The Beautiful Party

Back in February of 2021 when we recorded the first episode with Billy, he had taken the time to make notes, lots of notes, on topics he wanted to talk about. 

After nearly an hour and 15 minutes of recording, I started trying to wrap that session up knowing that we had plenty to work with but Billy didn't want to stop because we hadn't gotten to everything on his list. I assured him we'd do more ... and we did ... but we did not get to everything on his list in the subsequent recordings. 

Luckily, Andrew has that list so we got together to work through the list and record those stories for Billy. We're in good hands as Billy and Andrew were seldomly apart growing up and, as Andrew makes clear, beautiful parties happened in all sorts of places back then. I think they still do.

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

I think I finally figure out something to include for my dad, Ronnie. I sure miss him. 

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

More than four decades of Billy and his Society of Bums marching in the Joe Cain Day parade. What started so simply became an iconic part of Mardi Gras in Mobile.

Here's an interview with Billy from 2012 about the SOBs. 

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

Andrew was over at Billy's this week so we took the opportunity to get together and try and record the details of how Billy created and played various characters over the years. In part 1, we wanted to talk about Billy as Santa Clause. It took a while to get him on topic but we eventually learned a lot about all those Christmases with Santa Billy.

Next, in part 2, we'll see what we can learn about Whiskey, leader of the Society of Bums.

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

There were some unanswered questions after we recorded the Lansdowne episode that I thought dad's (Ronnie's) good friend Tim Layfield might be able to shed some light on.  Whenever dad was into a project, there was a good chance he would enlist Tim's help and that was certainly the case at 3805 Lansdowne Cir in 1980.

Tim was kind enough to talk and sure enough, he had plenty to add.

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

In 1980, construction began on a house for Donald and Katherine in a west Mobile neighborhood called Lansdowne. Their second child, Ronnie, drove the project and many in the family participated in some way during construction and in the maintenance of the house after it was built. For nearly two decades, the family gathered at 3805 Lansdowne Cir for every holiday and more at Katherine's direction. When grandma said be here, we were all there as expected. 

It was Andrew's great idea to gather and talk about that house, its construction, and all the things we could remember. So, Andrew, Billy, Flo, Jerry, and me got together to talk it through. What a good time!

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

Andrew is the third child of Donald and Katherine Still and the older of the their twin boys ... and don't you forget it. It's clear that he and Billy are close even if they are constantly digging at each other. 

With each episode, I'm amazed at the different perspectives each sibling brings to the telling of stories they all lived and Andrew didn't disappoint. As usual, he brought more stories I hadn't heard before and that's exactly what I hoped for.

Our conversation was pretty laid back until he pulled out a poem his mom wrote for he and Billy about being the mother of twins. I'm telling you now, water works are coming so, get some tissues. It was a beautiful, teary, runny nose party. 

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

I had a ball talking with my Uncle Billy about Donald and Katherine and growing up in their family. As I'm now just expecting, he shared some details that I had not heard before and his perspective on some of the common stories was certainly unique. Mostly, I'm struck by his joy and how he remembers his mom living joyfully and reminding him to always find something to laugh about. Great lessons for us all.

There is a Hunter S. Thompson quote that I've always thought so very well described Billy and I believe that even more after spending some time talking about life with him. See if you don't agree:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

I bet you can smell the smoke by the end of this episode. What a ride, indeed! What a beautiful party.

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

Cecilia was the first daughter born to Donald and Katherine Still. She carries on many traditions from Katherine such as sewing, my-naise, cakes, and more. Cecilia shares a lot about her mom and she also shares some touching memories about the softer side of her dad and being the first daughter after a string of four sons.

The two most important things to remember are that she can, and still does, slice one piece of bread cross-ways into two AND she is on record here promising to cook gumbo, cabbage rolls, and 1, 2. 3, 4 cake for me the next time I get down to Mobile. Remember that last part. I know I will.

See you soon, Aunt Cecilia!

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!

Jerry, as he is most often known, is the 6th child born to Donald and Katherine Still. We talked about paper routes, working at the Clover Farm, and how he artfully dodged his father's direct instructions as a child.

I very much enjoyed visiting with Jerry and hearing his unique perspective on growing up on Fairway Drive. I hope you enjoy listening to his episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Be sure to let me know what size 'Grandpa was a Pimp' t-shirt you want. Jerry and I will probably be selling them soon.

Do you have family stories to tell? Memories of Donald and Katherine? Stories about family gatherings? Whatever it may be, if it's related to the Still family, it would be good to hear.

Email Mark Still at [email protected] and we'll add it to the records!