Interview with Faith - A Woman of Faith
(Only nicknames or middle names will be used for these Seventy-Five-Plus year old women sharing lives in my interviews. The anonymity is to help protect their privacy.)
Faith, we used a sketch of you from your mid-teen years. I wonder if you see teens today as being different from the teens in 1946?
Oh, yes, one thousand percent! My brothers and sisters and I grew up in a whole different generation. We dealt with World War II. We were loyal to family, flag, and country. We had to think for ourselves, but we listened to our parents. Our values were not influenced by the computer world. So many changes since then.
Norfork, Arkansas, was where you and your siblings grew up. How did that work in your large family?
First, we had responsibilities. We worked together. Dad was a farmer, but everyone in the family had jobs to do. I knew exactly what would happen after supper. My older sister and I would wash the dishes by hand. Just how it was. Dad had a razor strap that hung on the wall. Not really used, but it hung there for all of us to see. It meant there would be obedience and respect in my dad’s house. Now, we were not angels, but we knew our limits. We knew how the day should go.
What about your community, Faith?
When I was growing up, there was school and church. We’d go to church on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. We had no vehicle, but we had a wagon with hay in the floor of it. We rode in the wagon or walked.
As an adult, you continued to live in Norfork. This place has truly been your home.
Yes, I know about traveling, but Norfork was always “home” for my husband, our children, and me.
Faith, your mind and recall are so strong that I turned to you to confirm and clarify when I had questions while writing Going Home: A Memoir. Thank you for answering all those questions and for being one of my cheerleaders for that book.
You drive, you do your own grocery shopping, you are quite independent. You are 93, almost 94, and you look on the bright side of everything. Have you always taken notice of the flowers blooming and the child in the restaurant?
Pretty much. I love children. I believe if something bad happens, it could always be worse….
Where did you learn to think like that?
In church, I suppose. I was brought up in the church.
Faith, what is your favorite song?
Give Me That Old Time Religion.
I love that old song, too. You spent some years volunteering at the Norfork Thrift Store. How did that happen?
Those years followed the loss of my wonderful husband. Seemed like the right thing to do.
Faith, you take good care of yourself.
I do what I can. I had knee surgery one time. If you don’t do the therapy afterwards, it keeps hurting. I still do my exercises.
I have much respect for your discipline. What has been your favorite exercise?
Mowing. I had a self-propelled mower. While mowing, I did my best thinking. I liked walking and thinking, mowing and thinking.
You are a good thinker. Thank you, Faith, for sharing these thoughts and memories. I can see that you’ve been blessed.
Oh, yes. I’ve had a good life.
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Spicy Crackers, a recipe from “Faith”
(This has been a hit at fundraisers in Norfork, Arkansas.)
Ingredients:
1 one-pound box of saltine crackers (I use Great Value brand. Perfect for Spicy Crackers.)
1-1/3 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
1 two-ounce package (or 2 one-ounce packages) of original Ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix (not buttermilk type). If you use bulk, it measures 4 teaspoons of mix.
Directions:
Put crackers into a glass gallon jar.
In a bowl, mix and dissolve oil, pepper, and Ranch. Stir well.
Pour over crackers. Tighten lid.
Roll and toss crackers until oil mix has coated all of the crackers. (This may take 10 minutes.)
Keep lid tightened when not in use.
Yum-yum.
I thank you all for taking the time to read my new interview series focusing on some remarkable women. Please share! Anyone can subscribe to my blog by scrolling to the bottom of any page on my website and filling out the form. Each time I release a new blog post, subscribers will get an email reminder and link.
My best and God bless,
Pat Durmon
P.S. You will find links to my published books after the drawing below of this week's interviewee, "Faith," done by Mary Chambers of Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Drawing of "Faith" in her mid-teens by Mary Chambers, Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Poetry Books by Pat Durmon
Prose by Pat Durmon
The story of Lee R. Farrier from Norfork, Arkansas, is Pat's first book of prose and a tribute to Lee, the town of Norfork, and its people. All profits from sales go toward a scholarship at Norfork High School.