2019 Snow Pocalypse

 

This year started out here in the Pacific Northwest with quite a mild fall and winter.  We were having a great time enjoying that weather and commiserated with our extended families about the historic Arctic Blast (Polar Vortex) of cold that invaded the Midwest and brought even that section of the country to a halt with temperatures of -28 degrees F for our families. Then came February 2nd --  Groundhog Day where Punxsutawney Phil (the little rat) assured us of an early  Spring. The next day (Super Bowl Sunday) it started snowing. It started accumulating and by 10:00 in the evening we were getting some significant inches.  I discovered that my phone has a mind of its own regarding stills and videos!!  So I ended up with lots of teeny videos and no stills. So I can't use the photo taken Sunday evening!

On Monday morning the 4th at 7:30 we continued with the first round of snow until we had a full six inches by the end of the day.

Feb. 4th at 7:40 in the morning - quite a first snowfall of the year,

On the 5th at 1:00 in the afternoon we got a little break and some sunshine!  I planned a work trip up north for the 6th and the roads to the freeway turned out to be a bit of a mess but the highway was clear.  Usually about this time we get those nice warm breezes off the Pacific and soon our snow melts away.  Rather than the typical cycle this time we got more cold and more snow.  A lot of the original snow had melted or settled but round two was on its way.

   My husband woke me up at 2:00 in the morning on the 9th and said I "had" to get up and take a look! A couple of days before he had suggested the same thing but I figured it  would look the same in the morning so what was the rush!  But this time I cooperated - like to do that every now and then.  "Out of My Window I can See" across the row of backyards.

At the same 2:00 AM summons --, across the cul-de-sac.  The large Japanese maple is very weighed down with the snow.  

 Five hours later on the 9th - another brighter view of the soft fluffy flakes. 

 Another view of the front yard 9th at 7:30 AM 

Around the neighborhood on a snow day!

 Since there was no trash pickup that week because of the snow, the whole neighborhood has photos of the garbage cans waiting in vain on the curb.

Another view of  the 9th in the morning

9th - temperature gauge tucked out of the way.  this was at my parents home for decades and it still works very well! 

My Husband's picturesque Weeping Japanese Maple Art 

 

The snow system kept on coming and our church cancelled services for Sunday because of the steep  hills to try to get up to get to the building AND an even more  precarious concern of stopping at the light at the bottom of the grade when driving back home. So we stayed  home and stayed safe.

By Sunday evening the 10th the blanket had become thicker and thicker - around 10 PM

 10th in the evening -- the snow is not built up from shoveling snow.  The footprints are mostly the dog and cat and occasionally the husband.  It was still snowing!

Feb. 11th in the morning

11th at 5:00PM

 

 

11th 7:30 PM - looking at the snow in the driveway waiting behind the car tucked nicely inside the dry garage.  I often say that my favorite room in the house is the garage.  I never have to scrape the windows or get rained on while unloading the groceries. 

 Across the cul-de-sac

 11th -- well look at that.  Super Bowl was over but our Seahawks Wreath was still up!  The only color in this series!  Lots of little icicles hanging there above the wreath.

Feb. 12th at 7:30 AM

Obviously we've had a little melting here and there!

Snow covered backyard view.

 

 Truck with an all-around berm of snow! 

Pretty much the height of our snow.  A lot of work to remove it!

 12th at 7:PM.  I had been considering the 13th for  my weekly trip north but I think not.  I think this was the full depth of our snowfall.  Just shy of 16 inches in the center and this does not take into account some melting the week before, settling and evaporation.  I put a contract out on Punxsutawney Phil and started hoping for spring. He really is cute but  his job skills are abysmal!

After this things slowly began melting. Actually, was very happy that it stayed chilly and that we didn't have flooding all over the region!  We've done that on occasion too!

 

 

The deck had been shoveled off as it began to melt -- 13th in the afternoon.

February 15th - slowly the snow disappears!

The squirrels even seemed to get into the act and created a snow-squirrel of their very own design! This was completely undesigned or touched by human hands.

15th - snowmelt is picking up speed

After ten days I venture out.  The rest of my family had been coming and going but I just worked away with all the heat blowing and coffee dripping in the pot!  Why risk life and limb when you can stay home and get just as  much done. 

 Finally the mossy yard is restored to it's splendor and the regular spring bulbs continue to find their way to the surface with hope for the warmer days ahead.

 Now it's the 22nd and there are more predictions of snow for next week.  I hope the forecast is overblown.  NOO SNOOOOW

This  may be the first time that I EVER recall a February without at least one warm weekend.

 

George Stevens Sherwood Writes Home from WWI on February 10, 1919

I thought I would double post this to this blog today as a reminder that those who are interested will find Uncle George expressing his thoughts and feelings a 100 years to the day when he was "Somewhere in France"  during WWWI.  It doesn't hurt that he is a good writer as well!  This blog rather than the other  seems to get the most traffic from France so for anyone who is interested -- enjoy!!  In that blog you can scroll backwards to summer of 1917 and all points in between.

 Regt. Hdqt Office

         Echternach, Luxemburg  

February 10^th  1919

Dear Father, Mother, Sister, Brother:
            Just received a grand surprise when the orderly brot in 6 fine letters from HOME, 2 from Jo and 1 from the Rasmussens.  Those from the first two sources were dated the 20^th and 24^th Jan so you see they made real fast time.  But Rasmussens was sent Dec 31^st.  Must have been held up a long time somewhere.  I also rec'd three Sat Evening Posts.  1^st I’ve received.  I’m just wild to get time to read them, but guess it will be quite a while before I get said time as we had all Day Sunday off yesterday for the first time since I can remember except of course when we were on leave.   We spent the day sleeping till noon.  Then we ate dinner and played and read till about 10 PM  Johnnie brot over three Chicago Dailies and two Keystones.  I skimmed thru them (the Keystones) and they brot up so many memories of Home I was almost homesick so thot I’d find relief in writing a letter too.  But after scribbling a page it sounded so very tragic I tore it up and went to bed instead. 

            By the way, I’m still groping around in my mind trying to figure out what to do when I get back.  I reckon I can make a living but at 22 ½ years I’m getting to be an old man! And have got to settle down to something with future prospects and immediate financial returns.  By the time they get us back that will be a tough riddle to solve I fear.  But I guess it is hardly fair to even suggest a fresh problem to you folks so forget it; that’s what I’ve done with about all I ever knew, or at least that is the way I feel.  Another grievance against Bill Hohenzollern[1]!

            Now Sister as you write most of the letters you lay yourself liable for most of the “Bawlings Out.”  I’ve stood your self depreciating and Soldier Brother Idolizing about as long as I can so here goes, for with all my faults, I try not to be a hypocrite. And dear, I know that even in the old days you were a better example, a truer Christian than I.  As for the present, you have continued to grow, while I have in many ways deteriorated.  True, I know the war has given to me as well as you a broader conception of life or service, a keener sympathy but it has also had its weakening phases and has taught us all so much we can never forget. 

            But your letters today have got me started again so I may as well rave on and you can take the consequences. I was just prepared to throw a wet blanket on your hopes of seeing me the 4^th of July for one thing when my own hopes got a fresh boost so will just let it ride, live in hope, and we will see what we will see.  There is no accurate dope but bucco rumor.  At least we can’t get home much before that.  I can’t compree why you haven’t been receiving at least a letter a week as my memory and letter record show an average of better than one per week dispatched since we struck Luxembourg the middle of December.  But here is hoping you have started to get them again now.  So I take it Evans is home?  How did he make it so soon?  Our papers show the 22^nd Div still in Deutschland.  But your dope about making a big splash every time a fellow gets back is straight, at least as far as I’m concerned.  Of course, most of the boys probably saw real encounters and hair raising stunts with the Dutch so there is some excuse.  But I’ll have to take a back seat on the hero stuff, as all I did in this war was take care of plugs, build roads, carry messages and dodge Fritzy shells, or cuss ‘em for waking me up.

            It’s almost time I got to my residence or I’ll be locked out.  Say, they have the biggest liars up here. Someone told me they started to sow oats the last of Feb and the winter was so mild before we went on leave I believed them.  But since we got back I’m undeceived.  The ground if froze up, we have a little snow, and the nights hit very close to zero.  If they cover those oats, they will have to get the pick and shovel artists of the Engineers busy. 

            If you don’t lay off talking about pork, beef and fish in your letters, not to mention honey, biscuit, etc., etc., I’ll be trying to swim the ocean.  Oh, well, you haven’t got a corner on all the good eats because the oldest daughter of our landlord brought in some crullers covered with sugar this Sunday Eve. And that after we got to scuffling and mashed a bed, which by the way the boss had fixed yesterday and never said a word. 

            Did you read “Suggestions for a Mother’s Letters” on the 3^rd Column, Front Page of Jan 16^th Keystone?  Whoever wrote that had sensed present situation very vividly.  And it reminded me so very much of the letters my own dear Mother and Sister send me, it rings so genuine and true I almost think it was written by a Mother who had at least one boy “Over Here.”  I’m afraid at times in the old life while I knew of my many failings which no one else seemed to notice, I was guilt of a certain sense of satisfaction and self pride that I had overcome certain temptations which associates yielded to.  I have learned that I never knew what temptation really was or at least the grippe it could have on one.  Especially since the Armistice was signed, there are times when the homesickness, loneliness, the desire of companionship, entertainment and life are almost unbearable. I’m not excusing myself, or any of the rest for that matter, tho many have not had the wonderful home example and training I enjoyed.  But I can’t stand it to sail under such false colors, so try to forgive my faults and love your Son and Brother as he is, not as you wish or thot he was.  And keeping this in mind, I hope you will not worry, but will still be glad to prepare and look forward to the time when “Johnnie comes marching H O M E,” and I in turn will still keep up the battle and return to you your own loving son who understands and will return at least as physically clean as when he left.  I don’t know as you’ll understand, perhaps I’ll only succeed in making you feel bad, but I hope you won’t do that. And now, let’s try to get away from this which I seem to make sound so tragic. 

            Now all the boys have gone home but me so I’ll close up shop and go along too, for there’s no chance to get “Over the Garden Wall” without an extension ladder.

            With lots of love to Dear Old Dad, My Sweet Little Mother, My Lovingest Little Sister and the Big Beloved Brother she gave me.  May God Bless you all and keep you safe till my return and long after.  Mizpah*.

                                                            Corp. Geo Sherwood

                                                            108^th US Engineers

                                                            American Exp Forces

* The Lord watch between you and me while we are apart from one another.

---

[1] 1888-1918 William II von Hohenzollern, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany  (b. 1859  d. 1941)

http://www.remmick.org/Hohenzollern.Royal/

 

Jane Hibbard Clark Healy

Jane Hibbard Clark was the wife of my great-great-great Uncle, Joseph  Warren Healy.  His sister, my 3rd great grandmother, was Rosina Healy Richardson.  Their (Rosina and Joseph) parents were Nathaniel Healy and Jane Tabor. Nathaniel Healy was a school teacher and provided his children an excellent education.  He loved to write  poetry.  Joseph Warren Healy learned first from his parents and then he and his wife later attended graduate school in Burlington, VT. Both Joseph Warren Healy and Jane Hibbard Clark attended seminary and they both taught at the schools at which they later worked.  They taught at Bath Academy in Bath, New Hampshire and later at Topsfield Academy in Topsfield, Massachusetts.  Joseph Warren Healy went on to be first a professor, then a minister and later became a medical doctor as well.   After the Civil War he

became the first president of Straight University, a school of higher education established for Black Americans. In 1870 Joseph and Jane were raising funds in Europe for the University. 

Joseph Warren Healy and Jane Hibbard Clark Healy were devoted to each other.  They weathered many storms together including infertility followed by the very short life of the one child they conceived and gave birth to, Jane Corinne Healy.  Later they adopted a son named Frank Joseph Healy who later became a journalist.  He sort of disappears after working in Indiana and then Cleveland in 1897.  Nothing about him so far after that. He would have been 23 years old when his mother died.    

 

In summer of  1880 Jane Hibbard Healy took a trip to Corinth, Vermont to visit family and friends. She had apparently been suffering from overwork and stress and took the trip to relax and renew her strength.  She had a great visit and was feeling much better.  However, in September while planning her return home she took ill and died rapidly.  When Joseph arrived, it was all over except for the grief.

This little booklet was published as part of the celebration of her life.  Her husband, Joseph Warren Healy, was initially prostrated by the loss of his life companion.  A few years later (according to the Topsfield Academy book) he moved to San Diego and taught medicine and other classes and was President of Sierra Madre college at its incorporation.  He married a widow Ellen White in 1884.  He died in 1887 and is buried in San Diego, in a cemetery down by the airport. 

Letters from Caroline Calista Post Atwater, Dora's paternal Grandmother, to the Sherwood Family

 

The photos above and below of William and Caroline (Post) Atwater, are from my cousin, who is a direct descendent from Dora and the Atwaters.

 

This four generation photo may well be one of the last photos that were taken of Caroline Calista Post Atwater.  This is of her, her daughter-in-law, Ella Jane Stevens Atwater Sherwood (center front), her grand-daughter Dora Atwater Sherwood Lindsey (right) and lastly Margaret Lindsey Mangum Leesom May (center back). 

1917-1209 – Caroline Calista Post Atwater to Ella Jane Atwater Stevens Sherwood

[Caroline Post Atwater was the mother of Elmer Atwater, first husband of Ella Jane Stevens Atwater.  At the time of this letter, it had been sixty years since her son was born and 37 years since her son had died when Dora was an infant.  When Dora was born Ella Jane, Elmer and Dora had lived with William and Caroline Atwater and Ella Jane and Dora continued to live with them for some time after his death.  They remained close throughout their lives, even after Ella Jane married Will Sherwood. William Atwater had passed away a few months earlier on April 8, 1917. Caroline's letters provide a lot of family information.]    

Bangor Dec 9, 1917

            Dear Ella and family, don’t think for one moment I have forgotten to write to you for I have not but you know how negligent we old people are.  How are you this severe wintery weather.  I am not feeling very good but am much better than I have been. I took a very hard cold and it left me with a very bad cough. Am troubled with bronchitis and it was pretty hard on me for a while but am better. It was almost like the Grippe so I expect I will have to keep pretty close at home this winter. Have not been out anywhere but once since I came home. Two months ago I was with you. Net seemed very glad to see me and I surely was glad to get here before cold weather. Am much obliged for sending the crochet hooks.  I have been quite busy (when I felt able) knitting rugs.  Have knitted one twenty two inches wide and forty long a quite a dark one.  Another one not quite done will be thirty inches wide and sixty six inches long.  They are both striped. The last one is much lighter than the other. Will have rags enough left for another one smaller.  Have made blocks enough for a silk quilt all ready to work the seams and tatted quite a bit. How did you spend Thanksgiving?  We all stayed at home. Aunt Beck and Uncle Philand [Rebecca Atwater, Caroline's sister-in-law and her husband Philander Byrns] came down Thanksgiving morning and stayed until Sunday. They are pretty well for old people and Leolie’s family were here to dinner. You never saw such a place for company. Four men, hog men and wives and three of them with a child too have been here since I came home and they have stayed from one night to one week. One man and wife stayed one week. He would be gone some days but back nights several times. Three or four men came and be here one night.  It makes lots of work.

            Mrs. Frank says I would not have it.  I would be boss in my own house and put a stop to it.  Net says it is part of the hog business. They had a hog sale the next week after I came home.  Sold $4,785 but it is a very expensive such work, his expenses are enormous. Will have another sale in the last of Jan of bred sows will make 3 or 4 thousand and then he sells lots at private sales.  He certainly is a prosperous man.
            Now I don’t write this for a blow but thought you would like to hear it. I had a letter from Will Skelton not long ago. Their boy is in the army. I don’t know whether he was drafted or enlisted. They take it very hard. Will said with close economy they might get along until spring. The worst is for feed for stock. Everything dried up out there and Will is not well and a very poor manager at best. Their daughter is married and lives near them. She helps them a great deal. I think by the way he wrote it is very cold tonight. Len has got the house heated to boiling but I have got a window open.
            Isn’t this war something fierce. I have had to quit reading war news it makes me so nervous. Mrs. Frank reads it all and talks it all the time. It seems as though all the devils in the infernal regions possess the old Keiser (I don’t know if I spelled that right but you know what I mean) for him to think of such dreadful things. Mrs. F and I both want to knit for the Red Cross but Net and Len say we have knit enough in our day and not try it but if I could I would be glad to.
            Dora sent me Margaret’s picture. It is very nice. I wrote to her some time ago but don’t know whether she received it. About three weeks ago six ladies, old neighbors of mine from Onalaska came up on the half past eight train and stayed all day.  We all had a splendid time.  It surely made me feel good.  They sent Net word so she was ready for dinner and supper.  Len bough a tractor to use on the farm this fall. It cost him $1030 with two plows.  Is something nice too he only has four horses now and wants to sell one team.

            Now don’t you think I have written enough nonsense and I think it must be about bed time.  My how the wind blows so goodnight. Love and best respect to you all.  Write before you forget it.                                                                                     Mother A

Note on back:
A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to One and All

*    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

1918-0305 – Caroline Post Atwater to Ella Jane Stevens Atwater Sherwood

Bangor, March 5, 1918

Dear One’s All,

            How are you this very unpleasant day.  It has been so foggy all day could hardly see across the road. It is just twenty four years today since we moved to Onalaska[1] and it rained all day after we got about three miles on our way.  I was very home sick then for a long time but with never such a sad, lonely feeling as I have these days.  I spend most of my time in my own room all alone and am very, very lonely.  I have not been out in the road since before Christmas and it seems very different from any thing I was ever used to.  I would not have any think I am complaining for I have a very nice home yet it is not home to me.  It seems as though I was in the way. A letter from Grace[2] today done me so much good.  Her two youngest boys were having croup Sunday pretty bad I guess.  The rest are well. 

            True’s folks were not very well, some of them. Mae’s husband has been sent home on account of tuberculosis of the lungs.  There is but little choice I think between that and going to France.  Len[3] has nearly 200 little pigs, fine ones too.  He had a big sale this winter – it brought him eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty two dollars.  One hog sold for one thousand and six hundred and fifty dollars and her last spring litter of pigs sold for over eleven hundred dollars, but of course it’s not all gain.  It is very expensive business.  Every day’s mail brings him inquiries about hogs.  He is away now and is away more than two thirds of the time.  Net says she don’t know what she would do if it was not for the Grandma’s.  Thinks she would go out to work.  I am glad to hear Dora thinks of visiting us Wis folks, will be so glad to see her once more and Susie I hope she may have her share of happiness in her married life.  Did I tell you Ansel had a son a few weeks old the little girl is about twenty months old.  I am having rheumatism pretty severe now.  This kind of weather is not very good for rheumatic people, but am pretty well otherwise.  Now write and let me now when Dora comes. [Follow link for later news; Dora did visit her on her way home from Susan and Herman's wedding.]

            Net[4]’s brother Eber is here visiting his mother.   She has been quite sick and is very childish and it makes her very angry to contradict.  One word she guesses she knows she has had and brought up seven children, she ought to know.  She sputters at Net because she don’t do everything just as she says.  I suppose you think you know more than I do but I don’t – she tells Net – but we don’t say much only try to make her think she is all right – surely if she has many spells like she had had this winter she won’t last very long.  Net’s birthday is the 16^th of this month.  I am making her a corset-cover yoke crocheting it – am doing it on the sly.  Next week Lenore[5] is coming to stay all the week.  She has no sewing machine so is coming to sew and her mother will help her.  Says she has nothing to wear.  Her husband’s mother stays most of the time with them this winter so she can come often.  Ida’s baby does not do as well as she ought, don’t grow much, is a poor little thing, but is surely a good baby.  Net is sewing for Lilah, making over some of Lenore’s dresses for her.  I have silk blocks enough, made a quilt for Mae and blocks of outing flannel enough for a quilt for Millie but have to work them yet – but that will pass away the time.

            Is Susan going to stay at home or what and what will be her name.  If she stays there, there will be nothing to hinder you from coming out here when Dora comes.  I hope she don’t disappoint us.   Now my eyes are getting so tired, think I will have to quit.  Grace said they had lots of milk, were milking sixteen cows, mostly new milks and if I would come up I could have all the mush and milk I wanted.  Now don’t forget to write to me before long.  Haven’t I done pretty well answering so quick.  See you do as well. 

            I received three letters today, one from Oland Post wife.  Net received three and her mother two and Net says not much of a day for letters either.  They often receive eight to ten a day. Now goodnight and pleasant dreams to all.

            Yours with love

                        Mother A 

I have always for sixty years signed my name Mrs. W B Atwater[6]and it comes very hard to sign it any other way. 

---

[1] Bangor appears to be about ten miles away from Onalaska.  It sounds like she has moved in with other family.

[2] Grace Atwater, wife of Harry Jewett.  Grace and Harry had eleven children. 

[3] Leonard Atwater, son of William and Caroline Atwater

[4] Linette Frank, wife of Leonard

[5] Daughter of Leonard and Linette; she was married but don’t yet know to whom.

[6] Her husband, William Bigelow Atwater had died eleven months before on 8 Apr 1917.  He died six months before what would have been their 60^th wedding anniversary. 

World War II Rationing on the Old Wisconsin Farm

Came across a whole booklet of WWII Rationing Coupons from

the family on the Wisconsin dairy farm in Kendall known as Spring Brook Farm.  I remember my parents talking about the rationing but never any details.  If anyone has any insights into the specific information seen below, please feel free to comment.  There were four individual sets of ration stamps/coupons but I have only scanned one example of each. There were also fuel and mileage coupons as well. I wonder how Americans would rise to the occasion if a similar life and death struggle were faced now with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.  Would American's today rise to the occasion and give up instant gratification? If things had turned out differently, then, we might well be having this conversation in German.

Apparently the local radio station sponsored the folders so that families could keep

things organized

Back cover with calendars and reminder to buy War Bonds.  I noticed that this folder has a Roman Numeral Five on it, but the actual rationing books only go through 4.  So perhaps when these were available there was yet no hope for the end of rationing.

I see the instructions here but do wonder how long it took people to adapt to using these. One issue, of course, is that those who were frugal were penalized (if you had sugar at hand then you got the same amount deducted from what you would otherwise have been able to buy. 

 Outside cover of book one 

Above and below are inside left and right of ration book.



Ration Book Two

They also had some sort of tokens above which were used to give change for foods bought with rationing coupons

Above are food specific kinds of rationing coupons

 It looks like the family sold back some meat and fats to the government - even tho they had to modify the sugar purchase certificate form.  Probably another illustration of making due!

Family applied for ration book 3

And received them

These kinds of ration stamps/coupons had an aircraft carrier, plane, tank and cannon.

These say mileage rationing but it must have been gallons of gasoline or other fuels since it would be hard to clock the miles.  Altho soon here in Washington State they'll be charging us for every mile driven.  It will happen soon - alas!

I don't know if this is the only "inventory report" they had done or if they had previously filled these out when they turned in recyclables. 

The 1924 Chev sedan registration for 1943 shows the frugal lifestyle of the farmer

Herman Weber's Selective Service card.  Since he was born in 1879, there wasn't a lot of danger of him being called up curing WWII.  He had not fought in WWI - like  his brother-in-law George Sherwood (see https://dearonesathome.blogspot.com) because he was the last young and strong man left to work the farm.  Even during WWI he had been in his 40's. 

Various other rationing stamps 

I'm not exactly sure what these are but am assuming thus far that they have something to do with automobile tabs and the fuel and mileage rationing.  These are all inside the ration booklet.  The one below say '43' and the one above '44.'  The 44 one is much more clear on this side even though I believe this is

Below is a sheet of paper that was included which showed them attempting to keep track of the amounts used.  It sounds as though sometimes they sent the rationing booklet along with someone else or sent the coupons/stamps to the merchants and then checked them over for accuracy at the return.  At this time Herman and Susan and their son Carl all lived on the farm.  Their other three children were scattered around the country.