Family Memories....Fond and Freaky
Christmas memories.....
Mom has always been very creative. We couldn't have a normal snowman, that would have been way too boring, instead we had a snow-ballerina! After we got done building her we took watercolor paint and completed our work of art. My sister was always jealous of our creation, (she was too little to help) and said that it wasn't that special.....but I still think it was the best snow "person" I ever made. I like to think that Mom helped me see the possibilities in life, and to make them happen.
"Mom, thanks for teaching me to be unique!"...................................Jolene
"Mom, thanks for teaching me to be unique!"...................................Jolene
Best Friends & Neighbors.....
Helen & her oldest son Greg
Helen was our neighbor and Mom's best friend. The two of them spent many hours setting at the table in Helen's kitchen gossiping and drinking tea. Helen was a modern woman, she worked full time, raised her children and was a gourmet cook. She taught me how to clean and make a bed, neither of which Mom did very well! I sure miss her.
Hunting in Colorado.....
 Mom & Dad hunting in Colorado. |  Dad having a good day! |
Mom fondly reminiscing about their Colorado hunting trip:
The trip looked promising the first day, but when they woke up the next morning there was 18" of snow on the ground. About 200 yards from camp she'd had enough of tromping through the snow. She noticed a large rock outcropping and decided to climb to the top. Dad and my grandfather went on without her. A little while later she heard this clomping racket coming from the woods. She readied her rifle hoping to get a deer after all. Suddenly three men on horses came into the clearing. They all stopped and stared, stunned to see a woman in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but a rifle......finally one of them asked, "Did you see a deer run by here?" And as she tells it, "I told them, well if I had I would have shot it!"
I think maybe they were a bit more surprised than Mom was.....lol
The trip looked promising the first day, but when they woke up the next morning there was 18" of snow on the ground. About 200 yards from camp she'd had enough of tromping through the snow. She noticed a large rock outcropping and decided to climb to the top. Dad and my grandfather went on without her. A little while later she heard this clomping racket coming from the woods. She readied her rifle hoping to get a deer after all. Suddenly three men on horses came into the clearing. They all stopped and stared, stunned to see a woman in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but a rifle......finally one of them asked, "Did you see a deer run by here?" And as she tells it, "I told them, well if I had I would have shot it!"
I think maybe they were a bit more surprised than Mom was.....lol
New Years Eve Party.....
Our neighbors Chum & Helen hosting their New Year's Eve Costume Party........
When we were growing up my Mom would spend weeks planning and sewing costumes for the neighbors annual New Year's Eve party. This party was looked forward too, and talked about all year. Why not plan your own vintage costume party this year....I know I'd love to see my husband in a Greek god outfit like Chum is wearing!
Family Vacations.....
According to my husband visiting the Tweetsie Railroad was the highlight of his childhood family vacations....doesn't he look thrilled! For many of us visiting relatives was how we spent those few precious weeks each year when Dad was off from work....I have my own equally scary vacation memories too!
Who said woman aren't Hunter-Gathers.....
Jolene at the wharf
There I am admiring my haul for the day! We ate a lot of fish when I was growing up. I never thought much about this until years later when my aunt was talking about how tight my Dad was with the grocery money. Dad was pretty smart about a lot of things, fishing was just one of them.