A SOUTHERN FAMILY

My Father's Family

Dad feeding me at three weeks

My father was 18 when I was born, a mere child himself. We lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where my father was attending the University of Arkansas and later the Law school. 

Lisa Denise Fairley between 3 and 7 days old, in hospital.

I have often said, as Groucho Marx so beautifully put, “I think I should start by telling you I was born at an early age.”


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My father’s parents were Granny and Granddaddy Fairley. They lived in the town, Osceola, Arkansas.  My grandparents were always kind to my siblings and me and always wanted us to visit. Their home was down the street from Uncle Eldon’s, who was the main Doctor in town. Uncle Eldon and his sister Vivian lived in the house that they and my Grandfather grew up in. Uncle Eldon was a generous man. Uncle Edlon and Aunt Vivian never married or had children.
Every year at Christmas they threw a huge gift-giving party for all the Fairley Relatives.

Uncle Eldon had a special relationship with Lind, as most of us did. Lind was kind, good-natured, and a loyal friend to everyone. Uncle Edlon extended his generosity to Lind when he and Vivian allowed Lind to live with them for a short stint when Lind was in need.

Granddaddy and Granny Fairley with me at Sizzler

Grandaddy Fairley with ice tea

Kimber and me at Uncle Eldon and Aunt Vivian's  house on Christmas day.

Uncle Eldon with Lind

Uncle Eldon and Lind, circa 1985, in front of Fairley Clinic

Aunt Vivian at the Fairley Clinic

Great-Granddaddy Fairley or Papawl

Great-Granddaddy Fairley, was a stern man and I was frightened by him.

A SOUTHERN FAMILY

Sherwood Ohlendorf
My Mother

NEW YORK CITY

After my parents divorced in 1968 in West Memphis, Arkansas, my Mother moved us 3 children to New York City. We moved into a nice apt on 82^nd between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, 3 blocks down from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to my delight. My Mother studied art at the Arts Student League and had a one-woman exhibit at the Paula Insler Gallery that year. It was a big deal for us. My Mother purchased a beautiful dress from an up-and-coming fashion designer, and a photographer from the Delta Review came to our home to photograph her in it. My Grandparents and Aunt June came to town for the event. A photograph that was taken of me at the event later became my favorite painting of my Mother’s.

Sherwood's one-woman exhibit at Paula Insler Gallery

Lisa at exhibit

Sherwood's painting of Lisa at exhibit