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An Oconee Christmas is a light-hearted look at The Night Before Christmas with a German Santa (in honor of Walhalla) pulled by eight Clemson Tigers instead of reindeer. Children 2 to 92 will love this one! Read More…
These remarks were read by Rick Coogler and echoed his thoughts as well as those of his brothers, William W. Coogler III, and Tony Coogler:
“Our Dad was a loving, intelligent, simple, complicated, respectful, efficient, and humble man.
He had high expectations for himself and those around him and to tell the truth, as his son, that made life a little tough at times. He taught us by example, to accept all people. Read More→
The following remarks were from the Celebration Of Life we had for Bill, February 8, 2011:
Bill Coogler was tenderly tough: he gave me ‘Month a versary flowers the 26th’ of every month. He loved all 6 grandchildren, five children,their spouses, and delighted in their accomplishments. We danced to shag tunes in the kitchen, den, dance club, cruises, and parties. We enjoyed road-trips that looped the country from Florida to Arizona and cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. We danced on cruise ships in Bermuda and Nova Scotia. We relished quiet times away from the clatter of remodeling in Greenville’s West End. Our favorite trips were to Sapphire Valley, Edisto Beach, New Orleans, Clinton, and Winston-Salem. Bill was an avid supporter of Clemson Athletics and his favorites were football and baseball.
Bill said in April 2010 at Edisto Island after waking up: “I’m dying and I saw myself in Heaven in a white robe.” In ICU at Oconee Hospital he said the arms of the “Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are around me.” Also he said “the prayers of many have kept me alive”.
The following scriptures were read by my pastor, Rev. Jeremy Garrett: Psalm 27:13-14; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 21:22-23. The Holy Spirit gave me the following scripture in the emergency room at Self Memorial Hospital when I was having trouble whispering to Bill that I would be alright and he could go to Jesus, he died two hours later.
Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12-14.
He finished the race and kept the faith.
My Camelot is a tiny island nestled south of the “Holy City” of Charleston, SC. Edisto Island whispers Gullah legends in her shifting sands. Ambling along the surf’s edge, my husband and I listened in wonder at the mysterious sounds of dolphin chatter. A shrimp trawler glides homeward, silhouetted in the amber-orange hues of a coastal sunset. Read More→
There are events in our lives that hit with such impact that we can almost feel the shock and awe every time we think about it. My mother left our home to be admitted into a mental hospital when I was but eIeven years old and later died when I was fifteen. I was about to experience another defining moment that would change the winding path that my life has taken. Read More→
I was born a city girl and knew nothing of farms, gardens, and animals except from television and books. I had two dogs while growing up, but after childhood never really cared about the animal kingdom. I had no idea I was marrying a man who had such a heart for animals and people in trouble. Read More→
Blacksnake Rd. Easley, SC, 1982—Just remember–I really am not making these stories up. They happened, ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’
There were lots of good parts to being a stay at home mom, but the downside was that money was scarce. Steak wasn’t on the menu when Max(ine) was around. That summer of ’82 we were growing Leonard the Goat. The rest of the provisions would be field peas and cornbread, field peas and cornbread and…..Steve provided for us well throughout his career as Ma Duke’s child, but sometimes the money almost ran out before the month did. Our 15 acres of land included a Russian boar, goats, steak on the hoof[1], chickens, and a garden. Our land was our grocery store. Read More→
Note: For those of you who are 40 or younger, and those of you who may not understand some of my Southern colloquialisms, footnotes will be located where footnotes are always located if you took my English class in elementary school, just sayin’.
I do chase a lot of rabbits in these stories. They are necessary for the telling of the story, stay with me here!
Dateline—Hot as a firecracker August, 1980 on Blacksnake Rd. Easley SC—aka Coon’s Creek (the nickname for our 15 acre farm, complete with cow pond and a snaky creek. Read More→
My next writings will be in honor and memory of a brown-eyed handsome man, Steve Massey, my first husband and co-author of our two children. I want to introduce you to Steve, first in a serious way, then go to the funny stories from our young years on the farm, the triumph of his salvation, a message from God, and his long illness leading up to his death date of, January 31, 1996. He was dedicated to God, country, his family, and a host of friends, two footed and four footed! Read More→
Great Aunt Ann and Fightin' Lucy
God’s Showstoppers
My sister’s family has three of God’s showstoppers. The first one is a little girl, with red hair and heart shaped lips. This three year old had an armada of praying people remembering her and her parents each night for eight months. The miracle of a child came after the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages. For many years, my nephew, Norian, and his wife, Caroline, hoped and prayed for a baby. As a family, we, along with many friends hoped and prayed with them. Prayer has the power to change things and for this young couple, the change has been positive. For the first time, I became a great aunt. As I held this little bundle I felt the shock and awe of a smooth skinned miracle. Evva Katherine Hanes Fordham is a showstopper. Read More→
Just a few yuk, yuks to help your day!
I wasn’t the following man’s schoolteacher! We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a ‘large’ enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, “Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.” I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, “No, it’s not. Four is larger than two.” We haven’t used Sears repair since. Read More→