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raymisty2
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 08:07 pm |
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Hello ya'll. I wasn't quite sure where to post this. I didn't want to post it in sightings and encounters because it's not really a sighting or encounter. And since I got off track, it may not be a bigfoot discussion. So i'm just putting it in discussions as not to get in trouble with the man, lol.
Right now this is all I can remember and get so far. The story in this post I got together with my cousin and got what she remembered too. And talking with mom and telling her what I remember from that day its pretty much spot on. (She also added it was a bunch of crazy talk and not to believe a word of it). I didn't want to post it beforehand because I didn't want it to be wrong. Other than that, I haven't had time to talk to Mom much since she is still in Birmingham taking care of my brother that had a stroke last month. She doesn't like to talk about these things over the phone, so when she and my brother come home I will have more time to sit and talk to her about things.
But so far this is what I definitely remember. I'll add more later because I know a few more of her stories but I want to make sure I remember them right too. I don't want to post halfway right stories. Sorry if its a little long. I tend to ramble when telling story's, lol.
First off a little about me. When I say my Mom, she is my Mom but only by adoption. So when I say Mom I mean Mama Ray. My real mother gave me up for adoption when I was just a few weeks old (more or less, long story, another time). Her father is who I will always call my daddy, which is really my grandpa. But to me he's Daddy Ray. His marriage to his first wife produced my real mother. After divorcing he later married Mama Ray. So really me and Mama Ray have no blood relation. My Grandma Ray who told me these stories is actually my great grandmother, but will always be my grandmother because that's how I was raised. Same with my real mother. I call her my sister because that's how I was raised. Are you confused yet? Sorry, didn't mean to do that. Just thought it would be helpful to explain how distant I am from the Cherokee blood. It explains why the ones I call sibs get that red tan and I am freakishly white, lol.
Now a background of my area. I live in Crawford, AL in Russell County. It's a little blink and you'll miss it town. It's the same distance to Phenix City as it is to Opelika/Auburn from here. It's grown a little but it's still basically undeveloped with farm land here and there. I live in the back portion of my mother's land, so I have pretty much lived in the same spot all my life, lol. They bought this place back in 76', and I came into the picture in 79. There used to be alot more woods, but with people moving in and clearing there isn't as much as there used to be in the neighborhood. I live down a dirt-drive off the main road that hasn't been cleared off of woods too much. There's a small creek that crosses from the woods in front of my house down the side and around the back. It is growed up so thick even my animals won't go in it. It is the neighbor's property and they don't want it cleared off. So we clean off as close as we can to the property line. We have about five feet of thick brush and then you hit the creek. My house is about 1/10th of a mile from Hwy 80 west. We loop around off one road and come back closer to the highway so its only a few minutes walk to the Hwy through the woods, versus the long way around by road. On the other side of hwy 80 is nothing but woods. So yea, i'm in the boonies, out in the woods, lol.
I was raised here with my 5 brothers and 4 sisters, but by the time I got old enough to ramble around most of them had already moved out. The youngest sib is my bro and we are seperated by 10 yrs. The ones that had moved out still lived fairly close by so I always had cousins around my age and kids up the street to play with. And what do a bunch of kids do when they are out in the boonies with nothing to do? We played in the woods, of course. Always something to do in the woods, lol.
It was around the age of 10 Grandma Ray came to live with us. She was around 75 at this time and was one of those awesome old souls you meet every once in a while. She was a firecracker, I can tell you that. She had us all "trained right", as she said. Prior to her moving in I hadn't seen her much except for weekend visits where we kids stayed out in the yard and let the grown folks talk. But when she moved in I got to know her more. I found out she was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian, and had bounced from tribe to tribe in her younger years. Her full name consists of 7 different names, because she kept the name of each tribe she was in. Mama told me that yesterday and laughed and she asked if I wrote it all down to remember it since her name was so long.
Anyways she came to live with us and saw how all of us younguns went out into the woods at any given time. She'd tell my daddy and mama that we kids didn't need to be out in the woods unsupervised messing with things that ought to be left alone. Cause we'd go out in the woods and build forts and treehouses, (one that I built is still there, even though its all growed up, lol). She didn't like that at all. Daddy just said let kids be kids and didn't think anything about it. Well, I guess it got to the point where she figured she'd tell us ourselves. So one day when all of the family was having sunday supper she sat us all down and told us a story.
After sunday supper we'd all go outside cause back then that's how you socialized with the family. Usually us kids would leave the grown folks to talk and go play. But not that day. She told us all throughout the day not to run off after supper because she had something she wanted to tell us. So with everybody sitting outside and chatting she finally yelled at us that she was ready. Apparently she'd already told the grown ups what she was gonna tell us because I heard my dad say uh oh, it's time to scare the kids.
Now if you can imagine an old tiny withered lady sitting in a chain held swing yelling at us to sit down and shut up that's the feel of the story. Sitting on the ground swatting skeeters and listening to grandma. Cause if you didn't listen she'd swat you with her cane, or throw something at you sure enough. There was about 6 of us kids in all, me and my cousins sitting around her listening to this story. She's pause every few minutes to spit since she dipped chewing tobacco which we all thought was gross. Below is the edited version because of all the cussing she did. She flat cussed like a sailor, it didn't matter that we were kids or not, lol. Not to mention the grown ups adding comments about the "BS" she was telling us. But finally, here it is:
You kids don't need to be out in them woods. (I can recall one of us asked why and she said shut up and listen, I'll tell you why.) There's are beings in these woods that have been here longer than man itself. People that don't like for you too mess with what they have took so long to make right. And they aren't just in these woods, they are everywhere. From one sea to the next, hiding from us all. They watch over us all but they don't want to be disturbed. They help the woods survive and without them the woods would die. (It started to get a little spooky here, but we dared not interrupt her.) You may not can see them, they hide as easily as a squirrel hides a nut. You may not think they are there, but they are. Watching to make sure everything is okay with their woods. We call them the "Hairy Men" because of the hair that grows as thick as a horses mane all over them. As tall as trees but just as silent as night. (Now, we'd all heard the stories about bigfoot so my brave cuz spoke up.) Bigfoot, Gramdma, you've got to be kidding me. She looked at her and said as mean as a hornet, they are not called bigfoot by me, bigfoot is a name given to them by ignorant folk. But yes, what some call bigfoot. They may not be in the woods around this house, but they are out there and if they decide to come to these woods I don't want you kids messing with anything. But your not gonna listen to me anyways, I just thought you should know to be careful of the woods. If you ever feel like you should get out of the woods then you better git! Cause you might not like what you see. Now go away, i've got things to do.
So we got up and went to play. The grown ups were laughing and she just yelled at them that they were fools not to know no better. I guess they chalked it up to an old insane lady telling fibs to scare the kids. But, we didn't go to the woods that day because she was watching us like a hawk. We talked it over and we too decided Grandma Ray was just an "old fart".
And she was right. We didn't listen to her. In the next few days we slowly migrated back to the woods. We spent days afterward looking for bigfoot (sorry grams for using that word) and joking around about him being there and watching us. If she'd see us go out towards the woods she'd yell, you (bleep) kids just don't listen!!!! Pretty soon we forgot about her warning and went back to our forts and playing in the creek. But late at night when the other kids would leave she'd tell me more. Daddy would get on to her for scaring me with nonsense tales of things in the woods. But she still told me them. And I will further post those tales later on. And even if I didn't show it while playing with the other kids, I always knew she wasn't crazy. Over time though I stopped looking over my shoulder so much. And thankfully never got that feeling of being watched. But I truly believe she knew what she was talking about.
But just a year or so after that she moved out to Mississipi with my aunt and I never got to see her again. She died at the age of 82 in a hospital with diabetes. They had to cut both her legs off at the knee by then. Daddy and Mama went out to see her from time to time, but I always stayed with other family. Being that age I never really understood that you should spend time with someone you love as much as possible, because they might not be there long. I remember the times I had with her, and I wish there were more. But I cherish what I have.
My whole life I have always been a "quirky" person. Even at the age of 29 I am more of a tomboy than anything. I'd rather read a book or watch a documentary than go out to bars and socialize. I love nature and animals. I love to lay in the grass and watch clouds. I like all things weird and unknown, I like to learn about places and things, I like to sit at the gas station and listen to the older generations stories. I like to think that being raised as a "free spirit" and being left to figure out things on my own has kept my mind open to all possibilities. My lessons were right from wrong, fact is fact, and then there's what you believe that can't nobody change.
So that's it for now. I can't think of anything else to ramble on about. Again, sorry it's so long. I have a writer's instinct so when I sit down to write anything out it tends to be detailed. And plus I proofread way to much and keep adding something every time I do. But that's all for now and i'll add the other stories whenever I get more.
Thanks for Reading.
Misty
Here's a two pictures from my front yard. It gets very spooky at night, lol.
 Attachment: attachment (2).jpg (Downloaded 175 times)
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cryptoseeker
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 09:13 pm |
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Great story Misty. I too had a grandma that was a strong woman ( as I like to call them ) .
My grandmother was born & raised in Ohio on a farm back in 1918 and she told me how her play time was taking off for miles out in the woods . She was the type of woman who hunted, fished, drank beer and was scared of nothing .
When she came to Florida back in the late 50s she bought a half acre of land ( that she cleared by hand by herself ) this half acre of land was where I later on started having my experiences . We would go for walks & hikes in the woods behind the property and I would see things ( tree bends , shelters and such ) when I would mention them to her I was told , " pay no mind they are just things in the woods but you steer clear of them " .
We would also sometimes camp in the back yard and she would bring her shot gun every time . I remember asking her once was she bringing the gun because of the panther that would come to the property line . She responded with a no that panther aint gonna bother us , its for somethin else that might come in a little to close for her comfort .
The night she had her run in with something at the back of the property was the only time I saw her get scared .
She was an amazing woman who taught me about the woods, nature and my Cherokee ways .
Thanks for sharing your story ........
Carolann  ......
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If We Knew What We Were Doing , It Wouldnt Be Called Research ! - A Einstein
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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Wed Sep 10th, 2008 11:43 pm |
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| Great story Misty. Thank God for all our fantastic Grandmas--TnC
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Lorraine
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Posted: Thu Sep 11th, 2008 12:19 am |
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Great story, Misty. I can't wait to hear some of the other stories your grandmother told you. You write well (I'm a kindred spirit when it comes to wordiness! Lol!).
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raymisty2
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Posted: Thu Sep 11th, 2008 02:21 pm |
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Thanks for the comments ya'll. Yep, Lots of wisdom to gain from our older generation. I wish more people would realize that, lol.
The kids missed the bus this morning so I had to take them to school (got ambushed by teachers and actually had to go inside, lol). I took this pic on the way home. It's on Hwy 80 west. My house would be at the top of the hill on this (<----) side. So a sas could easily trot across the road. The woods on the other side of the road and down in that area is where this encounter took place: http://www.alabamabigfoot.com/forums/forum9/51.html
Till later.
Misty
(edit: Dang, my windshield is dirty, sorry about that, lol)Attachment: road.jpg (Downloaded 148 times) Last edited on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 02:24 pm by raymisty2
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oldcrow
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Posted: Thu Sep 11th, 2008 07:47 pm |
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| Thanks for the account. It was great. You were blessed.
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monkeybait
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Posted: Fri Sep 12th, 2008 12:13 am |
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Wow Misty!! Great story! I hope you tell more stories from when you were growing up when we are in Alabama.
Michael
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Gena
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 01:27 am |
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Misty, that was a great story. They don't make grandma's like they use too. Nothing beats growing up with a big rural Southern family. Extended families just don't get together and share their stories and wisdom like they use to.
Gena
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Charley
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Posted: Sun Oct 5th, 2008 10:05 pm |
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Hey Misty, Thanks for your story. Reminds me so much of my own Grandparents.
Maternal Grandparents were Granny and Grandad, paternal Grandparents were Grandpa and Grandma. The only one of my Greats was Greatgrandma Elledge, my Grandads Mother.
Granny was the only one who didn't use snuff, she smoked cigarettes.
At family get-togethers, there was always a time set aside for the kids to sit down and listen to the Elders. I wish I was able to do it again, as they have all passed on.
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, remembering these wonderful people.
Again, THANK YOU.
Charley
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Charley
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Posted: Tue Oct 7th, 2008 09:36 pm |
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Now that I have calmed down, I can finish what I started to say, yesterday.
Grandma was a Full-Blood Blackfoot, and as such, had many good stories to share. I learned much about the way of life from her.
Grandad was half Cherokee, Great Grandmother Elledge was full-blood. Her parents came to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. She passed away when I was 11 years old, so I didn't get to talk to her very much.
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tennesseecherokee
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Posted: Tue Oct 7th, 2008 10:14 pm |
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| Charley, Sounds like your were really blessed to have had such fine grandparents and it's really special that the mere thought of them can bring back such a flood of joyful memories. We all love our people and it's tough when we have to say goodbye for now. That is just for right now though. We are all comprised of energy and if you believe that then we also know that energy can never be destroyed--only changed from one form into another. As I am now at the point in my life that I resemble an old Silverback Gorilla, I realize that soon my time too will come to escape the bonds of this Earth to join all the wonderful people and loved ones on the other side. My advice to all my younger friends here who are fortunate enough to still have your grandparents here with you is this----spend all the time you can with them, listen carefully to all the knowledge that they are so glad to impart to you and grab up whatever you have--a tape recorder, movie camera,mini-dv or what have ya and capture them as you will want to remember them. It will be one of the best things you will ever do. Next, pass it on down to your children.Nobody is ever truly gone as long as one person remembers them.---Great post Charley------TnC--------------------
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raymisty2
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Posted: Wed Oct 8th, 2008 12:06 pm |
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A few tears came to my eyes as I thought about her and the ones that have passed.
Thank you everyone for the comments and I'm glad it helped stir a few memories.
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~Never judge a being by its legend.
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ahoward3
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Posted: Thu Oct 9th, 2008 03:32 am |
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Misty,
I've heard lots of wood knocking from right off Padgett's Rd in the same patch of woods you were taking pictures in - the creek/swamp runs from the Chattahoochee all the way through to the Tuskegee National Forest - lots of room to roam and all the required ingredients: water, wildlife, and cover.
I get home to Seale a couple of times a year - will keep you posted of other things I note when I'm there - was there in early SEP and my father was commenting on how strange it was that certain trees were always getting bent over the drive (it's only about .4 mile long)...
He knows what I think but can't connect the dots...
Your grandmother was right - and they are definitely still there.
Missing Russell County in Texas - Bobo
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