Something I remember and truly never want to forget is my Daddy’s whistle!
He was always whistling, always. From the time I can remember even up to shortly before he passed away he was always whistling.
As a little girl I would know when he was coming for lunch because I’d hear his whistle. I always knew he was close when I heard his whistle. I would run down the long hall knowing he would soon be coming up those stairs.
One day I heard his whistle while play in my room and down the hall I went running to the stairway to wait for him to appear. I did not hear him coming up the stairs but I could still faintly hear his whistle. So I ran back to the kitchen to be sure. There I could still hear it, loud and clear.
I looked outside for him through the windows in the kitchen and my room; no where was he to be seen BUT that was his whistle and so loud. Where WAS he? Was he playing a game with me?
I found my mother, explained and asked her where was Daddy, I hear his whistle. She too heard it and we both looked for him as she told me it was too early for him to come home for lunch and that he was probably just working outside near by.
This went on all day and then the next day too until we finally realized what we were hearing was a mocking bird. The bird had heard my Daddy’s whistle so much it learned to mock his exact little tune. I don’t remember how old I was but I know that whistle and really do miss hearing it today.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Move From Rutland to Columbus
When me made the moved from Rutland, Meigs Co. to Columbus we moved into an apartment. Mother told me we moved into a small upstairs apartment on the OSU poultry farm. Maybe there wasn’t room for all the furniture another things they sold. Certainly no room for cows.
I do NOT remember living this apartment at all. Remember I told you I was barely one year old. I know where the apartment was located and remember the building from later in my childhood but I do not remember living there. She said it was mainly two rooms; a kitchen with an eating area and the living room was also the bedroom area for all three of us. Nope, don’t remember that either!
She also said Uncle Owen, that was Daddy’s brother, stayed with us for a while too while he was going to OSU. She told me today she sure doesn’t remember where they put him. Tee Hee, maybe in a closet. Did we have a closet, I am sure we must have but, I don’t remember.
At some time, Mother isn’t even sure when, we moved from the 2 room upstairs apartment to another apartment. It was located at the end of a long building that housed chickens. Did I say we lived on the poultry farm at OSU? Well, if not that’s were we lived, at least for the 8 years. Daddy was the farm manager for the Poultry Farm at OSU. The first apartment they lived in was at the other end of the long chicken building. So we didn’t move far. Mother says moved before Jerry was born, if I don’t remember Jerry’s as a baby I’m sure not going to remember the move. I don’t remember anything about him being a baby. I remember him being a bother but that was when he was much older. Where was he born, not at home like I was? Something else I need to ask about.
I can described this second apartment from memory but that must be because we lived there for several years before moving to the Hess house on Olentangy River Rd., where the Fawcett Center is now located at OSU.
This apartment was upstairs too. Oh, boy I remember climbing up all those stairs. Plus there were a bunch of stairs to a porch area where you entered the building. Then you had to go up more stairs to get to the apartment.
Once upstairs you entered into the living room it was a very nice size room. You turned left out of the living room and went down a LONG hallway to the kitchen, bathroom and my parent’s bedroom at the end of the hall. On each side of the long hallway were two huge rooms. One was made into a dorm style room where Jerry and I spelt, it was our playroom as well. There had to have been room for 10 kids in that room it was so big. The other one was a huge room for storage. All the rooms were very large especially the room where Jerry and I slept.
When did I have the measles? How old was I? I remember I had to stay in my bedroom and Mother had all the drapes/blinds or whatever closed. I wasn’t allowed to leave the room and had to stay in the dark.
I remember my cousins coming to visit from Meigs Co. and we all would sleep in my room some of us on the floor. I remember that being especially fun. I had lots and lots of cousins, but of course they all didn't visit at the same time. Only three of my 47 cousins lived close most all of them lived in Meigs Co. Ohio with the exception of six who lived in Buffalo, NY.
Even though I don't remember this move I am sure of one thing even if I don't remember it. My grandmother standing in the driveway with one of her many aprons on and a hankerchief in hand crying as we pulled from the driveway.
I know how she must have felt, I get teary eyed each and everytime one of my grandchildren leave here no matter how long or short the visit was. I try hard not to let them see as I know how it made me feel as a child. When I was older I remember this happening each and everytime we left after a visit.
I do NOT remember living this apartment at all. Remember I told you I was barely one year old. I know where the apartment was located and remember the building from later in my childhood but I do not remember living there. She said it was mainly two rooms; a kitchen with an eating area and the living room was also the bedroom area for all three of us. Nope, don’t remember that either!
She also said Uncle Owen, that was Daddy’s brother, stayed with us for a while too while he was going to OSU. She told me today she sure doesn’t remember where they put him. Tee Hee, maybe in a closet. Did we have a closet, I am sure we must have but, I don’t remember.
At some time, Mother isn’t even sure when, we moved from the 2 room upstairs apartment to another apartment. It was located at the end of a long building that housed chickens. Did I say we lived on the poultry farm at OSU? Well, if not that’s were we lived, at least for the 8 years. Daddy was the farm manager for the Poultry Farm at OSU. The first apartment they lived in was at the other end of the long chicken building. So we didn’t move far. Mother says moved before Jerry was born, if I don’t remember Jerry’s as a baby I’m sure not going to remember the move. I don’t remember anything about him being a baby. I remember him being a bother but that was when he was much older. Where was he born, not at home like I was? Something else I need to ask about.
I can described this second apartment from memory but that must be because we lived there for several years before moving to the Hess house on Olentangy River Rd., where the Fawcett Center is now located at OSU.
This apartment was upstairs too. Oh, boy I remember climbing up all those stairs. Plus there were a bunch of stairs to a porch area where you entered the building. Then you had to go up more stairs to get to the apartment.
Once upstairs you entered into the living room it was a very nice size room. You turned left out of the living room and went down a LONG hallway to the kitchen, bathroom and my parent’s bedroom at the end of the hall. On each side of the long hallway were two huge rooms. One was made into a dorm style room where Jerry and I spelt, it was our playroom as well. There had to have been room for 10 kids in that room it was so big. The other one was a huge room for storage. All the rooms were very large especially the room where Jerry and I slept.
When did I have the measles? How old was I? I remember I had to stay in my bedroom and Mother had all the drapes/blinds or whatever closed. I wasn’t allowed to leave the room and had to stay in the dark.
I remember my cousins coming to visit from Meigs Co. and we all would sleep in my room some of us on the floor. I remember that being especially fun. I had lots and lots of cousins, but of course they all didn't visit at the same time. Only three of my 47 cousins lived close most all of them lived in Meigs Co. Ohio with the exception of six who lived in Buffalo, NY.
Even though I don't remember this move I am sure of one thing even if I don't remember it. My grandmother standing in the driveway with one of her many aprons on and a hankerchief in hand crying as we pulled from the driveway.
I know how she must have felt, I get teary eyed each and everytime one of my grandchildren leave here no matter how long or short the visit was. I try hard not to let them see as I know how it made me feel as a child. When I was older I remember this happening each and everytime we left after a visit.
Friday, August 21, 2009
For My Precious Precious Grandchildren
For My Precious Precious Grandchildren
I should have started with this. Better late than never.
Yesterday I told Jim I had started a blog. He looked at me in a strange way and simply said, "WHY"
Why this blog? Simple -- it is for my grandchildren; Andrianna, Kirsten, Sophia and the two cutest twins you could ever ask for, Ian & Caleb. All five mean more to me than I can put into words. Love you all so very very much.
Each one is so previous and special in their own way.
Andiranna is going to be the historian & valedictorian of this family. That makes me feel good to know there is at least one person interested in all the work I have done. She is always asking me to tell her more about one of her grandparents and likes to look at the photos of them in those funny looking clothes. She loves to read and there's no spelling words around her anymore. She figures out the words we spell.
Kirsten, so fun and full of energy; she loves singing and dancing, whose knows she just be on on the stage one day. She can be so quite and serious and then the next thing you know she is humming & singing a song and dancing. Kirsten she will eat just about anything. She asks if she can try it. Not us asking her to try it. One day while she was here she asked me, Nanna you have any pickles? She wanted a snack.
Sophia, my little tomboy, well we are doing our best to turn her into one; she's going to be the comedian of the family for sure. There isn't a day when she is here that she doesn't make me laugh. But yet she's so sensitive and emotional. She absolutely loves her sister and tries to do everything she does. Sophia is so full of words and thoughts, so many words and not enough time to tell you all she has to say. Ever drive for 30 minutes with a child in the back seat who didn't stop talking for even a minute? She had a lot to tell me and I learned so much that day.
Ian and Caleb a perfect pair but yet so different. Ian is the strong willed and always has a grin on his face, unless he doesn't feel good. He does everything in 4th gear. He is so full of mischievousness and gets this look on his face that you just know trouble is his next stop. Caleb is the thinker. He has to think a little about doing it before jumping in. Ian just jumps in and does it. One of these days though Caleb is going to realize he is bigger than his brother ..... you better watch out Ian. Caleb has this shy way of looking at you, puts his head down a little and looks up at you with those big blue eyes and this soft little smile without moving his head. Just melts your heart right away.
Yes, they will have their family tree that I have done for them but this will be a bit more fun to read and more interesting, at least I hope it is.
These are my memories of events and those who touched my life in the past and in the future. They are things that helped make me who I am today.
I should have started with this. Better late than never.
Yesterday I told Jim I had started a blog. He looked at me in a strange way and simply said, "WHY"
Why this blog? Simple -- it is for my grandchildren; Andrianna, Kirsten, Sophia and the two cutest twins you could ever ask for, Ian & Caleb. All five mean more to me than I can put into words. Love you all so very very much.
Each one is so previous and special in their own way.
Andiranna is going to be the historian & valedictorian of this family. That makes me feel good to know there is at least one person interested in all the work I have done. She is always asking me to tell her more about one of her grandparents and likes to look at the photos of them in those funny looking clothes. She loves to read and there's no spelling words around her anymore. She figures out the words we spell.
Kirsten, so fun and full of energy; she loves singing and dancing, whose knows she just be on on the stage one day. She can be so quite and serious and then the next thing you know she is humming & singing a song and dancing. Kirsten she will eat just about anything. She asks if she can try it. Not us asking her to try it. One day while she was here she asked me, Nanna you have any pickles? She wanted a snack.
Sophia, my little tomboy, well we are doing our best to turn her into one; she's going to be the comedian of the family for sure. There isn't a day when she is here that she doesn't make me laugh. But yet she's so sensitive and emotional. She absolutely loves her sister and tries to do everything she does. Sophia is so full of words and thoughts, so many words and not enough time to tell you all she has to say. Ever drive for 30 minutes with a child in the back seat who didn't stop talking for even a minute? She had a lot to tell me and I learned so much that day.
Ian and Caleb a perfect pair but yet so different. Ian is the strong willed and always has a grin on his face, unless he doesn't feel good. He does everything in 4th gear. He is so full of mischievousness and gets this look on his face that you just know trouble is his next stop. Caleb is the thinker. He has to think a little about doing it before jumping in. Ian just jumps in and does it. One of these days though Caleb is going to realize he is bigger than his brother ..... you better watch out Ian. Caleb has this shy way of looking at you, puts his head down a little and looks up at you with those big blue eyes and this soft little smile without moving his head. Just melts your heart right away.
Yes, they will have their family tree that I have done for them but this will be a bit more fun to read and more interesting, at least I hope it is.
These are my memories of events and those who touched my life in the past and in the future. They are things that helped make me who I am today.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
How far back do I remember
I do remember things I have been told about my childhood but what are the ones that I truly remember on my own?
I’m sitting here trying to remember; what is my very first memory of my life.
Exactly when I moved from Meigs county Ohio to Columbus I do not remember of course; I was only one.
I don't even remember my first brother, Jerry, as a baby coming home from the hospital. Was he born in a hospital. You would think I would, I was almost 5, but I don't even remember kindergarten. Did I go to kindergarten? Did they even have kindergarten when I was five? Mother told me years ago I went to preschool at the OSU preschool classes held at Campbell Hall on campus. I do remember a playground and kids at Campbell Hall but was that when Jerry or Jennifer went there? Geez, what IS my first memory, my true memory not something told to me by others.
I remember sitting on the lap of man who was in a rocker and I liked to play with his suspenders. Was that grandpa Cotterill, I think so. Did he wear suspenders? He died in 1949. Or is that a memory of grandpa Cleland? I am sure he wore suspenders. He worked on the railroad and farmed. I remember he had pigs and oh how they did stink and cows plus fields of corn everywhere! But what year is that memory from, how old was I and whose suspenders was I playing with?
I remember when Jennifer was born but then I sure should, I turned 10 in April, Jennifer was born in July. I need to dig deeper into my mind!
I have been told Daddy moved to Columbus before Mother and I. Mother said Daddy went to Columbus shortly after I was born where he lived and worked at the poultry farm at OSU. Why did we not go at the same time? I need to ask about that? Why did we move from Rutland in the first place?
I know that we must have moved to Columbus at the end of January or the beginning of February in 1946. I found an ad for an auction of household items being sold by Ivan Cotterill. The sale was held January 31, 1946.
Athens Messenger
Jan 29, 1946
Page 8
Public Sale
I will offer at Public Auction at my residence, 4 miles north of Rutland, on the Rutland and Harrisonville Road.
Thursday, Jan 31, 1946
Sale starts at 12:30
Dining room suite, 9 pieces; living room suit, 3 pieces, 4 kitchen chairs; 1 sewing machine; 1 full length mirror; 1 porcelain top table. 1 linoleum rug 9X12, 1 linoleum rug 10x16; 1 Estate Heatrola; 1 kitchen stove; 1 combination oil stove, 1-80 pieces set of dishes; 1 auto radio; 1 pr hip boots, size 8; 3 doz. steel traps; 50 bu coal; 1 Guernsey cow (7 years old); 1 beef type heifer; 50 White Leghorn chickens; 1 sheep shearing machine with new 1 1/2 Briggs and Stratton engine and new A. B. wide hand piece.
Ivan Cottrill, Owner
Bus Peck, Auct.
Terms: Cash on day of sale.
Okay, why were they selling all these things? I understand the cow and heifer, even the 50 Leghorn chickens but why the dining room suite, living room suit, and SEWING MACHINE. Mother made lots of my clothes, she would have needed the sewing machine. Did she get a new one? Dishes, they didn't need dishes? We had to eat off of something. I now have some strange visions in my head!
I’m sitting here trying to remember; what is my very first memory of my life.
Exactly when I moved from Meigs county Ohio to Columbus I do not remember of course; I was only one.
I don't even remember my first brother, Jerry, as a baby coming home from the hospital. Was he born in a hospital. You would think I would, I was almost 5, but I don't even remember kindergarten. Did I go to kindergarten? Did they even have kindergarten when I was five? Mother told me years ago I went to preschool at the OSU preschool classes held at Campbell Hall on campus. I do remember a playground and kids at Campbell Hall but was that when Jerry or Jennifer went there? Geez, what IS my first memory, my true memory not something told to me by others.
I remember sitting on the lap of man who was in a rocker and I liked to play with his suspenders. Was that grandpa Cotterill, I think so. Did he wear suspenders? He died in 1949. Or is that a memory of grandpa Cleland? I am sure he wore suspenders. He worked on the railroad and farmed. I remember he had pigs and oh how they did stink and cows plus fields of corn everywhere! But what year is that memory from, how old was I and whose suspenders was I playing with?
I remember when Jennifer was born but then I sure should, I turned 10 in April, Jennifer was born in July. I need to dig deeper into my mind!
I have been told Daddy moved to Columbus before Mother and I. Mother said Daddy went to Columbus shortly after I was born where he lived and worked at the poultry farm at OSU. Why did we not go at the same time? I need to ask about that? Why did we move from Rutland in the first place?
I know that we must have moved to Columbus at the end of January or the beginning of February in 1946. I found an ad for an auction of household items being sold by Ivan Cotterill. The sale was held January 31, 1946.
Athens Messenger
Jan 29, 1946
Page 8
Public Sale
I will offer at Public Auction at my residence, 4 miles north of Rutland, on the Rutland and Harrisonville Road.
Thursday, Jan 31, 1946
Sale starts at 12:30
Dining room suite, 9 pieces; living room suit, 3 pieces, 4 kitchen chairs; 1 sewing machine; 1 full length mirror; 1 porcelain top table. 1 linoleum rug 9X12, 1 linoleum rug 10x16; 1 Estate Heatrola; 1 kitchen stove; 1 combination oil stove, 1-80 pieces set of dishes; 1 auto radio; 1 pr hip boots, size 8; 3 doz. steel traps; 50 bu coal; 1 Guernsey cow (7 years old); 1 beef type heifer; 50 White Leghorn chickens; 1 sheep shearing machine with new 1 1/2 Briggs and Stratton engine and new A. B. wide hand piece.
Ivan Cottrill, Owner
Bus Peck, Auct.
Terms: Cash on day of sale.
Okay, why were they selling all these things? I understand the cow and heifer, even the 50 Leghorn chickens but why the dining room suite, living room suit, and SEWING MACHINE. Mother made lots of my clothes, she would have needed the sewing machine. Did she get a new one? Dishes, they didn't need dishes? We had to eat off of something. I now have some strange visions in my head!
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