4 th Year of Blogging

It doesn’t seem like it but today marks the 4th year of this blog. It also gives me a reference point of when I began my families genealogy two months prior.   I haven’t  posted much lately, it seems I’ve been a bit lazy.
I do enjoy reading the blogs I follow on Google Reader, whether it’s an old photo, a family story or a tip on computing.  I say to myself that I need to get back into the swing of things and post a few photos or stories. Before we left for  Florida for the winter (really a good move as CT had over 6 ft of snow), I scanned a bunch of photo’s but haven’t done a darn thing with them. I also spent time cleaning out the attic of old papers. When both you and your spouse are the oldest of the siblings it seems you get to keep all of your parents paper work most of which needs to go. I kept a few old checks of how the money was spent back in the 50’s. It sure was not much compared to today. My best find was my mom’s naturalization papers which revealed some interesting facts. I had often wondered what happened to it because she was very proud to have become a US  citizen.
So any way here’s a picture I scanned last Dec.  Since Easter’s coming this looks like it’s from 1947 or1948. My mom and dad with me and my sister.

                                      

Sleigh Bells Of East Hampton: A Family Factory Survives - Courant.com

A favorite sound of Christmas for me is the sound of sleigh bells. It was nice to see they are still being made in E. Hampton, Ct. In the early fifties we lived next door to E. Hampton and attended church there.
I can remember when my Dad came home with a porch bell made there. I still have it, along with a piece of harness with sleigh bells attached and an old cow bell on the leather collar. I'll ring those sleigh bells every so often just to hear the sound.
I loved the ending of "The Polar Express" when the boy rings the sleigh bell. Can you hear the sound?
I can!   

Sleigh Bells Of East Hampton: A Family Factory Survives - Courant.com

Another New England Favorite Gone ??

Today is pie making day in our house and one of my favorites is Squash pie not pumpkin. I usually make a few Apple, squash and maybe a chocolate.  My mom would make the squash out of a large Hubbard squash from the garden, but over the years using a canned squash produced by the " One Pie" canning Co. of West Paris, Me was much easier. But much to my dismay my bride came home empty handed. She went to 4 different stores( she's a good woman) early this morning  but couldn't find any. Being really distraught I went to  another store in the next town, no luck. I broke down and made a pumpkin, but used the recipe from the "One Pie" can, I hope the taste will be close.

I searched the web for info on the company, but couldn't find an active web site. I'll have to try "Hannaford's" when I go to Me or NY. and hope I can stock up.
I hope the company hasn't gone the way of all to many of the small canneries in New England.
I mean whats a guy to do?? I can't remember not having a squash pie on a holiday or the next day for breakfast.  

Mystic: Wolf Stones and Old Mystic's Wightman Burying Ground - CTnow

Here's an interesting story on rare wolf stones, which protected the remains from being disturbed by animals.
If there's one thing we have is rock and hardpan in New England, and hence some shallow graves in olden times. 
In addition to Wrightman, other names mentioned were Burrows and Morgan.


Mystic: Wolf Stones and Old Mystic's Wightman Burying Ground - CTnow

MARINE STUNS A TEA PARTY WITH THE FOURTH VERSE OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

I've never heard this stanza but, according to wikipedia  on some formal occasions this 4th verse is sung in addition to the first verse.
 I think the guy did a great job, and it would be great if it was sung more often.

Picking Strawberries

My  Mom and  Sister in the 60’s.

And this Little Redpole Flew All the Way Home

This little guy flew in through our garage and into the breezeway window
I found him on the floor stunned. So I took him outside and set him on the back of my truck and tried to  bring him around. Several of his friends came by to visit and he sat there quite a while before flying off.

His right foot seemed to improve as he came around.
When  I was a kid, a Partridge flew threw our living room window and ended up behind the TV  out cold.
I took it outside and put it under a bushel basket until my brother and sisters got home from school to show them
Well when I lifted  the basket  it took off as only a partridge can, with a thunderous beating of its wings. We all jumped back and I don’t think
the kids saw much more than tail feathers.