4th of July rolled around again

July 2, 2002:  Dolores came in evening -- played Rummikub.
July 3, 2002:  Mary took me to hair dresser.  Nancy came in evening and I showered.
July 4, 2002:  Nancy and I went to Winside.  Then to Ramon's place for the family picnic.  It was a wonderful day.  There were at least 48 people there.  Norris and Vicki were there.  Also Vicki's parents and her sister and husband.  They had been to Colorado for Dawn's wedding.  Mary, Mitch and Anna were there -- so was Bill.  Stayed at Greta's for the night.

That was a pretty good crowd for the 4th of July.  I still remember very distinctly the picnics out at Uncle Elmer's; mainly the new potatoes, Aunt Myrtle's raspberries, and Dora often bringing a new card game to play.  Due to being a bit of an island, age-wise, I usually hung out with the adults.  I am glad I did since that group has left and is leaving us while the ones younger than I are around to visit with now.

This photo isn't from Uncle Elmer's place, but I am betting it was from some 4th of July.  It never fails to crack me up.

Found the book!

"June 30, 1992:  Norris, Vicki and Ann N. visited here in p.m.
July 3, 1992:  Nancy came at noon.  We fixed food for tomorrow -- played Manipulation in evening.
July 4, 1992:  Picnic at Dorothy Jo's.  Those present:  Norris, Vicki, Ann; Ramon and Linda; Myrtle, Gaylord, Lois, Mark and Jeff; Irene; Bernie, Carol, Kris and Ryan; Marvin, Betty Ann; Linda and Christopher; Gary A., Jennifer and Karen; Kevin and Mary; Betty Jo; Rick, Mary, Mitch; Greta and Lester; Helen and John; Nancy; Howard and I; Bob, Mary and Michelle.  Lloyd in hospital for tests, an irregular heart beat."

Grandma had a new line in her book for each family unit so her list looks more impressive.  But it was still a pretty good-sized bunch that year.  And we just had our early 4th this last weekend.  Wunnerful.

I have pictures of Christopher from this particular 4th, but I gave them to Linda a while ago.  And of course, I don't know where the photos I kept are at the moment.  This photo is of a different branch of the family tree and may or may not have been taken on the 4th but I simply love it, so I am posting it.  I don't care if I've used it before or not.  Love it!  Love it!

A different sort of quilt

"July 12, 1990:  Helen, John, Irene, Raymond and Marina here in p.m.  Ladies played King's Wild.  Greta here and the others for supper.
July 19, 1990:  Put Mary's baby quilt in the frame.
July 18, 1990:  Norris, Vicky, Dawn and Ann here in p.m."

Nevermind the cards or the company -- in between all the visitors and upcoming centennial celebration, Grandma found time to put my baby's quilt in the frame!  Awww.  It is a baby-sized quilt, but still.  Mitch used it when he was little, but it didn't become a drag-behind blanket for him so it is still in great shape.  He is off living on his own now, but I have the quilt for safekeeping.  I will give it to him one day.

I found a couple of boxes of photos and briefly sorted through some before work yesterday.  Then I looked at those I thought I might use for this blog a little more closely and got a bit emotional.  There is one of Grandma at her last birthday party and one at the last alumni banquet she went to.  She looks so happy and healthy in both photos.  The realization that she died less than a year after they were taken caught me off-guard and I had to blink fast there for awhile.  To counteract that sadness, I picked a photo for today that makes me smile -- Grandpa and Mitch, apparently sharing a laugh.