Me, Odie, and Juliet

Odie Housewright is my grandmother. She is 95 years old today! Happy Birthday Little Odie, Juliet and I are sick we cannot be there to celebrate with you.

She is without question one of the most amazing people I have had the privilege to know in my lifetime.

Odie sings and plays guitar

Odie retired from Freestone County at age 89

When I was a child I would stay with Odie almost every day in the summers. We played dominoes and rummy. Odie taught me math and gamesmanship.

Odie is one of the best cooks you will ever meet. Even my discerning Italian friends over the years have loved Odie's food and always want to see her when they come to Texas.

Odie picked cotton as a child and has always worked in some capacity. Even now she cooks regularly for my father and stepmother.

Odie can do a crossword puzzle faster than I ever will.

Odie can laugh and cry at the same time because her joy is overwhelming and just as infectious.

Odie is also stern in her will and uncompromising in her faith.

Odie makes quilts that should hang in The Smithsonian.

Odie and I once canned a tomato juice product we affectionately called V-3. It may have only been 3 ingredients but it truly embarrassed V-8 in quality.

Odie makes Caramel Pie, Buttermilk Pie, Rhubarb Pie, Chocolate Pie, Chocolate Fried Pie, Coconut Cake, Fantasy Fudge, Blackberry Cobbler, and a Jell-O dessert I would choose 9 times out of 10 over anything at any restaurant I frequent.

Odie loves with 100% of herself and she could care less about what others think of her. The funny thing is: others love her because she is so real and without social hangups.

Odie takes NO medicine of any kind except for 1/2 an aspirin every once in awhile.

Odie is the Matriarch and the soul of the Housewright family. We are the luckiest family we know to have Odie in our lives; healthy and still Odie.

Odie makes meatloaf, hamburger steaks, okra and tomatoes, turnips, pork steak, ham, turkey, dressing, gravy, turnip greens, spinach, fried chicken, cottage cheese salad, plum jam, biscuits, green beans and new potatoes, and black-eyed peas with cornbread

Odie has taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, worked for the senior center, worked for a rich woman, sang at reunions, given speeches, and prayed every night

Odie will beat you in 42, Chicken Foot, Dominoes, Canasta, or any other game she fancies

Odie always answers her phone and always has encouragement and kindness for me. Odie has never wavered in her belief in me.

When I grow up I want to be just like Odie.