Mom's Story - Installment #13

Boy! Time sure flies when you're having fun. It seems like just yesterday that I was posting part #12 of Mom's story and here another week is already gone.

Our granddaughter, Lacie, is up from Dallas for the week so I imagine she and Bill will be doing a lot of horseback riding. I'm sure I'll do some, but it usually takes me a few days to recover between rides, so if I do 2 I'll be doing good. They've already made one while I was a church tonight. (little heathens!) They did have supper on the table when I got home though, so that was good!


So, here's the next part of Mom's story. Hope you enjoy the read.

After Joan and Donna could drive, we went to my parents 50^th anniversary and Stanley’s wedding in Humbird in 1965.

Joan’s wedding was in 1967 and Donna’s in 1969. Both took place while I was working at the school. We got the flowers at the Kewaskum florist, and had the receptions at Nonn’s at Forest Lake. Dinners were $1.25 a plate. The Julida Boys played for Donna’s wedding.

Les’s cousin’s son, Danny Howard, who lived in Arlington, VA, started coming to the farm every summer to help with the yard work and garden and picking cherries, and other chores. He started coming when he was 11 and came every year until he was 16 when he could get work in Virginia.

Donna drove me to Dick and Kathy Adler’s wedding in Illinois. When Donna worked in West Bend factory, she and I flew to Seattle Washington to visit Joan and Bill Mertz for a week in 1969. The three of us went to Victoria, British Columbia on a big ship for a day trip. Joan and Bill took us all over. Joan took us over a mountain and I was afraid, but Joan drove all over the most. Bill was in the service. On Sunday he drove to Mt. Rainier Park. It was great and we went to Snoquomish Falls to see that. We also went west to the Pacific Ocean and walked on the beach. This was the first time we had Kentucky fried chicken in a box. It was so good. We ate outside.

On Nov. 29, 1969 Donna married Willard Peterson in the Fillmore church. They went to Florida on their honeymoon and bought nice sea shell gifts and cuckoo clock for Christmas gifts. They settled in Plymouth and had Greg in October 1970. Then the moved to Waubeka in 1971 and bought a house on Tagay-Tay Terrace. In August of 1972 they had Connie. Lots of good visits there with all of them.

They celebrated their 25^th. wedding anniversary in Nov. 1994. All the relatives and friends came.

Well, we'll leave the story at this point since she's got both of us married off, and wait till next week for more of the story.

JB

Mom's Lemon Meringue Pie

I always thought that my mother made the best lemon meringue pie in the whole world. Of course, back in those days, I hadn't eaten too many other ladies' lemon pies, so I'm sure I was a little bit prejudiced, but hers was really SO-O-O-O good!! And I LOVE lemon meringue pie - even to this day.

However, in my grownup life, I have come to realize that "not all lemon pies are equal." Never was this made more clear than the fateful day I had a piece of lemon meringue pie that a neighbor lady had made for Bill's Dad's birthday. We had gone to Heavener to see his folks, and there on the counter sat this BEAUTIFUL lemon meringue pie. And, it WAS pretty. I asked Hermann where he'd gotten it, knowing pretty well that Bill's mom probably hadn't made it, and he said that a neighbor had brought it over for him. I should have left it go right there, but no!! I HAD to say, "I really LOVE lemon meringue pie." So, of course, generous person that Hermann was, he said, "Well, get yourself a piece."

And I DID!!! That was the most AWFUL lemon pie I have ever put in my mouth. It was chewy - I believe the lady had ground up the whole lemon - rind and all - and put it in the filling. And SOUR!!! Apparently, she was not a real fan of sugar, because there wasn't much if any in that pie. Well, now I was in a fine fix. I'd gotten a very nice piece of Hermann's birthday pie, so felt morally OBLIGATED to eat the entire thing. But, I learned a valuable lesson. Just because something LOOKS really good, doesn't necessarily mean that IT IS!!!

But, the pie you make with THIS recipe is wonderful, so I hope that you all enjoy it.
Joan

MOM'S LEMON MERINGUE PIE

1 baked pie shell
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup corn starch
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 tbsp. butter
Juice and grated rind of 1 lemon

Place sugar and cornstarch in a pan. Pour boiling water over and cook until thick. Add beaten egg yolks and lemon juice and rind. Cool and place in a baked pie shell. Cover with meringue.

MERINGUE
Beat egg whites till fluffy. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and continue beating until mixture stands in peaks. Pile on cooled lemon filling, sealing to the edges and put in a 375 degree oven just until the meringue begins to brown.

There you have it. Lemon meringue pie heaven!!

I thought I'd do a little editing on my post titled "Biker Chick at 60". Favorite sister pointed out that she wasn't QUITE 60 yet, so did not want to be there before her time. Now, I understand that perfectly, so I have changed the title of the post to reflect her real condition. I also added a picture (which I just received) of her on her "hog". I hate to admit it but she looks GOOD on that bike. Black leather pants, and some shades, and she'd really be smokin'. Not bad for a Grandma!!!! So, go check out her picture on "Biker Chick at (almost) 60" back in May.

I gotta tell you about my VBS skit. It was so-o-o-o much fun. Of course, when you are playing an "old, snooty, past-tense actress" who still feels she has it all to offer, and is still beautiful besides, how can you go wrong with a part like that. Nothing was too much when it came to the lines and the actions. The kid who played the director was only about 14 or 15 but he really looked the part.

He had the "California director" shirt, shades, cap on backwards, and a pretty good "attitude" for a kid. We had a real good time getting ready each day for our "performance". I was supposed to dress in a "long, slinky" gown, sunglasses, and of course, a long blonde wig. Well, the wig and the sunglasses weren't too much of a problem, but the long slinky gown was not to be found. Now, I'm not saying I don't have any long slinky gowns. I have had a few of that sort in my day, but NONE of them have grown along with me. I've always said, "Eating makes my clothes shrink", and they have done so - badly!!! I actually think my ribs have even grown.

Anyway, since long and slinky wasn't going to work, I settled for "long and flowing (baggy, actually)". Mom had a really pretty blue caftan-type thing that was actually too long for her, so I've had it in my closet since I cleaned out hers. With that and a long white penoir set jacket, I was set to play Gloria Gonn. Oh, that, and 3 1/2' spike heels. Don't do much walking around on those babies anymore either. There are just some things that shouldn't be attempted after you realize how bad you could break if you fall.

Here's a picture of my get up. Actually, you can't see the layers of jewelry that I also wore along with a different colored feather boa each day, but you get the idea. I think every long gold necklace I had in my jewelry box was worn that week. And at least 3 or 4 bracelets per arm. Trust me, I was a sight. But, needless to say, we had a lot of fun - I had great lines that were really funny. And, got sprayed with silly string 4 out of the 5 days because the boys kept answering more Bible questions than the girls did. Only thing I can figure, is there were a lot more boys in attendance than girls. Otherwise, we KNOW who would have answered the most questions.

Everyday, as soon as the program was over, I would start memorizing the lines for the next day. Actually managed to get them all learned, so I didn't have to rely totally on the teleprompter they had set up. Good thing, too, because one day it totally failed.

Needless to say, it was quite a week, and on the last day, when we were going in for the final skit presentation, the little director kid gave me a big hug, and said he really enjoyed the week, and "Maybe we can do it again next year."

Maybe. Who knows. Perhaps I've FINALLY been discovered!!!!!

Take care,
JB

Mom's Story - Installment #12

Boy! This week really flew by. I "VBS'd" all week and seems like any extra time was non-existent. But it was great fun. I may put a px of this "old aged actress" on the previous blog but I was much better in "real life". Ha!
Thought it was time for the next installment so here it is. I visited with Aunt Dee this weekend and she's been able to access the blog as well so welcome, Auntie. Always nice to know you all are enjoying the site.

Les taught me to drive the 1929 Durant before we were married. He stopped on 67 over the railroad track and got out and said, “You can drive home” and he told me what to do. And that was the beginning. From then on I could drive tractor and all the cars we had.

There was a ’36 Chevrolet, ’49 Ford, ’55 Olds, ’73 Chevrolet, and a 1985 Olds. We went to Texas and Oklahoma with that one, and in 2000, Joan drove me down to Oklahoma and left the Olds there, and we came home with a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis.

I worked at West Bend Aluminum Factory dropping screws in handles and welding electrical wiring on the bottom of large coffee pots. When I had to join the union, I quit and got a job sewing at Gilbert Shoe Factory in Campbellsport. I worked there and rode with Delores Zern. Earl Streen was the boss, Mrs. Rayjack was floor lady and knew I was making many mistakes, so I quit, and Les went to work at Grafton. The girls and I did the night chores.

After he was done at Grafton, I worked in the kitchen at Campbellsport School for 17 years. Sadie Mathers was the office girl and planned the meals. It was nice. I liked it. I made yeast rolls, pie crusts, pizza crusts, cakes, cookies, and frostings. Met Ruth Weis there. We are still friends.

Well, we leave the story here for this time. I'll try to get a couple of Mom's good recipes added before too long.

JB

Mom's Story - Installment #11

Hi all -
Guess it's about time for another "Mom's Story" installment. Hope everyone had a happy Father's Day with their dads or kids or whatever. After church we went out for Chinese (doesn't that sound cosmopolitan - "out for Chinese"?) and then came home and Bill indulged one of his fantasies - playing with fire and not getting burned. We had 7 or 8 big brush piles down in the pasture by the barn, and have been trying to get them burned for a few weeks now. So, yesterday was the day. We have piles of ash now, but no brush - so things are looking better.

Enjoy this new installment.

We finally got a TV in 1951. On Nov. 23, 1963, President Kennedy was riding in a motorcade down thru Dallas, TX and was shot. We saw all that on TV and watched the horse-drawn carriage take him to the cemetery in Arlington, VA. Mrs. Lake and Mom Howard were visiting us that day on the farm, and they were very sad.

On Labor Day weekend in 1962, all my brothers and sisters and Dad and Ma Adler surprised us for our 25^th. Anniversary. They came with campers, and parked in the yard, slept on the floors and couches in the house, and it was a lot of fun. Les wasn’t too happy about it because he still had to get up in the morning and do chores, and everyone stayed up late at night playing Sheephead and making music and dancing. We moved the dining room table out of the way, and danced in the dining room on the hardwood floor. It was a really good time. (This picture is the family sitting out under the trees in the yard next to the house).

When I was 40 years old, I had my veins stripped at St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend. Dr. Edwards from Kewaskum did the surgery.

In 1989, I had gall bladder surgery at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac on Election Day, Nov. 6^th. Dr. VanBeek and Dr..Ebbon did the surgery.

In 1990, I had my right hip replaced. It was on March 27^th. at Theda Clark. Dr. Kennedy, a bone specialist in Appleton, WI did the surgery. Joan came home from Arkansas for two weeks to be with Dad. Then Delores came and stayed a couple weeks until I could walk and Les was the therapist.

We watched Prince Charles and Princess Diana get married on July 29, 1981. It was a gorgeous wedding. We also watched the men go to the moon, which was very exciting to see. A few years later, the space shuttle Challenger went up and we saw it blow up in the air. Eight crew members lost their lives. One was a teacher, and all her students were watching as well. It was a very sad day for the country.

Ed Geen from Pittsville, WI got caught for murdering several people and was put in jail for life. Jeffrey Dalmer did the same thing and died in jail.

****

Well, we'll close for this week.

JB

A "Follywood" Star is Born

Just thought I'd let you all know that next week I begin my acting debut in earnest. I have been carefully selected (over many other worthy candidates, I'm sure) to play a roll in the smash movie being filmed at Follywood, during next week's Vacation Bible School at our neighboring Baptist Church.

Now, let me explain my part. They said I was PERFECT for the roll. Thought of me right away when casting the part. I was SO-O-O-O flattered!!!! Then, after they brought me the script, I read the role description. It is for "A SNOOTY, SELF-IMPORTANT 'HAS-BEEN' ACTRESS" who believes that the world revolves around her!!! Can you believe that they would think that I was PERFECT for that part!!!!! Neither can I!!

That little preacher's wife who asked me to do it, will NEVER hear the end of this. I'm going to enjoy gigging her about this little faux-paux for a long, LONG time!!

Anyway, truthfully, it is a GREAT part and is going to be so much fun that I can't wait to do it. I've been trying to come up with an "aging, self-important" actress costume for the past week, and think I just about have it all together. I've got a terrific blond wig, a long flowing gown with a sheer over jacket, tons of jewelry, and heels. And the crowning accessory - TWO purple feather boas. I'm sure that I will knock their socks off.

If and when I get up enough nerve to have a picture taken, I might put it on this post, so you can see just how truly GLAMOROUS this old babe can be!!!!!

Now that you are finished laughing and snorting and being utterly derisive, you may continue to read this post.

This is really a cute concept for Bible School. The whole place is being done up like a movie set at Follywood, and the kids will be part of a tour group that is going through the studio. Our skit will be presented each day in two parts during the opening and closing time and, believe it or not, each one really has a good point in amongst the hilarity. The little guy who's playing the director said today, while we were reading through our parts, that his biggest concern is keeping a straight face when things get crazy.

I only see ONE major problem with the whole idea. That's the fact that it starts at 8:30 IN THE MORNING!!! I really am not together yet at 8:30 in the morning. Because, that means I have to be up by 7:00 IN THE MORNING and actually conscious.

Now, I'm usually up by 7:00 or even 6:00 some mornings because Miss TippyToes has to go outside to do her little morning routine. BUT, conscious, NO! I just peek through slitted eyelids so I don't fall down the stairs, lay on the couch semi-asleep while she's outside, and then stagger back up the stairs and go back to bed. By 8:00 to 8:30 I begin to come to life and by 9:30 or so I'm ready for a new day. This Bible School timetable is going to KILL me!!!

I told them that today, and "little preacher wife" said, "Not to worry. We'll have plenty of coffee going!!!" They'd better! I will be in need, I'm sure.

But, it's going to be fun, and I love doing skits. I'm part of the skit group that does a presentation at our Bible Release time once a month during the school year. We have more fun during rehearsal than we do actually performing the skit. I've found that that is usually the case. The skit or play or whatever, goes by so fast, and then it's done, but rehearsals go ON and ON and ON prior to the actual performance. Always a lot of fun!!

A few years ago for our Christmas program at church, I directed a play entitled, "Christmas at the Valley Haven Nursing Home." I cast all older members of our church to play the nursing home patients and it was the funniest thing I have ever done. We laughed until we all about cried at every rehearsal. Of course, it always helps when you have crazy people in your church to use in things like this. We've got a great CROP of them. So much fun! I've really got to find another good play for this Christmas. They say laughter is great medicine, and if that's the case, I really get a good dose of it directing Christmas plays.

I'll have to let you know next week how this whole thing turns out. Should be a blast!!

Take care,
JB

Mom's Story - Installment #10

Here's the next part of Mom's story. I tried put her story in some semblance of chronological order, but some of her memories just kind of popped in as she was writing, so I left them as they were. You'll get the idea.
Hope you are still enjoying her memories as much as I am.
Joan

Mom Howard kept foster kids, and 2 of the boys and one girl stayed with her until they graduated and got married. One of the boys, Ronald Dean, went in the service for 2 years. Then when he got out, he came back and stayed with us while he worked at Gehl’s in West Bend. He got killed about a half of a mile from the farm in a car accident on Hwy. 67. It was April 1957. It was so sad as those kids were very close to Les and me.

I got the girls raised and they went to Campbellsport School until graduation. They rode the

school bus and when they came home, I’d have supper ready ‘cause they would be hungry. What a joy to have them home again.

Watching for the school bus was a job. When it left the neighbor’s house about ¼ mile down the road, we could see it. Then it was time to hurry to get down to the end of the driveway. I always enjoyed going to school programs and mother/daughter banquets. How proud I was.

Joan’s favorite teacher was Mrs. Twohig and when she broke her leg tobogganing on Jaeger’s hill, her teacher sent her assignments home with Johnny Dieringer for 6 weeks. She had to go to the hospital and they put a cast on her leg up to her hip. After 6 weeks, she got a walking cast. While she was in bed, Mrs. Twohig brought a nice plate of homemade cookies called Double Treats.

The two girls played in the school band, and I was so proud of them learning their notes and playing.

When Joan and Donna were in high school, they sang “How Great Thou Art” at Mrs. Daisy Long;s sister’s funeral at the Baptist Church in Campbellsport. They did well.

Then came proms. Both got new dresses. Joan got to be Prom Queen in 1962 and Karl Ketter was Prom King. Les and I had to be sponsors. That was the first Prom I ever attended.

Well, that's about it for this time.

Till next week.

JB

What A Week!!!

Sorry I haven't done any posting this week, but it's been a busy one. We had Day Camp going on all week at church and I'm the official Spotlight Drama photographer, editor, put 'er togetherer, etc. So, I was there from 9:00 till about 10:30 taking pictures, gathering up attendance sheets, etc., then came home and checked out the pictures, edited them a bit, inserted them into the day's slide show presentation, and then went back over to take pictures of some of the other activities that were going on during the day.

The Spotlight Drama was shown during the closing time, with a different crew of kids starring each day. It was a lot of fun. We did the same basic program last year during Day Camp and the kids had such a good time. This year was great as well.

So, that kept me going during the day.

I had rescheduled all my piano lessons to fall after I got home from camp, so that took up the rest of the afternoons. By the time it was time to fix supper, Bill was lucky that he got ANY.

I had a really rude revelation on Thursday. I was sitting in the sanctuary looking around at all the kids and crew leaders and other workers that were in there, and I realized that I WAS THE OLDEST PERSON IN THERE!!!!! I couldn't believe it!! But it was true. There was one other lady helping in the nursery who is maybe a year or two older than me, but she wasn't in there, so I was it. I really never gave that a thought before. Actually, in my warped, little old forgetful mind, I still see myself as the same age as all those other workers. Other than our pastor, I'm probably old enough to be any of their mothers.

Well, such is life!!!!!! I'm sure Ma would have loved to have been over there as the oldest person at the camp, so maybe I should be proud that I can still do it.

So, that was Day Camp - 2008.

Then, on Wednesday, shortly after my last piano student left, our neighbor came flying in our driveway and told us that she thought that our two horses were out and on the highway. Luckily, Bill was here, so we hopped in the buggy and raced down the driveway to check it out. Sure enough!! There they were in the church yard just enjoying all the beautiful green grass. He dropped me off with the "treat" bucket and went on down to the barn to get lead ropes and halters. I walked across the grass toward them hoping they wouldn't decide to take off before I got up there to them.

About half way, I stepped on something that kinda felt like a piece of rubber or something. I kinda wondered what was there in the pasture like that, and when I looked down a BLACK SNAKE WAS SLITHERING AWAY FROM MY FOOT!!! In fact, he was kind of curled around my foot a bit on his getaway path. I was so SHOCKED that I didn't even scream or jump and run, or anything. It was like, "Oh, I just stepped on a snake. My, oh my. That was scary."

I suppose if I'd have screamed and taken off running, the horses would have as well, and then we'd have had a real picnic. But, I managed to get up to them, and ply them with treats until Bill got there with the tack. He was going to be "Cowboy Bill" and ride Big Guy bareback back to the barn and lead Blaze, but in getting up on Big Guy he hurt his shoulder REALLY BAD and had to get back off. So we ended up riding the buggy to the barn and leading the horses.

We found the gate standing wide open so actually thought someone had been down there looking for Bill and left it open. But, it turned out that when Bill hooked the gate back the last time he was there, he put the snap in the unlocked lock, and it just slid down the lock and came loose, and the wind did the rest.

So fortunate that the horses didn't get hit on the highway and perhaps someone get badly hurt or killed in the accident. Because, there WAS traffic while they were on the road. Our neighbors said the people and big trucks were having to slow way down to get around them. They really have NO road since whatsoever.

So, as you can see, this has been quite a week. Bill has been pretty busy, too, but that's his story, so he'll have to tell it if he wants to.

Well, my accordion student will be here this afternoon, so I guess I have to get busy and decide what we should learn this lesson. I'm fixing to post another episode in Mom's Story in the following post so hope you enjoy that as well.

JB