Monday, August 26, 2013

Autumn by Rose Shaklee Oct. 31, 2008

Autumn is my favorite time of year
          Look around. See it coming far and near.
First the leaves lose their green,
          Then falling can be seen.
Rake the leaves to stop their blowing
          Give the grass one last mowing.
Look up!  Open your eyes, and even your mouth.
          Yes the birds are heading south.
Look up and down and all around.
          First frost has pulled the flowers down.
Oh, wait. The pansies still show their color
          This should please the girls and mother.
Let's give the grill one last workout
          Before the snows make it too cold about.
Now check our coats. Do they need cleaning?
          If you see spots, you know my meaning.
Look! The fireplace log stack is too low.
          Let's saw the limbs felled by the last blow.
Slow down now and wash the car,
          Then sit on the porch and look out afar.
Enjoy the soft breezes while we may.
          Colder weather will hit us any day.

SUCCESS

Success by Rose Shaklee

Success is achieving a goal,
In bits and pieces or as a whole.
The end was out of sight
As you started the climb.
Then when you arrived,
The view was sublime.

Keys to Success by Rose Shaklee

1. Set a goal
2. Think what you need before you start
3. Survey others who have achieved that same goal
4. Ask for advice when needed
5. Thank those who helped you along the way
6. Go slow but be persistent
7. When the going gets rough, stop to ponder and pray
8. If the road is blocked, take a detour
9. Don't be too hard on yourself
10. As you go, give thanks for small successes
11. When you arrive, take time to enjoy
12. Help others who are still striving

Friday, August 23, 2013

FACTS

As I was perusing the numerous papers in the tub my sister gave me, I noticed a lot of papers labeled "facts". There were facts ranging from mom's Christmas card list to who went to her 40th high school reunion to how many afghans she had made. They were hurriedly hand written, and for those who knew mom, her writing is hard to read at the best of times. If any of these "facts" seem quirky enough or amusing, I may post them but if not, they are going into a folder labeled "facts" and after that I have no idea what to do with them. Any ideas?

She also has pages and pages of info taken from her calendar and diaries. Not sure what I'll do with that, either, but the letters to dad via V-mail during WWII are amazingly cute. I'm sure I'll have to post some of that. They are photocopies of the original letters, shrunk down. Not sure if that is how they were sent or what. That was before my time.

SERENDIPITY!

This was part of a program where mom spoke at the Garfield County Genealogical Society in Enid, OK. It's not dated, but it would have been between 1986 and 1989. It was typed with a typewriter, not printed from a computer. Dad had a PC at that time, but mom didn't like to use it. She was too used to typewriters, but it was typed on the back of used paper. Always conserving, that's my parents!


SERENDIPITY! I found out a few weeks ago that was the title Bill had chosen for this program. OK--now you know what the word means. Actually my part of the program is titled:  THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF TRAVELING WITH A GENEALOGY NUT. Oh, perhaps we'll find some serendipities along the way. Is that word plural? Genealogy was Bill's hobby--he had little time for it before retirement--my experience and knowledge of the subject was practically nil. Bill kept what records we had on my family as well as his. Then he retired and we moved back to OK from MD. Soon afterwards I went with him to a little town up in KS to a courthouse. We went into this room where big flat books were stacked floor to ceiling. He pulled one out and began glancing down one page and then the next. I asked him what name he was looking for, then I looked down one page while he looked down the other. Serendipity--we found togetherness.

Another time we were in Des Moines, IA historical society, I think. More big books. My Barges and
Van Lissels were in IA. He brought me a couple of books--one said Deaths and one said Marriages. He said,  "While I look for Shaklees you can look for your Aunt Mattie Barge's marriage and for the Van Lissel death records". I don't know if I found them but there we sat side by side at this big table--more togetherness.

We were in Indiana once and Bill showed me how to read census films. Even brought me the 1850 census. What a thrill when I found my great grandfather! Was that the serendipity? No, the serendipity was that I had found a new hobby!

I really have a sneaking suspicion that Bill was working toward this all the time. But he knew I was stubborn and if he pushed too hard, I'd probably run the other way.

That was nearly 10 years ago and here we are today a pair of genealogy nuts who have had lots of togetherness on lots of genealogy trips where serendipity popped up frequently--many of which were not of a genealogical nature.  Fortunately our ancestors lived in, came thru or came from historical, picturesque, and/or interesting areas.

We were visiting courthouses in SE OH searching for his Shaklees and my Barges. Serendipity--we discovered the natives call this the Little Switzerland of OH--beautiful rugged hills, valleys and streams. One time Bill wanted to stop to check something at the courthouse in Washington, PA--Serendipity--that may be the most magnificent court house in the country! It was newly renovated so its stained glass windows, carved balustrades and marble stairs gleamed.

Last fall Bill wanted to go to the Coffin family reunion on Nantucket Island. That was fine with me if we went by way of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I had always wanted to explore New England. We were almost into Vermont where the first town we would hit would be Bennington. Bill said, "Oh, by the way, I want to look for a Pierce in Bennington". OK, he spent a gorgeous fall day in the library while I found lots of Serendipity: Grandma Moses gallery and a 1762 school house, a newly restored 1762 colonial church, tree covered bridges, the Bennington Revolutionary War battlefield and monument, and a place to buy Vermont maple syrup. I even picked up some pretty leaves in the church cemetery--a passing couple wanted to know if I had lost something--no, I had found something! Serendipity! We found a lot of exciting things as we explored New England and then we had a great time on Historic Nantucket Island. As you travel I suggest you take along a good atlas or a book telling what to see wherever you are. Don't neglect the here and now while you are looking for yesterday.

That whole trip could be what I call a trade-off. We had another trade-off last summer in NC. Bill wanted to visit the Rev. war battlefield in the Blue Ridge Mts. where his Quaker ancestor had cared for the wounded, from both sides, in his home. I said, "Fine, I want to see the Italian type frescoes in a couple of little churches in the Mts. of Ashe Co." So he enjoyed the frescoes with me, and we both enjoyed a pleasant Sun. morning exploring the battlefield. In the Museum Bill found a book which mentioned his ancestor--a serendipity for him.

I'll tell of two trips when the serendipity was truly genealogical. The first in southern MD a few years ago. Following a meeting in MD we went to visit Bill's nephew and family in St. Mary's City, St. Mary's Co., Southern MD. Old St. Mary's city was the first capitol of MD. Distance wise, that would be a little like having our OK capitol in the western tip of the panhandle. St. Mary's was celebrating the 300th birthday of something--city or state. For this they had rushed work on reconstructing the old buildings of St. Mary's City. Bill's nephew took us to see the area which is to be similar to Williamsburg, VA when completed, except they are trying to build replicas of the original buildings on the exact sites of Colonial Times. They are locating the sites with the use of old manuscripts, old surveys, modern infrared aerial photographs and archeological digs.

This was not to be a genealogical trip for us. But it just so happens that my grandpa Barge had two grandmothers who were Swearingens--cousins. All Swearingens in the US are supposedly descended from Gerret Van Swearingen who settled in Southern MD when he came here from Holland in the 1600's. I have traced my Swearingens to this same Gerret. As we were exploring the area, we walked over to the current dig and Serendipity, the sign read, "Site of the commons house of Gerret Van Swearingen." My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Eight greats!

I love to learn the history surrounding my ancestors. Bill's special love is digging out all the facts and dates and fitting them together like a jigsaw puzzle. I use my imagination and just might occasionally make up a few interesting tidbits. That isn't necessary with old Gerret. He left lots of tracks. He was naturalized by petitioning Lord Baltimore. Why? Because only British subjects could own land. You did want to learn a little history today, right? Gerret was on the council and was sheriff for a time. In one book he was called an Innholder. In his own words in a letter he says, "I paid for a license for 1671 for then I did keep an ordinary in my house that was afterwards burnt." One book says he kept a coffee house and a council room. Another book mentions the Swearingen Tavern on Middle St. I've had a little trouble putting these facts together. The map shows his house and then a small structure nearer the commons area. I've decided that structure had two rooms--one where you could get a mug of ale or a cup of coffee and trade the latest gossip and another room where the council could meet. Or maybe the tavern served as a council room after the first house burnt and until the regular government house was built. Perhaps that tavern, coffeehouse, whatever, was the original Colonial Quick Stop.

In the fall of 1984 was went to California, MO to a Sappington reunion because Bill was trying to find how his great-grandmother was connected to the Sappingtons. He was unable to find the connection, but I found Serendipity at every turn. I talked with a man at the reunion who had a common Connell ancestor with me back in WV. Serendipity, we were about 7th cousins, and he later sent me some helpful into.

As I talked with one lady, we found that both our families had roots in Linn twp of Moniteau Co. Next day she brought me a 1876 plat map showing the farms and owners names in Linn twp. Sure enough-there was my Nickles 3 1/2 miles west of Jamestown and my Millers just outside of town. My Millers had moved there from IN in 1854 and my Nickles came there from OH in 1865. Time passed and Chris Miller married Mary Louise Nickles and--eventually--they became my grandparents. In 1907 they moved to OK with the four youngest of their ten children. Those ten children provided them with more than 40 grandchildren. So I still have first cousins that I have never met.

This leads to the next serendipity of that trip. When I wrote to a favorite cousin living near Boonville (north of California) about our trip, she suggested we call her sister while we were there and also visit the Burger Smoke House nearby, where her brother works.

The result was we took my cousin Louise out to dinner one night and found out she had been in OK with her mother to see our grandparents when I was a baby but naturally I didn't remember her. So chalk up a serendipity as I met a first cousin for the first time. And we DID visit the Burger Smoke house, met cousin Walter who gave us a personally guided tour of the facility, which ships smoked pork products all over the country. We were impressed with their 7 story high aging tower for the hams!

I did remember meeting Walter when he visited our grandparents in OK when we were 7 or 8 with his mother. How could I forget! He and his brother impressed us by swearing like a couple of sailors. Later I learned they had five older brothers who thought it was cute to get those little guys to swear. He didn't end up in the bad place like we were sure he would--but now has a very responsible position and getting reacquainted was a serendipity.

Next day cousin Louise went with us to Jamestown to the area where my father was born and grew up. We located the farm on Howard Creek--though the house my granddad built has long since been replaced by a modern one. Just visitng the area made my daddy's tales of growing up in the MO hills come alive for me. When he was in his 70's I persuaded him to write down his stories. Actually he dictated them to mother then she sent them to me in MD to be typed. When our family saw what we had done, my younger brother and sister made copies of old pictures and put them with the stories in booklet form. Here is an idea for you to use.

There was to be one last serendipity on that trip. With the help of the old land plat and a man in Jamestown we found my great-grandfather Miller's farm near there. None of my family had ever talked about this farm for some reason. Yet here it was with probably the same house he had built around 1890, still standing, though unoccupied and in a state of disrepair. It was a real thrill to locate that homestead--a neat serendipity.

There isn't time to relate all the serendipity we have found in working together on genealogy--I've left out Salt Lake, for instance.

However I do want to mention some human serendipity. We have met some wonderful, helpful people in libraries, historical societies and courthouses across the country. Surely each of them is a serendipity.

Some people think we don't take any trips other than genealogical ones. When we were preparing to go to New Zealand and Australia in 1985, someone asked if we had ancestors there. Why else would we go there!  We had our first cruise in January. It will probably be our last. Bill couldn't find any courthouses or cemetaries on that ship.

The last serendipity I'll mention is really a whole room full of them. Yes, the great friends we have met here in the Garfield County Genealogical Society. Each of you is a serendipity!

Nowadays all you have to do is go on ancestry.com to get your info. Imagine all the togetherness, and beautiful scenery and helpful people they would have missed out on!






Tuesday, August 20, 2013

August 16, 1978

This is a poem mom wrote to me when I left home for college

Oh, my heart is heavy-my heart is sad.
My youngest child is leaving for college.
Gone are the times we could do things together,
Sharing the work or enjoying vacations.
Gone are the talks when we've traded ideas,
Learning of life and the people about us.
Gone are the youth in and out of the house
Keeping us young with their teenage chatter.
Gone is the music and the telephone ringing.
Will I ever get used to just two again?

Oh, my heart is happy-my heart is glad.
My youngest daughter is ready for college.
She's been a joy from the day she was born.
Giving my life new meaning and interest
As I watched her develop and become a young lady.
We've weathered disagreements and shared disappointments.
She has been a good friend as well as an offspring.
Tolerating my ways--sometimes with amusement.
I'm proud of the record she's made through her efforts,
Proud of the mind the Good Lord has given her,
Pleased with her beauty, her talent, her charm.
Proud of the faith she has in her Maker.
I know she'll succeed in the plans she has laid.
My love and my prayers will go with her always.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

ODE TO MY MOTHER ON HER 90TH BIRTHDAY

ODE TO MY MOTHER FOR HER NINETIETH BIRTHDAY
                                                                                  Written Dec 26 1985

Who gave me birth and early succor?
Who picked me up and kissed the bruises?
Who read to me and heard my prayers?
Who cooked and baked to make holidays special?
Who darned my socks and sewed my dresses?
Who listened to reading and helped with ciphers?
Who came to school and heard my "pieces"?
Who baked pink cakes for every birthday"
Who made doll clothes and mended playthings?
Who dished out discipline and settled quarrels?
Who baked bread and packed my lunches?
Who instilled morals and church attendance?
Who taught me housekeeping and also cooking?
Who wiped my tears and soothed my heartaches?
Who encouraged study and stressed education?
Who suffered with me through wartime crises?
Who welcomed Bill and blessed our marriage?
Who hugged our kids and truly loved them?
Who mourned with us when we lost our baby?
Who wrote often to keep us current?
Who cooked and canned for our farm vacations?
Who loves me still and forgives impatience?
Whom do I love and care for always?

MY MOTHER!

Introduction

My sister found numerous pages of my mother's writings, letters, etc. when we were cleaning out my parent's apartment after they died 18 months ago. At the time I courageously volunteered to try to put them together as an auto biography, which is what she was working toward. Again, since blogging seems to be the way to go, I will stop my own blog for now and start on hers. Turns out she already had a lot typed onto a flash drive, so I can blog those first, and quickly, while trying to sort out the other papers and type them up. I will share this on facebook for my Shaklee and Miller Relatives to enjoy.