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There is not much news to report from our neck of the woods since my last contribution to the Winter Edition of the Watts newsletter.
We did have a wonderful Christmas - we enjoyed having our family together as well as Pattie Reid and her 2 children. They did spend a couple of days snowmobiling but not in Yellowstone Park as the Park was closed due to the government shut-down. There are lots of groomed snowmobile trails in that area so they were not disappointed. Roger has said he will contribute an article about that in this issue of the newsletter.
Our family is doing well. Barbara and Dennis will celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary March 18th. An open house reception is being planned for them.
Shannon will have her 23rd birthday on March 23rd and we will have a party for her here at our house. I have made her a special cake for her birthday since she was 3 or 4 years old. Shannon’s husband, Kenneth, has been in the midst of calving season, a lot of which took place during blizzard weather conditions in late January and early February. They lost ten calves so far this season mainly due to the weather. Some temperatures were at least 30 to 40 degrees below zero.
Roger is doing good and is enjoying his international flights. He commutes from Chicago to New York and weather conditions can make quite a hassle for him to get to his departure in time.
Roger and I are still planning on coming to the cousins reunion in Childress in May. We will probably meet in Oklahoma City, visit relatives there and drive to Childress via Wheeler where we will also do some visiting with relatives on both sides of the family. Don’t know if T.J. will come with us.
I’m planning on a short visit with our friends in Desert Hot Springs, California and will leave on March 28th. I’ve hybernated long enough this winter!
Associate Editor,
Virginia Patterson
As I read Nancy’s article in the last newsletter, I realized even more so how communication is so vital to each of us.
My heart went out to her as I could hear her say she felt as if she had helped squash Loretta. At the same time, it was just hilarious! And that is not to be making fun of Nancy, it is just that nothing could be further from the truth. And to think, that memory has held Nancy in some type of captivity these years.
I am so sorry she has held that for such a long time. I’ve heard that kids are good recorders, but bad interpretors. How true that statement is. So, to help Nancy, I desire to share my version of the story.
A large group of us kids were walking toward the house down by the barn, possibly from the road that went to the large garden. Mom’s brother, my Uncle Gary, was an over-zealous teen at the time; he still is, over-zealous not a teen; had taken the old riverbuggy of my daddy’s without permission. As the group of us were walking, Gary pulled up along side us and said, ‘‘Everybody going with me better get in.’’ Well Loretta and I bailed in ASAP. I remembered someone else being in the buggy, but not who.
That person was sitting behind the driver. I was standing up behind the front seat toward the middle, and Loretta was just getting in when Gary decided to take off. Loretta’s foot was still on the tire (we used it as a stepping ledge) as it started to roll forward. Therefore, she was thrown forward with the tire to follow.
As I see it Nancy, you must have been that other person, and being behind the driver, the opposite side to which run over Loretta, you helped counter any weight which went over her. Plus the sand road helped to ‘pad’ the impact effects on Loretta. Basically, you helped save her life! So see, Nancy, between God’s will and him using you, Loretta is still here!
Nancy also spoke of the honey wagon in the last letter. All four of us kids remember that old thing. In the Watts family, we were of the youngest grandkids, but there are strong memories.
Loretta remembers Grandpa telling her the bees would not bite unless she hurt, or frightened them. She was put out at him when she got bit just minding her own business. When asked what she was doing, her reply was ‘’Just walking!’’ The bee happened to be on the ground and they became each others victim.
I haven’t asked any of them if they remember honey labels. That was a new one on me. I just ate the honey and the buzzing of the bees just gave me the willies; so I kept my distance most of the time.
However, over the past few summers, Neil has worked for a bee farmer and this past June, Ron went to work full-time for the same beekeeper. I’m still not real comfortable around where there are hundreds of bees. However, I have found it makes me feel as if God has given part of my heritage back to me.
I think one of the reasons a label or two wasn’t kept is because we rarely value the present not realizing it has an effect on the future and may be of some value someday to somebody.
Karen Waters
It has been decreed that on Sunday, May 5, 1996, the Watts Family Reunion will be held at the Fair Park Reunion Room in Childress, Texas!!!!!
The reunion room will be available to us all day long but we will start gathering at 10:00 AM and Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM to enable those who wish to go to Church and those who have a ways to travel to make it for Dinner.
Plan on a full day of fun and bring all of your Children and Grandchildren. As you know, Fair Park has playgrounds, a Lake and Ducks feed.
We have reserved the kitchen again this year as it allows us lots of room for the food and this year we will probably have a larger crowd than usual. (Bill estimates 150) Georgie and Tommie Watts have Quilted the blocks together for our Watts Quilt which is to be auctioned off to defray the cost of the building.
Mary has lots of volunteer cooks this year so we will have a great feast and all you need to to bring is $6ºº per Adults and $3ºº for Children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free. Dinner funds will be collected at the door. We are looking forward to all the Watts Families being here and the Hightower family as well.
For those traveling in, there are airports in Amarillo, Wichita Falls and Lubbock. We have some nice motels, Classic Inn, Best Western (800-528-1234 or 817-937-3478), Econ Lodge (817- 937-3695). There are several other smaller motels. Classic Inn has RV Hookups and the Fair Park is equipped with 5 RV Hookups for $10ºº per night.
For any further information and to let us know the number count that will be coming for your group, please call the following:
Bill & Mary Watts
701 Ave K, SE
CHILDRESS, TX 79201
817-937-8897
Bill has a great program planned and several are anxious to speak.
See you all in May!!!
Bill Watts
By Roy A. Watts
Congratulations to Sharon as she nears completion of her Associate Degree in Nursing. Her pinning ceremony is May 2, 7 PM, at Western Oklahoma State College, in Altus.
As of March 22, she has been hired into the Intensive Care Unit at the county hospital (where she is currently working) to orientate to the equipment and procedures. Her interests have been in the cardiovascular area. She would eventually like to assist doctors in angioplasty procedures.
Jason and Jeremy are  in Missouri with their dad for this school year. They’re doing pretty well in school and are enjoying doing "guy" things with him. Lately the’ve been trying new foods like BBQ beaver, deer steak, etc. Sharon hears from the boys once or twice a week.
Louada misses her grandsons but stays busy with lots of projects. She is in the process of getting a newer stove and a new (Christmas present) microwave built in to her cabinets. She’s also planning her flower and vegetable gardens, as well as doing mending for people and giving piano lessons. The weather has been going from one extreme to another. Last week it was -20 (with a wind chill) and this week it’s in the 70's! She saw her first robin of the year in early February, so she felt that Spring must be just around the corner. Also around the corner is a certain wedding she’s looking forward to.
Speaking of wedding, my wedding date to Cecil Hart is now May 18, 2 PM, at Colonial Baptist Church, in Wichita Falls. (In the last newsletter, July 13 was the big day, but Cecil’s leave schedule didn’t work out for that date.) Of course we will send out invitations; but, unfortunately we can’t afford to send one to everyone, so mark your calendars! Call me at (817) 322-3123 if you need directions, motel reservations, (by May 10th if you can), etc. We hope for a good turnout!! We’ve got a lot of planning done, so I don’t yet feel nervous and frantic--maybe later. We’re planning a trip to the Colorado Rockies (Estes Park). I’ve been there before and it’s a gorgeous place!
Otherwise, not so much is new. I still work at Sheppard AFB as a civilian instructor and Cecil still works as a mail handler (night shift, unfortunately) at the downtown post office. We’re hoping and praying that he can get a day job there; that will happen in God’s time.
We plan to be at the family reunion in Childress so you’ll get to meet Cecil there. Maybe we can find out if I’m marrying a long-lost relative, that is, since he’s a Hart!
Love to all,
Jeanne
One Summer, Mom and Daddy allowed Loretta and I to stay two weeks on the Farm with Jeanne and Sharon. I’d like to be able to say we were a real help there but I can’t. I would love to this day be a farmer, have a place where I could help raise my grandkids (when I have ‘em!) and teach them to be industrious and to seek The Lord with all their hearts. But I know about as much about farming as I do brain surgery.
But anyway, Grandpa and Monta had us to do some trivial tasks each day, you know; sweep, dust, keep each other out of the way sort of stuff. Anyway, one day Monta was really giving us a treat. She was making us two piece swim suits out of dishtowels so we could swim in an old bath tub. Boy! was I ever excited! That was until I found she did not make Loretta and I a top!
Monta said we did not have anything to cover up. Did she not know what to look for? We had plenty and we had to bear it all before God and everybody. Had I been smarter than I was excited about the water, I would have just sat that swim out.
As years passed, I have tried to see this as an adult but I’m still not able to separate myself in that manner. Our greatest fear was that grandpa would drive up and there we would be. Not a pleasant thought. I have however rationalized the situation to a degree, after making that many swimsuits (4), however incomplete, Monta had to have used six dishtowels. I bet grandma was ready to have a cat! After all, I don’t keep that many dishtowels in my drawer. If I do, Ron always thinks a couple of them are for cleaning the car!
Karen Waters
I always hated history and geography when I was in school. Then, when we moved to this part of Texas, History just screams out! To compound matters, as we have started teaching the kids, it draws me even more. I still can’t remember dates, etc. but I just think it’s so interesting now.
Daddy purchased a couple of the books compiled by Fred Rutledge and loaned one to me while he was off-shore. I just couldn’t wait to get to bed about 11:30 pm. I would just soak it all in, sometimes only cover a few pages a night because of it seeming so funny or I would just cry over thinking what could have happened.
Goodness, some of these people took the Word of The Lord serious when He said to “Go forth and Multiply! Gracious! One couple had 16 kids, YES. The same woman had all these kids. My natural mind just does somersaults, talk about tough. I hope that man of hers had some compassion and was more help than most dads now-a-days. So from thoughts of insanly funny, in just a few minutes time I was feeling as if my emotions were like the crashing of water against some rocky cliffside coast.
I have no doubt, God knew this couple would need other children to care for. You see in one days time they lost 5 sons! Dear Lord, what was in history at that time to have caused such a catastrophe?
A few more examples: One couple lost one young son, then a week or so later, another. Disease maybe...Infant deaths caused me to wonder what went wrong...
God is not the author of confusion, and neither is Fred. Before I go too much further I’m going to write Fred for clarification. I’m sure there is a problem somewhere, then I can believe what I read. Those tears are just too painstaking for me, I do so want to know MY Heritage.
Karen
Dad and Frances are doing well. They are our U.S. Trekers I guess. Both are doing well. Frances keeps herself busy I believe being the good Samaritan to her family and friends Dad is now working off-shore for two week intervals. I’d have to stay busy too, or I’d be nuts. He is still saying he’s going to retire this year, we shall see. Jack is enough to keep them busy full time. Dad helped him with the Pine Derby in boy scouts.
Last year they came in first place. Jack wanted a truck this year with the engine coming up out of the hood! They came in third this year. Jack was pleased; his good friend and cousin won first. And he already knows what I knew as a kid; if anybody can, Granddad can.
Bruce and his family have managed to survive. Bruce still works till we all hurt for him, but we can’t convince him to slow down. We thought a few weeks ago he may have had some problems with diabetes - he chooses not to believe that is the case. Maybe not but his sister would like proof.
Robbie is still cleaning a few houses for elderly persons, she’s great at making cakes and crafts also. Kay had her tonsils taken out last month and is doing very well, and is encouraged about her math grades this year.
Curtis is as rough as Bruce. Truely all boy, his little body has a hard time with belonging to such a tough guy though. It seems as if something is always being repaired on him. He just wants to hurry and grow up I think.
Gailia and her family are due back in the states about mid May. We are all getting excited to see them. (I personally have started seeing ladies that look similar to Gailia. Anticipation I am sure.) Gailia is very homesick just knowing she’s coming home. However, Taiwan is really their home. They will be in the states for about one year. Brandt is going to make his doctorate his priority while he is home with a few outside speaking engagements. They will be living in Nashville, TN (I believe) when they do return.
Loretta and her family are doing well also. Sometimes I think she would tell me that even if she weren’t. But truthfully, they are fine. I’m sure this winter they thought they would freeze their fannys off, but they still have them in tact. School is going great for them also. Loretta is a great teacher, and has the fantastic ability to draw the best out of her girls. They are quite original and creative. Robert has had some people to look at the last house he built, I haven’t heard the outcome yet. And he has been hired by another man to build one for him I believe. One of these days we’re going to get back to that area of Colorado. It is so beautiful there, I mean in June or July type weather. I would freeze my fanny off!
Karen, that’s me, we too are okay. Naturally, I know more about us than any of the rest of them. Ron works lots of hours with the bees. And as the honeyflow comes in, it will be even more so. This next year both the kids may leave for Indiana to attend school- talk about God’s provision. I’m praying we don’t suffer the empty nest syndrome. I think we have that taken care of. Ron is so active in church drama, that even when I don’t volunteer for something, I have plenty to do for him. He flirts with all the women, all the young kids flock to sit in his lap, shake his hand or just get a hug. The teenagers find him easy to talk with and the men either love him or stay away thinking he’s a nut. And he is.
Neil will probably work his fourth summer with the bees. He has wanted to do some electrical work, but the flexibility with a previous employer comes in handy with school activities. He has just aced AutoCAD at Lee College this past week also.
Cheri’ is working at the day care 11-12 hours a day. I hope that will soon decrease as she doesn’t know if she is coming or
going sometime. She just knows she has a car payment and insurance to meet each month. Above that, she likes Sonic (soft drink place) and the Schwann Truck (food delivery service-She suprises us once in awhile by purchasing some of her favorite groceries for the family in bulk.) She is a precious blessing. And it is so delightful to be with her. She is a daddy’s girl, but if she goes to school this next February, I think she will be very independent also. That is one of her strong suits.
We have a celebrity in the family, however, announcements can be made next time.
I Love You,
Karen
Keeping up with kids and each other takes up most of our spare time. Katie will try out for cheerleader next week. By the time you read this, maybe she made, maybe not (film at 11.) Ben will be playing soccer again this Spring. I made a trip to Stephenville Tuesday with a neighbor to buy some trees for our yards. Sure makes a difference in the looks of the place. Too bad you can’t buy trees in west Texas.
Enjoyed Nancy’s letter in the last issue. Since I am not as old as Nancy, I don’t remember a lot of that, however I do remember playing under the bridge. We did that a lot until one day we saw what seemed like a lot of snakes down there. I don’t think that I ever went back after that.
Remember sitting in the Mulberry tree until our hands and face turned purple?
Grandpa’s garden was also one of our favorite visiting spots. I especially remember one particular time we were there. Grandpa told us that his watermelons were not any good that year. Well, Grandpa must not have tried the ones we took over the south fence and ate in the shade of the cottonwood trees. I was probably 30 years old before I realized Grandpa had told us that to keep us away from them.
Sincerely,
L. Ray Elder
Our little part of the family has felt great sadness since we last visited through this news letter. Our mom, Luella passed away on January 13th, 1996 after fighting a chronic pancreatic infection problem for a year, being in the hospital all but 3 weeks of that time.
So many of you have shown your love in very special ways, and we are so thankful for each of you. We appreciate much more than you’ll ever know the time you took to show us how much you cared.
Daddy doesn’t know about Mama’s death for 2 reasons: If he understood what we were saying, it would only hurt him, but most likely, he might not be able to understand. Anyway, when you visit with him, please don’t mention anything about it.
On the brighter note, we have two special blessings to tell you about. Chandler Raelyn Clark, daughter of Ritchie and Camron Clark and granddaughter of Richie and Judy Watts arrived about 6 weeks early on January 5, 1996. She weighed 5 lbs. 4 oz. And was 16½ in long. But her 6 weeks doctor visit showed little Chandler weighing over 8 lbs., and she has stretched to be 20 inches tall. Prayer definitely changes things.
Please be in prayer also for Sissy and Herb White as they are expecting a precious bundle sometime in June. With the last sonogram, the doctor was unable to tell us if we were going to have a little Sarah Elizabeth or a little Connor Matthew. But whichever we get, we know it already sucks its thumb and is very active.
We hope to see yens at some of the upcoming functions. Until then, take good care and God bless.
Love,
Nancy
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