Lacoochee Then and Now

I'm going to try really hard to blog more.  When I'm away from home, there seems to be more time. When I'm home sitting with my computer, I see all the things that I should be doing.  When I'm away, I don't see it, so....

I changed my header photo yesterday.  The name of my blog is "Lacoochee Kid."  Lacoochee is a little town in Pasco County in the state of Florida.  I was born there way back when there was lots of activity.  Lacoochee was a "company town."  The Cummer company operated a cypress lumber mill there, and my father was a foreman for the company.  We moved away when I was just turning four, so my memories are a bit dim.  However, I did go back and spend time with my aunt and cousin at various times.

The photos in the collage are some of the remains of Lacoochee.  I do remember my parents saying, "When the war (WWII) is over, we're leaving Lacoochee," and they did.  They moved to Bradenton, and that is where I grew up and where I live today.  The lumber mill closed in the 50's.  Another company came in, but there is nothing there now.  The old mill is there, but the hotel, the commissary, and all the houses are gone.  Lacoochee does have an elementary school, but I have never ventured far enough to find it.

The street markers in the photo are reminders of the past.  Lewis Abraham's father owned and operated a drug store on the main business street (the only business street) of the town.  I think if Lacoochee had had a mayor, Abe would have been it.  His drug store was a favorite meeting place.  I have a picture on my wall at home of him and his wife in the drug store.  I'll post that another day.  Abe came to the States from Syria, established himself, and then went back for his bride, and brought her to begin their lives together in America.  His son, Lewis, is well-remembered in Pasco County for his business acumen.  Abe had a daughter, Lorise, who has written much of the history of Lacoochee.  Someone named her the "Lacoochee Lady."  My first cousin was first cousin with Lewis and Lorise, so I feel connected to them as though they were family.

The last photo of the old house isn't actually in Lacoochee.  It is in the little town of Trilby, just a mile or two away on the other side of Highway 301.  That house belonged to my daddy's parents.  Before my parents were married, he lived there and rode his bike to work at the mill each day.  The house was close to the railroad tracks.  My granddaddy worked for at the train depot there.  Between the house and train depot was a field of phlox.  I loved seeing those flowers, and they always remind me of my grandparents.  I don't know who owns the house now.  The last time I went by, it looked as though someone is using it to store junk in.


Not much remains of Lacoochee now, but much of the town can be seen in the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.  I love to visit there and remember.

Catching up

 It has been a while since I have updated this blog.  I used to write a lot, particularly a lot about Ella.  Time has flown by, and Ella has finished second grade. The photo at the top was taken after her seventh birthday last August.  The day after her party she quickly sat down and wrote thank you notes for all the gifts that she received.  Her parents have taught her well the importance of being grateful and expressing her thanks in a tangible way.

One of Ella's favorite ways to pass her time is to read.  She has a book in her hand almost wherever she goes.  Right now she is reading the series of books, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and A Series of Unfortunate Events.  She recently read Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After reading the book, she watched the movie, then at the dinner table discussed the similarities and differences between the movie and the book.

I was sick during March and into April.  David asked me if I could come up and be with Ella during her spring break.  I told him I wasn't sure at all if I  would feel up to it, but I went.  One day, I told Ella that I needed to lie down on the sofa.  She got right up with me and began reading to me.  The tables had turned.

 In Ella's after school program, the opportunity to take violin lessons was given to the children, and so that has been added to her activities.  The Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra has provided the instruments, the teachers, and the lessons without charge to the students.  What a wonderful opportunity is theirs to learn to play.  I'm going to polish my violin, get a new bow and string's and see if I can keep up with her.

This photo was taken by Ginny, one of Ella's former caregivers at a recent program at Ella's school.  I have spent this past week being taxi driver for Ella and her different activities.   I'm spending this next week with Sarah in Charlottesville, and then going home for a little while, and then returning for birthday number 8.