Category: family

dancing, family, life, love, Memoir, women's stories

Another June is Over, Thankfully

Arlene

Each year June comes along, as always, right after May ends. It is a reflective month for me. Two of my sons and my beloved Angelo all transitioned to the next plane in June. In different years, on different dates, in different ways. They are always with me and show up in my today life but it is their physical presence that I miss. As time moves on, you would think that I would miss them less but the opposite is true. Maybe it’s because I am less busy, or at least busy in a different way, and have more thoughts I’d like to discuss with each of them. It is what it is and important to always move forward but looking back at a memory is okay, too.

Do you have someone you miss?


L – R Kenny, Guy, Ralph, Bret in 1966

Angelo, Me dancing 1982 at the Elks

art, childhood, family, genealogy, general, Memoir, Poetry, reflection

Day 2 Po Mo Challenge Describe a childhood memory

Arlene


Brother Bob & Me

Childhood Pictures ©arlene s bice

Dad, an amateur photographer
of curious mind to satisfy
equipment was plenty; quality
developed his own negatives

chose favorite spots
now remembered
cozy bookcase corner
backyard pale pink rosebush
front porch entry

dressed in holiday clothes
church steps next door
on ground donated by
great grandmother Rachel.

books, dreams, family, Poetry, reflection, writing prompt

Alternate poem for Na Wri Mo Po

Arlene


Photo by Gordon Williams on Unsplash

Alternate poem from Na Wri Mo Po
a poem that recounts the plot, or some portion of the plot, of a novel that you remember having liked but that you haven’t read in a long time.

Across Time and Death

In this springtime when death and rebirth
are prominent thoughts with many
I think of Jenny Cockell and her memoir:
Time and Death, remembering dreams
of an earlier life, of leaving young children
behind, without

it brings to mind my own earlier lives
lived and passed, loved and not
times throughout the ages to learn
but have I remembered the lessons
did I carry them with me or not
where, when

anthology, family, journaling, reflection, Uncategorized, women, women writers, writing, WRITING MEMOIR, writing prompt

What’s Your Story?

Arlene

Overlooking My Ancestors

You know, we all have one. It’s different from everyone else’s. When I first began to write down my story in 10 years of writing classes during the IWWG (International Women’s Writing Guild) Annual Conference, I begrudgingly let out one incident at a time. Like I was sharing a favorite candy bar as a kid. Not wanting to give away too much. Things I hadn’t talked about in years. Things that were stuffed way down inside me like I was hiding a treasure that no one else knew was there. And no one did because I never talked about those things. Hah! Once I began writing, all those stored up memories came tumbling out. Boy! Did it feel good! Like unloading a heavy sack of potatoes off my shoulders.

Has anyone informed you how satisfying it is to write your story? It’s wonderful to write about your ancestors, too. You will get to know them, especially if you have never met them. Unfortunately, there is a lot you can only surmise between the recorded facts. Their personalities will show up as you write. Information may even come to you in dreams where our loved ones sometimes place ideas and messages. Really. It is true. Trust it.

But it’s also true that you are the only one who can tell your story as you experienced it. Your thoughts, impressions, joys and sorrows remembered as only you can. It is a trip back into your past where the pains aren’t so awful as they once were, and the joys are even greater. If you don’t know how to start or where to begin…just write anything, the ABC’s even and your pen, pencil or computer will take over. It’s like opening the flood gates. Remember to write how you felt. I had trouble with that one. I’m still shy about it sometimes.

anthology, family, genealogy, general, psychic phenomena, Tarot Cards, women, women writers

Here’s the Ancestor Skinny

Arlene

We all have family stories. Some funny. Some tragic. All worthy of telling. One of my grandmothers was born with a veil leading her to be an intuitive tarot card reader. The family story came to me that one day she was reading for a client, when all of a sudden, she yelped, “go home. Go home immediately! Your house is on fire and the baby is sleeping in his crib upstairs!”

The lady rushed home to find her mother dozing in the living room chair. She raced upstairs where her 4 year old, playing with a pack of matches, accidentally set the curtains on fire. The woman doused the fire easily and checked on the baby sleeping peacefully in the crib, unaware and unharmed. My grandmother prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy.

If you don’t have exact dates or certificates, it’s okay. It helps if you have general time periods. Imaging your story is easier if you do. Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle, maybe a grandparent story? How about someone in the family that brings a smile when you think of them. If so, write it down. Enjoy yourself as you write it. Your smiling shines through your words. It’s like being entertained by a movie you are writing. And the truth is, I’m seeking submissions for this year’s Ancestor Anthology. Send me a message or go to my website contact page.

Photo thanks to petr-sidorov @unsplash

American History, Civil War, family, genealogy, reflection, women's stories, WRITING MEMOIR

Your Ancestor Story © Arlene S Bice

Arlene

Now, you’re thinking about your name and maybe thinking about where it came from. You know it is easy to find your ancestors and you know where to go to find your ancestors. Now let me guide you a bit on what you want in your story.

My father told me his people lived in New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I knew from records that my gr. grandfather Addis was born in 1842. I read about the call to arms from Pres. Lincoln and that it would make him a ripe age for enlisting in the fight to keep our country from breaking into pieces. His tombstone told me of his love for Annie. Research online told me what was going on in New Hope at the time. The newspapers, trains, canals, and local factories were alive with action and movement. It was easy to put it all together and come out with a picture of the day.

I found Addis’ army records and followed his footsteps, not using everything I found but choosing what would flush out his story. Newspapers carried the stories of the army hospitals and sometimes the shenanigans of the soldiers. Records reported weapons. Descriptions of battles are listed on-line.

After the War Between the States ended, records continued to lead me through his life, its triumphs and its trials. I came to know who he was, what he thought and how his life came to an end. Yankee in Blue published in Rumors and Other Short Stories.

photo thanks to Robert Linder @unsplash

family, genealogy, travel, women's stories

More Researching My Name ©- arlene s bice

Arlene

Photo by Ryan Searle on Unsplash
I tried possible spellings. Really, how many ways can I spell my four letter name? Byse, Bise, Bicé with an accent, Von Bicen (?) von Bisen (?) with no success.
I traveled to the UK a few times and once, after visiting Hay on Wye first, I drove through Cornwall stopping at Fowey. With Daphne du Maurier’s home in mind I pulled off the road onto the one that led down, down, down to the Channel. Whoa!!!! The road was so steep I felt like I would tumble head over heels, or trunk over engine. I spotted a street to my right that was kind of level and wrenched the steering wheel to get onto it. When I reached another street, it led back up to the main road, I took it. The engine of my rental with the gear shift on the left, was grinding all the way to the top! Whew!! I made it. What was I thinking?
I pulled off the road and looked down at the beautiful town where I yearned to go. I’d read about it but couldn’t see any other way to get to it. Other people must drive that road down, but I couldn’t make myself drive it. I gazed until I had enough and drove further west to Truro and Redruth when I decided I had enough and backtracked. I really should have found a place nearby to stay but didn’t. Oh regrets. This was Bice country and there were many connections to follow that I was unaware of. It was still early internet days. At least I was here and at least I discovered where my Bice family came from.
Finally when the internet came into everyday homes and Bingo! I sent out the plea and received a whole bevy of replies from Cornwall, England. “C’mon over! We have a history of Bices and tons of Bices still living here!” said the emails. I didn’t get back. As usual in my life, I seem to live it in reverse. Yet I found my heritage! Thanks to the internet, I learned that we (Bice folk) in our country, fought in the Revolutionary War. . .against England, that is so American.

family

Ten Things of Thankful-Fathers

Arlene

Father
Stepfather
  1. I’m thankful to have had two wonderful fathers. Albert Bice who shared his genes with me, the ones that loved books, learning, and creativity.
  2. The same father who believed in honor, duty, and who planted the seed of family roots. He gave me the basics and the desire to learn who they were, then left me to it.
  3. Thankfully, my stepfather was a wonderful man who accepted responsibilities, received the love of my mother and gained a family.
  4. The same stepfather who improved our daily lives and walked me down the aisle on the big day.
  5. Thankfully, my son Bret became a super Dad to two wonderful daughters who turned him into a grandfather.
  6. Thankfully, my son Ralph became a loving father to a wonderful daughter. He waited a long time for the privilege.
  7. To their father who did the best he could with what he had to work with.
  8. Thanks to my grandfathers who I only came to know through genealogy.
  9. Thanks to my great grandfathers who impress me deeply with their lives lived. They fought in the Civil War and survived.
  10. To all my grandfathers who came before,  two who fought for our country in the American Revolution; even earlier; one who came on the Mayflower; one who came from Cornwall, England.
books, family, Poetry, reflection

Ten Things i am Thankful For

Arlene
Lit Bookcase

  Ten Things i am Thankful For  ~ arlene s bice

  1. words, especially printed, so we can communicate

  express our love, show we care

  • family, be it blood related or not, who share affection

stay connected, are close to my heart

  • books, to carry me around the world and home again

feeding me an eduation, new ideas

  • food, to break bread together with friends, raise a glass

exchange ideas and thoughts

  • wine, to complement a fine feast of abundance for all

to toast, congratulate, and commiserate

  • love, it wraps around me, keeps me warm when i am cold

in touch when i am alone, never lonely

  • music, it lifts me when down, settles me when wired

brings great memories, creates new ones

  • trees, filtering the air, shade from too much sunshine

protection from the elements in the rain

  • flowers, filling the air in lovely scent & visual beauty

creating smiles for all who notic

* memories, to know i have lived, loved, lost, found

take me away yet keep me grounded.