Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 18: Halloween

My mom definitely loved Halloween, Halloween specials, scary movies and taking us trick or treating and to haunted houses and parties. 

Kids always loved when Halloween activities took place on a weekend because you got to stay out longer. It wasn't as fun on a weekday because we had to cut trick or treating shorter and may or may not have gotten to go to a haunted house. It was very memorable nonetheless. 

Debbie being Debbie definitely did two things: only took us to houses and places she trusted and checked our candy. And when I mean checked our candy, she would be eating it smh! I get she would get hungry but for years I thought I either lost my best piece of candy or my brother stole it. It was my mom man! We had a good laugh when I was an adult and she told me. She would take the time to check/eat our candy while we were in a haunted house or trail. 

My mom would often leave out with us around 5pm and we would stay out until 8-9pm. We would hit all of the Kings Creek area and certain neighborhoods in Blacksburg to get all the candy we could. Of course she restricted our consumption so we wouldn't be up all night. 

Supposedly I went to my first Halloween party at 3 months since our aunt and uncle were twins with a Halloween birthday. She used to take me trick or treating as a baby, dressing me up and then getting all the candy. Who's going to say no to a baby? 

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year and favorite seasons. My mom, as always, made it extra special. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 17: Birds (Birdies)

There's no question that amongst the animals and small things my mom loved, birds (or birdies) as she called then, were near the top of the list. 

Debbie loved small birds of all kinds and saw them as a positive sign or omen. She had bird feeders and a hummingbird feeder. I've mentioned owning parakeets also and chickens. 

She especially loved and understood the significance of redbirds. I painted a small redbird that's still in her old bedroom and of course her urn was one filled with redbirds. 

Debbie knew to find joy in the small things and of course those that needed help. I think we could all do more of this. 

Debbie Lanier's Life And Times: Volume 16: The Love For Clover

Everyone has their own personal Heaven. I definitely believe in Heaven and Hell. I also believe that Heaven has all the things and people we enjoy and loved on Earth. 

I'm sure for Debbie Lanier that place has most of Clover circa 1968-1990. 

My mom loved Clover as much as a person can love a town. It is the town with "love" in the middle. She got her first adult job there and many other firsts like her first car, love, first child (yours truly) and so many great memories. I could see my mom's eyes lighting up even well into her 60s every time she entered Clover. 

This town has a lot of history and ties for us both as I have many family members on both sides from and still residing in Clover. She and her friends/cousins used to love hanging at my aunt Ellen Jean's house, walking in the nearby cemetery at night, and other activities. These included: the drive-in theater, Howard Johnsons (currently where El Mic is), Cagie's Bar and cruising up to Gastonia. My mom was the life of the party and the party often traveled with her. They all worked hard and partied harder.

I'm always thankful my mom got to have those times in the 70s and then returned in the 80s and thereafter for much calmer but just as fun times. I will always feel my mom's energy and spirit when I pass through here.

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 15- Life in the Mills

For a long time in the South, you could make a good living with minimal education working in the cotton, textile and steel mills. You really raked in the money if you were on production.  

My mom genuinely loved this work and worked in several mills on and off for over 20 years. Some of the ones I recall her working at were Marion Yarns, Pharr Yarns, TNS, Bowling Green Spinning, Sadie Mill, Oxford, Donald Adam's, Screen Print, Peeler Rug and I'm sure there were others. During that day you could quit or get fired and literally have a job in 24 hours.  

Mom's specialty was winding. She didn't like sitting for too long so spinning wasn't her thing but she loved winding. Debbie simply loved the environment, the money, the various coworkers (some of those being family) and being able to provide for her small family. 

Someone sent me a picture from October 1977 when Mom worked at Bowling Green Spinning the first time and it made me think of the stories she told of how much she loved that work. She didn't want me nor my brother doing it but it kept clothes on our back, food on the table, her cars running and eventually allowed her to get her own place. 

It was definitely a simpler more productive time for our country and community. I'm so glad my mom could partake in that. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Part 14- Animals

Debbie had a lifetime love for animals, especially kind, sweet animals. 

She had several dogs and cats throughout her lifetime and mine also. It wasn't listed in the obituary but she left her cat Mosey, and dogs Ninja and Peony. Ninja became ill a month following Mom's passing and transitioned and a local rescue group came and got Peony at both of our requests. Mosey is under my care now and I definitely take care of you and hoping to get her to the vet before the end of the year. 

Mom at one point had 30 cats and 3 dogs and kept them fed daily. They started dying off due to predators. I wouldn't mind having another cat inside or out especially after Mosey is fixed and has her shots. My uncle got two Jack Russell terriers, Spud and Bud, on his property. They come to my part of the property sometimes but they are harmless and adorable. My mom wasn't a fan of dogs that were angry and killed smaller animals. I think she would love and would spoil these dogs. I feel like she send them for me and the home she spent 3 decades building up. 

My mom loved animals and anything small for a lifetime and loved having them around. She hated when her dad would have to kill something to eat or sell it. At one point we had dogs, cats, chickens, a rabbit and parakeets. She just showed anything around her love. 

My mom was my own pet sitter and such and right now I want to have animals like Mosey and the Jack Russells that are more self sufficient. You best believe I will have something for myself and for her legacy.