Shining Up the '56 Chevy Bob Truck



Wow! I never thought a little shining up of the bob truck would make such a difference. . .

 

AFTER

 





BEFORE (Fall 2015)

 



BEFORE (2012)



The goal was to protect what's left of the truck paint from another winter of ice and snow. . .I never dreamed it would look so good with just a day of 'elbow grease'. . .

This truck is so special to us. . .It happens that it was bought new by my Dad for this very farm back in 1956. . .It was sold to the Dilldines in 1975 when Daddy retired. . .As a child, I rode with my Dad in this truck many times. . .A LONG story of how it ended up back home. . .If you'd like to read more about it. . . CLICK HERE 

Besides the obvious link to my Dad, there is another reason the truck means so much to us. . .We left the  'DILLDINE FARMS' name on the doors in memory of our friend Tommy Dilldine. . .whose family has farmed our land since 1975. . .I'll never forget how much care and support Tommy gave us when John and I moved here in 2005. . .I'd known Tommy all my life and it was sure special to have him take such an interest in us. . .Any time we needed anything, Tommy was there. . .We'll never forget his kindness. . .and honor him in this very small way. 

 

 

Now that the cab looks so good, the truck bed needs some attention, too, doesn't it?. . .Those thick cypress boards have lasted several decades but with each winter, they deteriorate more. . .Finding cypress to replace them may be a challenge. . .We'll 'worry' about that next year. . .since Winter is almost here and we have other projects more pressing. . .Maybe in the Spring? . .Of course we'll keep you posted. . .(grin)

LIFE IS GOOD

 

 

Beginning to Look LIke FALL

 

 

 

It's FALL AT THE FARM. . .One of my favorite seasons. . .Since we are not conducting tours this year, I'm only decorating a little. . .Nothing like I've done in the past. . .We are trying to beat the Winter weather that will eventually come. . .Still have many repairs and projects to finish. . .I can't have Fall, though, without HER CROWS and MUMS. . .Decided to concentrate decorating around the OLD BOB TRUCK that sits out front. . .I found these beautiful mums at Lowes for 4.99. . .They were unloading the truck so I grabbed them. . .And of course, we have a Her Crow all dressed for Halloween. . .overseeing everything. . .Just a FUN little vignette. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFE IS GOOD. . .

 

 



DELTA QUILT SERIES: A Beginning

 

PLANTATION, Utility Quilt Top 2012 Unfinished, D Duncan

One day long ago. . .when I was probably 9 or 10 years old. . .I remember pedaling my bike to C. A.'s store and noticing quilts on a clothes line behind one of the tar-papered shotgun houses on Adams Street. 'How different,' I thought to myself. 'Odd-looking quilts out of blue jeans.'  It wasn't the first time I had seen blue jeans quilts but it was the first time I saw so MANY--all lined up like field workers on their way to chop cotton. Some had pieces of 'other old fabric' worked in. Some were patched with fabrics other than denim. The remainder were predominantly of blue jeans, joined together in what I thought was haphazard with no plan in mind.

I'd been interested in quilts since I was 3 years old, having spent many days watching Mrs. Turner as she sewed patches together. Her quilts were perfectly pieced and beautifully quilted. But there was something about the line of  'blue jean quilts'  that interested me. I tucked the sight into the back corner of my mind.  As it turned out, it would be many, many years before I'd remember them.

 

Detail of PLANTATION, D Duncan

 

Let's fast forward to about 2007--living on the farm I inherited from my Granddaddy Magers. The days were filled with renovation work, building fences, planting flower beds, making it a place to call home. Busy days--but nights and weekends were 'mine'--at least an hour or two here and there--times when I could pursue my interests--Delta history, family genealogy, and anything to do with textiles--quilts, costumes, vintage fashion. . .One day as I thumbed through a few quilt books, looking at the traditional patterns I'd come to know so well over the years, I realized I was bored--bored with seeking perfection in piecing---with the repetition of block after block of the same--the same patterns and designs. Don't get me wrong. I still loved the traditional quilts. I think at that time I had collected well over 100 of them, and I will continue to add to my collection. . .However, to read more books about pattern-based quilts or make another one myself? Nope. My very soul needed something new.

 

Detail of THE FARM, D Duncan

For a couple of years I had collected utility quilts--the haphazard ones--the work horses of a household--nothing you would bring out to show guests. The one's to spread on the ground for picnics. The one's dogs and cats slept on. The one's draped over the car so there's no dust on it for 'Sunday-go-to-meeting'. I hadn't found many, yet I was drawn to them because they WERE put into everyday use. . .make-do and obviously (to me) had a story to tell. There weren't many on the market. Neither did I find any books on the subject. Was I the only one who saw value in this humble quilt?



Detail of THE FARM, D Duncan

I dusted off the ole computer and did a little 'googling'. Didn't find much on utility quilts except for link after link to Gee's Bend posts--enough that it got my curiosity up. The very first link I clicked on went to a page where 'low and behold' there in dead center was a blue jean quilt! The memory of such quilts I had tucked in the back of my mind many, many years before was now front and center. I read on. I had to know more. I was excited about quilts again. Could we in the Northeast Arkansas Delta have a connection with the quilts of Gee's Bend, Alabama? Were these types of quilts found in other Southern states?

That was the beginning. Since that day, I have found many answers through my own research of census records, books, family stories, interviews, visits to museums, and old records. It's an on-going pursuit. From what I found--and what I remember seeing with my own eyes years ago--I can without doubt say, 'YES. . .There is a connection to the utility quilts of other Southern states.'  Little by little I'm amassing the evidence.

This is the first of many more posts reporting my findings. The 30 quilts from the Arkansas Delta that are 'kinfolks' to the utility quilts from other Southern states will also be shared. There is much, much more to the quilts than a casual glance provides--techniques--symbolism--a record of family histories--and more. These quilts are filled with the lives of their makers.

 Already inspired by the research, I have made several tops of my own that I will show you in more detail later also. They are filled with the symbolism, colors, and techniques of the Southern utility quilts but designed in my own style. You're seeing a glimpse of three such quilt tops in this post. But before I share my quilts and how I incorporated the age old techniques, I must build a foundation for you. If you are like me, you may not have heard of any of this before. This post marks the first of many more about the humble utility quilts and their association with our own Delta heritage. Hope you'll come along with me on my fascinating journey. . .

  

THE FARM, Utility Quilt Top 2013 Unfinished, D Duncan

 

 I have to say. . .I'm no longer bored. . .and. . .

 LIFE SURE IS GOOD

 

NORTH FORTY, Utility Quilt Top 2011 Unfinished, D Duncan

 

 

NORTH FORTY, Utility Quilt Detail D Duncan

 

 

An Incrediable Donation

We recently received a wonderful donation from Brent Bradberry of Moscow, ID. Years ago, he inherited Olive Bradberry Ritter's collection of family and Dell area photos that date back to the early 1900s, along with newspapers, a school yearbook,  a history book of Mississippi County and other memorabilia from our local area. I even found my own family among several of the photos.

Brent contacted me when he decided to down-size, inquiring if I'd like to have this box full of history for the Widner-Magers Farm Historic District and the community.  Of course, I said, "YES!"  True to his word, I received a giant box of treasures.  

Olive was a well-known librarian and historian in Mississippi County. She contributed many photos of Dell to the book MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, ARKANSAS: APPRECIATING THE PAST, ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE, published in 1986. I'll be sharing more about her and her collection on the Dell Arkansas Blog in the future. Presently I'm scanning and documenting everything when I have a few spare minutes and hope to get them published on the blog soon.

I wanted to personally thank Brent for his incredible donation to our local history. And, I'd like to encourage you again to remember us when you run across family or local history that you no longer want. Nothing is too trivial. We will keep any donation here at the farm for the present and future generations to see.  

It's our history. . .Please don't throw it away. . .

"Dell is an important part of my family's history and it is local historians like you who keep the past alive. Please consider (this) a small contribution to your efforts."  Brent Bradberry



 

Watch for Posts at: Dell Arkansas Blog

And don't forget us when you clean out that attic!

 

I would also like to acknowledge the Moore Family of Dell

for their very generous donation to the Duncan Farmstead.

Many, many antiques and collectables from the area 

to be displayed in the future at the C. A. Smith Store Museum.

I'll be sharing photos of a few of the items soon.

Many THANKS to the Moores!

 

LIFE IS GOOD. . .

 



What a Storm We Had. . .

The BIG BAD WOLF was certainly trying to BLOW our house down this past Tuesday. . .He howled and blew and blew and blew with WIND up to 80 mph. . . drenching RAIN and a little HAIL to boot. . ..We huddled inside. . .HOPING and PRAYING that once the storm was over, we'd still have a home. . .and barns. . .and buildings. . .

BOOM. . .BOOM. . .BOOM. . .BOOM. . .CRASH. . .There went the porch roof. . .CRASH. . .SHATTER. . .BANG. . .There went the glass in the garden shed. . .BANG. . .BANG. . .KERPLUNK. . .KERPLUNK. . .KERPLUNK. . .KERPLUNK. . .KERPLUNK. . .There went the porch rockers, tumbling over and over and over again toward the field. . .WHAT'S THAT?   IS THE HOUSE REALLY MOVING? . . .yep. . .it is. . .ARE OUR WINDOWS REALLY PUSHING INWARD WITH RAIN POURING onto our new wood floors? . . yep. . .they are. . .Hey. . .THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. . .yep. . .they did. . .

It just went on and on and on. . .I thought it would never stop. . .Once it did, I didn't want to look outside. . .I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. . .

The FRONT PORCH ROOF was gone. . .pieces of it laying in the yard and field. . .half of the rest of the porch had been lifted up and set back down. . .nails were sticking up on the PORCH FLOOR everywhere. . .some WINDOWS in the outbuildings SHATTERED. . .minor damage to the SHOTGUN HOUSES. . .with the exception of water in one of them. . .the STORE PORCH was cleared of it's display. . .as was the shotgun and house porch. . .I spent almost half a day WALKING the fields, SEARCHING for lost items, and DRAGGING them back where they belonged. . .Lost all the FRUIT off our trees. . .BUT. . .all in all, we were once again blessed. . .It could have been so much worse than it was. . .Sure. . .We have lots of repair work to do. . .a NEW ROOF for the porch is our priority. . .but it's nothing that we can't handle. . .

I've had emails from several people, concerned about the damage. . .so I thought I'd follow with photos and an update. . .The good news is that WE ARE FINE. . .the animals are fine. . .the barns are still standing. . .and SOON all WILL once again be RIGHT with our world. . .

 AND THROUGH IT ALL. . .

POOCHIE SLEPT. . .

I don't know how. . .

Reminding us that. .  .all in all. . .

 LIFE IS GOOD. . .