Author Archives: Joyce Ragland

not pecan – walnut pie!

Thanksgiving at the Ragland dairy farm at RR#1, back when dinner was at noon, had the best desserts.  Mom used the recipe on the Libby’s pumpkin can for pumpkin pie.  She sometimes made homemade mincemeat pie, which started with leftover … Continue reading

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It’s Walnut-Picking Time

We had a big walnut tree in the yard of our 1950s-60s Rural Route #1 Phillipsburg, Missouri farm.  It was right outside the bedroom shared by my sister and me.  The house had a tin roof and when walnuts started … Continue reading

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The 4th Watermelon

Mom and Dad were still on the farm when this photo was taken.  Having a watermelon for the 4th of July was one of Dad’s favorite treats.  He’d take out his pocket knife and plug the watermelon to check its … Continue reading

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picking blackberries

Some of my most unpleasant memories involve picking blackberries. I had to wear socks AND shoes, jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and a straw hat. It was hot. Everything itched. The hot clothes made me sweat and itch and we didn’t have Off or Cutter or dryer sheets to stave off the ticks and chiggers and no-seeums. Continue reading

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Decoration Day

As a child, Decoration Day evoked mixed emotions.  It was a change of pace, an exciting thing to gather up flowers to go decorate graves.  I knew we’d meet many relatives at the cemeteries, especially Dad’s cousins at the Ragland … Continue reading

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Ella’s Iris

Mom loved iris – not the old timey “flags” found at old house sites and alongside dirt roads, but hybrid bearded iris.  At one time, she had more than 200 varieties and made time on the busy dairy farm to … Continue reading

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Mother’s Day 2011

Ella Ragland – Mom – didn’t give much respect to Mother’s Day.  She poo-pooed the concept in words I don’t remember but I do remember the tone.  She thought the day was silly.  I wonder if part of that was … Continue reading

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spring 2011

Good things: Delivered more fiddle aprons, aka activity aprons to Lebanon, MO facilities with Alzheimer’s patients.  Received well – smiles and hugs – from activities directors. Picked up a sample stuffed doggie – prototype for more to deliver to Alzheimer’s … Continue reading

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Dad’s Hats

Dad wore his hats like his moods.
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Ella’s Christmases

I don’t remember my first Christmas at Route One, Phillipsburg; the Christmases of my childhood merge in my memory.  We always had a cedar tree, cut from our farm.  Collecting the tree put a big smile on my dad’s face, … Continue reading

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