Birds and Bucklins
My grandparents home in Hathaway, Louisiana, circa 1959.
I found this photo a few years ago in a group of old negatives that I got from my parents. I don’t really remember ever seeing a print of the photo before that, so it was a nice discovery. I’ve been planning on using it for a blog post and that time is now.
So I cleaned it up this evening and now I’m sharing it with you. It’s a photo from around 1958-1960 at my maternal grandparents home in Hathaway, Louisiana. My grandparents were Fred and Myrtle Phenice Bucklin. Grandpa is not in the photo, but he left plenty of evidence of his presence. All of those bird carvings on the wall are his handiwork. He carved ducks for wall hangings like this and also for decoys for hunting. I’ve posted some color photos previously that show them, but have never commented on them before. But how could I not comment? They are all over that wall! I wish I had a few of them. But pictures of them would suffice! (That is my hint to share!)
Grandma is prominent in the photo. That is her working on setting the table for a tasty meal that was sure to come, especially tasty if it was followed by her fabled divinity. She was also a teacher, a singer, an artist, and an organist. But surely you know those things already if you have been following my blog. Say “Hi” to Myrtle!
In the front of the photo are my three oldest siblings. From left to right are Karen, Rob, and Jodie. They look really excited about the meal to come. Or maybe it was something else. In the background on the left, you can see Aunt Sylvia and her husband Ronald Pilcher standing in the doorway. My mom was Betty Lou Bucklin Landry and Sylvia was her older sister. They were the oldest two of five children.
The youngest of the five was Uncle Austin, who can be seen in the center in the back with his head in the clouds. Not really, it just looks like that because his head was surrounded by birds. He must have liked that feeling, because later he joined the Air Force and he spent many years working with airplanes.
The last of the subjects in the photo are some of my cousins. I’m pretty sure they’re the children of Sylvia and Ronald Pilcher. I’m just not sure which ones they are! There’s a little boy and a little girl. It’s either Larry or Paul with Toni or Lynn. There were lots of grandkids being born during this time. I don’t see Al, or Kevin, or Brent. And joining the group soon would be me, Rhonda, Keith, Jamie, and Glen. Later on would be Charla, John, Dale, and Anita. We don’t even need to mention Mary.
There were lots of meals that came out of that kitchen during those holidays. And there was lots of fun with cousins that followed. This was just a glimpse into one of those times.
Bonus photo from the same day. In the back on the left is Aunt Alma, one of my mom’s younger sisters. Next is my Grandma Myrtle, and Aunt Sylvia. In front is Rob, who is looking back to the ladies, and Larry, who is looking at the table. Larry is the boy in the original photo. Cousin Toni claims the little girl in the original photo is her.
We had some of those ducks on our walls growing up. Not that many, but a few. Wish I knew what happened to them.
Oh my goodness, I love this picture!!! I think it is me ( brown hair girl turned away) . And, at first I thought it was Larry standing in background, but isnt that young Uncle Austin? The “boy” could be Paul, but it isnt quite the shape of his head….? Would it be Brent ?
Yes, Toni, that is Uncle Austin standing up in the back. I think it is Larry standing by you. I have other photo that shows him better. You and Larry are looking at the hand on the table – Grandpa’s hand. He must have been talking about something.
Toni, ours moms were so young and thin there. Aunt Sylvia is gorgeous!
I am just seeing Aunt Alma… yes, beautiful and slender!
Oh my goodness! Grandma (Sylvia Bucklin Pilcher) looks like a fashion model! I always knew she was gorgeous, but I haven’t seen many photos of her dressed up♥️
I think of eating at Grandma Bucklin’s house on a regular basis🥰 I LOVE this picture! I remember the weeks in the summer that I would go and stay with her and Grandpa…. Painting, swimming, reading new books with Anita, and of course, sitting around the table eating something delicious, having a cup of tea or just talking. Things were very simple and just laid back but I don’t recall ever, not for a moment feeling bored… I miss those times💜
And just in case you’re wondering… This is exactly what I do on a lazy Sunday afternoon… Scroll down your timeline and take a trip down memory lane… Even if I wasn’t quite old enough to be part of some of the memories- I’m so thankful for all of these old photos♥️
Michelle,
Hey! I’m not old enough to be part of these stories too! You were fortunate enough to be one of the few great grandchildren to know them. I’m glad you’re enjoying our family history stories.