My Sister Vivian

It was 5 years ago today that my sister Vivian died during the night without any warning. I was reminded of this by Alyssa, her Great Granddaughter who paid a lovely tribute to her today on Facebook. Alyssa had spent the night with Vivian and went for help when she realized Vivian wasn't going to wake up. She is shown here with her husband Eddy as they celebrated the arrival of the year 2000. It was at the location of their  winter home in Victoria Palms at Donna, TX. They spent many enjoyable winters with friends at that location. I was only 18 months younger than Vivian and she "looked after me" as I started to school here in Seward and beyond. An example came to light only a couple years before she died. While in Garland HS, 3 of us fellows skipped school one afternoon and went to Seward to see the new cars that had just come out. We not only lost our athletic privileges for the balance of the season, but the Superintendent told us he was writing a letter to our parents. As we discussed this incident after our folks had passed on, someone asked, "What did your folks do when they got the letter??" I thought for a moment and said that I didn't remember of their ever getting the letter. Vivian spoke us and said, " I'll tell you why they never got the letter, I faked not feeling well, stayed home from school, picked up the mail and destroyed the letter". It took me over 50 years to learn of that incident and I suspect she did many other things for  me of which I never will know. 

Cornhusker Kiwanis Club at 50

Marv Taylor, Ralph Hansen, Paul Beck and I participated in the Lincoln Cornhusker Kiwanis Club's 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner this evening. Rod Fowler, their Club President and Channel 8 newscaster, served as MC. Jane Erickson, Kiwanis International Trustee, addressed the group and talked about the Kiwanis Family. Her husband Gus and Rod's wife Laurie are also shown in the picture. Charter member Dean Hoy was also recognized for 41 years of perfect attendance. The Kiwanis mission is based on Serving the Children of the World. Rod Fowler gave an excellent personification of Paul Harvey at the conclusion of the program with, "... and on the 8th day, God created a Kiwanian". 

Jon, Mary and Anna's visit

Jon, Mary and Anna had breakfast with us this morning and then were on their way back to Virginia and home. We had a nice time while they were here despite the blizzard Sunday that scuttled some of our best laid plans. I took advantage of Jon's computer knowledge to learn several things. In addition, we bought a Toshiba Backup Portable Hard Drive and got it installed. We downloaded everything that was on my HP PC on to it's 500gb's of storage. It's not much bigger than a deck of cards and I will never know how it can hold that much stuff. Do you suppose it's efficiency exceeds that of the Human Brain?? I also got a Memory Card Reader/Writer to enable me to download pictures from my camera to the laptop without a cord. We enjoyed their visit and look forward to their return sometime in the not too distant future. 

Sam Walton in Bentonville

I am not a Sam Walton history buff but was told some years ago that this was his original store in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. We had been to a Soil and Water Conservation Society meeting in Biloxi, MS and came through Bentonville, AK on our way home. As I remember the story, Sam Wanton worked with the J.C.Penney Company following attaining a BA degree from the U of Missouri. He served in the military during WWII.  He and his brother then had a small chain of Ben Franklin stores before opening his own "Walton's 5-10" as shown in the picture. We got into town back in 1999 just a few minutes after this store closed for the day. I took the picture and we went out to a Motel nearby with a large WalMart adjacent. I bought a Dunlop, No Problem, Titanium, Low center of gravity, 16 degree loft 3 "wood". It has been in my golf bag ever since. It is my main fairway club as well as teeing off with it on the par 3's. I don't remember what I paid for it but it doesn't owe me a thing and has provided some pretty good shots for an old man. 

Spring Snowstorm

We "sprang forward"  our clocks and watches last night and had plans for a full Sunday of activities by going to church, to Friend, NE for a Czech Ag. program and come home through Beaver Crossing. However, none of that was to be when Elaine brought in the newspapers early and announced that we were having a blizzard. It continued throughout the day and is forecast to last until tomorrow morning. We didn't get out of the house all day but did have some visitors. Elaine used her creativity and fed us well. It was a good time for Jon, Mary and Anna to spend time with John, Julie and Sadie. It was also a busy day for the birds in our back yard. The Junco's were particularly active though many others were around. I made no attempt to start up the snow blower nor clean off any snow with it continuing to fall and the wind continuing to blow. Some of the schools in the area have already announced their being closed tomorrow but have not seen anything about Seward. The forecast at 6:00pm was for clearing during the day tomorrow and temperatures to be back up to 50 degrees on Wednesday. The boys State Basketball tournament ended last night and over the years, we have had many spring snowstorms at the time of the tournament. There is no place like Nebraska. 

Son Jon

I feel very honored to be asked to spend a few minutes and write some of my thoughts on my dad's blog, The Crow's Nest.

When I looked at the photograph that my dad took of me for this blog, it has the wonderful appearance of a time of days long ago. No, the hair is not by accident. My life, when not working, is consumed with researching and teaching history through reenactments and living histories.

As I visit my family, I am reminded of time that has passed. Time spent rushing to graduate and get a job. Life spent rushing through a career to get to retirement. As I get older, I am gaining a greater appreciation for the benefits of slowing down and enjoying the now.

As you see me sitting in Dad's old chair, I am reflecting on the day of going from cemetery to cemetery,  visiting small Nebraska cemeteries that contain a number of Civil War soldiers, both north and south. I was surprised to learn today that there are at least 22 Confederate soldiers buried across the State of Nebraska. Confederate soldiers buried nearby more numerous Union soldiers.

As time has a present and a past, time also has a future. I received great news, the kind of news that parents always like to get. Their children are employed. Well, my older daughter let us know tonight that, upon graduation with her doctorate in Latin American history from Indiana, she will be gainfully employed as a professor at Southern Connecticut University. Now I have a place to spend my falls and springs when I retire.

Jon

Grandson Tony & Coach Brown

I continue to work through my 1999 pictures. This is one taken on the 4th of July when we had family here for our 50th wedding anniversary. The Seward 4th of July parade goes past our house and we have a group of "regulars" who watch it from our yard and driveway. Some of these friends were close friends with Ron Brown who continues to serve on Bo Polini's Nebraska staff as Coach of the running backs. He has over 20 years experience as a Nebraska Coach and inspirational leader. He was recognized a year ago last fall when Nebraska played an emotional game with Penn State at College Station. Coach Brown led a Unity prayer with members of both teams gathered on the field. At the time I took the picture, we wondered if Grandson Tony may come back from Indiana some day to play for Coach Brown but it wasn't to be. Tony had an outstanding HS Succor career as a Goalie but never played football. He also competed in cross county. A year ago he did well in his first Marathon in Indianapolis. He will graduate this spring from Indiana University at Bloomington. Since he is our only Grandson, we hope to go back for the event.