Birthdays - April 1997

When you have 8 kids, and they have kids, and your husband also has 8 kids, many of whom have kids.... Well, you end up going to a lot of birthday parties!  What's funny to me here is the mention of 'froth' that Grampa would be drinking.  I remember Grammie was trying to get him and herself to lose some weight, so they would drink Ensure or other protein-type drink.  Grampa didn't really like it - he loved to eat!  So they called it 'froth' because it seemed so insubstantial.  I don't know if it ever really did the trick in terms of losing weight though.

April 21, 1997

This morning we went to a 90th birthday brunch - so much food; and then in the afternoon we went to Grampa's granddaughter's (10 yrs) and grandson's (11 yrs) birthday party - more food!  Grampa was in hog heaven.  Now it's back to drinking froth and losing a bit of weight before his big day. [He was having surgery.]

April 27, 1997

We are just back from the 30th birthday party - our 5th birthday party in a week.  We are all 'caked out!  Hurrah!  We are finally sleeping out on the porch.  It really is nice... In the morning, Grampa goes to give a unit of blood and then in 2 weeks he gives another unit before his big day.  You will be home in about 3 wks.  Do you have your new room yet?

We went to Uncle Harry's 60th birthday dinner - just kids, Grampa & I.  But it was good to see all the kids - grown up and I don't see them too often, so it is good to catch up...

Little things - April 1997

As I have mentioned before, Grammie would often write about the little things that happened daily and her honest reactions to them.  Here she talks about the weather, the porch, birthdays, driving, food, and writing cards.  It's the last bit that I love the most - you can tell why card-writing was so important to her.  It was a way to connect with her loved ones.  She liked receiving cards in return, but it never really mattered to her if we responded.  She would write us just the same.

 April 6, 1997

Well weatherwise, a lot has happened since your last letter.  Out here we got 9".  Uncle Dick [in Granby, CT] got 24" - trees uprooted - no power for 2 1/2 days, and he & Bette were just back from Fla.  What a rude awakening they got - good old New England weather.  Hope we have seen the last of winter.

I talked to Mick - they got 30" in Hopkinton, MA.  The porch is almost finished except painting - hope it doesn't take another 3 mos. to get it all done - I'm anxious to get out here.

There were 13 squirrels in the yard this A.M.  The birds are singing - sure sign of Spring.

April 14, 1997

The new observatory [Class of '51 Vassar College Observatory] sounds great.  I'm glad its finished while you are still there.

The porch is most finished - a bit more.  Yesterday, Grampa & I were painting some strips & he said, "OK, let's turn it over."  Well, we did, but the paint can was in the way & it splashed all over me before hitting the floor.  We used our brushes to soak it up from the floor & painted lots of strips from what was on the floor.  As for my pants - well - guess they'll stay that way.  It is generally Grampa who is all paint - but the tables sure turned this time.

We went to Mick's house on Sat. for Zach's 4th birthday party.  There were about 15 kids - mostly under 4.  What a madhouse, especially after it started to rain & the kids all had to come in.

Then we came home in the pouring rain & fog.  Grampa was so sleepy that I had to drive.  We made it just in time - before it got too dark for me to see.  An angel sat on my shoulder.

I just made some pea soup - I do love homemade pea soup.  Hope it lives up to my expectations.  It is chilly out today and yesterday we had a thunderstorm that lasted forever.

Well, Jes - I must send a card to Chris, Bob's grandson, who is now stationed in Az in the Airforce.  He has never been away from home for more than 4 days - so he needs mail to keep the "homesicks" away.  Till next time.

Snow in Late Winter 1997

Ah, snow!  Grammie loved it - to a point.  By late winter in New England, she (as most of us were) was ready for Spring.  Traveling between Vermont and Connecticut, she was constantly - and viscerally - reminded of the ways the seasons progressed.  Spring creeps in slowly in New England, peeking around corners and tiptoeing along.  As Grammie would likely agree, it makes the actual arrival all the sweeter!

February 18, 1997

The snow snowed all around - on the trees at Rowen Farm [in VT] and even on the ground.  There was already 2 ft of snow and then we had 6 inches more.  If one wanted to go into the mowing, you would need to use showshoes.  It was also down below 0, and did not get above freezing.  Like being in another world!  It was pretty and I took some pictures - BUT - it is good to be back home even if the porch still is not finished.

The first night in Vt. I put some chicken bones all wrapped up, in a foam 'doggie bag'.  That night, I heard a sound, like someone having a gnawing good time.  I got up and sure enough, there was a country mouse looking for a picnic!  I threw the bag over the barrel and he continued to gnaw - then quiet - he wanted to sleep.  But he continued in the morning - and then quiet again - he must have had his fill and off he went to his country mouse home.

March 2, 1997

We have been having some beautiful sunsets and the clouds have been very changeable.  I'm a cloud person too, as well as a tree person... The birds are beginning to sing and the trees are even budding.  But today, Sun., is a bit on the gloomy side - even tho it is warm.  Mon. - tonight we are supposed to have 2-5" of snow and a bit chilly, but, I guess, this all goes to making Spring.

March 24, 1997 - from Vermont

Here we are in snowland - like the North Pole it was 8 deg this morning.  When we arrived yesterday, we had to put on our boots to get to the door.  First Grampa had to plough our way thru the snow at the end of the drive that the snow-plough had left.  After I got Aunt G's boots on her, I started to the front seat to put on mine - and down I went - flat on my back.  It was slippery and I couldn't grab onto anything to pull myself up.  Finally made it.  Aunt G & I, holding onto each other made our way to the door.  The snow was very crusty and every step we sunk down above our boots.  So this morning we are going back to Spring.

Frustrations, Jan/Feb 1997

After a hiatus, I am back to transcribing Gram's letters.  This series from early 1997 reveals some frustrations that we all experience: unpleasant weather, unwanted advice, unfinished home projects....  As usual, Gram writes about them with humor and matter-of-factness.

 Jan. 16, 1997  

Welcome back to school!  Just as I began writing this the lights went out.  So now I have a bunch of candles lighting the way.  It sure is pouring.  Glad it's not snow.  I was going to clean off some of the shelves today, but doing things such as that by candlelight, won't work out too well.  Our backyard looks like a swimming pool, only it's kinda chilly to go swimming.

Jan. 20, 1997
I finally found a "hutch" for those beautiful rose dishes.  I had lots of fun putting things in it, but Grampa was sitting there giving unwanted advice.  Today while he is down cellar, I'll fix things as I want them.  It was so nice and sunny out and I'm sure it is warming up.  I can't wait to get outside  Maybe we'll have a January thaw.  The outdoor fireplace is full of wood so we'll have a hotdog roast.

Jan. 27, 1997
It looks like such a beautiful day, but the paper says snow.  Guess we will have to take what we get.  Grampa has just finished making a couple of birdhouses out of some old tree "knots."  Guess the birds won't mind.  Our porch is still not any further along, although the man did come out to measure for insulation.  He just didn't say what month he would be back to install it.  Now I must get dressed and see what mischief I can get into today.

Feb. 3, 1997
Yesterday was such a beautiful day, and we went to Scotland, Ct. for breakfast - a very pretty ride in the county.  The fields are all brown now and all the stone walls were in such good repair.  It all looked so neat.  I like the brown fields as well, if not better, than the green fields, with their promise of Spring.

There is now insulation in the porch ceiling - but no sheet rock yet.  I am getting very impatient, and I'd like to crack a few heads - but I guess that won't get me anywhere.

 Feb. 10, 1997
Your letter took 12 days to get here.  I think it came by wheelbarrow.  We have had some pleasant days but because we are going to Vt. on Thurs. - WATCH FOR SNOW!  It's generally like going into another world.  Yesterday we went to see Uncle Donald in Farmington, then stopped to see your Mom, Dad, and Beth.  Then it was on home to Lebanon but we stopped at a restaurant in Hebron for supper.  The smell of frying food was awful.  I had to take off most of my clothes as soon as we got home - I smelled!  Don't think we'll stop at that place again.

The porch is NOT finished.  I would like it done in my lifetime.

With the benefit of hindsight I can assure you that the porch does eventually get done!  :)

December, 1996

Dec. 6, 1996
The snow is snowing all around.  It's like a winter wonderland.  But I need a frolicking companion.  I had to go out alone - took some pictures, but it was still snowing.  Grampa's knees won't let him frolic in the snow...  Aunt G. and Grampa are sleeping and I'm left alone to think of what's to eat...

Dec. 16, 1996
It was good talking to you last night, and we are looking forward to seeing you.  The sun is almost peeking through the grey sky, but the ground is so wet it's like a swimming pool.  I decided to start doing a few things this morning, 'cause we have to go to VT in the middle of the week.  Will know more tonight...  I'm watching the birds and squirrels chase each other around the yard.  I'll be glad when the bird feeder gets put back off the deck.  I'm sending very few [Christmas] cards this year - so I must get at sending.  I always like to write a bit on each card.

Gram was known for her cards.  She would write a short personal message on each one she sent.  This tradition of handwriting Christmas cards has generally waned, and it saddens me a bit.  It is most likely due to Gram's influence that I eagerly anticipate the mail truck during the Christmas season.  Receiving a card means someone has thought about you - even if only for the amount of time it takes to stamp your address on the envelope.

But that thought matters.

Now is the era of photo cards - smiling faces but impersonal messages - and I am as guilty as the next person of sending these types of cards.  Yet it's still important to me.  Gram's influence shines through - cards are an old-fashioned, heart-warming way of connecting with people across the miles.  Writing addresses on envelopes, I think about each person and wonder how they are doing, and truly hope that the year ahead will be good for them.

As connected as I may be via all our new technology, I will never stop mailing Christmas cards.  And I will never stop feeling a burst of happiness when I open the mailbox and see an envelope addressed to me, from a friend.

Fall, 1996

Here is a series of letters from the fall of 1996.  I was beginning my sophomore year of college, and Gram would turn 79 on October 20.  I love the way she writes about simple, daily events - nothing big, not too much detail - just enough to peek at her life and know her mood.

Sept. 23, 1996
Today Jen and Brian were here to mow the lawn and put up summer things.  One job was to clean out the bird houses.  Jen stuck her hand in, pulled out lots of hay, and out through the hole, right at me, came Mr. Mouse!  He was bigger by now and only one was here.  I bid him a fond farewell as he scampered away.

Oct. 12, 1996
This morning we went to Ashford for breakfast.  Ashford is 26 miles away and where my grandfather was born about 125 years ago.  Beautiful country and the sun shining on the frosty fields, with the brilliant color of the trees in the background, was at times, breathtaking.  This last frost killed the last of the plants - now I should get out and clean up the old plants.  But today I must do something with all the tomatoes I rescued from the frost.

Nov. 4, 1996
Yesterday, Uncle Peter and I went to antique stores in East Hampton looking for book cases for him.  We had a great day.  He is a good traveling companion and I had a good ride in that new Acura with the marshmellowy leather seats.

Last night smelled like winter, but today is sunshiny and I'm going to do some yard work...  Serena was here on Saturday and took us out to lunch for our birthdays.

Nov. 12, 1996
Your Mom, Dad, & Beth just left. They came out with an apple pie and a couple of books for Grampa.  Uncle Peter was here also.  We had a good time talking about "olden days" - when your parents were little.

Last night we went to a dinner and there was a hypnotist as the entertainment.  I was sore from laughing - only I wouldn't want to be the one hypnotized.  Tomorrow we are going to Vermont for 3 days, taking [Grampa] Bob's (one of them) daughter with us. Hope we don't have any snow storms.  Lois has never been to the farm before.  I'm anxious to hear her reaction.

Thank you for Grampa's card.  He had a nice birthday - even if it did pour.  He heard from all his kids and that's what counts.

Nov. 17, 1996
We came back from Vermont Thursday afternoon.  It snowed a bit for 3 days and was very cold - 10 deg.  Don't think the snow was enough to track a cat tho - so can't count snowstorms yet.  We had an indoor fire in the fireplace and it was nice and cozy.

Today we went to Taylor Marie's baptism. She is Harry's granddaughter and my 36th of 39 great-grandchildren.  As I looked around at so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren I thought, "Am I really responsible for all these kids?  Wow!!"

One thing in particular that strikes me is how she includes the weather in so many of her letters.  She does not just state that it was hot or cold, sunny or rainy, but gives the sense of it: the smell of winter, the frosty fields, the cozy fire.  This sense of nature was as important to her as the people and activities in her daily life.

I try to remember to be a part of the natural world, rather than apart from it.  When I am outside and feel a breeze touch my cheek, carrying with it the scent of pine, or magnolia, or winter, I smile up at the grand sky and think of Gram.

End of summer, 1996

Aug. 30, 1996
Grampa and I went over to Aunt Joanne's for supper and Uncle Peter came with his new Acura - talk about a sporty car!  The seats are leather, but feel like marshmallows, and they heat up in the winter.  You can play CDs as well as tapes.  Had an enjoyable ride in it, but guess I'll stick to our Buick...

I love Grammie's idea and description of a "sporty" car!  Imagine - it can play CDs!  Gram was never one to embrace technology.  I often wonder what she would think of her letters on this blog.  As I imagine attempting to explain to her what a blog is, I think she would respond with something like, "You're putting my letters on the whoosy-whatsit for people to read?!  Blog, blurp, bleh.  Well, go ahead.  I'll stick to good ol' pen and paper!"  I admire my grandmother for many things, but her stubbornness in refusing to learn new technology always bothered me.  It's one thing I've learned from her not to do - as we grow older, I think it's important to try keeping up with our ever-changing world.  That's not to say we should completely abandon or ignore the old ways of doing things.  But the world keeps moving, and some change is good.


Sept. 10, 1996
Somehow this hot humid weather does not give anyone a great deal of ambition.  So I'm sitting watching the birds and catching up on little things while Grampa sleeps.  We are not only feeding the birds & squirrels, but also a cute little chipmunk who lives in the stone wall.  He has to have a pile of seed also.  The only problem is - I  have to stand on a chair or stool to reach a couple of the feeders  I feel like a scrambling monkey...  It is time for the birds to start migrating, so maybe we will get some new and different birds at our feeder.

Now I think I'll make Grampa his favorite kind of jello - wild strawberry.  My father used to tell my mother, with a smile on his face, that jello was cold, sleezey, slimy stuff that slides right down your gullet!

I happen to love Jell-O, but oh, what a lovely, shivery description!  For some reason, I was actually surprised Jell-O was around back in my great-grandparents' time.  A quick bit of research shows it's been around since 1897.  I don't think the company would really appreciate my great-grandfather's testimonial, though...