Finally! I understand why I don't know how to do anything.

My whole life, I have struggled to learn from my Mother, Judy.  First there was the sewing lessons.  I remember sitting in front of the Singer, trying to learn the basics.  I just wanted to learn how to follow a pattern, but Mom knew of a much better way to sew whichever stitch.  My little brain wouldn't remember all of these sneaky, tricky little ways to "properly" assemble a skirt or whatever.  Sewing became a deep, dark mystery that I just wasn't meant to figure out.  Next came making bread.  Again, I just wanted to learn the process, but no, more secret combinations were required.  First, there was the temperature of the water.  It needed to be "not too hot, not too cold, but just right" to dissolve the yeast.  (I insisted on using a thermometer to learn this secret temperature.)  Then there was the process of adding just enough flour for the dough to "look right" and "feel right."  I tried to take a mental picture of this perfectly crafted dough that the master baker had created.  The rest of the process went alright, but then it was time to put the bread in the oven.  Instead of just making sure the temperature had been properly set and oven was heated, she opens the door, puts her hand in towards the center and declares, "That feels about right.  It's time to put the loaves in."  I won't even comment on rolls and pie crust.  

After reading this...recipe(?)...written by my beloved Grandmother, I now understand that this wasn't Mom's fault.  She comes from what is probably a long line of these mystical women who knew how to turn a few garden vegetables into a feast, or a couple of yards of clearanced fabric into a beautiful gown.  I thought the secret was just to learn how to follow the directions and the magic would happen.  Now I realize that you should never settle for "simple" when there is really a better way, to not be afraid to wing it, and make do with what you have.  That's magic.

I'm sure there is a story behind this gem that Mom will share with you.  Much love to you all.

Shannon Ann

Judy's Day

Judy's day has almost come and gone.  All of a sudden there was this memory jolt that said there was one more thing I wanted to do today, so here it is.

The photos below are typical of photos taken of Judy, Steve and me during those early days in Penrose.  If you will note, Judy is holding on to Steve's hand and my hand in the first photo, or sitting in the middle of us, probably to "help" us sit still for the photo.  That tells the story of Judy's role in our lives.

 Thankfully she held on tight and tried to help us be good. I am thankful for Judy and on her special day I just want to tell her how much I love her.  Happy Birthday, sister dear.

Do Not Disturb: Wisdom is Incubating Here

Happy Birthday.  You are being made well to take care of your flock.

Happy Birthday, Judy

The pictures taken of Judy at Ralston are the earliest that I know of. I always loved this picture (there are two of the same subject, but this one shows more of Mother). The saggy brown socks, which Louise and I suffered through, the helmet cap (warm) with Judy's blonde hair peeking out, the happy grin on Judy's face, which reflects Judy's sunny outlook on life, all are a reflection of this time. I don't remember much of anything negative about Judy - and I was five when she was born. Her ability to have fun helped me to lighten up a lot ("I know a dark secluded place - It's called Hernando's Hideaway), as we sang and played through a lot of situations. She was the guardian of the troublesome (sometimes) duo of Ann and Steve, who could be full of mischief.
The big wind almost blew Steve away, and also blew over a huge cottonwood tree at Emmy's. I got out Dwight's old Baby Brownie Kodak, and took pictures of kids climbing on and sitting in the tree. Doesn't she look innocent? I put a "halo" around her just to prove that point. Now, Judy, you have grown up to be very wise about many things, and to know how to get answers to questions by your patient insights into the rest of your family and our extended family. You do make our life more complete and joyful. Love to you on this birthday.

The Dress - Almost Twins?

During the 1970's, as my little brood traveled to Washington during the summer Judy and I had a chance to plan some projects together. We would discover that we often had purchased the same patterns - fabric, etc. (Later, Ann would join the mix - I still have a piece of fabric that we bought separately; she sewed hers first, and since we were in the same Ward, I didn't want to be a copycat, and still have the fabric in my cedar chest.). Anyway, we must have been together when we chose the pattern and fabric for this dress. (You will notice that mine was a little fancier - lace on the sleeves.) I loved this dress so much that I still have it tucked away, and Judy just confessed that hers is intact, too. Maybe it will go into a quilt some day. By the way, this dress was worn during the days of fashion of the mini skirt, so the choice was either a long dress or slacks - or jeans. That was the rule in my house, and it worked very well.
This picture is one that is part of an album - the kind with the magnetic leaves, so the background of the pages is turning brown from the acid in the paper. Unfortunately, I waited too long to remove the pictures, so scanning is the only way to preserve. Our first graders learned ITA (The Initial Teaching Alphabet), where each sound in the English language had a character. We took pictures of our first-grade class in various activities, and then had the children write stories about each picture. I'm sure you can read this one.

Judy B.: Maybe the first picture I ever took with my brand new Baby Brownie

On The Way To School

1952?  I believe so.  This is the view from the house, facing east and the sunrise and the old church.  Can anyone name that car?  What does Ann have in her box?  Kittens?

Beehive Girls Camp 1953

These pictures are backwards in sequence....on the way home from camp, Leona Banks, Deanna Sedwick and I posed on the sandrock outside of Cowley, Wyoming.  Church friends were rare, but oh so valued.

Nola Christopherson and LuRue Stevens took us Girls Camp the summer of 1953.  Whitey Hopkin drove us and our gear to this camp at Tensleep.  It was a sacrifice for all of them, just so we could have a week together in the wild.  The other girl on the right is Donna Roper.  The walk to our dorm was steep.  I have so many memories of this, the first time I was ever away from home.

Legs and the Repainted Bed

The pictures on the wall have changed. I wonder what they were? Judy is busy with something and now you can see the stencil on the end of the now blue bed. Books in the bookcase still remain a mystery. This negative is on the same negative strip as the one of Judy at the sewing machine and Steve crawling under the truck.

The Rest of the Story

This photo of Judy is on the same negative strip as the one with Steve under the truck. Note the baseball glove on her left hand. Did she miss the ball and it went under the truck?

A Pink Rose in the Rain for Judy's Birthday. Happy Birthday.

Memories of Judy's Past

As you can see, Judy was always very creative, especially when she had an ulterior motive. I can remember receiving this wonderful newsletter when I was so homesick for family and Penrose, and laughing at the inventiveness of my "little" sister. Be sure to enlarge this so that you can read it. Only family members can interpret certain parts of this letter.

Happy birthday, Judy!

Judy or Ann - The Plot Thickens!

As the face is lightened - this obviously (?) looks like Judy. now holding the infant, perusing Pinocchio, with legs gracefully (another ?) positioned, just as a society socialite would sit.

And this one has to be Ann, (again opent to discussion), now participating in the playacting, but, oh, dear, the pose is less than elegant, and certainly looking a little on the revealing side?

Judy Reading Pinnochio

Where did the hat come from?

Judy Posing

Note the book Judy is reading. How did that ever get in the house? Also Soils and Men, the 1939 Yearbook of Agriculture which got hauled around wherever we lived, can't tell titles of the other three books. Clipper ship bookends.

Happy Birthday Judy

How fortunate I have been to have Judy for one of my sisters. She has been a great example and such a dear friend. She has endured the years of listening to me dream my dreams without judgment and has shared her life with me in a way that has helped me be a better person (and if that didn't happen it isn't because she hasn't tried). This photo was taken in 1960 (?) as Judy and Bob moved from their very tiny apartment in Provo to Washington State by way of Penrose.


This is not a great picture for clarity, but it definitely shows a spirited side of Judy (in other words, the REAL Judy). We both had a skirt like she is wearing, and what fun they were to wear. If you note, our school books are sitting on the porch, so perhaps this was a first day of school picture for Judy's senior year???? Also, the rose bushes behind us were instigated by Judy and a home ec. project she took on. Thanks to her, the roses added a nice touch and were the beginning of flower beds that eventually went around the corner and along the south side of the house, just a little.


Remember how we would play "burn out" catch with Dad? This must have been Judy's turn, and the pickup must have been playing back stop.

None of these pictures are terribly clear, but they are full of happy memories of someone very special in my life. Happy Birthday, Judy. Love you lots.

TTt

The top picture is another picture from my very first roll of film.  And the second one is priceless beyond any measure.  Louise and I figured out this dress is the same one Louise wore in her famous first-day-of school photo.  The posing by the poor lilac bush was intentional and I remember it clearly, but what else was there?  And the first year or two Dad grew sugar beets right up to the back porch in an attempt to earn whatever extra pennies could be earned by doing so.  We never knew how hard our parents struggled.  But then we had cats.

The Rest of the Old Cottonwood

Winds in Wyoming howl like none other. We were respectful and ran for cover, just as when the thunder and lightening hit. Somehow I have a picture in my mind, that it was Mother who rescued Steve, when he was down the lane as the wind blew.

The wind-fallen cottonwood became our fort and it occupied every minute of our playtime. Up till then, I had envied Elizabeth because she climbed trees and had her fortress in the old willow. I could find her there with a book, out of the reach of mother's voice calling her for duty.

Fun and Nonsense