be done finally and right, that nothing is known positively and completely; why we must try and try again "to build our new and better selves upon the shells of our old selves. He says: "The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs their interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit o.f liberty is the spirit of Him who, nearly two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned, but has never quite forgotten: that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest." 
. . . .  

Now let's finish packing the lunch basket for our Independence Day fun, yet not forget to apply  the spirit of liberty both for ourselves and others we meet on the highways, at the parks and pools.  And let us not forget what and why we celebrate; that it is high time we reclaimed our country; that the Stars and Stripes is still the most beautiful sight under the shining canopy of heaven! It has been only by constant vigilance in holding the enemies of freedom away from bombing our shores and cities that are still America., the Beautiful!"

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Memorial Day or Decoration Day

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" originally published in The Collinsville News, May 27, 1948. 

"I have often wondered when and by whom Memorial Day was originated and when I read that it was started in the South, I began to investigate, for I had always supposed it was originally a northern custom. 
I find that it was declared a national holiday on May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, Commander of the G.A.R. May 30 was for the greater part of the nation, to become the 'Day of Remembrance,' a day to honor the dead, not the living nor the conquerors."
There are many legends, disputes, and a few facts as to the origin of the custom, and Carbondale, Ill., home of John A. Logan, rightly claims the first honor. Strange as it may seem, this story, too, is accepted as authentic.
The southern women of Charleston, South Carolina, a confederate state, were inspired by the deaths of northern men, union men to observe the first Memorial Day on the same day that Lincoln's body lay in state in Chicago.
The tragic death of Lincoln, culminating four years of grief, death, and burials in both north and south, the slow progress of his funeral train from \Washington to the prairies of Illinois so crystalized the hysteria of a nation that when the proclamation to honor the dead came, Memorial
Day burst from the people, spontaneously.
•••••
Decoration Day brings to me more and more each year, that the graveyard is a great leveler. 
We are all brought there (to the graveyard) by the same impulse loyalty of the living to the dead, but somehow it makes us more gentle and understanding and appreciative of the living too, regardless of station in life, riches or poverty, book learning or ignorance, or former mistakes, for we all made our mistakes and hope for lenient judgment and we all have our problems, heartaches, and sorrows which become a bond of sympathy." 

And, taken from June 2, 1960, Morrow continues: 
"And, since we easily forget that wars cost not only money but pain, suffering and lives, we decorate the graves of those who gave their lives that their country might live. Some call it Decoration Day; some call it Memorial Day, but, whatever we call it, it is hallowed 'and sacred." 

Saturday, May 19, 2018

                         2018 Owasso Schools Day of Service
Students come to the Morrow Home Place to Preserve and Protect History

Students from the National Honor Society under the direction of Mrs. Stacey Fry, Owasso Middle School came to the Morrow Home Place to volunteer their services on the 2018 Owasso Day of Service, on May 17th, 2018.


Some did yard work - working around the original iris blooms where the historical marker will be.



Lots of clean up, pick up, sweep up and spruce up of the old Home Place.



 And then McDonald's Pat Grable came and delivered a reward for all!  Free Dessert!

                    THANKS to everyone for all your hard work.  The old house needed you!!






Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Joe Morrow wins Trip to National 4-H Club Congress

Clipping from "The Collinsville News"  November 21, 1940 upon his winning a trip to National 4-H Club Congress. 

1940KNov21JoeMorrowWinsChicagoTrip.pdf

Joe Morrow Won Trip to Chicago Given by the Santa  Fe

Fine Record of 4-H Club Work "Pays Off" After Hours of Hard Work

C. W. Lane, of Oklahoma City, and I his son Bob, of California, visited the News office last Saturday morning and paid the editor a nice visit. Mr. Lane is special representative of public relations for the Santa Fe lines, with offices in Oklahoma City.
He informed the editor that E. J. Engel, president of the Santa Fe, had offered an award to 4-H club members in Oklahoma. The prize is a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, with all expenses paid The members will be special guests of the Santa Fe in Chicago.
Joe Morrow, son of the writer of "Just Thoughts" in The News each week, was the fortunate winner of one of these awards. The achievements of Morrow are mentioned in other items in this issue of the paper so they are not repeated here.
The whole community is extremely proud of the work of Joe Morrow a especially those who know of the sickness handicaps that he has overcome during his boyhood days. Joe has never said "can't."
The winning of the awards given by the Santa Fe are based upon the achievements of the past season and all around performances and interest in club activities as shown by official records.
Joe will leave for Chicago with other winners on the Santa Fe Streamliner, November 29.

LOCAL 4·H CLUB BOY WINS CHICAGO TRIP
Joe Morrow has won a trip to Chicago with all expenses paid. This trip was, awarded him for his goo'd work and records in 4-H club work. 
Joe· has been in 4-H club work for five years.  His project has always been livestock. He has raised five show calves and and a flock of sheep on which he has kept  records. It is the records which have won the trip for him. 
Records are sent from all over the state to the state headquarters.  Here they are judged and the sixteen boys and girls having the best record books are awarded a trip to Chicago with all expenses paid. Joe is one of those sixteen selected.  

Friday, February 23, 2018

Morrow Place Development

BIG NEWS!  The new Morrow Place development is being readied for new home owners.  For 
all the details, follow the link below.  

http://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/owasso/news/communitynews/morrow-place-being-prepared-for-development/article_58902970-2422-11e5-ba77-df704538033e.html

It is with truly mixed emotions that our family watches this new development.  We know times change and we need to change with them.  We are grateful our land has provided sustenance and support for five generations of our family.  The Morrow family has lived and worked and loved, cried and laughed, all on this land.  For generations we have been born, lived, left and returned to this land.  And, now it is time to allow other families to share the treasure with which we have so richly been blessed.  

I have walked, ridden horseback, chased the dogs (and my little brother) across this land.  I have fished the ponds, picked the eggs, chased the baby pigs and newborn lambs and bottle-fed baby calves on this land.  I've watched the sun rise, peeking out behind the big barn, bringing forth a glorious new day and enjoyed the most beautiful sunsets and the sun glowed red behind the house and across the garden.  

Living on this land teaches responsibility, persistence, dependability, respectability, pride and humility. Living on this land instills a love for God and all that He so graciously provides.  It is our duty to appreciate what we are given, be good stewards of those gifts and share with others the treasure.  

It is my sincere hope that as new families come to live at Morrow Place, they too will learn to love  the land as much as past generations have.  I truly pray that each family will build their family traditions - and be good stewards - as they grow and strengthen their own family bonds.  It is time for a new chapter for the Morrow land.  It is time for new families to write their own story  

Welcome to Morrow Place.  





Getting Along with People - Be Kind, Honest and Dependable

Excepts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow originally published in "The Collinsville News"  September 30, 1954.  

I was reading a recent article on "How To Get Along With People".  Years ago I read one titled, "The
Secret of Getting Along With People",and Dale Carnegie has written a whole book on "How to Win
Friends and Influence People."
Seems this getting along with people is very important so I'm going to use the nine suggestions which sound pretty good and might even be fun to try. They come from Dr. Seiger, M. D., of Baltimore, Maryland.
We live in a world in which people are more important than things.
Because we have to deal with people whether we like it or not, and whether we know how to or not, it is important to learn how to get along with them. The better we know how to do this, the more likely we are to succeed in whatever we are doing. We are better able to deal with problems that we can solve and no longer worry too much about those we are not able to handle.

1. Keep looking at your good qualities rather than think only of your shortcomings and problems. Don't insist on having a poor opinion of yourself. For example, you may not be able to do all that you would like to do-or the kind of things that you'd like to do, but perhaps you can be trusted more than most people. Or perhaps you are careful and can be depended upon to do your job well. Remember these things. Often they are more important than good looks or brilliance of mind. Perhaps you have an unusually pleasant smile. Use it! You have other good qualities that you can use. Remember them and use them.

2. Try to face your problems honestly; talk them over with someone who can help you-a psychiatrist,  minister, your doctor or a friend. Look at them as clearly as you can and try to see what is going wrong and what you can do to make things work better. Just blaming yourself is not a good way
to handle a problem.

3. In your relationships with other people be sure to see that they enjoy or gain something from their contact with you. Remember that liking someone means that you not only get help yourself, but that you help them as well. To be sure there are instances in which you will receive little from the other person, but on the whole you will get about as much as you give.

4. Be kind to people; avoid hurting whenever you can. Try not to see every fault of others or yourself; try to balance these faults which you do see with the good qualities that are always there.

5. Be tolerant; accept people as they are; try to bring out in them that type of behavior which is best for both of you. Put up :with them. Remember they have to put up with you.

6. Try to look upon the failures that you may have as chances to learn. Failures show that there is
something you do not know about what you are trying to do, or that you have not developed the qualities necessary for success. Look at your failures and try to see why you have failed. Look upon them as opportunities to learn how to avoid making the same mistake next time. Remember your successes and don't spend too much time worrying about the failures.

7. Try to accept the fact that sometimes you are worried, discouraged, or unable to do the things you'd like to do. Remember that everyone is occasionally worried or discouraged. Keep on doing things.

8. Be ready to promise to do things for others and for yourself, but be careful of the promises you
make, and don't promise anything unless you feel quite sure that you can actually do it.

9. Finally, remember that it is people, not things, that are most important!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Charity and Learning Begin around the Kitchen Table

Excepts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow originally published in "The Collinsville News"  January 25, 1951. 

". . . . It is well that all people have take these long winter evenings to teach and show children the warm, pleasant ways of life that out-face not only the cold of the out-of-doors, but the foes of safe-dwellings and peace of' the outside world. 
Beginning in the Autumn, good harvests have created in our work-a-day minds a sense of  appreciation that reaches its peak in a Thanksgiving Day. Christmas follows quickly, lending its sacred ideal of giving to Thanksgiving. The New Year crowds in much too soon giving backward glances at the old with eagerness for the new.
Among the many lessons, parents can and should teach children are the simple ones of gratitude, honor, family democracy, peace and studiousness.
Along with planning for the next year's crops or business and studying the seed catalogues for the new garden, we find that one of the most productive seed flats we will ever prepare is the foundation of our children's, and our own,  future. Along with good livestock, business and productive gardens, our best and most valuable. product is the kind of children we grow, and that the best defense of the home is the old rocking chair and arm chair. 
Being "too busy" all the time is a poor excuse for letting children get out of hand.
The kitchen or dining table is the center about which the family gathers for meals, to discuss the day's
doings: later, for study, reading, or sewing. The mail is opened here, word from friends' and relatives is heard here and the family tie is strengthened.
Here at the table, everyday news is passed around-work on the farm and the latest report of our boys in far-away Korea, fighting that we may keep our family circles and warm firesides instead of being driven in bitter cold, ragged, unwanted, between two armies fighting bitterly for possession of the land and its people.
Here character is welded and ideals are formed-for good or for bad ...
Here one learns to say, "Thank You" and "Please" and "Excuse me." Here husband and wife do not quarrel nor permit the children to quarrel, for peace, like charity, begins at home. Here a place or a way is provided for those who want to study, without the disturbance of radio, television, or visiting.
And here in the home, around the fire and table, children can. be shown how to be pleasant to Mother and Dad, Sister and Brother, how to share, be honest, be proud of self and family and home."  

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Character and Values for the New Year

January 1, 1953 - "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" column publised in The Collinsville News.
“Kathleen, my small granddaughter, says she gets to pick the “up” eggs.  When she saw I was puzzled by “up and down” eggs she explained that, since she could not reach the high nests, she would gather the ones in the lower nests,  while we picked the others.
How wise and happy she is without even realizing it!  How few of us are willing to do the “down” work-- willingly?  How resentful are we of those who have the “up” nests as though the higher nests or eggs were any better than those lower down. 
And thereby is today’s thought.
 What is the only difference between “high” and “low”?  Physical stature in Kathleen’s case;  mental and spiritual capacity and all our cases.  It is up to us whether we think “high” or “low” and whether we are willing to do our part. . . . . .
. . . .First, let us be self reliant enough to reach up, to look up, and yet at the same time, feel responsibility where we are at our own place, with our own talents and our own growth at our present level.  Kathleen is – even at her level.  She is thrifty, too, holding all the eggs she gathers securely in both hands and placing them carefully in the bucket so as not to break any.  She has the courage to try, the individual eagerness to beg to go along and help; and the supreme faith that while she is doing a perfect job now,  someday she will be a “big girl” who can reach into the very “top” nests, do her part, and receive even greater responsibility and reward.
When we finish,  she insists on helping to carry the heavy bucket of eggs to the house—she insists carrying her part of the load.
And, so I ask you today:  "Are you willing to carry your part of the load?" 
Have a VERY Happy and Prosperous New Year! 

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Christmastide All Year Long

Excepts from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow originally published in The Collinsville News, December 11, 1958.

"Once a year we see a miracle. Every hearth is decked with evergreen-every heart is full of cheer-even some Scrooges stop to drop a coin in on out-stretched palm and there is no such thing as a badboy!It's Christmas--the miracle that brings out the best in us. But can't you see what it would mean if it were always Christmas? What a different world this would be!Suppose instead of a date in December Christmas was a perpetual state of heart! However rich or modest the holiday tree this year, everyone shares the best of all-Christmas. It's a proud and priceless gift, but it comes as surely with the humble greeting card or the stranger's holiday smile as it doeswith the· expensive present.Christmas is as real and warm and intangible as sunshine, and like sunshine, it is given freely tothe world-wide family of men, brushing aside the petty ranks of :position, wealth, race and nationality.This gift comes tied with the broad strong bonds linking today with the long ago and far-away countries. These are as close as next door neighbors at Christmas time, because we know Christmashas brought them the same traditions, reverence, joy and hope as have come to us..Christmas comes in particularly mysterious packages for youngsters, and rightly so, for it was aChild who brought the gift to earth. To all of us, it restores and recalls a little of the innocent faith and bubbling excitement with which children view the Day.Chistmas brings the gift of a refreshing vacation in life's everyday battles. If not peace itself, Christmas gives at least a yearly glimpse of the universal brotherhood that is possible and spurs usto greater effort. And this is to be no passing or temporary gift. We can count on its return every year. For when a girl named Mary stood so long ago and heard about the Son she was to bear, the angel promised:"And of His kingdom there shall be no end."So now that the season of the year called Christmas is at hand we will all do well to pause andreflect on the true meaning of this Birthday. •Soon in schools and churches we'll all be practicing the children's programs. Mothers will be busy preparing costumes, or gifts, or goodies. There will be the search for gifts that has of late years turned into an orgy of spending, of shoving in crowded stores, with the resultant rush and accompanying short tempers at a time when Good Will should reign.Let us not make the mistake that the four little girls in the mission program made. Each of the girls was to give a recitation and hold up a letter of cardboard, the four letters spelling "Star." But in lining up in the aisle as they approached the platform, they became reversed and to the consternation of all, their letters spelled "Rats."So we often get into reverse order as the Christmas "daze" approaches. We, too, mean to spell out the sublime idea, but we give wrong things first place.Small children usually learn the real meaning of Christmas in the home and in the church. Then asthey grow up it becomes a time for revelry that has little to do with the true spirit of the Day. Back comes the deeper meaning and the joy seems to linger longer and longer with each succeeding year of life. That is good. That is what the gift of Christmas was I for in the beginning. Let us be determined at this Christmas-tide to take the time to get the real meaning and true joy of the Nativity before us - to give our spirits time to catch up with our bodies.Let us not replace the Babe with Santa Claus lest we, like the revellers at the Inn, fail to see the Star, too.







Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Christmas a-comin'

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow from The Collinsville News,  December 11, 1958.


"Christmas a-comin' and I don't rekon none of us is any neare'r ready fur it than we wuz-but
we'll just have to get'ready, that's all. Christmas ain't a-goin' to hold off one hour on our account,
and aill't it a wontlerful· season of the year, though?"
So says, "Ole Miz Tutt Logan" And I must agree with her since getting ready for Ohristmas is a
bigger job every year, seems to me, since I must get ready both here at home and in my room at
school. There are some Christmas ideas, though, that I am more firmly convinced are right the older I
become.
The spirit of Christmas and the return of gift for gift, or repaying a previous favor or benefit,
are widely separated when we think of the true spirit of Christ, in His earthly mission.
Perhaps we have poor children in our midst who would delight in, taking part in Christmas programs
in various churches, if only they had suitable clothing. Maybe we could help them make over some
lovely garments picked up at a rummage or clothes sale.
Without doubt there are widows or widowers who have striven with brawn and brains to make Christmas seem like Christmas to their families or maybe they are alone, the family being too far
away to come for the day. Can we, with a clear conscience, sit down with our family, knowing
that even one of these lonely ones sits alone? Even though we do not ask them to join our circle,
we can share our home-baked pies, cookies, candies or flowers with such a lonely one.
It isn't the expensive gifts that make Christmas really Christ-like but it is those deeds that portray
His teachings. Give what you will, to whom you love, and eat goodies until you are miserable if you choose, but if you don't forget self and try to make someone else happy, then Christmas will not seem like Christmas."

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Lucile Ellingwood Morrow Elementary Becomes a Reality!

Yesterday, voters in Owasso voted to build the Lucile Ellingwood Morrow Elementary school.  It will be located on a 15-acre piece just southeast of the Morrow Home Place.  It will be in full view from The Home Place and if Grammy (Lucile) were here she would be able to look out her kitchen door and see the school.  She would be delighted!

The Tulsa World records the bond vote in the following story:


http://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/owasso/news/communitynews/owasso-voters-pass-historic-m-school-bond-issue-tuesday-by/article_32b31848-4abc-548c-9f54-8fa25b525b6f.html

What a pleasure to be able to provide many young minds the gift of learning and growing and finding new ways to contribute to society.  I wonder which young person from this school will make wondrous and amazing contributions to our future?

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

It's a WRAP!

October 1, 2017 saw a first the Morrow Home Place. 

Professors from Tulsa University took over the site for the filming of a short film that will be entered in short film competitions across the nation. The story centers around a salesman and his interaction with a woman who lives in an old house. Can't tell any more but watch for more tidbits as the film makers release more information!  






Sunday, June 21, 2015

The two handles by which to handle grief - A response to the Charleston Church Murders

Taken from excepts of "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, published in The Collinsville News, August 14, 1947 

With the recent tragedy of the Charleston Church killings, I came across this article, written by my grandmother almost 70 years ago.  I could not help but think of  those nine families and hope that they reach out to grasp the handle of grief that will lead them to the other side.

"I cannot truthfully' say with Grace Noll Crowell that I am glad for all the sorrow I have had, for that would mean that I am either glad, indifferent or untouched by the first great sorrow of my childhood when one whom I loved dearly died very suddenly and, since it was my first experience with death, I was inconsolable.  I can never be glad, even after many years, that as a young woman I lost, my only sister who was my perfect complement: what I lacked, she had, and what she lacked, I had; many people thought we were twins, so inseparable were we, and seemingly half of me died that June morning when she died on the road to town from our ranch home. Then a few years later, Father left us, and again when our baby daughter lay like a beautiful, waxen doll among the flowers from
friends and neighbors, and we had lost our first born, we knew grief
again; yet never have I been truly glad for any sorrow I have had however much it has enabled me to understand and sympathize with others.
Trouble, though, has two handles by which it may be borne: kindness to others in sorrow and courage in our own; so if, when death, loss, sickness, shame come, we can let them sweeten 
and gentle our spirit so that we may have words to say to others hurt, dismayed along life's way, then, we shall be richer for our loss, our grief, in sharing another's.
Take sorrow by the handle of self pity and resentment and you will become too lonely to live; take it by the handle of sympathy and your loss shall be transplanted into new power to help all others who suffer. 
When I was very young and sorrows came, I took them by the handle of constant tears, I held them close to my heart and wept, but as I've older grown, I've learned that grief will thrive on tears and that it is wrong to yearn and grieve without ceasing and that grief will find a permanent abode in the heart that seeks happiness even in the midst of trouble.
One of the most difficult problems of suffering in our lives is that of untimely death the passing of a young husband and father or wife and mother, of a boy who is the light of his middle-aged parents' eyes, the loss of the one and only child, or the monstrous death toll of our young people exacted by our murderous wars. 
In every instance, comes the cry, "Why?" "Oh, Why?" "How can I 
bear it?"
It may be presumptuous for me to even attempt to alleviate the pain of those in such tragic distress, "fools I rush in where angels fear to tread" but, having had four losses in my life that were seemingly uncalled for and unbearable, I have sought and found one or two answers to my question that lift the burden somewhat for me.
Gradually, I ceased asking, "Why?"
The cause of death is the answer to that question.  A bad heart, tuberculosis, accident, hurricane, ignorance, war-in fact, any infraction of nature's laws, or God's answers the question, "Why?"
So, I separated "God" from "Why?" Maybe it is unorthodox and
does not answer all the questions that arise, but I cannot feel that God does these agonizing things to us. That takes away the idea of punishment, or a lesson to be learned, I feel that God is as grieved as we, over the heartbreaking tragedies in our lives. God is love. The love of God is never failing.

The laws of nature are inevitable and inexorable, and he who breaks them, pays the price. The laws of  health and life are as steady as the laws of the universe; they are our best friends and assurance of safety and accomplishment when we regard tragic as the results are and blameless them, but, if broken, they slay us,
as we may be. And surely we should not blame God, or expect Him to set aside the universe laws in answer to our prayers, even uttered in great agony of spirit. 
Some folk say, "Well, it was just his time to go, it is God's will." I
cannot feel that way, for, if we are to live till our time to die, regardless of the abuses we heap upon ourselves, what is the use of calling in a doctor, taking precautions, having operations, or using any of the miraculous discoveries of medicine and surgery being 
used so successfully nowadays? And surely it is not God's will that so many of our young people should be killed ~n war!
Therein lies the solution to another great question, "How can I bear it?"
When we realize that God could not answer prayers contrary to nature's laws, or His own, we cease to feel that our prayers are unanswered, and, instead, ask for strength, and peace and fortitude to carry on. But, since we answer most of our prayers, ourselves,
we must try to do some of the things we ask for. We must cultivate
strength, and peace, and happiness, otherwise our bitterness and sullen hatred raise a barrier in our hearts; if we dedicate our lives to sorrow and self pity, we build a most unworthy monument to those we mourn.
Then pray. "Be not afraid to pray -to pray is right." Sometimes your
prayers will be demanding and urgent -sometimes, a wordless, submissive resignation, but ever pray, leaning hard on the everlasting arms of faith.
Your answer will come.
Another comforting thought is the knowledge that I am not alone in suffering. I cannot think that I should be ever glad if The Boy had been sacrificed in war, but had this terrible blow fallen I would have known that we were only as many thousands of others, the world over, are today; they are keeping the faith, though
and I, too must. The fellowship of pain is a healing bond.  

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's and Up and Down Eggs - Are YOU Carrying Your Part of the Load?

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, published January 1, 1953 in the Collinville News. 

"Kathleen, my small granddaughter, says she gets to "pick the
down eggs" and we "pick the ueggs." When she saw I was puzzled by "up and down eggs" shexplained that, since she could noreach the high nests, she would gather the ones in the lower nests while we did the others.
How wise and happy she is without realizing it
How few of uare willing to do the "down" work willingly? How many are resentful of those who have the "up" nests as though the higher nests - or eggs - were any better than those lower down!

And thereby hangs my NeYear's thought. 

What is the only difference between high and low? Physical stature in Kathleen's in case; mental and spiritual capacity in all our cases. It is up to us whether we think high or low and are willing to do our part. . . . .
It is hard for us to realize that we count as individuals,that there has never been before in the world's history a "you" or "me" and that never again will an exact "me" or "you" be born.
Each person is unique. . .
We may not any of us be "indispensable" but it is harder to say which little drop of water added to an already full bowl would
make it overflow.  None is independent of the other and yet each is necessary to make up the whole.
It is said that in a republic, "self-government has always depended
upon six elements of personal character. First, self-reliance; second, personal responsibility; third, thrift; fourth, courage; fifth, individual initiative; and sixth, and most important, faith."
These six essentials of personal character have produced our great
American country.
Now at the beginning of the New Year, it is equally good to renew our character for the year's end and as the new year approaches.
First, let us be self reliant enough to reach up, to look up, and yet at the same time feel responsibility for our own talents, our own growth at our present level
Kathleen is at her level. She is thrifty, too, holding all the eggs she gathers securely in both hands and placing them carefully in the bucket so as not to break any. She has the courage to try, the individual eagerness to beg to go along and help; and supreme faith that while she is doing a perfect job now, some day she will be a "big gurl" who can reach up into the very top nests do her part, and receive even greater responsibility and reward.
When we have finished, she insists on helping to carry the heavy
bucket of eggs to the house, helping to carry her part of the load.

Do you?   Will you?  

Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Season of Advent - Christmastide or Christmas-tied?

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow published December 1, 1960 in The Collinsville News. 

". . . The word "advent" means the corning of the arrival.
In the Christian calendar, the period of Advent is that which includes the four Sundays just before Christmas, the time of the coming of Christ.
This year (1960) all of the Sundays will lead up to the last which is Christmas Day, itself. Advent is designed to bring us to Christmas "on our knees" and only by keeping it a true Advent can we know the true meaning of Christmas. . . .
The first thing to get ready for Christmas is our own hearts  -  we should always decide,
 . .  Christmas fills a large place in our lives. With each recurrence brings a wave of good feeling and friendship that makes the air softer and warmer and ;puts new happiness into our hearts. . . .
 You decide whether our Christmas will be Christmastide or Christmas-tied.  . . . "





Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The "Grateful" Camp Giving Thanks this Thanksgiving

Excerpts takes from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, published in The Collinsville News, November 22, 1951.  

Mrs. Morrow's son was in combat in Korea at the time of this writing. He had returned from WWII only to be called back in for military action in Korea.  

". . . .Thanksgiving time is here again and I think this year more than since the last war, folks in the United States are divided into . . .  camps:  the Thankful and the Worried.  

In the Thankful Camp are those whose hearts are full to bursting with gratitude and thanksgiving since we are blessed above all people on earth. Our cities are not being bombed, our crops have not been destroyed . . . 

In the Worried Camp are we whose dear ones are away at war again and we might well ask the question, "How can we have Thanksgiving this year when our country and the whole world is plunged so deep in another war . . . . 

". . . The Boy saw the last of  the Heartbreak Ridge and Bayonet Ridge actions and in a recent letter 
says, "We have our fox holes fixed up pretty well; we get two hot meals a day; we are as safe here behind these barbed wire entanglements as we are at home-well almost, anyway." . . .

So, as Thanksgiving comes on I am, at first thought, not very happy.  Then I console myself that he survived the active combat, that I have the health to go to that work every day. I live daily amid the beauty and blessings of our fruitful countryside now resting and peaceful. I have seen the trees arrayed in their frocks of rust, gold, red and brown. How lovely the harvest moon so clear and cold and the radiance of the stars that seem to hang lower than at any other time of the year! . . . 

As Thanksgiving Day comes on, it should make us all so humble and grateful! . . .There is nothing which sustains one more powerfully than the ability to recognize in one's every day life, the beauty of the commonplace."  

It Took a Woman to Make Thanksgiving "official"

Excerpt taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, published in The Collinsville News, November 24, 1949.  

". . .  As years passed, the idea of an American Thanksgiving for harvests spread, however it was never held the on same day, nor even in the same month. There are nine recorded instances of the colonies declaring Thanksgiving holidays before the Revolutionary War; on eight occasions during the War, the Continental Congress set aside special days of Thanksgiving,  although these were in gratitude for victories won by the ragged, hungry American Army, not like the Pilgrim's holiday.
In 1789, however, Washington officially declared Thursday, November 26, as the a day of general Thanksgiving throughout the newly formed union. 
It took a woman, though, to put the final touch into making the day a national holiday. Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, editor of Ladies' Magazine, began her campaign later. as editor of Godey's Lady's Book, (Ladies' Home Journal to us) her insistence was rewarded by President Lincoln naming the fourth Thursday of November as the official time. . . ." 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Did you know about the five grains of corn for Thanksgiving?

Excerpt taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, From The Collinsville News, November 24, 1949.  

". . . So we are thankful-traditionally; so we are thankful-sincerely.  . An early custom that would not be amiss even today was that of putting five grains of corn at each place around the table as a . .  . reminder that during the first bitter winter at Plymouth, the food of the Pilgrims was so depleted that only five grains of corn were rationed to each one at a time. Most of them were ill and half
of them died, yet when the Mayflower returned to England in the Spring, only the sailors were aboard. 
It meant something to be an American then. It stilI does to most of us . . ." 

Be Thankful this Thanksgiving! 

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Initiative - What would you wish for if you were given three wishes?

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" published January 14, 1960, in The Collinsville News, Collinsville, Ok.

". . . In the folklore of most people of the world we come across one version or another of the legend of the three wishes.

An aging couple, we are told, were presented with their choice of three wishes. Did they wish for youth, for health, or for security?
No, they wished for none of these things. The husband wished for a pudding. The wife, flushed, with anger at the thoughtlessness of such a wish, wished the pudding on her husband's nose. All
of this left them about where they started.

Most of us have three wishes that sound somewhat like this: one for rest, one for more time to meditate, and one for an opportunity for self improvement.  . . .

Given three wishes, I've just about decided they are best carried out every day instead of trying to reach for the stars and scorning or neglecting earthly daily things.

Given three wishes . . . I find that the initiative lies with me - that I must decide what I want--whether a pudding, a pudding on someone else' nose, or what. Then I must set about getting it -- daily, patiently and pleasantly.

Given three wishes, what would you wish for?




Sunday, November 2, 2014

Your vote DOES make a difference!

Excerpts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain County Woman"  January 1, 1953.  The Collinsville News.

" . . .During the recent election, the individual was urged to get out and vote; the individual was stressed as being important;''a single vote was shown to have; thrown the majority to the winning
side on a few occasions, and that that single vote might be yours or mine.
It is hard for us to realize that we count as individuals-that there has never been before in the world's history a "you" or "me" and that never again will an exact "me" or "you" be born. Each person is unique. . . .
We may not any of us be "indispensable" but it is harder to say which little drop of water added to an already full bowl would make it overflow.  None is independent of the other and yet each is necessary to make up the whole. . . ."

Monday, October 27, 2014

The Halloween "Jack-o-Lantern" Part III

Excepts taken from "Just Thoughts of a Plain Country Woman" by Lucile Ellingwood Morrow, pulished on November 4, 1954 in The Collinsville News.  

". . . . .Older than any of these prophecy games was the "tricks or . treats" custom. Seems that on Hallowe'en, peasants went about the countryside, demanding contributions of farmers in the name
of a Druid God. If the farmers were generous and "treated" all was well, but if not "tricks" were performed on him; after a good night's haul, the peasants were loaded with potatoes, butter, eggs, turnips and such "gifts".
Although there were no pumpkins in Ireland in those days, the turnip was hollowed out, a live coal placed within, thus making a lantern. The pumpkin came to be used in America and the "Hallowe'en symbol" was called "Jacko-Lantern" from a spirit named "Jack" who was not allowed in either Heaven or Hades because of a trick he once played on Satan. On Hallowe'en he wanders over the earth with his strange lantern. 

The same night in the Roman Catholic church is called "All Soul's Eve" or "Hallowed Evening"; so after the missionaries converted the Druids, the Christian world adopted the pagan festival days as

a time for fun and celebration.