Dual-purpose post

Sat., February 8, 2003 - Talked to Greta in late p.m.  No juicy gossip!

Sun., February 9, 2003 - Nancy brought a chicken dinner from Popeye's.  She helped rearrange some shelves in hall area. Couldn't stay long -- Jeff was coming for some legal matter.

Mon., February 10, 2003 - Played cards in evening.  Nine players there -  Helen Donaldson, Dolores Ulrich, Grace Ryan, Ethel Sovereign, Wayne Baldwin, Sam Eaton, Bob Burdick, John Ross, and myself. 

Interesting that Grandma felt a need to name the card players.  Maybe that was an exceptionally big group.  Or, she wanted to fill some space.

I've delayed this post for reasons soon to be made obvious.  First, I will note that today is Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary.  I hope it was as lovely a day then as we are having now.

And the reason for delaying (not that I don't go long between posts anyway) is still the shock and sadness of losing Bill.  There are no guarantees in this life, but I for one was sure we would have him for another 10 years at least.  He was otherwise so healthy and vigorous and until recently, very much his usual jovial and lovable self.  We will miss him terribly.  It was very humbling to see the crowd that came from near and far to attend his funeral.  And Jayson did such a good job speaking under such sad circumstances.

I bet they were funny

Thurs., January 9, 2003 - Made hamburger soup for supper.  Tom here for the usual - laundry, etc.

Fri., January 10, 2003 - This evening saw a VCR of Victor Borge and one of Ray Stevens singing.  Both funny.

Sat., January 11, 2003 - Talked to Greta - nothing exciting happening in Winside.  Maryan C. brought me some upside down pineapple cake - real tasty.  She stayed & talked for a time. 

Ah, Victor Borge.  I wish I had a dime for every time I've laughed at his work.  Such a great talent.  I don't know who remembers, but he and Grandpa died on the same day.  Not just the same day on the calendar, but both on December 23, 2000.  

Here's a little from wikipedia:

Victor Borge was born Børge Rosenbaum on 3 January 1909 in Copenhagen, Denmark, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family. His parents, Bernhard and Frederikke (née Lichtinger) Rosenbaum, were both musicians: his father a violist in the Royal Danish Orchestra, and his mother a pianist.  Borge began piano lessons at the age of two, and it was soon apparent that he was a prodigy. He gave his first piano recital when he was eight years old, and in 1918 (age 9) was awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.

Borge played his first major concert in 1926 at the Danish Odd Fellow Palæet (The Odd Fellow's Lodge building) concert hall. After a few years as a classical concert pianist, he started his now famous "stand-up" act, with the signature blend of piano music and jokes. Borge started touring extensively in Europe, where he began telling anti-Nazi jokes.

When the German armed forces occupied Denmark on 9 April 1940, during World War II, Borge was playing a concert in Sweden and managed to escape to Finland.  He travelled to America on the United States Army transport American Legion, the last neutral ship to make it out of Petsamo, Finland, and arrived 28 August 1940, with only $20 (about $365 today), with $3 going to the customs fee. Disguised as a sailor, Borge returned to Denmark once during the occupation to visit his dying mother.

Even though Borge did not speak a word of English upon arrival, he quickly managed to adapt his jokes to the American audience, learning English by watching movies. He took the name of Victor Borge, and in 1941, he started on Rudy Vallee's radio show. He was hired soon after by Bing Crosby for his Kraft Music Hall program.

Borge quickly rose to fame, winning Best New Radio Performer of the Year in 1942. Soon after the award, he was offered film roles with stars such as Frank Sinatra (in Higher and Higher). While hosting The Victor Borge Show on NBC beginning in 1946, he developed many of his trademarks, including repeatedly announcing his intent to play a piece but getting "distracted" by something or other, making comments about the audience, or discussing the usefulness of Chopin's "Minute Waltz" as an egg timer. He would also start out with some well-known classical piece like Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and suddenly move into a harmonically similar pop or jazz tune, such as Cole Porter's "Night and Day" or "Happy Birthday to You."

Borge appeared on Toast of the Town hosted by Ed Sullivan several times during 1948. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States the same year. He started the Comedy in Music show at John Golden Theatre in New York City on 2 October 1953. Comedy in Music became the longest running one-man show in the history of theater with 849 performances when it closed on 21 January 1956, a feat which placed it in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Continuing his success with tours and shows, Borge played with and conducted orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and London Philharmonic. Always modest, he felt honored when he was invited to conduct the Royal Danish Orchestra at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1992.

His later television appearances included his "Phonetic Punctuation" routine on The Electric Company in a filmed sketch. He would also use this sketch on The Electric Company's LP record to follow, during its "Punctuation" song. In addition, he appeared several times on Sesame Street, and he was a guest star during the fourth season of The Muppet Show.

Victor Borge continued to tour until his last days, performing up to 60 times per year when he was 90 years old.

Borge made several appearances on the TV show What's My Line?, both as a celebrity panelist, and as a contestant with the occupation "poultry farmer" (the latter was not a comedy routine; as a business venture, Borge raised and popularized Rock Cornish game hens starting in the 1950s).

Borge helped start several trust funds, including the Thanks to Scandinavia Fund, which was started in dedication to those who helped the Jews escape the German persecution during the war.

Aside from his musical work, Borge wrote three books, My Favorite Intermissions and My Favorite Comedies in Music (both with Robert Sherman), and the autobiography Smilet er den korteste afstand ("The Smile is the Shortest Distance") with Niels-Jørgen Kaiser.

On 23 December 2000, Borge died in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the age of 91, after 75 years of entertaining. He died peacefully in his sleep a day after returning from a concert in Denmark. "It was just his time to go," Frederikke Borge said. "He's been missing my mother terribly." (His wife had died only three months earlier.)

Per Borge's wishes, his connection to both the United States and Denmark was marked by having part of his ashes interred at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich, with a replica of the iconic Danish statue The Little Mermaid sitting on a large rock at the grave site, and the other part in Western Jewish Cemetery (Mosaisk Vestre Begravelsesplads), Copenhagen.

And I'll just leave that right there.  (No disrespect to the very funny guy, Ray Stevens but I had to go with something about Victor.)

Poor parenting?

Sat., November 16, 2002 - Dale came to see me at 8:00 a.m.  Mitch & Anna came in the morning also.  Tom & Mary came in early afternoon and Nancy came after the football game was over.  She stopped at my place & picked up some things I needed.  Tom, Anna, Mitch & Nancy ate at the cafeteria.  Everybody left by 7:30.
Sunday, November 17, 2002 - Mary & the kids came after early church.  Greta came about 10:00.  Dale here too in the morning.  Tom was here from about 10:30 to 12:45.  Greta, Mary, Mitch, Anna & Nancy ate in the cafeteria.  Bill, Jenny & Patty came in mid-afternoon.  Nancy left about 8:00.  Every day blood was taken for testing.  I evidently had a heart attack several weeks ago.  I'm also hooked up to a heart monitor.  Had an IV one day.
Monday, November 18, 2002 - Nancy came at 6:30 & Dale at about 8:00.  Talked to all 3 doctors & will get a pacemaker on Tuesday.  Nancy called Greta, Tom, Bill, Mary and Ray.  More x-rays were taken.  Mary here at noon.  Dale, Dane & Kyleah here about 5:00 p.m.  Mary & kids here at 6:00 & Tom here at 7:00.

Good heavens.  Did I just drop my kids off on a Saturday morning and go on my way?  Mitch would have been 11 and able to locate a hospital room on his own with Anna in tow, but still.  Hopefully at the very least I had something important to do and came up to say hi and then left.  Egads.

For no particular reason, here is a fun photo of Grandpa and Tom.  I sure miss that place.

A bit less hectic

Tues., September 24, 2002 - Played Seven-Up this evening, I won a game.  Delores fed us pie and ice cream.  She came here afterwards -- brought some tomatoes -- we played 2 games of Rummikub.  I forgot to call the "van line" so at last minute Grace took me to the "beauty college" & Mary came after me.
Wed., September 25, 2002 - To Book Club in evening.  Just Bob Johnson, Virginia, Carol Jean & I were there.
Thurs., September 26, 2002 - Myrtle called this morning.  Tom & Raymond Iversen here this evening.  Tom brought food from Applebee's -- really good.  I showered & we played Rummikub.  Since Nancy had attended to the laundry Sunday there wasn't enough for Tom to do.

For no real reason, here's a photo of Grandpa and Uncle Raymond.  I love their bare feet and Uncle Raymond's curled toes -- must have been very good sweet corn.

I'd sleep, too

Sat., September 21, 2002 - Left at 8:00 for Lincoln.  Went to Nancy's first and then they brought me to the apt.  We got Raymond and then we went to Valentino's for dinner.  Too much good food to choose from.  They then took me to my apt. and went their way.  Raymond was going back to Winside with Greta.  Greta did some shopping and saw her "kids".  I slept the rest of the day!
Sun., September 22, 2002 - Jean Hansen called.  Luayne was in Lincoln and she called just to visit.  I called Ray & Aileen -- yesterday was Aileen's birthday and their 55th wedding anniversary.  Nancy came at noon -- had cornbread for dinner.  Usual shower, etc.  She also did the laundry.
Mon., September 23, 2002 - Membership meeting tonight -- so no cards.  Had apple pie a la mode for lunch -- real good.

More being busy for Grandma.  It's a wonder we didn't wear her out completely once she moved down to Lincoln.  I can say with confidence that she didn't mind and told us if she wasn't up to our taking her hither and yon.

Added this photo because of the mention of Uncle Raymond and because I miss all these wonderful people.

Now what??

Sun., March 21, 1937 - Left for Pete's at 9:00.  Had a blow-out 3 miles east on the highway.  Met the folks at the South school & went with them.  Went over to Rews for supper.  Jensens, Iversens & we were the guests.  Had a very delicious meal.
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Wed., March 24, 1937 - Howard over to Holtgrews his a.m.  To Wayne this p.m. with Lettman.  Started to snow about 2:30 -- a regular blizzard by evening.
Thurs., March 25, 1937 - Clear and thawing.  Howard went over to Holtgrews to finish working on the tractor this p.m.

I wonder how, in the days before cell phones, that Grandma and Grandpa managed to meet up with Grandpa's parents (I'm guessing) after having a blow-out.  All sorts of ways how it could have worked out, but I'm curious nonetheless.  Problem is, I'll never know.

I titled this "Now what??" because I believe I am at the end of Grandma's diaries from the 1930's.  I know there's nothing more for 1937 in this particular diary because I paged through to the very end.  So, it is up to me to figure out where I left off when I diverged from when she was living in Lincoln to back when she was a young, unmarried lady.  Who knows how long it will take me to find the spot I need and then find the right journal to pick up there I left off.  I vow to try to make it sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, and I do hope it's a short break, here is a photo of Grandma's door tag from the Pioneer House.  As some will recall, she voluntarily took part in a little scheme to check on some of the residents living there.  In the morning, those with tags were to put them on the outside doorknob of their unit.  Then, a volunteer would check all the participating doorknobs to look for tags.  A tag showing would mean the resident was up and about and okay.  If one was not visible, the resident would be called or a knock made on the door just to be sure all was well.  The tag was to be brought back inside each evening.

When we were cleaning out Grandma's unit after she died, I decided to take her tag.  When I see it, I am reminded that everything is okay.  And I rather like that.

Capper's Weekly

Thurs., March 18, 1937 - Howard & Raymond finished hauling wood this morning.  They took the tractor over to Holtgrews this afternoon.  I subscribed for Capper's Weekly.
Fri., March 19, 1937 - Howard at Holtgrews working on tractor.  Started to snow at noon.  Howard went to town this p.m. to get corn for chickens.  Quite a blizzard by evening -- not very cold though.
Sat., March 20, 1937 - Received an apron from Irene today.  We went to town this afternoon.  Clear & thawing today.  Mom has my sweater just about done.  Over to Howard's folks this evening.  Had to walk down the east hill because of the snow that drifted in there yesterday.

I have some fond memories of Capper's Weekly.  I remember looking at it, specifically the recipes and the patterns that you could order.  I had a subscription back in the day, but no new subscription for me now.  It ended publication in 1986.  You can find single edition copies and patterns and cookbooks on eBay, however.  There is a current publication called Capper's Farmer which is under the umbrella of "Grit", as was Capper's Weekly.

I have quite a few of the patterns that Grandma and Mom used to have.  I've made things from them, too, but even if I hadn't or didn't have future plans to do so, I'd probably hold on to them anyway.  It's what I do.

The boys

Mon., March 15, 1937 - Howard cutting wood today.  Tonite we went to Wayne with Raymond & Helen.  The Wayne IOOF had a play & program.
Tues., March 16, 1937 - Baked 2 pies & a cake.  We went to town tonite with Raymond.  The boys had to see about getting a truck to haul wood -- they loaded the wagon too heavy & broke a wheel on the way home.
Wed., March 17, 1937 - Bill Loebsack hauled the wood today.  The boys have to go back tomorrow because his truck wouldn't hold all of it.

I'm guessing Grandma is referring to Grandpa and Uncle Raymond as "the boys".  I've not heard them called that before.

I didn't know before that the Odd Fellows started across the pond, but now I do.  From wikipedia:

"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a non-political and non-sectarian international secret society and fraternal order of Odd Fellowship. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Evolving from the Order of Odd Fellows founded in England during the 1700s, the IOOF was originally chartered by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity in England but has operated as an independent organization since 1842, although it maintains an inter-fraternal relationship with the English Order. The order is also known as the Triple Link Fraternity, referring to the order's "Triple Links" symbol, alluding to its motto "Friendship, Love and Truth".

While several unofficial Odd Fellows lodges had existed in New York City circa 1806-1818, because of its charter relationship, the American Odd Fellows is regarded as being founded with Washington Lodge No 1 in Baltimore at the Seven Stars Tavern on April 26, 1819, by Thomas Wildey along with some associates who assembled in response to an advertisement in the New Republic. The following year, the lodge affiliated with the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity and was granted the authority to institute new lodges. Previously, Wildey had joined the Grand United Order of Oddfellows (1798-) in 1804 but followed through with the split of Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity (1810-) before immigrating to the United States in 1817.

In 1842, after an elementary dispute on authority, the American Lodges formed a governing system separate from the English Order, and in 1843 assumed the name Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows became the first fraternity in the United States to include both men and women when it adopted the "Beautiful Rebekah Degree" on September 20, 1851, by initiative of Schuyler Colfax, later Vice-President of the United States.

Beyond fraternal and recreational activities, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows promotes the ethic of reciprocity and charity, by implied inspiration of Judeo-Christian ethics. The largest Sovereign Grand Lodge of all fraternal orders of Odd Fellows since the 19th century, it enrolls some 600,000 members divided in approximately 10,000 lodges in 26 countries, inter-fraternally recognised by the second largest, the British-seated Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity."

Photo from cheatsheet.com

More woodcutting and more cards

Fri., March 12, 1937 - Howard cutting wood all day.  Elmer & Myrtle came about 10:30.  Elmer went to town & Myrtle stayed here.  Snowed off & on about all day.  To lodge tonite.
Sat., March 13, 1937 - Cleaned the house this a.m.  We went to town about 1:30.  I got a new pair of everyday slippers.  Went to Mrs. Wolff's with lodge work & then up home.  We received a rose bedspread, a wedding present, from Trena & Mildred in the mail.
Sun., March 14, 1937 - Nobody here all day.  Howard and I played Pinochle this afternoon and evening.  We were over home a few minutes this p.m.  Helen got a gift for me to give Gertie in Norfolk yesterday.

I am not sure who Mildred is, but Trena would be the wife of Andrew Andersen, first cousin to William Andersen.  I really like the idea of getting a gift the March after a June wedding.  Busy people put in extra time to make something for the new couple.  Would loved to have seen the bedspread.  (I just plucked a photo off the internet to add here; photo from Pinterest.com)

I don't know who Gertie is.

Visiting and chopping wood

Tues., March 9, 1937 - I baked bread and cinnamon rolls.  Howard was gone this afternoon cutting wood at Hendricksons.  Howard wanted to go to Holtgrews but I didn't because I didn't have a clean dress.
Wed., March 10, 1937 - Howard gone all day cutting wood.  We went to Holtgrews tonite -- they weren't home so we went to Carl Troutmans.  Played Pinochle -- home about 12:00.
Thus., March 11, 1937 - Howard cutting wood again today.  I ironed most of the day.  Crocheted while the irons were heating.  The gas iron wouldn't work.

I find it fascinating that in these days, people just up and went visiting in the hopes that whoever they planned to see was home.  I guess it meant you always had to have your house ready for company and perhaps always had something on hand for a little treat or snack.  And coffee, maybe?

I'm glad Grandpa got to cut lots of wood.  I hoped he enjoyed doing it in 1937 as he did much later in life.

Canning stuff

Sat., March 6, 1937 - Finished rendering out the lard.  Got all the meat canned except head cheese & liver sausage.  Absolutely hot outside all day.  Howard hauled the straw from Chris' old place.  I helped unload it.  Took Mom home tonite.
Sun., March 7, 1937 - Howard fixed a rack for the canner & partitions for silverware drawer.  I canned 8 half-pints of head cheese & 4 of liver sausage.  Leo, Nels, Raymond & Helen here this evening.  We played cards & popped popcorn.
Mon., March 8, 1937 - Howard's Uncle Nels from Colorado, his dad, & Raymond were here for dinner today.  I put the meat in brine this morning.  Howard to lodge with Mike & Art.

I've heard family members talk about head cheese but do not recall anyone mentioning home-canned liver sausage.  Sounds rather interesting, I must say.

I remember hearing of Uncle Nels of Colorado, but am short on details.  I will have to do a little research.  Is this him in the photo on the left with Grandpa Peter Iversen on the right?

Oh, dear

Wed., March 3, 1937 - We took the meat down to Elmer & Myrtle today.  We ran out of gas just before going in to August's pasture.  I got tired of waiting for Howard to hunt up gas & walked over home.
Thurs., March 4, 1937 - Howard helped me cut up the meat this morning.  I cleaned up the house this afternoon.
Fri., March 5, 1937 - Howard went in this morning after Mom.  We got quite a bit done today with the meat.

I wonder if Grandpa had a moment of panic when he got back to the car and Grandma was gone.  Or maybe she warned him she might not wait.  In any event, it seems somewhat un-Grandma-ish to just take off.  Apparently he didn't hold any sort of grudge as he was helping her the next morning with the meat and went to get Grandma Anna the next day.  I wonder what they talked about, if anything.

Pound shower?

Sun., February 28, 1937 - We went to church.  Stayed after church for the pound shower & dinner for Rev. Knaub, the new minister.  Over to Graef's tonite for Raymond G.'s birthday with the kids.
Mon., March 1, 1937 - Baked 2 cakes but neither was very good.  We went to installation with the folks.  Wayne installed for both Reb. & Odd Fellows.
Tues., March 2, 1937 - We went over home to butcher.  I expected Myrtle to be there but she stayed home to bake bread.  They butchered 3 hogs.  We get a half & a quarter.

I had to do a search and am not sure, but I think a pound shower is where you bring a pound of something.  Perhaps this was a welcoming gift for Rev. Knaub?  I had not heard of such a thing before but it's a neat idea, I think.

Here's me today for the photo.  I got a new haircut just an hour ago.  Don't count on it looking like this again, though.

A birthday slipped by

Thurs., February 25, 1937 - Nicer today.  This is Irene's birthday.  I should write because she sent me a card and a letter for mine.  Too tired today to do much.
Fri., February 26, 1937 - We went to lodge tonite -- ran out of gas near Oscar Mann's.  Howard had to go up there to get some.
Sat., February 27, 1937 - Took our first eggs to sell to town today.  Also some cream, the washing, and bread to bake.  I was invited to a shower in Wayne today for Gertie Most but couldn't go.

Why did Grandma take bread to town to bake, I wonder.

I can't believe she hadn't already written a letter to Aunt Irene in anticipation of her birthday.  Maybe Grandma was really busy.

Look at those gams!!

Skipping ahead a bit

Mon., February 22, 1937 - Went with Howard over to Chris & Clara's to help move.  We packed fruit jars this morning.  I stayed all night.
Tues., February 23, 1937 - Packing! & more packing.  I went home with Howard tonite.  We got a grant check for $16 today.
Wed., February 24, 1937 - Jo helped today at Clara's too.  We were over to the new place & had dinner at 12:00.  Cold & windy with occasional snow flurries.

That was a pretty good grant check, I think.  I did a little looking online and it appears the buying power of $16 in 1937 equates to about $280 in 2018.

I will have to remember to ask where Uncle Chris and Aunt Clara were moving from and moving to.

I still like this photo of (l. to r.) Aunt Irene, Aunt Helen and Aunt Clara.

We kids?

Sat., February 6, 1937 - I baked a cake and fried a chicken to take to Clara's tomorrow.
Sun., February 7, 1937 - We went to Jensen's this morning.  From there Mike, Jo, Helen, Raymond & we kids went in the bobsled to Clara's for her birthday.
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Fri., February 12, 1937 - Baked cakes today to serve at lodge tonite.  Helen, Raymond, & we kids went to lodge with Mike & Jo in their car.

Is Grandma referring to her and Grandpa as "we kids"?  If so, I'm loving it.

Birthday celebration, and what I hope was a lovely bobsled ride aside, I must share the "fun" I had this morning.

I should have been soundly sleeping at 4:00 a.m. but that was not the case because the one dog was barking incessantly starting at about that same time.  Normally I would go out and see what the problem was, but the smell of skunk spray was already in the house, so I knew what was making the hound bark.  Our closest neighbors are far enough away that the barking wouldn't be bothering them so I wasn't being inconsiderate.  I figured I would not have to go out and deal with the skunk at all as it certainly would soon tire of the noise and wander off.  Wrong. 

I opted to pass on my second hitting of the snooze button around 5:40 a.m. and instead wandered out in the dark with my headlamp for light.  Turns out the poor skunk got itself into the dog's pen and could not get itself out.  So, Roscoe had it in a corner of the pen, barking in its face.  Thankfully it was in a corner with a gate.  Unfortunately, the gate is rarely used and the grass has grown up around the bottom a bit, making it unclear to me if I can even get it open with the speed I am hoping for.

Here's a mental picture --- me, in my nightgown, light strapped to my forehead, at the corner of the fence.  I am trying to get the dog to stop being so excited about its treasure to let me grab his collar on one side of the corner while I'm stretched against the fence trying to keep myself as far from the skunk as possible while reaching for the latch just around the corner on the adjoining side of the pen so the stinky thing can find its way out. 

Remarkably, luck was on my side and the dog let me hold him, the gate did open somewhat, and the confused and likely tired skunk pushed itself right out and wandered off.  Instant silence, but the fog of skunk perfume was still in the air so I have no idea if the dog got himself sprayed or not. 

Don't let anyone tell you I don't live a fascinating life.  I should also mention the female dog was wisely hid inside the garage, as far away as she could get from the noise and smell.  Smart dog. 

Photo from abcwildlife.com

The winter that won't let up

Wed., February 3, 1937 - Snowing & windy today.  It's impossible to go after the car.
Thurs., February 4, 1937 - Jo & Mike brought our mail tonite.  About half on hour after they came Raymond, Helen & Bess came.  The girls had walked all the way from Rews.  The weather was too bad yesterday on my birthday so they came tonite.  Mike & Jo didn't know they (the girls) were going to come tonite.  So we were all surprised.
Fri., February 5, 1937 - Howard went over home to see about taking the tractor to get our car but decided it was too cold.

While it's not fun to swelter in summer heat, it surely doesn't sound like the extreme opposite in 1937 was any better.  Nice, though, that Grandma got a bit of a surprise, well two maybe, for her birthday.

And here's a photo of a birthday 68 years later, Grandma's last as it turned out.  Gosh, but I still miss her so much.

New one for me

Mon., January 25, 1937 - Mike over this a.m. to see if Howard would go to town with him tomorrow.  Raymond brought our mail this evening.  Howard feeling better today. Clear - quiet.
Tues., January 26, 1937 - August here to see Howard this a.m.  Howard went over to Jensen's when August left & went to town with Mike.  Clear -- wind in south.
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Tues., February 2, 1937 - We went to town today - second time for me this year.  Coming home our car stopped half way up Hagleman's hill.  Cold wind from the south.  They took us as far as Jensen's stubble field & we walked the rest of the way home.

I don't know that I've heard of Hagleman's hill.

I wonder if Grandma was getting a bit of cabin fever having not been to Winside hardly at all in 1937.  I think I would have.

For no particular reason, a nice photo of Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Raymond.

Grandpa sick and wonderful 2018 news

Fri., January 22, 1937 - Howard was down to Vahlkamps and over home today.  They're busy over there scooping out roads again.
Sat., January 23, 1937 - August Vahlkamp & his team & Howard & his lumber wagon went to town.  Howard brought home chicken feed.  He had chills & a headache when he came home.  We each had a hot drink & greased ourselves.
Sun., January 24, 1937 - Howard went to town with August again -- brought home some coal.  Also oysters, frozen fish & soup beef.  We had the oysters for supper -- also a hot drink before retiring. 

I wonder if the hot drink was warmed blackberry brandy.  I don't know that anyone ever warmed it, but I do know that it was Grandpa's cure-all for what ails you.  Or maybe just one of his cure-alls, I'm not sure.

Friday over lunch at Mom's, we were treated with the news that Dane and Alison are expecting a little one in April.  Sooooo very excited and happy for them!  If Dane had only provided me with the wedding photos reprints I ordered, I could post a wedding photo of the two of them.  I must admit, his delay in getting them to me only proves we are closely related.  As it is, here's a photo from their trip to Europe last year.

What a winter!

Tues., January 19, 1937 - Men finished opening the road to town.  I went home with Carl & Dorothy about 4:30.  Howard came after me about 6:30.  We stayed for supper.  Talked until 10:30 after we got home.
Wed., January 20, 1937 - Howard was going to town with the Ford but about 9:00 a.m. the wind began to blow & by noon the roads were blocked -- a heck of a note!
Thurs., January 21, 1937 - Howard scooped out the silo.  Clear and quiet.  Impossible to go to town since the wind blew so hard yesterday.

It's bad enough now when the road crews have to go out to clear and then have to do it all over again fairly soon, but this was much worse.  What a mess.

Here's a photo of me last winter on a particularly cold day.  Have fogged up glasses, frost in my hair and on my hat, and hay on my face.  Who says I don't have a good time?