The Haasienda on Shroyer…

New post on Gone With The Wind Book Biggest memory of Alicia Rhett who played India Wilkes in GWTW was her smile by gwtwbook India Wilkes, played by Alicia Rhett By now the word has spread about the death of Alicia Rhett, who played India Wilkes in Gone With the Wind. India Wilkes, the sister of Ashley was always at odds with Scarlett O’Hara, who was in love with Ashley. As Gone With the Wind fans prepare to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the release of the movie by Selznick Studios in 1939, Alicia Rhett lived to ring in2014 and see the year of the anniversary of the one and only movie she ever performed in. ” She passed at about 5:00 on Friday, Jan. 3,” said her friend author, W.Thomas McQueeney. “She would have turned 99 in just a few weeks. Alicia had a very sweet disposition and always used her main calling card – a genuine smile.” GWTW fan J.D. Thompson knew Alicia Rhett and along with a few others, visited her several times. (Photo courtesy J. Davis Thompson) It’s difficult to find a GWTW-era photo of Rhett smiling, as her character always had a scowl or sulk on her face, but those who knew her said she was not like the character she portrayed. “She was kind, gracious, hilarious and despite the fact that she seemed to be alone in her later years, she appeared to be one of the happiest individuals I’ve met,” said J. D. Thompson who knew her. Back in the 1930’s GWTW producer David O. Selznick’s assistant Kay Brown located Rhett while she was doing local theater. George Cukor, the director at the time, went to Charleston to watch her and offered her a screen test. Despite being around some of the biggest stars and directors in Hollywood, acting was an interest, but not her biggest passion. It was art. “She told me that her first love was painting and it’s all that she ever wanted to do,” said McQueeney. “Her paintings are exquisite.” Patrisha Henson had heard about Alicia Rhett’s artwork and she asked her about it once. “My husband Mark and I, along with a friend got to be with her one year on her birthday,” she remembered fondly. “We took her some flowers and some other Gone With the Wind presents. While we were there we talked about her artwork and I asked her what happened to the sketches I had heard she did while filming Gone With the Wind, and she told me the actors took them with them.” Sketch of fellow GWTW actor Fred Crane by Alicia Rhett (Photo courtesy Terry Crane Crabtree) While on the set of Gone With the Wind, Alicia Rhett sketched her castmates. Terry Crane Crabtree, the widow of Fred Crane who played Brent Tarleton, one of the Tarleton twins still has the picture she drew of Fred. “The few times I spoke with Alicia Rhett, she was very sweet, jovial and soft-spoken, a gentlewoman, well-bred,” said Terry Crane Crabtree. “She sketched Fred and Ann Rutherford that I know of, and I’ve seen some others in a Gone With the Wind book.” The character of India Wilkes was so memorable and the movie was such a success she could have gone on to a long acting career, but for various reasons she chose the life of a painter and an actor in her hometown. She never married. Over the years when Gone With the Wind events were put on people would try to get her to attend with no luck– mostly because they had no way to contact her–so there was a perception that she did not want to be associated with Gone With the Wind. The Reuters article about her death said: “She was seen as ‘intensely private’ and uninterested in the ‘trappings of celebrity,'” quoting a biography on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) website. In Alicia Rhett, who played India Wilkes in “Gone With The Wind.” (Photo courtesy W. Thomas McQueeney. This photo is copyrighted and may not be used without proper permissions) In her later years, Alicia Rhett lived in the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community in Charleston, South Carolina where she was assigned a guardian, who took it upon herself to keep her secluded, screening visitors and phone calls. Despite that, Alicia had visitors who were able to get through to come see her and she enjoyed them very much. To some, she was seen as somewhat of a mysterious person because of the fact that she was shielded, but those who knew her thought she was delightful. “Alicia was a truly amazing individual,” said J. D. Thompson. “I’ve read things that claim she was rude or that she would even slam the door in people’s faces when they brought up GWTW, which I find hard to believe.” Thompson first spoke to her in February of 2010 and and he visited her that June. “We spent about a week and a half in Charleston and we went to see her twice,” he said. “That December, as a Christmas present, my parents took me back to visit her again. This time she took us to dinner at the restaurant within her retirement community.” Thompson and his parents last saw her in June of 2012. “We visited her about six times,” said J.D.’s mother Jan Thompson. “She seemed to adore J.D.” “In between the visits I would call her on a regular basis,” he remembered. “We would never speak long, but she always laughed a lot. She was very aware of what she did in GWTW, and if you asked a specific pointed question should could answer it. She really loved the city of Charleston and liked to talk about it. She also had a great wit about her. Once, my father was speaking to her and he had a white t-shirt with a button down over it (unbuttoned). As he sat next to her, she turned to him and with a stern face said ‘You’re shirt is unbuttoned!’ then she cackled for at least a minute!'” “The last few times we visited she had a picture of herself and J.D. on her table beside her bed,” said Jan Thompson. “She told him stories about working on Gone with the Wind, talked about her painting, living on Tradd street, attending the Mohawk Drama Festival in New York, working at Dock Street Theater. She treated us to dinner at the home where she was living. We have very happy memories of Alicia.” When researching the book The Making of A Masterpiece, The True Story of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind, this writer had heard the stories that Alicia Rhett was a “recluse” and did not want to talk about Gone With the Wind. She contactedMcQueeney,who had written the book The Rise of Charleston: Conversations With Visionaries, Luminaries & Emissaries of the Holy City (History Press) and hadknown Rhett for many years. W. Thomas McQueeney’s mother (shown left) was good friends with Alicia Rhett so he knew her also. (Photo courtesy McQueeney Family) “She’s definitely not a ‘recluse’” he said. “A recluse is someone who hides away but Alicia Rhett has always been in the community.” McQueeney’s book has a chapter on Alicia Rhett in it and a picture of Rhett with his mother. McQueeney was interviewing her about her painting but at one point they got off topic. “She said Clark Gable was charming and Leslie Howard was delightful,” McQueeney said. “Olivia de Havilland stayed in touch for years, and Vivien Leigh was just as pretty off the set as she was on.” She talked about Gone With the Wind to him and had pleasant memories of it. He knew her personally because his mother is an artist and they got to know each other through their mutual love for art. Rhett and McQueeney’s mother’s cousin were best friends. From this family connection he has learned a lot about Alicia Rhett’s life over the years and visited her regularly. “Alicia’s mother was, I understand from others, very protective,” said McQueeney. “Alicia never married, though she was quite attractive in her day as you may find in her photos.” As a child, Rhett’s mother encouraged her to pursue her talents, which were painting and acting. Rhett and McQueeney’s mother were two of the seven artists who started the Charleston Artist’s Guild in 1953. Rhett’s mother had accompanied her to Hollywood for the screen tes for Gone With the Wind; and once she was cast as India Wilkes, they went out together for the production. Rhett told McQueeney that she really enjoyed working on the film but was homesick and they returned to Charleston after filming. She was reportedly offered other roles but turned them down because her mother felt none of them were right for her and she resumed her worked in local theater. Alicia Rhett was excited to receive her Hubble Medal from the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival (Photo courtesy the Rev. Nicholas Iman) In March 2010, the Rev. Nicholas Inman, the organizer of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo. contacted Alicia Rhett along with other surviving GWTW cast members as he wanted to honor them at Marshfield’s annual festival. “I called her up and had a real nice conversation with her,” said Inman, who added how happy she was to be receiving the honor for her work on Gone With The Wind. The Rev. Inman chatted with Rhett who told him that because of her age, she could not come to the event but would cooperate in any way she could. Inman arranged to have this writer travel to Charleston to present the award to her in person and take her picture, but in the middle of the trip the director of the senior facility where she lived, put the kibosh on it. McQueeny graciously delivered the medal to her and took a picture of Alicia Rhett proudly holding her Cherry Blossom Hubble Medal. Besides continuing to perform in live theater in Charleston when she was young, Alicia Rhett became an important painter in South Carolina. Her paintings are hung in private residences, The Citadel and other public places. She later became an accent coach working with aspiring actors and a radio announcer at station WTMA in Charleston. “Alicia Rhett worked at WTMA during the 1940s and possibly the early 1950s,” said John Quincy, a former announcer for WTMA who is working on a history of the radio station. “She hosted shows geared towards housewives.” During the filming of Gone with the Wind Alicia Rhett made sketches between takes. Here with Evelyn Keyes (Suellen O’Hara) and Ann Rutherford (Careen O’Hara) who played Scarlett O’Hara’s sisters. (Photo from “The Filming of Gone with the Wind” by Herb Bridges) She was an illustrator for several books, including South Carolina Indians (1965) written by Beth Causey and Leila Darby. “She also had a true love of animals,” said J. D. Thompson. ” In her room was charcoal drawing that she had completed in her earlier life, of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. With each visit we would bring her a stuffed dog and she would be delighted. We would also show her pictures of our pets and that would always make her laugh.” “Alicia Rhett has had a great life,” said McQueeney who continued to visit her often in her late life. “She was always smiling. She had a wonderful grin that warmed up the room.” “She was so friendly,” said Patrisha Henson when she recalled the birthday celebration she and her husband and a friend got to share with Rhett. “We visited for a while, then she asked us to stay for dinner, which we did,” said Henson. “Since it was her birthday we told the staff, and they brought out a cupcake with a candle in it. Alicia was so excited and happy, and we got our picture taken with her. It was just wonderful. “If a person wanted to have a memory of a visit with someone special, that was it. I don’t think we could have had a better visit. To have actually sat and talked with Alicia Rhett, it was amazing.”

Chief is the best dog.

Several years ago, I set out three hogs’ hooves on the kitchen counter. Chief stood up, selected one, and left the room. I figured he had selected his. However, I watched as he went into my bedroom and dropped the hoof in front of Flyer. Then, he returned to the kitchen counter to grab a second one. By this time, Navi was at his side eagerly wanting hers. Chief dropped the second one for Navi, and then retrieved the third for himself.

Whenever Flyer, who lost her sight her last three years, would become disoriented in the backyard, Chief would gently guide her back to the deck.

And, during Flyer’s final days, Chief seldom left her side, always nearby, and often with his paw touching her.

This morning, I grabbed three chew sticks from the canister.  I handed one to Chief who promptly dropped it for one of the pups.  I handed him the second chew stick, and again, he dropped it for the other pup who scampered away with it.  I handed him the third chew stick which he did take for himself.

I love this dog’s gentle loving spirit…

Each time Harrigan and Bailey go out to potty in the backyard, I always go with them to cheer them on. I am sure the neighbors will rejoice in the day when I no longer need to yell out, “Harrigan! Good potty!” “Bailey! Good potty!”

Chief is loving this newly established reward system for pottying.

I can’t just reward the girls with a treat when he is standing there, too.

I hope he does not try to sabotage their quickly progressing potty training so he can continue to get rewards!

The pups have been here a full six days, and feel as though they’ve been here much longer.

Harrigan not only physically resembles Flyer, but she has some mannerisms, and traits that reflect her.  This morning, I put on my shoes and coat so I could venture out into the cold to shovel snow.  I returned to the kitchen to find Harrigan carrying in the leash, presuming we were going on a family walk.

Navi’s twin is definitely Bailey who is petite, and tends to prance and dance.  She is the snuggler, and loves to lavish me with kisses.  Bailey is Navi in spirit.

Accomplishments:

• Becoming quite good at letting me know they need to go out to potty
• “Sit” is pretty firm
• Still working on “come”
• They seem to be learning their names better each day
• They are also learning my hand signals:
  • hand out with palm up = stop (especially for ‘no jump’)
  • hands on hips = Dad is not happy (I don’t know how they picked this one up so quickly)

The Girls seemed to love the deep snow, today.  We woke to snow on the ground, and it has continued snowing the entire day.  It was difficult to capture photographs as I did not wish to get my camera wet.

These pups are definite snugglers.  They are almost tattooed against me whenever I sit, or lay down on the bed.  It amazes me that within a day, or so, they already loved me, and wanted to be with me.

Right now, as I write this, evening is settling in on the snow-filled day, Chief is curled up on one side of the gigantic bed with Harrigan snuggled next to him, chewing on a hog’s hoof.  And, little Miss Bailey has her head/body draped over my leg as though she is clinging to me.

While growing up, Mother kept a lot of music in the house, and a good deal was from her own youth.  One spiral bound booklet was filled with choral music from the 1959 Madison County (Indiana) Choral Festival.  This collection contained Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from CAROUSEL.

Mother also had an organ arrangement of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which I loved to her played when I was a child.

Through the years, the song would crop up along my life’s journey.  I always loved hearing marching bands, or drum corps perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with their incredible power.

As a theatre director, and playwright, lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II has become one of my heroes.  Mr. Joshua Logan adored his colleague/friend, and through the years I’ve heard beautiful stories of this great man.

In June 2013, my beloved fury pal, Flyer, began her slow decline.  One Saturday morning, I took her on one last tour of our favorite Wright Brothers’ sites: Hawthorn Hill, Carillon Park, and Woodland Cemetery.  While sitting by the Wright Brothers’ gravesite, an older couple strolled over to pay their respects.  As the husband explored other tombstones, the wife began pulling some weeds around the Wright family plot.  She began humming, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Exactly one month later, Flyer was gone.  

Prior to her departure, I made a collection of songs on Spotify, and there were several beautiful arrangements of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic.  My son’s percussion instructor, Jeff Brooks, sent me a You Tube video of The Madison Scouts performing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

A week later, The Madison Scouts Drum Corps was practicing next door at Fairmont High School.  I was walking Navi and Chief, and heard them playing.  We stood beneath the stadium where I could watch the field commander.  To my surprise, they began performing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”  I closed my eyes, and savored the moment as tears streamed down my cheeks for Flyer, one more time.

Several times this fall, the song fell across my path, becoming an ear worm for several days.

Saturday, December 21st, I bid farewell to Navi following a brutal traffic accident.

After my little girl passed, I left the facility as a thunderstorm raged.  I found myself sitting on the curb, sobbing with Chief and Josh seated next to me.  Several people from the waiting room recognized what was happening, and came out to hold umbrellas over us.  When I finally rose to leave, I thanked them.  The one gentleman put his arm around me, and said, “You’ll never walk alone.  Our little pals are always with us.”

The following morning, Chief and I embarked on our first walk with just the two of us.  It was a painful, tear-filled walk.  I have an iPhone application for walking, and it is synced to my Facebook account.  When I returned home, I noticed a post beneath that morning’s walk, from my friend, Alice Kay Hoover.  It simply read, “Walk on.”  My friend, Andrea Norrington, posted a You Tube video of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Over the next several days of agony, and complete withdrawal, the song haunted me.  I wrestled with it, hoping it would leave me alone.

But it refused.

Christmas night, within a few hours, I had driven to Monroe, Ohio and returned with two new pups, Harrigan and Bailey.

The next morning, we took our first family walk: Dad, Chief, Harrigan, and Bailey.  As I was preparing their first breakfast, my Spotify selected “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

I sat on my kitchen floor, and was immediately surrounded by three fury creatures.  The Girls hopped in my lap to shower me with kisses, and Chief nudged my face with his nose.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk

You’ll never walk
You’ll never walk alone.

It’s Sunday, and I am amazed at how much progress Harrigan and Bailey have made in the past twenty-four hours.  They are cute, sweet, snugglers, and love to go on walks, already.

They know where the treat jar is located, and if I move in that direction, they plop their little bottoms on the floor in anticipation of receiving a treat.  I am amazed at how quickly they caught on to all this.

What’s new?

• Walks…
  • This morning we walked 1.94 miles
  • This afternoon we walked 2.62 miles
  • Leashing training has been successful and they respond to leash directions and verbal commands
  • When they hear, “Ok,” in a certain tone, they all know it’s time to stop sniffing and to move along
• Potty training…
  • Moving along nicely
  • They seem to take Chief’s lead on what to do and where to go
  • Bailey began whining this morning to let me know she had to go out
• Chewing…
  • So far, only a cardboard box has been destroyed, and that was during my first extensive time away from home (4.5 hours)
  • When they attempt to chew on me, I place my hand around their mouths, and say, “No chew.”
  • When they attempt to chew on items that should not be chewed, I immediately supply them with a hog’s hoove
• Verbal Commands…
  • Each girl is beginning to respond to her name
  • “Sit” is coming along quickly
  • “Come on, Girls” and “Kommen” has been successful since their second day
  • They are learning to respond to the various timbres of my voice when it is playful, loving, and stern

They are a joy, and fit right in.

Friday night, I had dinner with my dear friend, Sue Branson, and then watched my friend, Marcus McDoorman, win his semi-finals tennis match.  When I returned home, Chief, Bailey, and Harrigan were gathered at the gate, eager to greet me.

Tonight, I left the house at 5:00 PM this evening to enjoy a nice dinner at The Greene, with my friends, Suzanne Grote, and ‘our’ niece, Erin, who is studying film/screen writing at Interlochen her senior year of high school.  We had a delicious dinner at McCormick’s Seafood, and then settled into a fantastic movie, SAVING MR. BANKS.  It was incredible!

Upon my return home, my brilliant and super-kind mechanic, Mike Rogers, had returned my repaired van (brakes, suspension), and I entered the house with my excited trio yapping behind the gate.

I feared I might return to some destruction, however, they had just chewed up a box on the floor.  No big deal.

We spent some time out back where the girls got their potty on, and explored the yard with Chief.  When we returned inside, the girls promptly ran to the stairs, already falling into routine.  Right now, I have three beautiful creatures snuggled together.

This time, last week, Chief and I were bidding farewell to Navi.  There are still tears, but the new vision looking forward has been re-established.

It’s still a wonderful life.

We’re moving in on the 48th hour of Bailey and Harrigan’s adoption, and sadly, the one week anniversary of Navi’s accident, and departure.

So far, I am really excited with the way The Girls have already adjusted to the Haasienda!  They seem to know they are home, and are quickly learning the ropes.

PROGRESS:

… Bailey now comes up and down the stairs without assistance
… Walks are becoming much easier (they always were, actually)
… Leash training is moving along nicely
… I moved Logan’s (RIP) cat-hut by the bed so they can get up and down; Bailey has mastered it; Harrigan is still crying as I write this (figure it out, Harri)
… Successful potty-sessions out back
… Bailey gave me some audible warning sounds (less Justin Bieber octaves) that she needed to potty
… They are understanding “come here” in German
… They are still cute
… They still leak at times but are better
… Chief is a God-send! He demonstrates, and watches after them
… Harrigan finishes her meals and carries her food dish into the hall
… They are snugglers (as you’ve already seen in the photos)
… They love people and other dogs and are always eager to greet them
… They do not like being separated from Dad
… and, they’ve really helped with the initial healing process

And, I am still terribly grateful for the love, and kindnesses that continues to flow into the Haasienda.  The past week has not been about friendship, necessarily; it’s been about love, and demonstrating just how many wonderful people are in my life – even ones I’ve not met!

While sitting in my bed with three napping dogs, THE BRADY BUNCH’s Tiger began barking.  Chief flew off the bed, ready to tear into the television.

Immediately, two little girls sprang from their reclining princess positions, and pranced about the bed, yapping!  I sat here, laughing until I had tears streaming down my cheeks!

It is so much fun watching them explore the world around them.  They seem to understand, “Com’on, Girls,” as they immediately come when called.  They still have no idea what to do when I call out their names, but they will learn.  

The past twenty-four hours, I’ve received some thoughtful, and even hilarious questions regarding my acquisition of Harrigan and Bailey.  These were all from adults!

• “Are you crazy?”
  • DLJH:  “Yip.  But smart enough to know I needed to move on from my grief over Navi’s death.”
• “Why were you so impulsive?”
  • DLJH:  “If it’s a gut feeling, I go with it.”
  • DLJH:  “Some people are surprised I didn’t get another dog on the way home from the vet.”
• “Why would you get two at once?”(from the father of twin daughters)
  • DLJH:  “You are my role model.”
• “Do you realize how much work puppies are?”
  • DLJH:  “Do you realize I’ve adopted three previous dogs as puppies?”
  • DLJH:  “Didn’t you play with Flyer, Navi and Chief when they were each puppies?”
• “Do you realize how much work goes into potty training?”
  • DLJH:  “From seeing your five children – middle school through college – I see you’ve done a fine job and I figure you might offer me some tips.”
• “Isn’t it hard to teach German to them when they know English?”
  • Now, for anyone who knows me, can you imagine how very difficult it was for me to pull back on my response to an adult with three college degrees?  My tongue is still quite tender.
• “How long will it take them to grow up?”
  • DLJH:  “As long as it takes?”  (Huh?)
• “Why would you want to listen to all the barking?”
  • DLJH:  “A similar question crossed my mind when you opened your mouth.”  (And this person sprayed their water out!)
• “Are you keeping Chief?”
  • DLJH:  “Which one of your children did you give up when the others came along?”
• “Did Chief give birth to them?”  (to her credit, this fellow dog walker doesn’t know us that well, other than to wave)
• “Did you teach them to walk?” (referring to leash training)
  • DLJH:  “No.  They were already walking when I got them.”
• “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but don’t you think Flyer and Navi are happy for you?”
  • DLJH:  “Who do you think was responsible for hand-picking Bailey and Harrigan?”

I woke this morning at 8:30 AM, and thought to myself, “That was so neat to see Uncle Danny!”

Danny Barmes is my maternal grandfather’s much younger brother – only nine months older than his niece, Diana, my mother.  He married Aunt Bonnie in the late 1960’s (I still vividly remember their wedding and I was 3 or 4 years old), and they have three children, Dana, Dan, and Dama.  Uncle Danny and Aunt Bonnie have six grandchildren: three grandsons, and three granddaughters.

As I prepared breakfast for The Kids, and myself, I began recalling my visit with Uncle Danny.  I finally stopped what I was doing, and began howling with laughter.

It had been a dream.

I was leading a group of fellow history enthusiasts on tours of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, both of which are Virginia landmarks and two beloved historical haunts.   While returning to the parking lot of Mount Vernon, we discovered the passenger van, that had carried the seven us, was stolen.  Someone remarked I had probably left my keys in the van as I tend to do.

A passenger bus immediately pulled up and honked.  The door opened, and there sat Uncle Danny in the driver’s seat.

“Need a lift back to Ohio? I’m heading that way!”

It was Uncle Danny!

We piled onto the bus with our luggage (it was a GILLIGAN’S ISLAND moment – the luggage, which was in the van miraculously reappeared!), and settled in.

Uncle Danny, retired from AT&T and farming in Central Indiana, loves collecting antique tractors for each of his grandchildren.  He explained he had traveled to Mount Vernon to see if they had any spare farming equipment for sale that had belonged to George Washington because he wanted to get something for his eldest grandson, Mathias, when he graduates high school!

I roared with laughter, “Uncle Danny, I doubt they’d sell ANYTHING that belonged to George Washington.”

He clicked out the side of his mouth, and chuckled, “Yeh, that’s what they said, too.  Ah, heck, it was worth a try, and the drive out here was easy.”

Now, just why Uncle Danny was driving a bus is beyond me – the dream did not elaborate.

As we began driving along the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway leading northward toward Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, DC, the dream began to become murky – apparently I was waking up.

I wish the dream could have extended a bit longer because Uncle Danny and I were chatting away, and laughing, and enjoying the beauty of one of my favorite historic roads.

Thanks for the ride back, Uncle Danny!

Uncle Danny & Aunt Bonnie with their grandchildren

Uncle Danny & his niece, my mother, Diana

Fortunately, the woods through which I hiked this morning and afternoon, we’re pretty well trod by more experienced hikers, and Boy Scout troops.

While walking the kids this morning, with Marcus and Maggie, I decided that I needed to take in even more of the snow and its beauty. At 11 AM, I took off for the Yellow Springs area.

My first stop was Clifton Gorge, one of my all-time favorite hiking haunts. Despite the 24° weather, and the 6 to 7 inches of snow, the hike was marvelous. One of the luxuries on this hike was the well-dented snow from preceding hikers and Boy Scout troops. This made the hike so much easier, and far more safe.

I stopped by Clifton Mill to take a few pictures. I had driven by it many times before, but it never stopped. I’ve also never seen the holiday lights at Clifton Mill. For 23 years, friends have tried to get me to go see the lights at Clifton Mill, but I’ve just never been interested.

Several weeks ago, a student’s parent posted photographs of the beautiful waterfall near the Indian mounds at Peterson Park between Cedarville and Xenia. When I pulled into the park, I immediately recognized it. Around 2003, I brought my two older sons, Joshua and Matthew, to hike through this park. There is a wonderful spot in the bottom of the gorge where the cliffs dwarf the rock-filled river. We returned several times to picnic in the spot.

As I began my hike through Peterson Park, I began remembering more details from a decade ago. But I still couldn’t recall the location of the waterfall. The signs kept indicating I was headed in the correct direction, but I could still not locate the falls.

After about another half mile, I was ready to turn back. I took my knit cap off to air out my sweaty hair for a minute, and suddenly heard the distant roar of water. I continued to follow the sound of a waterfall that grew louder and louder.

And there it was.

While walking across the bridge, that rose at least 100 feet, or more, above the little river, I also discovered the other entrance – which was much closer to the waterfall.

It was beautiful.

Naturally, by this time, I wished my car was parked in the nearby park entrance I had just discovered. To my slight chagrin, I had a good 1.5 miles of retracing my steps. I also took a different route, which was a little treacherous going downhill. However, with slow, very careful steps, I safely made it down the rocky hill. It was actually quite fun.

Despite the snow, and the cold weather, it is an absolutely gorgeous day. I am so glad I took this hike with my camera.

There are times, practically every day, when I laugh at how much I am becoming like my grandfather.

Right now, Thursday morning at 8:50 AM, I am sitting in a parking lot waiting for a store to open.

My grandfather went to bed early, and rose early. Early for my grandfather was 3 AM. He was always frustrated that by 5 AM, none of the stores were open.

I often fall into the same trap. However, I do not routinely wake up at 3 AM ready to start my day.

There are about a dozen other cars parked, with shoppers ready and waiting. As I look around, the potential shoppers seem to be in their 70s and 80s.

I’m not yet 50.

A part of me wants to be alarmed that I may be growing older before my time. Yet, the practical side of me reminds myself that I have a career that affords me a schedule to accomplish routine tasks.

I feel lucky to have a little contraption called an iPhone where I can continue to work for 10 minutes and not feel time is wasted.

And, sometimes these little breaks are not so bad.

My grandfather would bring his daily devotions book to read while waiting on stores to open. I can use the same time to relax, put down my thoughts in a blog post, or just look around to see the beauty in some of the people, and even in the day despite the gloomy, windy and rainy weather.

It’s nice to know that my grandfather is still teaching me a few lessons.

12 Reasons to Make Dayton History Your New Holiday Tradition 1. See the airplane that changed the world The Original 1905 Wright Flyer III 2. Take a spin on the indoor carousel Carousel of Dayton Innovation 3. Learn about a prominent Dayton family Patterson Homestead 4. Bring back childhood memories Dayton Toy Collection 5. Experience the life of a great inventor Hawthorn Hill, Orville Wright’s home 6. Shop unique holiday gifts for everyone Carillon Park Museum Store 7. Listen to the sounds of the season Deeds Carillon 8. Step back in time as you enter the oldest building in Dayton Newcom Tavern 9. Enjoy a taste of history for lunch Culp’s Café 10. View over 90 of these Dayton made machines NCR Cash Registers 11. Be inspired by a Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site 12. Visit a Dayton History site this holiday season Carillon Historical Park Thank You for your support! Dayton History would like to thank you for your ongoing support. When you visit Carillon Park and our other sites, you are helping to keep history alive. With your help, we will continue to inspire future generations by collecting, preserving, interpreting, presenting and promoting the region’s past to our community. Dayton History 2014 Calendar Only $10.00 Limited Quantity Available Exclusive Dayton Triangles Merchandise Prices range from $18.00 – $42.00 Live History Join Today! Dayton History members receive 10% off all Museum Store Purchases! Learn more about our annual memberships and enjoy Dayton’s history all year around! Download our Membership Brochure! Follow Us Keep up to date with everything that is happening at Dayton History by following us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Carillon Historical Park | 1000 Carillon Blvd. | Dayton, OH 45409 | 937-293-2841 | www.daytonhistory.org

Forward email dljh by info | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Dayton History | 1000 Carillon Blvd. | Dayton | OH | 45409 Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Life… passing by Posted on December 3, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy I’ve battled sinus and chest congestion for more than a week, and have returned to a different urgent care – The Little Clinic at Kroger on Dorothy Lane. I have been impressed with the service so far. A very slowly moving elderly genteel man entered to have his ears cleaned.  I was not aware that this service was offered!  There is now a computer sign-in, and I handled this with ease. The gentleman, however, was entirely confused.  The poor soul seemed frustrated, and so helpless, and did not know where to begin.  The young clinic assistant, a student at Sinclair community college, looked up, and smiled at the gentleman.  “Oh, don’t you worry about that. Step over here and I’ll help you. We can get this taken care of.” The young nursing student won me over. Then, the gentleman could not pull his drivers license front is wallet, and could not determine which of his two insurance cards to use. The young clinic assistant was so gracious, patient, and terribly kind and maternal. Finally, the gentleman nestled himself into a chair to await the nurse practitioner.   As I gazed upon the gentleman, he seemed to be from an era long dismissed by this current generation.  I know many his age who are still vital, and seemingly youthful.  And, I know those who have allowed life, in a variety of ways, pass them by. When does this happen?  How does it happen?  How does life get away from some, and not others? I still feel I’m a part of the Pepsi Generation, but I know there will be a day when some of life has passed me by.  It has already happened with technology, as I feel there is always something for which I am behind.  Popular music does not count as I’ve never been on top of current music as I should.  Heck, I am still learning about music from my high school and college years. One of the things I will try to never to do is to allow myself to be wrapped in a cocoon, abandoning life.  I may not be able to physically stay up with the current Pepsi Generation, but I hope to always do so mentally.  I plan to hang on to life’s rope, dragging along all the way to the end. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Where were you when… Posted on November 22, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy This seems to be a day of “Where were you when you learned of President Kennedy’s assassination?” On THE TODAY SHOW, they were discussing other moments of “Where were you when…?” KENNEDY ASSASSINATION: I was one month away from conception; however, The Warren Commission’s report was released the day I was born, September 25, 1964 (Ironically, the first day of teaching for Mr. Holland in MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS, but it was a Friday, not a Monday).  By 1974, I was fascinated with the contrasting facts, and have read about it since. CHALLENGER EXPLOSION: in the library with a general music class at Northside HS. I saw a television in the audio-visual room was on, and some teachers were watching pre-take off.  I took the class into the room where we witnessed the explosion. 9/11: in my classroom at Kettering Middle School with an 8th grade general music class; Ann Snyder was teaching next door.  I turned on the television at the start of class to finish a movie on Beethoven, and the tape was not rewound from the previous day.  As it was rewinding, THE TODAY SHOW was on and they broke in about a plane hitting one of the towers.  I stepped next door to ask Ann how a small plane could hit such a giant structure. She turned on the television in her room.  As we chatted between the connecting doors of our classrooms, we heard our students yell out.  The second plane had hit. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Grant Nature Park with Marcus & Maggie Posted on November 20, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy 8:30 AM Wednesday morning, Marcus & Maggie arrived for a fun adventure.  After allowing the dogs some indoor play-time, we loaded them into the van and aimed a few miles South to Grant Nature Park. As we unloaded the dogs from the van, Navi bolted, followed by Chief.  My normally well-behaved dogs took off into the nature preserve.  Marcus, Maggie and I ventured onto a path and within minutes, Navi and Chief eagerly returned for leashing. In the meadow, the beautiful open clearing surrounded by tall grass, woods, and two ponds, we allowed the dogs to run.  They always returned to check-in after a few minutes, but had the time of their lives.  Marcus and I both laughed, and enjoyed watching the three dogs romp around the meadow. When we walk through the neighborhood, the dogs are usually the first to spy one another.  It has been neat to see Maggie grow, and become a close pal with Navi and Chief. On the trails, the dogs enjoyed walking together. At the creek, we allowed them off their leashes so they could play.  Again, the three were obedient about quickly returning.  Finally, we arrived at one of my favorite locations: The Chimneys.  I took some photos of Marcus and Maggie. At the creek, the dogs played in the water.  Navi, always the more skittish on of my dogs, was the one who romped right through the water.  Eventually, the more hesitant Chief and Maggie followed suit. What a fun, fun morning.  Marcus and I both agreed that there was nothing better than hiking together with our kids, and watching them play. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: The Joys of Life Posted on November 17, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy On Facebook, folks are listing items for which they are grateful during this month of Thanksgiving. While all the sons were living at home, I stressed the importance of finding something for which we should be grateful, each day. On their daily briefs, there was a place where they could each write something for which they were grateful. Sometimes, their focus was more amusing than serious, but they got the idea. Each day, I note several blessings in my own life. The list could be endless, as I have been fortunate to know many wonderful blessings these past 49 years. Today was one of those days that seemed to be heaped with blessings, large and small. My day began by waking up Joshua for the morning walk with Navi and Chief, which ended with me finishing the walk alone since he felt like jogging. While finishing up the walk, I ran into a dear friend, and her daughter/student – a nice morning surprise. After feeding the dogs, Joshua and I breakfasted at the Golden Nugget pancake house in Kettering. For 90 minutes, we enjoyed our time together: feasting on delicious food, chatting about life, laughing until we had tears streaming down our cheeks, and greeting old friends. And this was just the first 2 1/2 hours of my day. After Joshua left for his return trip to Columbus, I busied myself with a variety of tasks around the house, followed by a 60 minute nap. By late afternoon, I was on the road heading westward toward Indianapolis. For well over an hour, I chatted with mother on the telephone. And the great thing was – we were not cut off, for once! Within minutes of arriving at Westfield high school, I was reunited with a dear college friend, Tim Seifker. Tim, an architect major and swimmer/diver for Ball State University, lived with me in the same honors college residence hall. Tim was always the nicest, kindhearted guy in college, and the past 25 years has not changed him one bit. Tim and Lindy’s son, Mitchell, is Broadway bound. There’s no doubting this. For nearly a year, Tim and I have shared countless Facebook messages regarding Mitchell’s budding career. I am so impressed, and grateful for Tim and Lindy’s phenomenal support and dedication toward their son’s dream. After I bid this beautiful family farewell, I drove to downtown Indianapolis. An unseasonably warm wind blew through the streets, accompanied by a gentle rain. The city was still alive at 11 PM. The marching band grand nationals were just wrapping up at Lucas Oil Stadium, while others were just out strolling around the Monument Circle. As I strolled the familiar streets, snapping repetitive photographs of my favorite landmarks, I thought of how similarly blessed Mitchell and I have been. Mitchell and I were both afforded loving, supportive, and exceptionally dedicated families. Raising a child who is bound for the performing arts is quite a task. The support I received at 16 years old was not unlike the support Mitchell now receives from his family. What I find exciting is knowing one day, when Mitchell is 49 years old, he will still be blessed with the love and support of his family. There are many monumental joys throughout life. However, there are countless simple joys that are often just as meaningful as the big ones. Today, I was blessed to experience the big joys, and the simple joys. Now that’s one hell of a lucky life. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Posted on November 17, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy Tonight, for the very first time, I got to see Disney’s High School Musical. It was absolutely delightful! Back in September, one of my friends from Ball State University, Tim Siefker, told me his son, Mitchell, 16, would be starring in this musical. Tim asked if I would be interested in coming to the show, and fortunately November 16 was free. The production was held at Westfield High School, in a beautifully designed and built auditorium. It was produced by CYT of Indianapolis, Christian Youth Theater. The musical is cute, and serves as a tremendous magnet for teenagers, and even younger. Although the storyline is predictable, it is filled with catchy and energetic tunes. What impressed me most was the vast number of young people involved in this production. I love seeing the stage filled with so much young talent. For me, this is an exceptional way to involve students in the process of musical theater. All too often, students are turned away from shows through the audition process. As a director, I prefer to find a spot for everyone who wants to be in the show. I know there have been some students who auditioned for shows throughout their entire high school career and never made that first show. I prefer to get them involved so that they can learn about the process of theater. You never know just what might develop from a student who is given the chance. CYT seems to maintain a similar philosophy which I heartily applaud. Mitchell is an outstanding performer, and I am eager to see him in future productions, and to see where this fine prospective career will take him. Another highlight of this production: it was directed by Doug King a fellow cast mate in the Ball State University Singers. Thank you, CYT, for all you do to enrich the lives of young people interested in the performing arts! Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Big Momma Hollers… a new post Posted on November 16, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy I’ve never met Cindy Bodie, but some days, her posts make her feel like my best friend!  Cindy, like my friend and former adoption worker, Patricia Hill, gets the adoption issues that so many adoptive parents know so well.  The outside world often blames us for our children’s choices, and behaviors, especially when they target us for the heartache and trauma induced by their birthparents, and even their journeys through the foster system. Each day at Noon, a blog post from Cindy arrives.  I laugh.  I shake my head.  I nod.  I cry.  I laugh some more.  I sigh. I understand… Bless you, Cindy! To read Cindy’s blog:  http://thebodiebunch.blogspot.com/ Allen’s Bowflex and Treadmill Posted: 16 Nov 2013 08:12 AM PST It’s a wonder I have any self esteem at all – EVERYTHING is my fault. I walk a tightrope, trying to manage emotions of children who can not, who do not self-regulate, add in a host of often unmanageable issues, and, Lord Have Mercy, how am I even able to still make a complete sentence? They snarl at me when their behavior is verbally corrected, melt down for days at a time, scream hatred or talk badly about me – it’s worn my heart to pieces and I hear screaming rants about what I did.  Yeah kids, I did the dishes, I did the laundry, I did the sweeping – I did not kidnap you from your birth parents. I know they don’t mean what they scream, but year after year after year of often crazily ugly and vicious temper dysregulation take s a huge damaging toll on a human being. This is why all these menial jobs around here help me cope.  Being physically active expends my own resentment at being the target of severely misdirected anger.  I went to town twice yesterday, even stuffing my extended cab inside the truck with sacks of leaves, some 30 in all, but I got it all laid out beautifully in the Antique Rose Garden right before a beautifully beneficial rain. In town, in Ms. Carr’s neighborhood I saw four, count ’em four at one time, young deer standing in someone’s front yard eating their shrubs. One grown kid called me at midnight, “Are you asleep?” Ya think? Another texted at 4.a.m. which usually doesn’t wake me up, but this time it did so.  Jeepers. ——————————- Scotty and Martin are involved in an Ultimate Frisbee Team at school. Hey, I support this choice, yes more driving around for me, but I’ve said it repeatedly that activity helps us all emotionally via the physicality involved – it’s a heap sight better’n stewing, simmering, or flying into a scary rage. Michael is so incredibly good to us, he just brought sacks of clothes from his neighbor.  I want Sarah and Yolie to go through them also, as it is a lot of younger kid stuff, very nice items, and he’d taken CW hunting, later to Waffle House, and had given him deer meat from last week’s hunt. “How do I cook it?” he asked me, the ignorant vegan. “I dunno, fry it up but do NOT use my cast iron skillets.” “I’ll go ask Grandma,” he told me.  She basically had the same answer. I’m the vegan, not them, I want to present many sides of life, let them all choose their way to go. I’d had my eye out for a treadmill, Allen’s been wanting one.  The cheapest model was nearly $300 at Sports Academy, no thank you, Craig’s List averaging about $100 each, still too much.  A good one today at a yard sale for $75 – but hey I just paid the property taxes – at the next yard sale I found one in excellent condition for $25.  Sold!  Yeah boy, it has all the bells and whistles Allen had asked for all along. Nando grabbed up yet another expensive long board for $10, and we came home happily. Today is the 24th birthday of my daughter, Alex, we’ve talked several times in the past three days trying to find a good time to meet up.  We’ve planned a lunch in Atlanta.  I’m gonna see if Mayra wants to come too, she’ll be 20 this upcoming week. Two of my most solid normal teenage kids have had a tough week, leaving my edgier ones to look stable in comparison. Grandma’s crew, my Bubbas, CW, Martin,  Allen, JoJo and Scotty, are all moving furniture for her as she has new floors to put down in her basement.  Nearly everyone I’m kin to will be here Thanksgiving, I’m very excited, it’s gonna be fun, but, in the meantime, the predictable Holiday Hell nerves are a bit exposed in my kids and the touchiness is ridiculous. Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment MY DAY: First Ladies’ Museum Posted on November 14, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy National First Ladies’ Library E-news NFLL InTouch November, 2013 Visit Our Gift Shop Carl Anthony’s biography of Ida Saxton McKinley NOW AVAILABLE!!! $35.00 Click here for Link . . . Call: 330-452-0876 Ext 320 for details and ordering instructions Happy Birthday! Laura Bush November 4, 1946 Abigail Adams November 11, 1744 Letitia Tyler November 12, 1790 Mamie Eisenhower November 14, 1896 In honor of our Veterans The National First Ladies’ Library honors all our United States Veterans for their service. C-SPAN’s First Ladies’ Series New Season Starts September 9, 2013 Click here to view past shows on C-SPAN FIRST LADIES: INFLUENCE & IMAGE SEASON TWO BEGINS SEPTEMBER 9 – 9PM ET/PT ON C-SPAN NFLL on Facebook and Twitter Join us and keep up on all the latest happenings! Quick Links Become a member Contact Us Renew your membership Visit us Questions or Comments To comment or ask a question about our E-newsletter, contact: M. Regula Welcome! Our e-newsletter is another way to keep you connected with the events, exhibits and happenings at the National First Ladies’ Library. To find even more interesting information go to our Facebook page, National First Ladies’ Library. Friend us!! New Exhibit Opening!! Opening: November 14, 2013 One of only a few female artists engaged in the American Impressionist movement, Ellen Axson Wilson balanced her artistic career with her duties as First Lady. Visitors to this exhibition of landscape paintings will come away with a deeper understanding of an overshadowed First Lady. Exhibit runs until May 16th The Art of First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson: American Impressionist Upcoming Events Light Up Downtown – December 5th Come join us one and all! This is a wonderful way to begin your holiday season by joining us for a festive evening of Christmas lights and Holiday cheeer! The Education Center and Saxton House will be displaying the holiday’s finest decorations. 6:30-8:30 p.m. FREE Christmas Candlelight Tour – December 7th 4:30p.m. program followed by candlelight tour of Saxton/McKinley House $15.00 General Admission $12.00 Members Our evening program should put you right into the mood for the holiday season! It will begin in the Victorian Theatre of the Education and Research Center for a gorgeous historic peek at White House Christmases from Abigail Adams to Michelle Obama. After the program, our audience will take a candlelight tour of Ida McKinley’s ancestral home. All decked out for Christmas, the home looks especially lovely during this meaningful and festive time of year. Our special Christmas Candlelight program is the perfect opportunity to tour the house that was “home” to the former President and First Lady from Canton, Ohio. Reservations Required Call for reservations 330-452-0876 ext. 307. In Step with our First Lady Michelle Obama touts “Joining Forces” program First lady Michelle Obama is promoting her “Joining Forces” initiative for military families through military news websites. In a Veterans Day op-ed, Obama tells veterans that the goal of the program is “to rally all Americans to step up and serve you as well as you have served this country. We challenged individuals, organizations and businesses across the country to make real, meaningful commitments to you and your families.” Click here for full article . . . Blogging It! Check out our new Blog!! Learning about our nation’s First Ladies is fascinating! Former First Ladies Who Attended National Conventions, Part 2 by CARL ANTHONY on SEPTEMBER 23, 2013 A final component in multiple inquiries received from the media and public about candidates’ spouses who attended national conventions was the question of which former First Ladies attended these quadrennial events and whether they took on any public role at them. This is the second of a two-part series. Click here to access blog and to to register to receive our Blogs as they change . . Lesson Plan for the Month of November Mrs. Wilson’s Alley Bill Mrs. Wilson’s Alley Bill Ellen Wilson: First Ladies’ Lives Skill: High School/College Time Required: One to two class periods One of Ellen Wilson’s greatest concerns after she moved to Washington, D.C., was the housing conditions of the city’s poor. The bill that bears her name is a lasting tribute to her compassion and caring. Click here for full lesson plan . . Forward email regulam | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. National First Ladies’ Library | Museum & Ida Saxton McKinley House – 331 S. Market Ave. | Education and Research Center – 205 S. Market Ave. | Canton | OH | 44702 Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Feeling Useful Posted on November 8, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy Once upon a time I felt useful. In the days before adopting my sons, I always seemed to be needed. I was always busy with teaching, directing, and conducting, and always found time to be of service to others. Quite often, parents of my students would call upon me to assist them in various ways. Sometimes I would pick up their children from school to bring them to my place for their lessons, watch their children while they ran a particular errand, or needed a night out. It was fun being Uncle Darin, and not just the music teacher. The parents with whom I worked alongside in choir or band booster situations would often trade-off things with me through the years, but now all that is over. When I began adopting my sons, my life changed, and I didn’t have as much time to do some of the things I had done before. This was a natural transition that I welcomed. Parents sensed that I was busy and did not make requests of my free time. Now, the full-time parenting years are over, and I am still trying to find my niche in life. It’s a great feeling to be needed, and I hope I regain some of that life that I had prior to raising my sons. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment MY DAY: Ordinary Days Are Unordinary Posted on November 7, 2013 by Wright Flyer Guy Some days are just plain ordinary. I rise from bed between 630 and 7 AM, and by 7:45 AM the dogs and I are out the front door for our 2.5 mile walk. Unless we meet up with Marcus and Maggie in the park, we are home by 8:30 AM. After feeding the dogs, I prepare my own breakfast. Breakfast is generally taken in my second-floor bedroom where I attend to emails and other business while The Kids wait for any handouts. Following business items and a Facebook scan if interesting items and to see how family and friends are doing. The remainder of my morning is spent researching or writing, Unless it is Tuesday or Thursday when I teach saxophone at the middle schools. Lunch is generally taken around 1 PM, followed by what I believe to always be a well-deserved nap. Upon rising, the dogs and I go for our afternoon walk. By the time I return home, it is time to begin teaching for the remainder of the evening. My teaching evening generally lasts until 930, or sometimes 10 PM. Some nights, I am finished teaching early enough where I can go over to Trent Arena to walk on the indoor track. If that doesn’t take place, I try to enjoy a little television, and to catch up on my nerdy historical documentaries. The weekends are generally filled with concerts or theatrical events, almost always in the company of friends. By 3 PM Sunday afternoon, I’ve resumed the teaching schedule with my senior students, or students planning on majoring in music education or musical theater studies. The days are busy, and fully packed with interesting and fun events, as well as the people who crossed my path every day – mainly my students and their families. While the routine is often the same, my students, their families, fellow teachers, my neighbors and several friends, certainly keep the ordinary days from becoming dull and boring. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts → The Haasienda on Shroyer… Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Subscribe Subscribed The Haasienda on Shroyer... Sign me up Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now. The Haasienda on Shroyer... 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