Author: lbeth1950

lbeth1950https://nutsrok.wordpress.comNow that I'm done with the bothersome business of workday world, I am free to pursue my passion, capturing the stories I've loved all my life. The ones you'll read on my blog are good old Southern stories, a real pleasure to relay. Here in the South, we are proud of our wacky folks. I've preyed shamelessly on my family, living and dead, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, often changing the names to protect the innocent and not so innocent. My mother illustrates my blog. I come from a rollicking family of nuts, hence the name of the blog Nutsrok Enjoy.
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Andrew and Molly Part 20

Though Molly had lived through an exhausting day, she slept fitfully. She couldn’t ignore the fact that thinking Andrew dead, she’d married a kind man and given birth to three children, While she’d been sheltered and loved, he’d been enslaved, tortured, and struggled to stay alive and returned to find her married and his son belonging to another man.

Andrew found no peace in his cot in Bartle’s cabin. He’d dreamed of his escape and return to Molly for years, imagining their joyous reunion. By now, she’d have completed her time. He’d known, he’d likely have to complete his bond, but she’d be free, possibly able to help him buy out of his situation early. They could still have had a good life. He’d been hurt to find she’d moved up in the world. Beyond that, there was the awful possibility after her marriage to the master that he’d find himself bound to her. He had no idea what their situation might be.

He tossed in misery, vacillating between hurt, humiliation and miserable anger that she hadn’t waited for him and knowing she’d not had that choice. He couldn’t deny that they’d both been pawns. She’d come up in the world while he remained at the bottom of the heap.

He couldn’t deny that he wouldn’t have made the same choice, given the opportunity. Had he had a choice in those dark days, he’d have seized upon opportunity for escape, even if it meant not coming back to her.

Direction

What gives you direction in life?

I get direction in life from knowing the difference in what I want and what I need.

Creating a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Your Backyard

Monarch protective enclosure in my back yard

Monarch life cycle; egg, chrysalis: caterpillar, butterfly

For years I’ve planted butterfly weed hoping to attract monarch butterflies. Alas, none ever accepted my invitation. About two weeks ago, I was delighted to find two plants with caterpillars. I hurried home and put them in their protective cage.

I was just in the nick of time.They had pupated by the next morning, I’ve been anxiously watching their progress and was so excited this morning to find two incredible monarch butterflies in my enclosure. I opened the cage and they’d left within the hour. I am so in hopes monarchs will find their way back here in their fall migration.

Butterflies, Birds, and Berries: A Garden Guide

A strawberry patch sits in the middle of my flowerbed. I leave the luscious strawberries for the critters. I love it when this little guy comes to call.

Strawberries are in center of my bed. The white structure to the left had two monarch butterflies who hatched out and left today.

I have one flowerbed with dewberries that get the full attention of birds and squirrels. They also love my mulberry tree.

Gift

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

I have never regretted anything I gave away.

Regular Day

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

Regular days are much better than holidays. There is nothing better than seeing a day stretching out ahead of you with no stress e days.to cook a special meal, ready house for guests, I am grateful for thes

Andrew and Molly Part 19

Molly blazed with resentment at Andrew’s reproach of her. Through no fault on either part she’d been left in peril. Assured by those who in authority that Andrew would not have survived his brutal Indian attack, decisions were made on her behalf. At their direction she’d accepted her fate and been married to Master Wharton. Had she tried to refuse, she faced serious consequences. Marriageable women were scarce in Jamestown. Though she truly grieved her lost husband, she was a pragmatist and worked to accommodate her marriage.

Providentially, she found her life fulfilling. Thrust into marriage and motherhood, her situation was much improved. She’d come to Jamestown with Andrew a pauper and virtual slave and in a few short years found herself a wealthy landowner, farmer, and mother. Her days were long and rigorous. With the help of Will and another bondsman, Perkins, she managed the farm and began harvesting the timber on her five-hundred acres. Young Jamie was fascinated as he busied himself with everything going on at the farmstead.

Aggie supervised Lizzie Perkins, Molly’s bondswoman in the house and at the weaving with the little girls at her knee. The farmstead ran like a well-oiled machine. There wasn’t a moment of the day that Molly could call her own. She was no longer the callow girl who’d come to Jamestown with Andrew. Had she wanted to marry, she could have had her pick of men. Grateful for her improved circumstances, she had no intention of submitting to the demands of a husband and the likelihood of having a string of babies. She gloried in her life.

Inversely, Andrew’s lot in life was far worse. Enslaved by the Indians, he’d been traded a time or two. He’d been relegated to work among the women, suffering constant abuse and humiliation. His life was a misery.. Scarred and scorned, he was the lowesst of the low. He yearned for the good times as an indentured servant with Molly.

Camping

Have you ever been camping?

I’ve been camping many times, as a child and adult. It’s wonderful to be outdoors away from all responsibility. Hubby and I tent camped for a while, then got a pop up camper. Eventually we moved up to a nice big camp trailer.

The Boys

Izzy, my little dog, is guarding his treat. Croc is checking to see if there might be a crumb left.