She wanted a 'root cellar' for her canning, but Daddy Craig said NO!
When he was out farming she would sneak down and dig a little, then scatter the dirt among the chickens.
The following poem is from "The Heritage of Limestone, Alabama", Vol. 42. Credit given to the book "The Old Fashioned Recipe Book" by Carla Emery of Kendrick, Idaho. My aunt Conny had left a bookmark saying "This sounds just like Mother Craig in Nebraska".
Mama's Mama
Mama's mama, on a winter's day,
Milked the cows and fed them hay,
Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule,
And got the children off to school.
Did a washing, mopped the floors,
Washed the windows and did some chores,
Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit,
Pressed her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed,
Baked a dozen loaves of bread,
Split some wood and lugged it in,
Enough to fill the kitchen bin.
Cleaned the lamp and put in oil,
Stewed some apples she thought might spoil,
Churned the butter, baked a cake,
Then exclaimed: "For Mercy's sake!!"
"The calves have gotten out of the pen!"
Went out and chased them in again,
Gathered the eggs and locked the stable,
Returned to the house and set the table.
Cooked a supper that was delicious
And afterward washed all the dishes
Fed the cat, sprinkled the clothes,
Mended a basket full of hose.
Then opened the organ and began to play,
"When you come to the end of a perfect day."
Alpha Craig and her husband Fred were typical hard working American farmers in Creston Nebraska when my grandfather W.A.McDonald discovered their daughter Lola Craig, who quickly became the Love of his life. When Lola moved to Lubbock to begin her new life, it didn't take long for Alex to convince the Craigs to move to Texas. They continued the hard work and became our anchor to all that is good, and were living examples of how we should live our lives, love our God and family, and be thankful for our many blessings.
Among many other things, Alpha and Lola made quilts and clothes for the less fortunate. With the help of many Bible class friends they became "The Pioneer Needle Club", continuing on for 20+ years serving others. "Mama Craig", as we called her, and husband Fred were also creative writers. Much of what I've learned about them come from the stories and poems they left us. Their wonderful sense of humor is also something they left us. What a great way to end that busy day, but with a smile and a heart felt, good old fashioned laugh. I'm sure Fern and her guests got a chuckle from this gem!
Mock wedding service by Alpha Craig c.1920
For Fern Farnsley's wedding anniv.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of this august company: Some are married, and some about to be married, and some would like to be.
Our purpose is to strike a match or in other words weld, cement or tie up together these alleged men and women.
If anyone can show just cause why these couples—Mary Elizabeth Dodkins, Betty June Armstrong—Sam L. Huse, General John Pershing—
Should not be hitched up double, let him now speak, or forever be silent.
Dr. Samuel Thomas Morgan, and Benjamin Harrison Butler, Wilt thou have these women to be thy wedded millinery, to live together in constant state of Spatrimony, feed in health, and in sickness give her medicine.
If so, answer "I will."
Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, wilt thou have these men to be thy wedded cash account, to live together in a perpetual state of bondage. Wilt thou wash, iron and cook for him, and be unto him a constant meal ticket. If so, answer "I will."
Repeat, "I, Dr. S.T. Morgan, General B. H. Butler, take thee M.E. Dodkins and B.J. Armstrong to be my wedded expense account, to have and to hold from this sad day on for poor, poorer, for bad and worse until divorce do us part, according to the plans first conceived by Adam and Eve.
Repeat, "I, Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, take thee Dr. Morgan and General Butler, to be my wedded pocketbook, to have and to hold from this fatal day forward, for good, bad, worse or worst, in sickness and in health, until some affinity do us part, according to the scheme first hatched out in Eden.
Bondage
With this ring I thee wed, and with my worldly goods endow.
(Minister says),
Join hands.
Dr. S.T. Morgan and M.E. Dodkins;
General B. H. Butler and B.J. Armstrong,
Have consented to live together in this plot of sorrow and, having mutually pledged themselves to make trouble for each other.
Stand aside and let the battle rage!
When he was out farming she would sneak down and dig a little, then scatter the dirt among the chickens.
The following poem is from "The Heritage of Limestone, Alabama", Vol. 42. Credit given to the book "The Old Fashioned Recipe Book" by Carla Emery of Kendrick, Idaho. My aunt Conny had left a bookmark saying "This sounds just like Mother Craig in Nebraska".
Mama's Mama
Mama's mama, on a winter's day,
Milked the cows and fed them hay,
Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule,
And got the children off to school.
Did a washing, mopped the floors,
Washed the windows and did some chores,
Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit,
Pressed her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed,
Baked a dozen loaves of bread,
Split some wood and lugged it in,
Enough to fill the kitchen bin.
Cleaned the lamp and put in oil,
Stewed some apples she thought might spoil,
Churned the butter, baked a cake,
Then exclaimed: "For Mercy's sake!!"
"The calves have gotten out of the pen!"
Went out and chased them in again,
Gathered the eggs and locked the stable,
Returned to the house and set the table.
Cooked a supper that was delicious
And afterward washed all the dishes
Fed the cat, sprinkled the clothes,
Mended a basket full of hose.
Then opened the organ and began to play,
"When you come to the end of a perfect day."
Alpha Craig and her husband Fred were typical hard working American farmers in Creston Nebraska when my grandfather W.A.McDonald discovered their daughter Lola Craig, who quickly became the Love of his life. When Lola moved to Lubbock to begin her new life, it didn't take long for Alex to convince the Craigs to move to Texas. They continued the hard work and became our anchor to all that is good, and were living examples of how we should live our lives, love our God and family, and be thankful for our many blessings.
Among many other things, Alpha and Lola made quilts and clothes for the less fortunate. With the help of many Bible class friends they became "The Pioneer Needle Club", continuing on for 20+ years serving others. "Mama Craig", as we called her, and husband Fred were also creative writers. Much of what I've learned about them come from the stories and poems they left us. Their wonderful sense of humor is also something they left us. What a great way to end that busy day, but with a smile and a heart felt, good old fashioned laugh. I'm sure Fern and her guests got a chuckle from this gem!
Mock wedding service by Alpha Craig c.1920
For Fern Farnsley's wedding anniv.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of this august company: Some are married, and some about to be married, and some would like to be.
Our purpose is to strike a match or in other words weld, cement or tie up together these alleged men and women.
If anyone can show just cause why these couples—Mary Elizabeth Dodkins, Betty June Armstrong—Sam L. Huse, General John Pershing—
Should not be hitched up double, let him now speak, or forever be silent.
Dr. Samuel Thomas Morgan, and Benjamin Harrison Butler, Wilt thou have these women to be thy wedded millinery, to live together in constant state of Spatrimony, feed in health, and in sickness give her medicine.
If so, answer "I will."
Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, wilt thou have these men to be thy wedded cash account, to live together in a perpetual state of bondage. Wilt thou wash, iron and cook for him, and be unto him a constant meal ticket. If so, answer "I will."
Repeat, "I, Dr. S.T. Morgan, General B. H. Butler, take thee M.E. Dodkins and B.J. Armstrong to be my wedded expense account, to have and to hold from this sad day on for poor, poorer, for bad and worse until divorce do us part, according to the plans first conceived by Adam and Eve.
Repeat, "I, Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, take thee Dr. Morgan and General Butler, to be my wedded pocketbook, to have and to hold from this fatal day forward, for good, bad, worse or worst, in sickness and in health, until some affinity do us part, according to the scheme first hatched out in Eden.
Bondage
With this ring I thee wed, and with my worldly goods endow.
(Minister says),
Join hands.
Dr. S.T. Morgan and M.E. Dodkins;
General B. H. Butler and B.J. Armstrong,
Have consented to live together in this plot of sorrow and, having mutually pledged themselves to make trouble for each other.
Stand aside and let the battle rage!
She wanted a 'root cellar' for her canning, but Daddy Craig said NO!
When he was out farming she would sneak down and dig a little, then scatter the dirt among the chickens.
The following poem is from "The Heritage of Limestone, Alabama", Vol. 42. Credit given to the book "The Old Fashioned Recipe Book" by Carla Emery of Kendrick, Idaho. My aunt Conny had left a bookmark saying "This sounds just like Mother Craig in Nebraska".
Mama's Mama
Mama's mama, on a winter's day,
Milked the cows and fed them hay,
Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule,
And got the children off to school.
Did a washing, mopped the floors,
Washed the windows and did some chores,
Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit,
Pressed her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed,
Baked a dozen loaves of bread,
Split some wood and lugged it in,
Enough to fill the kitchen bin.
Cleaned the lamp and put in oil,
Stewed some apples she thought might spoil,
Churned the butter, baked a cake,
Then exclaimed: "For Mercy's sake!!"
"The calves have gotten out of the pen!"
Went out and chased them in again,
Gathered the eggs and locked the stable,
Returned to the house and set the table.
Cooked a supper that was delicious
And afterward washed all the dishes
Fed the cat, sprinkled the clothes,
Mended a basket full of hose.
Then opened the organ and began to play,
"When you come to the end of a perfect day."
Alpha Craig and her husband Fred were typical hard working American farmers in Creston Nebraska when my grandfather W.A.McDonald discovered their daughter Lola Craig, who quickly became the Love of his life. When Lola moved to Lubbock to begin her new life, it didn't take long for Alex to convince the Craigs to move to Texas. They continued the hard work and became our anchor to all that is good, and were living examples of how we should live our lives, love our God and family, and be thankful for our many blessings.
Among many other things, Alpha and Lola made quilts and clothes for the less fortunate. With the help of many Bible class friends they became "The Pioneer Needle Club", continuing on for 20+ years serving others. "Mama Craig", as we called her, and husband Fred were also creative writers. Much of what I've learned about them come from the stories and poems they left us. Their wonderful sense of humor is also something they left us. What a great way to end that busy day, but with a smile and a heart felt, good old fashioned laugh. I'm sure Fern and her guests got a chuckle from this gem!
Mock wedding service by Alpha Craig c.1920
For Fern Farnsley's wedding anniv.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of this august company: Some are married, and some about to be married, and some would like to be.
Our purpose is to strike a match or in other words weld, cement or tie up together these alleged men and women.
If anyone can show just cause why these couples—Mary Elizabeth Dodkins, Betty June Armstrong—Sam L. Huse, General John Pershing—
Should not be hitched up double, let him now speak, or forever be silent.
Dr. Samuel Thomas Morgan, and Benjamin Harrison Butler, Wilt thou have these women to be thy wedded millinery, to live together in constant state of Spatrimony, feed in health, and in sickness give her medicine.
If so, answer "I will."
Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, wilt thou have these men to be thy wedded cash account, to live together in a perpetual state of bondage. Wilt thou wash, iron and cook for him, and be unto him a constant meal ticket. If so, answer "I will."
Repeat, "I, Dr. S.T. Morgan, General B. H. Butler, take thee M.E. Dodkins and B.J. Armstrong to be my wedded expense account, to have and to hold from this sad day on for poor, poorer, for bad and worse until divorce do us part, according to the plans first conceived by Adam and Eve.
Repeat, "I, Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, take thee Dr. Morgan and General Butler, to be my wedded pocketbook, to have and to hold from this fatal day forward, for good, bad, worse or worst, in sickness and in health, until some affinity do us part, according to the scheme first hatched out in Eden.
Bondage
With this ring I thee wed, and with my worldly goods endow.
(Minister says),
Join hands.
Dr. S.T. Morgan and M.E. Dodkins;
General B. H. Butler and B.J. Armstrong,
Have consented to live together in this plot of sorrow and, having mutually pledged themselves to make trouble for each other.
Stand aside and let the battle rage!
When he was out farming she would sneak down and dig a little, then scatter the dirt among the chickens.
The following poem is from "The Heritage of Limestone, Alabama", Vol. 42. Credit given to the book "The Old Fashioned Recipe Book" by Carla Emery of Kendrick, Idaho. My aunt Conny had left a bookmark saying "This sounds just like Mother Craig in Nebraska".
Mama's Mama
Mama's mama, on a winter's day,
Milked the cows and fed them hay,
Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule,
And got the children off to school.
Did a washing, mopped the floors,
Washed the windows and did some chores,
Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit,
Pressed her husband's Sunday suit.
Swept the parlor, made the bed,
Baked a dozen loaves of bread,
Split some wood and lugged it in,
Enough to fill the kitchen bin.
Cleaned the lamp and put in oil,
Stewed some apples she thought might spoil,
Churned the butter, baked a cake,
Then exclaimed: "For Mercy's sake!!"
"The calves have gotten out of the pen!"
Went out and chased them in again,
Gathered the eggs and locked the stable,
Returned to the house and set the table.
Cooked a supper that was delicious
And afterward washed all the dishes
Fed the cat, sprinkled the clothes,
Mended a basket full of hose.
Then opened the organ and began to play,
"When you come to the end of a perfect day."
Alpha Craig and her husband Fred were typical hard working American farmers in Creston Nebraska when my grandfather W.A.McDonald discovered their daughter Lola Craig, who quickly became the Love of his life. When Lola moved to Lubbock to begin her new life, it didn't take long for Alex to convince the Craigs to move to Texas. They continued the hard work and became our anchor to all that is good, and were living examples of how we should live our lives, love our God and family, and be thankful for our many blessings.
Among many other things, Alpha and Lola made quilts and clothes for the less fortunate. With the help of many Bible class friends they became "The Pioneer Needle Club", continuing on for 20+ years serving others. "Mama Craig", as we called her, and husband Fred were also creative writers. Much of what I've learned about them come from the stories and poems they left us. Their wonderful sense of humor is also something they left us. What a great way to end that busy day, but with a smile and a heart felt, good old fashioned laugh. I'm sure Fern and her guests got a chuckle from this gem!
Mock wedding service by Alpha Craig c.1920
For Fern Farnsley's wedding anniv.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of this august company: Some are married, and some about to be married, and some would like to be.
Our purpose is to strike a match or in other words weld, cement or tie up together these alleged men and women.
If anyone can show just cause why these couples—Mary Elizabeth Dodkins, Betty June Armstrong—Sam L. Huse, General John Pershing—
Should not be hitched up double, let him now speak, or forever be silent.
Dr. Samuel Thomas Morgan, and Benjamin Harrison Butler, Wilt thou have these women to be thy wedded millinery, to live together in constant state of Spatrimony, feed in health, and in sickness give her medicine.
If so, answer "I will."
Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, wilt thou have these men to be thy wedded cash account, to live together in a perpetual state of bondage. Wilt thou wash, iron and cook for him, and be unto him a constant meal ticket. If so, answer "I will."
Repeat, "I, Dr. S.T. Morgan, General B. H. Butler, take thee M.E. Dodkins and B.J. Armstrong to be my wedded expense account, to have and to hold from this sad day on for poor, poorer, for bad and worse until divorce do us part, according to the plans first conceived by Adam and Eve.
Repeat, "I, Mary Elizabeth Dodkins and Betty June Armstrong, take thee Dr. Morgan and General Butler, to be my wedded pocketbook, to have and to hold from this fatal day forward, for good, bad, worse or worst, in sickness and in health, until some affinity do us part, according to the scheme first hatched out in Eden.
Bondage
With this ring I thee wed, and with my worldly goods endow.
(Minister says),
Join hands.
Dr. S.T. Morgan and M.E. Dodkins;
General B. H. Butler and B.J. Armstrong,
Have consented to live together in this plot of sorrow and, having mutually pledged themselves to make trouble for each other.
Stand aside and let the battle rage!
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