Yes, I know it is after Christmas, but I hope you all had a wonderful day (and season) I know I did.
For the past several years, Christmas has not meant much to me, but for some reason this year it turned out very nice. I wonder if maybe it was because I didn't expect much. Of course having moved just a month before, left me kind of wondering just what would happen. But, I have been truly blessed. It has been just wonderful.
Special occassions often lead to traditions, and such has been the case with my family and Christmas. From the time I was a little girl, Christmas always meant spending Christmas with my Dad's mother, Grandma Arcand, and that side of the family. We often spent most of Christmas day with my Mother's Mom and Sister who lived in the bay area. After that part stopped for some reason, we continued to spend Christmas Eve with Grandma A, until she passed away in 1947, and then it was still Christmas Eve with my Aunt & Uncle. My uncle died in the 50's, but my Aunt continued with Christmas Eve. The last one we had was in 1971. She passed away the next week in Alaska. Then the Christmas tradition kind of went by the wayside. Then in about 1989, after HRR and I had seperated, we stated trying the get the family together again, but the older girls were married and having families of their own, so there was much conflect for Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day. So, we started getting the family together on the Sunday before Christmas. This we did for years, even when I was living in an apartment in Woodland for two seasons. When I moved into the Senior Aparttments in Yuba City, and could no longer host such a group, the family took over. Michael had us for a couple of years, Becky had it one year, Judy had it one year, and then we had it at the Odd Fellows hall in Yuba City one or two years. We had stopped exchanging gifts, for a number of reasons, and somehow, it just lost a lot of the feeling, at least to me. I think the fact that I was no longer working, and could not afford to "gift" the way I had, probably had a lot to do with sppoiling Christmas for me. So this year, even after the invitations had been sent out, it was decided not to have the "family" gethering again. Of course, I was sad to see it happen, but I had been expecting it for a couple of years. And, on my part, I think it turned out better, even doing it this way. All of the sisters did not get to spend Christmas together, but that wouldn't have happened anyway; one was in Texas with part of her family; another lives in Nevada; so they would not have all been together anyway. But by doing it this way, I spent Christmas Eve with one daughter and her family (eleven out of a possible 16), Then I went over to a granddaughter's to spend the night and have Christmas morning with her family - 7 of us here, and then we went to another daughter for Christmas day - 24 here. We really got to visit with each other much better, without trying to have all of us together at one place. Later in the evening, the daughter I had spent the day with brought me home. All in all it was a wonderful Christmas for me!!
And really, that wasn't all. Three different times during the week before Christmas, friends from church had taken me out to see the lighted houses. This is something I have always enjoyed, and man, they really do it up right down here. Although I was told, things were not as decorated as they have sometimes been - good old "economy" you know. There is one section in Rocklin where there are about five or six blocks where every house is really lit up. And, all with themes - "Precious Mements", "Popeye", "Snoopy" and just about every children's story you can think of. They had music playing, and there were people walking up and down the street. It was very imprssive, and a beautiful night to do it. Oh, yes, we also had a very nice Christmas party for the OASIS group of the church. We have about one hundred people who are considered "members" of this group and there were between 40 &50 there. Members of the church had prepared a Prime Rib dinner. Very good. It was a dreee-up party and really had a holiday atmosphere. We exchanged gifts (each person brought an ornament to exchange) and it was just a very nice evening.
So, it has been a very pleasant Christmas for me. I hope each of you have some special memories to keep about this year, too. And may your New Year be the best you have had. Right now, things are pretty tough for a lot of people, maybe even one of you. My prayer is that this next year will be a very good one for each of you, and as I said, may you keep many good memories with you. God Bless you all.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
I've moved, cont'd
I was just rereading my post from the other day, and I cannot believe the errors in it. I must not have proofed it before I posted it. But, I hope you understood what I was saying. There didn't seem to be anything that changed the context or meaning of the phrase or word.
I mentioned that I was still having some problems with my computer, but I think they are all worked out now. It is so good to be playing my games again.
Artymae is a lady a little bit younger than myself, with many physical problems. Actually, she is probably more able to do things than I am, but she has a multitude of health problems. She has the normal old-age problems of high blood presure, and a couple others, but she has leukemia, a heart condition, a disease called Hashimoto's (have no idea what it is), and I don't know what else. She almost independently supports a pharmacy. Her daughter, Diane, and her husband, Larry help. Last summer Artymae took a very nasty fall at Target, hurting herself badly. She has not fully recovered from that, and it is one of the reasons they were glad to have an opportunity to have someone with her. I try not to make any more work for her, because I can do so little to help. I do most of my own cooking, take care of my own room, unload the dishwasher, etc. , but most of the normal housework, she does. As she says, "I would be doing it any way, and you are not adding to the work". She has a couple of granddaughters who help her out quite a bit. And her daughter and son-in-law provide most of her transportation, (and mine).
The house is in a Del Webb senior development. It is really very nice - much nicer than any I have ever lived in. She has it so nicely furnished, and it is very comfortable. She has this adorable little dog whose name is Foxy Duncan. We just call him Duncan. He is a Chihuahua/Pomeranian cross, about 10 years old. And we are such good friends. He is really sweet. Being designed as a senior retirement home, it has only two bedrooms (mine is the spare, and that is why it is quite small), but hers is very large. The living area is almost like a great room. It has a lovely kitchen. The range has gas burners, but an electric oven. And I have never liked gas to cook with. I was told yesterday that there is another room which is supposed to be a third beroom, but it doesn't really fit that description. She has it set up as a computer room, and she has a futon in there, so she does have an extra bed if she needs it. It has a nice front yard, with a courtyard just outside the front door. The back yard is fairly large, with a wrought iron fence all around, nice lawn and beautiful patio. The view out the back yard is very nice. There is a ravine right behind the house, and by looking off to the southwest, you can see over a very large area, and this will never be blocked by other buildings, by the way the land lays. This is southeast of Lincoln, in the foothills. It is nice to sit out on the patio in the evening and see the lights and watch planes land at a local airport. We saw a small bear in the ravine a few days ago. I didn't realize it was a bear at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that is what it was. Last night I sat in my room, and I could hear an owl. First one I have heard in years. Last week we had SNOW. They tell me that doesn't happen very often. But, it was so neat to wake up to about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It fell during the night and was all gone by about ll am. But it was so pretty.
I think this is about enough for now - catch you later.
I mentioned that I was still having some problems with my computer, but I think they are all worked out now. It is so good to be playing my games again.
Artymae is a lady a little bit younger than myself, with many physical problems. Actually, she is probably more able to do things than I am, but she has a multitude of health problems. She has the normal old-age problems of high blood presure, and a couple others, but she has leukemia, a heart condition, a disease called Hashimoto's (have no idea what it is), and I don't know what else. She almost independently supports a pharmacy. Her daughter, Diane, and her husband, Larry help. Last summer Artymae took a very nasty fall at Target, hurting herself badly. She has not fully recovered from that, and it is one of the reasons they were glad to have an opportunity to have someone with her. I try not to make any more work for her, because I can do so little to help. I do most of my own cooking, take care of my own room, unload the dishwasher, etc. , but most of the normal housework, she does. As she says, "I would be doing it any way, and you are not adding to the work". She has a couple of granddaughters who help her out quite a bit. And her daughter and son-in-law provide most of her transportation, (and mine).
The house is in a Del Webb senior development. It is really very nice - much nicer than any I have ever lived in. She has it so nicely furnished, and it is very comfortable. She has this adorable little dog whose name is Foxy Duncan. We just call him Duncan. He is a Chihuahua/Pomeranian cross, about 10 years old. And we are such good friends. He is really sweet. Being designed as a senior retirement home, it has only two bedrooms (mine is the spare, and that is why it is quite small), but hers is very large. The living area is almost like a great room. It has a lovely kitchen. The range has gas burners, but an electric oven. And I have never liked gas to cook with. I was told yesterday that there is another room which is supposed to be a third beroom, but it doesn't really fit that description. She has it set up as a computer room, and she has a futon in there, so she does have an extra bed if she needs it. It has a nice front yard, with a courtyard just outside the front door. The back yard is fairly large, with a wrought iron fence all around, nice lawn and beautiful patio. The view out the back yard is very nice. There is a ravine right behind the house, and by looking off to the southwest, you can see over a very large area, and this will never be blocked by other buildings, by the way the land lays. This is southeast of Lincoln, in the foothills. It is nice to sit out on the patio in the evening and see the lights and watch planes land at a local airport. We saw a small bear in the ravine a few days ago. I didn't realize it was a bear at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that is what it was. Last night I sat in my room, and I could hear an owl. First one I have heard in years. Last week we had SNOW. They tell me that doesn't happen very often. But, it was so neat to wake up to about 2 inches of snow on the ground. It fell during the night and was all gone by about ll am. But it was so pretty.
I think this is about enough for now - catch you later.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I've Moved!!
Well, it has been over two weeks since I last posted on here. That was the day before I moved from the senior assisted living facility, and now it is about time I got started on catching up.
The move went very well, and I quickly got established in my new home. I'll tell you more about it in a minute. I had trouble getting my TV hooked up. Finally got that done about mid-week last week. I am used to Comcast and here in the house they already had Direct TV, so I was kinda stuck. We actually had to have a tech come out and get it started. Although there was a hookup in the room, there had never been active service to this room, but that is all OK now. Now I just have to get used to the different locations of my favorite channels. A little time and practice will take care of that.
The computer was another story. There was only one phone line into the house, so the family "tv guru" finally set me up with a wireless hookup thru her computer. I guess it is OK. At least I can send and receive emails again. I haven't tried to do any internet research yet. But there are aeveral new problms which have shown up. I hope we can get them straightened out. It has to be the result of something that happened in the change-over, because all these things were working OK before we made the new connection.
When I lived in Yuba City, transportation to church, or anything in the Lincoln area was quite a problam for me because I had only three people to ask for help. And I just hate having to ask someone for a ride. I was afraid that might continue after I moved down here, and it seems that is just exactly what is happenig. Most of the people at church know I still have a transportation problem, but they are still not checking with me to see if I need transportation. I'm hoping that situation will improve as people becone more familiar with my situation.
My room is very pleasant. It is just a little bigger that the room I had at the Manor in Yuba City, but I guess it is the way it is arranged, there seems to be more room. And, it is very cozy. I always am concerned about mixing my furniture with someone else's. But it is working out well. All her furnitute that I am still usuing is light aok. And all but one piece of mine is light oak (or at least it looks like it). The room realy kooks quite coordinated, and not really cluttered. The room is about 12 x 15 and you would not believe what all I have in it. The one end wass lost space where the entrance door folds back against the wall. Then there is a space that is room for a small knickknace stand. The rest of that wall is taken up with skiding glass doors on a nice large closet. Turning the corcer, there is a round table which is actually there just for oranamental purposes. Next to that is my computer armoire (Kathy got this for me when I moved here), there is a short three drawer chest upon which we have put the printer Steve and Judy loaned me. It holds the 4-way printer, and has three drawers. The next thing is my large bookshelves. My recliner (which is were I sleep) is in the corner, and behind it is a very nice plant. On the third wall, are two nice windows with lattice blinds on them. In front of those windows is a very nice desk. In the next corner is a straight chair (dark wood, but it has needlepoint cusion on it that Mom did, and there ain't no way I'm getting rid of that chair). Next is a piece that I'm not real sure what it was intended to be used for, but it works very well for storing my magazines and some other things in binders, and then the next thing is a five drawer chest, which gives me lots of drawer space. Nex to the chest is my "entertainment center". It consists of a cabinet on wheels which I believe was originally a TV table. It has two shelves in the lower space. One shelf holds my DVD playrer, my VCR player, the controll box for the TV, another snall unit that goes with the DVD player. Then at the end of this equipment, I have some binders of CD's.
The bottom shelf right nw has only a rather large figurine of Arty's, but only time will tell how long that will stay there. The TV sits on the top of the cabinet, and we put a levelling shelf on top ot the TV holds my 3-disk CD player, with the speakers on the chest of drawers. Of course you have to add a few knicknacks, flower arrangements, wall hangings, and you have a niily furnished room. I know. it sounds crowded/cluttered but it really isn't. Oh yes, I have a nice big artificial Boston Fern on top of the computer cabinet. I am really very comfortable.
My bathroom is just outside my room and has to be used by all visitors to the home. So when I want to take a shower I have to use Artie's bath. Neither of us can step into a tub to use a step0in shower, That seens to be the only proproblem so far, and we seem to be working around that. I think this is a good place to call this blog to a helt. I will tell you more next time about Artymae herself, the house and the environment. This coukd take at least a couple of posts to tell you all about where I am, but I think I will call it quits for now..Bye Bye
The move went very well, and I quickly got established in my new home. I'll tell you more about it in a minute. I had trouble getting my TV hooked up. Finally got that done about mid-week last week. I am used to Comcast and here in the house they already had Direct TV, so I was kinda stuck. We actually had to have a tech come out and get it started. Although there was a hookup in the room, there had never been active service to this room, but that is all OK now. Now I just have to get used to the different locations of my favorite channels. A little time and practice will take care of that.
The computer was another story. There was only one phone line into the house, so the family "tv guru" finally set me up with a wireless hookup thru her computer. I guess it is OK. At least I can send and receive emails again. I haven't tried to do any internet research yet. But there are aeveral new problms which have shown up. I hope we can get them straightened out. It has to be the result of something that happened in the change-over, because all these things were working OK before we made the new connection.
When I lived in Yuba City, transportation to church, or anything in the Lincoln area was quite a problam for me because I had only three people to ask for help. And I just hate having to ask someone for a ride. I was afraid that might continue after I moved down here, and it seems that is just exactly what is happenig. Most of the people at church know I still have a transportation problem, but they are still not checking with me to see if I need transportation. I'm hoping that situation will improve as people becone more familiar with my situation.
My room is very pleasant. It is just a little bigger that the room I had at the Manor in Yuba City, but I guess it is the way it is arranged, there seems to be more room. And, it is very cozy. I always am concerned about mixing my furniture with someone else's. But it is working out well. All her furnitute that I am still usuing is light aok. And all but one piece of mine is light oak (or at least it looks like it). The room realy kooks quite coordinated, and not really cluttered. The room is about 12 x 15 and you would not believe what all I have in it. The one end wass lost space where the entrance door folds back against the wall. Then there is a space that is room for a small knickknace stand. The rest of that wall is taken up with skiding glass doors on a nice large closet. Turning the corcer, there is a round table which is actually there just for oranamental purposes. Next to that is my computer armoire (Kathy got this for me when I moved here), there is a short three drawer chest upon which we have put the printer Steve and Judy loaned me. It holds the 4-way printer, and has three drawers. The next thing is my large bookshelves. My recliner (which is were I sleep) is in the corner, and behind it is a very nice plant. On the third wall, are two nice windows with lattice blinds on them. In front of those windows is a very nice desk. In the next corner is a straight chair (dark wood, but it has needlepoint cusion on it that Mom did, and there ain't no way I'm getting rid of that chair). Next is a piece that I'm not real sure what it was intended to be used for, but it works very well for storing my magazines and some other things in binders, and then the next thing is a five drawer chest, which gives me lots of drawer space. Nex to the chest is my "entertainment center". It consists of a cabinet on wheels which I believe was originally a TV table. It has two shelves in the lower space. One shelf holds my DVD playrer, my VCR player, the controll box for the TV, another snall unit that goes with the DVD player. Then at the end of this equipment, I have some binders of CD's.
The bottom shelf right nw has only a rather large figurine of Arty's, but only time will tell how long that will stay there. The TV sits on the top of the cabinet, and we put a levelling shelf on top ot the TV holds my 3-disk CD player, with the speakers on the chest of drawers. Of course you have to add a few knicknacks, flower arrangements, wall hangings, and you have a niily furnished room. I know. it sounds crowded/cluttered but it really isn't. Oh yes, I have a nice big artificial Boston Fern on top of the computer cabinet. I am really very comfortable.
My bathroom is just outside my room and has to be used by all visitors to the home. So when I want to take a shower I have to use Artie's bath. Neither of us can step into a tub to use a step0in shower, That seens to be the only proproblem so far, and we seem to be working around that. I think this is a good place to call this blog to a helt. I will tell you more next time about Artymae herself, the house and the environment. This coukd take at least a couple of posts to tell you all about where I am, but I think I will call it quits for now..Bye Bye
Friday, November 27, 2009
Time for a Change
It is 12:05 am, Friday, November 27, 2009. Yesterday, Thursday, was Thanksgiving, and for me it turned into a wonderful day. We have become such a large family, and most of us live right here within less than 50 miles of each other, so it is very difficult to get altogether for any special occasion, so for a holiday like Thanksgiving, we seem to split up into several smaller groups. Today was one of those days. I spent the day with Judy and her family (Steve and Ruth, as the other two kids live in Texas), and was pleasantly surprised to have one of her sisters and her family with us. Just a small group, but we did have a wonderful time.
Today, Friday, I will be finishing up my packing for the move tomorrow. You would think, by the way I have been going at this for the last couple of weeks, that I had a whole house full of stuff to move miles and miles away. Actually, I only have one very small room, and I wll be moving into one room, only 30 miles away. But, when it came to packing, you would not believe how much I have acculumated. When I moved in here, I did not have very much stuff, because when I had my stroke in 2006, we weren't sure just what was going to happen to me, so the girls cleaned out my apartment, and only brought here what I really needed at the time. Over the past 3 1/2 yesrs, I have gradually brought in things that I had or needed, until I can't believe how much "stuff" I have. And I don't want to put most of it back into storage, so it will go with me. Doing the packing mostly by myself has made it seem like a major project, plus the fact that I cannot work for long periods of time. So, I pack a little, then I have to stop and rest awhile. I am really glad I started packing over two weeks ago. Thank goodness, I expect I will have plenty of help unpacking things, so it won't take me two weeks to get that done.
This move was such an unexpected thing to happen, but I think it will work out very well. The lady I will be living with is really very nice. I went and spent about l0 days with her a few weeks ago, and we seemed to get along very well. We will be excellent companions for each other. The move idea came from her, and her family, and they seem to be very pleased that I accepted her invitation. So, that also helps to make the move easier for me.
So, I will be off line for a few days. I have not set up a phone line down there yet, and won't until some time next week, and until I get that taken care of, I will not have email. So, I don't know just how long I will be away. Maybe not even long enough for you to miss me. I hope not, 'cause I think I would go bonkers if I had to be without my internet very long again.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and until I get back to you, be happy, and God Bless You all.
Today, Friday, I will be finishing up my packing for the move tomorrow. You would think, by the way I have been going at this for the last couple of weeks, that I had a whole house full of stuff to move miles and miles away. Actually, I only have one very small room, and I wll be moving into one room, only 30 miles away. But, when it came to packing, you would not believe how much I have acculumated. When I moved in here, I did not have very much stuff, because when I had my stroke in 2006, we weren't sure just what was going to happen to me, so the girls cleaned out my apartment, and only brought here what I really needed at the time. Over the past 3 1/2 yesrs, I have gradually brought in things that I had or needed, until I can't believe how much "stuff" I have. And I don't want to put most of it back into storage, so it will go with me. Doing the packing mostly by myself has made it seem like a major project, plus the fact that I cannot work for long periods of time. So, I pack a little, then I have to stop and rest awhile. I am really glad I started packing over two weeks ago. Thank goodness, I expect I will have plenty of help unpacking things, so it won't take me two weeks to get that done.
This move was such an unexpected thing to happen, but I think it will work out very well. The lady I will be living with is really very nice. I went and spent about l0 days with her a few weeks ago, and we seemed to get along very well. We will be excellent companions for each other. The move idea came from her, and her family, and they seem to be very pleased that I accepted her invitation. So, that also helps to make the move easier for me.
So, I will be off line for a few days. I have not set up a phone line down there yet, and won't until some time next week, and until I get that taken care of, I will not have email. So, I don't know just how long I will be away. Maybe not even long enough for you to miss me. I hope not, 'cause I think I would go bonkers if I had to be without my internet very long again.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and until I get back to you, be happy, and God Bless You all.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Miss me?
Sorry I've been away, but - it seems I've done it again - open mouth, insert foot. And, I have been bothered by it so much, I just haven't felt like visiting. I guess I really offended someone this time. I really didn't mean to, but that is what often happens to me. I express myself for one reason or another and wind up hurting someone very much. I am so truly sorry.
There hasn't been too much happening around here. I've been kinda busy, packing. In case you haven't figured it out, I am moving. I have been living here at the retirement center for 3 1/2 years, but now I am moving on. I never expected this to happen, but I think it is going to be a good thing. Quite a difference, that's for sure. Instad of living in an assisted living facility, I will be living in a private home, with another lady about my age. We have spent some time together, and I think it is going to work out very well. She has such a lovely home, a beautiful back yard with a patio. She lives in the hills southwest of Lincoln, CA, and from the patio there is such a beautiful view of the valley. At night you can see airplanes landing at an airport not too far away. It is so nice and peaceful there. People ask me if I am going to miss where I am. Of course I am. There are some very nice people here, and there are some not so nice. The old saying goes that you can miss anything. Even if you live with someone who is cruel, or you live with or next door to a barking dog, or a crying baby, you will miss that. Sometimes it will be in a sad way, and sometimes it will be something you will be glad to miss. I have both feelings about leaving here. But, I am looking forward to the move, and think it will be a good situation.
Yes, fall is definitely here. The weather has cooled off, to where it is in the 30's and 40's at night, and in the 60's usually in the daytime. One thing I always like about the fall is that as soon as the nights begin to cool down, the leaves on the trees begin to turn color. I went to town today, and the leaves are so pretty - there are whole trees that are bright yellow, some are dark red, some almost purple, and many that are mixed colors. They always talk about the trees in New
Englnad being so pretty in the fall. Well, maybe they are, but I think around here, they can be almost as pretty. If you travel east maybe 25 miles, more or less, you can get into the foothills, and then you get some really pretty trees. But, the ones right here in the valley, and even the city, are nothing to be scoffed at.
Well, I really didn't have much to say tonight, so I think I am just going to say goodnight, talk to you later.
There hasn't been too much happening around here. I've been kinda busy, packing. In case you haven't figured it out, I am moving. I have been living here at the retirement center for 3 1/2 years, but now I am moving on. I never expected this to happen, but I think it is going to be a good thing. Quite a difference, that's for sure. Instad of living in an assisted living facility, I will be living in a private home, with another lady about my age. We have spent some time together, and I think it is going to work out very well. She has such a lovely home, a beautiful back yard with a patio. She lives in the hills southwest of Lincoln, CA, and from the patio there is such a beautiful view of the valley. At night you can see airplanes landing at an airport not too far away. It is so nice and peaceful there. People ask me if I am going to miss where I am. Of course I am. There are some very nice people here, and there are some not so nice. The old saying goes that you can miss anything. Even if you live with someone who is cruel, or you live with or next door to a barking dog, or a crying baby, you will miss that. Sometimes it will be in a sad way, and sometimes it will be something you will be glad to miss. I have both feelings about leaving here. But, I am looking forward to the move, and think it will be a good situation.
Yes, fall is definitely here. The weather has cooled off, to where it is in the 30's and 40's at night, and in the 60's usually in the daytime. One thing I always like about the fall is that as soon as the nights begin to cool down, the leaves on the trees begin to turn color. I went to town today, and the leaves are so pretty - there are whole trees that are bright yellow, some are dark red, some almost purple, and many that are mixed colors. They always talk about the trees in New
Englnad being so pretty in the fall. Well, maybe they are, but I think around here, they can be almost as pretty. If you travel east maybe 25 miles, more or less, you can get into the foothills, and then you get some really pretty trees. But, the ones right here in the valley, and even the city, are nothing to be scoffed at.
Well, I really didn't have much to say tonight, so I think I am just going to say goodnight, talk to you later.
Friday, November 13, 2009
My Dad, cont'd
I didn't realize that the last time I posted was Sunday, and here it is Thursday already. But, I've been busy. It is late (12:30 am) but I did want to finish my story about Dad, so here goes.
Continuing from my book -
Dad made a couple dozen little chairs for the Baptist church for their Sunday School rooms; he made new station pedestals for the Lodge hall; he made a dozen or more of one kind of sewing cabinet and several of another kind. He made quite a few cedar chests. All but one of them were solid cedar. The last one he made, and gave to my daughter, Georgia, was pine with cedar lining. They were beautiful. Dad gave the one to Georgia for Christmas of 1981, and he passed away in February 1982. He never got to make one for Becky. The one he had made for me for my birthday several years before, he had sold before he got to give it to me, so the one I had, I actually won in a raffle, and when I began living in tiny apartments, etc., I gave it to Becky so she would at least have one that her grandfather had made. Of all the cedar chests he made, he only made two alike - the one he gave Judy and the one he made for me to raffle when I was Grand Matriarch of the Grand Ladies Encampment Auxiliary. Also, he completely redid the cabinetry in the kitchen of their home, as well as redoing the closets in the bedrooms and the hallway. He was an amazing cabinet maker.
A family ritual that went on as long as I an remember, was washing Dad's hand and sweeping him down with the broom. If he had been working out in the field, plowing or harvesting, anything that made a lot of dust, (remember farm equipment did not have air conditioned cabs then), he would stop outside the bak door. One of us would grab the broom and proceed to sweep the dust off him, and sometimes there was a lot of it. One of the things I remember was washing his hand. From the time I was so small I had to stand on a stool to reach the kitchen sink, I remember Mom, my brother, or me, washing Dad's hand before he would eat a meal or maybe get ready to go to town, lodge ot somewhere else. As greasy as he would get, I can't imagine how he would ever have gotten his hand clean without our help. We didn't have running water in the bathroom, so we always washed up at the kitchen sink. This meant drawing a pan of good warm water, rolling Dad's shirt sleeve up (he always wore long sleeved shirts) about midway on his arm, and getting the Lava soap and scrubbing away. His biggest delight was to jerk his hand or twist it around - anything to make it more difficult for us kids to hold his big massive hand and scrub it. Some times, it would be necessary to use a hand brush to get the grease off. But we always managed some way. After washing his hand, we would dump the water out of the pan, draw freash water and he would proceed to wash his face and neck - always the back of his neck. This was such an everyday occurrence in our household that none of us thought anything about it. But one time, long after I was married, I remember a friend of my brother telling me that he had witnessed in our home, one of the greatest demonstrations of love that he had ever seen. I couldn't imagine what in the world he was talking about. Then he mentioned watching us wash Dad's hand and what a feeling of warmth and love he got just from watching us. So, I guess what was just natural to us was really something special to other people.
Dad continued to live alone after Mother went into the hospital and finally a convalescent hospital. Even after her death, he stayed on in the only home they had known together. When his time came, he called to tell me he was having spasms in his right arm. At first I thought it was just reaction to his amputation - these things can haunt a person for years. But when we went to check on him, I found that the spasms or seizures were of such a nature they could not be controlled, so we took him to the doctor. He was admitted to the hospital and a couple of days later the doctor told me there was no hope for him unless someone came up with a brain transplant real soon. He was in the hospital five dayds, then moved to a convalescent home where he lasted another five days. I believe, and I will always believe, he heard Mom calling him. He had made no sign of recognition of anyone, me, the nurses, or anyone else for several days. All of a sudden he sat up in bed, looked all around, and laid back down and he was gone. I believe Mother called him home.
And so ends my story of my Dad. Those are some of my best memories. Of course, there are many things I could tell about him - but this is enough for now. Next, I will introduce you to another special person in my life - my Mother. But for now, I think it is time to say "goodnight".
Continuing from my book -
Dad made a couple dozen little chairs for the Baptist church for their Sunday School rooms; he made new station pedestals for the Lodge hall; he made a dozen or more of one kind of sewing cabinet and several of another kind. He made quite a few cedar chests. All but one of them were solid cedar. The last one he made, and gave to my daughter, Georgia, was pine with cedar lining. They were beautiful. Dad gave the one to Georgia for Christmas of 1981, and he passed away in February 1982. He never got to make one for Becky. The one he had made for me for my birthday several years before, he had sold before he got to give it to me, so the one I had, I actually won in a raffle, and when I began living in tiny apartments, etc., I gave it to Becky so she would at least have one that her grandfather had made. Of all the cedar chests he made, he only made two alike - the one he gave Judy and the one he made for me to raffle when I was Grand Matriarch of the Grand Ladies Encampment Auxiliary. Also, he completely redid the cabinetry in the kitchen of their home, as well as redoing the closets in the bedrooms and the hallway. He was an amazing cabinet maker.
A family ritual that went on as long as I an remember, was washing Dad's hand and sweeping him down with the broom. If he had been working out in the field, plowing or harvesting, anything that made a lot of dust, (remember farm equipment did not have air conditioned cabs then), he would stop outside the bak door. One of us would grab the broom and proceed to sweep the dust off him, and sometimes there was a lot of it. One of the things I remember was washing his hand. From the time I was so small I had to stand on a stool to reach the kitchen sink, I remember Mom, my brother, or me, washing Dad's hand before he would eat a meal or maybe get ready to go to town, lodge ot somewhere else. As greasy as he would get, I can't imagine how he would ever have gotten his hand clean without our help. We didn't have running water in the bathroom, so we always washed up at the kitchen sink. This meant drawing a pan of good warm water, rolling Dad's shirt sleeve up (he always wore long sleeved shirts) about midway on his arm, and getting the Lava soap and scrubbing away. His biggest delight was to jerk his hand or twist it around - anything to make it more difficult for us kids to hold his big massive hand and scrub it. Some times, it would be necessary to use a hand brush to get the grease off. But we always managed some way. After washing his hand, we would dump the water out of the pan, draw freash water and he would proceed to wash his face and neck - always the back of his neck. This was such an everyday occurrence in our household that none of us thought anything about it. But one time, long after I was married, I remember a friend of my brother telling me that he had witnessed in our home, one of the greatest demonstrations of love that he had ever seen. I couldn't imagine what in the world he was talking about. Then he mentioned watching us wash Dad's hand and what a feeling of warmth and love he got just from watching us. So, I guess what was just natural to us was really something special to other people.
Dad continued to live alone after Mother went into the hospital and finally a convalescent hospital. Even after her death, he stayed on in the only home they had known together. When his time came, he called to tell me he was having spasms in his right arm. At first I thought it was just reaction to his amputation - these things can haunt a person for years. But when we went to check on him, I found that the spasms or seizures were of such a nature they could not be controlled, so we took him to the doctor. He was admitted to the hospital and a couple of days later the doctor told me there was no hope for him unless someone came up with a brain transplant real soon. He was in the hospital five dayds, then moved to a convalescent home where he lasted another five days. I believe, and I will always believe, he heard Mom calling him. He had made no sign of recognition of anyone, me, the nurses, or anyone else for several days. All of a sudden he sat up in bed, looked all around, and laid back down and he was gone. I believe Mother called him home.
And so ends my story of my Dad. Those are some of my best memories. Of course, there are many things I could tell about him - but this is enough for now. Next, I will introduce you to another special person in my life - my Mother. But for now, I think it is time to say "goodnight".
Sunday, November 8, 2009
My Dad, cont'd
To continue my story about my Dad from my book -
When Dad lost his hand, that put an end to his playing the violin and doing other things that required both hands. He was still living with his mother, so never had to really get used to doing things for himself. He and Mother were married just six months later, in September 1917. He was naturally right handed, and it was his right hand he lost. He never did get used to writing with his left hand. We always used to say he had never written a complete check after he lost his hand, but I have found a few he wrote when he and my mother were first married. He could not button the cuff on the left sleeve of his dress shirt, tie a necktie, or lace or tie his shoes. He could tie his work shoes fine. The first pair of work shoes he bought after he lost his hand, the salesman at JC Penny taught him to lace his shoes and fasten them, so he could do it by himself. I tried many times to get him to wear slip-on dress shoes, but he was not about to wear "house shoes" for dress, so he always had to have someone tie his shoes. Even after Mother went into the hospital with her final illness, if he went anywhere to wear dress shoes, he would have to have someone tie them after he got where he was going. Same way with his shirt sleeves. On his work shirts, the cuffs were loose enough that he could slip his hand through without the cuff being unbuttoned. Of course, with no hand on his right arm, there was no problem with that cuff. I tried to get him to learn to wear clip-on ties, but he wouldn't do that either. He was a stubborn man. Dad made his living as a farmer, and there was very little he couldn't do around the farm. The only livestock he ever raised were chickens, pigs and sheep, and they did not require any special treatment that required two hands (like milking a cow).
Some of the things Dad did learn to do were really amazing. He learned to buck 100 pound sacks of grain without any problem. He ould use garden tools just as well as anyone else. He never let his lack of a hand stop him from doing almost all the maintenance on his cars and farm erquipment. He became friends with the head of the San Francisco office of the state Department of Rehabilitation, who filmed him doing some of the chores around the yard, the farm, and the work on his machinery. This was to be used in the training of people who had lost a limb. I never knew how this turned out. If there was something he had a problem with, Mom or one of us kids was usually there to help him out. Some of my best memories are of the times I spent working on the cars and tractors with Dad - getting all dirty and greasy. It always bothered him that I would never cover my hair. But it was just easier to wash my hair than to mess with a scarf or hat. And I used to wash the parts of the engines in gasoline and then let the gas dry on my hands without washing it off. That really bothered him too. He worried about me a lot.
After Dad retired from farming, he took up cabinet work. He did a lot of that. He had a well equipped shop (everything except a lathe which he said he was afraid to try to use - didn't think he could hold things well enough). The only real problem he had with the cabinet work was that he could not "set" the nails. He usually had Mom come out and do that for him. Then, after Mom went into the hospital, the work would pile up until my husband or I could get over there to set the nails for him. I never did know whose idea it was, his or my cousin Bill's, but anyway Bill made a tool for him so he could set his own nails. They say necessity is the mother of invention, and I guess that was the case here. Anyway what Bill made was from a simple steel strap, and a center punch (if you know what that is). It worked very well for him, and allowed him to ciontinue his wood work until a month or so before he died. Dad could make almost any kind of cabinetry you wanted. Just give him a picture, or a diagram, and he would figure it out.
(to be continued)
Today was my birthday. Other than a couple of phone calls from daughters, it was not a whole lot different from any other day. Judy & her husband and I went to church, and then they took me out to lunch. It was a beautiful day, with just scattered clouds in the sky. Steve likes to take some of the back roads home (and so do I), so we did that today - roads I haven't been on for years. It is really nice to get to just ride around the country. We used to do that a lot, when the girls were younger, and I have never outgrown my love for such a pass time.
Well, I will continue my story of Dad another time, along with "quickie" notes on other things, but for now, Good night -
When Dad lost his hand, that put an end to his playing the violin and doing other things that required both hands. He was still living with his mother, so never had to really get used to doing things for himself. He and Mother were married just six months later, in September 1917. He was naturally right handed, and it was his right hand he lost. He never did get used to writing with his left hand. We always used to say he had never written a complete check after he lost his hand, but I have found a few he wrote when he and my mother were first married. He could not button the cuff on the left sleeve of his dress shirt, tie a necktie, or lace or tie his shoes. He could tie his work shoes fine. The first pair of work shoes he bought after he lost his hand, the salesman at JC Penny taught him to lace his shoes and fasten them, so he could do it by himself. I tried many times to get him to wear slip-on dress shoes, but he was not about to wear "house shoes" for dress, so he always had to have someone tie his shoes. Even after Mother went into the hospital with her final illness, if he went anywhere to wear dress shoes, he would have to have someone tie them after he got where he was going. Same way with his shirt sleeves. On his work shirts, the cuffs were loose enough that he could slip his hand through without the cuff being unbuttoned. Of course, with no hand on his right arm, there was no problem with that cuff. I tried to get him to learn to wear clip-on ties, but he wouldn't do that either. He was a stubborn man. Dad made his living as a farmer, and there was very little he couldn't do around the farm. The only livestock he ever raised were chickens, pigs and sheep, and they did not require any special treatment that required two hands (like milking a cow).
Some of the things Dad did learn to do were really amazing. He learned to buck 100 pound sacks of grain without any problem. He ould use garden tools just as well as anyone else. He never let his lack of a hand stop him from doing almost all the maintenance on his cars and farm erquipment. He became friends with the head of the San Francisco office of the state Department of Rehabilitation, who filmed him doing some of the chores around the yard, the farm, and the work on his machinery. This was to be used in the training of people who had lost a limb. I never knew how this turned out. If there was something he had a problem with, Mom or one of us kids was usually there to help him out. Some of my best memories are of the times I spent working on the cars and tractors with Dad - getting all dirty and greasy. It always bothered him that I would never cover my hair. But it was just easier to wash my hair than to mess with a scarf or hat. And I used to wash the parts of the engines in gasoline and then let the gas dry on my hands without washing it off. That really bothered him too. He worried about me a lot.
After Dad retired from farming, he took up cabinet work. He did a lot of that. He had a well equipped shop (everything except a lathe which he said he was afraid to try to use - didn't think he could hold things well enough). The only real problem he had with the cabinet work was that he could not "set" the nails. He usually had Mom come out and do that for him. Then, after Mom went into the hospital, the work would pile up until my husband or I could get over there to set the nails for him. I never did know whose idea it was, his or my cousin Bill's, but anyway Bill made a tool for him so he could set his own nails. They say necessity is the mother of invention, and I guess that was the case here. Anyway what Bill made was from a simple steel strap, and a center punch (if you know what that is). It worked very well for him, and allowed him to ciontinue his wood work until a month or so before he died. Dad could make almost any kind of cabinetry you wanted. Just give him a picture, or a diagram, and he would figure it out.
(to be continued)
Today was my birthday. Other than a couple of phone calls from daughters, it was not a whole lot different from any other day. Judy & her husband and I went to church, and then they took me out to lunch. It was a beautiful day, with just scattered clouds in the sky. Steve likes to take some of the back roads home (and so do I), so we did that today - roads I haven't been on for years. It is really nice to get to just ride around the country. We used to do that a lot, when the girls were younger, and I have never outgrown my love for such a pass time.
Well, I will continue my story of Dad another time, along with "quickie" notes on other things, but for now, Good night -
Saturday, November 7, 2009
He was a wonderful man - my Dad
I promised right from the start of this that I was going to tell some things about my family, and I just don't seem to get around to it. Well, here goes. I don't how much of what I write, you already know, but maybe you'll learn something new.
This is taken primarily from the book I wrote in 2004, "I Remember When". I gave a copy of this book to each of my children, and grandchildren. So, if it sounds familar, that's probably why. I am not going to tell the whole story at one sitting - that would be just too much. So, I am going to kind of serialize it, with maybe some new notes, or additional comments thrown.
Fom my book - Dad - I love remembering my Dad. To me he was a remarkable man. I very rarely saw him get mad at either one of us kids. Mother was the one who had to do all the disciplining. (More about this later.) Even she did not get very angry very often. I can remember her taking a yard stick to get my brothr out of bed once in awhile, but not very often.
Dad - well, as a young man, he played the violin. He liked to ride a bicycle and even a motorcycle. That kind of activities came to a halt when in May of 1917, at 25 years old, he lost his right hand. He was working for the Hahn brothers who lived just across the road from the house in which his mother was born, about two miles from his last residence. Every morning on the way to work, he would ses a skunk cross the road. So he decided he was going to get rid of that skunk. On this particular morning, he took his shotgun with him, and sure enough, right on schedule, there was the skunk. He stopped his car, got out, took his gun, and his dog who always was wih him, jumped out of the car. Dad put the gun over the fence and leaned the barrel of the gun against the fence post. He placed his hand on top of the post while he climbed the fence. The dog went through the fence, hitting the gun and causing it to fire, filling the palm of Dad's hand with shot. Dad got back into his car and drove approvimately three miles to the doctor. Remember, this is 1917. The doctor could do nothing to save his hand, so he removed it at the hoint, using the skin from the back of the hand to cover the stump of his arm. I do not believe he ws hospitalized at all. (I believe, had this happened today, they probably could have saved his hand.)
Dad did not like the bare stump of his arm hanging out of his shirt sleeve, plus he needed something to protect it from getting hurt all the time as he worked around the ranch. So Mom created for him an "arm pad" and an "arm sock". Actually, there were two "socks". One was for dress, and one for work. The pad was originally made by taking pieces of flannelette, and sewing them together to make a rather shapeless "sock" for his arm, which would be covered by the "arm sock". Later, the pads were made by sewing several sock toes together. This "pad" was usually about 3-4 inches long, so it ent up his arm a short distance. Then over the pad, he would wear one of the "socks". The dress sock was made by takng a black man's dress sock, cutting away the heel and sewing that area closed. Then, depending on how long the sock was, Mom would either leave it the way it was, or she might cut a bit off the top of the sock. She would sew into the top of the sock a round rubber garter such as women wore to hold up their nylons. When he put the sock on, he would put another garter on the outside of the sock and then roll the whole thing down his aram, to just below the elbow. Worked real slick. For his work socks, he would use a heavier cotton sock (usually white or grey) to make the over-sock. What a god-send it was shen they started making tube socks - no more heels to fool with - just sew an eleastic garter at the top, and it was ready to go. (To be continued)
My memories of my Dad (and Mother, too) are still very much alive. I can still remember so vividly, some of the things we did together, and I often quote some of his favorite sayings. I'll probably get around to some of this at some point. They were never a part of my book.
My everyday life is going along, just that - everyday. Not too much exciting happens in the environment in which I live.
I, as I'm sure most of you, was deeply shaden by the recent tragedy at Ft. Hood, Texas. Isn't it a shame, that life can become so overpowering that someone woud take lives - not just their own, but those of numerous others who were completely innocent of any involvement in the situation. I think of other similar cases - some mentioned by the press, and some not. We still hear a lot about the shootings at Columbine High School, and yet we hear very little, if anything anymore, about the shootings right here at the Olivehurst High School back in 1992. Maybe thee weren't as many people involved, but it was no less tragic. The school was locked down, busses were delayed, and my personal involvemnt in this one was, the man I was living with at the time, (Butler) was raising his youngest grandson, and of course, the bus was late, so the kid was late getting home. Bud was an impatient man, and of course, he blamed the kid for being late. Thank goodness I was able to call him, tell him what had happened, and explain that the kid was not to blame for being late getting home. I remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing when the bomb went off at the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. I remember exactly what I was doing when Pres. Kennedy was shot. So many of the tragedies that have occurred during my life, I can remember so vividly what I was doing at that moment. Thank God, I also have many, many good memories to cover some of the tragedies.
Enough for now -
This is taken primarily from the book I wrote in 2004, "I Remember When". I gave a copy of this book to each of my children, and grandchildren. So, if it sounds familar, that's probably why. I am not going to tell the whole story at one sitting - that would be just too much. So, I am going to kind of serialize it, with maybe some new notes, or additional comments thrown.
Fom my book - Dad - I love remembering my Dad. To me he was a remarkable man. I very rarely saw him get mad at either one of us kids. Mother was the one who had to do all the disciplining. (More about this later.) Even she did not get very angry very often. I can remember her taking a yard stick to get my brothr out of bed once in awhile, but not very often.
Dad - well, as a young man, he played the violin. He liked to ride a bicycle and even a motorcycle. That kind of activities came to a halt when in May of 1917, at 25 years old, he lost his right hand. He was working for the Hahn brothers who lived just across the road from the house in which his mother was born, about two miles from his last residence. Every morning on the way to work, he would ses a skunk cross the road. So he decided he was going to get rid of that skunk. On this particular morning, he took his shotgun with him, and sure enough, right on schedule, there was the skunk. He stopped his car, got out, took his gun, and his dog who always was wih him, jumped out of the car. Dad put the gun over the fence and leaned the barrel of the gun against the fence post. He placed his hand on top of the post while he climbed the fence. The dog went through the fence, hitting the gun and causing it to fire, filling the palm of Dad's hand with shot. Dad got back into his car and drove approvimately three miles to the doctor. Remember, this is 1917. The doctor could do nothing to save his hand, so he removed it at the hoint, using the skin from the back of the hand to cover the stump of his arm. I do not believe he ws hospitalized at all. (I believe, had this happened today, they probably could have saved his hand.)
Dad did not like the bare stump of his arm hanging out of his shirt sleeve, plus he needed something to protect it from getting hurt all the time as he worked around the ranch. So Mom created for him an "arm pad" and an "arm sock". Actually, there were two "socks". One was for dress, and one for work. The pad was originally made by taking pieces of flannelette, and sewing them together to make a rather shapeless "sock" for his arm, which would be covered by the "arm sock". Later, the pads were made by sewing several sock toes together. This "pad" was usually about 3-4 inches long, so it ent up his arm a short distance. Then over the pad, he would wear one of the "socks". The dress sock was made by takng a black man's dress sock, cutting away the heel and sewing that area closed. Then, depending on how long the sock was, Mom would either leave it the way it was, or she might cut a bit off the top of the sock. She would sew into the top of the sock a round rubber garter such as women wore to hold up their nylons. When he put the sock on, he would put another garter on the outside of the sock and then roll the whole thing down his aram, to just below the elbow. Worked real slick. For his work socks, he would use a heavier cotton sock (usually white or grey) to make the over-sock. What a god-send it was shen they started making tube socks - no more heels to fool with - just sew an eleastic garter at the top, and it was ready to go. (To be continued)
My memories of my Dad (and Mother, too) are still very much alive. I can still remember so vividly, some of the things we did together, and I often quote some of his favorite sayings. I'll probably get around to some of this at some point. They were never a part of my book.
My everyday life is going along, just that - everyday. Not too much exciting happens in the environment in which I live.
I, as I'm sure most of you, was deeply shaden by the recent tragedy at Ft. Hood, Texas. Isn't it a shame, that life can become so overpowering that someone woud take lives - not just their own, but those of numerous others who were completely innocent of any involvement in the situation. I think of other similar cases - some mentioned by the press, and some not. We still hear a lot about the shootings at Columbine High School, and yet we hear very little, if anything anymore, about the shootings right here at the Olivehurst High School back in 1992. Maybe thee weren't as many people involved, but it was no less tragic. The school was locked down, busses were delayed, and my personal involvemnt in this one was, the man I was living with at the time, (Butler) was raising his youngest grandson, and of course, the bus was late, so the kid was late getting home. Bud was an impatient man, and of course, he blamed the kid for being late. Thank goodness I was able to call him, tell him what had happened, and explain that the kid was not to blame for being late getting home. I remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing when the bomb went off at the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. I remember exactly what I was doing when Pres. Kennedy was shot. So many of the tragedies that have occurred during my life, I can remember so vividly what I was doing at that moment. Thank God, I also have many, many good memories to cover some of the tragedies.
Enough for now -
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
That's the way it was =
My youngest grandson has asked me more than once, "what did you do for fun, when you were a kid" I have tried my best to explain some of the things we did for "fun" but I don't think I ever said it as well as an email I got today. It was sent to me by one of my daughters, and if you didn't get it, let me know, and I will be sure you do. She called it simply "To all my friends and children" Boy, maybe you don't think that put a scare into me! Anyway, it is really worth reading, and it has a neat ending quote from Jay Leno. If you read it, it will save me getting on my soapbox again, and venting for an hour or so.
More, later, but this is it for now.
More, later, but this is it for now.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Catch up time
Well, I'm back - finally. I just about went nuts not having access to my computer for ten days. I got back Thursday night, but have been busy and did not get around to blogging until now.
I have just been reading all the posts I have made since I started, and making some notes on things I wanted to comment on. So here goes.
Back on September 7, I commented on the water situation, both here in California, and other places. I commented that we had not had to experience water rationing, etc. Then, last night on the Sacramento news there was something about water rationing starting in the Sacramento area. Something about domestic watering not being permitted except on Saturdays and Sundays, and then only by address. (Makes me think of what Esther told me about Texas.) They are also limiting the times you can burn a wood stove or fireplace. So far, it is just in the metropolitan Sacramento area. This is to preserve the 'clean air' situation. I don't know what people will do if they depend on wood heat for their homes.
In that same post, I mentioned the new stop light at Queens & Gray Aves. Frankly, I think it is a good thing - of course, I don't drive a car, so I don't get caught at the 'long' stop lights. But I have heard numerous complaints. But, I think, like so many other things, when people get used to it, they will be more willing to accept it. It is a well known fact, people do not like change.
Some other things I mentioned in other posts - Bible study; this is something I have wanted to participate in for a long time, but not in the way this one is conducted. So, two weeks, and I was out of there.
I also mentioed that the property where my Dad had his home was part of a Spanish Land Grant. At one time I had a copy of that grant, and I hope it will show up again. If not, I am sure I can get another copy from the Hall of Records in Colusa County. In the meantime, I was looking for information about it on the web, and I did find some interesting things. Yes, there was a Spanish Land Grant which was part of the outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, after the Mexican/American War which had been declared on May 13, 1846. The Treaty was negotiated between the Mexican officials and Nicholas Trist, representing President Polk, and signed on February 2, 1848 in Guadalupe Hidalgo, the city where the Mexican government had set up after the fall of Mexico City. The treaty called for Mexico to cede 55% of its territory (present-day California, plus,) in exchange for fifteen million dollars for war-related damage to Mexican property. More information can be found by googling "Treaty of Guadalupe"
As I was reading through my posts, I was making notes of what I wanted to expound on, and can you believe it, already I cannot read my own writing, so I can't add to these things. Maybe later.
Imentioned that I have been emailing with HRR's cousin, Michael Goyke. Well, I was looking at the copy of the 1920 census of Whitman County, WA, which is where HRR's mother was raised. Sure enough, there are listed her father, mother, and all seven of the kids. But, at the end of the list, there is another person, a Barbara E., age 22. Someone new has been added. I wrote Michael and got right back telling me that he thought Barbara is the half-sister we always knew as Elizabeth. He thought her name was actually Barbara Elizabeth; makes sense. You just never know what you might learn when you dig a little deeper.
NOW - how was your Halloween? Things are sure a lot different from what they used to be. Even here at the Manor. I believe it was last year, we had a group of little girls (Brownies, Bluebirds, or something) come by and give each of us a little something. I remember they gave me a ghost, made of a small styrofoam ball wrapped in Kleenex, tied at the nect and a face done with felt tip pen. But I can remember Halloweens past that were a lot more exciting. Of course, Dad always had his tales to tell, and I guess some of the "mischief" they did then would earn them jail time today - things like, upset outhouses, putting picket fence gates on top of the house, - just little things like that. Nothing that was really vandalous and couldn't be repaired very easily. I remember once when I was a teenager (remember I lived in the country and didn't get to do things like this very often) a group of my friends went trick-or-treating in town. My grandmother White lived in a house in town at that time, and she had a tree in her front yeard. Well, the girls all sat around under that tree, and one of them went to the door, knocked on the door, and then ran and joined the others under the tree. I don't remember what happened after that. When Kathy & Judy were little, (Edie wasn't born yet) we had a Halloween party for a group of our friends. The mothers took the little ones around the neighborhood trick-or-treating, while the Dads stayed at the house and played cards. I think this was the time, at one house, the man who answered the door invited us all inside and then said, "OK, you do your trick, and I'll give you a treat". I don't remember for sure what we did, sang a song, danced a dance or something. With the streets getting so dangerous for anyone to be out after dark, door to door trick-or-treating is becoming a thing of the past, and community parties are becoming more and more popular.
Well, I had intended to start telling you more about my family background, but I think I have done enough for now. But watch this spot, because I am going to begin serializing some of my family stories, and you won't want to miss a chapter.
Bye for now - Beth
I have just been reading all the posts I have made since I started, and making some notes on things I wanted to comment on. So here goes.
Back on September 7, I commented on the water situation, both here in California, and other places. I commented that we had not had to experience water rationing, etc. Then, last night on the Sacramento news there was something about water rationing starting in the Sacramento area. Something about domestic watering not being permitted except on Saturdays and Sundays, and then only by address. (Makes me think of what Esther told me about Texas.) They are also limiting the times you can burn a wood stove or fireplace. So far, it is just in the metropolitan Sacramento area. This is to preserve the 'clean air' situation. I don't know what people will do if they depend on wood heat for their homes.
In that same post, I mentioned the new stop light at Queens & Gray Aves. Frankly, I think it is a good thing - of course, I don't drive a car, so I don't get caught at the 'long' stop lights. But I have heard numerous complaints. But, I think, like so many other things, when people get used to it, they will be more willing to accept it. It is a well known fact, people do not like change.
Some other things I mentioned in other posts - Bible study; this is something I have wanted to participate in for a long time, but not in the way this one is conducted. So, two weeks, and I was out of there.
I also mentioed that the property where my Dad had his home was part of a Spanish Land Grant. At one time I had a copy of that grant, and I hope it will show up again. If not, I am sure I can get another copy from the Hall of Records in Colusa County. In the meantime, I was looking for information about it on the web, and I did find some interesting things. Yes, there was a Spanish Land Grant which was part of the outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, after the Mexican/American War which had been declared on May 13, 1846. The Treaty was negotiated between the Mexican officials and Nicholas Trist, representing President Polk, and signed on February 2, 1848 in Guadalupe Hidalgo, the city where the Mexican government had set up after the fall of Mexico City. The treaty called for Mexico to cede 55% of its territory (present-day California, plus,) in exchange for fifteen million dollars for war-related damage to Mexican property. More information can be found by googling "Treaty of Guadalupe"
As I was reading through my posts, I was making notes of what I wanted to expound on, and can you believe it, already I cannot read my own writing, so I can't add to these things. Maybe later.
Imentioned that I have been emailing with HRR's cousin, Michael Goyke. Well, I was looking at the copy of the 1920 census of Whitman County, WA, which is where HRR's mother was raised. Sure enough, there are listed her father, mother, and all seven of the kids. But, at the end of the list, there is another person, a Barbara E., age 22. Someone new has been added. I wrote Michael and got right back telling me that he thought Barbara is the half-sister we always knew as Elizabeth. He thought her name was actually Barbara Elizabeth; makes sense. You just never know what you might learn when you dig a little deeper.
NOW - how was your Halloween? Things are sure a lot different from what they used to be. Even here at the Manor. I believe it was last year, we had a group of little girls (Brownies, Bluebirds, or something) come by and give each of us a little something. I remember they gave me a ghost, made of a small styrofoam ball wrapped in Kleenex, tied at the nect and a face done with felt tip pen. But I can remember Halloweens past that were a lot more exciting. Of course, Dad always had his tales to tell, and I guess some of the "mischief" they did then would earn them jail time today - things like, upset outhouses, putting picket fence gates on top of the house, - just little things like that. Nothing that was really vandalous and couldn't be repaired very easily. I remember once when I was a teenager (remember I lived in the country and didn't get to do things like this very often) a group of my friends went trick-or-treating in town. My grandmother White lived in a house in town at that time, and she had a tree in her front yeard. Well, the girls all sat around under that tree, and one of them went to the door, knocked on the door, and then ran and joined the others under the tree. I don't remember what happened after that. When Kathy & Judy were little, (Edie wasn't born yet) we had a Halloween party for a group of our friends. The mothers took the little ones around the neighborhood trick-or-treating, while the Dads stayed at the house and played cards. I think this was the time, at one house, the man who answered the door invited us all inside and then said, "OK, you do your trick, and I'll give you a treat". I don't remember for sure what we did, sang a song, danced a dance or something. With the streets getting so dangerous for anyone to be out after dark, door to door trick-or-treating is becoming a thing of the past, and community parties are becoming more and more popular.
Well, I had intended to start telling you more about my family background, but I think I have done enough for now. But watch this spot, because I am going to begin serializing some of my family stories, and you won't want to miss a chapter.
Bye for now - Beth
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Vacation -
Well, it's not really a vacation, but I am going to be away for a week or ten days, or so. So, don't rexpect to see any new blogs during that time. I will try to have some new ones lined up for when I get back.
Talk to you in a few days.
Beth
Talk to you in a few days.
Beth
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
First Storm
Wow!! I didn't relize how long it has been since I have visited with you. I'm surprised. I was sitting here this morning thinking that I should write something again, but what? Then within a few minutes, I got hit with several ideas. I am going to mention them, just so I can have my own reminders to come back to. I thought about our Stotm ( the westher); Family history; = = = =
So, I guess I'll start off with the most current - the Storm. Sorry, already I forgot what the others were.
We have had several years of below normal rainfall, and it shows it. Crops are struggling, lawns are suffering, and just all over lack of rainfall. The fields, and natural areas are not as grassy and green as they usually are. This month we have had some unseasomably high temperatures - not really hot, but just higher than usual. Then this week, and yesterday in particular, the westher tried to make up for lost time. I had not turned my TV on for a week (this is my way of fasting) so I had missed the weather reports building up to this. But Sunday night when I turned it on. they were showing the forecast for this week, with the storm hitting Tuesday. We were supposed to have at least 2 inches of rain, with winds in the 30 - 40 mile level, with gusts up to 60 or 70 miles. We were warned to be prepared for power failures, and all kinds of unseasonable things happening. I don't think it turned out quite as bad as forecast, but it was quite a storm. This morning's paper said almost two inches of rain, and winds in excess of 30 miles an hour. We had lots of power outages in the area, mostly due to fallen branches, or trees, or limbs getting caught up in the power lines. Here at the facility where I live, we were without power from ll:35 am until 10.45 pm. The way my room is arranged, my back is to the window, so unless there is a lot of noise with the storm, I don't really realize what is going on outside. I know everytime I looked outside, the water was pouring off the roof of the building next door, and I could see that the treees were blowing quite a bit. Storms of this kind do not usually hit here this early in the season, so the trees are still full of leaves, making the winds much more damaging. The leaf covered branches hold back the wind more, causing more force on the trees, hence more broken limbs and touching of the power lines to branches. I'm not sure what caused our outage, but it could have been a number of things. Very annoying, to say the least. Even our emergeny lights, which are battery powered and go on automatically when the power goes off, were off because their batteries went dead. Because we had no power, our electric dishwasher did not work, and the dishes had to be washed by hand. Every meal is served in two siittings here, so the first sitting for lunch had already been served when the power failed. So, the second sitting got their lunch on plastic plates. Second sitting for dinner is usually 5 pm. but because there was no auxiliary lighting in the dining room, they fed us at 4:15 pm. We had tuna/noodle cassarole and peas, with pineapple for desert. Our beverages were served in styro-foam cups, dinner on plastic (throw away) plates, plastic forks & spoons. Surprising how much the cloudy skies cut down the light in the dining room. They have gas stoves, so at least they were able to serve hot food.
I fell asleep about 8 pm for a little while, and when I woke up, I could not go back to sleep, so I got up and went down to the dining room where the staff were gathered around a table, with a battery operated lantern. I was trying to read. It's amazing when I think that until I was in college, all we had to read by in our house was small kerosene lights. Mom, my brother and I would all sit around the dining room table so we kids could do our homework while Mom sewed or read. Dad always had his own table, chair and lamp. My, how times have changed!!
Well, I think that about covers the storm, so I'm going to call it quits. I'll write more later, and maybe by that time I will have thought of what the other things were I wanted to remember.
Bye for now,
So, I guess I'll start off with the most current - the Storm. Sorry, already I forgot what the others were.
We have had several years of below normal rainfall, and it shows it. Crops are struggling, lawns are suffering, and just all over lack of rainfall. The fields, and natural areas are not as grassy and green as they usually are. This month we have had some unseasomably high temperatures - not really hot, but just higher than usual. Then this week, and yesterday in particular, the westher tried to make up for lost time. I had not turned my TV on for a week (this is my way of fasting) so I had missed the weather reports building up to this. But Sunday night when I turned it on. they were showing the forecast for this week, with the storm hitting Tuesday. We were supposed to have at least 2 inches of rain, with winds in the 30 - 40 mile level, with gusts up to 60 or 70 miles. We were warned to be prepared for power failures, and all kinds of unseasonable things happening. I don't think it turned out quite as bad as forecast, but it was quite a storm. This morning's paper said almost two inches of rain, and winds in excess of 30 miles an hour. We had lots of power outages in the area, mostly due to fallen branches, or trees, or limbs getting caught up in the power lines. Here at the facility where I live, we were without power from ll:35 am until 10.45 pm. The way my room is arranged, my back is to the window, so unless there is a lot of noise with the storm, I don't really realize what is going on outside. I know everytime I looked outside, the water was pouring off the roof of the building next door, and I could see that the treees were blowing quite a bit. Storms of this kind do not usually hit here this early in the season, so the trees are still full of leaves, making the winds much more damaging. The leaf covered branches hold back the wind more, causing more force on the trees, hence more broken limbs and touching of the power lines to branches. I'm not sure what caused our outage, but it could have been a number of things. Very annoying, to say the least. Even our emergeny lights, which are battery powered and go on automatically when the power goes off, were off because their batteries went dead. Because we had no power, our electric dishwasher did not work, and the dishes had to be washed by hand. Every meal is served in two siittings here, so the first sitting for lunch had already been served when the power failed. So, the second sitting got their lunch on plastic plates. Second sitting for dinner is usually 5 pm. but because there was no auxiliary lighting in the dining room, they fed us at 4:15 pm. We had tuna/noodle cassarole and peas, with pineapple for desert. Our beverages were served in styro-foam cups, dinner on plastic (throw away) plates, plastic forks & spoons. Surprising how much the cloudy skies cut down the light in the dining room. They have gas stoves, so at least they were able to serve hot food.
I fell asleep about 8 pm for a little while, and when I woke up, I could not go back to sleep, so I got up and went down to the dining room where the staff were gathered around a table, with a battery operated lantern. I was trying to read. It's amazing when I think that until I was in college, all we had to read by in our house was small kerosene lights. Mom, my brother and I would all sit around the dining room table so we kids could do our homework while Mom sewed or read. Dad always had his own table, chair and lamp. My, how times have changed!!
Well, I think that about covers the storm, so I'm going to call it quits. I'll write more later, and maybe by that time I will have thought of what the other things were I wanted to remember.
Bye for now,
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Lemonade
I just came back from having my dinner, and while I was eating, I don't know why, but I thought about my aunt & uncle's house, and decided to write a little about it. I don't think I have told too many of my family about this, and I know I have never written anything about it, but I think it is worth noting. And I know, now, what made me think about it. That's almost a story in itself, but I'm going to take time to tell it. When we have seafood of any kind for dinner, we usually get a slice of two or fresh lemon. And one of the ladies who used to sit at my table would make lemonade out of her slice, so I started doing it too. Works great. We always have a four ounce glass of ice water at our setting, so I take the slice of lemon, squeeze it into the water, add a package of artificial sweetner, and Voila! Lemonade. It's good, too. But it made me remember when my aunt & uncle first built their house in 1945. I'm not sure, but I think they put electricity in the house as it was built. Their old house did not have electricity, it was built before the turn of the century. Anyway, Aunt Mable would make up a bunch of lemonade syrup - maybe a quart or more. This was just lemon juice and sugar. She would boil them together and have a nice thick lemon syrup. Just pour about 1/4 Cup of this in a large glass, add some ice and fill with water, and you had lemonade. The rest of the syrup was kept in the refrigerator for future use. So, thinking about this made me think about the rest of their house. I don't know just who designed the house, but I don't think they had an architect, a surveyor, or anything else like that, for reasons you will know as I go along. It was a three bedroom house, but it had only one bathroom. A second bath was unheard of in those days. But, the bathroom was distictive in that it was actually two rooms. The first room had the toilet and wash basin. Go through another door, and there was the bathtub. There was no shower, just the tub. But by having it in a seperate room, while one person was taking a leisurely bath, another could be using the toilet or washing their hands. It was a real neat idea. The house had a basement under the dining room and kitchen and back porch. In one corner of the kitchen, there was a "cooler" cupboard. It looked just like an ordinary cupboard, except it had no bottom to it , or any top. It just had a screen or slat floor. And all the shelves were made of slats. This allowed the cool air from the basement (cellar) to rise through this cupboard on into the attic, and this is where the butter, shortening, jams & jellies and anything else that really needed to be cooler, but did not actually need to be kept in the refrigerator stayed. Neat! In the dining room, which was designed to seat about 12 people because they always fed their harvest crews, there was a door directly to the outside. Also, on the West end, next to the kitchen, there was a built in china cabinet. Well, I guess actually you might not call it "built in" because Dad built it apart from the house, and then moved it into place, and guess what? The house was not square! See what I mean about no architect, designer, etc. Someone had screwed up and the whole house was just a little off square, so anything prebuilt would not fit. But it all worked out. In the East end of the dining room, there was a large window, and across the top of the window was a half moon shaped window which had come out of the main entrance to the old Pierce Christian College (High School) in College City. This house was built in 1945, and a lot of the lumber used in the house, and I guess some of the other things, like windows , came from this old school. I don't know if Dad tore the whole college down, but I can remember, and I would have been about 13-14 years, going with him and sitting there, knocking the square nails out of the boards as he took them off the school. I wish I had some of those nails now. You don't see square nails very often any more. Anysay, in the back porch of the house, one of the windows was a pane from a window in the science lab of the old college. There were about 7 or 8 names etched into this glass with acid. I think they were the names of the students from one of the classes. I keep speaking in the past tense, but I hope these are still there. I haven't been by the house in several years, and I have not actually been to the house since my Aunt passed away in 1971. I have no idea who is living there now, maybe one of the great grandchildren ( I hope).
In my last post I mentioned we would be attending the memorial service for a member of the family who had met a tragic death. Oh, please, if there is any way possible, keep in touch with the members of your family. I mentioned in my post that this young man was in his 30's and left small children. Shoot, he was 40, and his children are at least in their teens now. How times do pass. I think that I mentioned that I have lost most of my contact with the family, especially since I established my relationship with another mate. But it was good to see them again, I just didn't relize how people can change in 15 or 20 years. One of the "kids" I still think of as a teen-ager, is soon to be a grandfather. Wow!! There are plans in the wind now for a huge family reunion next fall, and I sure hope it materialzes.
Guess this is a good place to stop - when I get wound up, I could go on and on, but I'll keep some for next time.
See ya -
In my last post I mentioned we would be attending the memorial service for a member of the family who had met a tragic death. Oh, please, if there is any way possible, keep in touch with the members of your family. I mentioned in my post that this young man was in his 30's and left small children. Shoot, he was 40, and his children are at least in their teens now. How times do pass. I think that I mentioned that I have lost most of my contact with the family, especially since I established my relationship with another mate. But it was good to see them again, I just didn't relize how people can change in 15 or 20 years. One of the "kids" I still think of as a teen-ager, is soon to be a grandfather. Wow!! There are plans in the wind now for a huge family reunion next fall, and I sure hope it materialzes.
Guess this is a good place to stop - when I get wound up, I could go on and on, but I'll keep some for next time.
See ya -
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Good Day!!
Well, hello! Have you missed me? Sorry I've been away from my blog, but I was all geared up to write a blog about something special that was supposed to happen, and then when it did'nt happen, I kinda went flat. But, that's behind me now. Have you ever had one of those days when nothing, absolutely nothing, went right all day? Of course you have. Haven't we all? Well, how about a day when EVERYTHING went RIGHT? Have you had many of those days? I think today was about as close to that as I have had in a very long time. Isn't it good to hear me say that? I have so many "I feel sorry for me" days, that to have as good a day as I've had today, makes me feel blessed.
What am I so up about? Well, several things. One, I am considering a major change in my life (details not available yet) and I got some supporting information along that line. Two, I have been trying for several months to get in touch with some of my late husband's family, and I finally did, and three, I went to the LDS church for some help in trying to get onto a message board like I used to, to contact someone who is tracing my family history. And low and behold, with their help, I found the contacts I had made several years ago - I think it was 2005. So, now, I hope that person is still following the board, and will see my new infomation.
I referred to my "late husband" - of course, that is my ex-husband. If you didn't already know, we were seperated twenty years before his death this spring. In the future, he will be referred to simply as HRR. Sorry, girls, I hope you don't mind my doing this, but it is something I have done in my letters, etc., for several years. Anyway, most of his family live(d) in Whitman County (near Spokane, WN) and we had lost contact with most of them since HRR's mother passed away in the late 1970's and we seperated. So, I decided to try to find some of them. I know that one cousin is still farming the old home place near Rosalia, WN, so he was the one I first tried to locate. That was at least six months ago. Then when HRR passed, I wrote him again, and still had not received any return. When I got home from town today, there was a nice letter from him. I was as excited as a kid with a new toy. I have been trying to locate the sons of another of the family, and have not heard from them. Now, I have hope that they will still write.
While I was in town, I stopped in at the Family Research Center at the LDS (Mormon) church. They have about half dozen or more, computers, and they will help you locate your family history. They charge you a whole 5 cents per sheet to print out whatever you wish. The lady was so nice, and she helped me find some of HRRs family (on his Mother's side) - for instance we found the l920 census, which listed all the kids living at home - I think that is 7. Of course, the four older brothers were not listed, because they were all living out of the house. But that was exciting. And, she helped me find a message board for my father. On it I found the contacts I had made four or five years ago with a man in Quebec, Canada. I sent him another message, and asked him to contact me directly. We'll see what happens with that.
See what I mean - things just seemed to be going my way today. It's about time!!
Tomorrow will not be as exciting. About 1 1/2 weeks ago, one of HRR's cousin's sons died a very tragic death. His memorial will be tomorrow morning. When someone in their 30's dies, for whatever reason, it is never a happy occasion, especially when they leave a spouse, parents, and small children. But, unfortunately, those things do happen, and the rest of us must go on with our lives.
Even though my plans for the weekend did not materialize, I can give you some of the highlights of what was supposed to have happened. At our church, we have two teams of Pastors, both husband and wife teams. Our senior pastor is Pastor Fred, and his wife is Pastor Cindy. Well, Cindy is very talented. I always thought I was a pretty good pianist, but I don't hold a candle to her. She is something very special. And she sings. Saturday night was a special program at which she was to release her new CD. I think this is either four or five CD's she has made. I haven't asked, and I can't figure out if they are available on the market. There are no names on the label to give any hint, but she does have her own website, and she gave a "sneak" preview of this new CD on MySpace. Her address on MySpace (in case you are interested) is myspace.com/cindibenzel. I think her web address is on there. Just thought you might be interested.
Not much else to talk about right now, but keep checking - I plan on getting into the history of some of my family in the not too distant future. But for now, I think that's it.
What am I so up about? Well, several things. One, I am considering a major change in my life (details not available yet) and I got some supporting information along that line. Two, I have been trying for several months to get in touch with some of my late husband's family, and I finally did, and three, I went to the LDS church for some help in trying to get onto a message board like I used to, to contact someone who is tracing my family history. And low and behold, with their help, I found the contacts I had made several years ago - I think it was 2005. So, now, I hope that person is still following the board, and will see my new infomation.
I referred to my "late husband" - of course, that is my ex-husband. If you didn't already know, we were seperated twenty years before his death this spring. In the future, he will be referred to simply as HRR. Sorry, girls, I hope you don't mind my doing this, but it is something I have done in my letters, etc., for several years. Anyway, most of his family live(d) in Whitman County (near Spokane, WN) and we had lost contact with most of them since HRR's mother passed away in the late 1970's and we seperated. So, I decided to try to find some of them. I know that one cousin is still farming the old home place near Rosalia, WN, so he was the one I first tried to locate. That was at least six months ago. Then when HRR passed, I wrote him again, and still had not received any return. When I got home from town today, there was a nice letter from him. I was as excited as a kid with a new toy. I have been trying to locate the sons of another of the family, and have not heard from them. Now, I have hope that they will still write.
While I was in town, I stopped in at the Family Research Center at the LDS (Mormon) church. They have about half dozen or more, computers, and they will help you locate your family history. They charge you a whole 5 cents per sheet to print out whatever you wish. The lady was so nice, and she helped me find some of HRRs family (on his Mother's side) - for instance we found the l920 census, which listed all the kids living at home - I think that is 7. Of course, the four older brothers were not listed, because they were all living out of the house. But that was exciting. And, she helped me find a message board for my father. On it I found the contacts I had made four or five years ago with a man in Quebec, Canada. I sent him another message, and asked him to contact me directly. We'll see what happens with that.
See what I mean - things just seemed to be going my way today. It's about time!!
Tomorrow will not be as exciting. About 1 1/2 weeks ago, one of HRR's cousin's sons died a very tragic death. His memorial will be tomorrow morning. When someone in their 30's dies, for whatever reason, it is never a happy occasion, especially when they leave a spouse, parents, and small children. But, unfortunately, those things do happen, and the rest of us must go on with our lives.
Even though my plans for the weekend did not materialize, I can give you some of the highlights of what was supposed to have happened. At our church, we have two teams of Pastors, both husband and wife teams. Our senior pastor is Pastor Fred, and his wife is Pastor Cindy. Well, Cindy is very talented. I always thought I was a pretty good pianist, but I don't hold a candle to her. She is something very special. And she sings. Saturday night was a special program at which she was to release her new CD. I think this is either four or five CD's she has made. I haven't asked, and I can't figure out if they are available on the market. There are no names on the label to give any hint, but she does have her own website, and she gave a "sneak" preview of this new CD on MySpace. Her address on MySpace (in case you are interested) is myspace.com/cindibenzel. I think her web address is on there. Just thought you might be interested.
Not much else to talk about right now, but keep checking - I plan on getting into the history of some of my family in the not too distant future. But for now, I think that's it.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I did it again!!
Man, I did it again. In my last post I was griping about the errors in my work that got past me, and there I found two or three more. I give up!! If, when you read me, I don't make sense, just guess at it! You probably won't be too far wrong.
Yesterday, I received an email from my granddaughter. I think it is just priceless, and it goes right along with the school situation I have been complaining about - you know, the things teachers are required to do, or not allowed to do, due to some state or federal regulation. Well, anyway, that's what I started out to do, but I guess I did get a little sidetracked on some of it.
Anyway, this came as a forwarded email. It had already been forwarded two or three times, to a whole bunch of people each time, and there was no originator's name attached, so I guess I am legal in putting it here. I think it is so true! and so priceless.
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their distruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their "T"-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and secually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish, or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this, and then you tell me . . . .I CAN'T PRAY?
Thank God for teachers who ARE still willing to try to do all these things.
And, on the outside back cover of this month's Country magazine, I read "IT ISN'T WHAT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH THAT HURTS YOU -- IT'S WHAT COMES OUT OF IT."
Yesterday, I received an email from my granddaughter. I think it is just priceless, and it goes right along with the school situation I have been complaining about - you know, the things teachers are required to do, or not allowed to do, due to some state or federal regulation. Well, anyway, that's what I started out to do, but I guess I did get a little sidetracked on some of it.
Anyway, this came as a forwarded email. It had already been forwarded two or three times, to a whole bunch of people each time, and there was no originator's name attached, so I guess I am legal in putting it here. I think it is so true! and so priceless.
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their distruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their "T"-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and secually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.
You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish, or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this, and then you tell me . . . .I CAN'T PRAY?
Thank God for teachers who ARE still willing to try to do all these things.
And, on the outside back cover of this month's Country magazine, I read "IT ISN'T WHAT GOES INTO YOUR MOUTH THAT HURTS YOU -- IT'S WHAT COMES OUT OF IT."
Monday, September 28, 2009
This is kind of another "pet Peeve", only this time I am the "peevee" (is there such a word?) I sometimes get so irritated at myself. All my life I have been very good at "English" - spelling, grammar, conversation, and composition. I am not an analytical person, I can't take someone else's story, and tell you what they were "really" thinking when they wrote it - after all they wrote it, don't you feel they knew what they really meant when they wrote it? I can't take a magazine advertisement, and tell you what the subliminal meaning of that ad is. This type of thing has always given me trouble, and almost cost me my Associates degree from college, because I could not pass my English lA class, due to my inability to "analyze" what someone else was trying to say, when they wrote it. But, you would think I would know what I am trying to say,, when I say something, or write something. You would think I could recognize when I have made a boo-boo in my writing. That is what makes me so peeved. Like yesterday's blog. Any time I write anything - a letter, a story, my "book", or my blog, I read and re-read every part of it at least two or three times before I send, print or post it. And still the goofs get by me. Take the possting yesterday - I know I read all of it several times before I posted it, and then after it was posted and I read it again, I found several errors. I just went back and read it again, looking for those errors, and voila! I could not find them. I did find a couple that should have never got past me - I referred to "of those 160 students" which should have said "FOR those 160", and later on I used the word "is" where it should have been "in". I said "enought" where it should have been "enough". Funny how you can read the same thing many times over and fund different things wrong. Usually I am pretty good at catching these things. In fact, over the last year or so, I have found two commercially printed books with errors of this type in them. But, in both of these cases, the error completely changed the meaning or context of the sentence. In both cases I called the error to the attention of the editor of the book, and in both cases, the error was acknowledged and promised to be corrected in the next publication of the book, assuming there will be a "next" publication.
Since I posted my comments yesterday, there have been a couple more articles in the paper along the same line in re: school. So, I get stirred up all over again -but I've ranted enough. I'll pick another subject for next time.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A "Pet Peeve"
I was sitting here wondering just what would be a good subject to "vent" about today, and I was reading today's local paper. There it was, on page C7, in the Letters to the Editor, one of my Pet Peeves. And, of course, that stirred me up good This particular pet peeve covers a lot of territory, so bear with me, here goes.
I would not want to be a kid (especially a teenager) today for anything. They have so much more stressful, mentally taxing lives than when I was a kid, or even when my girls were kids. When I went to school, there was no such thing as "Kindergarten" except in the largest schools. We started in the first grade, not knowing how to count, how to recognize our letters, or with no idea how to write or print. We might know our colors, but only if our Moms were really on the ball. We finally learned to write cursive letters when we were in about the third grade, and it was then that we first used a pen and ink. Of course there were no such things as "ball point pens" then. Those didn't come into existence until about 1941 or l942. We actually had to dip our pens into the bottle of ink, and then write. Could sometimes get kinda messy, and boy, the stories that could be told about that. We had "penmanship" classes until we finished the eighth grade - again Oh, the stories. And now there is discussion about the possibility of dropping cursive writing as a school subject altogether. We had eight grades of grammar school and four grades of high school. No "middle school" or "junior high school". We "graduated" from the eigth grade, and we were not "promoted" to the ninth grade. All the girls in the 8th grade had to take a sewing class, and I almost didn't get to graduate because I hadn't finished hand hemming my dischtowels. I also almost didn't graduate, because I could not pass my test on the US Constitution. The only reason I finally got by that one, they never did get around to giving the test again, so I guess you could say I graduated from grade school "by default". By the time we finished grammar school, college was about the last thing on our minds. No one was asking us what college we planned on attending, or what career we planned on persuing. Shoot, we were just kids - not to be worried about such things when we were only 13 or 14 years old. That was time to be a "kid" and enjoy life. The major difference between grammar school and high school was the fact that, in grammar school we had the same teacher for almost all of our classes - usually someone special for music and sewing. In high school we were introduced to choices in some of our classes, and sometime to four or five different teachers every day. Of 160 kids in my high school, I think we had about 7 or 8 teachers. The math teacher taught some of the science classes. The music teacher taught girls PE, Chorus and Spanish. The coach (of all the sports) taught shop. Yes, one coach was for all the sports, and the practices for the sports were held during school hours. Some of those kids lived 15 or 20 miles from school, and out of that 160, only about 4 or 5 drove their own cars to school. One year, the term started with no teacher hired for the commercial classes, so one of the senior boys who was really good at the commercial classes, was our teacher for the first month or two. No one was worried about college applications, or entrance exams, or SAT tests, or anything like that. When I was about 14 or 15, they intoruced an experimental subject into our "Social Studes" class - driver's education. Yes, that's right, driver education. There were two phases - the first being driver education, where we learned the rules of driving, and the road. Then, if we passed the test for that, and were over 15 1/2 years of age, we could take driver's training, which was actual behind-the-wheel training. Passing this class, and the corresponding test, tntitled us to apply for our drive's license. But me, I had to be different. I passed the driver education test (100 questions) at 100 percent, but I was not old enough to go on. So for reasons of another story, I didn't get my license until I was 17 years old.
In about the end of July or early August, you see all the "back to school" sales, and in stores like Walmart you see the "school needs lists - depending on what school the kid is going to be going to, and what grade - of all the things he/she will need. Such things as pencils, ball oint pens, notebooks, writing paper, color crayons, erasers, felt tip pens, rulers, protractors, and even back packs. Whan I attended school, and even when my girls were going, all these things (except maybe the backpacks) were provided to the kids by the schools. I doubt if many of the families could have afforded the items, even had they been required. When we got old enough to participate in the instrumental music program (7th grade) the school provided the instruments, and you usually wound up playing whatever the school had to offer. More about that later. We had a pretty nice orchestra (string instruments included). Would you believe that the lady who was my music teacher in the 7th grade (l942) is still alive and lives in Yuba City?
I was in the last class to graduate from high school without a cap & gown. The boys wore suits, white shirts, and ties. The girls wore floor length formals. And, I think we might have been the last class to graduate from that high school "stone sober". I was told that the next year, several of the class were so drunk they could hardly walk down the aisle. Anyway, things were a lot different then, than now.
And when my oldest daughter went to high school, there was still a pretty strict dress code. I don't believe girls were wearing slacks to high school then, let alone shorts or blue jeans. They did allow what were called "skorts". They were fairly short skirts. At least that's what they looked like from the front. But actually, they were shorts with a skirt in front. That was about as daring as the girls got. And, no such thing as "flip flops" for girls or boys either. On Fridays (or game days) the boys on the teams had to wear slacks, white shirts and ties, even to their own schools, and on the busses to the games. Four years later, things had taken a complete turn around, and it was almost a case of "anything goes". Oh, how times have changed.
When I started this post, I referred to a lettter in todays Letters to the Editor, that got me so stirred up. The writer was asking what happened to the "teachers' pride" he referred to the increased pressure to score high on tests, to the fact that teachers are more concerned about "dress code". I'm not sure, but I think the school she was referring to is one that has gone to a form of uniform, to more or less, standardize the type of clothing, for two purposes. One, to eliminate some of the types of clothing children were trying to wear, and two, to eliminate the wearing of "gang" colors - you know what I mean, handkerchiefs (plaid) around the neck, or on the head, or certain style or color of shirts that would associate them with gangs. She also was asking what had happened to the choirs, bands, and drill tems. In her words, "No money or no desire?" She was trying to remind the teachers of why they are there in the first place. Yes, I sometimes have that same thought - what has happened to today's teachers? Then, I stop and think. I'm not too sure how much of it is the fault of the teachers. I think many, if not most, of them still want to teach, so the student can learn; but with the way things have been going in the last few years, I have to admire anyone who even wants to be a teacher in today's society. It is not just this past year, and the current economy - it has been going on for several years. Costs have risen, and who has to suffer? The kids. What I said above about supplies, is a typical example. Then they cut out rooters' busses to the away-games; then they started cutting down on class field trips. One after another, extracurricular activities for the students have been cut. "Budget" is always the excuse. And now, with the economy the way it is, things must be more and more difficult for the teachers to provide for the students. California has long been one of the poorest states is meeting the standards for high school graduation, and every time I hear that some other school program (staff, supplies, activities, etc.) is being reduced or cut, my blood just begins to boil There's got to be an end somewhere, but where.
Well, I think I have "vented" about enought for one day. Anyway, I did kinda get it off my mind - not really, but at least now you know one of my "pet peeves"- one that really riles me up.
So, bye for now, catch you later -
I would not want to be a kid (especially a teenager) today for anything. They have so much more stressful, mentally taxing lives than when I was a kid, or even when my girls were kids. When I went to school, there was no such thing as "Kindergarten" except in the largest schools. We started in the first grade, not knowing how to count, how to recognize our letters, or with no idea how to write or print. We might know our colors, but only if our Moms were really on the ball. We finally learned to write cursive letters when we were in about the third grade, and it was then that we first used a pen and ink. Of course there were no such things as "ball point pens" then. Those didn't come into existence until about 1941 or l942. We actually had to dip our pens into the bottle of ink, and then write. Could sometimes get kinda messy, and boy, the stories that could be told about that. We had "penmanship" classes until we finished the eighth grade - again Oh, the stories. And now there is discussion about the possibility of dropping cursive writing as a school subject altogether. We had eight grades of grammar school and four grades of high school. No "middle school" or "junior high school". We "graduated" from the eigth grade, and we were not "promoted" to the ninth grade. All the girls in the 8th grade had to take a sewing class, and I almost didn't get to graduate because I hadn't finished hand hemming my dischtowels. I also almost didn't graduate, because I could not pass my test on the US Constitution. The only reason I finally got by that one, they never did get around to giving the test again, so I guess you could say I graduated from grade school "by default". By the time we finished grammar school, college was about the last thing on our minds. No one was asking us what college we planned on attending, or what career we planned on persuing. Shoot, we were just kids - not to be worried about such things when we were only 13 or 14 years old. That was time to be a "kid" and enjoy life. The major difference between grammar school and high school was the fact that, in grammar school we had the same teacher for almost all of our classes - usually someone special for music and sewing. In high school we were introduced to choices in some of our classes, and sometime to four or five different teachers every day. Of 160 kids in my high school, I think we had about 7 or 8 teachers. The math teacher taught some of the science classes. The music teacher taught girls PE, Chorus and Spanish. The coach (of all the sports) taught shop. Yes, one coach was for all the sports, and the practices for the sports were held during school hours. Some of those kids lived 15 or 20 miles from school, and out of that 160, only about 4 or 5 drove their own cars to school. One year, the term started with no teacher hired for the commercial classes, so one of the senior boys who was really good at the commercial classes, was our teacher for the first month or two. No one was worried about college applications, or entrance exams, or SAT tests, or anything like that. When I was about 14 or 15, they intoruced an experimental subject into our "Social Studes" class - driver's education. Yes, that's right, driver education. There were two phases - the first being driver education, where we learned the rules of driving, and the road. Then, if we passed the test for that, and were over 15 1/2 years of age, we could take driver's training, which was actual behind-the-wheel training. Passing this class, and the corresponding test, tntitled us to apply for our drive's license. But me, I had to be different. I passed the driver education test (100 questions) at 100 percent, but I was not old enough to go on. So for reasons of another story, I didn't get my license until I was 17 years old.
In about the end of July or early August, you see all the "back to school" sales, and in stores like Walmart you see the "school needs lists - depending on what school the kid is going to be going to, and what grade - of all the things he/she will need. Such things as pencils, ball oint pens, notebooks, writing paper, color crayons, erasers, felt tip pens, rulers, protractors, and even back packs. Whan I attended school, and even when my girls were going, all these things (except maybe the backpacks) were provided to the kids by the schools. I doubt if many of the families could have afforded the items, even had they been required. When we got old enough to participate in the instrumental music program (7th grade) the school provided the instruments, and you usually wound up playing whatever the school had to offer. More about that later. We had a pretty nice orchestra (string instruments included). Would you believe that the lady who was my music teacher in the 7th grade (l942) is still alive and lives in Yuba City?
I was in the last class to graduate from high school without a cap & gown. The boys wore suits, white shirts, and ties. The girls wore floor length formals. And, I think we might have been the last class to graduate from that high school "stone sober". I was told that the next year, several of the class were so drunk they could hardly walk down the aisle. Anyway, things were a lot different then, than now.
And when my oldest daughter went to high school, there was still a pretty strict dress code. I don't believe girls were wearing slacks to high school then, let alone shorts or blue jeans. They did allow what were called "skorts". They were fairly short skirts. At least that's what they looked like from the front. But actually, they were shorts with a skirt in front. That was about as daring as the girls got. And, no such thing as "flip flops" for girls or boys either. On Fridays (or game days) the boys on the teams had to wear slacks, white shirts and ties, even to their own schools, and on the busses to the games. Four years later, things had taken a complete turn around, and it was almost a case of "anything goes". Oh, how times have changed.
When I started this post, I referred to a lettter in todays Letters to the Editor, that got me so stirred up. The writer was asking what happened to the "teachers' pride" he referred to the increased pressure to score high on tests, to the fact that teachers are more concerned about "dress code". I'm not sure, but I think the school she was referring to is one that has gone to a form of uniform, to more or less, standardize the type of clothing, for two purposes. One, to eliminate some of the types of clothing children were trying to wear, and two, to eliminate the wearing of "gang" colors - you know what I mean, handkerchiefs (plaid) around the neck, or on the head, or certain style or color of shirts that would associate them with gangs. She also was asking what had happened to the choirs, bands, and drill tems. In her words, "No money or no desire?" She was trying to remind the teachers of why they are there in the first place. Yes, I sometimes have that same thought - what has happened to today's teachers? Then, I stop and think. I'm not too sure how much of it is the fault of the teachers. I think many, if not most, of them still want to teach, so the student can learn; but with the way things have been going in the last few years, I have to admire anyone who even wants to be a teacher in today's society. It is not just this past year, and the current economy - it has been going on for several years. Costs have risen, and who has to suffer? The kids. What I said above about supplies, is a typical example. Then they cut out rooters' busses to the away-games; then they started cutting down on class field trips. One after another, extracurricular activities for the students have been cut. "Budget" is always the excuse. And now, with the economy the way it is, things must be more and more difficult for the teachers to provide for the students. California has long been one of the poorest states is meeting the standards for high school graduation, and every time I hear that some other school program (staff, supplies, activities, etc.) is being reduced or cut, my blood just begins to boil There's got to be an end somewhere, but where.
Well, I think I have "vented" about enought for one day. Anyway, I did kinda get it off my mind - not really, but at least now you know one of my "pet peeves"- one that really riles me up.
So, bye for now, catch you later -
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Special Days
Hello - It's been a couple of days since I wrote and I had a couple of ideas different from what I had thought about. But then, that's the way it's supposed to work, isn't it? When I get an idea, I write about it.
Today was a kind of "special day" in that my new friend, Vicki, invited me to start going to a Bible Study group with her. I have been wanting to start going to one for quite some time now, but I'm not sure I want to commit myself to six months or so of every Thursday morning for two hours. But, I'm going to try it.
It's also a special day, because it is Esther's birthday. She was surprised I even remembered it, with so many in the family. I have tried very hard to remember most of my family birthdays this year, and have done a pretty good job. I know there are some I have missed, and I do apologize to them. But, as for Esther, there is no way I could forget about her birthday. I might miss the date, but I will never forget the day. Esther was born at home, and I was actually there to assist. I have been at the hospital, and even in the room, when several of the granchildren, and great granchildren were born, but Esther is the only one where I actually assisted with the birth. I'm not going into much detail, because I haven't discussed it with her or her Mother, but it was something I will never forget.
I'm not going to write much tonight, just don't feel up to it, but I did want to mention these things. So, I will talk to you more, later.
Today was a kind of "special day" in that my new friend, Vicki, invited me to start going to a Bible Study group with her. I have been wanting to start going to one for quite some time now, but I'm not sure I want to commit myself to six months or so of every Thursday morning for two hours. But, I'm going to try it.
It's also a special day, because it is Esther's birthday. She was surprised I even remembered it, with so many in the family. I have tried very hard to remember most of my family birthdays this year, and have done a pretty good job. I know there are some I have missed, and I do apologize to them. But, as for Esther, there is no way I could forget about her birthday. I might miss the date, but I will never forget the day. Esther was born at home, and I was actually there to assist. I have been at the hospital, and even in the room, when several of the granchildren, and great granchildren were born, but Esther is the only one where I actually assisted with the birth. I'm not going into much detail, because I haven't discussed it with her or her Mother, but it was something I will never forget.
I'm not going to write much tonight, just don't feel up to it, but I did want to mention these things. So, I will talk to you more, later.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
This 'n that -.
Hi, it's me again. I have just a couple of quickies before I get down to the business at hand. Boy, did I screw up on my last posting. Have you ever heard the old song, I think it was Ray Stevens who did it, called "I'm My Own Grandpa"? Well, if you have, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you have never heard it, or read the words, you definitely should. Go to the search field on the internet and enter"I'm my own grandpa" and you will find several listings for it. OK, now that we have that under control, on my last post, I said my Grandmother White first entered into my life "when she married my Dad" or something like that. What I meant to say was that my Grandmother first entered my life (or story) when my MOTHER married my Dad. No, Dad didn't marry Grandma. That's only in the song.
Another mistake I made - I got the cart before the horse. In reviewing some other writings I had done about Dad, I discovered he was born at the place north of Arbuckle, where the sewer plant now is, and they moved from there to the Schleich ranch, and then to the "home" place north of town. I'll get into that further as I recover (or remember) some of what I had already researched.
Another thing. I got an email this morning from Georgia's (my #4 daughter) step-son, who told me he had been working on "another blog" and gave me the address. Well, that is some blog. I asked him where he was 30 or 40 years ago when my husband and I were in a severe financial bind. Of course, that was long before he was even in my life. But anyway, his blog is simply financial advice from a non-pro. I'm sure you have seen articles in magazines about "How I got Rid of $100,00 in debt" or some such title. Well, that is what this is, only this time it is written by my grandson. And, what a blog!! With his permission I am going to give you the address. It is interesting reading, even if you don't need his advice. And with today's economy, who couldn't use a little help, especially when it is from someone you know personally, and you feel you can really trust. So, go to www.FinancialFreakshow.com and see what he has to say. As I said, it's good reading, even if you don't need or want his help.
I relly am enjoying writing these posts, but I have to be careful, becuase I don't know who is going to be reading them, and words have a way of coming back to bite me. That's happened a couple times in the last few months. It is bad enough when you know that only a few people have heard your remarks, but in a situation like this, I don't know how many are reading my words - I would like to think that maybe there are many, and I don't want these words to bite me, so it is better they remain unsaid. I always think about the story that was told about a little child who had a habit of making very naughty remarks and comments about other people. In order to try to break him of this habit, his father gave him a bucket of feathers, and told him to go out and scatter them along the road. When he got back with an empty bucket, his father told him to go back and pick each one of them up. In the meantime, a gentle breeze had come up, and so, of course, the feathers had all blown away. The child remarked about that, to which the father said that words are like the feathers. Once they are spread around, there is no getting them back. So, I TRY to be careful what I say. Only God knows my thoughts, and I think he will understand and forgive me for the thoughts I am having right now.
I was going to try to inroduce you to my Father tonight, but I have to organize my information a little better, so maybe tomorrow. But for now, talk to you later.
Another mistake I made - I got the cart before the horse. In reviewing some other writings I had done about Dad, I discovered he was born at the place north of Arbuckle, where the sewer plant now is, and they moved from there to the Schleich ranch, and then to the "home" place north of town. I'll get into that further as I recover (or remember) some of what I had already researched.
Another thing. I got an email this morning from Georgia's (my #4 daughter) step-son, who told me he had been working on "another blog" and gave me the address. Well, that is some blog. I asked him where he was 30 or 40 years ago when my husband and I were in a severe financial bind. Of course, that was long before he was even in my life. But anyway, his blog is simply financial advice from a non-pro. I'm sure you have seen articles in magazines about "How I got Rid of $100,00 in debt" or some such title. Well, that is what this is, only this time it is written by my grandson. And, what a blog!! With his permission I am going to give you the address. It is interesting reading, even if you don't need his advice. And with today's economy, who couldn't use a little help, especially when it is from someone you know personally, and you feel you can really trust. So, go to www.FinancialFreakshow.com and see what he has to say. As I said, it's good reading, even if you don't need or want his help.
I relly am enjoying writing these posts, but I have to be careful, becuase I don't know who is going to be reading them, and words have a way of coming back to bite me. That's happened a couple times in the last few months. It is bad enough when you know that only a few people have heard your remarks, but in a situation like this, I don't know how many are reading my words - I would like to think that maybe there are many, and I don't want these words to bite me, so it is better they remain unsaid. I always think about the story that was told about a little child who had a habit of making very naughty remarks and comments about other people. In order to try to break him of this habit, his father gave him a bucket of feathers, and told him to go out and scatter them along the road. When he got back with an empty bucket, his father told him to go back and pick each one of them up. In the meantime, a gentle breeze had come up, and so, of course, the feathers had all blown away. The child remarked about that, to which the father said that words are like the feathers. Once they are spread around, there is no getting them back. So, I TRY to be careful what I say. Only God knows my thoughts, and I think he will understand and forgive me for the thoughts I am having right now.
I was going to try to inroduce you to my Father tonight, but I have to organize my information a little better, so maybe tomorrow. But for now, talk to you later.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Grandmothers
It is 10:30 pm on Sunday evening. I just got home from church. Usually I get home around 8:30 - 9 pm but because we had a guest speaker, (a healing service) we were late. Anyway, it was a very nice service. Oh, I forgot to mention in my last blog, the group for which I am "corresponding secretary" is caled OASIS (Older Adults Still in Serive), just in case you are interested.
The title of today is "Grandmothers" and that could be because I am going to introduce you to my grandmothers. I never knew either of my grandfathers; they were both gone before I was born, but my grandmothers were very special to me, and Judy mentioned one day that I talked quite a bit about my Grandmother Arcand (Dad's mom) but I hardly ever said anything about my other grandmother. Well, that would be Grandma White (Mom's mom). And, I guess the main reason for that would be because I lived much closer to Grandma Arcand, and spent quite a bit of time with her, so I really knew her better. Her name was Katherine Henrietta Weyand Arcand. She was born in May 1866 just one mile (through the fields) from where my parents lived until their deaths and of course, where I was raised. I really don't know a whole lot about her younger years. I can't think off hand of where my Dad was even born. I know he attended grade schiol at a little country school near the intersection of Hahn Road, and ......Rd, about 2 miles north of Arbuckle. It was called, if I remember correctly, Wilbur School. Dad attended Pierce High School in College City. Some time during this period the family moved to the "Schleich ranch" about 2 miles west of Arbuckle, and then to a place about 1 mile north of Arcubkle, which is now the site of the Arbuckle municipal sewage disposal plant. Then, they moved to the ranch about 2 miles north-east of Abruckle, l mile east of where I grew up. This property had become my grandmother's property through a Spanish Land Grant, signed by the Presidend of the United States. I've kinda forgotten the whole story, but somehow after the war between Mexico and the US, the Mexican government granted quite a number of acres of land to the United States, to be given to the US veterans of this war. 160 acres was granted to one gentleman, and some way (I've forgotten how) this eventually became my Grandmother's land. When Dad & Mom got married, my Dad bought this property from his mohter, and it there he and Mother built the only home they ever shared.
On the ranch (farm) where my grandmother, and my Aunt Mable & Uncle Louis (Dad's brother) and their family lived for probably close to 90 years, they had mostly barley. Everything was dry land farming (no irrigation). I'm not sure just what they had in the way of livestock. As a kid, growing up, I know they always had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese. And, occarionally a horse for riding. Oh yes, and sheep. But mostly it was grain. In later years, they planted almond orchards - still no irrigation. Uncle Louis and his sons took care of the grain and almond part, and grandma took care of the livestock. She usually had about 5-7 cows which she hand-milked twice a day, and the chickens, turkeys & geese. I think the men did take care of the pigs & sheep. Things changed as time went on, animals came and went, but Grandma hand milked those cows until the day she went into the hospital a week before she died in 1947. For a long time, we owned one cow, and kept her at her place with the other cows. As long as that cow lived, we got one gallon of milk a day. Some of our family would go over to the house every evening to get our milk. This is a story in itself.
Grandma White was another story. She was born just about 1-2 miles East of where Grandma Arcand was born. She was born in November 1866, and was named Sarah Ophelia Roberts White. Again, I know little to nothing about her grownig up years, or even her family. As I go along, I will try to do a little research to find out more about the younger years, and families of both Grandmothers. But, for now, Grandma White first became a part of my life history, when she and Dad got married on September 19, 1917. They were married in my grandparents' home. Grandpa died in about 1929, after my brother, Ollie, was born, but before I came along. Grandpa & Grandma had six children, only three of which lived to adulthood. There was the son, Robert, and my Aunt Inez. Robert married severral times, but never had any children. Inez was 16 years younger than my mother. I guess it was after Robert had married, and Inez had grown, that Grandma & Inez moved to the Bay Area, probably Berkeley, so my aunt could attend nursing school. When I was a small child, we used to go to visit them at Christmas time. They lived in Berkeley, and we would go by train to spend Christmas Day with them. I just don't remember much about this time. Then, for some reason, about 1945 or so, Grandma moved back to Arbuckle, to live with my family. We already had four people, parents, Ollie (my brother) and me, in a two-bedroom, one bath home. So, I had to share my bedroom with Grandma. I think Ollie was sleeping in the living room at that time. Anyway, it did not work out very well, for me and my grandmother to share a room, so I decided to run away. To make a long story short, I didn't get far, and that day, Mother took Grandma into Arbuckle, and they found her a small apartment to live in. Then, I can't remember exactly when, Grandma moved back to live with my Aunt Inez and her family. They had moved to Vacaville by them, and it is there she lived until she entered a rest home, and after about 2 1/2 years later, she passed away in around 1955. So, you can see, I just did not have as much contact with Grandma White as I did with Grandma Arcand, so I just never developed the relationship with her.
Well, that's probably enough for now. One person has said to me, my blogs are too long, another said "Just keep on blogging". I know I have a habit of talking too much, so maybe I can see if I can tone it down a little.
Beth
The title of today is "Grandmothers" and that could be because I am going to introduce you to my grandmothers. I never knew either of my grandfathers; they were both gone before I was born, but my grandmothers were very special to me, and Judy mentioned one day that I talked quite a bit about my Grandmother Arcand (Dad's mom) but I hardly ever said anything about my other grandmother. Well, that would be Grandma White (Mom's mom). And, I guess the main reason for that would be because I lived much closer to Grandma Arcand, and spent quite a bit of time with her, so I really knew her better. Her name was Katherine Henrietta Weyand Arcand. She was born in May 1866 just one mile (through the fields) from where my parents lived until their deaths and of course, where I was raised. I really don't know a whole lot about her younger years. I can't think off hand of where my Dad was even born. I know he attended grade schiol at a little country school near the intersection of Hahn Road, and ......Rd, about 2 miles north of Arbuckle. It was called, if I remember correctly, Wilbur School. Dad attended Pierce High School in College City. Some time during this period the family moved to the "Schleich ranch" about 2 miles west of Arbuckle, and then to a place about 1 mile north of Arcubkle, which is now the site of the Arbuckle municipal sewage disposal plant. Then, they moved to the ranch about 2 miles north-east of Abruckle, l mile east of where I grew up. This property had become my grandmother's property through a Spanish Land Grant, signed by the Presidend of the United States. I've kinda forgotten the whole story, but somehow after the war between Mexico and the US, the Mexican government granted quite a number of acres of land to the United States, to be given to the US veterans of this war. 160 acres was granted to one gentleman, and some way (I've forgotten how) this eventually became my Grandmother's land. When Dad & Mom got married, my Dad bought this property from his mohter, and it there he and Mother built the only home they ever shared.
On the ranch (farm) where my grandmother, and my Aunt Mable & Uncle Louis (Dad's brother) and their family lived for probably close to 90 years, they had mostly barley. Everything was dry land farming (no irrigation). I'm not sure just what they had in the way of livestock. As a kid, growing up, I know they always had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese. And, occarionally a horse for riding. Oh yes, and sheep. But mostly it was grain. In later years, they planted almond orchards - still no irrigation. Uncle Louis and his sons took care of the grain and almond part, and grandma took care of the livestock. She usually had about 5-7 cows which she hand-milked twice a day, and the chickens, turkeys & geese. I think the men did take care of the pigs & sheep. Things changed as time went on, animals came and went, but Grandma hand milked those cows until the day she went into the hospital a week before she died in 1947. For a long time, we owned one cow, and kept her at her place with the other cows. As long as that cow lived, we got one gallon of milk a day. Some of our family would go over to the house every evening to get our milk. This is a story in itself.
Grandma White was another story. She was born just about 1-2 miles East of where Grandma Arcand was born. She was born in November 1866, and was named Sarah Ophelia Roberts White. Again, I know little to nothing about her grownig up years, or even her family. As I go along, I will try to do a little research to find out more about the younger years, and families of both Grandmothers. But, for now, Grandma White first became a part of my life history, when she and Dad got married on September 19, 1917. They were married in my grandparents' home. Grandpa died in about 1929, after my brother, Ollie, was born, but before I came along. Grandpa & Grandma had six children, only three of which lived to adulthood. There was the son, Robert, and my Aunt Inez. Robert married severral times, but never had any children. Inez was 16 years younger than my mother. I guess it was after Robert had married, and Inez had grown, that Grandma & Inez moved to the Bay Area, probably Berkeley, so my aunt could attend nursing school. When I was a small child, we used to go to visit them at Christmas time. They lived in Berkeley, and we would go by train to spend Christmas Day with them. I just don't remember much about this time. Then, for some reason, about 1945 or so, Grandma moved back to Arbuckle, to live with my family. We already had four people, parents, Ollie (my brother) and me, in a two-bedroom, one bath home. So, I had to share my bedroom with Grandma. I think Ollie was sleeping in the living room at that time. Anyway, it did not work out very well, for me and my grandmother to share a room, so I decided to run away. To make a long story short, I didn't get far, and that day, Mother took Grandma into Arbuckle, and they found her a small apartment to live in. Then, I can't remember exactly when, Grandma moved back to live with my Aunt Inez and her family. They had moved to Vacaville by them, and it is there she lived until she entered a rest home, and after about 2 1/2 years later, she passed away in around 1955. So, you can see, I just did not have as much contact with Grandma White as I did with Grandma Arcand, so I just never developed the relationship with her.
Well, that's probably enough for now. One person has said to me, my blogs are too long, another said "Just keep on blogging". I know I have a habit of talking too much, so maybe I can see if I can tone it down a little.
Beth
Friday, September 18, 2009
Harvest Time Church
At the start, I said there would be comments about my church, etc. Well, this is as good a time as any to introduce you to my church. All my life (almost,all my life) I have been active in one church or another. But it has always been a Methodist church except for a time when I was in high school and we had a pastor I didn't like personally. So I would go to Sunday School at the Methodist church, then run two blocks down the street to the Baptist Church for the actual church services. One day the pastor caught me going out the door and asked me where I was going. Mom of course, was staying for church. Well, I guess you know, that was the last time I went to the Baptist Church. Over the years, I have always been active in the church, except for a period of three or four years, when I didn't go to any church at all. I even attended, and completed their courses as a certified lay speaker twice. This "qualified" me to conduct services in any Methodist Church. I could not perform any of the rites of the church, but I could preside over the worship services. Somehow I never really felt adequate for this position, even though I was "trained" for it. Judy & Steve have long attended church at Pentecostal type churches, and have at times asked me to attend with them. I would go, and then go home, saying, "That's not for me. I like my church a little more on the refined (quieter) side." In 2008, I was attending the Methodist Church about nine miles south of Yuba City (Grace Methodist). In fact, I was acting as alternate organist. I had been playing for church for two or three weeks while the regular organist was on vacation. I came home one Sunday, and decided I had had it. I called Judy a day or two later and told her I wanted to go to church with her the next Sunday. I wish I could have seen her face. I think she was probably very surprised. So, on Sunday, they picked me up, and all the way to church (in the town of Lincoln, about 30 miles away) Judy and Ruth kept saying, "You realize we are Pentecostal. You know we do get a little noisy at times." My answer was "Yes, I know that". It was over 6 months before I missed a Sunday morning service. I made most of the Wednesday night services and many of the Sunday night. I still have some problems with some of the things about that church, but I have neverbeen back to a Methodist Church, and have no desire to go back. We are a part of the Pentecostal movement, but are actually "Word of Faith" believers. We look to Kenneth Hagen, and Kenneth Copeland for spiritual guidance.
In "our" church, we have an average Sunday morning attendance of 150 +, almost evenly divided between men and women. There are special classes for children from infancy to junior high school. And, the regulars include all ages, the oldest being in their 90s. We are a very active church, with many weekday acticities - prayer services, Bible Studies, group meetings. And there are the things that take place only once or twice a month. On certain Sunday evenings, they have what they call "Alternative Church" which is intended for the teenagers. I have never attended one of these, because I understand it is very active. On Sunday afternoons, they have a Spanish language service. One of the Pastors (Pastor Dan) is Spanish, and he and his wife, who is also a Pastor conduct this service. Usually about once a month we have an activity intended for those over 50. This group usually goes out to lunch together, to a play in one of the theaters in Lincoln, Roseville, or even Woodland. Last week they went to the auto races in Roseville. It is a real fun group. I am what I call the "corresponding secretary" of this group, in that I send cards (Birthday, sympathy, get well, or just thinking of you) to the various members on occasion. There are over 100 people in this group. I say "Members" but there is no charge. You just have to sign up, so we have the essential information. Tami makes a news letter about every two or three months, and I make the envelopes, and mail the letters. We had our all-church picnic a couple of weeks ago. Lots of fun. It was held at the home of one of the church members, out in the foothills north-east of Lincoln. There were about 150 there, and it was really a beautiful day - in every respect.
I didn't realize how involved, excited, impressed or whatever, I am with this churh. For various reasons, I only get to go once or sometimes twice a week, but if I miss the Sunday morning service, I really feel I have missed something that has become a very real part of my life. Incidentally, if you would like to see what I am so excited about, go to www.htclincoln.org and check us out.
Enough for now, see you tomorrow (probably).
In "our" church, we have an average Sunday morning attendance of 150 +, almost evenly divided between men and women. There are special classes for children from infancy to junior high school. And, the regulars include all ages, the oldest being in their 90s. We are a very active church, with many weekday acticities - prayer services, Bible Studies, group meetings. And there are the things that take place only once or twice a month. On certain Sunday evenings, they have what they call "Alternative Church" which is intended for the teenagers. I have never attended one of these, because I understand it is very active. On Sunday afternoons, they have a Spanish language service. One of the Pastors (Pastor Dan) is Spanish, and he and his wife, who is also a Pastor conduct this service. Usually about once a month we have an activity intended for those over 50. This group usually goes out to lunch together, to a play in one of the theaters in Lincoln, Roseville, or even Woodland. Last week they went to the auto races in Roseville. It is a real fun group. I am what I call the "corresponding secretary" of this group, in that I send cards (Birthday, sympathy, get well, or just thinking of you) to the various members on occasion. There are over 100 people in this group. I say "Members" but there is no charge. You just have to sign up, so we have the essential information. Tami makes a news letter about every two or three months, and I make the envelopes, and mail the letters. We had our all-church picnic a couple of weeks ago. Lots of fun. It was held at the home of one of the church members, out in the foothills north-east of Lincoln. There were about 150 there, and it was really a beautiful day - in every respect.
I didn't realize how involved, excited, impressed or whatever, I am with this churh. For various reasons, I only get to go once or sometimes twice a week, but if I miss the Sunday morning service, I really feel I have missed something that has become a very real part of my life. Incidentally, if you would like to see what I am so excited about, go to www.htclincoln.org and check us out.
Enough for now, see you tomorrow (probably).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Boy, I don't know if it's just that I'm getting old, (79 isn't old, is it?), or getting forgetful or what, but when I had to write to Texas to ask how to make a new entry in this thing, that's getting pretty bad.
Anway, I went to town today, for the first time in about two weeks. When I say "went to town", I mean the area of town where I CAN go. It is about 1 1/2 miles to the Target, Walgreen's, and the Mall, takes me about 30 minutes in my power chair. It is amazing the changes that can take place in that period of time. We in this area of California, are in what is considered a drought. It is nothing like some places. We do not have severe water rationing, or restricted water use like some people. We just haven't had normal rainfall for about three uears. But, you can sure see the yards where people are not watering like they used to. Yes, some of it is due to the fact that the houses are now vacant (rentals & owned), but there are plenty where it just seems to be that people aren't taking care of their yards like they used to. And, we have a new traffic light. At the corner of Queens Ave., and Gray Ave., they finally have a light working. I have never been able to figure out why there wasn't one there long before this. It is a major intersection, not far from two elementary schools, and in the afternoon, when kids are getting out of school, it is a bad intersection. I think this will help a lot.
The economy has had an indirect affect on a lot of things. More than we realize, I guess. I am beginning to see how it is affecting things here where I live. We are not affected as directly as most of you are - we do not buy groceries, gas for our cars, or things like that. But we are a facility that was designed to house about 70 residents. When I came here three years ago, I had to wait about 3 weeks for an opening. Now, we are about 50 percent capacity. Stop and think about it. That means their monthly income is cut by about l/2 but there expenses are not. Sure, the expenses are cut some, but not in proportion to the income. They still have most of their staff - state law requires certain mamning - they still have to put out three meals a day, seven days a week, they still have to cool/heat the whole building, and they still have to have certain lighting on,etc. We do have one building that has twelve single occupant apartments. None of these are occupied at this time. What I have started to notice is mainly in the meals. I don't believe the food is of the quality it was at first (not sure why this is), and I'm sure the portions are smaller. They supply us with artificial sweetner, and I know there are some residents who use artificial sweetner when they could use regular sugar. They used to use Euqual, now they are using something I have never heard of. I think it is a "store brand" from the wholesale house they get most of their groceries. We were told it was because the Equal was much more expensive. They have trays on each table with the sweetner, tea bags, and sometimes powdered creamer or no-salt. Anyway, there is this one table where the ladies all use large amounts of sweetner - five or six packages at a time. As one of the ladies says, "I like my 'sugar'". Guess what. They have taken the tray off that table and are "rationing" the amount of sweetner they can have. I've seen some other less obvious places where they are trying to cut expenses, but that is the most blatant.
When I was in town today, I was looking for a special "doctor recommended" cough syrup. I normally get it at the Walgreen's. They didn't have any today, so they called the other store which is at the corner of Tharpe & Colusa Hwy (about 3/4 mile further West) and asked them to hold a bottle for me. On my way from one store to the other, I stopped at Target, and at Rite Aid to see if they had what I was looking for. No such luck. But, at RiteAid, there was a very nice man about four feet further down the aisle checking on sleep aids. He started to chuckle and said "Look at this". He had a package of sleep aid medication, and on the outside was the statement, "Non drowsy formula". A sleep aid that is "non drowsy". Now that is really going some.
Looks to me like this is going to become a daily thing. I mentioned before, how I miss human companionship. Well, by writing in this blog, I take care of part of that. I don't know, and don't really care, how many people read this, but it does give me a place to "vent"- to tell little stories like above, to get upset about things, and just to clear my mind and thoughts, even though there is no one to answer me. So, bear with me, cause here it comes.
Anway, I went to town today, for the first time in about two weeks. When I say "went to town", I mean the area of town where I CAN go. It is about 1 1/2 miles to the Target, Walgreen's, and the Mall, takes me about 30 minutes in my power chair. It is amazing the changes that can take place in that period of time. We in this area of California, are in what is considered a drought. It is nothing like some places. We do not have severe water rationing, or restricted water use like some people. We just haven't had normal rainfall for about three uears. But, you can sure see the yards where people are not watering like they used to. Yes, some of it is due to the fact that the houses are now vacant (rentals & owned), but there are plenty where it just seems to be that people aren't taking care of their yards like they used to. And, we have a new traffic light. At the corner of Queens Ave., and Gray Ave., they finally have a light working. I have never been able to figure out why there wasn't one there long before this. It is a major intersection, not far from two elementary schools, and in the afternoon, when kids are getting out of school, it is a bad intersection. I think this will help a lot.
The economy has had an indirect affect on a lot of things. More than we realize, I guess. I am beginning to see how it is affecting things here where I live. We are not affected as directly as most of you are - we do not buy groceries, gas for our cars, or things like that. But we are a facility that was designed to house about 70 residents. When I came here three years ago, I had to wait about 3 weeks for an opening. Now, we are about 50 percent capacity. Stop and think about it. That means their monthly income is cut by about l/2 but there expenses are not. Sure, the expenses are cut some, but not in proportion to the income. They still have most of their staff - state law requires certain mamning - they still have to put out three meals a day, seven days a week, they still have to cool/heat the whole building, and they still have to have certain lighting on,etc. We do have one building that has twelve single occupant apartments. None of these are occupied at this time. What I have started to notice is mainly in the meals. I don't believe the food is of the quality it was at first (not sure why this is), and I'm sure the portions are smaller. They supply us with artificial sweetner, and I know there are some residents who use artificial sweetner when they could use regular sugar. They used to use Euqual, now they are using something I have never heard of. I think it is a "store brand" from the wholesale house they get most of their groceries. We were told it was because the Equal was much more expensive. They have trays on each table with the sweetner, tea bags, and sometimes powdered creamer or no-salt. Anyway, there is this one table where the ladies all use large amounts of sweetner - five or six packages at a time. As one of the ladies says, "I like my 'sugar'". Guess what. They have taken the tray off that table and are "rationing" the amount of sweetner they can have. I've seen some other less obvious places where they are trying to cut expenses, but that is the most blatant.
When I was in town today, I was looking for a special "doctor recommended" cough syrup. I normally get it at the Walgreen's. They didn't have any today, so they called the other store which is at the corner of Tharpe & Colusa Hwy (about 3/4 mile further West) and asked them to hold a bottle for me. On my way from one store to the other, I stopped at Target, and at Rite Aid to see if they had what I was looking for. No such luck. But, at RiteAid, there was a very nice man about four feet further down the aisle checking on sleep aids. He started to chuckle and said "Look at this". He had a package of sleep aid medication, and on the outside was the statement, "Non drowsy formula". A sleep aid that is "non drowsy". Now that is really going some.
Looks to me like this is going to become a daily thing. I mentioned before, how I miss human companionship. Well, by writing in this blog, I take care of part of that. I don't know, and don't really care, how many people read this, but it does give me a place to "vent"- to tell little stories like above, to get upset about things, and just to clear my mind and thoughts, even though there is no one to answer me. So, bear with me, cause here it comes.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Just me
OK, I think I got this thing figured out. So, a couple more trials, and then we will get down to serious business.
First of all, I am bored to death. I have been living in as Assisted Living Facility since June 2006. I had a stroke and the dr. said I should nevere live alone again. So, here I have been ever since. Don't get me wrong, actually I have a life of Riley. I don't have to do a blasted thing, literally. For the rent I pay, which seems high until you realize what I get for it, I can sit on my duff all day, and do nothing, I can watch TV or whatever I want. They provide 3 meals a day, plus snacks. That means no meal planning, no grocery shopping, no food preperation, and no dirty dishes to clean up. They do my laundry - hence no nickels in the laudromat, of course all the clothes have to be wash and wear (they don't do, and there is no way for me to do, any ironing). If I slept in a bed, which I haven't done in about four years, they would make my bed daily for me, change my sheets weekly (because of my back, I cannot make my bed). They clean my room (at least they are supposed to, I don't think they do what they should), clean my bathroom (I do have my own bathroom, toilet & basin, shower down the hall), supply me with T.P. and bath linenens a couple of times a week. I have a "private" room. It is 7.5 ft x 15 ft. You figure it out. 7.5x15=about 105 square feet. Yes, it is small, but it is ALL mine. I don't have to share with anyone else. And it is adequate for me, without a bed. Although the last person in this room did have a bed. I can watah TV whenever I want, as loud as I want, as late as I want, watch what I want. I don't watch much daytime TV but I do watch until about midnight. I have my computer which gives me games, email, etc. and now with my blog, I will have that to do. I read a lot, work puzzles, and read my Bible. Yes, read my Bible. In the last year, I have become much closer to God, through the church I am now attending. More about that later. But I am still lonely and bored. I seek human companionship. The other residents here are mostly mentally challenged (Altzheimers, etc.) and I just don't feel comfortable trying to visit with them. The activities they have are geared more to pre-school or kindergarten mentalaties, so I just spend most of my time in my room. I have my power wheel chair, so I do get out once in awhile that way. I go to church in Lincoln, whenever I can get a ride, and I have made many new friends there - again, more about that later. I mentioned how small the room is, and the fact that I have a private bath. In that bathroom is a shower - or was, it is not usable for some plumbing reason, so with a shower rod across it, it is my closet. The closet in the room is very, very small. I have wondered, and even asked some of the staff what this room was designed for. It is completely removed from the others, right across from the kitchen, and right next to an outdoor exit. It has the tiny closet, large bathroom, and really quite different from any of the other rooms. I was told by one of the staff members who has been here for years, that she thought it was designed as an office. But if that is the case, why the very large bathroom? Anyway, the other day I was looking at a floor plan of the building (actually intended as a fire escape plan) and noticed that all the other rooms were numbered, or identified as to their purpose (laundry, storeroom, etc.) And this room, it is identified by the letters I S O - guess what? Does that mean "isolation"? That would explain its remoteness to the other rooms, and the fact that it had its own shower. This is just a guess, but it makes a whole lot of sense.
See, when I get started, I don't know when to quit. So, if you check this out every day or two, you might be surprised what you will find. But, for now, I think this will do.
First of all, I am bored to death. I have been living in as Assisted Living Facility since June 2006. I had a stroke and the dr. said I should nevere live alone again. So, here I have been ever since. Don't get me wrong, actually I have a life of Riley. I don't have to do a blasted thing, literally. For the rent I pay, which seems high until you realize what I get for it, I can sit on my duff all day, and do nothing, I can watch TV or whatever I want. They provide 3 meals a day, plus snacks. That means no meal planning, no grocery shopping, no food preperation, and no dirty dishes to clean up. They do my laundry - hence no nickels in the laudromat, of course all the clothes have to be wash and wear (they don't do, and there is no way for me to do, any ironing). If I slept in a bed, which I haven't done in about four years, they would make my bed daily for me, change my sheets weekly (because of my back, I cannot make my bed). They clean my room (at least they are supposed to, I don't think they do what they should), clean my bathroom (I do have my own bathroom, toilet & basin, shower down the hall), supply me with T.P. and bath linenens a couple of times a week. I have a "private" room. It is 7.5 ft x 15 ft. You figure it out. 7.5x15=about 105 square feet. Yes, it is small, but it is ALL mine. I don't have to share with anyone else. And it is adequate for me, without a bed. Although the last person in this room did have a bed. I can watah TV whenever I want, as loud as I want, as late as I want, watch what I want. I don't watch much daytime TV but I do watch until about midnight. I have my computer which gives me games, email, etc. and now with my blog, I will have that to do. I read a lot, work puzzles, and read my Bible. Yes, read my Bible. In the last year, I have become much closer to God, through the church I am now attending. More about that later. But I am still lonely and bored. I seek human companionship. The other residents here are mostly mentally challenged (Altzheimers, etc.) and I just don't feel comfortable trying to visit with them. The activities they have are geared more to pre-school or kindergarten mentalaties, so I just spend most of my time in my room. I have my power wheel chair, so I do get out once in awhile that way. I go to church in Lincoln, whenever I can get a ride, and I have made many new friends there - again, more about that later. I mentioned how small the room is, and the fact that I have a private bath. In that bathroom is a shower - or was, it is not usable for some plumbing reason, so with a shower rod across it, it is my closet. The closet in the room is very, very small. I have wondered, and even asked some of the staff what this room was designed for. It is completely removed from the others, right across from the kitchen, and right next to an outdoor exit. It has the tiny closet, large bathroom, and really quite different from any of the other rooms. I was told by one of the staff members who has been here for years, that she thought it was designed as an office. But if that is the case, why the very large bathroom? Anyway, the other day I was looking at a floor plan of the building (actually intended as a fire escape plan) and noticed that all the other rooms were numbered, or identified as to their purpose (laundry, storeroom, etc.) And this room, it is identified by the letters I S O - guess what? Does that mean "isolation"? That would explain its remoteness to the other rooms, and the fact that it had its own shower. This is just a guess, but it makes a whole lot of sense.
See, when I get started, I don't know when to quit. So, if you check this out every day or two, you might be surprised what you will find. But, for now, I think this will do.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
OK, the test worked, so here goes. Esther suggested I have a "theme". Hence the title "Beth, etc." That will cover just about anything I want to write about. Where did it come from? About 30 years ago, I had a ceramic shop of my own, and out of the clear blue sky, I picked the hame of Beth, etc. Actually I felt it was one way of includig the rest of my family, which is where the etc. came from. I thought it would be good here, because the blog is from Beth and can include just about anuthing I want to talk about, so that's where the etc. comes in.
I plan to talk about some of the things that happened in my childhood - things going on about my church, and just life in general. One thing I probably will not have is pictures. I know they are a major part of most blogs, but as far as I know, I have no way of adding pix to my blog. So, you are just going to have to read about my life, and not rely on pix. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. So I invite you as you read it, to respod, ask questions, or make comments. If you have siomething you don't understand or rant to know more about, just ask.
That's it for now - just a sort of an introduction.
I plan to talk about some of the things that happened in my childhood - things going on about my church, and just life in general. One thing I probably will not have is pictures. I know they are a major part of most blogs, but as far as I know, I have no way of adding pix to my blog. So, you are just going to have to read about my life, and not rely on pix. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. So I invite you as you read it, to respod, ask questions, or make comments. If you have siomething you don't understand or rant to know more about, just ask.
That's it for now - just a sort of an introduction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
