CINDY"S tree

 

As i cut down cind's big tree in front yard.

My Memorable Trip to Yellowstone

Grand Teton Mountains

It was August 1, 1949. I had just turned 15 in July. I was really excited about this month long trip I was leaving on with my Aunt Faye (my dad's sister), Uncle Ishmael, and my cousins Victor (he was 12) and Sheila (she was younger than Victor - do not remember the age difference). They picked me up on the first of August and we did not return until August 31. I remember they had a new car (do not know the make), but it was black and I remember they had a window a/c unit and I thought that was really something.

I wish I could remember everything about the trip, but it has been nearly 60 years and memory fades. I do know I had a very good time (the experience of a lifetime) and they were so good to me. They paid for my entire trip. I could not have gone otherwise.

I do not remember all the places we went, but I do remember going to Salt Lake City, Utah, and touring the Morman grounds and tabernacle. It was beautiful - the grounds and the tabernacle.

I was awestruck over the fact that we sat in the back of the tabernacle and they dropped a pin down front and we could hear it when it hit the floor. The organ was beautiful.


Before we left SLC, we went to the Salt Lake and Uncle Ishmael, Victor, and I got in the lake. I could not swim (and still can't), but you cannot drown in it - we just floated around for a while and that was fun.

We stayed at a Dude Ranch in Colorado and rode horses - mine had to just "walk"
with me.

We had a cottage at the ranch and there was a little creek that ran behind the cottage. I know we were there one weekend as I remember having a devotional there and they had the crackers and grape juice. My aunt and uncle did the cooking while we were there.

I remember going to Pike's Peak and Aunt Faye took my picture in front of the Pike's Peak sign. I had on a big plaid dress and had my hair up in rollers.

We spent several days in Yellowstone National Park and stayed in a log cabin.

We had to walk about a block to the "outhouse." On one of the trips, people were upset as a bear had been spotted in the camp.

There was a cafeteria not too far from our cabin (we ate most of our meals in the cabin), but we did go to the cafeteria a couple of times. It was very rustic, but good food and they had lots of sourveniers from which to select. Aunt Faye gave Victor and me some money (do not remember how much) that we could buy whatever we wanted. I bought a silver hotplate that had park scenery on it and a salt and pepper set which I thought was so cute. I gave it to Joan several years ago for her collection. It was the stump of a tree with a bear on each side hanging on a branch (one salt and the other pepper, of course).


I remember going to the site of "Old Faithful" and waiting for it to erupt. That is something to see!!!

We also saw some waterfalls.

We also went to a ghost town that had once been a mining town.

That is about all I remember - wish I had kept a log and had had a camera. I am anxious for Steve and Joan to get back from their trip and send us pictures.

Goodbye to an Old Friend!

Today I was going to sew up a pillow case that had come apart. The sewing machine would not work, so I asked Kenneth if he would take it out of the cabinet and let's take it to the repair shop and get it serviced. When we walked in the man said he could tell it was a very old Singer and hoped it did not have plastic gears. He said he would not charge us to check it out. When he took it apart, sure enough they were plastic gears and very soft and needed replacing. He said to repair it would cost a minimum of $250 and the machine was not worth it. He said if it was his he would not repair it, because the motor is over 40 years old and could go out any time. He said he had a barn full of Singers just like it and they will not even buy them for scrap anymore. So we just left it and walked out. I kept my composure til I got in the car and then I had to cry. I came home and used a needle and thread to try to repair the pillow case. After 30 minutes, Kenneth asked me what I was doing and I said next time one splits, I am just going to throw it away. It was too hard to do by hand and then it looked terrible and I stuck myself several times. Now we have a cabinet that is of no use.

It was sad to say "goodbye" to it. I made a lot of clothes with it - for Cindy, you, Mamaw, Nanmama, me, and Kenneth and I think even Ginger when she was little. Kenneth said I got my money's woth out of it. But I thought if I bought a singer and serviced ever once in a while it would like a lifetime.

another try by Daddy Ken

We are going to the movies today just because of you. Jo Faye said you sent money for us to go .We have not been for a long time .It is my fault Just don't think it is worth the money. We could buy one for less coast .Also we can get some of Cindy movies to watch.

I Know Who!

These are some of the cousins. Starting at the bottom, Tyler, Caleb, Josh, Staci, Jon, Ginger, and Julie. Of course Bryan and Brady are missing.

This is Steve riding a monstor bike! (notice the riding gloves he is wearing!)

Who am I ?

Kenneth's Cousin - Rob

Yesterday, May 31, Kenneth, Steve, and I attended Rob's funeral (Kenneth's cousin), which was a celebration of his life. Steve surprised us by calling and I asked him how the weather was there and he said it was hazy. I said it was hazy here, too. Then he told me he was about 30 miles away. I was so happy that he was coming to go with us. Steve had to work after he got here. He brought his laptop and set it up in the middle bedroom and worked til noon.

It was wonderful seeing relatives we had not seen in years. I cannot remember when so many relatives gathered since Mama Mary's funeral. They came from everywhere- as far away as San Diego. That says a lot for Rob. I have never heard any more nice things said about anyone before. He will be missed. The eulogy was beautiful and the front of the church was covered in gorgeous flowers. The church was packed.

Steve pointed out to me on the program "Gene Stallings" - which meant nothing to me at the time, but he later told me he had coached the Cowboys with Tom Landry at one time. His daughter married Keith (Rob's son). They talked about Rob's sense of humor and how he had asked Joe Baisden (the preacher) to keep the service upbeat and sing lots of songs, which they did.

We followed the hearse to the cemetery (which was several miles) and waited and waited for the family to show up (only family were to go to the cemetery), but it was getting late and we had not had lunch, it was hot and the ground was soft and hard to stand on. My heels had mud half was up.

Anyway, we left, as a couple of others had done also. On our way back, we met the family (about 10 cars), but we did not turn around and go back. We went to Chick-Fil-A where Bryan works and ate lunch. We even shared a milk shake (mint cookies and cream - delicious!) We saw Bryan and he was totally surprised saying "What are y'all doing here?" He was mostly surprised to see Steve.

We came home and changed our clothes and Steve started getting his things together. Cindy called to talk to Steve and then Staci called and it was funny watching that - Steve holding the cell phone (on speaker) next to the land phone so Cindy and Staci could talk to each other. Technology today is mind boggling, to me. Steve left about 6 and called us twice, once after the "Y" and then just before he got home. We are always so thankful to learn that he made it home safely!