Last week my sister Dolly and her husband Steve, and Gary and I and Beau met at the coast and enjoyed a stormy, windy, suddenly sunny day together. Isn’t life like that? At once we expect one thing , and then another appears.
Category: Love and Family
Reminiscing
I am reminiscing a lot, because I am thinking of Jimmy’s health challenges and how I have so many good memories with him and want to make more! As with life in general these days, recuperation will doubtless take hard work, and there is no harder worker than Jimmy, except for maybe Lynda! I am also in the midst of cleaning my house and decluttering and there is one area I am going back to again and again, but slowly. I will unlikely ever have the collection of photos, tapes, artwork, books, videos, memorabilia in general in true order, but I am progressing. Attempting to make a little order out of chaos 😉
I hope you all had a chance to listen to our Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman during the inauguration . If you haven’t you MUST! Look her up on YouTube. I have ordered a copy of her upcoming children’s book.
Ok , here are some very cute photos, and I hope to add more. Ruth and Scott sent me the darling picture of Jimmy with Rachel, Ruthie and Geoffrey on his cozy lap. 🙂 Our family has a rich history and it is good to share.
3 Stories
Bandits
Our morning routine while working on Pa’s grandma’s old house is to get up early, have a cup of tea with toast and head out to the nearby grassy field to let Beau go for a run and go potty . Then , time allowing we continue our walk through the neighborhoods where Pa grew up and knows so well . Of course , we always have our masks with us , though not on as we seldom meet others . But if we do , we don’t approach them and /or we give people space . So today, we were walking down the sidewalk when we saw in the near distance an older man approaching . On our right was a narrow walkway/alley Pa pulled us over to , but as we were managing to get our masks on – another group at the other end of the alley appeared and waved at us – apparently it was probably their private walk . Not knowing for sure what to do, masks on – we stealthily hustled out of there – just as the older man was right in front of us . I have never felt more like a bandit .
Rhodies
Almost every home in the old neighborhoods of Corvallis is blessed with a beautiful tree and there are many examples of lush landscape designs , often featuring a big rhododendron . We are planning to redo the front of Grandma’s yard , reviving what is there and bringing new plants eventually . I am not sure if it was Pa’s thriftiness that made him suggest we could just go up in the forest and dig up a big rhody and if he really thought that was a good idea , but I told him “that has got to be illegal” . He’s still the guy I fell in love with who lived in a hidden treehouse. I think I am more sensible, and thriftier, and will just dig up some plants from our own overgrown yard in Entiat .
Scrappiness
This fixing up the old family home has been both rewarding and challenging . The yard was a jungle of blackberry brambles, overgrown laurel trees, and neglected lilacs, ferns, hydrangeas and unknown shrubs and is now a fairly blank canvas . The basement and garage were rat and possum habitats, and are now neatly ( for the time being ) arranged shops with old tools and treasures from the generations of mechanics who have lived here . The house itself is around 100 years old , built with long grain wood floors , high ceilings , plastered walls and interesting woodwork – all in need of care and love. Painting the exterior has been our primary goal , and after a pro painter hemmed and hawed about how much the tedium of hand scraping the peeling surfaces would cost, Pa decided we would paint the house ourselves . The color scheme was chosen and with the help of our three sons , work began . 3 weeks later, we were nearly finished . One flaw remained . There is a little back entryway outcropping built of flimsy wood that had a gaping hole made by who know what – an angry boot? A hungry rodent? An errant ball? On one of our trips to Home Depot , I was done with my shopping , waiting at the checkout area when Pa came along with a few items in the cart and a large sheet of what I assumed was plywood for patching . But when the checker was ready to scan it , he told her he had come across it in the aisle and that it was packing material – and on better inspection – it was a very flimsy sheet just barely a grade higher than cardboard – but hey – thriftiness wins again !
“when in doubt, do the right thing”
As I organize papers from the past, a task slowly taken, I find stories, letters, drawings, and momentos that make me realize what a fortunate life I have lead. Thankfulness for the precious wisdom passed down from those no longer on this earth is the emotion that I recently uncovered. In November of 1997, Ben had written to Grandpa Fred regarding his career, and likely as part of a school assignment. What follows is Gpa’s response. I hope it gives you encouragement, confidence, and reinforcement of your work.
“Dear Benjamin,
Thank you for your E-mail. As you know, I have been retired for five years. I retired on October 30, 1992. Since I have held a number of jobs during my working career, I will write chiefly about my last one with the Federal Aviation Administration.”
(Grandpa then goes on to list the various duties of his job, and the training required for it, and the pros and cons of the job. Ben’s questions must have included one on advice, and here is Grandpa’s response.)
The most important factor is to enter a field that has a great attraction for you. To be happy in your work, do what you want to do. If you work just to make money, your work will be drudgery.
After you are in the job, try to increase your competence to perform that job in every way possible.
Work hard. Do the very best that you possibly can in performing the job, evey if it means working overtime without an expectation of extra pay or rewards. …
Have integrity. In other words, “when in doubt, do the right thing”. At times, this is difficult, because it may seem that taking the “right” course of action is not in your best interests. In the final analysis, however, being a person of integrity will be recognized by other people, both on and off the job, and will pay off in both material and non-material ways.
Have a happy personality. Be out-going and friendly.
Always strive for perfection. Of course, it is impossible to achieve that, but try to come as close to it as you can. In the Federal Aviation, we had a “Zero-Defects” program. No one completely achieved all of the objectives of the program, but we all tried to come as close to it as humanly possible.
(and then Ben asks Grandpa about his “dream job”)
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to fly. How I was able to achieve that goal was a combination of striving, fate, and pure blind luck. At age twenty-two, I had been farming for five years. I was pretty well reconciled to a future of farming. Then, on December 7, 1941, the United States got into World War II and very soon I was classsified as 1-A by my draft board. Well, I wasn’t going to wait around to be drafted, so I enlisted in the Army Air Corps, (the original Air Force) That is what started it all. I began to see my dreams realized, and the continued to be realized until I retired from the FAA on Octber 31, 1992, at age seventy-four. In short, I wanted to fly, and I got to do it ‘IN SPADES.”
Well, Ben, that’s a very brief account of my working ( it really wasn’t work to me ) careet. I hope you can use my story.
Love,
G.P. Fred
Making Do and Hanging On
The end of February, 2009 and I can almost smell the garden when I go out the door. The weather hasn’t stabilized yet, and we could even get snow again tonight, but little greens are growing both in the homemade greenhouse and in the recently constructed coldframe. I haven’t gone outside yet this morning to check on the baby greens, but I feel that a little chill won’t hurt them as long as they are under the protection of their covers. There is something corollary about the hardening off of plants, and the hardships of life that gives strength to the individual.
I have been reading the book “”Making Do and Hanging On,” with the subtitle “Growing Up in the Apple Country Through the Great Depression”, by Bruce Foxworthy. I feel honored to learn about the challenges that the generation that grew up during the 30’s has to share with us. The history of Entiat is very young, and Mr. Foxworthy’s family epitomized the kind of people that lived by principles of hard work and honesty that living in a beautiful but harsh environment required. I can say that I have met no more friendly and giving people than those from that generation, and from this valley. As we and our children’s generation are entering our own hard times ahead, I hope that we can thrive and come out even stronger than before. In a way, (as I was telling Ruthie last night) I am kind of looking forward to a Depression.
You are all invited to attend a program at the Entiat Public Library (or the Entiat Grange if need be) featuring Bruce Foxworthy on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM. He stopped by the library the other day to donate a book to the branch and we arranged a date for him to speak. The next week, Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 PM we are hosting Carl Allen who performs Woody Guthrie songs of the Depression era, as well as the song Roll On, Columbia – Washington’s State Song.
Picking Plums
Don’t you love the way he gracefully picks the plums from the tree? The trick to growing a good Italian Plum tree is so simple. Plant one or find one where it happens to be, and when the season arrives, pick the fruit. The birds will eat a few, but happily, bugs don’t seem to like them very much. We have found that the fruit is most easily preserved by drying it. A simple commercial dryer works great. This year we are experimenting with putting sliced fruit in the greenhouse on a piece of screening. On a hot day, the temperature in the greenhouse gets up above 120 degrees. The texture of the finished dried fruit is nicer than in the electric dryer. Later in the year I will use the fruit in fruitcakes and breads, or just as a snack with nuts. I’m interested in more ways to use it. Sometimes I wish I had a cook living with us so I could just grow the garden and fruit trees, harvest and preserve the produce and someone else would make delicious meals or treats with it. Anyone interested??
Pops said he knows just what it feels like to be pregnant when he wears the pickin basket. I appreciate that he tries to imagine what it must feel like.
What can a mother say?
My mama was and is a beautiful shining star. This mother’s day I want to once again share her wisdom with you, my children and loved ones. I feel a great joy in sensing that she is aware of her beautiful grandchildren and now little great grandchildren. These words have been directed just as truly to you as to each of us. The best I can give you is written here.
“My darling children,
If anything should happen to me there are a few things I should like to suggest you think about.
First, you can never know how very greatly God has favored me in giving me not one but five of the most lovely and talented children I have ever seen. I feel very humble and yet very honored that He should consider me the one worthy of being your Mother. Always honor Him and know that the answer to every problem you may have is to be found in the Bible if you read it wanting to accept His word for what you should do rather than your own.
Try to make all your decisions on information you can assemble and then of your own free will decide the best course of action. Dream and spend some time alone – reassembling your thoughts, verify your ideals, and establish the best method of achieving what you want of life.
I have great confidence in all of you. You must love others but be self sufficient and able to carry on alone, should the need arise. Remember – God says, “Lo, I am with you always” You must be able to adjust to any and all situations.
Have compassion for all who are less strong than you – give them some of your strength. Use your talents fully.
Believe that everything works for good if you believe in God. Don’t dwell on sentimentality or reminiscing – it isn’t healthy. Be realistic – if you find it difficult – look to helping little children and you will soon forget anything but the present.
Let the search for beauty and excellence be your goal – in whatever field you putsue. See beauty in nature, in people- don’t let anger or hate corrupt you or make you ugly.
Fear nothing – yet use judgement. Live fully in order to be understanding of others and thereby enjoy their company and help them with their problems.
Try to exercise every day in the sun – a healthy body is most important to success.
Do not be tempted by others to smoke, drink or participate in other vices. Popularity with such persons or groups is only fleeting and cannot injure anyone but yourself.
You have been very ‘spcially endowed, but know that there is an obligation attached to the awarding of your talents. You must use them for good purpose. I am very proud of all of your present accomplishments.
I ask only that God take care of you and that you will know He is ever near and that I, your Mother, love you all as much as is humanly possible.
Love each other, help each other – and remember I would kiss each of you goodnight if I were with you tonight.
Your Mama”
Everything you want to learn from Mom!!
Hi! This is Ruthie posting. I am starting a blog for Mom, because she is amazing, talented and very skilled. I’ve learned so much from her, but there are still so many things I still would like to learn more about with and from her. Here are a few: How to make bread, how to grow vegetables and herbs, how to can veggies and fruit, how to stay as healthy as she is, how to make a welcoming home, how to train a baby…. there is so much!!! Please post what you would like to learn from Mom, or what you have already learned!!!
Secrets from Granny 