This time of year is a constant reminder of college graduation.  While I don't really have a clear memory of my own, there are pictures and documents to prove I really did graduate as an undergrad and with my Masters from Geneseo.  The people on my floor are gathering together this summer at the old stomping grounds for a reunion--all these years later!  

I think this is Dad's St. Bonaventure graduation and he's here with his mom to the far left, Uncle Peter to the far right and his Aunt Bud (Viola Ryan).  Dad seemed especially fond of Aunt Bud and I've been working to research her life recently -- with very little luck so far.  Apparently she carried on a long term affair with a married man and never married herself.  I have a note that she may have died in 1957 which would have only been a couple of years after this picture was taken.

Ryan has finished his first year at Cortland and has moved back "home" (it's still home here in Harpursville) for him.  Makes me think of all the changes in the last year or so.  One year ago, Jim was not retired; Kathy was in Florida; Ryan hadn't graduated from high school yet.  WOW!  Within a year after college graduation, Mom got her drivers license, a husband and was pregnant with her first child.  WOW!

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Less than a year from now (on April 1 2012), the 1940 census will become public.  Yahoo for me--and for you too if you have any interest whatsoever in family history.  The US census records are very helpful in many ways; one of the biggest is that you can definitively put a person in a particular place at a specific time.  The federal government has been taking a census every 10 years since 1790.

I'm sure you remember filling out your own census forms for the 2010 and 2000 census.  This is not how it was done in 1790, believe me.  More's the pity because by the time the 2000 and 2010 census records become public, I don't think they will be nearly as helpful (or charming) as they are now. 

People curious about 1940 can use some census "substitutes".  One such substitute is the city directory.  These are kind of like phone books but contain very interesting additional information.  I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the Olean City Directory for 1939-40 and this is the entry for the Flynns:

You'll see Barbara Flynn (Gammie Flynn) listed as a nurse at 117 1/2 S 6th St with son Charles.  You also see Mom at home with Nanny and Weenie.  Nanny is even listed separately as stenographer for her father and brother.  Uncle 4-5 and Fat Aunt Marg (John and Margt B) are also listed.

A little searching around dug up an interesting little tidbit.  This is a different page of the 1939-40 city directory:

Take a closer look at the listing for Harry McLaughlin.  Mary F (his wife) is Nanny's sister "Teen".  Their address is 117 S 6th St--same as for Gammie Flynn!  Gammie apparently lived at the same residence as her daughter in law's (Nanny) sister.  That's kind of an interesting dynamic, don't you think?  These may have been apartments next to one another but it appears to me it was the same house.

This very topic has been in the news recently.  There's an uptick in the number of households combining for reasons such as unemployment or other. This is certainly true in our families today.  Petey now lives with his dad since he has separated from the mother of his baby.  Cousin Kevin is living with his parents and Kathy is living with us.  Although I don't really know the reasons why Gammie ended up in the same house as her daughter-in-law's sister (!?!) it brings some comfort to know this is a tradition that lives strong today.    You just never know who might be at the dinner table for the foreseeable future.

May 9 1996

Even 15 years later I find this time of year very difficult--today in particular.  Words are elusive and melancholy is anything but.  Mary Jane's struggles before and during her illness weigh heavily on my mind.  There's a hole that won't ever be filled.  I learned things no one ever seeks to learn.  I guess I just didn't want to day to pass without some kind of acknowledgement.  Here's to you sweetie!

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, our first Junior Prom is over. I did not cry yesterday, but I am right now. I already miss the little boy that used to take naps with me and had so many questions I wanted to scream. Yesterday, he also got notification that he was accepted to Clarkson's Young Scholars program for this summer. I am so proud of him for his hard work and am already sad that college is so close (although Matthew can't wait!)

In addition, you all know how I detest getting my picture taken, but yesterday a friend (Julie's father) convinced me to let him take one of me with Ryan because this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and next time I see him I will thank him for convincing me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

May Day 2011

It's May Day!  Remember May baskets?  That's a nice little tradition that seems to have died away.  We'd make construction paper weave baskets and fill it with available flowers (those pretty yellow dandelions) and sometimes cookies from the drawer for Mom.  Well, I did that at least once!  Maybe you did not.

I just have some random things for this post.  Amy now has a new address:  1442 Pearce Park Apt 9  Erie PA 16502.  She's very happy to get "out of the ghetto".  Remember your first place?  Do you remember the second as well?  I think that first place has a special place in our memories.  Jim's family never moved once while the children were growing up.  They only ever had one address.  By comparision, we were gypsies.

I was able to get out and do some gardening this morning.  It felt really good!  I also got to admire my new tulips.  It's been a long time since I've had the time or inclination to plant new bulbs in the fall to enjoy in the spring.  Last fall I had some time on my hands as well as a new garden to play in.  Now I get to reap the rewards the rabbits and deer kindly left behind for me by not eating the bulbs sooner.

I'm doing a lot less hands-on parenting these days which is the major reason for the time on my hands.  In some ways I feel a little bit useless so it's a great blessing to have gardens.  They create endless work!

Happy May Day 2011!