"Jackson Free Press" and Steve

A friend called me to mention the "Jackson Free Press" with Steve Holland's interview. He read me some choice parts, and we chuckled over his remarks and fumed over the way things are going. I was determined to find the article--and so I did. I never realized when a person's Party was relegated to the minority, he was supposed to sit down, say nothing, lose his sense of humor, and quietly fade away. . . Anyone knowing Steve H. at all would recognize a 'Steve-ism' in the Gulf business, and for those who did see through it and fuss about 'wasting time' or whatever, yes, as Steve says, "Get a life." In the article, his dedication to the working folks is so obvious, and it's something George and I always recognized. He and his family and staff are certainly on hand and ever so helpful in times of grief. He can take over the piano or organ and take requests for hymns of choice in addition to directing the services. (It's now a few days short of a year since Holland Funeral Directors helped us through Mother's service/celebration of life.) I wish him strength, humor, and continued grit as he deals with the legislative days.

Happy Valentine's Day

George found the time to leave a valentine card and a happy last year when Mother was so sick at Darlington Oaks in Verona. He was traveling back to Clinton, but he made sure to remember me, and I for sure remember it even more now. Thinking about it has enhanced my day.

Surely anybody who knows our Steve Holland should recognize a joke. His barbs and jokes more often than not represent good points. . .a pity people don't/can't recognize that. His dedication to the good of Every Man in his years in the Mississippi Legislature is a great gift and no joke.

The House Changes . . .

Two members of the House of Representatives whose expertise and knowledge have been neglected in recent committee appointments are Steve Holland of Plantersville and Cecil Brown of Jackson. Several others could be named, but these two stand out in my mind, as well as the minds of others, as representatives who always have had the interests of the working people as their main interest in serving in the Legislature. No doubt they will continue along these lines but it's going to be a difficult path, of this there is not much doubt. Steve is shown at the Capitol last week with one of the physicians, Dr. Smith, as they participated in a health awareness day event.

Two Things To Tackle . . .

First thing is the researching of George Morris' research-genealogy records on the Kelly family, origins, where in Ireland they left from, traveling to the United States around the 1850-mark, that type of history. He had done some pretty extensive studying on various family lines. Questions have come in from family members wanting facts. I am trying.

Second, the task of gathering, typesetting and publishing (self-publishing) George's stories is high on my list T t T list. We had just begun that enterprise, and I'm so glad we did. I had typeset "Turbulence" for him, and I have found a file with other works stored in it. I am rather intimidated at the thought, seems like a big undertaking or rather an effort that I want to be just right. How to judge, how to judge. More important probably is just doing it and not worrying about it. Kind of a shame--I'm a good worrier, got the trait from my grandmother. She was proud of her knack for worrying. I can still hear her saying, ". . . just worried me to death." (How much good did it ever do?) However, diving in and finding the Kelly records and compiling the works are the most important, rather than worrying about when and how. He wanted the compilation for Cam, Tim and Carly to keep.

For December

Here I have waited until 2012 to visit the Plantersville Connection, dear to my heart though it is. Memories of Plantersville connections continue to be a part of my day-to-day thoughts. My sister Margaret Pickard, her son Marshall, and I visited the Plantersville Cemetery Christmas Eve with poinsettias to place on the resting places for our dear people who are not really there. The visitation was both helpful and hurtful--can't escape from the fact that there is a great big 'missing' in our lives.

In the next few weeks or so, Steve and Jay and Miss Sadie will have a memorial stone for George's and my site. . . next to Aunt Johnnie and Uncle Fielden's, up a bit from the rest of the Kellys, but not far.

We also visited Mother, George Pickard, and Marshall's friend Michael in Verona. It was a special Christmas Eve Saturday.

Wonderful Wuichets

Among our many favorites in Plantersville: Frances and Jack Wuichet, who have been such wonderful help to us throughout the years. Imagine my delight in receiving George's "Lee County Courier" Nov. 3 edition and seeing on page 7a a cutline that begins "Award Presented." Jack was honored with the Gold Presidential Service Award presented by Karen Balint at a Plantersville Town Hall meeting. Jack has given more than 500 hours of community service, donating hundreds of hours each month, doing such good things as collecting aluminum cans for recycling (love that recycling), folding newspapers for the Humane Society, and working at the Nettleton Food Bank. He is an alderman, a Civitan Club member and a member of Plantersville Baptist, too. Shown with Jack in the photo are Frances, Rhonda Wuichet Morgan, Jackie Wuichet, Robbie Wuichet Robison and Liz Wuichet Bouchillon. What good news. Congratulations, Jack!

Memorial Time

Jean Jutman called the other day to catch up and to ask me to attend special October memorial services that were set for today, October 9. She invited me to the Methodist meeting which included a meal, and I know that included absolutely wonderful food. (I still treasure my Plantersville Cookbook with the excellent recipes from the 1960s, legacy of Miss Vera.) Unfortunately, I could not get away (oh, to be a mere two hours away, not 3.5, that extra hour making the trip somewhat of a challenge. Not much of a reason because I know some Plantersville transplants make the drive quite often). I hope someone got some photos of the occasion. My sister Margaret took some flowers Friday and reported that a nice stand was at the site. Top of my list of things to do is to get a monument/marker for George Morris' place. . .This is a really difficult thought to write, I just discovered.

Margaret and Jean were classmates at Tupelo High School. George and I are slightly older than they.