My Portfolio

Uncle Johnnie's pastimes never ceased to amaze us. Kelo, a retired race horse, would run around the barnyard like a big puppy. Uncle Johnnie's big smile would erupt into laughter at our reactions and interaction with Kelo.

Ronald Stephens, Uncle Johnnie's baby boy (correction-Until William).  The "I love my family gene" has shown up in Ron.  He is the person everyone in the family knows because he makes it his business to connect with them. In this way, he is very much like Grandmother. He is very proud...

Okay, so you've been introduced to my son at 3-years old.  At least you think you've been introduced.  Actually, you have only seen him from a distance.  It's time you come inside our home and meet him up close and personal.  </div> For most of us 5:30 a.m. is a time...

Cousin Charlie remembered a time when Henry James came in from the field with a loaded  and with the trigger cocked 3? 5?  gaged shotgun on his shoulder.  Charlie took it from him and remarked "that\'s how kids get killed".  Henry, when told of Charlie\'s account, filled in the rest of...

June 6 1991 a preschooler was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up.   She turned to the camera and said "a mommy".  I was both proud and horrified.  Others congratulated me on being a great role model. I feared my child would be another teen pregnancy statistic. 16 years...

Janie Shellman (1994 Smart Family Honoree) On September 22, 1917 twins were born to William Joseph and Ursula Smart Stephens, a happy bouncing baby boy and girl.  These babies were named Janie & Johnnie.  Janie was reported to be the second born.  She became the oldest sister of the 8 surviving...

Aunt Janie is holding a quilt started by grandmother, completed by Aunt Janie, made possible by Uncle Johnny and given to me who have wonderful and horrible memories about it. Uncle Johnny drove trucks and ever so often he would get a load he  deamed useful to himself or the family. ...

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? age 10           One day my mother asked me,What do you want to be?   Do you want to be a teacher,Or a singer full of glee? Are you meant to be a writer,Who day dreams all day long? Thinking...

Glasses (2009- age 16)         God works in mysterious ways; I've heard it all my life,But truly, I couldn't see it until I couldn't see , Until the nearest chalkboard was never near enough to read. In second grade my teacher knew there was something wrong with me,  When she...

A Child's Finger's (age 15)                 A child's fingers grasp my own,Pulling with an energy I know I've never known Slow down for me! I frown, and instantly he settles down, And once again I marvel at how much my brother's grown.                   I remember my first look at...

Patti’s Hot Pepper Salsa Recipe   5 lbs Peppers; hot and sweet r 2 lbs small tomatoes r 1 lb onions r 6 bulbs garlic r 2 shallots r ½ tsp all colors of Peppercorns, ground r 1 cup Vinegar r Pinch Sea salt r   7 1-pint canning jars with...

When C. Stephen Guyer's three children were growing up, he told themstories about how his grandfather, a banker, lost all in the 1930s, butdidn't lose sight of what he valued most. In one of the darkest times,Mr. Guyer says, when his grandfather was nearly broke, he loaded hisfamily into the car...

There is much to be admired in all of my seven sons and three daughters but I think James George is at the top of the list.     After being married for three months, my husband George and I were expecting our first child. Our apartment was in Waltham, Massachusetts....

After taking a once in a lifetime ocean to ocean cross country driving trip in our 2008 Porsche Turbo, we came home and traded it in for this fine machine. It can not corner like a Porsche, but it is very very comfortable! I feel like Hart to Hart in this...

How to Grow Old Gracefully March 9, 2009 It's a fact that we all grow old.  It's also a fact that we have little, if any, control regarding the overall aging process.  Yet, what is positive is the fact that we can control how we live while we age.  We control...

This was recorded during the 2008 Rice University Piano Camp.  During the course of this camp, we determined it was time to take Rachelle to the next level of Piano and soonafter switched her to a professional piano teacher, Khoren Ouzounian. Rachelle did a good job but her hands, arms and shoulders...

How many of you have ever encountered a child that seems to find himself in trouble without any trouble at all?  Lucky for her, my daughter was 2-years old when my son was born.  If he had been born first, I'm not sure I would have had any more.  "That sounds...

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The Jock River flows very lazily through Richmond, Ontario, my home town.  It did a poor job of living up to the nickname everyone gave it - "the mighty Jock".  Nevertheless, parents warned children not to stray too close for fear of them falling in. My mother told me never to...