Ben Franklin by Miles

Both of my children have famous American Projects due this month, which partially involved making paper doll depictions. My six year old decided his project would be on Ben Franklin. He has to write a short paper, read it out loud to the class, and present his doll.

What you can't see is that there is more clay than just the hands, feet and nose. My son decided it would be more interesting to have a clay body to fill out the clothes. Only the face was left from this folly. The result is his doll does not lay flat. It's hard to tell in this photo until you notice that the hands do cast a shadow.

Next, as soon as she finishes, will be Mary on Mary Harris Jones. My daughter is very proud of this choice and she seems to be developing quite an activist spirit.

On Being Alive & Falling in Love

Tonight I went to happy hour with four coworkers & Mom after work. A few weeks ago my office of twelve decided that we would meet together regularly on Thursdays. It's not required, just a time to get to know one another informally. Anyone can join us, so Mom eagerly looks forward to Thursdays so that she can have an hour or two with me to herself. We seem to migrate toward Fatz in North Charleston where Pat, the bartender, can be heavy handed with his pours He is also friendly, easy to talk to, and is ready to assist any whim of trivia. Mom said if she were just forty years younger she would be all over him.....good gracious!

Anyway, tonight I was talking to a colleague who is one of two cancer survivors in the office. He was telling me about how he constantly hears people moaning and groaning about trivial matters. He is good with pep talks and turning negative moods around. His approach is that life is hard, and he feels that what irks many people is irrelevant when you look at the full spectrum of possibility. If you wake up alive, it is a good day.

Yeah, I know there are bad things out in the world. If it bothers you enough to complain, then act! If you do not like the politics of the day, then vote, get involved, run for office, but don't complain and do nothing. OK, I have already gotten WAYYY off my intent in writing this post. The intent is I am alive. It is a good day. In general I am a positive thinking person. Talking to another with a positive attitude made me consider everything I have for which I am very thankful.

In a nutshell I am a positive person because I have the most wonderful family in the whole world. On a daily basis I vividly recall the summer I fell in love with Papa Bear. I worked with him for a year at the Mills House before we dated. He ran the Best Friend Lounge and I handled the Front Desk and weekend Night Audit. We both worked late and were serenaded most nights by Carroll Brown.

I remember our first date was the summer of 1992. We met at AC's after work, and then went to Frankie's diner. It was the first time I had ever had a beer with French toast. I remember receiving a kiss as a test to see if I was OK to drive. The second date was over a bottle of champagne that we shared while watching the sunrise at Diago Park on Folly Beach. Diago Park is near the old Coast Guard Station...where recent complaints of erosion have been made by new residents who are in denial about what beaches do....prior to their building a house past the dunes, there was a sign in the parking lot leading to their house that once read "Diagonal Parking". For years this sign was faded and torn in half leaving only the words "Diago Park".

Oour third date that continues to make me smile. We met at Marianne's and spent hours staring into each others eyes while talking silly love struck talk where pasts, present and futures merged together in a queasy blur. We moved over to the Best Friend Lounge to listen to Carroll and ignored all of the raised eyebrows of wonder regarding the hows and whys of our being there together. Then we walked and walked all over downtown. We admired and critiqued the window displays of every antique and art dealer we passed. When we turned onto King Street, I dragged him giggling (err, I was giggling) over to the old Woolworth's building to show him my brick. Back in the mid-80's, Mom bought me a brick for Christmas. It has my name on it and was on a far end lined up with the second "W" in Woolworth....when Woolworth's was still there. Because it was on an end where tires often run over it, the top surface was becoming smooth. You could still just make out my name. Papa Bear got down on his knees and kissed that brick. OMG! How can you not love someone who kisses your brick?

The only time he ever topped this was about five months before we were married. He stopped and bought me flowers from one of the lady's near the market. He asked her if a love spell could be put on those flowers. The flower lady laid hands and words on those flowers, then looked at him real serious like and told him to be careful - for whoever he gives those flowers to would have no choice but to love him forever. I tell you that I love Papa Bear because he is the most wonderful, handsome and considerate man I have ever met - now you can believe it is a magical love spell if you want. I would stake that it is partially the magic of falling in love in Charleston and partially a sense of finding exactly that person you never imagined you'd find.

The Art of Blogging

If you were to visit my downstairs bathroom, you would find three prints which I have seen so often that I rarely give any of them much thought....until two nights ago. Two nights ago I was dozing off for the evening when I thought I fell over a brilliant idea. It was a potential blog name for Papa Bear. Papa Bear has a gift for the written word, but he is an awful typist. If he were to blog it would be because I set his blog up for him, but all the conditions would have to be absolutely perfect to entice him to hunt and peck in his own virtual world. I really thought I had found the perfect title, but I was wrong....oh so VERY wrong!

In an effort to distract you for just a bit, I will introduce you to the two prints in our very tiny bathroom that were never up for consideration in the name game. The first is your typical floral print as shown below:

Written along the bottom is Pisci Odorosa (Physh family) Usually found in wet situations. Blossom has slightly scaly texture. Not suitable for long lasting arrangements.

This picture has an off-white border with an oak trim. It appears to have been purchased from Tidwell Art Gallery at 321 King Street. There is a signature on the back that is not decipherable. I believe the signature has everything to do with the frame and nothing to do with the print. I know that Papa Bear received this as a gift from his sister over 20 year ago. I queried "Pisci Odorosa" just moments ago and wound up with this eBay listing for a 1973 book entitled How Does Your Garden Grow? Nonsense Flowers...it was the only listing......ummmm...I pressed the Buy It Now! Button.....AAACCCKKKKK!!! $14.99 + S&H just seemed like a great deal considering the situation. I've decided I can either create my own art from the prints, add it to my book collection next to my Edward Lear A Book of Nonsense or give it to Papa Bear's sister as a present somewhere down the line. I think I've caused enough damage here. Let's move to the next picture:

This is Mary's favorite picture entitled "Ce que c'est practique!" ou "How Practical". It is printed on Kodak High Gloss paper and was purchased from Petterson Antiques, 201 King Street after 1986 and before 1992. I do not know the history of this, but an interesting detail I did just discover is that the frontside of an envelope was used to make a paper backing for the frame. On the backside of the envelope is scrawled Sure doesn't get any closer than this! Does it! -Daniel G. Petterson. Inside the envelope is a wedding invitation to his marriage ceremony with June Elizabeth Caldwell on 12/28/1986......does anyone know if he ever got married?

OK, so on we move to the last picture which may be more widely known than the other two.

This one is called The Frugal Repast by Pablo Picasso. It, too, was a gift to Papa Bear over fifteen years ago.....and what a cool name for a blog! He could feed us whatever size morsel he cared to, or not. Ah, but I never realized his feelings surrounding this print. His analysis of the scene was one of imminent separation. He sees a man clutching his love. Her glass is full and she doesn't need him. His glass is empty, the empty wine bottle is on his side, he desperately needs her, but the tighter he holds her, the more likely she will leave. With this depiction in mind there is no way Papa Bear would ever blog on a site that generates such negativity.

I still like the blog idea...oh well. I am in the process of redirecting the scene above as I see it. I think, like all art, you bring to the viewing your own baggage. How you see the art is based upon what was going on with you when you first considered the art. As this is the first week that I have actually considered this piece of work, I am still open to impressions about it. What I see is a couple who have been together for a long time. They are very comfortable together. The is woman burdened - maybe someone close to her has died, or she has just been laid off or her last child has left home or perhaps it is just late and she is tired. Whatever the case she has no appetite. The man is trying to console her. His hands are holding her gently. The bottle of wine is on his side because he just poured the last bit of wine in her glass. The man is looking away because he is distracted. It seems that both are waiting.

I think I see mutual contentment in this work because I am content in my own relationship. Without looking up anything on the periods of Picasso's life, what do you see?

Butler Family Reunion of 1917

I am posting the below photo for Naomi. It was taken three years before she was born. She is about 87 and is my 1st cousin 3 times removed. I understand that she has recently viewed Rose Butler's photo album and may be able to identify a few of those folks that I could not. I am hoping that seeing some of these faces will put a smile on her face and warm her with memories.



This photo is a copy of the original. The names of everyone here is listed on a piece of cardboard behind the photo along with a note that partially reads: "names written as Coreta Geiger Weekley gave them on 7/15/81 at reunion. Taken at George & Augusta (SPECK) Butler's house in Sparta, Ohio in August of 1917 at reunion. Walk in front is made of wood and spreads across & around house to outhouse. Barn in background belongs to them." There is also mention of notes on the original photo from the 1935 & 1939 reuinions listing the passing of 11 & 18 family members.

Coreta, my great grandmother & Naomi's 1st cousin, identified her family as follows:

Bottom Row L-R: Donald Hatton holding John Wesley Butler (Naomi's brother), next Hazel Reed, Dorothy Scarborough holding Chester Scarborough & Hoy Reed, Aunt Mary Geiger (Coreta's sister, I think the writer was taking liberties here), Floyd Shepard, Enice Shepard, Mom-Coreta Geiger- 14 yrs old.

2nd row L-R: Al Scarborough & wife Lizzie holding Lloyd Reed, Dan Butler (cousin) & wife, Great Uncle John Butler (who our uncle was named after) Mary E. Butler, Guorge & Augustus (SPECK) Butler, Uncle Henry E & Aunt Bell Butler (2nd wife of Henry), Kate Kraft

3rd row L-R: Aunt Luella & Uncle William Butler (Naomi's parents), Lena Ryan Duff (raised by Clarence Butler), Annie & John Reed, Clarence & Ora Butler (son of Henry E. Butler), Rella & Aunt Stella Hatton, Oren & Mildred Scarborough (mother of twins), John Trease & wife Ritha DIll, Burt Kraft (Lady on 2nd row's son), Grandpa & Grandma Shepard (Coreta's mother - Rose Butler Geiger Shepard & stepfather William Shepard who she considered her father - the writer is taking liberties again)

4th row L-R: Uncle John A. Butler, Kenneth Trease, Ray Butler (son of Henry E. Butler)

I'm not certain when my print was made. I am only hazarding to guess that it was reprinted in 1981 for members of that reunion when Coreta identified everyone. It is slightly fuzzy, but if any relative would like me to - I'd have absolutely no qualms with sending a reprinted reprint.

Somewhere in Shandong, Shanghai, China

If you are a blogger and do not use a Stat Counter....stop reading and go get one. The one I use is free and you can even color coordinate it with your site. As those of you "in the know" know, there are some very interesting things that can be found perusing your Stat Counter. I think the most interesting that has happened to mine occurred about a month ago. A computer from Egypt found the advertisement that I posted for World Peace Day and translated my page into Arabic. It was VERY cool.

Yesterday, someone from Shanghai queried "Stephen Colbert bed liberty picture". I was able to see the results of this Google query. ALL all of my May postings were in the #1 of 113,ooo slot for this query. Of course, the words were picked up at random from a variety of articles, but I'm left wondering about the who, what and why of this query. I mean I watch Colbert as much as the next guy, but I do have my limits.

Now that we are on the topic of Colbert, I do need to point out that an old friend of mine who I've known since my college days...and he does not hold that against me as I, too, can tell stories....was mentioned recently on the Colbert Report. The friend is Charleston's own Blake Hallman who is the spokesman for the Morris Island Coalition and a board member with the SC Battleground Preservation Trust. On the show Blake was mentioned on the short list (of 1) that Stephen Colbert recalled from fourth grade as a Pinochet supporter. When I quizzed Blake for details, I realized immediately that I could never publicly repeat those sordid details. The jist of it, though, is that Colbert has NEVER forgiven Blake for being funnier than he.

Postcards from Flora

After I acquired Rose Butler's photo album, I made an effort to contact a few people that I thought might be interested in the photos. One of those contacted was a second cousin twice removed that I did not know. I had a nice conversation over the phone and afterwards I reprinted a few photos and snail mailed them to my new found cousin. I then called my grandmother and told her about the phone exchange. I remember her being surprised because the person I called was someone she knew well as a child.

A few weeks went by when out of the blue I received a package from my cousin. He had sent me an old box that had been in his basement for years. It was filled with postcards from around 1910. Most of them had been written by Rose Butler, but many were from family and friends. All were addressed to Rose's parents George Washington BUTLER & Augusta Virocca SPECK.

I have a few distant cousins who are interested in Augusta's sister Flora so I decided to share a few of the postcards. From the writings it is evident that Augusta & Flora shared a close relationship.

Above is a photo of them with their spouses. The back of the photo reads: "Grandma Butler, Grandma Butler - Augusta (Speck) Butler, Aunt Flora Kaufman, Uncle Monroe Kaufman" The couples are listed in reverse order.

Without further ado...here are the postcards from Flora (mostly).






#1. Decoration Day, The Blue and The Gray
- Stamped in Akron Ohio on May 18, 8 PM, 1908
- Addressed to Gussie Butler, Fredericktown O, RFD No 6
- Dear Gus. you see I am in Akron - all well here. Bye-Bye. Flora

#2. Greetings from Mt. Vernon O. (red flowers)
- Stamped in Mount Vernon Ohio on May 6, 7-, 1908
- Addressed to Mrs Gussie V Butler, Fredericktown Ohio, RFD no 5
- 5/10-08 - Dear Gus. your card received - glad to hear xxxxxxx I have been sick again but now H.B. & Baby(or boy) was down and sick ago to day. Staid 1 1/2 days. I wish you could see him. he says automobile man on byshiekle calls on Grandma & Minnie Pusulpa. Mary is still in Newark & the kids school will be out 11 of June. xxxx are/all xxxx help to go on the roof. I am going to Akron a week from tonight - if I am able. Rxxxl & Minnie are well. I got a letter from xxx They are all well. xxxx x xxx baby didn't get along very well. They had a spasm from indigestion. I am afraid you can't read this guss. My love to the boys. Bye-Bye. Flora You didn't give the route. I don't know whether this is right xxx route. Would have written sooner if I had known.

#3. A Happy Birthday be Yours
- Stamped in Mount Vernon on Jan x, 12-M, 1910
- Mrs. Gussie Butler, Fredericktown O, R.F.D. No 6
- Hello all (all is overwritten by Gus). May you see many happy returns of this day. B is mooning/moving over Bogordis stxxxx can see her from our window, all midling well. Bye Bye. Sister Flora

#4. January, Aquarius, "No gems save garnets should be worn By her who in this month is born" Snowdrop - Friendship, Hope, Consolation
- Stamped Jan 1910
- Addressed to Mrs. Gussie Butler, Fredericktown O, R.F.D. No 6
- "May your birthday be bright and happy." Monroe Jr.

#5. Are you sorry for anything you did last night?
- Stamped in Mount Vernon Ohio on Jun 3, 1910
- Addressed to Mrs. Gussie Butler, Fredericktown O, R.F.D. No 6
- Dear Gus. the book gives their names as George, Isaiah & David - Potoffice Olmitz PO Barton Co. Kansas. I was scared so bad. I am so nervous I can scarcely write. this card is all I had to write in. one of the kids Teddy said he would like to see you all. would love to see you. He is near Galalia Kan. Bye Bye Flora

#6. It isn't my Face Kid, it's my Shape!
- Stamped Mount Vernon Ohio, Jun 8, 1910
- Addressed to Mr. Geo Butler, Fredericktown O, R.F.D. No 6
- Hello. Arrived home all O.K. Flora

#7. To Greet you for a Bright Birthday.
- Stamped in Mount Vernonon Oct 10, 1910
- Addressed to Mr. Geo. Butler, Fredericktown, Ohio, R.F.D. N0 3
- Many Happy Returns from your nephew Monroe

#8.We're afraid to go home in the dark.
- Stamped on Jun 8, 1910
- Addressed to Mr. George Butler, Fredericktown, Ohio, R.F.D. #6
- This is from Minnie. "Good Luck"

#9. Birthday Greeting
- Stamped Oct 13, 1910
- Addressed to Mr. George Butler, Fredericktown, Ohio, R.D> No 6.
- With hearty congratulations from your loving neice Minnie.

#10. Heartiest Greetings
- Stamped Oct 1910 in Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Addressed to Mr. Geo. Butler, Frericktown O, RTD#B
- 10/13-10 Hello Bro. Just happened to think of your advent into this world several years ago. Wish you many happy returns. We are moving - come & see us. Sister Flora. Monroe is in Kenton/Kenlow, the kid is doing fine.

#11. Thanksgiving Greetings
- No stamp
- From Myrtle to Aunt Guss. Dec. 13 1910

#12. May cares and woe go fleeting With this my CHristmas greeting.
- Stamped Dec 21, 1910 in Mount Vernon Ohio
- Addressed to Mr. Geo Butler, Fredericktown, O RFD no 6
- 12/20-10 - Hello, Geo. Are you still among the living? Well I guess I can say that I am, everybody just medium. Best wishes for a Merry Xmas and a happy New Year. Flora

#13. Loving Greetings
- Not Stamped
- Addressed to Mrs. Augusta Butler, Frederickton, O
- 1/27-1911, May you be blest with Many returns of the day. Best Wishes, your only sister Flora

#14. Feb 14 Valentine Greetings
- Stamped Feb 14, 1911 in Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Addressed to Geo W. Butler, O, RFD No 6
- 1911, Hello, Geo. All well as usual, Best wishes Flora

#15. A Happy Halloween
- Stamped Oct 28, 1911
- Addressed to Augusta Butler, Sparta O
- Dear old Gusie, Thought I would send you a pretty card. We are as well as usual only cold. I hope you are well. Write & let me know how you are. I am in/on P.C. Mama/Minnie xxx has been gone 3 weeks. Flora

#16. Birthday Greetings
- Stamped Oct 28 1911 in Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Addressed to Geo W. Butler, Sparta O
- 10/28-11, Hello Geo. I know you think this is rather late but you know the old maxim better-late-than-never. It slipped my mind. All well. (no signature, but it is the same writing and pen of Flora from #15.)

#17. St Valentine's Day
- Stamped Feb 14, 1912
- Addressed to Mrs. Gussie Butler - Sparta Ohio
- 2/13-12. Hello Dear Sister. Are you frozen up yet. How are you all. We are as well as usual. Write. Bye Bye Flora

#18. Easter Greetings
- Stamped Apr 5, 1912
- Addressed to Geo E(W.) Butler, Sparta Ohio
- 4/4-12. Mt Vernon O- Hello George. How are you getting along. I have a bum week, from Flora

#19. Mt Manitou Park, Colorado
- Stamped Aug 5 1920 in OM & Colo
- Addressed to Mrs. George Butler, Sparta Ohio, Morrow Co.
- 8/5-20, Dear Sister. Arrived Sunday Eve. All OK. 2 days & 2 nights on the road. Such grand sights. Wish you were here. Sister Flora

#20. A Merry Christmas
- Stamped Dec 23, 11AM 1912 in Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Addressed to Mrs. Gussie Butler, Sparta Ohio.
- Hello. Well I suppose you got home O.K. as least we haven't heard anything different. Blanche didn't get to come. Wish you a Merry Xmas & a happy new year. Your sister F.A.K.

#21. Citizens Hospital, Barberton, Ohio
- Stamped Aug 25, 2:30PM, 1912 in Barberton Ohio
- Addressed to Mrs. Geo Butler, Sparta Ohio
- 321 1/2 no, Hopocan(sp?) Ave, 8/25 - Dear Sister, You can see we are at home again. Blanche & family just left for home. been here on their vacation. Minnie has gone to risk/rink in Akron & Emmie & family are in Mt. Vernon. Minnie is working in a tailor shop & 4/I am/are linesxxx. This hospital is xxxx xxxx same/some so near dying - Hope you are all well. - write. Flora-

#22. Bathing Pavilion, Cedar Point, Ohio.
- Stamped Aug 8, 1912
- Addressed to Geo W. Butler, Sparta O
- 8/7-1912, Hello Bro - thought you would like to see what they do up here - Flora

#23. All Happiness for Easter
- Stamped Apr 5, 1912 in Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Addressed to Mrs. Gussie Butler, Sparta, Ohio
- 4/5-12, Mt. Vernon, Dear Sister, I wonder if you are up yet, 3 o'clock. Frank staid 2 nights with us & he had to go to work at 4:30. I coughed all night. Haven't heard a word yet, your sister, Allen

#24. May Thanksgiving bring you countless new Blessings and forget to take any away.
- Stamped Nov 27, 6:30PM, 1922 in Barberton Ohio
- Addressed to Mrs. Geo Butler, Sparta Ohio
- 321/2 W. Hapocin Ave, Barberton O, From FLora

A Re-Evaluation of Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

The December 1st post at Postscripts put an uncontrollable twitch in my left eye. The specific line that caused this odd tick read "Blue Ion wants to know if you said "Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" today. Did you?"

I DO say Rabbit to myself the first of every month....but Mary and I have both banned the saying of RABBIT in the house. The memory of the last time it was said aloud in our house by Papa Bear is the stuff of rage and tears!

It all began some 25 years ago when Papa Bear was a student at USC. His college girlfriend taught him the rules and he then taught his future girlfriends and EXTREMELY close friends the rules. The rules as he passed them on pretty much stated that you said RABBIT to someone else who was in the know. The first one to say RABBIT had good luck for the entire month. The other person would not have bad luck, but he/she/they would not get the exceptional good luck as the first person. If saying it on the first day of the month is exceptional....just imagine what saying it on the first day of the month would mean.

This is exactly where the horror story ends....January 1st, 2006. Our daughter, who was nine at the time, was staying up for her very first New Years Eve. I was prepared to make it special for her with Sparkling Cider, hats, horns and everything required to bring in the New Year. By the time we get to the countdown, she is getting pretty tired. We start yelling 10!...... 9!........ 8!...... 7!...... 6!....... 5! .......4! ......3! I am geared up to yell Happy New Year! and throw my arms around Papa Bear for a kiss and jump around the house with Mary..... 2!........It's just about to happen...... 1!...... Hap..."RABBIT!!!", Papa Bear yells at the top of his lungs. Our poor, tired daughter is in tears, runs shrieking to her room, and slams the door. I wind up yelling at Papa Bear for ruining Mary's first New Years. Papa Bear is unable to see why we are such poor sports just because he played his cards right and won the best of luck for the entire year.

I finally convince Papa Bear that his ill gotten winnings have spent the whole family's luck for the year. As I recall, anything that you do on January 1, you will be doing for the rest of the year. It is for this reason that we have always spent time with family, traveled, cooked collards with strick o'lean and hoppin' john and whatnot. The way I saw it, this Rabbit game had gotten way out of hand when celebrating the New Year and hugging your wife took a back seat to RABBIT! Now Mary would be tired, crying and feeling misunderstood the entire year, I would be exasperated and hollering the entire year and Papa Bear would be crying "FOUL", errr I mean "POOR SPORT" the entire year. The only way to make amends was to quit this Rabbit business and have it banned from the house altogether. Papa Bear still plays the game with our son and our best friend's family while Mary and I refuse to participate. Our wounds are still gaping 11 months later.

This is what all ran through my mind in the instant I read: "Blue Ion wants to know if you said "Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" today. Did you?" I turned to Papa Bear after letting out a loud exclamation, clicked on the article and read it. Hey! The rules were different for Blue Ion! Had Blue Ion's been in effect, there would have been no residual ill feelings. There would have been no immature competitive positioning. There would have been no occasional 1 am wakenings of our household.

I asked Mary to read the same article. She is siding with those who believe that saying Rabbit only brings bad luck.