Winter Greens

"The wind lifted me up into the trees, where I danced to the rhythm of the evergreen, swaying to the tune of the northern breeze, frozen in timeless melody."
 
~ Christy Ann Martine ~ 

My childhood home had pine trees on one side. Some were pretty tall. While outside, probably bored, I got the idea to climb all the way to the tip top of the tallest one. Up I went, without telling my mom or little brother - who would obviously - tell my mom.

It didn't take long to figure out long hair didn't fare well in pine branches and sap. I tied it back & kept going. The further I climbed, the more I noticed the tree that once seemed still, was not. Before long, we were swaying side to side - far enough. Mom must've thought she should check on me. She yelled for me from the back deck. I stayed as still as possible, and watched her from above. She never saw me, and went back inside.

I stayed up there for what seemed like a long time after. There was only a light breeze, and it was so peaceful that time seemed to stop. All at once I realized it was starting to get dark, and I didn't want mom looking for me again, so back down I went. It's funny - I never thought as a kid that would be one of the memories I'd hold onto 30 years later...

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Tuck Ephemera*

3 girls with flowers

*The J. Paul Getty Museum*
Juniper
 
*Image Event*

German book cover, c. 1878

*Lilac & Lavender*

Sleigh Ride sheet music

*The Graphics Fairy*

French handwriting

*Boston Public Library*

White flowers

Thank you for stopping by!

Snowy Christmas Memories

"Like snowflakes, my

Christmas memories

gather & dance...

each beautiful, unique,

and too soon gone."

 Deborah Whipp

Some of my favorite childhood winter-time memories were made in the snow. Waking up to, "Honey, you can sleep in - it's a snow day," was the best! Going sledding, getting in snowball fights, coming in half frozen to hang (throw) snowy/wet clothes next to the stove (so we could go out and do it all over again!). And of course, hot cocoa with mini marshmallows (thanks Mom!). It never quite seemed to snow on Christmas, though. At least, not the deep, Christmas card kind. Except... one year.

It was Christmas morning, before presents, and I was already giddy. I remember jump-sitting on the couch, then reaching out to touch the cold window behind it. Looking out through our screened-in porch, I could just make out the backyard beyond. All I could see at first were shades of blue, from the early light. I kept watching... and then all at once I could tell everything was covered in a thick blanket! My little heart was surely beating fast, what with the extra excitement! There was a fire in the fireplace, and our Christmas tree was beautiful as ever. So thankful for that tiny spark of a memory that brings it all back to life!

This year, I'll still wish & hope for that kind of snow. For myself, my husband, and my own kids - excuse me, teens. But truly, I really just hope we're all healthy and warm, and content in our home, and I hope that for you as well. 2020 has been a rough year - one for unique, if not "ideal" memories. So, yes, I would always love to have that kind of snow again on Christmas. But more than that I want to make the most of what we've been given. I want to make the kind of Christmas memories that last.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*The Old Design Shop*
Snow-covered country church

*The Graphics Fairy*
 Angel on a cloud

I used Fotor to do my editing.

The snowflake element was free
on that site. I just added

a shadow effect to make it

stand out. Script font for

'Merry Christmas' is Arizonia. 


Thanks for stopping by, and
Merry Christmas!

Old letter to Dad

Hi Dad-

I guess I only write when I want something don't I. Well here is what it is this time. I know you can't go to the State game Saturday only I wish you could. We haven't gone to a game to-gether for a long time. But since you can't come this week I have a leave starting at 1900 Friday to 1200 Monday and if State has a game then I'd like to go if you could. I don't know weather they play at Columbus or not.

Colleen said she was talking to you Monday about wheather or not Cook could take her to the Game. She has never seen a Game like that and I'd like to take her if I could. I also wish you and I could go to one game any way. I'm awful always asking favors of you and Mother. Maybe I'll be able to make it up to you someday.

To-day the Betas play the Sigma Chi's a game of football to-night. We beat 'em 19-0. It was a pretty good game. It reminded me of the games I played with Lancaster. I only hope I'll get a chance to play at State someday. When this war is over I'm going to take George in one hand and his & my clothes in the other and go to State, get George back in training, and put him in Brown's back field. Good idea, huh? We'll have a -?- combination, only I'm going to play Guard. It's more fun. I was playing opposite a guy that was selected on The All City Team at Dayton it's about the same as C.O.L. All league team. But he wasn't so good cause I was knocking him all over his own back field. These guys up here don't like for me to play on the other team cause I don't let them complete their plays. And I knock 'em down and step on 'em (braggin')

Well that's enough of that. Exams start next Wednesday and we get off at 7:00 Friday nite. I don't have anything to worry about I don't think. -?- would be surprised if he saw what I've been doing in trig. And don't you worry either cause I'm pretty sure of myself and besides I been studying pretty good.

Some of the guys are going thru hell week and will be initiated the 29. I'll be initiated in December some time.

These guys are starting to smoke pipes cause they can't buy cigarettes.

Oh yea. I'm beginning to catch on to The game of bridge the other night I was down at the union and some guy talked me into playing. After playing a few hands I told him and the 2 girls that I had never played before except that once you, Mother, George, and I played. I told them I was playing on what I remembered from that and the knowledge I had of rum & poker & Pedro.

Well I guess I better hang up the sheep skin for to-night.
I'll see you Sat.

Love, Dick


I love old handwriting and letters. This one was only $1, and the author drew me in with the first line - turns out, what he wanted was to spend time with Dad. Unfortunately, there wasn't a date or a last name for further investigation, but there's still plenty to give us a snapshot of this young man's life. I gathered this was written in war-time, by a college student talking about Ohio State football. He also might've been a football player from Lancaster, Ohio. I'm from the Lancaster area as well, but the letter was found in a different town, which was a nice surprise!

If I wasn't sure what word was written,

I marked it -?- I welcome any guesses or

further information. Just wanted to share!


You may use these scanned images

in your art, either digitally or in printed form.

Just please don't sell them 'as is' - thank you!