Eat, Laugh, Learn and Love...

I spent the July 4th with the family and it was very nice. We had (yes, I'm going to tell it) a lot of delicious food. The "barbeque queen" worked her magic once again. Toyia knows how to work a grill and does a damn good job. Much better than I could, for she has the patience I know I don't. I say, know your talents and utilize them. She braved the morning heat to barbeque ribs, chicken, pork chops, three types of bratwurst and a slab of bacon. Yes, the "barbeque queen" barbequed a slab of uncut bacon and it's good. She picked, cleaned and cooked twenty bunches of collard and mustard greens. I love me some greens! My contribution to the meal was macaroni and cheese, baked beans (try them with sweet Italian sausage, green and red peppers and diced onion), corn, cole slaw, dinner rolls and cornbread. I made a pineapple upside cake and caramel pecan brownies for dessert. After the meal we sat around and discussed family history. One story lead to another and soon we logged on Ancestry.com, Snookie and I discovered more information about the Lowry side of the family. We located census records about Maggie Lowry Smith, her husband Henry and their three children. I will add all of this to the family tree. I enjoyed Snookie and Mom telling me their recollections about the family's neighbors/friends in Lawrence, Kansas. They have long lasting memories of their summers spent in Kansas with their grandparents. Yeah, I know some people would rather, drink, smoke, shake a tail feather, cuss or fight with their family at a gathering. I say go for whatever makes you happy and ensures you have a good time. Me? I prefer talking, sharing good food, laughter, stories and learning my history when I gather with my clan. We had a Happy Fourth of July and a fun time was had by all.

Snookie

Dennis Laurence
~Spring 1935~

When I saw this picture I remembered what Grandma said. "I wrapped up Snookie and put him in the wheelbarrow. He was a good baby, didn't fuss and I worked in my garden." She was speaking about her baby boy, Dennis.

Dennis Laurence
~Today~

It's a few years later and I don't believe "Baby Snooks" would fit in that same wheelbarrow. I may be wrong - what do I know???

A Blast From Christmas Past...

Christmas always made me happy. Like anyone (child or adult), I liked to receive gifts, and give them as well. As a kid, I did my Christmas shopping at Woolworth's, Walgreens, G.C. Murphy's or Grants. My mother, grandmother, sister and aunt would receive, CHARLIE, JEAN NATE, TABU or LOVE'S BABY SOFT perfume. My father, grandfather, brother and uncle would receive BRITISH STERLING, BRUT, OLD SPICE or HAI KARATE after shave. I'm certain I gave my uncle "Snookie" BRUT as a present for Christmas 1975. It played a role in our Christmas thirty-five years later. Toyia told me there was a gift from "Snookie" for me under the tree. When I picked it up and shook it, I jokingly asked, "Is this a bottle of liquor or BRUT?" I had my answer the moment I ripped the wrapping paper. I smiled and laughed when I saw it was BRUT. It took me back to Christmas 1975. I gave him BRUT then, and he gave it to me now. It was a Christmas like so many others. It was one filled with great food, presents, laughter and love. Yesterday we had another one of those Christmases. I got everything I wanted for Christmas; I received some nice gifts, enjoyed a delicious meal and spent time with my family.

Aunt Mac

One of the many good things that happened on the trip to Des Moines, was a visit with Aunt Mac. It has been almost fifteen years since I've seen her. It was nice to sit and talk with her, though I must admit I had little to say. I think I was more in awe. That doesn't happen often to me, but when I have those "quiet moments" I know I am supposed to be still and absorb. That's exactly what I did. I wanted to take in every detail of the visit. I was happy to spend the time with my grandmother's sister. Thanks to Cousin Larry for making this happen.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! For all the fathers, father-like figures and the mothers that carried the load and made a way, this one is for you! Spend some time kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the day. I'm not a parent, but I plan to enjoy the day. Someone is going to barbeque and I want some! This is your day, dads. Enjoy it.

The Fathers from top to bottom; Edward Cooley, Marvin Cooley, Eugene Cooley, J. Walter Thompson and son Dennis, Tony and son Anthony

Ease On Down The Road

Go ahead and laugh!!! LOL This was taken more than a few years ago. I had HAIR back then. I'm not sure if we (the high top/gumby haircut and I) are going to Des Moines or returning??? It was a trip down for Drake Relays. It had been years since I'd been "home" and I was excited about the return. As a child, Des Moines seemed so big to me. Not bigger than the Twin Cities, but a large city nonetheless. As we pulled into "town," I realized it was not so big to me, now that I was a grown man. Des Moines did not shrink. I realized my memories of it were thru a child's eyes. It seemed to be so big to me at age six. Everything became more proportional as an adult. Not a big or little city, not a small or large town. It was simply Des Moines. Seeing my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins was the best part of the trip. It was time well spent with good people. As an adult, this was the first trip I had taken with Snookie and a fun time was had by all. We may take long overdue roadtrip in a couple of weeks. If all goes according to plan, the two of us will be going to Lawrence, Kansas. The purpose of the trip is for family research. As early as 1880, members of the family lived in Lawrence. Some of the family homes are still standing today. I always want to know more about the family history. I've got to check this out and of course take pictures. We shall see what it will be.