it's about life.. down here in ...

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Finding Lahoma ...

Finding Lahoma was much easier than I had expected... Yes... I have found Lahoma McCollom Herron... 86 years young; still painting, sewing, quilting and crafting, daily, in Robinson, Texas.

The beautiful bird painting was given to a young man whose last name was Daniels. Lahoma believes that the family downsized their living accommodations, and thus... her beautiful painting ended up at the Goodwill... where it found me. Then this morning, about 10 a.m. the phone rang...
I answered.."Hello?"

"Hello Dixie!"... was the reply...

"Lahoma, is that you?" I said...

"Yes dear.. it's me! It's Lahoma."...

and so the 30-minute conversation began.


Lahoma had already read my previous blog post, Looking for Lahoma Herron. (if you haven't read it and would like to just click on the title and be magically transported to the original post!). She was thrilled that I had found her painting and that I had taken the time to look for her and to write about her. Everything that I share with you here, I have Lahoma's permission to share... I hope you enjoy her story... (Candy, I know it's a lot of words, so I'm going to supply photos for those like you and me, that prefer to look at the pretty pictures!).

Lahoma Maxine McCollom was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma (and named after her state... OkLahoma) in August of 1921. She Married Eugene Alexander Herron in February of 1939. After WWII, Lahoma and Eugene moved to McLean, Texas and farmed for 17 years.

In McLean, they ran the last "Grade A Raw Milk Dairy" in Texas until the drought.

During the drought (the 6-yr Texas drought 1951-1956), they had to sell the cattle and find some other means of support.


Eugene went to California and came back with a job setting up and running a bra and girdle factory, where Lahoma also worked for 7-years.

Finally, "Eugene got fed up with it" and they left the factory and McLean for Paris... Paris, Texas in 1961.

There, Lahoma's Sweet Shoppe was born, where Lahoma turned out all kinds of sweets, candies, cakes and pies.

Eugene passed away in March of 1981... but Lahoma continued to live in Paris.

Lahoma had always wanted to paint pictures, so around 1985 she started taking painting lessons from an artist/teacher in Paris... uh, Texas...

and Lahoma started painting everything that would take paint. Today she paints on paper, canvas, farm implements, shells, glass... just about everything.


Then in 2003, Lahoma gave up her little house in Paris and moved to Robinson, Texas with her daughter, Lona; where she still resides. She has a walker, which she doesn't use... and one of those little "help I've fallen" beepers... just in case... but she says she doesn't really need either one!

Each year, Lahoma (or "Aunt Homie" as she is known to her family) hand paints more than 300 Christmas cards for friends and family and mails them out. She said "sometimes they come back with a little note telling (her) that the person is deceased"...
She also has a list of special friends and family that she paints birthday cards for each year.

We talked about my Uncle A and Aunt C (also in their 80's), and how they attend a funeral nearly every week. I told her sometimes Uncle A gets depressed with so many friends and family dying... Lahoma said she doesn't go to funerals because "they are depressin"... and she doesn't like to feel depressed! She told me that she still loves to sew and quilt... in fact she currently has a "quilt in the frame"... but says she can't do those tiny little 16-stitches-to-the-inch Amish quilts... but she likes to quilt anyway...

What a delight she was to talk to today. I think I could have stayed on the phone with her for hours. She is full of life, and I bet, full of stories too.

Lahoma and I have exchanged phone numbers and addresses. I think a new friendship has been born... and how lucky I am to be the benefactor of that precious painting... which Miss Lahoma is so proud to know, hangs in a special place in my home where I see it every day.

This little biography of Lahoma Herron will be printed, put into an envelope, and attached to the back of my little painting of birds... Hopefully, 50-years from now when both Lahoma and I are gone.. someone else will find this little painting in a thrift shop somewhere and wonder... "where is Lahoma Herron?"

Just enjoying the view... and the wonder of living... down here in French Lique... thanks Lahoma...
and just a note... Thank you Candy for photo shopping the three pictures of Lahoma for me... The photos of Lahoma's bird painting were taken by me. The rest of the photos you see have been googled and are simply part of my vivid imagination. Thank you for joining me in the search for Lahoma Herron.


Blessings, Dixie

38 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a precious and touching story. How wonderful that you went to the trouble to hunt for her and the finally find her and become friends and learn a little of her history. A wonderful blessing. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness what a happy ending!
I began reading all this earlier than had to scoot and run errands ,so I was mighty pleased to find out the rest of the Lahoma Story. It made me think of family stories of my own I should write down and put into an envelpoe for the future treasure hunters.Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

I'm so happy you found Lahoma and thank you for sharing her delightful story. Warm wishes, Esther

Deb said...

I am so happy you found her, what a interesting story, made me smile all over

Heidi Pocketbook said...

I'm so glad you found her, and that you are each blessed to have found a new friendship. She sounds like a spunky lady!

Loved the story and way you presented it as well, Dixie☺

Anonymous said...

I love that old GRAND sign. I'm hooked on vintage neon signs. I hope you are having a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

DEAR DIXIE,
WHAT A HEART WARMING STORY...THOSE ARE THE THINGS SOME OF THE GREATEST MOVIES ARE CREATED FROM.
WHAT A CHARMING FRIEND TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE AND YOU HER'S ALL BECAUSE SHE DECIDED TO TAKE A WATER COLOR CLASS AND THEN SOMEONE GAVE HER WATER COLOR AWAY....
AWESOME....
ONLY YOU DIXIE
HUGS
debbie

Candy said...

Oh I made it through the whole thing! What a sweet story, sweet lady, and special connection. Glad I could be part of it.
Enjoy your Sunday, Candy

cottage farm villa said...

Dixie, this was such a wonderful story to read about Lahoma....you are a special lady!! Thank you so much for sharing this post with us! xo

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Dixie...I am so thrilled that you found Miss Lahoma! And I know she must be so appreciative that someone cared enough about her painting to bother to not only look her up, but to listen to her story and to find her life interesting! What a good idea to put her story on the back of the painting so that she...and you...will never be lost in time!! You are such a sweetie, Miss Dixie, and I am proud ot call you my friend!!!...hugs...Debbie

Kat said...

Dixie, this is such a fantastic story! How special that you were able to contact each other, and what an interesting life she has led. The internet really is an amazing thing. Thanks for sharing such a neat story. Kathy

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Dixie how great you found her. And what a wonderful story. I do believe a real friendship has started.
Thanks for sharing.
Molly

xinex said...

What a sweet story, Dixie! Alas! a friendship begins from a trip to a thrift shop. That precious bird painting brought you and Lahoma together. I am glad you located her....Christie

Chris said...

Bravo! You've memorialized a legend! Great post!

Unknown said...

such a heartwarming story, thanks for sharing it with us this glorious day
happy twirls

Helen said...

Just loved and so enjoyed this post ... have a wonderful week.

bj said...

How fun for all concerned that you did this, Dixie girl...I loved reading about it.
xo bj

Anonymous said...

How exciting for the both of you. (and me also - I just read your little story and have tears in my eyes). She really is a wonderful lady and I am glad to know that she has blessed someone else. Aunt Hommie is an Angel! Enjoy your treasure! I am sure you have been added to the list of people that receive one of her hand painted cards at Christmas time. I have framed some of those too. Have a great day, Shelley

Anonymous said...

Hi Dixie,
I enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you so much for your interest and enthusiasm! I know my family will love sharing this story at our next family reunion in 2010.
Thanks again,
Krystal

momma said...

a note about the poll on ww: if you wanted a break, you could make the first or last wednesday of each month blogger's choice.

i personally like that you pick what we are wordless (or semi-wordless) about. it take sthe stress off of me and puts it on you! haha!! :)

Chandy said...

Dixie, what a great post about Lahoma Herron! I'd love to meet her through you lovely descriptions. What a wonderful way to connect!

Elizabethd said...

Thank you for your visit, its so nice to meet new friends.
I loved reading both your blogs and will be back to visit. What abeautiful stroy of Miss Lahoma.

Stephanie said...

This is a fantastic story. What a life she's had! You know, what I think of when I read life stories of someone who has been there and done that....that it's going to be ok. If you are going through a rough patch, life goes on, things change and it's ok. Gosh, with all the stuff in the news these days it's refreshing to get a perspective from someone who has lived through and persevered after challenges and still managed to lead an interesting and creative life. I salute you Lahoma!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Dixie, this is just a wonderful story. She sounds like such a lovely lady, and I remember the pretty bird painting you found. I am SO glad the two of you have connected with one another through your persistent efforts. laurie

Charlotte said...

This is so wonderful. What are the odds that she would read your blog when you were looking for her. What makes it special to me is that I have an aunt Lahoma also. She was born in Oklahoma, has lived in California since the 40s and is now in her 80s. Her last name is Smith. I just recently got in touch with her daughter through Classmates. Aren't computers wonderful?
Charlotte

Dixie said...

Not meaning to confuse... Lahoma didn't read my blog until I had sent the link to her neice, who then forwarded it to Lona and Lahoma... but yes.. I'd never have found her without the this wonderful computer, internet (thanks Al Gore...teehee) and well intentioned helpers...
blessings. Dixie

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Now I have to tell you...
I LOVED THIS POST!!!

LaVerne said...

Dixie, I love your story about finding Lahoma...I have a painting that was also probably done by a Texas artist in 1940(Pink Saturday a couple of weeks ago)...what an inspred idea to use the Internet to try to track her/him down. I'll let you know if I am as lucky.
Thanks for stoping by the Valley Girls JunQue Sale on Saturday.It was great to meet you.
Hope to see you at Market Day in Wimberley on April 4. I have a few things in Booth 375 by Gate 3.

à la parisienne said...

You have such a one of a kind blog. I am glad to have met you. I can't wait to see your post on scarves!

Shirley said...

What a marvelous lady...a real inspiration. Please stop by. I've left a little award for you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Dixie, I adored that wonderful story!!! You and Lahoma need to collaborate and write a book about the events that led you to her and her interesting life!! I think it's all so wonderful.

YOU LUCKY DUCK--getting to go the the VG JunQue sale!! Did you meet Nancy of Nancy's Crafty Pages fame? I wanted to travel to that!!! One day, I will--my friends and I also dream of coming to Round Top!

Hope you're having a great week--see you for WW!! Dana

Linda C said...

I loved reading every word! This is such a great story, from your search, to finding her. What a blessing, too, that you made a new friend:)

Linda C

Paula In Pinetop said...

Oh how great this is !!! That painting really really sweet.

Anonymous said...

that makes me want to cry with joy or something. ty for sharing this story, xJ

Macey said...

This is so cool! That painting found you for sure, it knew that you would take care of it and be the lovely kind of person who would find the lady who painted it. It makes me miss my grandparents.
Macey

Angela said...

Just precious!!! I'm so glad that you found her and was able to talk to her and all of that information about her!

Thanks for sharing!

Hugs,
Angela

Joy said...

Thank you so much for re-posting this wonderful story. It just blessed me so much. What wonderful women both of you are. You for caring and searching for her and she for such an amazing life and all her creativity.
I'm so glad her painting has found a home that will treasure it. I can't believe that was at Goodwill.

Joy

Unknown said...

Hello! I am Lahoma Herron's oldest granddaughter, Laura. I found this and it was so sweet of you! MeeMaw, (as we called her) was such a sweet grandma. She always had a hug, or something sweet to eat. Thank you for sharing this! She has gone on to be with her Lord earlier this year in February. I appreciate this! Thank you!