Gary Ford and his pens

This is an update on Gary Ford, the son of Patsy Ford the daughter of Evelyn Montgomery Burris. He sent an email out to some of the family giving an update on his pen business. I thought maybe the rest of the family would enjoy learning a little more about Gary’s business so he wrote the following intro.


I started making pens about 15 years ago. It was supposed to be a warm up exercise for the making of (turning) wood bowls. I took 20 pens and samples of about 30 different kinds of wood I had at the time to a craft show at our church. I sold all 20 pens and took orders for 186 more. I was shocked and over whelmed. I did finally turn a bowl a couple of years ago, only one. I have made over 4000 pens and have over 200 kinds of wood. I am able to sell enough to break even and even make a little profit. I give quit a few away to the high school seniors that I volunteer with and various community service projects our church is involved with. This is shaping up to be a very good pen sales year so far. I think it has a little to do with how many I gave to the church this year.

Here is the letter he sent to some of the family.

Just thought I would shoot everyone a little note about what has been going on with my little pen business. I had entered three pens at the Del Mar (San Diego county) Fair. Didn't get any ribbons this year. Oh well just gives me something to shoot for next year. Pen sales are way up this year already much to my surprise. This could be a stellar year. I think people are tired of not being able spend the money they would like to or they are just being a little more practical with their spending. Either way works for me. I'm selling 3 to 7 hundred dollars worth every week now. I'm not bragging more like shocked and amazed.

The latest thing I have been able to do is make a thank-you gift for all our summertime guest speakers at Shadow Mountain community church. I have also challenged our entire high school including the staff and interns. If they will memorize Psalm 1 they will get the same pen. It is made of Olive wood from Bethlehem with a Bloodwood cross inlayed into it. Last night our guest speaker was Col. Oliver North (incredible) I had made a very special pen for him. I was given the opportunity to meet Oliver between congressmen and state senators. What a neat man and what an incredible service he does for our troops and vets. Can't say enough.

You can learn more about Gary and his family by looking up Lakeside Fords on FaceBook. You can see more about his pens at http://www.justthewood.com/. I also found this interesting article about Gary and his pens http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5681254/works_of_art_in_wood_pens_by_san_diego.html?cat=30

Happy 80th Birthday Monte Crawford

Monte Anson Crawford, 4th child of Mary Willie Lee Montgomery Crawford, celebrated his 80th birthday July 30th. 
The children of Monte, who is a long time Lastros Astros fan, decided to throw him a "Party at the Park" at Minute Maid Park with family and friends. 
The "Party" included a tour of the park before it was open to the general public.  We were all able to see the owner's  suite, media area, and the very exclusive Diamond Club. That is were George and Barbara Bush sit when they go to the games.
Here is the whole group in the Diamond Club seats watching batting practice. Monte and his beautiful bride of 46 years Toni are front and center.

And here is batting practice with batting coach Jeff Bagwell (big deal to Astros fans)

3 of Monte's 4 children's families were able to attend.  Here is Monte Jr.'s family, Monte Jr was called away earlier in the week on emergency business and was not able to return in time. Monte Jr.'s daughters Makayla and Jessica are on the front row and his wife Amy and Monte Sr.'s Sunday School teacher are on the back row. Side note: Monte Jr. no longer goes by Mac or Macky for those of you who have known him his entire life.

Monte's youngest grandson Paul Copeland and two of his son-in-laws Taylor Hendrix and Kevin Copeland.

In back, Millie Copeland (Monte's youngest), the youngest grandchild Anslee Copeland, and Marsha Hendrix (Monte's second daughter)

Monte enjoying his cake and game.  Also note after 80 years he finally got his first tattoo, look closely at his right hand.  It was just temporary, Anslee, Paul and Marsha all got one too.

And for fun the whole group in the elevator during the tour.

Everyone had a great time and the Astros actually won!

Montgomery Family Scandal

For those of you who have not heard, the Montgomery Family has been shaken to its core by a scandal. It is with sad news that I inform you that the great-great-great granddaughter of Lattie and Kate has posed topless.  Unfortunately these pictures have already been published before the family could hide the scandal.  The shamed family member is none other that Marlie Murray. Marlie's family includes father James Marcus Murray, grandfather James (Jim) Crawford Murray, great grandmother Vera Dell Crawford Murray, and great-great grandmother Mary Willie Lee Montgomery Crawford. 

Here is the official statement from the family. "We are deeply saddened by Marlie's lack of judgment and have made it very clear to her that the family has certain standards that we are required to live up to.  Marlie has given her word that no other topless photos will be taken in the future." 

After much debate, I have decided to go ahead and  post the picture so that if any family member comes across it, they can quickly take it out of circulation. 

Marlie is the blonde one standing in the chair. At least she was not the one on the book case

This ad ran in the May issue of Better Homes and Gardens and is also to appear in Country Living.  Picture provided by Jodie Hendon, Marlie's great aunt. 

Happy 5th Birthday Anslee

You have come a long way.

Anslee Elleen Copeland is the youngest granddaughter of Monte and Toni Crawford and youngest child of Kevin and Milicent Anslee Crawford Copeland. The name Anslee was created by Monte and Toni by squishing together Anson Lee Crawford’s name.
For those of you who do not know the story of Anslee, it really is a big deal that she is alive. Here is the before and after shots.

Anslee was born at 30 ½ weeks by emergency c-section. She had Hydrops Fetalis and was very sick. Quick medical lesson, hydrops is massive amounts of fluid built up on the body, usually caused by anemia. Something is usually wrong with the blood and the heart has to work extra hard to deliver enough oxygen to the body. Hydrops was more common prior to the 1970’s with mothers who were RH negative and the baby was RH positive. Now there is a drug to give to mothers to prevent hydrops and the cases of hydrops has dropped since then. In the US hydrops is not very common and Anslee was my doctor’s first hydrops baby since her residency.

So how did Anslee get hydrops. I was exposed to parvo virus, which is the virus that causes fifths disease in toddlers. Statistically I should have already been exposed to the virus and statistically even if I contracted the virus the chances of passing it on to Anslee were small. Statistics were not on our side. But statistically, Anslee should not have lived. Hydrops has a 60-90% mortality rate, so thank the Good Lord he does not follow statistics. Anslee spent 7 weeks in the NICU and came home just in time for her big brothers 3rd birthday.

So here is our precious miracle child that God blessed us with.

We love her very much and are blessed to have her in our lives. She has been a fighter from day one. She is sweet, caring, feisty, smart, hot tempered, opinionated and loving. She makes life interesting and does keep us entertained. I am not sure what God has planned for her, but I have to assume that it is something big.

By the way, I am now taking suggestions on how to handle such a wonderful child during the teenage years.

Happy Birthday Ila Jean!

Ila Jean Montgomery Stratton, the youngest daughter of Moddy Evertt Montgomery, celebrated her 87th birthday on March 21st. 

Pictures provided by Rita Young, Ila Jean's 3rd child.

From left to right: Marla Stratton (Roger's wife), Roger Stratton (Jean's youngest), Ila Jean, and Monte Stratton Wright (Jean's 2nd child)

Roger, Jean and Monte

Editor's note: First I hope all of this is correct, and second I have not had the privilege of meeting these beautiful people, but boy are those Montgomery genes strong.  And might I add that we age well!

Appleton Homecoming 2004

A photo entry provided by Jodi Hendon (daughter of Vera Dell Crawford Murray, 3rd child of Mary Willie Lee)

Cornerstone of Church and front of the church.

Don't ask Jodi about the matching shirts.

Don't you love a small town parade?

Confessions of a California Cop

The following story is provided by Carol Allen

I have to admit that I was one of the thieves who took mementos from the Appleton house some years ago. It was probably the last time I was in Appleton and I think it was about 2002 or 2003? Uncle Joe was with us and the old homestead was abandoned and in bad shape. My brother Jon discovered that they had tried to dig a basement which was unsuccessful and now full to the top with black stagnant water. Jon said they must have gotten into the water table and no doubt that hole was full of rats and snakes as well!
Well, the house looked sad and empty and we all peered into the windows from the front porch. I went around back and found a window already broken next to the back porch door. I reached in and opened the door and my burglary was complete. I was in. I walked to the front of the house through the country kitchen and noticed the floor was sagging in the middle! EEEK! To have fallen through into that black water still gives me the chills. I opened the front door and invited all the family in to visit for a spell.
Most of the house had been "updated" with paneling on the walls and new hollow doors where the old walls and doors once stood. I know the pastor and his wife probably worked very hard on the renovations and now the old house was strangely odd and quiet. But upstairs in a bedroom was an untouched area. The old plank door had been removed and replaced but the old door was leaning up against the wall-no doubt ready for the junk heap. I took out my handy Swiss army knife and a few screws later-the doorknob was removed and in my custody. I think this is the same room where an unidentified sister of mine peeled a large piece of wallpaper from the unpaneled wall. (There are rumors that she will write more on this later.)
By the time I left the scene of the crime, other thefts were taking place...someone took the well pulley from the porch, someone else took a piece of wallpaper and a piece of floor tile, and someone even backed up their vehicle and took a huge paving stone(s) from the walkway! (Editorial Note: I did not participate nor was I present at the burglary, but somehow I ended up with one of these stones. Hmmm!) Uncle Joe said that he remembers Lattie hauling those stones by oxcart from far, far away. I locked up the house and we fled the scene of the crime.
I still feel a little guilty at my leadership in this day but I knew that the items we pilfered meant nothing to the owners of the house. I wonder, does anybody even know if it is still standing and occupied or if the Kudzu vines have taken over and started bringing it down to the ground?
Well there, I have confessed. I will retire from my job in a few months so don't anybody get any ideas of turning me in to my superiors-they won't care as I am soon to be out the door-eastbound through the houses for the last time!