Each Day Is New- WV..My Home Sweet Home

I can’t compare living in WV to another state.  I was born in WV and I have lived here all my life.  My ancestors before me chose rural Lincoln County and my legacy began.

My mother’s maiden name was McClure and our ancestors originated from Ireland.  The first McClure in our line was Richard McClure and he arrived in Culpeper, VA in 1700.  Other McClure’s in the clan soon arrived in Culpeper and headed out to claim their own farms.  These people were wild, brave and adventuresome.

It just blows my mind to realize that the McClure clan traveled by wagon (there were no car’s and few roads) from Culpeper to Yawkey, WV.  This is a long trip, even by car. 

Over a hundred or more years later their legacy lives on in the families that still lives, works and plays in WV.  We have kept our roots in a state of which we are proud.  Yes, we are unique.  We talk different than someone from Illinois, but we shouldn’t apologize.  Our speech is who we are and from where we live.  As West Virginian’s, we have built our homes here, spent our lives in the workforce, established our places of worship and voted for the political figures that lead the state. 

Stand up and be counted as a proud West Virginian.  Pass on your heritage and the great stories of our ancestors to your children and grandchildren.  Pull out those old family pictures and tell the children how their ancestors arrived in West Virginia and how they survived hard times. 

My Home Sweet Home

Each Day Is New- Grandpa McClure Was a Little Boy

      I have a little history on our family. Ireland and Scotland seems to be our origin. Richard McClure born about 1700 in Raphoe, Ulster County, Ireland Died 1774 Culpeper, Virginia is our earliest family in the USA.

     The picture above is the family of William and Emily McClure and their children.  My grandpa, Arch is the little boy on the left in the back row.  This is the first picture of ever saw of grandpa as a child and I have been so excited.

     My mom, Deloris McClure Woodrum and I stayed with grandpa McClure while my dad, Donald was in World War II.  Grandpa was the only dad I knew during those times of war and dearly loved me.  I have nothing but fond memories and loving thoughts of this man…who I forgot was a little boy at one time.

     I just received this picture of week ago and I have gone bonkers looking at it and wondering about the people.  William and Emily McClure had 13 children and as a little girl I can remember most of them. We had McClure Reunions during the summer and most everyone attended.   Of course, the red hair (from Ireland) was scattered through the family.

     From Ireland, to Virginia and then to a rural WV farmland.  It all seems so complex.  They settled in Yawkey, WV and it is 25 miles from Charleston, WV.  Why did they choose such a remote place?  Did they know where they were going when they traveled to the Yawkey, WV area?  Why did they choose a home-site that was a mile up a road and hill?  I would love to be able to have a glimpse or an image of that time and era.  However, all I can do is imagine.

     I noticed the children on the front row are holding a toy or a doll.  I am sure they didn’t have a toy box full and this was probably their only toy.  I wonder if Great Grandma Emily made the dolls?  There were very few stores and they lived about a mile up a hollow in Yawkey, WV. 

     Grandpa William McClure had acres and acres of farmland and with 13 children to feed, everyone had to help with the crops.  The farm was eventually divided and Albert, Arch and Luther either bought or were given many acres for their own farmland.  Grandpa Arch’s farm is now owned by his son James.

     I wonder where all these people slept?  Years ago my mom and I walked up the the old McClure home place and the old house was rather small.  I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to walk through their house years after anyone lived in it.  Mother showed me the room where Grandma Emily died and you could almost feel a presence there.  Mother said Grandma Emily kept her gold coins in a jar in the corner of her bedroom.  The wallpaper had been pretty, but was stained with time and wear.

     Mother told me a story while we were walking through the old farmhouse and it is supposed to be true.  After Grandma Emily died and was buried, some of her grandchildren came to the house and were stealing gold coins, pictures and other belongings.  Well…..they heard something strange and so they say, a ghost appeared.  Those involved in the stealing actually told the story and they were so scared they ask for forgiveness and started going to church.

     My mom had a tall glass fruit compote that belonged to Grandma Emily and before mother died, she gave it to me.  It has a special place in my home.  I hope the ghost of the past doesn’t come looking for it.

     I never personally knew Grandpa William and Emily, but they sure produced a wonderful Grandpa Arch McClure. 

Each Day Is New–Where Did Time Go?

 

I looked at my Blog Stats and my blog has a reading of someone who’s heart is barely beating.  Perhaps I need to be shocked back into writing daily. 

It was only yesterday that I was a little girl with dreams of being a teen.  Almost 47 years ago I was married to the love of my life and over the years we had two wonderful children.  Finally, four wonderful grandchildren that are “the most special in the world”. 

I have always thrived in business management and ownership and thought I would never want to quit.  I began by scaling back and not working on Friday and now 24 hours a week as owner/consultant.  I LOVE IT! My two other business partners are very capable of handling most situations and can depend on me for consulting and helping them.

Basil’s job as pastor and mine in business have prevented us spending the time together that we desired.  I will never look back and wish I would have spent more hours at the office, but I may wish I had more family time.  Only working 24 hours or so a week is opening up doors to help others.  I love visiting the sick and elderly with Basil.  I seem to go to lift them up and I am the one that leaves feeling better.

Basil was not obligated to our church this morning and he accepted an invitation to be the speaker at The Community Church in Lincoln Co.  This was a wonderful time of seeing children we knew who are now married and have children of their own.  It brought back so many good memories to see the McClure Family sing during the devotion.  I thought Basil’s message on “Enjoy the Journey” was very touching and well accepted.

We arrived at the church a little early so we drove on through Yawkey, WV.  We lived in Yawkey for 17 years and moved from there in 1982.  Many of the older houses, including my parent’s home are still there.  As we drove, my memories triggered wonderful thoughts of my life when we were younger. 

 Where did the time go?

Each Day Is New–Reading the Beginning

 

Some of the most interesting post on this blog begin with some of the earlier post.  I would like to suggest that you go back and read through some of stories about country life, life in a WV Coal Camp and many stories about grandparents.

I will be picking up on some new stories that happened in the ’60’s in the next few days.  In the meantime, look back and read some of the earlier posts.

I really invite you to leave comments.  It is nice to know if any of your writing touchs anyone else.

Fourty-five Things and You May Care Less

 

1.  My maiden name was Woodrum.

2.  I don’t like to drive behind a man driving a truck and wearing a ball cap.

3.  I have never been drunk.

4.  I don’t smoke.

5.  I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 16 years old.

6.  I don’t like Science Fiction movies or books.

7.  I won a trip to the Bahamas by having the highest yellow page sales.

8.  I love having lunch with a group of my girlfriends and just laughing until we cry.

9.  I have been married 47 years to the same man.

10.  We were wise enough to have marriage counseling when needed.

11.  I have two children and four grandchildren.

12.  I won’t leave the house without my make-up and hair groomed.

13.  I start a lot of crafts and don’t finish the crafts I don’t like.

14.  My feet are very dry and require TLC.

15.  I have worked in the yellow page industry over 22 years.

16.  I love for friends and family to “just drop in”.

17.  People that can’t make a decision and take responsibility for the decision get on my nerves.

18.  I don’t like to hear people brag about all their stocks, money and wealth.

19.  It annoys me when someone ask me how much I paid for something.

20.  I have a gift of discernment and it has saved my neck many times.

21.  I am looking forward to passing the torch, cutting back on office work and opening a new chapter in my life.  (I think I am)

22.  I am a very independent person, but I can be totally crushed when someone speaks harshly to me or deceives me.

23.  I try to be a very forgiving person.

24.  I love my church family and I think the feeling is mutual.

25.  I wish I had nice smooth feet like Lisa (my business partner).

26.  I am a business partner in a yellow page agency. 

27.  At one time in my life, I lost over 100 pounds and need to do it again.

28.  I hate family conflict.

29.  I am very trusting until someone lies to me.  The new trust will come after they prove themselves again.

30.  I am a better idea person than a follower.

31.  I usually finish a project and think to myself that someone else could have done a better job.

32. I would like to think most people like me, but I know a few dislike me.  That makes me a little sad.

33.  I am not a person to visit the cemetary.  I have never been back since my parents died.  I feel they are not there, but in heaven.

34.  I love the feel and smell of fresh flowers.

35.  I love sitting by the stream at Roaring River in the Smoky Mts.

36.  I don’t like for anyone to scream at their kids. (especially my grandkids)

37.  My sister and her daughter are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

38.  I am not afraid of dying, but I think about how long I have remaining and what I can do constructive before that time.

39. I always made sure my kids brushed their teeth two or three times a day.  One is now 44 and the other 41 and they do not have cavities.

40.  I am not a real early morning person.

41.  I am not good at losing weight.

42.  Purple is my favorite color.

43.  I have been a ministers’ wife for 35 years.  Early in the game an older ministers’ wife told me I could use the word “NO” when ask to head every committe and be the officer in every group.  

44.  I can’t play the piano, but I like to teach.

45.  I like to take adventuresome drives down roads less trodden. 

I just felt like writing some thought that won’t be any impact on history and won’t make much difference 100 years from now.  It is just me…right now.

Boiled Nut Cake

Okay, I know some of you are still looking for out of this world recipes and have waited until the last minute…and are in a panic.  This is the place and this recipe will “knock their socks off”. 

BOILED NUT CAKE

Put in a kettle:

2 sticks butter or oleo

2 cups sugar

4 eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups sweet milk

2 cups raisins

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cloves

2 tsp. nutmeg

Bring the above items to a good boil, set aside and cool 1/2 hour.  Stir in:

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup nuts

1/2 cup drained, crushed pineapple

1/2 cup maraschino cherries

2 tsp. soda in 2 Tbs. of water

Pour into tube pan greased and floured.  Bake for 1 hour or longer at 275.  Decorate top if desired.

You will get raves!!!

Granny’s Snow Cream

I am reposting an earlier blog entry today.  We have a huge snowfall here in West Virginia today and I am thinking of my Granny Woodrum.

Earlier Post from 2007

I can remember being at Granny Woodrum’s house and the first big snow of the season was on the ground.  Everyone was so excited and we would pull back the curtains to view the white that covered the ground and trees. 

This was a time of celebration!  It is time for Snow Ice Cream.  Granny had a blue porcelin bowl that would be brought out to mix the ingredients.  She would mix Carnation milk, sugar and vanilla in the bowl and give it several good stirs with a whisk.

For the rest of the ingredients, we have to put on our coats, hats and boots.  We are actually going outside a find a good clean place to gather snow and add it to the bowl of ingredients.  ***Granny always reminded us to not get snow that looked yellow.  The yellow snow meant there was dog pee in that spot***.  lol

We would go back in the house and we would all enjoy a wonderful treat that came with the first snow fall.  Granny always did know how to make memories that would be with me for years to come. 

I wish Granny would still be around and we would share some Snow Cream when the first snow arrives this winter.

Beginning My Adventures

I have experienced blog block and a summer off.  Now it is time to begin the journey again.

We had been married about 2 1/2 years and decided it would be good to buy a house.  We had no money saved, but we were sure we could buy a house.  There was a nice house with almost an acre of land that was for sale in Yawkey, WV.  Guess what?  We bought a house in 1963 for $6500.00. The owner did not want any money down and we just paid him each month.  See….our life began as an adventure.

Oh, this cottage was so beautiful to us.  The house consisted of three bedrooms, living room, family room, kitchen, laundry room and bath.  There were no sub floors, but the floors were sanded and painted with a gym seal that made them glisten.  We had to do some painting, but the house was in move in condition.

I still worked in Charleston, WV and the 25 mile drive would be a group of women that carpooled.  There were no interstates and we would slide around the curves in the winter weather.  There were six of us in the car and we would laugh all the way to work.  The Governor at the time was Underwood and I thought he was the most handsome man alive.

Our first little brown house will remain our home for 17 years.  My children were conceived in this house, they grew up in this house and some of their best memories today relate to this house.  Picture in your mind an acre of green grass that is mowed and flowers all around.  In the middle of the acre is a brown shingled house with a tin roof, tin under penning, and a large front porch with a swing.

I will begin the journey in the brown house in my next post.

Granny and Grandpa McClure

I was blessed with another set of grandparents (my mom’s parents).  They were very loving, but really different from my other grandparents.  They were very loving to me, but not really calm about most events.  Everything little problem seemed to be a mountain and grandpa had a tendency to talk really loud.

My mom and I stayed with granny and grandpa McClure while my dad was in World War II in France and Germany.  I was only six months old when daddy left and almost three when he returned.  This was the family I bonded to when I was a baby.

Granny had a younger son, James and he was only seven years old than me.  I thought he was my brother.  I will tell you more about all the pranks I pulled on James as the stories continue.

Grandpa had a huge farm and raised lots of corn, strawberries, beans, apples, grapes and various veggies.  He also worked a full-time job at Wesvaco Chemical plant.  I remember him having a stinky smell when he returned from work.  Work, work and more work.  There were large corn field to plow and hoe and everyone helped.

The big huge barn was the most exciting place to explore and play hide and seek.  Through the years, all the grand-kids liked to go to the barn and climb in the hay loft. We would play hide and seek and it was such fun to cover up in the hay while someone was looking all over the barn for you.

Sometimes grandpa would ask James and I go to the barn and feed the chickens.  We had to shell the corn and this was done by putting the ear of dried corn in a machine and turning the crank.  The corn would go in a bucket and the ear would shoot out the side.  We always fussed about who would get to crank.

Back in the 40’s you had no TV, but we always did something to entertain ourselves.  In the summer grandpa would give us some produce and we would set up our vegetable stand at the end of the bridge.  He would let us keep the money that we got from selling his “extra” produce. During the winter, we would listen to “Sargent Preston of the Yukon” on the radio.  Granny loved to tell us ghost stories or just old tales passed down from her dad. 

Grandpa McClure was the only man I knew that parted his hair in the middle.  He had a round smooth face and dark hair.  He would let me play barber shop and I would comb his hair to the side and make it stick up.  Grandpa and I thought this was funny.

Some of grandma and grandpa’s kids had married and moved into the city.  Almost every Saturday grandma would begin making cakes, pies and kill two chickens for Sunday dinner.  Back then, all the family usually drove to Yawkey for Sunday dinner.  The men and kids would eat first and then the women.  Boy, has that changed.

After we washed the dishes, everyone would go out in the yard and sit in chairs or lie on a blanket under the big tree. My dad hardly ever sat down.  He was one of the best baseball players in a three county area and he and his brother-in-laws would pass the baseball.  They would make sure all the little kids were out of the way and Uncile Bill would zoom the ball to daddy.  Daddy could throw the ball really hard and he would zoom it back to Uncle Bill.  Daddy would laugh when Uncle Bill took off his ball glove and said his hand was burning.  Everyone seemed to be talking at one time and you couldn’t hear what anyone was saying.  Someone usually wanted to get ice cream and pop from the service station.  The big treat was usually Grapette, Orange Crush, Coke and ice cream bars.  Someone would make out a list and in a few minutes they would bring the pop back in glass bottles and a wooden case.  This was the only time during the week that we had these treats and they were so good.

Grandpa always had a family prayer with everyone before we went to bed.  He carried on this tradition from the time I was little and throught my teen years.  Everyone would sit down together, someone would read a section in the Bible, prayer request were taken and we would pray.  This early practice of pray has been a very positive impact on my life, even now.