Milliron Monday: Jody's Journals April - June 1974

 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.

1974 April - June

APRIL

·        Jessie’s [Jody’s maternal grandmother] burial, Rev. Paxton, went to Hempey’s house afterwards, stopped at Red Barn near Upper Sandusky, dinner at Aggie’s [Jody’s sister-in-law]

·        Jerry Hartley picked up Maverick [horse], Brad Harter’s class at Dave Enterline’s farm

·        Aggie’s birthday > Maverick, dewormed, shots etc., x-rayed knees

·        Fed calf, picked up wildlife packet

·        Pat’s birthday > Communication Class, Dr. Rogers, took Dottie Wright

·        Puff, 1^st DHL in Columbus > ATC, Bill Jones here overnight

·        Herded reg flock down to clinic barn for shearing, Pete on calls, Brad’s Bird Dog class > Pat, Pete to Globetrotters

·        P. J. worked dogs, D. Wright here to work dog

·        Picked up traction device for Pete’s back > rode Cricket, J rode Maverick; many trees down on trails, saw 3 deer > Pat at Jan ad David’s

·        Episcopal Church, Pete ushered > Lunch, Frisch’s > rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, J rode Maverick, saw 2 deer lying down in hay meadow, high winds > Pete planned garden > Put up ‘special house’ in barn for horses

·        Planted trees > took corn in to be mixed, gave Harold O’Neal a ride > went to library

·        Planted spruce/pines from wildlife packet below old road below house > vacuumed dogs

·        Returned book to Booth’s > ATC

·        Planted dogwood/spruce from wildlife packet below house > rode Cricket, J rode Maverick, around thru woods over in Mathew’s ring, trillium in woods

·        Planted rest of Norway spruce (nearly 200 total), buried Hamp. Lamb #238 > looked at Jimmy Davis’ dog

·        Watered trees > picked up 2 rabbits > rode Cricket, P rode Blaze, J rode Maverick, saw 4 deer > took David back after bringing tractor back

·        Left for San Francisco > Good flight, Civic Center, Holiday Inn, dinner in China Town

·        Bus tour of city > lunch at Fishermen’s > rode cable cars, walked up Market Street to Holiday Inn

·        Civic Center, vet exhibits, ordered Brittanica, Library – Frost exhibit, Japanese Cultural Center

·        Redwoods tour, narrow gauge railing, winery tour, return by beautiful coastal drive

·        Cricket 13 years old > Alcatraz tour, State Park ship museums, ferry, walked back, rode BART, cable car, dinner Chinatown, walked to Hyatt Regency

·        Walked thru State Capitol building, city art museum, flew to LA, saw Virginia Arlo, flew to Ontario picked up “Puff” at Marti’s

·        Flew home from San Francisco

·        Episcopal Church, Dolen’s lunch > Puff’s 1^st DHL

·        Puff 9 weeks old

·        Frank Johnson shod Cricket, reset Sailor, Blaze, Maverick > cut gate out of fence > communications class, picked up Dottie Wright

 

MAY

·        Saw 3 deer at salt lick in alfalfa meadow > took “Puff” over to area behind pond pasture for “social attraction” lesson > goslings swimming in pond with 4 geese

·        Brad’s class cancelled because of rain > took Puff up to white gate in bottom, across creek twice

·        Took Puff up to barn > worked Pat with Kanga

·        Helped Pete put about 40 Western ewes in horse pasture > J lesson at Laird’s, went with Jan > sewing club wiener roast

·        Episcopal Church > met Hartley’s at Dolen’s > Teresa, Carl Fieler came home with us, rode > rode back over to Wright’s with Dottie, Heather > J fell off Maverick > put sheep in, went into town for pizza for dinner with J Hartley

·        Clayton Coffey sheared ewes, ewe jumped and knocked me back, bad bruise on chin and lower left jaw > Puff 10 weeks old > 4H Peppy Pooches

·        Voted > took J, Pam Brooks to 4H officers meeting, Dottie and I went to Communications class

·        Took Citroen SW in for checkup > drove Pete’s truck in to get trailer license for him > Shirley McNeal took me in after Cit on her way home > ATC > Bill Jones here overnight, went with P to motorcycle meeting

·        Brad Harter’s bird dog class here > visited Virgil Johnson’s training kennel near Oakhill

·        Pete planted tomatoes, cabbage, peppers > fixed gate > cleaned bridle, shepherd’s crook > churned butter > baked rhubarb pie > Pam Brooks here overnight > Maverick injured knee, rode Cricket double with J, Pam rode Blaze, saw grouse

·        Maverick penicillin > to Mansfield dentist checkup

·        Puff 11 weeks old > set out live trap for groundhogs

·        Drove over to see sheep, took Puff > worked Puff on sit, down, recall, retrieve, began “run” > Jerry, Pete to Charleston WV > drill team practice

·        Maverick 3 years old > transferred cow > J Hartley picked up Apple, Shah > ATC > 2 men here from Federal Land Bank, walked over pasture

·        Tried to move sheep, unsuccessful > Brad’s class

·        Apple 4 years old > took Jackie (shepherdess) in for errands/groceries > Shane killed groundhog, gave him antibiotics > Kanga, 2 shots for skin condition > Picked up J, Brent Chadwell after trip to Camden Park

·        Dog Show Columbus, Grand Novice, J 3^rd 196 ½ > took Puff to check fencing for cows

·        5 am to 11 herded sheep from Lowe’s down road through Joy

·        Puff 12 weeks > checked on sheep, took Puff > ran errands, took Puff, county home to check on lambs, J L’H’s office, courthouse, etc. > Left P at Brown’s for motorcycle meeting

·        Pete ill > Puff 15 ½” > Betty’s birthday > ATC, took Puff > Brad Harter’s class

·        Humane Society meeting

·        Harter’s here with go-cart

·        To Mansfield > stopped at Arabian Horse Show

·        Pete, Rome, etc., planted corn > Puff 3^rd DHL > Rode Cricket, P motorcycle over to club, saw large pilot black snake > Connors here to see “Gus”

·        Pete planted corn > Rode Blaze, P took motorcycle, met Dottie Wright at motorcycle club, rode down trail from Scatter Ridge to rifle range, down over to trail to Peach, back down > Pat and I staked tomato plants > Puff, Kanga, Shane in pond > Drive-in saw John Wayne movie “Hot Rock”

·        Drove to Amesville for blood test on Shane covered by hospital, tattooed Puff, 4H K9 Keepers and Peppy Pooches > Brad Harter bird dog demo, toured J L’H’s kennels > Marshall Adams here

·        Let Puff’s collar out a notch > Marshall left > John S here to check on brick work for chimney > ATC graduation

·        Puff 17” > began “tracking” > J L’H borrowed black show lead, practiced gaiting Puff > J and Pam Brooks to 4H Cloverettes meeting

·        Picked up P in Amesville, ball game rained out > gaited Puff

 

JUNE

·        Pete to Cincinnati, took SW > J Hartley here, went over crate with wire brush, sprayed it silver, got cedar chest, put woolens in it > practiced Puff on gaiting > ordered ribbons for 4H fair

·        1^st Christian Church

·        Took cedar chest back to house > Puff, Kanga swam on pond > walked Puff by trees just planted > Maverick bucked high, guess J fell off

·        I took lunch up to sheep camp, waited an hour, drove back to Jan’s

·        J rode Shah over to Jan’s, then Kuykendall’s

·        Took J to Ann McLaughlin’s for trip to mall to get 4H sewing material > helped in hay field > David worked on Pat’s motorcycle

·        Puff tracked 3 hot dog trails, bathed Puff > 4H Advisor’s meeting

·        Pete, Pat, herded sheep, loaded up feeders, etc., at Abdellas > AKC match Mt Vernon > dinner in Mansfield, visit to Gary/dentist

·        Episcopal Church > Pete, J took Maverick, Shah to John at sheep camp, herded sheep, took Sailor > Pat, Puff, me to match… Puff 1^st in working group over 7 pups, best in match with ribbon/trophy!

·        Hawk’s here, fixed Pat’s motorcycle, Tommy Hawk stayed overnight

·        Landmark truck, brakes failed, took out mailboxes/Messenger boxes > Pete rode looking for sheep

·        Puff tracked 3 hot god tracks > Shane blood test, heartworm neg > Pat to Fritz haircut > lunch BBF > Pat, Tommy camped out by pond

·        Took Tom Hawk home > herded sheep 10 miles or so down strip-mine, had heat stroke, terrible headache, nausea

·        Worked Puff in obedience, trot-stand, cars

·        Got plants, planted flowers by hospital, house, grass whipped down weeds

·        5:30 am got up to go sheep herding, dipped sheep, rode Shah, John rode Sailor, herded about 200 sheep down high wall, went back with truck and on foot for four ewes with young lambs

·        Rams out, herded them back from Matthews to our pasture

·        Picked up Junco > caught raccoon in live trap, Game Warden came after it > to Mansfield to Dentist/Gary

·        Rode Edwine at Rocky Fort Hunt ride with hounds, picnic supper, Mr. and Mrs. Monsarrat

·        Herded sheep, rode Sailor, J rode Shah, John rode Maverick, trucked them to new pasture, with Pete, Rome, Basil, etc., Don Norman > Pete, P, J, Basil, Rome, Clark Dewitt dinner at Oak Room

·        Checked dog trap >worked “Puff”

·        Jerry B here to survey > puppy class > Puff harness > drive to Mansfield > roads flooded here, water had been over our bridge, took 1 ½ hrs. to get home from Sugar Creek, went back over Peach Ridge

·        Checked fence, water gates in horse pasture damaged

·        Puff 4 months old > long ride home with Pete, delivered loading chute at Scotts, telephone company, etc. > Tom Hawk here overnight

·        Worked Puff

·        Dinner at Abdellas, took Herbie, Kay, Angela Everett

·        Took dogs for early morning walk, up ridge, Pete had to carry Shane partway back > worked Puff > Pete shot 2 young raccoons in alleyway of red barn

·        2 baby raccoons in hay > Pete rode Sailor, timberman rode Cricket

·        Episcopal Church > lunch Perkins > Pete worked on Junie > worked Puff, obedience

 

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. 

Meet Ohio Author, Sam Flynn

 

Meet Ohio Author, Sam Flynn

Residing in the picturesque southeastern region of Ohio, Sam Flynn is a masterful storyteller who captivates readers with his supernatural thrillers. These tales not only engage the mind but also transport readers to otherworldly realms filled with suspense and intrigue. As the acclaimed author of The Mystery of the Pale King, published by Timber Ghost Press, Sam has gained a reputation for his immersive storytelling and meticulous attention to detail. His insatiable curiosity leads him to "fall down the rabbit hole," constantly exploring new topics that pique his interest and inspire his writing. Whether you're seeking a spine-tingling adventure or a profound mental escapade, Sam Flynn's novel promise to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Welcome, Sam!

GM: Can you share the initial spark that ignited your journey into writing?

SF: I was on a fishing trip with my dad and some male relatives and came home to find my mom had put Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on my pillow. Before that, all I read were picture books. After, I was addicted to reading which led me to writing.

GM: What is your favorite part of the writing process and why?

SF: Getting to imagine different lives and different worlds. Writing and reading are two sides of that coin. Prose is the artform most engaged with the imagination. The writer may write the words but the reader’s imagination does the lion’s share of the work.

GM: How do you handle writer's block if it ever strikes?

SF: Step away from the pen/keyboard/stone tablet. Exercise. Do the dishes. Take a nap. Get your mind off the writing for a while. If the problem persists, the issue is buried deeper and will require some introspection. Why do you write? What do you want from writing? Who are you writing for? Answering those questions is the only way defeat long-term writer’s block.

GM: Could you shed light on your research methods for your books?

SF: I fall down rabbit holes all the time. History, science, philosophy, religion, and mythology. Sometimes for specific details I want to be exact on but sometimes the search mushrooms. A big part of how I read and write stories is recognizing patterns. Stories aren’t often found but find you. Casting the widest net of interests guarantees you’re nourishing the imagination. Very “If you build it, they will come energy.

GM: How do your personal experiences influence your storytelling?

SF: Entirely. Completely. If I’m any good as a writer, it’s because of my personal experiences.

GM: What themes or messages do you most aspire to convey in your work? 

SF: Whether my story is set on Earth or in another galaxy, I want people to question the world we collectively inhabit, the roles we take, who people are and why. As much as I channel myself and my feelings and beliefs into my writing, I don’t want to be didactic and tell the reader what to think. Stories are about emotion.

GM: Who are some authors or works that have significantly inspired you?

SF: The two double Rs of fantasy, Tolkien and George Martin, for sure. Stephen King, Ursula K. Le Guin and Alan Moore are huge influences. More recently I’ve been inspired by Alison Stine, Jeff VanderMeer, Moses Ose Utomi, Nicole Willson, and Don Winslow. Also George Carlin, while a stand-up comedian, always considered himself a writer first and his comedy stands the test of time for this reason.

GM: Can you discuss any challenges you've faced in the publishing industry?

SF: Every writer’s journey is different and rarely map one-to-one onto each other but for me the biggest challenge was finding the right feedback. It wasn’t until I attended a writers’ workshop and met with actual agents and editors that I gained the insight I needed to take my writing to the next level.

GM: How do you develop your characters to ensure they resonate with readers? 

SF: As I said before, stories are about emotion, as close as you can get to a universal shared humanity, because stories are how we as humans reconcile our emotions. My characters are trying to reconcile with themselves/others/the world through stories as well. Sometimes the illusion shatters and cold harsh reality shines through. Other times, they exceed their wildest expectations of what they were capable of. But the fundamental conflict always comes from within, from the characters’ emotions.

GM: What do you hope readers take away after finishing one of your books? 

SF: Above all, entertained. Everything after is just gravy.

GM: What advice would you give aspiring authors trying to break into the industry?

SF: Fair warning to all aspiring authors: the challenges never end, so learn to love the writing first and foremost. The barrier to entry is quite high and the payoff is not necessarily commiserated to the time invested. So you better enjoy writing because it’s likely the only initial reward for those who finish and submit stories will be rejection. It’s also important to define success because “best-selling author” is not a realistic goal. Is your goal to publish a short story? Finish a novel? Find an agent? Knowing what you want from your career will help you focus on what matters most – the writing.

GM: What are you currently reading?

SF: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Bio: Sam Flynn is the author of fantasy/horror novella The Mystery of the Pale King (Timber Ghost Press). A native Ohioan born and raised just outside of Cleveland, he lives in Athens with his wife Angela and their plethora of pets.

Connect with Sam…

www.sam-flynn.com

https://linktr.ee/samflynn7

Buy the book: https://www.timberghostpress.com/pale-king.html#/

 

Monday Creek Publishing Digest: Ohio Author M.Beth King

 

NEW!

From Ohio Author M.Beth King

Finding Her Purpose By Following His Will

A Christian Novel

Available in Trade Paperback

AMAZON

Breggan, a recent college graduate, is uncertain about her future. When her grandmother passed away, she left Breggan one final challenge in her will, designed as an adventure. Embracing this challenge, Breggan decides to see where God will lead her. Her new journey begins with unexpected encounters, engaging opportunities, and serendipitous events. Along the way, she acquires new skills, meets fascinating people, faces numerous conflicts, and learns more about herself than she could ever imagine. Through it all, Breggan relies on God for answers. Will she find her true purpose by following His will?

Join Breggan as she embarks on her grandmother’s challenge and experiences new adventures that will teach her the importance of following God’s will.

This book features discussion questions at the end for use in a book study. Reflect on Breggan’s experiences and her self-discoveries to gain insights about yourself and deepen your relationship with Christ.

An Interview with Ohio Author and Poet, Brooke Elizabeth

 

An Interview with Ohio Author and Poet, Brooke Elizabeth

 

In 2024, I was privileged to cross paths with the enchanting Ohio author, Brooke Elizabeth. Her author display is a mesmerizing vision of purple hues – a swarm of graceful butterflies, adding an ethereal charm to the inviting book covers that beckons readers. Brooke, a gifted storyteller and the author of several captivating books, effortlessly draws readers into her world with her boundless creative imagination. Her ability to engage and immerse readers is truly heartwarming, making every encounter with her work a delightful journey into the realms of her vivid literary universe.

 

BIO: Brooke Elizabeth is the author of Keep Me Sane and the Wolf Duology. She lives in Ohio, where she was born and raised. She has been fascinated with writing short stories all her life but started writing novels when she was thirteen. After several years of writing as a hobby, she discovered that she wanted to pursue a career in writing and become a storyteller. When not writing, she spends her time sipping hot drinks, watching far too much anime, and wishing she could live in all the fictional worlds she's read about and created.

 

Welcome, Brooke!

 

GM: Can you share the initial spark that ignited your journey into writing?

BE: My love for writing has always had a spark. I've written short stories and poems my entire life, since I was a little girl. When I was around thirteen, I began to explore novels. My writing was abysmal and I just wrote whatever was on my mind at the time rather than planning out a storyline, but I was having fun and teaching myself. I wrote a six book series for my eyes only, and I really learned the process of how novels work through it. That process turned my spark into a full blown passion for writing that I couldn't wait to share with other people.

 

GM: What is your favorite part of the writing process and why?

BE: My favorite part of the writing process is definitely the planning stages before even beginning the manuscript. I love developing the characters and their backstories, creating the world they live in, mapping out the storyline and outlining the entire novel as a whole. I love the nitty gritty details that come before even putting a word to the blank page. Seeing it come together helps me piece things together more efficiently once the writing begins.

 

GM: How do you handle writer's block if it ever strikes?

BE: Writer's block is something I struggle with more often than not. When it kicks in really bad, the first thing I do is step away from my work and take a quick walk to get some fresh air. It really helps to clear my head. But I've found that taking a break from writing altogether is the most important. If I'm really stuck and can't get the words flowing, I take a couple of days to a week off and come back to the story with fresh eyes. Nine times out of ten, this is the method that works most effectively for me.

 

GM: Can you shed light on your research methods for your books?

BE: My research methods vary from book to book. In my first novel, I had to do a lot of careful research on mental illnesses to make sure I was getting the basics right to then amplify for the sake of my fictional story. But for my most recent novel, which is a fantasy, there wasn't a whole lot I had to research, since it's mostly interpretive and can change throughout different books within the genre.

 

GM: How does personal experiences influence your storytelling?

BE: Fun fact about my stories: there is always at least one piece of it based on my actual life. Whether it's a huge plot point or a tiny detail about the character, there is always going to be something in every one of my books that comes from my personal experiences. So I would say those experiences influence my writing quite a bit!

 

GM: What themes or messages do you most aspire to convey in your work?

BE: A big theme in my books is love. Which is cheesy, but I think it's so important, regardless of the type. If my book isn't a romance genre, it at least has a romantic subplot within it. Whether it's familial, platonic, soulmates, or self-love, you will always find it in my novels.

 

GM: Who are some authors or works that have significantly inspired you?

BE: Jennifer Armentrout is the author that influenced my writing life the most. In 2015, I was struggling to read anything because I couldn't find the stories I really wanted to read anywhere. I picked up one of her series and was hooked as soon as I saw the beautiful cover. Reading her incredible stories and experiencing her lovely fanbase was the final push I needed to take the leap and pursue a career in storytelling.

 

GM: Can you discuss any challenges you've faced in the publishing industry?

BE: Marketing! Marketing is such a struggle that I wasn't prepared for when I decided to publish my work. It's so easy to get people to read your book. It's much harder to get them to talk about it and spread the word, and talking about books is what authors need the most to help them out.

 

GM: How do you develop your characters to ensure they resonate with readers?

BE: My characters are very tricky. It's something I can actually admit I need to work on more, because it truly is a huge challenge with any book I write. I can develop my characters and create their backstories and I can have these really intricate relationships twisted within their histories, but writing them to the perfection that I plan them is another thing entirely. I hope to improve on it with each book I write!

 

GM: What do you hope readers take away after finishing one of your books?

BE: My hope is that anyone who picks up any of my books reads something that resonates with them and helps them feel heard, understood, or less alone. Also, I find fanart very endearing, because someone's book inspired a person to create their own art, and I find that very beautiful. So that would be another one of my goals I think!

 

GM: What advice would you give aspiring authors trying to break into the industry?

BE: Love your story! It's very easy to get into a negative headspace that tells you to give up on your book and quit writing altogether. But, you started for a reason, so holding onto that reason and believing that your story deserves to be told is a game changer. If you love your story, then it's one worth telling and one worth reading!

 

GM: What are you currently reading?

BE: Currently, I'm reading the Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan and The Pairing by Casey McQuiston.

 

Connect with Brooke…

https://www.brookeelizabethauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brookeelizabethauthor/

x.com/brookelizadams