1HW continually urges me to complete a chronology of my childhood and adolescent days so that any children and grands may by some chance be able to follow my path. It does not seem as interesting as his follies, I might add at this point! But historically speaking, it is a good idea. And so I will continue from the point of having visited Eisenhower's departure for NATO, whereupon my dad left DC, finished his MA at Columbia, and taught at West Point for a year. That was quite a fun year, to see the cadets, live at the Point, and also be close to grandparents. It was also sad for me to hear quite undercover that my grandmother had cancer. It terrified me, especiallly since I didn't feel I could talk to anyone about it. Mom and Dad spent several weeks in Europe that summer while we stayed with grandparents in Ohio, only to learn that we would then be moving to the Philippines later that year. Only decades later would I learn that Dad had become a clandestine member of the CIA while wearing an Air Force uniform. After spending five months of my sixth grade year back in Columbus, the family finally headed to the Philippines in February of 1953 on a ship that had previously been destined for the NW Pacific. It was not fun. The only fun we kids saw was when sailors had shore leave on Guam and came back drunk, as we watched in great amusement. The Philippines came as a great relief, albeit shock, as they were still overcoming the ravages of WWII Japanese occupation.
Our house at Clark Air Force Base north of Manilla was huge and lovely, and we had servants to do everything for us. We kids thought it was fun because of the Japanese bullet holes in the walls from the Japanese occupation during WWII. We also had huge spiders, crickets, hooded cobras, and boas. Lovely environment. After 9 months there, with all kinds of Communist infiltrators trying to imperviate our homes, we moved to Okinawa, or Uglinawa, as we called it. What a God-forsaken place! It was awful. There were snails the size of Labrador Retrievers there, and terrifying poisonous snakes that lived all over the place. It was not fun to live there, for sure. I seriously cannot remember anything fun or good from the time we spent there, and I most certainly never want to return. Awful time! All of it!
And so we came from there, the frying pan, into the fire, as we moved to the scenic Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Do you detect a note of sarcasm there? What a sham the whole society was, and probably still is. I think I have mentioned before that I never knew what "colored people" were until we moved there. And I never had seen such prejudice before or since. And, so, unlike 1HW, my junior high and early high school days were not particularly happy ones, which is why I have not written more about them. It was more like I survived them until we moved on to the next place. It was like that for me throughout high school.
After we left Gulfport, we moved to Rantoul, Illinois, which I really did like, and Herb and I made friends in the community. However, my dad decided that a boy I was dating was becoming too close and stopped that immediately with a firm hand. So in spite of friends and high school successes there, it was just as well to move to Albuquerque in 1959, as Dad was assigned as head ROTC Professor at the University of New Mexico. It seemed like the end of the world at first, but Herb and I became accustomed to it and quickly made new friends, usually mutual ones as we stuck together. I do need to say that having a brother as Herb made my life so much easier through the years. We were buddies and stuck together, helping each other out. He is still my good friend. While we were in Illinois when my granparents were visiting, I discovered my grandmother was in such pain, and learned that her cancer had returned. That haunted me, until her death during my senior year in high school in Albuquerque. I still miss her, even as I miss my mother, and I still think of both of them. But oh, the wonderful memories I have! I only hope that my daughters and all of the grands will have such fond memories of some times with me! More to come...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Spring Dresses
Thinking about dressing up for Easter caused me to think about one of my favorite pasttimes, making things for grandkids, especially dresses. When the girls were small, I frequently made them sundresses, as well as the usual Hallowe'en creations. But there wasn't quite enough time to create pretty dresses. All that changes with being a grandmother.
By the time I had time to sew, Ashley was too old, so Kaitie was the first one to be dressed, since Brittani received a ton of dresses from her other grandmother. There were two creations which stand out for Kait, one an intricate Daisy Kingdom pattern with a bordered print dress and matching pinafore in pink and white. She was so excited to wear that twirly dress for her fifth birthday party and wore it until it was in shreds. Then there was the slinky red sequinned dress, a la MM. It turned out that those sequins were glued on and completely gummed up my sewing mchine with every stitch, which meant a great deal of time and patience. I'll never use that stuff again! But she looked spectacular! Now Kait has learned to make stuffed animals, as well as clothes and pillows.
Keilah was the next in line, and I loved stitching her navy and white sailor dress with a matching one for her dolly. She looked so pretty in it! Then there was a navy and gold Christmas dress, with matching ones for Kaitie and Susannah. It was a lovely dress, too. Now, it is is fun that she is able to sew her own skirts!
Susannah's most frilly dress ever was made for her Aunt Kim's wedding. I had made flower girl dresses for Kaitie and Keilah in "periwinkle blue" to match the brides maids dresses, so Susannah's was white with blue trim... Just darling! Lately, she has chosen more grown up patterns in corduroy and moleskin, which are just perfect for her. She is good at sewing, too.
Last has been the twins, and we still keep making things together, since I have taught all of them how to sew. Their most memorable were a matching pair of dresses with Raggedy Ann and Andy all over them, and a Raggedy pinafore over them. Kristy had their second birthday pictures taken with the dresses on while they were holding the Raggedy Anns and Andys which I had also created. That is one of the cutest pictures ever! Now even they have gravitated into more grown up clothes, so we have made colorful tiered skirts which can be worn with any number of shirts.
It just seemed that they grew out of those pretty dresses so quickly! And now, with the youngest at nine, they are all almost too old for Grammy creations, I think! But, I do believe at the drop of a hat, I could be convinced to make more! And, as always, it will be a joy to see at least five (girls and boy) of them in church tomorrow, all happy and shiny and dressed up! What a blessings those dear grands are, both girls and boys! Happy Easter!
By the time I had time to sew, Ashley was too old, so Kaitie was the first one to be dressed, since Brittani received a ton of dresses from her other grandmother. There were two creations which stand out for Kait, one an intricate Daisy Kingdom pattern with a bordered print dress and matching pinafore in pink and white. She was so excited to wear that twirly dress for her fifth birthday party and wore it until it was in shreds. Then there was the slinky red sequinned dress, a la MM. It turned out that those sequins were glued on and completely gummed up my sewing mchine with every stitch, which meant a great deal of time and patience. I'll never use that stuff again! But she looked spectacular! Now Kait has learned to make stuffed animals, as well as clothes and pillows.
Keilah was the next in line, and I loved stitching her navy and white sailor dress with a matching one for her dolly. She looked so pretty in it! Then there was a navy and gold Christmas dress, with matching ones for Kaitie and Susannah. It was a lovely dress, too. Now, it is is fun that she is able to sew her own skirts!
Susannah's most frilly dress ever was made for her Aunt Kim's wedding. I had made flower girl dresses for Kaitie and Keilah in "periwinkle blue" to match the brides maids dresses, so Susannah's was white with blue trim... Just darling! Lately, she has chosen more grown up patterns in corduroy and moleskin, which are just perfect for her. She is good at sewing, too.
Last has been the twins, and we still keep making things together, since I have taught all of them how to sew. Their most memorable were a matching pair of dresses with Raggedy Ann and Andy all over them, and a Raggedy pinafore over them. Kristy had their second birthday pictures taken with the dresses on while they were holding the Raggedy Anns and Andys which I had also created. That is one of the cutest pictures ever! Now even they have gravitated into more grown up clothes, so we have made colorful tiered skirts which can be worn with any number of shirts.
It just seemed that they grew out of those pretty dresses so quickly! And now, with the youngest at nine, they are all almost too old for Grammy creations, I think! But, I do believe at the drop of a hat, I could be convinced to make more! And, as always, it will be a joy to see at least five (girls and boy) of them in church tomorrow, all happy and shiny and dressed up! What a blessings those dear grands are, both girls and boys! Happy Easter!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring Hats
It is undeniably true.... I just love hats and have ever since I was very young. My grandmother encouraged this, of course, by finding me the cutest hats for all kinds of occasions. When I was growing up, women wore hats much more than they do now, and they were much more elaborate. Very few would even consider showing up in church without a chapeau, regardless of the season. Easter, probably a great deal due to Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in the movie Easter Parade, was especially the morning to appear in one's best, prettiest hat.
Some of the hats were little more than nets with sequins, flowers, or ribbons sewn on. However, my favorites were the "picture hats," wide-brimmed in all colors and usually beautifully decorated. In fact, the hat I most remember was a big pink one, absolutely covered in little bitty silk flowers.... Gorgeous!
Now in today's world, hats seem to have fallen out of favor. Maybe it's just too much fuss or that today's styles do not accommodate hats as well as former dressier styles. Nevertheless, every so often, I feel the urge to pull out one of the boxes and find a treasure to wear, regardless of the stares and comments. SO, here we are, it's almost Easter.... maybe I should just pop over to our handy-dandy storage unit, because I just know that somewhere in there is a box......
Some of the hats were little more than nets with sequins, flowers, or ribbons sewn on. However, my favorites were the "picture hats," wide-brimmed in all colors and usually beautifully decorated. In fact, the hat I most remember was a big pink one, absolutely covered in little bitty silk flowers.... Gorgeous!
Now in today's world, hats seem to have fallen out of favor. Maybe it's just too much fuss or that today's styles do not accommodate hats as well as former dressier styles. Nevertheless, every so often, I feel the urge to pull out one of the boxes and find a treasure to wear, regardless of the stares and comments. SO, here we are, it's almost Easter.... maybe I should just pop over to our handy-dandy storage unit, because I just know that somewhere in there is a box......
Friday, March 14, 2008
Spring Tonic
Have any of you seen the truck? It's the big dump truck that ran over us, backed up, and ran over us again, unloading its pile of flu, cold, congestion, and cough germs on us. After a week of feeling horrible, with 1HW a couple of days behind me in feeling the same, we went to the family care clinic this morning, emerging with instructions for quiet, rest, liquids, antibiotics, and a potent cough syrup (which, of course, is not covered by our presciption insurance and was only $115). And so we are hunkering down, quite sad to miss a grands' piano concert, dinner with the kids, Perry and Kelsey's anticipated wedding, and the farewell party for Scott and Stella. So, if you see that truck, look out and get out of the way. And if you have any spare Spring Tonic to usher in the new season, please send some our way! We need it!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
York
Between the many varied doctors' appointments, with positive results, and nursing some sweet, sick girls, I just haven't had a chance to write. However, here we are on this crisp Saturday morning, heading back to Wichita from Omaha, hopefully to pick up a renewed and restored motor home, and return to Omaha tomorrow, to be with the girls on Monday before Kristy and the kids get home late Monday night. The drive passes through Lincoln and on to York, Nebraska, and the sign for York took me back to some years ago whe we visited the Brittish Isles for a month.
In preparing for the trip, I had purchased a bed and breakfast guide for the area; however, I neglected to notice until MUCH later that the guide was for COUNTRY B & B's. You will just have to imagine some of the ancient places in which we stayed, some dating back to the eleventh century, which were still working farms. When we arrived in York, it was pouring rain, and we could barely see to drive, let alone follow the vague directions to the house. All of a sudden, a B&B sign appeared, so we decided to try it. The several gates which we opened in the pouring rain, led to an ancient stone house and outer buildings, which we later saw were listed in the The Doomsday Book. How amazing! As we were getting out of the car, our host came running out to greet us, and said he had room for us. We were the only ones there, and Jonathan, recently divorced and managing the B&B alone, like our friend Arthur, was a delightful host. He recommended a place to eat and called for reservations, and could only get us in at 5:30 or 9:30, which astonished us, being out in the middle of nowhere, and gave us directions. After cleaning up a bit, we headed out, quite sure we were lost as we drove and drove endlessly, it seemed, until in the middle of the woods, a small town appeared with the Hare's Inn ahead of us. We found a parking place on a hill, parked our rediculously oversized Mercedes, and carefully sloshed through the rain and mud, to find ourselves in the type of warm country inn where the "shooters" (hunters) could stay overnight. We sat in front of the fire and had one of the best meals we have ever eaten, a gourmet delight, while people introduced themselves to us and wanted to know what we were doing in their rural area. It was quite fun to be part of the shooters' victorious party! We said goodbye and began to leave, but the car would not start, at all. 1HW finally went inside, and the very "jolly" shooters came out to help us in the pouring rain, at first having us slide down the hill, and then trying to push us, causing several of them to fall into the thick mud, absolutely covered. Everyone finally decided the car would not budge, and they all agreed that it was a problem Mercedes had when the car got wet, of the "interrupter" not being able to function, which would require a factory resetting. SO they offered to drive us back to Jonathan's, which was one of the wildest rides we have ever been on, racing all over the narrow road through the forest at a breakneck speed, as we held on for dear life, with the shooters telling bawdy jokes and laughing all the way. It was like a scene from a movie! By then we knew all of their names (Christmas card list, you know), and when we arrived at Jonathan's, we offered to pay them for their time, falling in the mud, and gas. Billy, our fearless shooter leader, replied, "No indeed, ma'am! You're in GOD' S country! You're in YORK!"
The next morning Jonathan drove us to the Hare's Inn, where the hung-over shooters had returned to begun a new hunt and where the tow truck would meet us. The inn kept us well-supplied with coffee and chatter while we waited and waited. The town was so remote that the first tow truck from York got lost, and we had to wait for the second one. Four or five hours later, we finally arrived in York and received a new car from the Hertz people there, this time one of the new small European Mercedes which never made it to the US.
It was such a special visit, and we experienced such kindness from complete strangers, that we have since felt a close bond to York. And when we wander back there next, we will be sure to find the Hare's Inn!
In preparing for the trip, I had purchased a bed and breakfast guide for the area; however, I neglected to notice until MUCH later that the guide was for COUNTRY B & B's. You will just have to imagine some of the ancient places in which we stayed, some dating back to the eleventh century, which were still working farms. When we arrived in York, it was pouring rain, and we could barely see to drive, let alone follow the vague directions to the house. All of a sudden, a B&B sign appeared, so we decided to try it. The several gates which we opened in the pouring rain, led to an ancient stone house and outer buildings, which we later saw were listed in the The Doomsday Book. How amazing! As we were getting out of the car, our host came running out to greet us, and said he had room for us. We were the only ones there, and Jonathan, recently divorced and managing the B&B alone, like our friend Arthur, was a delightful host. He recommended a place to eat and called for reservations, and could only get us in at 5:30 or 9:30, which astonished us, being out in the middle of nowhere, and gave us directions. After cleaning up a bit, we headed out, quite sure we were lost as we drove and drove endlessly, it seemed, until in the middle of the woods, a small town appeared with the Hare's Inn ahead of us. We found a parking place on a hill, parked our rediculously oversized Mercedes, and carefully sloshed through the rain and mud, to find ourselves in the type of warm country inn where the "shooters" (hunters) could stay overnight. We sat in front of the fire and had one of the best meals we have ever eaten, a gourmet delight, while people introduced themselves to us and wanted to know what we were doing in their rural area. It was quite fun to be part of the shooters' victorious party! We said goodbye and began to leave, but the car would not start, at all. 1HW finally went inside, and the very "jolly" shooters came out to help us in the pouring rain, at first having us slide down the hill, and then trying to push us, causing several of them to fall into the thick mud, absolutely covered. Everyone finally decided the car would not budge, and they all agreed that it was a problem Mercedes had when the car got wet, of the "interrupter" not being able to function, which would require a factory resetting. SO they offered to drive us back to Jonathan's, which was one of the wildest rides we have ever been on, racing all over the narrow road through the forest at a breakneck speed, as we held on for dear life, with the shooters telling bawdy jokes and laughing all the way. It was like a scene from a movie! By then we knew all of their names (Christmas card list, you know), and when we arrived at Jonathan's, we offered to pay them for their time, falling in the mud, and gas. Billy, our fearless shooter leader, replied, "No indeed, ma'am! You're in GOD' S country! You're in YORK!"
The next morning Jonathan drove us to the Hare's Inn, where the hung-over shooters had returned to begun a new hunt and where the tow truck would meet us. The inn kept us well-supplied with coffee and chatter while we waited and waited. The town was so remote that the first tow truck from York got lost, and we had to wait for the second one. Four or five hours later, we finally arrived in York and received a new car from the Hertz people there, this time one of the new small European Mercedes which never made it to the US.
It was such a special visit, and we experienced such kindness from complete strangers, that we have since felt a close bond to York. And when we wander back there next, we will be sure to find the Hare's Inn!
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