Lozetta Doll
Bill Stallings and Diane Cazelet are very gracious in sharing their Schilling Road Castle with guests from near and far. The High Prairie group “The Needlers” has been the beneficiary of many fun gatherings, some occurring during the winter months. Part of the “fun” in some instances has been getting there, and discussing the adventures later.
I remember a Valentine’s Day in February 2017. Bill and Diane were as snowed in as the rest of High Prairie but they didn’t let that damper their enthusiasm for a party. Even after a valiant attempt by Earl Kemp to plow their driveway, it still remained impassable to most vehicles. Not to be deterred, Bill shuttled all of us up the hill from our cars which we parked down on the road.
I can’t remember the year of the Christmas party that we talk about the most. The snow was not so terribly deep but the wind was howling, especially at their elevation. Bill was busy helping women from their cars to the house as I drove up with Dona Taylor and Becky Jester. I suggested to Becky that she should remain in the pickup while I helped Dona into the house. As we struggled toward the house, the card on Dona’s gift went flying with the wind, not to be retrieved. By the time I made my way back to the pickup, Becky was hanging onto the door trying to keep from being blown away. All made it safely inside where we enjoyed the party, despite glancing nervously out the windows occasionally at the snow blowing horizontally. Then at the end of the afternoon, most of our vehicles’ doors were frozen shut and had to be pried open. Everyone got home safely though I remember some white-knuckle driving.
We’re dreaming of a white Christmas – ha!