Name Change

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

I am so  glad I didn’t get this opportunity.  When I was a kid, Mother told me a story about a little girl whose parents allowed her to name herself.  She chose Chippy Lee. I thought that was an inspired name and asked if I could be Chippy Lee.  Sadly, Mother denied me.  Not long after, I started school and read a book about Nancy.  Immediately, I wanted to be Nancy, so I could be Fancy Nancy.  Again. I was denied.  Before long, I met a girl named June who had adorable spectacles with red plaid frames and realized I needed to be June.  Once again. I was denied.  I gave up on name changing then until I got married and changed my last name. Somehow, that didn’t have the same flair.  I was fortunate in one way, though.  My maiden name started with an S and my married name with B, so I did move up alphabetically.

Andrew and Molly Part 24

Without a word, Aggie scooped up the little girls and guided a protesting Jamie back to her cabin as the grieving family headed for the dusty road.

“This has gone on long enough,” Molly stated flatly., gesturing for Andrew to follow her into the kitchen. “Time to talk. Rosemarie, take the baby and go to Aggie.”

Andrew sat glumly at the rough kitchen table as Molly made tea and sliced bread, sausage, and cheese. How unlike the times they’d shared a simple meal before his capture. He desperately regretted reproaching her for marrying the master before having a chance to reconcile.

Sarah poured steaming tea and placed a full plate before him. “Time to talk. What are we to do? We loved and needed each other once. Now I am a widow, a mother with children to protect, and a farm to run. I was made to marry our master, though I admit, it was not against my will. Thinking you dead, I feared my fate with no protection. This is a hard place to be a bondswoman with no one to defend me. I truly grieved you, but did what I had to do. Even the reverend insisted I marry Wharton. What are we to do? Now I have children to consider, Jamie is yours by birthright, though Wharton accepted him. The girls are truly Wharton’s.”

Andrew broke in. “We were truly married. I am your one true husband. I’ve never stopped loving you. All I could think of was escaping and getting back. I feared for you every hour I was gone.”

Just then, Rosemarie rushed in. “Make haste! Aggie sent me.! It’s Bartles!”

Perfect Chocolate

Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Perfect chocolate! What an idea! First of all, it would be dark and rich. It would be married to a generous layer of caramel and walnuts. It wouldn’t melt so I could carry it with me. My perfect chocolate would regenerate itself so it was always there. Best of all, it would be calorie-free and maybe even help me achieve my perfect weight. That’s not much to ask, is it?

Andrew and Molly Part 23

Jamie was back in minutes. He was followed by a sweaty, ruddy-faced Andrew, clearly anxious at being called from his work. He couldn’t imagine what would be important enough to call him from timbering.

Molly took a seat on a stump between the two men, clearly interested in what business Joseph James had with him. Rosemarie, dawdling at serving milk and cookies to the children lingered on the sidelines. She had no intention of missing out on anything to do with Andrew. Curtly, Molly dismissed her. “Rosemarie, be about your own business.”

“Andrew, Mr. Joseph James would have a word with you.” Molly explained.

“I heard you’ve just escaped from a long time with the Indians. Me an’ Marthy wanted to know if you’d heard anything of our girl Sarah. She was out berrying an’ was took by the Indians about a year ago. She was a little yellow-haired girl not as big as Marthy. She’d be turning sixteen tomorrow. She’s been gone a long time, but we been trying to hold out hope for her. Did you see her?” Joseph gave Andrew a pitiful look.

Andrew looked stricken and struggled for words. “Mr. James, I did see a girl named Sarah. She was in the camp where I was for a while. I’m sorry to tell you she died along with most of the Indians when the sickness came through. That’s when I escaped.”

Marthy gasped and looked faint. Molly moved to support the pitiful woman. “Let’s get you in to lie down.” She offered, kindly.

Joseph put his arm around his wife. “No Missus. We’ll be better off getting home. We weren’t expecting good news. Thank you.” The sad little family and shuffled down the dusty road toward home.

My Apologies

I have ben MIA for a couple of weeks from WordPress. I am happy to be back now with part 23 of Andrew and Molly. Thanks for your patience.

Spectacles

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

My two-year-old spectacles are the oldest things I’m wearing today.

My Heart’s on Fire!

I made this video at Mother’s independent living center at their monthly birthday party. At ninety- seven, she was the oldest one partying. Her best buddy, Chad, is such a party guy. He lives next door and makes sure she makes all meals and activities.

5 favorites

List your top 5 favorite fruits.

Grapes

Plums

Tangerines

Oranges

Apples

Andrew and Molly Part 22

Gossip has wings. Rosemarie was still unpacking her parcels when a man accompanied by thin woman with a tow-headed boy tapped at the door.

“Kin we speak with Mistress Wharton?” The man inquired.

Rosemarie gave them a quick glance, judging them to be of the servant class and wasted no manners on them. “She’s around back making soap.” Had they been quality, she would have invited them in and put water on for tea. Instead, she led them to the back with the baby still slung on her back. By reason of serving as wet nurse to a child of the family, she felt she’d moved up in the world.

The visitors found Molly at the black iron soap pot stirring the boiling mixture. Addie was simultaneously chopping wood for the fire and steering the young ones away from danger. Molly closed the neck of her bodice and wiped sweat from her sweaty face, leaving an ashen streak. “Pardon me for for not leaving my work but I can’t let my soap spoil. How can I help you?”

The man spoke hesitantly, “Good day. I’m Joseph James and this is my wife Marthy. We heard in town your bondsman just come home after gittin’ away from the injuns. We was wondering if he might’a heard something about our girl, Sarah. She was took by injuns about a year ago. Could we talk to him?”

“I’ll send my boy for him. Jamie, fetch Andrew from the wood cutting. Mr. James needs to talk to him.”

Jamie sped toward the woods, thrilled to escape the company of women and babies.

“I’m sorry I can not stop my work to seat you properly, but you are welcome water from the well and rest yourselves while we are a’waiting Andrew.”

Molly could see by her visitor’s poor clothes they were of the servant class as she had been and therefore felt comfortable not providing more niceties as she drew a bucket of water and took a seat on a stump in the shade. Knowing the little boy was probably hungry, she directed Rosemarie, “Fetch molasses cookies and milk for the children.”

“Yes, Mistress .” Reluctantly, Rosemarie left them. She was anxious to know their business with Andrew, who she found attractive. Though she’d been in the household a few days, she’d gleaned little from its close-mouthed inhabitants.