Services

In celebration of my grandmother's life, here are some of the memories I have of her, me, and life on the farm. I remember: Her enormous flower garden... especially the big calla lilies that had to be dug each fall and stored for the winter. There was a big lattice archway leading to the entrance of the garden. Gathering fresh eggs together from the hen house. The eggs were always so warm as I removed them from under the hens. Butchering chickens. This was a big family event and I can still recall the smell of scalded feathers. Eating her noodles made from scratch. They have a completely different taste and texture than store-bought. Skippy, the dog. Listening to the "Farm Report" every day on the radio at noon (a listing of current market prices for corn, hogs, cattle, etc.) Playing in the corn crib. We kids would climb to the highest point on the pile of corn and slide down over the ears of corn to the bottom. Feeding corn to the hogs and watching them go wild when we tossed a few ears into their pen. Eating big plates of her chicken and pot pies. Delicious! Retrieving potatoes from the dry cistern where they had been stored for the winter. The old two-story farm house and the various outbuildings where the machinery was stored. Swimming in the creek on hot summer days. Riding in a horse-drawn sleigh through the empty fields of snow at Christmas, with the whole family singing carols. Sitting over the hot-air register in the floor of the kitchen, trying to thaw out after riding in the sleigh! Her big, lacy fern displayed on a tall wooden fern stand in the dining room. It had been passed from her grandmother to her mother, to her, and then to my mother, and now I have a piece of it. Once it arrived here in Florida, it escaped from the pot and is now spreading unchecked under a couple of citrus trees. These are just a few of my recollections from the old days. Thanks Momo, for all the fond memories!

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family in the loss of our dear Aunt Hazel. Wish we could be together with you all. Lots of fun memories come to mind, but the best was the stay in the cabin in Montana that turned out to have bats residing there, too. Many happy times were spent on the farm -- birthdays, holidays, barbeques, and sleepovers. Remember the great games of croquet in the summer and all the wonderful food our moms would serve. We miss them so much, but are grateful for all they gave to us.

Dear Mary Ellen, Ron, & Family, Your mother's journey on earth has ended, and I know it is a difficult time for you. All my good thoughts are with you during this time of change. May the comfort of your family and friends help you.