Leaf Bird Baths

My banker and friend Carrie and I have made our second set of concrete leaf bird baths!  This time we used decorative rhubarb leaves and magnolia leaves.  Last summer we made a leaf with a Gunnera or Dinosaur Plant.  That was too much of a good thing; really too much of a good thing.  That leaf takes at least two people to move it and is reinforced with metal webbing in the middle of the concrete because we thought it would easily break in half.

 This time we did four rhubarb, two magnolia and one other strange  large round-leafed plant that I don't remember what the name is.  I thought it was only fair that Carrie should get to keep the extra leaf as she had the bulk of the supplies.  I provided sand this time!  Next time she has to remind me to bring black spray paint!

We start by putting out mounds of sand, then lay the freshly cut leaf face down on the sand.  The next step is to scoop handfulls of our concrete/sand mixture onto the leaves and cover the leaves as evenly as we can to the edges.  We then let it harden.  After it hardens and the leaves are removed (sometimes it is quite a bit of work to get them off) and brushed off.  Following that, Larry, our hero in the project, saws the edges of the concrete to match the outline of the leaf.  When that is done it is ready to paint.  It is quite the project, but overall it is a  lot of fum and the result is fairly dramatic if we do say so ourselves!

Just wanted to add a little bit of size comparison for those who haven't seen these. 

During the spring nature fills these little birdbaths on its own.  In the summer we have to help out.  I personally like to put them in the garage for the winter so that they hopefully won't freeze with water in them and break, but some people do leave them out!  A little work (except Larry's!!), a little fun (especially painting) and they're all done. Oh, and we finish up with concrete sealer.  This year it was raining like mad right after we finished putting the concrete out; but it was sunny and warm when it came time to paint!  We're thinking of doing a few more smaller ones using hosta leaves and maybe a pumpkin leaf.  We keep a lookout for large leaves all year long.  Oh, the magnolia?  Well, we have a LARGE magnolia in our northwest yard. Here's a view of the flower!  These are beautiful, but since they are so high we rarely get to see them we picked this and brought it in.

Aunt Atha Writes about Family Wedding and Long Vacation

Salt Lake City – Aug. 1 – 1969

Dear Robert – Bernadine and family: -

I’m ashamed not to get around to writing more often. Am so slow I don’t seem to get much more done than be on call for the church, the neighborhood and the kids, so do get quite a few ”SOS’s”.

I went to Grand Junction, Colo. May 19-26, for our Class reunion the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Did enjoy seeing the old classmates and visiting around.

Was going direct from there to Los Angels to help Barbara (Letha’s daughter) get ready for her wedding but was feeling so exhausted and miserable I just came back home and rested, etc. for a while, since I had to come within 2 ½ hrs of Salt Lake anyway to get on the right free way to LA. I drove my car to Colo. (I made 80 place cards for our class banquet the 25th).

Then Julie and Marcee were out of school June 3rd so I took them with me. We left Salt Lake at 7 AM got in Las Vegas at 4 PM. Stayed all night in Henderson at Barb’s Dad’s. Left there about 4 AM to get across the Desert before it got too hot. The girls wanted to see the “Sun Rise” anyway and it wasn’t too hot all the way. In fact it was a little on the chilly side all the time we were in Los Angeles.

Got to Barby’s apt in Santa Monica about 4 PM. She wasn’t home from work yet so Julie and Marcee went a couple of blocks down to the beach and played in the ocean and dug sand-crabs. They had a “Ball” all the time we were there swimming at the beach.

[Barby a few years before her wedding in 1969]

I was pretty busy until the wedding was over. Barby had her wedding gown nearly all sewed together so I finished it and then did all the handwork on it. I made the train and fastened it on the back just under the daisy trimming so it could be unhooked and removed after the wedding and the dress worn as a formal. We bought white plastic baskets and I trimmed them with ribbons (5 of them) for the maid of honor, 2 bridesmaids, the flower girl and of course the bride and arranged the flowers in them. Also arranged glads, carnations and daisies on two large baskets for the altar and trimmed the tables for the reception. Oh! yes. I made a “head-piece” of the same material as the wedding-gown and trimmed it with sprays of pearls and sparklers and covered the pillow (with material like one of the bridges maid’s dresses) and put the tassels on the corners for the ring-bearer.

After the wedding Dick and Homer’s families and I cleaned up Barby’s apt and left for our vacation. We visited Marjorie and Frances and I went to Disneyland one day with Dick and Homer and families. Then while they went on down the coast and took in sight- seeing and swimming, I went to Laguna Hills and visited Mary & Ernest Klatt for a few days. Dick and family went on down into Mexico and Homer and family came back by Laguna Hills and I drove along behind them to Rick’s place (Letha’s son) in the NW. part of LA where we stayed and visited with them a couple nights and a day While they went shopping, etc I visited with some friends in Burbank.

Then we went to Sequoia Nat’l Park and Dick and family joined us there. Stayed there three days scouting around and sight-seeing. Climbed “Moss Rock” the highest point around with a cement (steep) stairway with a rock and pipe railing on both sides of stairway. Can see all around for miles when the weather is clear. Also saw the tree house (made of a fallen Sequoia tree) by Mr. Stark where he lived for several years. .

It was a hollow Sequoia tree and he boarded up the end up the trunk and made a door in it. Also made a fireplace and a big window. The furniture was made of logs, etc. Quite interesting, but vacant now.

Dick and family went home by way of Zion’s Nat’l Park – Homer and family went home via Pine Crest, Calif, where they visited friends and I went to San Jose to visit Grace.

Oh! yes, I forgot to tell you of the fun we had in the “Natural” swimming “Hole” in the river by the camp in the Sequoia where we stayed. Dick had his trailer house, Homer his camper and I my car).

Just above the falls the water swirled around and backed up on to a nice sand bar making an idea swimming pool where they could dive and swim and then was shallow on the sand bar. Of course all the kids wanted to stay there and swim most of the time. One afternoon we all had a picnic there and swam and played in the water all afternoon. That is everyone swam but Betty Jo, Honey and I and the water was cold (right off the snow and ice) for us so we just waded and then warmed our feet in the sand. But Stacy (Homer and Betty’s baby) had the time of her life playing in the shallow water on the sand-bar even if it was so cold it made our feet ache. She would cry and kick when we’d take her out for a minute and she didn’t catch cold either even playing in it all afternoon. Neither did any of the rest. So you can see a good time was had by all!

I stayed with Grace two weeks and they took me down along the Pacific Coast where I watched the big waves come in and break over the rocks. Only I ran out of film. But hope I got some good pictures. Then they took me to see the Ice Follies. All of which I wanted to do again and enjoyed very much. Tried to interest Grace in coming home with me but she said she didn’t think she could so I didn’t push it.

So imagine my surprise and joy when I was in my car all ready to start it and leave for home. Grace called for me not to go just yet she had something she wanted to put in my car. Then here came Romer with a couple suitcases and asked me if I had room for them somewhere! I was sort of puzzled wondering what they were sending suitcases up to the kids for. Then here came Grace. I knew she was ready to go somewhere but thought she was going with Romer (as she often does) when I got out of the way. Then as she started to get in the car I tumbled that she was coming home with me. Oh! Joy! Joy!

It was a wonderful surprise to all the kids here too and we got together as often as possible so she could be with all of us as much as possible for a week. Then we put her on the bus to meet Romer at Truckee with their cabin cruiser boat and the spent the weekend at Lake Tahoe before going home to San Jose.

Well, this is some of the “news from this neck of the woods.” George and Jean’s baby was born July 5, 1969 and is doing fine. A girl, ”Dianna Joy.” That makes 2 boys and 2 girls for them now. Don’t believe I told you Ricky (Letha’s son) has a baby girl born on Jan 69, so I’m a Great grandma now! They were married shortly after Uncle George passed away.

When do you folks come home? Must be getting close to time and hope this finds all of you well. Am so glad you are having so many lovely trips.

Ever so lovingly,

Aunt Atha

Great -- and very Grand - Uncle Philip and Aunt Emma

Some of my favorite memories when I was young was the long trips to Wisconsin to visit relatives. Not the least among those adventures was visiting my grandfather Herman Weber's brother, Philip and his wife Emma. They had a house om Sparta with a screened in porch and all sorts of nooks and crannies to explore. They had a heavy, huge wood cooking stove which we kids thought was quite novel. It was fun to hold the hook and pick up the burner covers and watch the wood flame up. But the most memorable thing was dinner time.

Emma could make the best fried chicken, potatoes and numerous side dishes that were both good and plentiful. The quantity was daunting. She made terrific crab apple pickles that were to die for and we ate our fill. However, just about the time that we thought we would explode, Emma would say, "Now eat up, there's plenty and you haven't eaten anything." I guess all her years of cooking for threshers and farm hands distorted her perceptions of what the average person could eat, not to mention kids! The sad thing in their life was that they never had any kids. They hadn't been able to do so and apparently at some point Emma had to have serious surgery that then made that impossible. But Philip was so relieved to not have lost his Emma that he adored that it became a bearable loss for them both. They were sweet and loving and it is too bad they didn't have the chance to raise children. They were good at it -- at least great with entertaining visiting grand nieces and nephews! Now whenever I think of Sparta,  my mind travels back to hot summer evenings, sitting on their porch and watching the fireflies flicker in the twighlight. Such a sweet and loving couple.  Their devotion to each other provided a wonderful example for us all.

A Letter from Carl to Bob and Mary and Families

Uncle Carl around 1951

August 23, 1971

Dear Ones All:

I think the only way I will get a letter of to any of you is to write it when I have a few minutes at work during my lunch hour or when time permits.  If I write small enough I can get it all on one page and run each and every one off a copy and this will be my letter for 1971 (also ‘70 & ‘69).

First, I apologize to you, Sis, for not writing when you and Steve were so ill with hepatitis [I think Mary wrote elsewhere that they ended up having some other kind of liver problem.].. My prayers were and are still with you for a speedy and blessed recovery. The Good Lord has always blessed me with good health and even with my surgery He has always been there with a healing hand. Too many of us take good health for granted – when it is really one of our richest blessings and our family has been so blessed. May God continue to watch over you and yours in your work there in this time of illness – and turmoil in the country [they were living in Bolivia]. Also I read a letter from you folks while I was up at mothers last time and also one from Bob and family. It sounds like you Oregonians are right in the middle of what we did last year – only it sounds like you are doing most of the building yourselves. This sort of project really is something to be proud of when its done and your own project. We designed and planned our own but had a deadline to reach so just couldn’t do what you are doing out there. I can see where we will have to plan a vacation out that way in the future to see your lovely new home. We have spent most of our spring and summer trying to get the landscaping done and have the front about 75/% complete. We have yet to finish the front walk and build the step up the wall. This is the project we are at in our “off hours.” Next year is backyard year and that will include sodding the back yard and creating a patio so we won’t run out of work for a while. We have invited the Weber Reunion down here next August and will celebrate our patio and backyard. Maybe you should invite them out there the following year, Bob and really get things moving. But everyone is invited next year to our place for the Reunion.

Before I close this, I would like to tell you about Gary’s latest experience. As most of you know when we lived on College St., our closes friends and neighbors for 15 years were the Rog Johnsons – who now live in Florida. They were up to visit in July and insisted Gary Scott go back with them. Yes, we let him go – for about 16 days, 14 in Florida. How did he get home?? Sunday he flew home on a 727 Eastern and we met him at O’Hare after flying non-stop from Orlando, Fla. He really had a wonderful time and we sure are grateful to Johnson’s for giving him this wonderful two weeks vacation.

Must close now. Love from all of us to each and every one of you.

Love and Prayers,

Carl

Terrific Real Estate Agent Patty Hopkins

Well, the sale of the old house (2 previous posts back) really was totally a God-thing.  I had so much anxiety over the past three years as I worked my way through the process.  We had another real estate professional that we started out with and I guess we just weren't a good match.  He was a very nice, very knowledgeable man who was actually very helpful .  However, he constantly was telling me about all the problems that could come up.  And while I dare say that I needed to know what he had to say, it was really too much information.  I would wake up at night and start thinking of all the looming potential problems (not the house itself, it was fine) but the septic tank, decommissioning the oil tank, water run off requirements, declining property values, possibly increasing interest rates, deck repair, and on and on.  At the beginning he really wanted us to subdivide the almost two acre property into four lots (currently two).  But I didn't want to deal with that.  I wanted a fair price and I did not want to start any more major projects than I already had.

Over the past three years when lying awake at 2 or 3 am with the mind roiling around, I would simply pray over and over, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." I would say that over and over again until my poor exhausted mind would finally let me sleep. Later I realized that I still needed to seriously trust God through this whole thing, so I moved beyond "What time I an afraid, I will trust in Thee." To "I will trust in You and not be afraid." "I will trust in You and not be afraid." "I will trust in You and not be afraid."

The straw the broke the camel's back, so to speak, was the oil tank.  We discussed the need to test the soil, which we did, and no surprise, it came back with a small leak.  The letter I got from the state said that I had 90 days to complete the decommission.  Jeez Louise, I couldn't believe I had to pay for that as well.  Since I was loaning money to the estate for these big projects (the $10K deck was already done), I was not in the mood to hear that I had a deadline AND an out of pocket expense of $3K. Not only that, but I now had a 4,200 square foot home with no backup heat source.  Sure it had a heat pump/air conditioner, but it only works down to a certain temperature.  Now that the oil tank was gone, I would  have to add some sort of heat source, electric or gas. 

I had a major melt down by email and offended him greatly.  I agree that how I said what I said (no swear words) was inappropriate however, what I said was still generally valid.  But he no longer wanted to work with me.  That was fair enough. (I did apologize.)  So now what to do.  My husband got on the phone to Eastridge Church on Sunnyside and asked their office manager if they had any real estate agents in the church and who they would recommend.  The office manager called him back and said that everyone she had talked to had recommended Patty. (Aside, we LOVE Eastridge Church -- another reason I wish I could have kept the old home.)

Patty was wonderful.  First of all, she liked the house and was enthusiastic.  Of course the house had a lot of dated custom features, but she seemed to feel that those were beneficial, not negative.  She loved the view and thought the property (land) was fantastic.  And best of all, her philosophy was that "it's not a problem until it's a problem."  Then to my surprise she came up with a value that was higher than had been discussed any time since right after my mother had passed away.  Back in 2010 the values had been about the same as we ended up with, but since that time they had continued to decline month after month, year after year (to my ongoing anxiety and distress). 

Well, the house went on the market.  Patty added nice little decorative touches here and there.  In two days it sold, cash, with no contingencies.  She never even got a chance to do a photo spread.  We had a couple other offers as well, but it was so quick and not being stupid we thought cash was good.  Seriously, I expected to have to provide at least a credit for a new heat source or something toward a new roof.  But nothing!  The house sold.  I'm  happy with the sale price.  The buyer is happy with the house.  I think the price was really fair to both of us.  And it turned out to be as easy as pie.  That's why I am sure it was a God-thing.  It certainly wasn't me and my great faith. 

A couple of days ago, Patty sent us a thank you gift for the opportunity to work with us.  Are these cookies absolutely adorable or what??  But the thanks really belongs to God's faithfulness and to Patty. 

They are done by a company in Bellevue, I believe, called Cookies by Design. 

This is so totally fun and clever! 

Such a wonderful word!  Thank you Patty!  It was nice working with you as well.  

You can use me as a reference :-) 

 

Father's Day 2013

My dad passed away 13 years ago this month.  He had wanted to live until the new millennium so was very pleased that he made it past 2000 and all the hoopla surrounding the coming of Y2K.  In March of 2000  he had taken all of us on a cruise to Mexico -- my brother and his wife and their five kids, my sister and myself and my husband and two daughters.  When he called and said that he had had a windfall from a class action lawsuit and the State of Oregon had to pay him back for all the income tax they had taken from his Air Force retirement pay, he wanted to know what I thought about all of us going on a cruise.  Well, I told him, I thought it would be more fun to spend it on doing something all together with him than to spend it after he was gone.  So off we went.  It was a really fun trip and we all had a great time.  It probably wasn't as fun for my brother's family as ours because they had little kids.  Ours were big enough to wander the ship on their own (within reason) as long as they checked in on a regular schedule and we always knew where they were. The photo above is he and his littlest grand-daugther (at the time) on the cruise.  But as usual I digress. 

What a great Dad I had (have - in heaven).  He always took good care of us and provided what we needed.  He was always into learning and would always tell you more than you wanted to know.  If you asked about why it was raining he would go back to evaporation over the oceans and move on from there to condensation in cooler air and the impact of seasons and weather fronts.  Ack! But overall we ended up with a pretty good idea of how things work. 

He was a perfectionist.  Whatever he did he did well.  He would learn and take that learning to heart.  When he built his house (see previous blog post about the sale of said property) he was all worried when the inspector came out to check the footings.  The inspector walked around silently for quite a while, shaking  his head and the longer he went on the more worried Dad got that he had done something wrong.  Finally the man turned to him and said, "These are a work of art!"  That was his style.  If something was worth doing, it was worth doing right!

He was a great story teller.  He would tell us stories of growing up on the farm in Wisconsin.  He described his dad and their relationship.  I don't know that they were particularly close as Grandpa worked long hours but he admired his father for his strong work ethic.  Some of my favorite memories are of Dad talking about his WWII training stories.  He never actually went overseas during WWII as when his unit of Flying Fortress' went to England he stayed in Louisiana with sleeping sickness from which the doctors said he would not recover.

He loved to drive.  And he loved to visit family. We would take long trips across country to visit his family in Wisconsin and mom's family in Oregon.  In spite of moving all over the country and to Europe, he always made sure that we got to see the relatives as close to annually as we could. 

He taught me to drive.  Now that was an experience for him I am sure.  I remember once on this narrow road in Germany when he said with a little more force than usual, "Move over and don't drive so close to the bushes."  Apparently it wasn't a good idea to scrape the side of the car along the brush beside the road. 

You could also count on him.  When the girls joined our family and we were in process of moving to Ohio, he offered to drive us there in the motor home and to tow our car behind.  Unfortunately he got Rheumatoid Arthritis shortly after he retired, so could not do all the construction and fixing up that he had been able to do in the past.  And that was why he never completed the downstairs of his house. 

Thanks Dad for being a great Dad.  Thanks for providing an example to look up to in so many areas.  You had your weaknesses as well, but were always willing to listen to another point of view!  LOVE YOU!!

Saying Goodbye to the Wonderful Happy Valley Home

Well, we have finally said goodbye to the old home. The photo above is how it looked years ago when the trees were all small and the lot to the left had not been sold and built upon. Those were the days!  My folks built their home in 1971 and 72 and it was a wonderful place to live.  By the time they moved to Portland and built their home I was done with college and on my own, but it was still the home that I always came  to for holidays and summers from college and later brought the grandbabies for Christmas and  many birthdays.  I have so many wonderful memories of place.  The girls first Christnmas was really special.  We went and cut down a blue spruce at a local Christmas tree farm and when it was decorated and hung with icicle tinsel it was fabulous!  One of the best Christmas trees ever.  Mom passed away three years ago and it took these last three years to empty out the house.  I had to go through every box  of papers as things were all thrown in together -- junk mail, family history clippings, uncashed social security checks, bills, receipts, you name it.  I do hope to be much more organized when my time comes and pray that I won't leave this much hassle to my own children.  But we managed to make it through.  Selling it was such a God thing as well.  After a great deal of stress over the three years trying to keep body and soul of the place together and keep the taxes and utilities paid it finally went on the market and got sold in a cash sale in two days for full price with no contingencies.  I think the new owners got a great deal in spite of paying full price as when the market improves -- as it will -- the house and property will be worth a lot.   The house has front window views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, nearly two acres and a great territorial view.  And the house was built solid as a rock.  It was hard saying goodbye but after three years it was also a relief to be done at last. 

Here are a few photos of the place just before we said goodbye. 

There is  old Mt. St. Helens from the front window.  OK, it's a little closer than it really is, but I wanted to remember it more clearly.  Dad watched Mt. St. Helens erupt from the orchard area.  The second eruption they could see really clearly. 

 The living room is sunken.  This photo is taken from the dining room.  You can see the deck out the window.  I had is resurfaced in mahogany.  That really made me want to stay and own the house, but alas, I would have had to pay off my brother and I really couldn't see myself relocating to Portland when my life is centered in Seattle.  Sigh!  The far picture windows used to look out on Mt. Hood, but the neighbors pine trees took over the view.  I imagine the new owner will negotiate that!

This is taken from the foyer and looking from the steps to go down to the living room across to the dining room.  The view of Mt. St. Helens is from that those windows.

This is looking into the kitchen area (eating area in front) from the foyer as well.  Dad didn't like to have laundry interfere with showers, so there are two water heaters, one for the kitchen and the laundry, the other for the bathrooms.  He also set up the electrical plugs in the kitchen so that the top plugs are all on one circuit and the lower ones are on another.  That way you can do several things and not overload the circuits. 

 This is the "back" of the house with the daylight basement.  That is a built in barbeque next to the fireplace. There is a huge amount of concrete underneath that fireplace to support it so it wouldn't "pull" on the structure of the house as it settled. 

 This is the kid before we went off to put lilacs on the grandparents grave from their own bushes for the last time.  There are purple and white lilacs. We love to put flowers on their graves just so other people know that they were loved.  We know that they are with the Lord in heaven and certainly not lying around in the cemetery waiting for us to pay them attention!

This is the "front" of the house.  Sigh, it does make me feel sad.  But on the other hand, it is time to move on.  The house will now have three kids living there with a lot of area to run.  They can eat the apples, blueberries, pears, italian prunes and pie cherries -- oh, and concord grapes -- and walnuts, to their hearts content.  It is time for a new family to build new memories of their own.  What a great old home this was.  Dad built it very well -- he was a perfectionist.  Of course it is a bit dated and the new owners will fix it up however they want. It and the land may yet turn into a massive, tighly packed development  but for the moment my dream of a single family who would love the house has come true.  Truly this was a Happy Valley for me and for my family! 

Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Day

When we lived in Germany (decades ago, alas) the folks made it a point to travel and visit as many places as we could.  Dad said, upon our arrival in Wiesbaden, that "we were not going to be like those American's who hunkered down on the base and never saw anything while they were here."  We even lived "on the economy" in a house in a little town called Wehen (now it is part of a larger Taunus, I believe)  on Fleckenbornstrasse 16.  I've actually gotten to look it up on google maps, and sure enough, there it was! 

But I digress. One of the fun trips that we had was when Dad got sent TDY (militarese for Temporary Duty to London.  I have no idea how it was arranged, but for a week we lived in someone's flat or something.  At any rate it was not a hotel.  Dad had to work most of the week and it might have been two weeks.  But on the weekends and in the evenings we "did things."   I remeber watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and riding the tube.   During that time we took a side trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon and stayed in a bed and breakfast  there.  We visited Stonehenge too, and THAT is a bit of a sore spot in the family.  My little brother was left sleeping in the car since the folks didn't want to disturb him and all he saw was the stones fading away in the sunset as the car headed back for London.  Ah, he does not like thinking about how close he got to it without seeing it and he has never quite forgiven them!

But he did get to visit the sights in London.  This is one of my favorite photos dated May 1967.   I have it in color somewhere.  (Hm. . .perhaps I should say "colour" considering the location.) But it is just as wonderful in black and white. With all the fun things we did, this picture is what I think of when I think of our time in London.  We bought pigeon food from a vendor and had a wonderful time feeding the birds for "tuppence a day". 

Mail from Maria Duval -- or Best Laugh of the Week

This week my dad got the most amazing letter.  He was informed that he had the select honor of being one of the special ones given the opportunity to have his future life forcast for free by Maria Duval of the Destiny Research Center.  This delightful opportunity will give him a chance to experience change, security, love, friendship and comfort.  Maria Duval is going to tell him the "Ultimate and Great Secret" that will give him all the things in life he has most desired.   

Dad is amazed at this splendid opportunity and can't wait to hear what this incredible person with the Astral-Clairvoyant abilities wants to predict about his future life. 

Oh wait --

Maria Duval -- what kind of a Clairvoyant are you?   I know you write that you are confident that you can help Dad realize all his hopes and dreams. 

I don't know how good you are at telling the future, but aparently your grasp on the past is a little more shaky.  Robert (dad) has been dead for 13 years and not likely to fill out your questionnaire and take you up on your offer!  He is already enjoying his future and he likely won't see you there!

Maria, your skill set seems to be a little shaky here!  You might want to get some continuing education hours under your belt.  

Probably this great Secret is not free either in spite of all the claims.  LOL!

1952 Salt Lake City Flood

This letter below was written by my Great Aunt and Uncle, George and Atha (Farnham) Sherwood and sent to my Grandparents, Herman and Susan Sherwood Weber who lived in Kendall, Wisconsin.  The letter mostly talks about the Salt Lake City Flood of 1952.  The letter describes their first-hand experiences and observations.  This is a public domain photo of the Jordan River that was the route of the flood waters. It's not too relevant, but it's always nice to have a photo on a blog post : -).   The scattered references to Orry (Orion), Homer, Richard and Georgie, are regarding their sons.  Great Uncle George worked for the post office and, although it is likely obvious to most, his reference to ship is aircraft. 

Salt Lake City, UT;
May 15, 1952

[Begins with Atha’s handwriting]

Dear Susan:-

Just got back this evening about 6 o’clock from W.S.C.S. convention in Montrose, Colorado and was glad to find a letter from you but sorry not to have written you sooner about the floods etc. Hadn’t found time to write Orry and Barbara much so asked Hattie if she would call them as she went through Chicago and relieve their minds until I could get a letter off to them.

Have been trying so hard to get a few things done which have been hanging on so long and been a big worry since I just couldn’t seem to ever get at them to get them out of the way. Will tell you all about them when I get back there as it’s easier to talk than write and I’ll probably have more time then. Have two more projects I’d like to complete so very much before our vacation and the one at the Church just about must be done before I leave.

We have all been so very fortunate in that none of us have been damaged by the floods though it came within a block north of us and the neighbors, including George, worked until late into the night damming it off with sandbags and turning it back into the river still raging about 3 ft deep and about the width of the street down 13th South. They have now built a bridge across 13th South and Main street so the traffic can get through without going so far around as they had to do for several weeks. They have also made banks of sand about 5 feet high all along 13th South now in hopes it will take care of anything coming down from now on.  Have also had a few cold days and nights which have slowed up the thawing of snow in some places and helped a great deal.

They have dredged the Jordan river (and also the surplus canal) to lower the bottom and piled it along the banks to raise the height of the banks so they will carry all the water possible and have the situation pretty well under control now so we are hoping it will not spread to damage any more than it already has. It really is just too bad for the many homes and places who are flooded and evacuated and I feel so sorry for them but am so glad that all of the evacuees places did not get it as was feared when they were ordered to evacuate.

One night it came up into Richard’s front yard but not bad and their neighborhood was able to sandbag it off and now it isn’t bothering in that neighborhood.

Homer was fortunate enough to be a block north of the district evauated so he hasn’t had any flood trouble and only trouble with the water table rising so that it raised through the floor in his basement but again he was very fortunate as he and Dad hadn’t had time to pour a cement floor in his basement yet so they made a sump and put in an automatic sump pump and it is taking care of it very nicely.

Will explain in more details about it all when we see you. But unless something unexpected happens things seem to be under control now so that it is hoped it will not spread farther to do more damage.

As to how things are going to work out for Georgie so we can plan accordingly we will not know yet for a few days.

[Switches to George’s handwriting]

Dear Susan, Herman and all. On my lunch time at the airport and must hurry if get this off on trip 134. If this is pretty disconnected forgive as the boys have radio on pretty loud and it ain’t music either.

Anyhow, we still plan to leave here for Wisconsin June 7 as early as possible. Sort of expect to come through via Casper Wyo and through Sparta, but may decide to reverse and come in via Chicago and go back that or some other way. Will depend on how much time – if any – George has to be with us and when. Orion & Babs can come up to Kendall for a weekend if at all. So far not at all sure that there will be more than the old folks -- Dora, Guy, Atha & I. And reason I have not written sooner is partly uncertainly of my own position. An order forbidding further extension of annual leave privileges during June and rest of May came out, but our office expects to be able to accommodate me since I made verbal application over 2 months ago and posted probable dates of absence on the sheet at the Airport. This may still not work out if conditions of finances for balance of fiscal year becomes tighter.

As ship will soon be here must hurry on. We expect to have funds available for trip east so suggest you wait until we arrive then if we run into difficulty we can perhaps borrow what we need for return trip. Ha! Ha! Sounds ominous for you, if you are ever to get rid of us. That that way we can better gauge requirements and will not be carrying all eggs in one basket. Thanks for offer of loan – may have to after we arrive in Kendall, but hold until we see.

Bye - bye - ship here

Lovingly,

George, Atha and Family

Schipperke Blow Out

 Baxter, the World's Best Dog, was starting to look reddish again late this winter and the male half of the dog owners decided it was time to give him his annual massive brushing.  He has little brushes every now and then but at least once a year a Schipperke has a "blow out" of the under coat and it is amazing how much fur can be pulled off the dog without him looking at all different (except losing that redding tinge to his fur that appears as the undercoat loosens and works its way out).  Well, they went off to watch a TV show and brush and the end result was nearly enough fur for another dog.  The birds will like it as we put dog fut out for them to use in their nests in the spring.  Such a cumpfy little bed for a newly hatched bird!

 We told Baxter following this that he was "half the dog he used to be" but he just interpreted that as time to get a treat or something for putting up with all that brushing!

He doesn't look diminished at all! 

Les Schwab in Chehalis and our Guardian Angel

I meant to write this in January and give credit where credit it due, but as usual am behind on all of my projects! 

It all began on January 5th, end of a typical weekend trip to Portland -- still working on the folks estate and now with no sister (sniff) to help out any more.  But that aside, we had driven to Portland and were back on the way home.  We stopped at McDonald's at the 72 mile marker and grabbed a dollar sandwich each.  We got right back on the freeway and headed north again.  Shortly after merging on to the freeway (just past the Uncle Sam sign with his pithy political remarks) I thought the car was getting rather noisy.  It kept getting worse and I turned off the radio and immediately identified the noise and the increasing vibration.  Yup, a flat tire.  Sigh.  There was a ramp a little ways ahead and I slowed and limped that direction.  Added to that I got to listen to the excited voice of my daughter, who knows something about car repairs, yelling - "Stop the car mom! Don't keep driving!!"  However, I am much more willing to ruin my wheel than I am to be parked next to vehicles rolling 70+ MPH.  You can replace a tire and a wheel. You can even replace a car.  Husband, kids and the "worlds best dog" are bit harder to come by. 

We pulled past a little bridge on the ramp and finally off to the side.  We all hopped out and sure enough, there was the tire, flat as a pancake.  My husband and daughter started unloading the cargo area of the van (no rain, thank God!) to get to the "donut" and while they dug stuff out, I looked up a a man had pulled over and came back to ask if he could help.  He said that they had had some sort of car trouble a couple of weeks before and he wanted to pass the favor on.  My husband said, "I think we've got it."  But, looking at the quickly approaching darkness I said, "Sure, I'm sure we could use the help to do this quickly because the sun has already gone down."  Then the reality of our situation hit as we realized that for some reason our car jack was missing.  (In fact, we think it might have gotten left at another Les Schwab awhile back -- but that is another story for another day.)  Whoa!  Now we really did have a bit of a problem.  I asked the man, "Do you have a Les Schwab here?" and he said yes.  I asked him how late it was open while at the same time looking at my phone to see what time it was.  He said 5:00 and I realized we had five minutes.  So I asked if he could possibly drive to Les Schwab and see if they could come and rescue us.  I got his phone number from  him and called his phone to put my number into his missed calls and off he went.  We started reloading the cargo and it got darker and darker. 

About ten mintues later our wonderful "Guardian Angel" called and said that "they were on their way," and we thanked him for his assistance.  About 5 minutes after that the Les Schwab truck rolled up in front of us and the very helpful employee quickly whipped out their wonderful equipment and quickly go the tire off and the donut donut on.  Fortunately we had a flashlight because by then it was completely dark.  We then followed hm up Main Street to Market Blvd and crossed the road into their facility.   All four of us and the dog bounded out of the car and into the reception area.  In record time the two employees still there placed a new tire on the wheel, removed and gave us back the donut, wrote up the bill, took our payment and off we all went.  Us,"on the road again" and them, to whatever plans they had scheduled for the evening.  It was 5:35 and we were merging back on the freeway.  We couldn't believe how quickly everything had happened.  We called our Guardian Angel back and let him know that we so appreciated his help and that we were all rescued.  We never did get his name, so we will stick with the fact that God sent him to help us out in our time of need and we are grateful!  We also so appreciated the guys at Les Schwab who helped us out on short notice when they probably would have much preferred not to stay late! 

So thanks again to our guardian angel on off-ramp, Chehalis Les Schwab employees and to God who orchestrated events so that we hardly missed a step on our homeward journey. 

CHEHALIS

36 N Market Blvd
Chehalis, WA 98532-2622                   
(360) 748-0295
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sat: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Manager: Nathan

THANKS!!!!!

David McIntyre - Ships Ohio and Dale

I had read awhile back that my great-great-Great grandfather David McIntyre had served in the US Navy in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1849.  This info was from his obituary as well as a book of history of Crawford County, Wisconsin.  However, I had no confirmation from any other source.  While I thought it was likely to be true, there is always the possibility he was padding his resume so to speak :-).  My distant McIntire (our families spelled them differently) cousin Kristine had suggested I contact the US archives and so I went on line and in my wandering through their site found a contact email.  I wrote, gave them the particulars on David McIntyre (including maybe McIntire) along with his birth and death dates, location and spouse name. 

To my great excitement, I received an email back confirming that David McIntire (the spelling in their records) was in the Navy and I am now in process of ordering copies of the documents from the file.  Chris, the wonderfully helpful archive specialist  told me in his original reply email that he is sure this is my David McIntire (uses that spelling) because after the war he was in Prairie du Chien, was a blacksmith, and his wife's name was Louisa.  David McIntyre was a blacksmith and in Prarie du Chien was working for the railroad in that capacity.  Chris wrote that David served on the ships USS Ohio and the USS Dale.  So now while I am waiting for the particulars, I am reading information on the Ohio and the Dale and looking forward to getting my copies of the files a few weeks from now. 

Family History hunts are so much like the "whodunnits" that I have always love to read.  And it is addicting like gambling in that you get just enough random reinforcement to keep looking a little longer and hoping to fall into another mother lode of information.  Above is a photo of a drawing of the Ohio during the Mexican war and below it is the Dale.  My hope is that the actual military record files will tell me when he was on each ship so I can match up when he was on each vessel and what events she might have been involved in which he participated.  These photos are from Wikipedia which stated that they were in the public domain. 

More information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ohio_(1820) or at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Dale_(1839) 

Big Bird Bath Day

Fall is coming on and it must be a good day for birds to get a good bath and to clean up before the long cold winter comes when it will be a little nippy for diving into cold water.  Today while I've been working I've had to stop a few times and try to take photos of my nervous little friends.  Above is a Junco.  Birds that have enjoyed the spa, but who were too nervous to be documented include a Chestnut Backed Chicadee and Gold Finches (immatures and adults).  I had three little Golden Crowned Kinglet's come by (photo below) and they certainly are nervous!  But in the middle of it I was surprised and delighted to discover that what was in the camera viewfinder was a Townsend's Warbler rather than the Kinglet I had started to photograph.  What a treat.  In the 3rd photo little Towney demonstrates how to get really clean. 

 

Then the Kinglet's returned.  Most photos ended up blurry as they flapped and danced and ducked their heads under water.  But the slowed momentarily for documentation.  

 Finally a little Black Capped Chicadee hopped into the mix and scattered Chestnut Backed Chicakees and Gold Finches. 

I love having the bird bath right next to my window.  Such a delightful group of small winged friends.  The Anna's hummingbirds (male and female) are having a heyday as well but aren't stopping by to bathe at the moment.  They go for the top of the fountain more than the birdbath altho ONCE I did see the male come to the birdbath. 

Missing You Sweet Sister

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VENCA

WISH YOU WERE HERE

GO WITH GOD ~

love you. . .

Utah's Strongest Earthquake

In this letter Geore Stevens Sherwood talks about the March 1934 earthquake that was centered in Hansel Valley, Utah and which shows up on the internet as Utah's strongest earthquake.  It was a 6.6 earthquake.Here is more information on the earthquake for those who are interested.  He gives his first-hand impressions as well as some of the news of the day about this.  He also talks about the financial impact of the depression on his family and those around  him. 

Preparing to go OVER THERE

Uncle George Stevens Sherwood, while in training at Camp Logan before heading off to WWI, sent many letters and photos home.  Not all have been matched up to the letters.  We were able to match up one photo with this letter as well as  a not listed but still fun photo of George and his "tentmates."   First names are missing, but tentmates are "Wahlstadt, Marshall and Sherwood."

"Camp Logan, Houston, Tex.

Sunday, P.M. Oct 28, ‘17

Well, here I am back in my tent. Just got back from town, where I went with Mohr, whose picture I herein enclose. We took a jitney and got to the M. E. church just in time for church, 10:30 A.M. Were treated fine by the people there. Heard some fine music by choir, also vocal and violin solos, then a fair sermon. Got out of church at 12:45. Just went straight from there down to Thompson’s Cafeteria where two poached eggs on toast and a piece of hot mince pie set me back 25 cents but they were worth it at that. Then we walked out to the union station and around town awhile, then went to a movie then chartered a fliver and came back to camp. And now I am writing to my dear folks back home, or at least trying to when the noise in here will allow me to.

You ask for a sketch of our days work. So I give an abbrieved (coined by me) schedule:

5:45 First Call

6:00 Assembly and Roll Call (as fully dressed)

6:10 Physical exercise

6:30 Mess

8:00 Drill or Detail work
12:00 Mess
1:30 Drill, work or loaf
5:30 Retreat
6:00 Mess
10:00 Taps –lights out

(Photo of Mohn - otherwise known as #5 below)

I am still waiting to hear how much I owe you.
This is a nice sunshiny day with cool breeze blowing.
If I don’t get down to real work soon I will be as fat as ever, I guess. Did I tell you before that we have received over 1,000 draft men from Rockford.

Now to explain the views or snapshots, I should say.
No. 1 is explained on the back. Our tent is next to last to be seen at far end of street.
No. 2. Mohr took of me when I was grinning and faking a salute, not thinking he was ready to shoot.
No. 3 Also explained on back.
No. 4 Lowery and I are studying surveying out of my book together.
No. 5. I snapped of Mohn so you could see what my pal looked like. Also so I’d have one to keep.
No. 6 was also taken the day of the Liberty Loan Celebration.

I will send you some more soon. Don’t for heavens sake let anyone see No. 2. It is awful.

Love to al,

George Sherwood"



THEN AND NOW -- The home of Grace Gulvin Sherwood Doud

A few years ago I went to visit the address of my Great-Great-Great Aunt Grace Gulvin Sherwood Doud.  I had known she had lived at 3504 North Mason Avenue in Tacoma and wondered if the house was still there.   Grace Gulvin was the youngest daughter of Richard William Sherwood and Mary Ann Gulvin.  Grace was named for her aunt, Grace Gulvin and when young Grace was young Mary Ann died.   Richard William Sherwood then married his former sister-in-law Grace Gulvin and she was then both mother and aunt to the children.  She and Richard had three more children after that.  The younger Grace married Chester Doud and they were married from 1887 until 1921 when Chester passed away.  They had two sons, Roy (Royden) and Richard Doud.  After I had seen several of her letters I took a tour around Tacoma visiting the homes in which she had lived but I wasn't sure if it was the same house or if it was the same lot.  I thought it likely, but wasn't completely sure.  I took the color photos posted here in 2008 and discovered today the vintage photos mailed to her brother and sister-in-law, William and Ella Jane Sherwood in 1927.  Obviously it is the very home in which she lived.

 On the back of this photo it says that it was received in letter Dec 13, 1927.  Grace Doud had written "View of back of my home   - Grace Doud." 

 Two nearly identical views of the same house approximately 80 years apart.  The garage was nicely added so it's not obvious it was not an original part of the structure.

On the back of the photo it reads -- "The front of house facing the east with 3 lovely fir trees on the south side.  Grace (Pautsch - neice of Grace Doud and daughter of Clara Sherwood Pautsch) took the pictures this summer just before she went back home.  It was early and I hadn't raised the shades as the sun shines in pretty strong so the windows don't look just right as athough it had a blind side."

On the back -  "The front porch showing the wicker table and chair Grace and I painted.  They are green and oranged and looked so gay last summer.  The house was new when I bought a year ago last October (that would have been October of 1926).  Grace Doud's Home."