She's My Texarkana Baby

 Are you a Texarkana Baby?

The song Texarkana Baby was recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1949. It was one of the first 45 RPM records issued by RCA. We don’t hear it as often now as we did in the fifties.

I can’t say I’m a ‘genuine’ Texarkana Baby because “My pappy came from Arkansas and my maw from Louisiana.” But, I am a real “Texarkana Arkansas” native! Born and bred here!

When Odis and I dated in 1958, he teased me that I was his ‘Texarkana Baby.’ He said I was his precious thing that had him “twisted round his finger like a little piece of string.” But I gave him “lots of sugar!”

I don't know about the next line in the song: “If she hauled off and slapped me, I would never feel the sting cause she’s my Texarkana baby.” I never tried it. Lol! I never asked him if the diamond ring he was going to offer me was “with one installment pay.”

In the 50s, our little world comprised the four-state area, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Today, we are such a mobile society. It’s easy to go to the Texarkana Regional Airport and hop a plane to Dallas. Then the world is within our reach.

Texarkana is unique in so many ways. We are a city with two city governments in two different states, but share a water department and a post office. We are the only city with a border city exemption from state income tax for Arkansas residents.

You can stand in one place and have one foot in Texas and one in Arkansas. It’s the only small town that was featured in the new Elvis movie. It has been the subject of Smokey and the Bandit, and The Town That Dreaded Sundown. Texarkana has been mentioned on numerous television shows.

Jet airplanes and the internet have opened up new horizons and some Texarkana natives cannot wait to leave and find their dreams elsewhere.

For those of us who stay or moved here and love it, Texarkana really is “Twice As Nice.”

***Check out my books on Amazon. 

On Loan From God For Twenty-Four Hours, 

My Love Story In A Nutshell (Revised) and 

Growing Up In The Fifties.

P.S. On October 15th, 2023 my 1960 Arkansas High School Class held our 60th class reunion. If you are a class member and didn't attend, please message me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

The Thirteen Folds of the American Flag.

What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began in 1868. It is a day of solemn remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces from the Civil War until now.

Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day, marked the end of World War I.. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is regarded as the end of the "war to end all wars." 

November 11 continues to be observed regardless of the day it falls and is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

The flag covering the casket of a veteran is folded at the graveside, and has a special meaning with each fold. I love that it has 13 folds.

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold honors and remembers veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives to defend their country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn to in times of peace and war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’

The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. They pledge allegiance to the USA, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all..

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and flag against all her enemies, whether foreign or domestic. 

The 8th fold is a tribute to the ones who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that molded the character of the men and women who made this country great.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for our country’s defense.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews’ eyes the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian’s eyes.

With the completion of the 13th fold, the stars are uppermost, reminding the soldier of the Nations’ motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. It is a symbol of ‘Liberty and Freedom.’

Remember our Veterans

Brothers

 O Brother, Wherefore Art Thou?

Last month I wrote about sisters. Now I’m giving the brothers equal time, but I must add a little

disclaimer! This blog is my version and may be slanted to make me look good!

Brothers are special too, and I was blessed with five, three older and two younger. There were almost ten years between my older sister and me. My mom was

determined to make me a girly girl and wouldn’t let me learn certain things, like wringing a chicken's head off and milking a cow. Those skills, I didn’t learn.

With so many females in the kitchen; there was no room for me, and I never learned the true art of cooking. I loved to play outside with my younger brothers.

When I started first grade, I had a rude awakening:

The world did not revolve around me. However, when I lost my pretty brown barrette on the school ground, the principal discovered how determined I was when I would not get on the bus without my barrette. He bribed me by giving me a box of lost and found ones. 

My brothers loved having a little sister they could dote on and aggravate but gave in to anything I wanted. After being away in the Army, my dad did the same. Between the three of them and Santa, I got a tricycle, a blue pedal car, and a doll buggy with a doll on my fourth birthday and Christmas.

My brother Orace came home from his Western Union Telegram job and saw my best friend Gayle playing on my pedal car! Behaving like a teenage brother and loving to get me riled up, he said, “Sue, Gayle is on your pedal car, make her get off.”

According to the story related to me, I flew into her like a cyclone and made her get off, and she went home crying. 

They nicknamed me the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid! I’m sure the narrative was exaggerated!

In researching my autobiography, I found two letters written to Mom by my brothers who had joined the military. One said, “I’m sending you an allotment check. Buy Sue a bicycle for her birthday.” The other brother wrote, “I’m sending you an allotment check. Buy Sue what she wants for Christmas.” 

When Odis and I reconnected, I wrote him that my friend JoAnn and I didn’t smoke, drink or curse, but we were a little mean sometimes! He probably should have taken note, but he loved me.

Now you know why I’m so spoiled and have so many pairs of shoes. My dad started it, the brothers added to it, and Odis brought it full circle!

Some clips are from Growing Up In The Fifties, available on Amazon.

Sisters

 SISTERS ARE SPECIAL

My mom and dad were both only children and said they were so lonely growing up. The closest neighbors were several miles away, and they had no one to play with. I think that’s one reason they had nine children!

I was a dreamer and lived in my own little imaginary world. My two sisters were a few years older than me. I’m sure as the little sister, I was a “nuisance”!

My dad was drafted into the Army when I was just a few months old, and the family felt sorry for me not having my dad around and gave in to my every whim. When he came home from Germany, he did the same. (I'm sure I milked it. lol)

I remember moving a block away from Grim Street to Jackson Street on College Hill. Walking across the vacant lot with my two sisters, I took my life’s possessions ... a doll and a china tea set! I was only five years old, but my memory etched it vividly in my mind, and I treasure those childhood memories with them!

My older sister, Nona, played the clarinet for the Arkansas High School Band. In 1950, she and several other girlfriends in the band practiced their routine in front of our house for majorette tryouts.

I marched with them to an imaginary drummer up and down Jackson Street, and pretended to be a drum major. I used a long stick for my baton and a green cap my mother knitted for my headpiece. I took a flower from a crepe myrtle tree in the front yard for my plume. 

Those were the “good ole days” when we played outside and were creative.

When my brother-in-law was in Greenland serving with the Air Force, my sister and nephew moved to Texarkana. She had a 1949 standard shift Buick and taught me how to drive when I was 13. She would let me use her car to pick up an item she needed.

My sisters and mom were excellent seamstresses and taught me how to sew. I entered a 4-H competition in 5th grade and won first place. They showed me how to put several patterns together and create a unique design. In my next life, I want to be a fashion designer.

My sister Racine’s husband, James, worked at the Texarkana Gazette after they married and loved to tease me. I’m sure he would have many stories to tell, but I’m glad he brought Odis home for supper and introduced us.

My five brothers were special too, but that is for another blog!

*Clips are from Growing Up In The Fifties, a short story by Suzie Tyler, available on Amazon.

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Perspective in Life

 Life Is Fleeting

It’s funny how our perspective changes with age!

When I was young, the world stood still, and I thought my birthday and Christmas

would never come. At eighteen, I thought I was indestructible and would live

forever. In my thirties I thought the world was so bad, it could not possibly last

another year. By fifty, life was going by so fast, that when Christmas rolled around

it felt like we had just celebrated a few months ago.

This November, I added another birthday, but the world still stands! Turning the

big double forty was not as bad as I thought. Some friends think I will live forever

while others are surprised that I’m still here, but most thought age would have

given me wisdom and wondering “what happened.”

I do have a family legacy of longevity. Both my grandmothers lived to be ninety-

eight and never went to the doctor or took supplements or prescriptions. They did

have a family member who cooked up some moonshine in the backwoods of

Arkansas that they used as a hot toddy, and it cured everything!

One of my grandmothers was Cajun and had some strange home remedies! One

ritual was drinking four ounces of Morgan David wine (she pronounced it MO-

gan David) every day at 4 pm! We kids did not have this knowledge until we

became adults because alcohol was taboo in our family.

Synthetic chemicals have been added to some home remedies, and we purchase

them as prescriptions for millions of dollars. I am ready to find an old-fashioned

physician who prescribes natural cures for my ailments!

Oh my, did I just ask for a witch doctor or a wine doctor??

In the 1970s, we thought we would never reach the year 2000, certainly not 2023,

but here we are again about to watch the ball drop in New York City bringing in

another year!

I hope you will make new goals and dreams for 2023 and achieve all of them and

when we return in twelve months, you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise.

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New Year 2023

 New Year’s Resolutions

In the glow of the ball drop in the Big Apple, people lift their wine

glasses to toast a new year and resolve to adopt better habits in the area

of health, wealth, and discipline.

Surprisingly, statistic show that most people really do change their

behavior. It's a chance to clear the slate with a new beginning. 

How difficult is it to keep those resolutions?  It has been said that if

you repeat something for 30 days, it becomes a habit. Not sure how

true to form that statement is but most health clubs will attest to that

not being true.  The first 30 days of January, you cannot find a

machine that is idle but by February 15th, gyms are empty.

So how do you keep your resolutions for the whole year? 

I’m not the one to answer that query! I think I am the most

undisciplined human on the planet. My husband on the other hand was

the most disciplined person on earth! If a doctor told him to take a pill

at 10, 2, and 4, he did it!  He was a great advertisement for Dr Pepper!

 Sometimes I think you are born with discipline.

When we re-connected in 1973, I left a message for him to call me at 2

o’clock on a Sunday afternoon.  At precisely 2:00 pm, not a minute

before nor a minute after but straight up 2 o’clock, he called. 

It’s a miracle he stayed with me because I am always late.  I think it’s

called L O V E!

My prayer is that I will use every opportunity to make a difference this

year. I have written down my list of resolutions and checked it twice. I

hope you have compiled your personal list. I’m planning to begin early

and practice them to the letter, so I’ll be ready for the new year.

I’ll check back with you on December 31st, 2023, and I hope we both

get an A plus!

Have a great New Year and stay focused!

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Cupid and Love

 Cupid and Valentine's Day

Who does not want to be showered with romance at least one day a year on Valentine's Day?

My husband was a romantic. He carefully and thoughtfully selected each of the hundreds of

cards he sent me when we dated that carried over into our marriage.

When did the celebration of Valentine's Day begin, and why is it a holiday? Pope Gelasius

declared February 14th St. Valentine's Day at the end of the fifth century, and King Henry VIII of

England declared it a holiday in 1537.

Red roses are associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite,  considered a sign of love and

romance and the most often sent. It is estimated that 250 million roses will be used to express

love on this special day, and in 2021 consumers in the U.S. spent an estimated 2 billion dollars

on flowers and paid $165.00 per person on gifts for that special love.

Valentine cards were first used in the mid-1800s, and Hallmark estimates that 145 million cards

will be exchanged this year, plus the ones in the classroom.

So how did Cupid get in this picture with his bow and arrow? 

He is the Roman counterpart to the Greek goddess, Eros, the God of love, and his arrows have

tips made of Gold and lead. Legend says that if Cupid strikes someone with a gold arrow, they

will be filled with a desire and love for their lover, but if he strikes them with a lead arrow, they

fall out of love.

You think of February as love, and one would assume this month has the most marriage

proposals. Wrong! 

According to data, December is the most popular month to get engaged, while most weddings

occur in October (22%), followed by June and August, 13% each. 

All in all, it seems like all the hoopla about expressing love via flowers, cards, or chocolates, is

making several companies a lot of money. I would just as soon have a new pair of shoes, but

doesn't have to break the bank to send love. Be creative! Show love in a personal way, not just

because you are expected. An original hand-crafted card would be very special. So that you

know, the letters xoxo mean hugs and kisses and are free in a text message!

However you choose to show love, do it creatively, committedly, and with great devotion. 

While you are observing love on this day, don't forget our first love, Jesus, who gave his life

unconditionally so we could live eternally. 

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Struggles and Victory

 The Victory is in the Struggle

No one likes difficulties. We all would prefer a realm of Eutopia, but we live in a fallen

world and life happens!

 

We have all asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Many books have been

written on the subject, but no definitive answer is ever given. Yes, they say things like, “It’s

an opportunity to test or teach, or we grow in adversity,” but it's still difficult to grasp

when you are the one living in a moment of controversy.

 

I can say with confidence that after living for 80 years, my faith in God has brought me

through many bad times. Did I question Him? Yes, absolutely. During one conflict in my

life, I said, “God, this is not what I wanted. Do I need to come up there and tell you how to

do this because you are not getting it right!” 

 

Aren't you glad God loves us and has a sense of humor? All the time He had a plan in place

that was better than the one I had conjured up in my brain! 

 

Those times of controversy have built my faith and I’ve learned to say “God, I don’t

understand, but I’m going to trust you.” I’m sure glad I have good friends that love me and

encourage me and don’t judge me like Job’s friends did in the Old Testament!

In the New Testament, I’m sure the disciples wondered about God’s plan after Jesus died

on the cross. What looked like an utter defeat turned out to be the plan needed to save the

world. 

 

This Easter season let’s remember that we all have times of struggles. Many people walk

around and look normal while performing their daily activities, behave normally, and say

normal things but their heart is breaking inside. Your smile or kind word may be the glue

that keeps them from breaking apart!

 

Don’t judge others! People need encouragement, not discouragement. Spread cheer daily,

not doom, gloom, and despair! 

 

Enjoy this time of celebrating the season of resurrection because we are blessed with

eternal hope.

 

Happy Easter.

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Time and Changes

 Changes

 

We can get overwhelmed in a world where everything changes, and nothing

stays the same. The whirl of time is so fast you want to say: “Stop the world

and let me off.”

As we get older, the things in life lose their fascination! Your purchase pattern

changes! You don’t buy green bananas; you purchase items in the light of

need in days, not years.

If you did not grow up in a world of technology, you could feel lost, but I have

a little of Captain Kirk inside me. My curiosity and adventurousness get the

best of me, and I become bold and explore new horizons! 

I recently watched a TikTok video of a young Hindu man on the approach

needed to lead a person of Indian heritage to the Lord. Then I read this

question in a blog:

“Why don’t you try reading God’s Word through the lens of another

culture?”

This question/statement made me stop and ponder! It is something I’ve missed

for sure.

I grew up in a spiritual culture of single-mindedness; this is the only way

mentality. I had to relocate to a different area to open my eyes and see what

was important - the love of Jesus with a relationship, not a mechanical religion

of rules. Yes, we are to conduct ourselves to be reverent and dress modestly

but the styles of acceptability change from one generation to the next. For

instance, the culture of the 30s would not have accepted a one-piece swimsuit

with boy legs worn in the 60s!

We can’t lose patience with the next generation and ignore them. We are left

on earth for a purpose, as outlined in the biblical book of Titus.

As older men and women, we are to live reverently and teach the younger

generation what is good and not to bring shame to God. You know, set an

example and be a good role model.

From looking at some of the current Tic Tok videos, we have a real mission

ahead of us!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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God's Definition

 How Do You Define God?

 More importantly, how does God define you?

God looks at each of us differently. Oh, but you say, "God is no respecter of persons," God will do for all, but God looks at us individually.

The Passion Of The Christ movie by Mel Gibson gives us a small glimpse of what Jesus went through to purchase our salvation. There were many sufferings He endured, and even one of them would have sent me running to my Father, telling Him to vindicate me and to wipe them out, but Jesus’ love for me and you kept him on the Cross. It wasn't the Roman soldiers, Pilate or anyone involved in the crucifixion. His love for us held Him there.

It was unfair, unjust, undeserved, and humiliating beyond our thinking, but most of all, He had the power to stop it but chose NOT to for you and me.

I don't know about you, but it is hard for me to fathom in my little brain loving someone that much!

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me that much and more.

SISTERS ARE SPECIAL June ALT Magazine Blog

 

My mom and dad were only children growing up and said they were lonely. The closest neighbors were several miles away, and they had no one to play with. I think that’s one reason they had nine children!

I was a dreamer and lived in my own little imaginary world. My two sisters were a few years older than me. I’m sure as the little sister, I was a “nuisance”!

My dad was drafted into the Army when I was just a few months old, and the family felt sorry for me not having my dad around and gave into my every whim. When he came home from Germany, he did the same.

I remember moving a block away from Grim Street to Jackson Street on College Hill. Walking across the vacant lot with my two sisters, I took my life’s possessions ... a doll and a china tea set! I was only five years old, but my memory etched it vividly in my mind, and I treasure those childhood memories with them!

My older sister, Nona, played the clarinet for the Arkansas High School Band. In 1950, she and several other girlfriends in the band practiced their routine in front of our house for majorette tryouts.

I marched with them to an imaginary drummer up and down Jackson Street and pretended to be a drum major. I used a long stick for my baton and a green cap my mother knitted for my headpiece. I took a flower from a crepe myrtle tree in the front yard for my plume. 

    Those were the “good ole days” when we played outside and were creative.

My sister and nephew lived in Texarkana when my brother-in-law was in Greenland, serving with the Air Force. She had a 1949 standard shift Buick and taught me how to drive when I was 13. She would let me use her car to pick up her needed item.

My sisters and mom were excellent seamstresses and taught me how to sew. I entered a 4-H competition in 5^th grade and won first place. They showed me how to combine several patterns and create a unique design. In my next life, I want to be a fashion designer.

My sister Racine’s husband, James, worked at the Texarkana Gazette after they married and loved to tease me. I’m sure he would have many stories to tell, but I’m glad he brought Odis home for supper and introduced us.

My five brothers were special too, but that is for another blog!

 

*Clips are from Growing Up In The Fifties, a short story by Suzie Tyler, available on Amazon.

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The Writing of Beau Max

 As a thirty-year-old, I married my husband and inherited his three boys. The court had awarded him full custody, and I loved him enough to accept raising his three sons with my daughter! I had little knowledge of a boy's behavior and did not know what I was letting myself in for, but I was willing to take on that responsibility to have him in my life! 

While researching information for my autobiography, AGAINST ALL ODDS, We Found A Perfect Love, I interviewed several older residents in the area who knew Odis as a lad growing up in the small community of Lonsdale! 

I combined their stories with the ones I heard from his parents and created Beau Max! I based this fictional character on how I perceived Odis as a young boy growing up in a small town in the 50s, learning about life in a family that taught Christian values, and added my personal adventures of raising boys!

If you want a wholesome read with a positive message about a young lad's character, integrity, and mischievousness, consider the book collection series Beau Max, available on Amazon as an ebook and print! 

There are stories of happiness, fear, and fun times that will inspire and intrigue you.

The series is a collection of fiction short stories and gives a good positive message with clean language!  

Memorial Day (ALT Blog for May)

 What is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began in 1868. It is a day of solemn remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces from the Civil War until now.

The flag covering the casket of a veteran is folded at the graveside and has a special meaning with each fold. I love that it has 13 folds.

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold honors and remembers veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives to defend their country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn to in times of peace and war for His divine guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’
The 6th fold is for where people’s hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and flag against all her enemies, whether foreign or domestic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the ones who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that molded the character of the men and women who made this country great.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for our country’s defense.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews’ eyes the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian’s eyes.
With the completion of the 13th fold, the stars are uppermost, reminding the soldier of the Nations’ motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. It is a symbol of ‘Liberty and Freedom.’

 

Honor our Veterans