Sharon Patrick:  

My profile and photos are holding stations since most of my writings and photos were stolen. (saf) (Some posts here missing?) MEMORIES: specifically at ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE and SALYERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL - (Life - Happiest: Son, David Michael Allen, 1978; Daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Firebaugh, 1983, and in ways with each marriage to my two counterparts!) (Saddest: Karon's death to cancer on May 16, 2003. The yearly birthdays are so empty without her. Too, Sheron's death of an apparent heart attack on 12/02/94 has been really difficult for me.) Karon was my twin-sister, and you'll remember Sheron as Sheron Elaine Combs, my room-mate at Alice Lloyd; she married my brother, Roy. We buried her at Isom, near Whitesburg in Letcher County, by her mother, dad, and family. We flew in from Texas for her funeral, and that was an unforgettable day, such a lonely, slow drive on Route 7. Sky was gray and dreary, slight, chilly breeze. We had driven it so many times together, taking those curves far too fast while telling funny stories about A.L.C., Caney and the good 'ol days! Grace is gone now, don't know what happened to Nancy. But, we all entered ALICE LLOYD together on a cold, snowy, January day, 1963, wearing our white shoes, white nylons, long black coats. GOTHS! Crusty, crunchy ice still underneath, while trudging that hillside. But, on that day, it was especially nasty with blustery, wet, large snowflakes, blowing right into our faces, hair. Gladys Whitaker had taken me over to interview. Tommy Whitaker loaned me the $20.00 entry fee that he said he borrowed from McKinley Whitaker at his store. I could sew, had made my own uniforms, and also made them for Patty Salyers from Oakley. ( I repaid Tom later, but always thought it really was part of a gambling win! ) We all had so much fun together in Magoffin, on Puncheon Creek and also at Alice Lloyd in Knott County, but eventually just had to grow up! The favor from Tommy was passed on when I helped one nephew, Floyd Keith, Sheron's son, in giving him a little extra in preparing for his entry into U.K. It pays to be kind. Great-aunt Sally Shepherd, wife to my Grandma Lizzie's brother, Willie, always made sure that we girls had proper lunch money when staying over with Brenda in high school. If we did not have any, or not what she thought was sufficient, she would go over to a corner shelf, dip into a little glass dish which held coins. She just wouldn't take our word for it, made us show proof! How many times have I remembered that while teaching school. I never once refused students if they needed a dollar, quarter, or whatever, and the memory always warms my heart, even now. Sheron and I lived in Community House when we snared Ms. Bliss's tabby cat on a rainy Saturday night. We had to stay over for the weekend with a group of girls - think Rhoda Hale was one, and help Versie clean the boys' dorms. We'd been outside and the "French Lady" told us her cat was lost, and she would give us $1.00, maybe $5.00, if we found it. We had no more gotten back and settled, when that cat crawled up into our room through a large open seam, surrounding the chimney! So, we pulled it on out, then went through the drizzles in the dark, up to that little plank shack, and MIZ BLIZ balked a little about paying us. But, we insisted; so she did, and Mr. Pratt, the 'experienced' nightwatchman, got our cigs for us. (They were $.25 cents a pack, then, and $.28 when I stopped smoking in early, 1971.) Did we ever have a good SMOKEOUT that weekend! Never knew if Dr. Godfrey were on that other side of the door, or not! Anyway, it's not been the same; we were so close, having had to get up early, around 5, leaving the dorm sometimes with our hair in rollers, putting on hair nets and then beginning to make breakfast. She was in charge of the biscuits! Sheron always smoked long unfiltered cigarettes, Pall Malls, probably. One would dangle from her lips as she talked, mixing that flour! Bobby, the second night watchman would come in; she'd have him a special tray made, with her still smoking, but he would act as if he saw nothing! (She knew nobody would be up that early to catch her.) Miss June, our ALC president, would have her stay in on special weekends to make the dinner rolls; she didn't seem to mind too much. I would make 21 bowls of gravy, the odd for Miss June's table. I don't think she came to breakfast, ever, but Gene Combs and Alan Mosely sat at her table, possibly at each end. They both were really nice, friendly, and I enjoyed them. Gene and I went to that little Baptist Church, often walking down together. Dr. Bell did not preach there; he was a pastor in Hindman, but taught the Bible Literature courses at the college. He was a fine minister and teacher - liked his gentle tone, clear, educational presentations. Anyway, I never ate gravy for 10 years after I left. (Still, pretty good at making it, though!) Joan Martin fried the bacon and Glenda Carroll put out the fruit cocktail and cereal. We would have to pair off and take turns, returning in the afternoon to wash the dish towels, in that old wringer washer, and hang them on the wooden folding racks to dry. I always thought that was unfair; we had already put in a day's work while everyone else was sleeping. The following summer, she and I (Patrick and Sherlock) graduated to helping monitor the "boys" on evening dishes. That's where I met Terry Allen! Mr. Hayes with his familiar smile, even when chastising us, disapproved our talking on the steps. What would he have said, had he known that Terry came to my room in Service Wing the following Spring when I was sick? Some thought I had gotten food poisoning from metal shavings that possibly had fallen into the opened, canned peaches. But, Mr. Pratt, the security guard knew, had seen him but hadn't told, I guess. He told us at the my spring graduation, 1965. Terry stayed for another year, but I don't want to remember those stories! Came to E.K.U., also, after he graduated, 1966. We married at Clintwood in January, 1967. David Firebaugh and I also married there in 1982, simple, quick 'n easy! David wanted Las Vegas, but I told him that I knew a place much closer and certainly less expensive! Miss June, the President, approved of me for certain sometimes, even called me in once and gave me a nice compliment. We had had visitors from New York, and they noticed me for some reason. Thought I had handled myself in a superior fashion! Mr. Grender always said that I looked like a neighbor girl from back home in Minnesota. In choir, he'd stop and say, "Somebody is singing off key." Then, I'd fake the words, but not let a sound escape! Just stood closer to the lead and listened closely! Paid off, though - the VOICES OF APPALACHIA was invited to the World's Fair, held in New York - where I again got sick, dipping into the rich mid-eastern sauces. Couldn't find a hamburger! But, later when I did, no lettuce, onion, nor tomato to go on it! Didn't eat that way in New York City! Dry, for certain, just bread and meat, possibly mustard or ketchup. Now, some may call me eccentric, an individualist, others an existentialist. All I know is that I love music, poetry, science, and feel entwined with NATURE, the whole universe, with each being encompassed and created by the greatest Artist of all. A favorite song, led by Ms. June in CUSHING HALL, was THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD. It, and IN THE GARDEN, that I first heard at the little mission church, played by Mrs. Byron (Jewel) Smith, have always been an intricate part of me because they reflect such beauty of the outdoors. Each always embraces my inner spirit with a comforting PEACE, tenderness and quietness of the moment. I'm not musical, but I feel music and often express myself through meter in writing. Our local artist, and my first best Puncheon friend, Tom J. Whitaker said, "Sharon, you should take an art class with me sometime." I answered, "You know, Tom, I'm already an artist." "I paint with words and tell stories!" He's very observant and once when we were looking at the overgrowth of these hills, I said, "You know, regardless of how well we think we do, Nature always reclaims its own." He liked that, said he was going to put it in the book that he and Betty Williams wrote, and he did! Mr. Hughes and Ms. Kerr were often really good to the ALICE LLOYD students. He gave me a Bible which I still have. Sheron (Her mother, Mae spelled it as it sounded.) did not return for summer school in 1964. Ms. Kerr, Mary Lindsay, I think, and I went and got her. Too, Ms. Suzannie, the dining supervisor, enjoyed everyone and saw that the student helpers, especially, had a little extra food for the dorm when possible. Once, she also gave me almost a pint of green food coloring to put on my hair for ST. PATRICK'S. It rained that day and I had green drips coming down from all over, falling on my white, starched, uniform; the black umbrella couldn't shield me! My shiny black hair had a greenish hue for months and months! She made Terry and me a SWEETHEART quilt when we married. Sheron and I visited her years later. She hadn't changed, so sweet, kind, beautiful face, clear voice, laughter, pretty flowers, with such a polished, clean, tidy house and well-kempt, attractive porch and yard. Yes, it's always good to remember Caney and ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE, but, believe it, or not, there was a prerequisite, SALYERSVILLE HIGH! And, it's super still to meet in person, especially when we recognize each other! But, second best, is to see familiar names on here, specifically from years, 1958 - 1962. Seems good that we still can keep contact, even virtual if mandated - regardless, of the lengthy past, geographics, time, separation that has taken place over the many years. Strange now how easily assorted memories are returned, good ones. Yet...Expand for more