J.A. Hall: My Mother's Poetry "Snow Scenes"

 

My mother, Clare Oxley, was born in Standerton, South Africa. She and her brother, Michael, lived on her maternal grandfather's plantation. On the plantation they grew beautiful flowers which would be cut and sold to people in the cities. When mother was four years old, she started her formal education. Mother was sent to Saint Ursula’s boarding school in England.  It was at Saint Ursula's that mother wrote her poem booklet. 

When mother finished her formal education at Saint Ursula’s School, she enrolled at the Victoria School of Nursing. Mother's nursing duties sent her to the 7505th United States Air Force Hospital, which was located at the Royal Air Force Station, Burderop Park, Wroughton. My father was stationed at this USAF Hospital and when he saw my mother for the first time, he knew she was the one. They married and have three children. 

From Athens County, Ohio, USA, J.A. Hall is an award-winning children's literature author. She earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Ohio University in 2013. A retiree of Ohio University, Hall spends her time as the proprietor of Little Meadow Farm, an animal sanctuary, where all types of animals find their forever home. She is a member of the ASPCA as well as an active supporter of animal charities. Follow Hall on Facebook @ Little Meadow Farm.

Milliron Monday: The Journals January - March 1972

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

Jody’s Journals

January - March 1972

JANUARY

·        Played hearts

·        Bakers, dinner, C. Fry babysat

·        Took pups down to clinic, had 3^rd DHL shots

·        Fritz > removed shoes, trimmed feet, Preak, Silver; trimmed Shah, Maverick, Apple

·        Hurt left leg/sheep

·        Mended coats

·        5 am, left for Citroen dealer > Bill drove Pete’s car

·        Stopped at Gary, Aggie’s, saw Jessie, went snowmobiling

·        Got new station wagon!

·        Pat, left eye hurt playing basketball

·        Picked up Pat’s iguana at Foster’s

·        took load of corn to be ground

·        Marvin L. here overnight

·        Well swabbed

·        Very cold – below zero

·        Rode Cricket, checked horses on Phillips place, saw 7 deer

·        Janet’s birthday

·        Dinner, Burr Oak, Warmke’s > Jan babysat

·        Christie Lash ill, I worked in office

·        Picked up Pat, went to Buckeye Mart > brought Sailor from Jim Sickles for Pat > stopped to see Laird Gassan

·        I rode Shah, Pete rode Silver, Preak took Pat through the barn door, nailed up barn door

·        Wes Keirns family here for dinner

FEBRUARY

·        Snow, no school > Paul Brown here overnight, Pat at Tim’s

·        Snow, no church at McDougal, went to Good Shepherd

·        Pete took Missy from Logan to Pomeroy

·        Rode Preak, beautiful snow storm thru Browns, up Dutch Creek, back thru Phillips place > Went to play, Jean Brodie, J. Crall babysat

·        Fritz’s birthday

·        ½ beef to Warmkes

·        Sunday McDougal Church > wormed sheep, trimmed feet, Jerry Hartley helped

·        Going away party for Rome Warmke; Jan babysat

·        Susie’s birthday

MARCH

·        Pete, Vet meeting > Charleston, drove all night to Washington; Jan Crall babysat

·        Vet meeting > saw Belgians > drove home in snow > arrived 4 am

·        To Hartley's for dinner, pizza, movie > Bigfoot, Wilderness Journey

·        Penned up Tinker, Bill, 2 lambs, 2 bucks on pond pasture

·        McDonald’s picked up Little Puppy

·        Put 2 wethers [castrated male sheep] down in hospital

·        Rode Shah Raub over to Nancy Wildermuth’s

·        Katrina Izor, 3 years old

·        Congregational Church > Marietta dinner, Lyle, Burt, Hank, Mary > Broughton’s Farm, picked up trailer > birthday dinner for Bob Matthews at Windy Hills

·        Returned trailer to Blickles, truck stuck

·        Went to Marietta, dog school instruction, to watch Don C, took Jessica

·        Attended PTO meeting

·        PTO Carnival

·        Went to Mansfield > picked up Jessie, 88^th birthday 

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

This Week @ Monday Creek: Hocking Hills Book Fair

 

Come for the books, stay for the community, and leave with inspiration. 

On Saturday, October 19th, immerse yourself in the literary wonderland of the Hocking Hills Book Fair!

Brought to you by Monday Creek Publishing, this enchanting event unfolds within the storied walls of the LoganTheater and Community Center on Main Street, Logan.

Prepare to be dazzled by over 30+ authors from around Ohio, each offering their unique tales and treasures on the third floor of this historic venue. Whether you're a dedicated bookworm or a casual reader, this event welcomes everyone with open arms.

⏰ Event Hours: 11 AM - 3 PM 🎤 Author Readings: Main Stage, throughout the day.

But wait, there's more! Do you have a hidden poet or storyteller within you? We invite you to share your work with an eager audience. Bring a poem or an excerpt from your writings and seize the chance to captivate listeners. No need to pre-register just sign up on the day of the event.

In preparation, I wandered Logan’s charming Main Street, seeking support from local businesses to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for our visiting authors and attendees. Here’s a peek into my journey:

🚶‍♂️ First stop, the Hocking Hills Welcome Center. The folks here, ever so friendly and knowledgeable about all things Hocking Hills, were thrilled to display our Book Fair flyers. Their unwavering support is truly appreciated!

✏️ Next up, a quick visit to the quirky Pencil Sharpener Museum—a gem just across from the Welcome Center. Look out for a future blog post featuring this unique spot!

🛍️ Over to Logan Antique Mall, where the generous manager gifted us a “grab bag” of delightful items for an author giveaway/door prize.

As I explored uptown, my mission continued—finding perfect lunch spots and discounts for our authors. Main Street restaurants welcomed us with open arms. A big shoutout to Maya Burrito for the 20% off coupon for every author and to Savings Hardware for donating quality items for our giveaways!

✨ Special thanks to all businesses that contributed to our welcome package! Your kindness is deeply appreciated, and we promise to “pay it forward.”

During my uptown stroll, I also visited the Columbus Washboard Co., a charming store that boasts a variety of washboards, Hocking Hills souvenirs, candles, and more. They even offer ice cream and luncheon specialties —perfect for a mid-event treat!

We can't wait to see you at the Hocking Hills Book Fair on Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Logan Theater and Community Center.

🎁 Book Fair Patrons: Receive a FREE 2025 Calendar and Creative Journal/Scrapbook Pack to ignite your creativity. Special thanks to CPC Ink, Marietta, Ohio, for providing top-notch supplies. Grab your Calendar and Creative Pack while supplies last!

See you there! 📖✨

The Columbus Washboard Co., 4 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio

The Columbus Washboard Co., 4 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio

The Columbus Washboard Co., 4 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio

J.A. Hall: My Mother's Poetry "Bedtime"

 

My mother, Clare Oxley, was born in Standerton, South Africa. She and her brother, Michael, lived on her maternal grandfather's plantation. On the plantation they grew beautiful flowers which would be cut and sold to people in the cities. When mother was four years old, she started her formal education. Mother was sent to Saint Ursula’s boarding school in England.  It was at Saint Ursula's that mother wrote her poem booklet. 

When mother finished her formal education at Saint Ursula’s School, she enrolled at the Victoria School of Nursing. Mother's nursing duties sent her to the 7505th United States Air Force Hospital, which was located at the Royal Air Force Station, Burderop Park, Wroughton. My father was stationed at this USAF Hospital and when he saw my mother for the first time, he knew she was the one. They married and had three children.

 

From Athens County, Ohio, USA, J.A. Hall is an award-winning children's literature author. She earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Ohio University in 2013. A retiree of Ohio University, Hall spends her time as the proprietor of Little Meadow Farm, an animal sanctuary, where all types of animals find their forever home. She is a member of the ASPCA as well as an active supporter of animal charities. Follow Hall on Facebook @ Little Meadow Farm.

Milliron Monday: The Journals October - December 1971

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

Jody’s Journals

October - December 1971

OCTOBER

·        Gary Franklin’s birthday

·        Pete, Bob, left for Pennsylvania for three days

·        Pat, went on calls with Pete

·        4-H party Gold Seal Club

·        Rode Preak, J rode Shah

·        Sore right shoulder, neck

·        3 colts, Coggin’s test

·        Cut Pete’s hair

·        Rode Preak, men on motorcycle trail, saw 2 deer, 2 fawns, grouse in the hay meadow: beautiful bright day

·        J and I picked apples, baked apple pie

·        4-H Achievement Night

·        JoAnne Hanson’s birthday

·        Fritz tightened up Preak’s shoes, trimmed Maverick, Apple, 3 colts

·        Libby 4 am to room > 7 pups; began labor 10 pm Wed night

·        Leave for Ironton ride, 2 days, beautiful trails! 4^th place, arrived home 2:30 am

·        Sunday, McDougal Church

·        Herded cows, 31 in Phillip’s corral, 4 in barn corral

·        John Hanson’s birthday

·        Talked with Hazel, Humane Society

·        Got corn mixed, ran errands, groceries

·        Took J to Logan, J stayed with Doris Churchill’s campers

·        4-H Trail Clinic, rain all weekend

·        Went to see “Dracula,” Hartley’s over, to Booth’s afterward

·        Irene Vanscoy here; Rotary Club demonstration

·        Mom, Dad’s 42^nd Wedding Anniversary

·        ATC, took rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, Pooh

·        Led, brushed colts

·        J, P > McDougal Halloween Party

·        J > Holly Booth’s Halloween Party

·        Worked colts, led from Preak and Shah, also on foot

NOVEMBER

·        VOTE!

·        Take race colts to Columbus

·        Standardbred sale

·        Sunday McDougal Church

·        Worm 3 SB mares, 2 fillies; Alice, Marie, Twila pregnant; got steer from Silva’s

·        Watched movie, “North Country”

·        Melody gone overnight

·        Melody returned, stroke?

·        Took 1 steer to stock sale, 1 to Warmke’s

·        Melody died, buried left of bell post on edge of yard

·        Holiday House, Athens

·        Had corn shelled

·        Picked up Holly Booth

·        Holly rode Shah, spent an hour “deburring” Cricket’s forelock and mane; rode in very cold rain

·        Nancy Klinkerman’s birthday

·        Sunday Church of the Good Shepherd

·        Worm horses, steakhouse lunch, Booth’s

·        Thanksgiving – roast goose, backed pumpkin pies, played Monopoly

·        Gary, Aggie, family here for dinner

·        Sunday Church, Episcopal, Pete, me, Gary, Aggie

·        Drove around farm border looking for deer hunters

·        D. Hensley here to look at pups

·        Walked up to cliff pasture – saw deer

·        Drove around roads 2 times looking for hunters

·        ATC graduation

DECEMBER

·        Saw 2 deer hunters (by truck)

·        To Chicago, 4-day meeting; Art Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Pete new suit – Morris Men’s Store

·        Denver here all day

·        Took clothes to Salvation Army box

·        Sunday Episcopal Church

·        Rode Cricket, J rode Shah, checked horses at Phillips, saw 3 deer

·        Apple, feet trim

·        Pat stayed at Hanson’s; Jessica slumber party – Holly Booth, Angela Hanson, Brenda Russell, Paula Brown, Ann McLaughlin

·        Took Paula, Holly home

·        To Mansfield, lunch with Gary and Aggie, Christmas shopping at Mansfield Mall, met Pete at Columbus Airport

·        In bed with bad cold

·        Note to write Sohio for Colorado trip routing, maps, etc.

·        Worm horses next February, rabies, pregnancy check

Of Note:

·        Books lent/borrowed 1971, returned: Jerry Hartley, “Bobcat”; J.D. “Leg at Each Corner”; Fritz “Trotter and Pacer Manual”; Jan Worthington “Fitzgerald”

 

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.