Editor’s note: Late 1921 we find Pearl and Frank becoming parents, with all the joy that brings. There is a “butchering the hog” happening in the days following Mildred’s birth, surprisingly. Then, the stories of a young couple living nearby and sharing some evenings together. Also, some recollections of trading automobiles and the radio beingContinue reading “Chapter Thirty Five: Late 1921 and Baby Arrives”
Author Archives: mansnoel
Chapter Thirty Four: Starting A Family
Ed. note: On January 27, 1921, Pearl and Frank began their married life together. Early March 1921, they are settling in the “little grey home in the West,” and she is busy home-making. We learn about the rural farm life and the neighbors who often lived one-half mile from each other. Most exciting is theContinue reading “Chapter Thirty Four: Starting A Family”
Chapter Thirty Three: The Marriage of Frank and Pearl
Editor’s note: Pearl is on the threshold of a remarkable new adventure with the close of 1920 and the dawning of a fresh new year. Although just 10 days short of turning 16, she will joyfully marry Frank Noel and leave behind being “one of the kids”, as she often referred to herself. PearlContinue reading “Chapter Thirty Three: The Marriage of Frank and Pearl”
Chapter Thirty Two: Fall, 1920, Romance Blossoms
Editor’s note: This narrative informs us of young Pearl, at fifteen years old, experiencing “love”. She is learning more about her future husband, Frank Noel, and is excited about the future. She wants more education and aspires to be a school teacher. But, this new emotion is edging that dream to the side. Enjoy! RAN.Continue reading “Chapter Thirty Two: Fall, 1920, Romance Blossoms”
Chapter Thirty-One: Frank is courting Pearl in August, 1920.
Editor’s Note: August 1920 brings new events into 15-year-old Pearl’s life. Frank is showing serious romantic interest, which begins, in turn, to be taken seriously by young Pearl. We read Pearl and her family’s humorous and delightful responses to this. One point of clarification: We are seeing Melvin and Jack throughout this narrative. Melvin, whoContinue reading “Chapter Thirty-One: Frank is courting Pearl in August, 1920.”
Chapter Thirty: Summer of 1920 and Pearl, in her 15th year, gets to know Frank Noel
Ed. note: In this chapter, we have introduced to us more clearly the young widower, Frank Noel, whose wife, Lola while pregnant, died of the Spanish Flu in February 1920. You will hear some Noel family names that may be new, so I will make notations in […] for those names to help orient theContinue reading “Chapter Thirty: Summer of 1920 and Pearl, in her 15th year, gets to know Frank Noel”
Chapter Twenty Nine: Fall-Winter, 1919-1920, Pearl turns fifteen, Spanish Flu again.
Editor’s note: Chapter Twenty Eight ended with Grandma Thornton’s death. That was Fall 1919. Pearl has received news that she did not get into Snyder High School as she had planned. So, Pearl begins Fall term, Rita School, 1919, repeating the eighth grade. This December and January, the community experiences a return of the SpanishContinue reading “Chapter Twenty Nine: Fall-Winter, 1919-1920, Pearl turns fifteen, Spanish Flu again.”
Chapter Twenty Eight: Summer 1919, nearby oil boom, Grandma Thornton falls ill unto death.
Editor’s note: We begin with the oil discovery near Pearl’s home as it is an interesting story, and may have had commercial, as well as other influences in the lives of the Thornton and Noel families. There was an oil boom on at Burkburnett, Texas in Summer of 1919,Continue reading “Chapter Twenty Eight: Summer 1919, nearby oil boom, Grandma Thornton falls ill unto death.”
Chapter Twenty Seven: Winter/Spring 1918-1919:Spanish Flu rages,Pearl turns fourteen and completes eighth grade
Editor’s note: In November 1918, Armistice comes, which Pearl has written about earlier. She recalls it now, as America is experiencing the Spanish Flu epidemic near the end of the war. We read of many interesting stories of her year in eighth grade and completion of her elementary school studies. Enjoy. RAN Experiencing the SpanishContinue reading “Chapter Twenty Seven: Winter/Spring 1918-1919:Spanish Flu rages,Pearl turns fourteen and completes eighth grade”
Chapter Twenty Six: In 1918 Pearl turns thirteen and WW I finally comes to an end.
Editor’s note: Pearl is feeling more mature, quoting poetry, and attempting to write a “Gothic novel”. As Fall of 1918 arrives the news about the war is improving. Pearl grows closer to Grandma Thornton, who now lives in their home. Enjoy. RAN In reflecting upon the following scene in 1918, I can still see theContinue reading “Chapter Twenty Six: In 1918 Pearl turns thirteen and WW I finally comes to an end.”