My Arkansas (and Life) Journey Begins
Winter cold, freezing temperatures, snow falling, my adventures in Arkansas get off to a rousing start in February 1947.
Newspaper headlines read: “Another Great Cotner Is Born”.
Actually, I admit I can’t recall what the weather was like when I was born but I remember Dad telling me that’s the way it was. And, of course, that really wasn’t the headlines screaming across any of the pages of the Booneville Democrat in 1947.
It was more like a small notice in the ‘Birth Announcement’ section tucked away under advertisements for a gallon of gas for 15 cents, a loaf of bread for 13 cents, and the Post Office reminder that a stamp was still 3 cents. The announcement was not important enough for the front page but was buried behind the printed words extolling the virtues, prices and whereabouts of chicken feed, fishing bait, shotgun shells, a good hunting dog, and ladies’ unmentionables. Yes, behind all that resided the little gem concerning me that probably read something like this:
Artie ‘Jack’ Cotner and his wife, Audrey, are pleased to announce the arrival of their son, Jack…”
No screaming headlines and probably with good reason. However, I’m sure the event was at least that important to me; after all, I was screaming when I arrived–or so they tell me.
And, thus, began my life in Arkansas and my journey as part of the Cotner family.
Hello, Jack. It seems we share the same birth year. I came in kicking in April, whereas you beat me to it by arriving in February. It’s good to meet you. In Britain the winter was also very severe that year – so I’m told. It’s also interesting that you write about Celts. I write about Anglo Saxons and Vikings. Hope it’s all going well for you.
Hello, milliethom. A pleasure to meet you. I became interested in Celts during research on my ancestry and haven’t stopped. Such an interesting subject. Life is good here, hope it is the same for you in Britain. Happy writing!
Hello!
Hello, Tokoni. Thank you reading my blog and posting. Hope you will drop by often.
Nice to meet you, Jack. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Blessings!
Hello, jjspina. “Broose the Moose on the Loose!’ looks like a winner. Appreciate you stopping in and posting your comment. Best to you. -Jack
I began my journey in 1949 June. Thanks visit my blog. Blogging has become one of the most delightful parts of my journey.
I enjoy your blog, Carl. June 1949 is the time my next younger brother was born. Thank you for stopping by and posting.
June – me on 18th, daughter 8th, grandson 5th
That’s a lot of June birthday candles, Carl! My brother’s birthday is June 24th.
I don’t get to say this very often but I am VERY happy to announce that I am a tiny bit younger than you. 😀 About 4 years.
Ah, you youngsters! Always making fun of us old folks! 🙂 I would wait for you to catch up, Priceless Joy, but don’t think I can make that happen (without negative consequences to my being, that is). Thanks for visiting my site and for the post. Stay young!
Thanks and you too!
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Just to let you know that I’ve nominated you for The Creative Blogger Award. I would be delighted if you accept, but if you are unable to do so, that’s OK. The rules are on my post :
https://milliethom.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/creative-blogger-award-x-2/
Ah, you’ve all made my day. I’m usually ten years older than most of the bloggers I come across. So, I’m happy to say I’m even a few years younger than Priceless Joy. I’d jump up and down cheering, only my sciatica is playing up and the old knees would object, lol. Actually, Jack, by your profile pic I would have thought you were ten years younger, It must be the way you wear your cap. 🙂
Yes, Jean, the cap makes ALL the difference! 🙂 Happy to have made your day! You made me laugh with that post. Thank you!
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Thanks for the like on my review of Harlan Coben’s The Stranger. What an interesting site you have here. Nice to meet you.
Hello, Karina. I enjoyed your review and site. Thank you so much for the visit and the comment.
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Love your stories! Just read “Who’s He Talking To” and laughed out loud! Took me back to attending church with my grandparents. in Smackover, Arkansas. Grandmother would elbow my grandfather, Arch, when he’d dose off. The preacher once said, “Arch, it hurts my feelings when you sleep during my sermons.” My grandfather said, “Oh preacher, it just proves that I trust you.”
Thanks, Jim. Love your grandfather’s reply to the preacher. Priceless.
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Thank you so much for this award nomination, milliethom. Greatly appreciated!
Thanks for liking my notes on M.C. Tuggle’s On Superheroes blog. Being from Denmark, of course, I know of vikings and such…which, in fact, I have studied; however, I’m more of a contemporary writer and artist…although based on fairytales 🙂
Wonderful, Elizabeth!
Don’t say you are an Aquarian too. I am, 7th Feb. No screaming headlines. 😊🍰 Maybe a cake instead. Oh, my announcement was in “Göteborgs-Posten ” . Wrap your tongue around that. 😉
Miriam
Thank you for visiting my blog and liking “Mushroom Hunting with my Niece”. I am looking forward to exploring your blog more thoroughly. I enjoy history and find the celts to be fascinating.
You are welcome! I enjoyed it and hope to read more. Thank you for the ‘like’, Bethany and pleased to find we both share an interest in the Celtic cultures.
We were born in the same year and I remember those 3-cent stamps. And penny postcards.
Good times, Ellen. Thank you for visiting and posting. Cheers!
Jack, I came across your pages today. My father, Dick Weltzin, was a pilot on the Dee Feater. The second crew, not with your Dad. I met McCloud several times when he was passing through town and visited my father.
Rick Weltzin
Thank you for posting Rick. I met McCloud and many other members of their bomber group at their 50th (I think) reunion in San Antonio with my dad before he passed. (sorry can’t recall the year) but they were wonderful to visit with. Would your dad have been one of them there?