Who Do You See?

I see Patty Anne, Kathy, Paula, Mary Jane and Matthew in a green dress!

10 years gone

It's hard for me to believe an entire decade has passed since I last was able to give Mom a hug.  As cold as it was when Dad died, early July 2002 was equally hot.  When plannng Mom's services, we had to keep the July 4th holiday in mind--and with Dad it was the Super Bowl.  10 years!  Really?

Apparently so.  And sometimes we think we were so original.  Ha.

Here's a letter I received from Pudge that I thought you might like.  Nice memories.  It's a kind act to share these reminiscences with family.  I have appreciated these so much that I try to do the same.

Paula tells me the Bruce street house is for sale.  She also recommended that I check out the pictures of the inside, which I did.  You'll want to as well.  Click here or search Ogden Real estate listing 83694.  I have forgotten what we sold the house for but they are asking $125000.  Someone was very generous with the measuring tape in the bedroom listings--Chris' room is listed as 8x8!  Not in my memory.  The Bruce Street house wasn't my favorite (Buffalo St was) but it's linked pretty solidly with how I remember Mom especially.

So here's a favorite Bruce St memory:

So much in this picture worth a mention--not the least of which are those damned swimming trunks.  1987 so they were only maybe 25 years old.  Who painted the stone?  I kind of wish it were allowed to be at the cemetery with him.  

Cheers Mom, Dad and 42 Bruce Street!

Graduation, Retirement and Hummingbirds

It's been quite an extraordinary start to the day and to the summer of 2012.  I slept til 10 AM which is nearly unheard of for me.  It meant that I missed graduation, which I was wavering on anyhow so to have the decision made for me in this manner seems like a clear message.  I wasn't meant to go.

I was watering the plants this morning and heard a fluttering rustling noise nearby.  I thought it was a large butterfly or moth but I realized it was a hummingbird.  He stuck around long enough for me to figure that out and to stare at him for a bit.  I doubt he was considering me nectar especially since popular opinion would give you just the opposite viewpoint.  Although he may have been trying to tell me his feeder needed a refill, I prefer to think he was delivering some good will.  It felt magical, that's for sure. 

So I believe this grants some positive karma on our graduate today Ryan Patrick.  Congratulations!  We are all very proud of you and I am sure your grandparents are smiling down on you with great pride today.  Someone get Judy another tissue. 

It's also Calvin and Claire's first birthday.  Twins are blessing enough but I am especially happy for Cathy and Chris and Julia and wish them all well.  We don't get to see them enough but we hope to stay in contact enough that the kids will know who we are.  This morning's events here in my little world seem karmic for them as well.

This time of year brings retirements to mind as well (especially when we are so very close).  I often think about Mom's age at certain turning points but I haven't given much thought to Dad's.  I can't remember exactly when he retired but I do recall it following some rocky times with new administration.  And I think he may have retired fairly young though it didn't seem so to me at the time.  He would have been 55 in 1982 so he could have retired June 1983.  I realize now that he must have felt some discomfort (and probably anger) at the changes he saw near the end of his tenure.  I realize that because I'm feeling that as well and I think it must be a pretty standard pattern--one that helps you separate from your work life.  A natural progression.

I hope you have an extraordinary weekend!

Random June thoughts

We have just returned from a weekend with the softball state tournament.  I don't know how many years we've been doing this, but it's great to go do something where you feel competent and appreciated!  As well as to get to watch some softball.  But since I'm a little worn out, this is just going to be some random thought related to June.

Last weekend we were at a wedding on Long Island for one of Jim's cousin's children.  You always hear about June brides and this bride got a special symbol of good fortune blessing the beginning of their marriage when a bright double rainbow appeared over the water just as if it was set up for pictures of the newly married couple.  And everyone else.....

One picture of us I don't find too objectionable!  The rainbow does the trick.

June also brings the last day of school, at least for New York students.  I remember just loving that last half day to get your report card and come home to start SUMMER!  Seemed like summer days lasted double the time and the summer months nearly endless.  Swimming lessons were one of the highlights of the summer.  Sometimes there'd be a camp to go off to.  It was a great feeling.

June 24 1966 must have been the last day of school.  Us older kids stayed with the Valvos.  I had to wear one of the girls' dresses on that last day.  A dress!  It was scratchy and I wasn't one bit happy.  

One of my latest projects has been to study our backyard birds.  I've learned that sometimes you might even be able to get a blue jay or cardinal to eat from your hands.  I've been sitting out there watching them and taking pictures trying to learn a bit about habits and behaviors.  There was a time I couldn't fathom being interested in birds and I was a little mystified by this interest that suddenly developed.

My theory is that there were many many days when I'd spend 2-3 hours sitting still watching field hockey, basketball, football or baseball trying to learn about the game.  Now that I'm not doing that, there's room in my brain looking for something else to fill it up with odd details such as with birds.  Plus taking the pictures is a challenge for me and I like to learn from doing.  But here's one I'm especially proud of

I

I remember Mom would seem to pick up various interests along the way and try them out:  calligraphy is one I recall.  I didn't really understand this changing of hobbies and interests, but now I might be doing the very same.

Welome Home to Lake Erie

I think I've mentioned previously that I find it interesting that Lake Erie is playing such a big role in the lives of the current generation.  It continues.  Don't you remember swimming lessons on the lake?  It wasn't so nice on the lake down on Sunset Bay in the 1960s as it is today (thank goodness).  I spent some time fishing there as well as a little boating.  And now it's the next generation's turn for the same!

Paula and Ryan took a trip to Erie to see Tim, Pam and Amy last weekend (thank you Paula).  They went out on the lake and Ryan got his first tubing experience.  I was greatly relieved to know he was being driven around by a member of the Coast Guard! What struck me -- of course-- were the pictures and how they reminded me of the Hollow Lake Ontario Canada pictures from the Nevins family.

I love this picture of Paula and I call it the "Papa Hemingway" shot because this shot below of Henry Nevins reminds me of Ernest Hemingway:

Each of these pictures seem to reflect how lake activities bind the generations together.

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of Weenie and I:

There are no less than one gazillion pictures of lake activities in the Nevins collection and it was fun to be reminded that history indeed repeats itself. 

Memorial Day tribute

I wanted to find a way to honor some of the "lost souls" in our family tree and Memorial Day provides an opportunity to do so for John J. Bentley. This John Bentley is a grandson to our Captain John Bentley.  He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and worked as an attendance supervisor for the school district before he leaped off the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge into the Annisquam River on September afternoon very shortly after school began for the year. This newspaper article tells the story, though I read elsewhere that John was "never right" after he returned from serving during World War I.  He was 58.

Not only did John serve during World War I when he was in his early 20s, but he also registered for the World War II draft at the age of 47.  Servicemen and women cannot help but be affected by their military experience and John may have been driven to suicide as a result.  In light of the recent news coverage about head trauma for current soldiers and their difficulties upon return to society after active duty, I find this story a compelling link in the chain of history repeating itself.  Memorial Day serves as a reminder of this.

If you get nothing else out of this blog ever, please remember that Memorial Day is May 30 every year.  It's great to celebrate a long weekend but sometimes May 30 gets lost and I find this very sad.  Here's a 4 minute tribute featuring another Bentley (so far not related!):

Dennison Road revisited

This picture was apparently developed in May 1964 so even though you guys seem to be wearing your winter gear, I claim it for this May post.  I love this picture.  Chris missing teeth, Paula with candy cigarettes and I remember that red winter coat with the knit top piece.  I am not sure what Kathy is holding there.

I thought I'd share some more Dennison Road memories.  That gutter behind you there near the bush is where the hornets nest was that Dad disturbed and Paula got stung by her eye.  That's the window to Chris' room.  I grew my 4H gourd garden right there by the iron fence.  That was a great place to grow up for the outside play opportunities.  Not so much on the inside except I always found the front porch to be isolated enough to find some peace now and again. 

There were those nice bushes in the front by the window that I loved so much I tried to grow one here.  I remember the Dennison Road bushes as having fairly sturdy branches and lots of pretty white flowers.  Mine here isn't nearly as robust.  We had that good size yard AND a huge field -- not to mention the woods.  I remember we set up a "jail" in the front woods down a little embankment in there.  Can't remember why we needed a jail.  I do remember Benny regularly escaping into the woods.

Sometime Benny would be tied to that iron fencing on the patio so there'd be a fair share of poop to welcome visitors.  There was a wooden plank to walk up--not sure why that was there unless it had to do with poop.  Or tripping on the cement and breaking milk bottles.  I can remember the milk delivery!

 Maybe the infamous red bike was new in 1964.  I think this is the Dennison Road lawn though I don't remember sidewalk right there.  Looks like Paula (in a dress) on the tricycle in the driveway back there.  We did love riding those bikes around and around.

Here's an angle that shows the front lawn on Dennison Road--and coincidentally shows off my usual flair for style.  I didn't remember that garage door being red.

Another view of the property:

THE BLUE DRESS

I think this is right before the Toronto trip they took.  Shirley stayed with us part of the time and we took that epic hike up the creek to her house. 

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down Dennison Road!