Well, here's my first shot at posting a video to the blog. Hopefully, it will turn out okay. Brief history: The video started as a number of 8mm films that dad, Howard St.Clair, took during the 50's and 60's. Following his death, my sister Laurie obtained the films and had them transferred to two VHS tapes during the 90's, then sent copies to the brothers and sisters. Prior to the reunion in a discussion with Laurie, I decided to see if I could transfer the VHS analog tapes to digital files, which could be loaded onto a PC, allowing for DVD copies to be made. The plan was to try and have DVD's made prior to the reunion, and perhaps get posted to the Blog. That was the plan in theory, but the execution turned out to take a bit longer than anticipated (learning curve).
The total series of 8mm film clips is about 2 hours in length. All but this 20 minutes or so, is of our family and life in Fairfield, ID (a lot of Christmas shots). I have just posted video clips of the St.Clair family during visits to Oregon. As near as I can determine, these film clips started around 1953/54. Someone mentioned the lake where the picnic started might have been Cottage Grove. You also might notice that blue car at the end of the video is very similar to a certain auto at the reunion.
I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did. In my opinion, while pictures are certainly wonderful, moving pictures really help to bring the people to life and show what they were like. Until I saw the film of the family dancing and having great fun, I would have never imagined that occurring. You can sure tell they made the most of what they had 50 years ago, that we take for granted today with our satellite and cable TVs, IPODs, cell phones, etc.
If you have problems viewing, let me know and I'll try and research a fix. If anyone would like a DVD copy of these clips, or a DVD of the complete 2 hour video, let me know.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Shirley's Timeline
Shirley has given us an email attachment for those of you who did not get one, or would like to have it, of the timeline of the three wives of Frank St Clair. It is a must read for those who may be confused on who belongs to who, and where we all fit in, in the scheme of things. She put a lot of time and effort into this document. It sure enlightened me. Thank you Shirley for your forethought on this project. Anyone who wishes to have a copy of this valuable information, please email me at rhickman@centurytel.net and I'll forward a copy to you immediately, if not sooner.
Kisses,
Gina and Rian
Kisses,
Gina and Rian
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
What a Wonderful Family
As someone who doesn't stay in contact with cousins in my family, I have to say that looking at the faces in this crowd were very inspiring, touching, and most of all, a large connection. Rian and I took on this endeavor hoping like heck that it would turn out to be an event that everyone would enjoy and remember. And it did. Only thanks to the many cousins that took part in making it happen. Lance and Jeanie St Clair for the coffee in the early part of the day (I needed it badly!) and their helping hands in cooking. Wes and Velda St Clair for the chicken, and Rod and Karla for the burgers, and hot dogs. Lance and Rod did a spectacular job at the cooking. Absolutely astronomical job! Mike and Candy, thanks so much for your contribution of delicious baked beans. Kathy and Lucky, thanks for that awesome carrot cake. At one point I turned to attend to something, and those folks had cleaned up within fifteen minutes. If I messed up on who brought what...I apologize from the bottom of my heart! All food contributions were wonderful.
Bunny, Rian and I wanted say a special thank you for your beautiful workmanship on the quilt. We had no idea that you had planned this, and it brought tears to my eye. We still need to sign it ourselves, and when we do, this quilt will be cherished in our family for generations to come. We love you for that. And thank you, for bringing greatgrandma's quilts. You will always have a bed in our home!
Nikki V, thank you for the great job on the T-shirts. They are a welcome memento for this event.
And a big "thank you" to everyone for showing up. We were truly blessed with your attendance to this function that Carol and Shirley entrusted to us. We are still trying to figure out why they chose us, other than Rian's knack for staying in contact with as many people as he can, and being...shall we say...very persuasive about it.
We missed Marian St Clair Sanders' presence, but we will all share with her what we have gathered, and hope she feels better very soon.
An especially big thanks to those who came from far away. We hope it was well worth the trip to see all these fantastic people we call "our family".
We love you all dearly,
Gina and Rian
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
The St.Clair Clan is AWESOME
Whatta whirlwind week-end for me. I am soooo anxious to see the pictures that were being taken. I know Mike was taking a bunch and others too. So let's get them circulating.
First, a big THANKS to ALL of the organizers of the event!
Are you all clear now on the three wives of Frank St.Clair that makes up this BIG crazy family??? :-) The time-line book Shirley put together was awesome and I t
hink was helpful to a lot of people.And, all the display tables were awesome. Thanks to everyone who did that. And, of course, a HUGE thanks to Bunny for putting together that quilt top for us all to inscribe on. It looked like stained glass hanging there with the light behind it. Really cool.
Keep coming back to the blog. I'm sure there will be a lot more pictures and comments to come!
Remember... you can click on any of these images to enlarge.
O.K... I just finished uploading my reunion pictures to Picasa. Here is the link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/TopTeamCarol/2008StClairReunion You can click on the individual pics to enlarge them and actually read the writing on some of the display material. I know there are more pictures out there. Bring 'em on.
Enjoy!
Love,
Carol
Monday, July 07, 2008
REUNION & HOME
Hi everyone,
What a wonderful weekend and great fun seeing everyone and meeting all the second and third cousins (and first cousins I had not met before), spouses/partners, etc.
But don't give me a test on whose kids and grandkids/greatgrandkids were whose!!!???
We left "early" Sunday morning before anyone (except Clair) were up. Clair was up but we did not see him and then his car was gone !! ?? Arrived home safe and sound about 5 p.m.
Sure hope everyone arrived home safe and sound. Some, I know, are still traveling and visiting.
I have not looked at my photos or the video camera photos yet. But will put them on here or ? later. I am taking a couple days off from work to recouperate and repack... heading to a conf. for work on Wednesday. Only driving over to Yakima -- so not too bad.
Such a BIG THANK YOU to Rian and Gina and huge thanks to all who helped them. It was just wonderful. And a big thanks to Rian and Gina for giving us a real bed... we were going to sleep in a tent in their back yards. Guess being "old farts" has its privileges.
Also want to thank all the "spouses" / "parteners" / etc. who were not direct family for your attendance and support as well.... specifically my husband who's arthritic neck was really hurting him.
Thanks to all for making this weekend one I will never forget.
Love, Bunny
What a wonderful weekend and great fun seeing everyone and meeting all the second and third cousins (and first cousins I had not met before), spouses/partners, etc.
But don't give me a test on whose kids and grandkids/greatgrandkids were whose!!!???
We left "early" Sunday morning before anyone (except Clair) were up. Clair was up but we did not see him and then his car was gone !! ?? Arrived home safe and sound about 5 p.m.
Sure hope everyone arrived home safe and sound. Some, I know, are still traveling and visiting.
I have not looked at my photos or the video camera photos yet. But will put them on here or ? later. I am taking a couple days off from work to recouperate and repack... heading to a conf. for work on Wednesday. Only driving over to Yakima -- so not too bad.
Such a BIG THANK YOU to Rian and Gina and huge thanks to all who helped them. It was just wonderful. And a big thanks to Rian and Gina for giving us a real bed... we were going to sleep in a tent in their back yards. Guess being "old farts" has its privileges.
Also want to thank all the "spouses" / "parteners" / etc. who were not direct family for your attendance and support as well.... specifically my husband who's arthritic neck was really hurting him.
Thanks to all for making this weekend one I will never forget.
Love, Bunny
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Tree Trunk Brought Forward
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming reunion on July 5th (which is sneaking up fast)... for all of you who didn't get in on the blog until recently, I am bringing forward the very first post from October 2005 which outlined the families of Francis (Frank) Avery St.Clair... my Grandfather.
Many of us were confused about the family and who was who because of Grandpa's three wives. The first two died and the third wife, Grandma Pansy, stuck around to see all of us Grandchildren grow up. So, here it is again so you can get a handle on who fits where:
Here is the chart from where we all come from. Tell me how you fit in... and let's expand this outline into the youngest generations. Fill in any blanks you can and tell us some stories:
Here's what I know, as family from Grandpa Frank...
He and first wife, Edith Eskridge Tarbell, had four children:
1) LeRoy Francis, born 1907
2) Jessie, born 1909
3) Lewis, born 1910
4) Oba Leonard (Obie to us), born 1912
Frank and his second wife, Amy Nora Henderson, had
one child:
Amy
This is my Mother, born 1916, and died in 1959 as a result of being hit by a car as a pedestrian. Amy was married to Bruce Klock (my Dad), who died in 1964 of lung cancer. Bruce and Amy had two children:
Clair Klock, born March 29, 1951
Carol Klock, born April 7, 1952
After the death of both parents, Clair & Carol were raised by Bruce's only brother, Orval, and his wife, Dorothy Klock who lived in Corbett, Oregon.
The first picture is my Mom and Dad (Amy and Bruce) and the second of my brother, Clair, and me when we were just little munchkins... oh so many years ago!
Frank and his third wife, Pansy Fay Reeve, had seven children:
1) Frank Willard (Bud), born 1921
2) Fay Rose, born 1922
3) Harold Lee, born 1924 (Still living)
4) Laurence Victor, born 1925
5) Howard Ray, born 1927
6) Marian Ruth, born 1929 (Still living)
7) Glen Dell (just Dell to us), born 1932 (Still living)
If you are into "originals", here is a link to that very first post in October of 2005 . Also, here is a link to 2005 articles. You can scroll down to the July 28th post about the group pictures of the St. Clair men and women included in this post. I love these group pictures!!!
Happy Sunday!
Carol (Klock) Williams
Many of us were confused about the family and who was who because of Grandpa's three wives. The first two died and the third wife, Grandma Pansy, stuck around to see all of us Grandchildren grow up. So, here it is again so you can get a handle on who fits where:
Here is the chart from where we all come from. Tell me how you fit in... and let's expand this outline into the youngest generations. Fill in any blanks you can and tell us some stories:
Here's what I know, as family from Grandpa Frank...
He and first wife, Edith Eskridge Tarbell, had four children:
1) LeRoy Francis, born 1907
2) Jessie, born 1909
3) Lewis, born 1910
4) Oba Leonard (Obie to us), born 1912
Frank and his second wife, Amy Nora Henderson, had
one child:Amy
This is my Mother, born 1916, and died in 1959 as a result of being hit by a car as a pedestrian. Amy was married to Bruce Klock (my Dad), who died in 1964 of lung cancer. Bruce and Amy had two children:
Clair Klock, born March 29, 1951
Carol Klock, born April 7, 1952
After the death of both parents, Clair & Carol were raised by Bruce's only brother, Orval, and his wife, Dorothy Klock who lived in Corbett, Oregon.
The first picture is my Mom and Dad (Amy and Bruce) and the second of my brother, Clair, and me when we were just little munchkins... oh so many years ago!
Frank and his third wife, Pansy Fay Reeve, had seven children:
1) Frank Willard (Bud), born 1921
2) Fay Rose, born 1922
3) Harold Lee, born 1924 (Still living)
4) Laurence Victor, born 1925
5) Howard Ray, born 1927
6) Marian Ruth, born 1929 (Still living)
7) Glen Dell (just Dell to us), born 1932 (Still living)
If you are into "originals", here is a link to that very first post in October of 2005 . Also, here is a link to 2005 articles. You can scroll down to the July 28th post about the group pictures of the St. Clair men and women included in this post. I love these group pictures!!!
Happy Sunday!
Carol (Klock) Williams
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Genealogy
It is so great to hear form long lost and not so long lost cousins. I am really looking forward to our reunion.
I just spent our second spring day for the season in a Genealogy Conference -- rather than going on a motorcycle ride with Jim. This is all new to me and I learned a lot, but realize there is lots more to learn. I hope to find some extra hours in my busy schedule to work on genealogy... or play with it anyway. I am really hoping that those of you who have already done genealogy work will bring your information to our reunion. I already have some copies of stuff from Aunt Marian -- actually quite a bit of stuff as Aunt Marian has done a lot of research and putting stories together, and a few other pieces of info but know there is lots more info out there.
We have had one heck of a spring...NOT! Today was only the second nice day we have had. Supposed to be nice again tomorrow then back to possible snow! Geeeezzzzz!!!
See ya soon,Bunny
I just spent our second spring day for the season in a Genealogy Conference -- rather than going on a motorcycle ride with Jim. This is all new to me and I learned a lot, but realize there is lots more to learn. I hope to find some extra hours in my busy schedule to work on genealogy... or play with it anyway. I am really hoping that those of you who have already done genealogy work will bring your information to our reunion. I already have some copies of stuff from Aunt Marian -- actually quite a bit of stuff as Aunt Marian has done a lot of research and putting stories together, and a few other pieces of info but know there is lots more info out there.
We have had one heck of a spring...NOT! Today was only the second nice day we have had. Supposed to be nice again tomorrow then back to possible snow! Geeeezzzzz!!!
See ya soon,Bunny
Fran Reeve Dufelmeier Has Found The Blog
I just finished reading the St.Clair blogs. I am pretty dumb about how to respond but there are a couple of things that rang a bell that I'd like to mention.
I am the daughter of Vernon and Ruth Reeve, Aunt Pansy was dad's sister. The painting of the old man sitting in a wheelbarrow, by Howard St. Clair was given by Howard to my dad many years ago. It always hung in their living room. My Mom didn't think it was any particular person. When mom was clearing out her things, years after dad died, she mailed it back to some of the St Clairs. It was such a surprise to see it pictured. I am 86, but I think I have this straight.
The other thing was the mention of Harold's war pictures and info. My heart is very warm when I think of Harold. I was in the WAC during WW11, stationed in Naples Italy. Through some friends, I found out that Harold was stationed in a replacement depot near Naples. We made contact and had two wonderful visits, the only person I knew during the two and a half years in Europe. Harold and I never met again through all the years until the Reeve reunion in southern Oregon, sponsored by Alice Reeve Powner. It was so great to see him after all those years. The big hug from him let me know he was glad to see me, too.
I loved reading the blogs. Sounds like the reunion will be great.
Sincerely,
Fran Reeve Dufelmeier
* * * Note: This post for Fran was made by Carol Williams. Carol will post pictures and commentary for anyone who doesn't want to figure out how to do it themselves.
I am the daughter of Vernon and Ruth Reeve, Aunt Pansy was dad's sister. The painting of the old man sitting in a wheelbarrow, by Howard St. Clair was given by Howard to my dad many years ago. It always hung in their living room. My Mom didn't think it was any particular person. When mom was clearing out her things, years after dad died, she mailed it back to some of the St Clairs. It was such a surprise to see it pictured. I am 86, but I think I have this straight.
The other thing was the mention of Harold's war pictures and info. My heart is very warm when I think of Harold. I was in the WAC during WW11, stationed in Naples Italy. Through some friends, I found out that Harold was stationed in a replacement depot near Naples. We made contact and had two wonderful visits, the only person I knew during the two and a half years in Europe. Harold and I never met again through all the years until the Reeve reunion in southern Oregon, sponsored by Alice Reeve Powner. It was so great to see him after all those years. The big hug from him let me know he was glad to see me, too.
I loved reading the blogs. Sounds like the reunion will be great.
Sincerely,
Fran Reeve Dufelmeier
* * * Note: This post for Fran was made by Carol Williams. Carol will post pictures and commentary for anyone who doesn't want to figure out how to do it themselves.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Shirley St.Clair visits Alan & Rick Reeve in Georgia
Shirley St. Clair visits Alan & Rick Reeve
in Georgia - March 14 & 15
Left to right (clockwise): Rick Reeve, Alan Reeve, Wendy Reeve (Alan's wife), Shirley St. Clair, Richard Minkler. Click on any image to enlarge.Family Ties
"I am Oba & Dorothy's daughter, Shirley. My 1st cousin was Lonnie Reeve. Lonnie was the son of Charlie Reeve and Jessie St. Clair. Alan & Rick are Lonnie's sons, Shirley's 2nd cousins.
Confused yet? Doesn't matter. What matters is what a great time I had getting to know Alan and his wife Wendy and Rick!
The Visit
Alan has built a beautiful home in the country east of Savannah. Rick lives in Texas and was visiting for a week. Perfect timing for our mini-reunion.
We did lots of fun things: Savannah's famous St. Patrick's Day Parade, held this year on March 14; lunch at Tony Roma's; and lots of reminiscing about the Reeves and the St. Clairs back in the day.
Alan and Wendy invited us (me and my friend Rich) out for Saturday night supper on the 15th. And what a supper it was. A Low Country Boil. The Reeve Boys boiled up two kinds of shrimp, with Rick's specialty being the Texas red hot poker variety. Corn on the cob and potatoes completed the Boil. In Southern tradition, the table was covered in layers of newspapers and the well-drained B
oil dumped out for grab and eat yummy-ness.
oil dumped out for grab and eat yummy-ness.Rick plans on coming for the reunion. Alan is not sure if he can make it, but he's going to try. If you see them in the crowd be sure and give them a hearty "Howdy, Y'All!" You're gonna love those Reeve Boys!!
Cousin Shirley
Monday, February 11, 2008
Shirley & Richard Visit Max & Carol in Palm Springs
Max and Carol make a tradition of spending the month of February in sunny Palm Springs, California. It's a good break from the winter in Wenatchee.
Cousin Shirley St. Clair came down last year and had so much fun she came back again this year with her friend Richard. Here we all are near Babes Restaurant at the Riverwalk in Palm Desert. Left to right: Carol & Max Williams, Shirley St. Clair and Richard Minkler. Click on the image to enlarge and see what we look like close up. :-)
We did some fun stuff, including a performance of the fabulous Follies.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Clair & Beverly Visit Max & Carol For Christmas
A Belated Christmas and an early Happy New Year to everyone in the St.Clair Clan!Clair and Beverly came up for Christmas this year and we had a nice time. They both like to cook
so it was really nice having lots of help in the kitchen!I posted some more commentary and pictures on our personal blog. Stop over there and learn about Max's new indoor garden and Clair's fabulous clam chowder!
H
appy Holidays!We would love to hear from you! And... I've offered before and I'll offer again: For those of you who have info and pictures you'd like to submit to the blog but aren't quite sure how, send it to me and I'll do it for you!
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Happy Holidays
Hello, Everyone,
We had a very snowy winter last year... it started snowing in Nov. 2006 and didn't stop until May of 2007.
Casey & Heather came for a visit in March. This summer, granddaughter Madison's, softball team won region champs in the Sequim, WA area. She is a straight A student as well.Nancy worked May - mid August. The Columbia went down early due to mechanicals, which didn't leave many positions open. Rob has kept working so far only missing a couple of weeks out. He keeps busy around the house when he is home... always has some project going.He hasn't had any luck fishing or hunting this year so far, but still have my fingers crossed that we will get some venison. We did get plenty of crab and clams.
Casey with a tanner crab
Cooper got a job on a fishing boat, the Puffin and worked on the Viking Maid also. Did herring, crabbing, salmon and halibut. Most recently he has been staying with Heather and Casey and working with Casey in the tree trimming business.
Since she didn’t go down, Luck & Kathy came for a visit here in Oct. for the 1st time in many years. What fun it was to visit, share meals and show them the sights here. They got to see a pod of whales move through the channel when we were at an overlook out the road and eagles of course.
I finally chose a new camera and love it. It is an Olympus Evolt 510. It is one of the only digital SLRs that you can use the view screen to take the photo as well as using the view finder. The weather hasn't been very cooperative since I got it though.So we have had a good year and hope this finds you all healthy and busy.
We had a very snowy winter last year... it started snowing in Nov. 2006 and didn't stop until May of 2007.
Casey & Heather came for a visit in March. This summer, granddaughter Madison's, softball team won region champs in the Sequim, WA area. She is a straight A student as well.Nancy worked May - mid August. The Columbia went down early due to mechanicals, which didn't leave many positions open. Rob has kept working so far only missing a couple of weeks out. He keeps busy around the house when he is home... always has some project going.He hasn't had any luck fishing or hunting this year so far, but still have my fingers crossed that we will get some venison. We did get plenty of crab and clams.
Casey with a tanner crab
Cooper got a job on a fishing boat, the Puffin and worked on the Viking Maid also. Did herring, crabbing, salmon and halibut. Most recently he has been staying with Heather and Casey and working with Casey in the tree trimming business.
Casey & Heather had a daughter, Charlee-Ann on Aug. 7 th. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz., and was 20.25" long. That makes 4 granddaughters for us!Casey, Heather and Charlee came down in Sept. and Casey cut many trees from the side and back of our property and the neighbor’s.
He is very good at what he does... we were impressed. There have been more requests for him to come down and do some more work in the area. Casey’s boss has been working at the mine out of Juneau this past summer and wants to have Casey manage the business when he is out of town. Here is a photo of Heather and Casey with Charlee when I visited them in Juneau in Nov.
The day they headed back to Juneau, Cooper and I flew to OR for a visit with Luck (Frank) & Kathy. Daughters Angela and Amy were there from VA with their families too. The group photo is of Angela with her two boys Evan and Keith, Luck (Frank) & Kathy, myself and Cooper. The photo on the porch is Kathy w/Angela's boys and Cecelia (young Lucky's daughter).
Mom had some back problems this year and was in a lot of pain, but is back to feeling good now and walks a little most days. She had originally planned to go to O
R with us, but decided to wait til she felt better.
He is very good at what he does... we were impressed. There have been more requests for him to come down and do some more work in the area. Casey’s boss has been working at the mine out of Juneau this past summer and wants to have Casey manage the business when he is out of town. Here is a photo of Heather and Casey with Charlee when I visited them in Juneau in Nov.
The day they headed back to Juneau, Cooper and I flew to OR for a visit with Luck (Frank) & Kathy. Daughters Angela and Amy were there from VA with their families too. The group photo is of Angela with her two boys Evan and Keith, Luck (Frank) & Kathy, myself and Cooper. The photo on the porch is Kathy w/Angela's boys and Cecelia (young Lucky's daughter).Mom had some back problems this year and was in a lot of pain, but is back to feeling good now and walks a little most days. She had originally planned to go to O
R with us, but decided to wait til she felt better.Since she didn’t go down, Luck & Kathy came for a visit here in Oct. for the 1st time in many years. What fun it was to visit, share meals and show them the sights here. They got to see a pod of whales move through the channel when we were at an overlook out the road and eagles of course.
I finally chose a new camera and love it. It is an Olympus Evolt 510. It is one of the only digital SLRs that you can use the view screen to take the photo as well as using the view finder. The weather hasn't been very cooperative since I got it though.So we have had a good year and hope this finds you all healthy and busy.
Happy Holidays!!
Love, Nanc
Love, Nanc
Friday, December 14, 2007
Merry Christmas
Hi all,
Not much happening on this blog -- everyone must be going 90 mph in 40 directions this time of year. Great post from Rian with his memories. I just wish I could remember more of when I was young... for some reason I cannot. I do remember the one time when Peggi and I both were wearing grandpa's plaid coat and following him down to the barn. (I think I might have mentioned this before.) We each had an arm in a sleeve and both of us fit inside. Oh to be that thin again !!!
Wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a great 2008. I may not get any holiday cards sent out this year.
We just returned from a trip to New Jersey to see Jim's Sister and her family. Had a great time. Went into New York city and "did" 5th Avenue. Went to Rockafellar (sp?) Center, Time Square and had lunch on 5th Avenue at a TGIF restaurant. And, since it was on 5th Avenue, the Hamburgers were almost $20.00. We bought one sandwich and shared it!!! The decorated windows in the fancy stores were amazing. I had to purchase a pretzel from a street vendor as well as a hat and scarf. Pretzels are a big thing on the East Coast. It was all very amazing and exciting. Rode the Ferry over from the NJ side and got to take photos of the skyline. Road the bus from the ferry terminal. I wanted to go on the subway, but Jim's Nephew and wife were a bit leary of doing that so we did not.
We explored a few really neat old towns in New Jersey...one down on the coast. Beautiful old victorian (huge) homes in that part of the country. Everything on the East Coast is so much older than the West Coast.
The crazy part of the trip was the rental car. I think those young guys at the rental car company saw a couple old farts that hardly know how to use a cell phone and decided to have some fun. They gave us a hybrid car... half electric and half gas. It does not even have a regular key. Took us 5 minutes or so to get the thing started. (No they DID NOT come out and show us how to run the car or anything about it.) It was covered with about 4 inches of snow and we did not even have a brush to clean it off -- had to use our hands. You punch a button on the dash and wait and it starts itself after about 15/20 seconds or so. Had lots of bells and whistles and a new-to-us way to close the windows that it took us time to figure out. Had to stop at the gate to give the rental guard our paperwork and it was snowing like crazy and Jim had all 4 windows DOWN before we figured out how to close the windows -- by this time we were starting onto the freeway in Philladelphia and starting to panic...well at least I was. I could see us driving all the way to his nephew's with all four windows down. I finally read the manual on the windows and a few other things as we went along. And there was much more fun with this car... like I said -- two old farts with a very modern car. And the worst part was that it is about the ugliest car in the world. Hope none of you have one and I hurt your feelings. Jim, mostly drives classic cars and motorcycles and here he is in this thing. His first comment was that he hoped none of his friends back home every saw him in it. We did get about 39 miles per gallon. And we did get used to it after a few days. Very wierd when you come to a stop sign/light and everything dies... even the engine.
Luckily we missed all the bad weather. Flew over the frozen central part of the country on the way home and left before it hit the East Coast.
Now it is "back to work" next week before I take the week of Christmas and New Years off. Have to take all my vacation before the end of the year or loose it!!
Anyway... Hope you all have a great holiday season.
Love, Bunny and Jim
Not much happening on this blog -- everyone must be going 90 mph in 40 directions this time of year. Great post from Rian with his memories. I just wish I could remember more of when I was young... for some reason I cannot. I do remember the one time when Peggi and I both were wearing grandpa's plaid coat and following him down to the barn. (I think I might have mentioned this before.) We each had an arm in a sleeve and both of us fit inside. Oh to be that thin again !!!
Wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a great 2008. I may not get any holiday cards sent out this year.
We just returned from a trip to New Jersey to see Jim's Sister and her family. Had a great time. Went into New York city and "did" 5th Avenue. Went to Rockafellar (sp?) Center, Time Square and had lunch on 5th Avenue at a TGIF restaurant. And, since it was on 5th Avenue, the Hamburgers were almost $20.00. We bought one sandwich and shared it!!! The decorated windows in the fancy stores were amazing. I had to purchase a pretzel from a street vendor as well as a hat and scarf. Pretzels are a big thing on the East Coast. It was all very amazing and exciting. Rode the Ferry over from the NJ side and got to take photos of the skyline. Road the bus from the ferry terminal. I wanted to go on the subway, but Jim's Nephew and wife were a bit leary of doing that so we did not.
We explored a few really neat old towns in New Jersey...one down on the coast. Beautiful old victorian (huge) homes in that part of the country. Everything on the East Coast is so much older than the West Coast.
The crazy part of the trip was the rental car. I think those young guys at the rental car company saw a couple old farts that hardly know how to use a cell phone and decided to have some fun. They gave us a hybrid car... half electric and half gas. It does not even have a regular key. Took us 5 minutes or so to get the thing started. (No they DID NOT come out and show us how to run the car or anything about it.) It was covered with about 4 inches of snow and we did not even have a brush to clean it off -- had to use our hands. You punch a button on the dash and wait and it starts itself after about 15/20 seconds or so. Had lots of bells and whistles and a new-to-us way to close the windows that it took us time to figure out. Had to stop at the gate to give the rental guard our paperwork and it was snowing like crazy and Jim had all 4 windows DOWN before we figured out how to close the windows -- by this time we were starting onto the freeway in Philladelphia and starting to panic...well at least I was. I could see us driving all the way to his nephew's with all four windows down. I finally read the manual on the windows and a few other things as we went along. And there was much more fun with this car... like I said -- two old farts with a very modern car. And the worst part was that it is about the ugliest car in the world. Hope none of you have one and I hurt your feelings. Jim, mostly drives classic cars and motorcycles and here he is in this thing. His first comment was that he hoped none of his friends back home every saw him in it. We did get about 39 miles per gallon. And we did get used to it after a few days. Very wierd when you come to a stop sign/light and everything dies... even the engine.
Luckily we missed all the bad weather. Flew over the frozen central part of the country on the way home and left before it hit the East Coast.
Now it is "back to work" next week before I take the week of Christmas and New Years off. Have to take all my vacation before the end of the year or loose it!!
Anyway... Hope you all have a great holiday season.
Love, Bunny and Jim
Monday, October 29, 2007
Memories of Scott From Rian
I would like to encourage the rest of you folks to be brave and share your memories -- I had been asked by cousin "Nance StClair ", to say some things for cousin "Scott", a bunch of yrs back after his passing and I didn't do it till now --mostly she wanted to share with his boys and wife -- but I let her down -- so --let's not be like me . Seems like the most of us has gone our own way and we think no one cares ----but all is good and we can still share without feeling ashamed ------I am the guilty one for not trying to find my family and discover how we connect.
* * * * *
Here is a story of Rian's: Yes, I do have some stories about Scott and I. Scott was a very charismatic male figure and had many friends...more than I. Even though I was a little older than he was, I always admired him. My first memories of Scott, was when we were young boys. I can't remember if it was Scott who got the scientific kit for Christmas or Myron. As young boys, Scott and I tried our hand at scientific adventures, but regardless of who got it for Christmas, Scott and I ended up with it. Scott decided that we should try to mix water and gas, and see if gas would still burn when mixed with water. Of course, we had to do it in a little hay barn, the one down by the big fir tree down by the big triangle...on the old property up on the hill in Drain. Grandpa and Grandma's place that became theirs later. Why in the heck we didn't do it out by the road, I can't imagine, but we put a match to it, and instantly there was fire! As I recall, Scott had gotten his hair singed off his face and some off his head.
Our first experience at smelling burning hair. Then we ran for our lives! It was not a good experiment. Actually, it was if you consider that we did learn that gas burns even diluted with water, as the gas lays on top of the water, and burns quite well. Some of the elders will remember this too, but I know there were damages. During this time, we would fish and hunt as much as we could. We hunted squirrels and threw rocks at grouse. We had sling shots,and Scott had taught me how to make a better sling shot than I already had. He introduced me to surgical tubing, instead of inner tube rubber for the use of sling shot material. He was always better at everything than I was. he would challenge me many times on any ability to be a better shot, fisherman, etc, etc.
We would go up to the cherry orchard and he would challenge me how high we could climb up a cherry tree, and jump down to the ground. He always climber higher, and jump farther than I could stand. I couldn't believe how high that guy could climb and jump out of tree. Then you folks moved down to the big city of Drain, and that summer, Uncle Bud and Aunt Marian decided to adventure into building and starting a business in the fast food industry. The summer that Uncle Bud built the "Big Burger", fast food place, I remember Scott introducing me to salt pills, as we were feverishly packing building materials up the road a ways from where you lived. The salt pills were in a big container, and were to be taken to replace the salt in our sweat, as we sweated like wild animals packing the lumber up the road. It may be an exaggeration, but this is how I remember it. That Big Burger stand was an icon for the Drain area, then you folks moved way up Smith River, twenty two and a half miles to Gunter, and lived on an old farm and stage coach site. After that, we didn't get to see each other so often. But, when I got a chance, I would go spend a day or a weekend as often as possible, maybe once or twice a year. Many good memories there. One of which I got the opportunity the spend the weekend with you folks, and it was after dark, and the dogs were barking and Myron, Scott, and you. Lucky maybe off gallivanting with a girlfriend. Dogs barking, we all went down to the orchard after getting permission from Bud to see what the commotion was all about with the dogs. We went down with a flashlight and a .22, loe and behold, there was a bear in a plum (or apple) tree.
Anyhoos, Myron being the oldest of the bunch, shot...and shot...and shot into the bear with the flashlight shining in the bear's eyes, and not seeming to phase the bear one iota. I think Scott and I took turns after Myron got tired of shooting! I'm sure you remember this Nanc. Well, we decided that we weren't hurting the bear so we figured we had better go back to the house and get some advice from your Dad. Uncle Bud said, "You'd better just leave it alone. We'll go down and check in the morning." Seems to me like we talked about it for another hour trying to go to sleep. "Why didn't the bear fall? Why didn't we kill the bear? Was it possible that a great Grizzly had wondered into the territory from the north land?" Finally, we hushed by Aunt Marian, telling us "You kids need to go to sleep now and be quiet!" We got up early as usual, and Aunt Marian had a fine breakfast feed, waiting around the old wood stove asking Bud if we could go down to the orchard and look to see what happened to the bear.
We all went down, like the warriors that we were, and loe and behold, there was the bear still in the tree looking at us. Apparently shot dead within the first few shots. His head caught in a crouch of the tree, and body just sitting in a position...dead to the world. Of course, we then had to determine who had actually shotand killed the bear, after all of us taking turns trying to shoot it. I'm sure Myron took this in hand and said that he was the killer of the bear. The rest of the shots didn't even matter. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I do believe Uncle Bud instructed you kids how to tan the hide. But, pretty good story!
One of those summers when you folks still lived at the Gunter place, Scott had decided that he and I should float the river clean down to the ocean. So we elected to make separate rafts. At first Scott and I gathered logs and timbers, tied them together like we had seen on TV and heard about from the old days, then we set off to go to the ocean. We only made it about two hundred yards, got caught on some logs and debris...and that was the end of that adventure with our logs breaking up and us in the water. We quickly recuperated and decided to go back and get some big truck inner tubes. Picked up a couple of water tubs and forced them into the inner tubes and we were on our way once again. We knew we would make it this time so we took a lunch. Aunt Marian fixed us a couple of PB and Js and away we went. We made it about a quarter mile and then another log jam. So we ended the rafting trip and packed our rafts back home. So much for that I idea, never did try it again.
In the fall of that year, that I got to spend another weekend with you folks. I know you'll remember the animals as you had acquired a couple of burrows, and Scott had bragged to me that we could ride these burrows through brush piles that a horse would never venture to go. One day, Scott and I had set out to ride the burrows up to an old gold mine camp that he knew of. We really only went about a half mile, challenging these burrows to go through these brush piles that no sane animal would go through. The burrows were named Homer and Jethro, neither of which liked to be ridden. Their bony backs and our skinny asses would collide as they would bray and buck. We howled and laughed like crazy kids that we were, and once again, decided to give up this adventure and go for easier prey. Scott said, "I know what we'll do! We'll go down to the orchard by the creek and we'll take turns climbing in the apple trees...one of shooing the steers and cattle under the trees while the other will jump on the back of the animal, and we'll get some bucking!" What a hilarious laugh we had!
Many more stories, but after that seems like you folks moved up to the Mohawk area above Springfield. We didn't get to see each other much after that. The summer I got out of high school, Scott had a old GMC or Chevy pick up, maybe 47 or 48. I had acquired a 1956 Mercury. Beautiful car, but wasn't quite my idea of a young boy's hot rod. Sometime that year, just before I joined the Army...and this is my last memory of contact with Scott. He being the challenger, and me being the acceptor of the challenge, Scott was not legally able to drive on the highway with that pick up. He knew some people that had some property. I don't know their names, but it wasn't too far from where he lived. He challenged me to play Chicken with his pick up and my car. Seems like he already had the pick up on that property, which was maybe ten or fifteen acres of farm land. We got to the property with these two vehicles...one of us at one end...and one of us at the other...we flashed our lights and we smashed our gas. We would go spinning across the field directly at each other's bumpers, not knowing who was going to turn right or left. We never smashed but came close many many times, tires spinning and slinging mud...howling like wild animals. This was the last great event that I can remember with my cousin Scott. I hope this is what you are looking to share as these are great memories of "Scott" as I recall. This is just some of my memories but hope you all enjoy . Ol'Rian -- Over and out --- Take care and keep in touch . ~Rian&Gina~
* * * * *
Here is a story of Rian's: Yes, I do have some stories about Scott and I. Scott was a very charismatic male figure and had many friends...more than I. Even though I was a little older than he was, I always admired him. My first memories of Scott, was when we were young boys. I can't remember if it was Scott who got the scientific kit for Christmas or Myron. As young boys, Scott and I tried our hand at scientific adventures, but regardless of who got it for Christmas, Scott and I ended up with it. Scott decided that we should try to mix water and gas, and see if gas would still burn when mixed with water. Of course, we had to do it in a little hay barn, the one down by the big fir tree down by the big triangle...on the old property up on the hill in Drain. Grandpa and Grandma's place that became theirs later. Why in the heck we didn't do it out by the road, I can't imagine, but we put a match to it, and instantly there was fire! As I recall, Scott had gotten his hair singed off his face and some off his head.
Our first experience at smelling burning hair. Then we ran for our lives! It was not a good experiment. Actually, it was if you consider that we did learn that gas burns even diluted with water, as the gas lays on top of the water, and burns quite well. Some of the elders will remember this too, but I know there were damages. During this time, we would fish and hunt as much as we could. We hunted squirrels and threw rocks at grouse. We had sling shots,and Scott had taught me how to make a better sling shot than I already had. He introduced me to surgical tubing, instead of inner tube rubber for the use of sling shot material. He was always better at everything than I was. he would challenge me many times on any ability to be a better shot, fisherman, etc, etc.
We would go up to the cherry orchard and he would challenge me how high we could climb up a cherry tree, and jump down to the ground. He always climber higher, and jump farther than I could stand. I couldn't believe how high that guy could climb and jump out of tree. Then you folks moved down to the big city of Drain, and that summer, Uncle Bud and Aunt Marian decided to adventure into building and starting a business in the fast food industry. The summer that Uncle Bud built the "Big Burger", fast food place, I remember Scott introducing me to salt pills, as we were feverishly packing building materials up the road a ways from where you lived. The salt pills were in a big container, and were to be taken to replace the salt in our sweat, as we sweated like wild animals packing the lumber up the road. It may be an exaggeration, but this is how I remember it. That Big Burger stand was an icon for the Drain area, then you folks moved way up Smith River, twenty two and a half miles to Gunter, and lived on an old farm and stage coach site. After that, we didn't get to see each other so often. But, when I got a chance, I would go spend a day or a weekend as often as possible, maybe once or twice a year. Many good memories there. One of which I got the opportunity the spend the weekend with you folks, and it was after dark, and the dogs were barking and Myron, Scott, and you. Lucky maybe off gallivanting with a girlfriend. Dogs barking, we all went down to the orchard after getting permission from Bud to see what the commotion was all about with the dogs. We went down with a flashlight and a .22, loe and behold, there was a bear in a plum (or apple) tree.
Anyhoos, Myron being the oldest of the bunch, shot...and shot...and shot into the bear with the flashlight shining in the bear's eyes, and not seeming to phase the bear one iota. I think Scott and I took turns after Myron got tired of shooting! I'm sure you remember this Nanc. Well, we decided that we weren't hurting the bear so we figured we had better go back to the house and get some advice from your Dad. Uncle Bud said, "You'd better just leave it alone. We'll go down and check in the morning." Seems to me like we talked about it for another hour trying to go to sleep. "Why didn't the bear fall? Why didn't we kill the bear? Was it possible that a great Grizzly had wondered into the territory from the north land?" Finally, we hushed by Aunt Marian, telling us "You kids need to go to sleep now and be quiet!" We got up early as usual, and Aunt Marian had a fine breakfast feed, waiting around the old wood stove asking Bud if we could go down to the orchard and look to see what happened to the bear.
We all went down, like the warriors that we were, and loe and behold, there was the bear still in the tree looking at us. Apparently shot dead within the first few shots. His head caught in a crouch of the tree, and body just sitting in a position...dead to the world. Of course, we then had to determine who had actually shotand killed the bear, after all of us taking turns trying to shoot it. I'm sure Myron took this in hand and said that he was the killer of the bear. The rest of the shots didn't even matter. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I do believe Uncle Bud instructed you kids how to tan the hide. But, pretty good story!
One of those summers when you folks still lived at the Gunter place, Scott had decided that he and I should float the river clean down to the ocean. So we elected to make separate rafts. At first Scott and I gathered logs and timbers, tied them together like we had seen on TV and heard about from the old days, then we set off to go to the ocean. We only made it about two hundred yards, got caught on some logs and debris...and that was the end of that adventure with our logs breaking up and us in the water. We quickly recuperated and decided to go back and get some big truck inner tubes. Picked up a couple of water tubs and forced them into the inner tubes and we were on our way once again. We knew we would make it this time so we took a lunch. Aunt Marian fixed us a couple of PB and Js and away we went. We made it about a quarter mile and then another log jam. So we ended the rafting trip and packed our rafts back home. So much for that I idea, never did try it again.
In the fall of that year, that I got to spend another weekend with you folks. I know you'll remember the animals as you had acquired a couple of burrows, and Scott had bragged to me that we could ride these burrows through brush piles that a horse would never venture to go. One day, Scott and I had set out to ride the burrows up to an old gold mine camp that he knew of. We really only went about a half mile, challenging these burrows to go through these brush piles that no sane animal would go through. The burrows were named Homer and Jethro, neither of which liked to be ridden. Their bony backs and our skinny asses would collide as they would bray and buck. We howled and laughed like crazy kids that we were, and once again, decided to give up this adventure and go for easier prey. Scott said, "I know what we'll do! We'll go down to the orchard by the creek and we'll take turns climbing in the apple trees...one of shooing the steers and cattle under the trees while the other will jump on the back of the animal, and we'll get some bucking!" What a hilarious laugh we had!
Many more stories, but after that seems like you folks moved up to the Mohawk area above Springfield. We didn't get to see each other much after that. The summer I got out of high school, Scott had a old GMC or Chevy pick up, maybe 47 or 48. I had acquired a 1956 Mercury. Beautiful car, but wasn't quite my idea of a young boy's hot rod. Sometime that year, just before I joined the Army...and this is my last memory of contact with Scott. He being the challenger, and me being the acceptor of the challenge, Scott was not legally able to drive on the highway with that pick up. He knew some people that had some property. I don't know their names, but it wasn't too far from where he lived. He challenged me to play Chicken with his pick up and my car. Seems like he already had the pick up on that property, which was maybe ten or fifteen acres of farm land. We got to the property with these two vehicles...one of us at one end...and one of us at the other...we flashed our lights and we smashed our gas. We would go spinning across the field directly at each other's bumpers, not knowing who was going to turn right or left. We never smashed but came close many many times, tires spinning and slinging mud...howling like wild animals. This was the last great event that I can remember with my cousin Scott. I hope this is what you are looking to share as these are great memories of "Scott" as I recall. This is just some of my memories but hope you all enjoy . Ol'Rian -- Over and out --- Take care and keep in touch . ~Rian&Gina~
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Max & Carol - 24 Years Later
Hey everyone,
Life and work have been busy and I've been extremely remiss in posting to THE blog. We haven't done a lot this summer but Max & I did just celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary September 10th (that's the pic at left). Cousin Shirley came up to help celebrate our anniversary. Also, we took a very quick trip to Montana to see Max's sister. You can read about both of those events on our other blog.
Last month (August 24th) Max turned 77. I turned 55 April 7th... so we're the the double digit, double trouble, duo.
See that splint on my left hand? That's another story from this summer. Took a flying leap onto a concrete pad (August 7th) when I tried to step over the lawnmower. Next time I need to walk around the mower before trying to make any adjustments. Thought I had broken both of my arms at the time, but only one continued to hurt. Went to the doctor a week later. He was convinced nothing was broken, so sent me home telling me to be patient. Still no relief after a month so went back to the doctor. He begrudgingly had x-rays taken to discover I had a broken arm (bone near my elbow). No wonder it still hurts.
There's more to the story but I found a wonderful injury recovery physical therapist with a chiropractic background who is finally helping me.
Life goes on...
Hugs from Max & Carol
Life and work have been busy and I've been extremely remiss in posting to THE blog. We haven't done a lot this summer but Max & I did just celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary September 10th (that's the pic at left). Cousin Shirley came up to help celebrate our anniversary. Also, we took a very quick trip to Montana to see Max's sister. You can read about both of those events on our other blog.
Last month (August 24th) Max turned 77. I turned 55 April 7th... so we're the the double digit, double trouble, duo.
See that splint on my left hand? That's another story from this summer. Took a flying leap onto a concrete pad (August 7th) when I tried to step over the lawnmower. Next time I need to walk around the mower before trying to make any adjustments. Thought I had broken both of my arms at the time, but only one continued to hurt. Went to the doctor a week later. He was convinced nothing was broken, so sent me home telling me to be patient. Still no relief after a month so went back to the doctor. He begrudgingly had x-rays taken to discover I had a broken arm (bone near my elbow). No wonder it still hurts.
There's more to the story but I found a wonderful injury recovery physical therapist with a chiropractic background who is finally helping me.
Life goes on...
Hugs from Max & Carol
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