Larry A. Smail's Blog

Laurie with her Santa cap!

On Christmas Day, my small family attacked my old homestead. Those in attendance were my mother Ruth, of course; my step-father, Bob; my sister, Ruthie with her husband Tim; and Laurie, and I! That’s it!

My sister, Ruthie with Laurie.

My mother, Ruth!

We went about the normal exchange of gifts prior to feasting! We engaged in much laughter, and picking on each other as is our norm.

My brother-in-law Tim …the Ford man! haha

Bob Miller, my step father!

Christmas season does bring about some sadness for me. I always attempt to capture those nostalgic feelings of earlier times, and they can not be found.  I remember singing Christmas carols in school including those with a spiritual wording. The attacks on anything of Christ at Christmas tears at my heart. Last year I turned over the Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus’ Biblical reading from the Book of Luke had been edited out.  The passing of my father, Allen in 1999, saddens me. This list can  go on forever. At least, I know in my heart I work with keeping Christ in my Christmas.

Mom modeling her new jammies!

However, we still enjoy the family functions this time of the year!

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Cherry Run

On December 23rd, I needed some walk time. One area I visited was my father’s old homestead. I was last here to walk around 35 years ago, if not longer. This home site was, and is, along US 422 at the Cherry Run Intersection, as known by the locals.

The house was behind these big trees.

The house is long gone. All that is remaining are the foundation stones. the foundation is thick with brush, so getting any photos of it was impossible. I remember the house. There are pictures of my cousin, Donnie , and I, setting in a rocking chair while in the house. We were very young.

Old apple tree.

I went in the house some time later after the last residents moved out. they had left the rooms filled with garbage, smashed the walls, and windows.

A view looking north from the house.

The barn foundation is still visible as well. the foundational stones are currently on the south (Right) side of 422.                                  

Barn foundation.

Remnants of the old orchard  are still present. Old, ancient-looking, apple trees are still growing near the watercourse of Cherry Run. Pruning has been absent for over sixty years.

Bridge where old US 422 was.

Just a short jaunt below the barn foundation one can see an old narrow bridge. Vegetation is growing on the bridge’s surface. A well used deer trail, also, crosses the bridge. This was the old US 422. I think the bridge may have been in use by 1930.

Just being there brought back many memories of my family. I sure would like to go back in time to see the place in the day. My grandmother left in the late 1950 time frame. My grandfather had died in 1950.

Time passes on!                                                                                                                                    

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We discussed options for Father’s day. My sister Ruthie Wolfe suggested we go for a picnic and Clear Creek State park became the site where we would go.

The six of us arrived at the park on a beautiful summer-like day. We saw some deer including three young bucks. We watched for bear too. Mom wished to see a bear, but the only ones we saw were a distortion of facts. Three of us, on a hike, decided to play political personnel with her and spin some facts. We told her we saw a bear with two cubs. Later, we told her the truth.

The Family

Some of us did do some limited hiking within the confines of the park. I always enjoy traveling through the woods searching for things to see and photos to take.

The actual Clear Creek was flowing faster than normal due to the amounts of recent rain, but the waters were clear and pure. However, the Clarion River was high and slightly brown. The Clear Creek flows into the Clarion River.

   My step father Bob appreciated the event. He has filled my father’s shoes in many ways. The six of us make up the family. My mom Ruth and Bob. My sister, Ruthie and her husband Tim and Laurie and I make up the Last of the Mohicans.

Bob and Ruthie trying to be photographers!

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Randy Tost, on the right, and his best friend John Helinski

Really good friends are a blessing. I received a phone call this morning relaying words I knew would be coming. The words of the passing of one of those dear friends. Randy Tost and I became acquainted through his interest with my wildlife art. We quickly became friends and a rare bond developed.

We visited each other from time to time to talk over our many similar interests. We would often talk hunting. He enjoyed my adventures through this site and I enjoyed reading his journal notes. We, both, loved the natural world. We were brothers in Christ too. The two of us were in total agreement over the current political state of America and concerns of the future of this country.

Randy was seeing a potential issue over diabetes and began walking to decrease his weight and, hopefully, correct this prior to needing insulin. However, the walking and weight loss wasn’t helping with the diabetes. The disease was progressing. Eventually, it was discovered he had pancreatic cancer. This explained the increase of the disease.

We continued visiting each other until very recently when medication and health would just “play him out”. I wondered over his decision to not obtain any treatment, but I respected and admired his courage. Randy had lost his wife sometime ago to the terrible disease of cancer. He knew the issues and prolonging that often accompanies the treatment.

As the leaves were turning red and yellow, Randy invited me to visit him and his best friend John Helinski. John lives in Alabama currently, but they had been friends for many, many years. Big John, as he is commonly known, and I immediately bonded and our talks were as if we had known each other for years. He is a good man!

I have met some of the offspring of Randy and Susie Tost and I found them all to be exceptional young men and women. Randy was very proud of his children.

Randy, my friend, rest in peace and I’ll see ya along the trail!!!

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