Friday, October 22, 2010
Flashback Friday # 16 ~ My boyhood family
I'm visiting my sister in Center Point, Iowa, this week.
Today we went for a look-around visit.
WHAT TOWN DID WE VISIT?
Today we went for a look-around visit.
WHAT TOWN DID WE VISIT?
Hints: Pictures are from a museum, an institution, and a low water crossing (also known as an Irish bridge).
Answer will be in the first comment of mine.
Answer will be in the first comment of mine.
All about our early family structure is what Linda wants from us this week. Linda asked several questions about us and our parents. Click her icon, right, if you want to read others or participate in this.How was your family structured when you were growing up? Did you grow up with both original parents in the home? If your parents divorced, did you go back and forth between them? Whether divorced or widowed, did your parent remarry? How old were you?
I was very fortunate to have both of my parents living together with our family for my entire time at home. There hadn't been a divorce in our family for a long time. I think mine was the first in generations.
Was yours a multi-generational household with grandparents living with you?
My grandparents lived about a half mile away and they owned the farm that we lived on and farmed on the share crop system of rent. It was a small farm.
When I was small Mom and I would drive to Grandma's home every Monday to wash. Grandpa was always checking in on my parents to make sure they were doing a good job of parenting. Grandpa made my mother tape my ears back so they wouldn't stick out so far. He also brought us items of furniture that we didn't have but needed.
On holidays my Uncles' families and ours would all go to Grandpa and Grandma's for a noon holiday meal. It was pot luck but Grandma always made the main meat dish. I remember too, her scalloped oysters. I have never has as good as she cooked those oysters since.
Did your mom work outside the home, and if so, was it full-time or part-time?
Mom helped on the farm. She took care of the chickens, both the growing ones and the egg laying hens. The egg management was also her job. Mom and Dad and us kids all helped with the garden.
Was there a clearly delineated division of labor between your parents (or parent and step-parent) and how traditional was it?
Mom did all the household tasks including the cooking and cleaning and washing of clothes. Dad took care of the chores although Mom sometimes helped with that. Then Dad did the fieldwork and managed the equipment and the cars.
Did your parents believe in child labor?! That is, how structured were chores? What responsibility, if any, did you have for things like doing your own laundry, fixing your own school lunch, etc.?
My sister and I had chores. Mine were mostly helping with Dad's work while Lois's was with Mom's. Mom did our care taking items such as washing clothing and school lunches. She also kept our clothing in proper repair, such as hemming skirts and pants and patching of holes.
Were your parents do-it-yourself-ers or did they hire people for repairs, painting, etc.?
We very seldom needed a professional to come help with the homestead maintenance. Dad did most it although Mom was also handy with the tools. Dad also maintained the cars and other equipment both for farming and our living. He did tasks from putting new soles on our shoes to welding a broken bicycle.
Is your current marriage/family structure similar to the way you were raised? What do you do differently than you did then?
We don't live on a farm now so some tasks are much different. But Mrs. Jim is generally in charge of the cooking and other household tasks. I take care of the house, the cars, and the lawn. But we help each other. Especially now that we are retired. For example I keep the floors in good shape by vacuuming and polishing. Mrs. Jim mops any that need that, which would be the entrance hall and the bathrooms.
Labels: Flashback Friday, Iowa, Jim in his Younger Days, Jim's Life
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
MidWeek Blues -- Some blue at the fair -- No. 2
We went to the County Fair at Brenham, Texas, on September 17 of this year (2010). It was a nice fair with a very fine rodeo.Today I'm posting a few of the livestock pictures. Previously I have posted pictures and all about the rodeo "Another day" I will post some pictures of the other things happening at the fair. Click on my pictures to make them larger. Click here to see them all.
These are cattle to be auctioned off. I like them all so I really have not favorites. Well, if I had to pick one it would be the fine little filly (horse) below.
This nice little filly was a year plus old. She sold for $2000. We think this was a bargain for the new owner..
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Below is the same white cow that was pictured above. It sold for more than the horse but I don't remember for how much.
I am not sure if the heifer was sold for breeding stock or for butchering.
Our house guest, Corinne, enjoyed petting the goat. This was in the 'petting zoo' which was enjoyed by both children and adults. For some this was their first up close encounter with farm animals.
Our house guest, Corinne, enjoyed petting the goat. This was in the 'petting zoo' which was enjoyed by both children and adults. For some this was their first up close encounter with farm animals.
All little piggies must go night-night.
If you want to post a MidWeek Blues picture, go get directions from Rebecca by clicking on the logo picture on the right. She has a Mr. Linky and good directions . Just do what I did. Or do less. All she requires is a BLUE PICTURE or BLUE THOUGHT, you don't have to write.
Labels: Animals, Fair, Jim Does, Midweek Blues
Sunday, October 17, 2010
How to make a miniture gift Bible (or you can purchase one at a Christmas bazaar)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path [Psalm 119:105]
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [Psalm 119:103]
Mrs. Jim purchased this cute miniature Bible at the Ladies Fellowship Luncheon annual Christmas Bazaar this Thursday past. It was fairly inexpensive and will make a wonderful friendship appreciation gift.* It can be kept on a shelf if not allowed to overheat or it can be eaten.
The church ladies (First Baptist Church, Conroe, Texas) worked hard getting ready for the bazaar. Basically it was a simple sounding operation: sell admission tickets for $6.00 which included a box lunch and drinks (the 'customers' could walk around shopping and eating during their lunch hour), get as many vendors as would fit into the gym (I think about 33 bought booths), and award the profits as college scholarships.
Of course there were complimentary tasks which must be performed, such as sweeping up the messes they made. We were all surprised that Dot knew how to handle a broom. I taught her how she could lean on it when she needed a rest.
I would have taken some pictures of the booths, etc, but Mrs. Jim had the camera so she could get action pictures. But she forgot to take them. You can click on the ones we have to make them larger.
* Directions for making the miniature Bible:
The church ladies (First Baptist Church, Conroe, Texas) worked hard getting ready for the bazaar. Basically it was a simple sounding operation: sell admission tickets for $6.00 which included a box lunch and drinks (the 'customers' could walk around shopping and eating during their lunch hour), get as many vendors as would fit into the gym (I think about 33 bought booths), and award the profits as college scholarships.
Of course there were complimentary tasks which must be performed, such as sweeping up the messes they made. We were all surprised that Dot knew how to handle a broom. I taught her how she could lean on it when she needed a rest.I would have taken some pictures of the booths, etc, but Mrs. Jim had the camera so she could get action pictures. But she forgot to take them. You can click on the ones we have to make them larger.
* Directions for making the miniature Bible:
Labels: Church
