My Grandpa Watt and the Confederacy

This is my Daddy and my great-grandfather Watterson Knox Polk Ownby (WKP or Watt for short), taken in 1927. Like all young men in Middle Tennessee in 1861 he answered the call to arms and enlisted in the Infantry and later the Calvary where he was promoted to Sgt. He was captured near Hillsboro, TN Sept 17 1864 and was paroled at Camp Chase, Ohio, Feb 13 1865. Like so many Confederate Veterans he spoke little of his war years or of his time spend in the POW camp. But after moving to Texas in 1885 he did attend 2 reunions for Confederate Veterans. I have been honored to be passed these sentimentally priceless souvenirs of the reunions he attended. For more about my Ownby Family check out my Ownby page on our website.

Because these have been in my possesion for so many years and I wouldn't part with them for any price, I was surprised to find the ones below. I couldn't imagine any family member letting such a thing pass from their hands. But they did. I didn't fully realize the true rarity of these beauties until I started doing a bit of research. So I'm offering these 2 reunion pin backs on our new shop on Bonanzle.





And in addition this Southern Cross of Honor was with the two pin backs. It too is being offered.

IceStorm Fun! Birdseed Popcicles and Frozen Peanut Butter

Since I spend so much time at this computer, I had the hubby remove my widow screen so I could get photos of the birds and squirrels as they feed 4 foot from my desk.

We just had an Icestorm and the babies were hungry. But I didn't realize HOW hungry til I noticed this beauty eating a birdseed popcicle. The sleet had frozen in the bottom of the cup with the last bit of seed and he managed to dig it out and sat there for 15 minutes munching away on ice and millet.



And then I spotted this duo which is very unusual. A woodpecker and a wren sharing the same peanut butter and seed pine cone. Their friendship didn't last long but I did manage to capture it for posterity.

Puff Sleeves and Smallpox Vacinations

When I was in the First Grade in 1954, we got our Smallpox Vaccinations through the School system...........I remember it like it was yesterday. We all went down to the Municipal Building on a School Bus and stood in line for a nurse to poke us on the arm................lots of tears and lots of screaming for all those little 6 year olds.........I don't remember it hurting that much, but kinda like Childbirth.........the pain fades............

But what I do remember is the cookie and cup of Koolaid we got after the shot. Plus, we were out of school. Now after spending a total of 3 weeks in school, why would that be a treat? Who knows the mind of a 6 year old.

Anyway, the other thing I remember is..........the big honkin' sore that came up on my arm a week later...........at that time all little girls were puff sleeves that fit tight around the upper arm (not elastic)..........so what did the enterprising post depression Mom's do? Of course they cut one sleeve out of the dress................so there was a plethora of little 1st grade girls running around town with one puff sleeve and one bare arm.

This is a perfect example of the dresses we wore that year.


Of course we didn't wear the Sundress version.............even though it was warm enough here in Texas and there was no air conditioning....the concept(for Eisenhower Era Moms) was that it was September and a New School Year so you wore, New School Clothes.........WOW have Times Changed!!!!

Coming Soon to La Dolce Vintage at Babylon Mall

Not often but every once in a while you hit an Estate Sale that is Sweeeet! that happened to us last week. The lady only kept 3 vintage pieces but WOW were they worth keeping.

The pale Coral Evening Gown has hundreds of prong set rhinestones across the midriff and on the Goddess bodice. A full sweep Georgette skirt and slinky acetate lining. The little black number calls for a Mambo contest in Havana in the 30's. Dance to the rhythm and when you step outside for a bit of air, the gold embroidered bolero will keep your shoulders warm. After a night on the town, slip into this luscious robe and sip that final glass of champagne.

Rest in peace my Gentle Giant

In my 60 years, I have been blessed with loving and caring family. One of my favorites was a man who stood taller than anyone in the room and had the biggest smile of anyone in the room. Gentle yet stern when necessary. My beloved Uncle Richard Donald Moore died last Sat, just weeks shy of his 88th birthday.

3rd born to Simon Luke and Johnnie Lavern Hudson Moore in Ector Texas, Richard a memorable member of a family of memorable persons. Not as tall as his Grandfather, Simon Lafayette Moore (who stood 6'8") he still dwarfed his siblings and parents. The Moore family was close. Geneva was the first born, Simon Durwood was 2nd, Dortha was 4th and My Mama Annie Marie was the baby of the family. Being the baby, Mama always called Durwood her Big Brother and Richard her Little Brother. This was always funny to me as a child, since Richard was a head taller than Durwood. But that was Mama's sense of fun. Or should I say "sense of the ridiculous".

Richard married Gladys Mae Hicks (a hometown girl who was 5 ft nuthin') and they spent 21 years in the Air Force and retired as a MSgt. After his military retirement he put his MP skills to use and served as a Captain in the Grayson County Sheriff's office. In their final retirement they moved to San Antonio and we didn't get to see them as much as we wanted to.

After his wife's death in 1987 he married Janeese Bennett who preceed him in death by just a few days. Needless to say his passing is mourned by his two daughters and 6 grandchildren, all of whom I love dearly. But this story is about a nieces' perspective of a beloved uncle. Not a daughter's story. I'll tell that one later about my own Daddy.

I recall the last time I saw my Uncle Richard. It was 8 years ago. And we had a family reunion. The first time all of us had been together since '78 when our Grandfather died. I had seen Richard through the years and even attended his weeding to Jane. My Mom and I were the only family members present but that's just because they choose to marry here in our town where Richard had worked with and knew the Judges. He wanted his prior "work family" present. That tells you how much they meant to him. At the reunion he was still the biggest smile in the room and when he smiled down on you it was the warmest feeling in the world. (Same can be said for when he frowned.............that wasn't fun). That was Mama's last outing and she didn't know where she was or who the people were for half the day. Richard and I talked and I could tell it was breaking his heart.

I hate to say it but, I'm glad that Mama doesn't comprehend so there is no need to tell her that her "Little Brother" is gone.

For more about my Moore Family check out my Moore page on our website.