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Uncle Odell Bradshaw's "Hex"

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                        Last night, I posted an entry about my Santa Claus, Odell Bradshaw. A great, fun-loving, joyful man, who was really my 1st cousin 2x removed. Due to "Technical Difficulties, Maybe", I removed it. Here's the Low Down. But first, a smile from Uncle Odell........

     
                                       

                         After a few hours of sleep, I opened my blog to check who read it, and also to read it with fresh eyes. Well, I pressed a button to move a line of type.....and I messed up my whole blog entry. I attempted to fix it, but ended up deleting the original post. I don't think it was a "mistake", for too much weird stuff was happening. The thought suddenly hit me.... "Uncle Odell's hexing me!! He doesn't want his business in the Universe". My first mind is usually my right mind, and I had to laugh OUT LOUD....with my cup of coffee sloshing back and forth. 

                          Those of you who read my original entry may remember my family's penchant for: around-the-house "Salt Spreading", women's clothing "Creek Dropping", and burning shed hair after cleaning it from their hairbrushes. Rituals.....For keeping evil spirits, and "No Good" folks offa me" said my grandmother Ernestine DANIELS, Uncle Odell's 1st cousin.

                           So, to honor my first mind, and Uncle Odell's Hex, (insert canned laughter), I'll be good, LISTEN to my misstep, and start over. 

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                           Odell Bradshaw was probably born laughing, with big round cheeks, 4 April 1910 in Round Rock, Texas. His mother was Hallie DANIELS(1894-1935), sister of my maternal Great Grandfather Will Daniels,(1890-1947)....both from Round Rock, Texas. 


                          

                               Hallie and Will had other siblings: Lizzie, Henry, Dock, Beatrice, Delia Mae, Alma and Iola. Their parents were Monroe DANIELS(1862-1926), and Amanda WASHINGTON(1867-1963), both of Round Rock, Texas. They are buried there also. Uncle's father was D. BRADSHAW. I have no information on him yet. 


                            Mother Hallie's husband was Cooper ALLEN, at her time of death. I heard the name "Terrell" spoken more often than I remember his presence. I believe he was uncle Odell's brother, by Mr. Allen. Gathering definitive documentation on Terrell is a work in progress.

  
                                  

                                                   

                          In the mid to late 1960's Uncle Odell snatched us off to Annual Boat Shows in San Antonio, and New Braunfels, Texas. My love for the water began with him....and watching Taffy Machines stretch Taffy! Below is his club's insignia, and they're still active today.

        

                                Uncle Odell kept his Christmas Tree up year round, with presents, candy and fruit sprinkled under it.

                              He usually visited us with an armload of gifts. It could have been Christmas, Just Because, or Birthdays. He really enjoyed bringing us dolls dressed in Period clothing similar to this, encased in a plastic cylinder. 


                                

                            Mom thought her girls were too young to appreciate these dolls. She said they were for older girls, but he brought them anyway. I don't recall him having children, and maybe that's why he showered his nieces /cousins with love, laughter, and affection                            

                            

                          Uncle Odell made the best Home Made Garlic Pickles. I spent my last day with him in 1985. He was declining in health, and physically wasn't the "Roly Poly" man who reminded me of.....


...... but, dipped in Chocolate!

His memory lives on 

He and I share Birthdays
         four days apart, love of water, boats, 
                           humor, and the reality that both our mothers       passed away in their early 40's.

I Loved My Santa


Comments

  1. Your Uncle sounds loveable and amazing. Thank you for sharing your memories.

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    1. You are so welcome, and thank YOU for stopping by!!

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  2. Thanks for sharing Uncle Odell with us....He must have been a wonderful human being with a heart of gold.

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    1. A big ol' heart, Vicky....BIG. You are so welcome :)

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  3. You were very fortunate to have an Uncle Odell and those dolls were given out of love. He had a great joyful spirit to keep the tree up through out the year!

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    1. I kept my Charlie Brown Tree up last year, mainly because I was honoring Uncle odell and my maternal Grandfather James William Chappell, who kept his up too!! Thank you for your words:)

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  4. WoW a real life Black Santa! This was so Good. I hope we hear more about Uncle Odell!

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    1. Yep!! A REAL one,True!! Thank you for enjoying my post:)

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  5. Such a sweet post! I literally was reading in the carpool lane with a big ole smile across my face. I'm inclined to believe you -- here you were talking about being careful to stay out of "grown folk business" all while telling it!

    "Rituals.....For keeping evil spirits, and "No Good" folks offa me" said my grandmother Ernestine DANIELS"... you sure we're not related?!:)

    Thanks for sharing Christmas with us CC & thanks to Uncle Odell for still regulating!:)

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    1. Hahaaa!!! The "Regulators".....WHERE would we be without them? You are a DANIELS, and that may be something to research! Thank you so much, Luckie:)

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  6. Cecelia, what a wonderful story and such a befitting one for this time of the year!! Uncle Odell sounds like he was a wonderful man and a child's best friend. I believe everyone needs to have an Uncle Odell in the family. Great post!

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    1. Thank you my cousin! I do hope EVERYONE had an Uncle Odell. I appreciate all your support, Marlive:)

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  7. WOW Uncle Odell sounds like the person anyone would love, unconditionally. Thanks so much for sharing him with us.

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    1. As unconditional as it gets! I appreciate you stopping by and reading it, Mary :)

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  8. your Uncle Odell sounds like a wonderful man! thank you for sharing his story!

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  9. Your Uncle sounds like a wonderful caring man... Yup this is the story he wanted you to publish.

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    Replies
    1. You know I'm laughing, right? Thank you for understanding my plight!!! He was wonderful, and very caring. I'm proud to be able to share him with the world in this manner :)

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