Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles

I last left you with a question about the Legion Hall in Yellville, Arkansas and what that had to do with the three Andrews boys and their cousin, Oliver.  We’ll let that hang just a bit longer.  First, you need to be properly introduced to the really yucky – ugly – tacky – interesting town [...]

Resuming our Arkansas Memories tour the next morning, Monday, November 2, 2009, we started off the morning early (well, some of us – I was still down in bed) in our rental house, where the Andrews/Jolly clan gathered on the deck:

Dickie, Jimmy, “Tommy,” Debbie and cousin, Oliver looked bright and happy.  The day was gorgeous [...]

Before we get to today’s short post, here’s what the business was in the other side of the building housing McClain Furniture Store, founded 1905:

We all thought it was funny and couldn’t quite figure it all out.  Maybe Greg would like to enlighten us as to why a furniture store and embalming company would occupy [...]

Who’s watched “Cinema Paradiso” yet?  Anyone?  If so (& when so) you must comment on what you think about it!!  Please.
I’ve seen it probably 10 times and still cannot keep from bawling my eyes out at the end when . . ..  Nope.  You’ve got to see the movie.
I especially think of Tom when I [...]

If I tried to show you photos of all of the different places the Andrews boys lived during the 8 years they were in north central Arkansas, I’d have to do a large photo album.  And, it wasn’t just during those years.  Between the three of them (not counting their oldest half-brother, long dead) and [...]

Have you watched Cinema Paradiso yet?  Or John Goodman’s “Matinee?  You gotta go get ‘em!!
Here’s a good reminder.  Before we continue our story, here’s one last look at the Paradise Theater today in it’s sad state, although still loved by the guys:

You can see why Tom couldn’t find it his last trip to Cotter.  He’d [...]

[Note:  Just tell yourself that all good things are worth waiting for.  Like Christmas.  And the next chapter in this Arkansas Memories Tour of 2009 saga, which has been so long coming.  I should be able to get them to you quicker now for a while.  Thanks for your patience!!]
I last left you (see below [...]

The trip we just made with all of Tom’s siblings (except a much older half-brother who died many years ago) to the Ozarks of Arkansas near Mt. Home, Arkansas (see here) was 60 years in the making, I suppose.
You see, the three boys moved with their parents (and an uncle, aunt and cousin)  there in [...]

If you will look below at Friday’s post, you will see the photo of a master potter’s hand-thrown, kiln dried and glazed vase, with lid, given to us by Kay Nguyen, a member of our extended family.  I asked you each to try to guess what the motif is that she carved around the jar.
I [...]

The beautiful pottery jar with lid below was hand thrown and decorated by Tom’s son-in-law’s sister, Kay Nguyen, a professional potter.  She lives in Houston where she practices her art and works with children and others.
It is kiln fired and glazed.  It has an interesting motif carved in the clay which is carried out [...]