Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M. June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010 |
Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021).
"Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazine."
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazine."
Miranda Lambert, The House That Built Me
In Jody's things are magazine clippings of interior design. I placed the clippings on the grass in my barnyard (above photo). My photo doesn't capture all the savvy decorating ideas, but you get the gist. Jody, like many of us, was a dreamer. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Ideas include vintage elements and wooden details - knotty pine panels, stone fireplaces, crannies and nooks for lots of books, comfortable seating, and furniture upgrades. Most of the photos were similar to the Smith home - a fireplace in the dining room with shelves and bookcases tucked in the walls, room for a large family table and space for guests.
Jody was planning for a renovation that never happened. More important expenses and the continuous effort to stay solvent was paramount. Her home, a two-story historic farmhouse with a basement and front porch, was her dream home. Once a stop for slaves on the Underground Railroad, Jody was drawn to the home's notable aesthetics. She was a scholar-homemaker. Knowing how much she loved and enjoyed education, I always wondered why she didn't pursue her master's degree, especially living a short drive from Ohio University. I asked her about it. She said she applied to graduate school and was accepted, but Pete needed her for support at the clinic and at home to care for their household and farm.
The sweet 1970s by the warm fireside, her family - Pete, Jessica, Pat; Puff (her dog) and Starboy (her gelding) - Jody was content. The farmhouse, empty now, will always be a historic place in Athens County, Ohio. It was a bustling household where a famous veterinarian and his family once lived.
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| The Smith Farmhouse. Circa 1970s. |
Have a great week ahead.
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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.
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