Mule Days in Ralston are a Big Deal

Plus I forgot to mention annual Mule Days rodeo, parade, and mule auction, when one lane of highway blocked off for two block long parade, attracts mules from all over the country, a major mule event. Unfortunately, Jimmy Dunton's bar is extinct. I will include further details and advantages of Ralston as I become inspired to mention them. Beats the traffic on I-15 in Salt Lake City, fer sure.

Those who already know what this little
building is will know what this little building is

Ralston remains the place of choice for a retirement

villa. Many options, low population, pub, convenience

store, gas station, railroad track, highway, luxury dwellings,

what more could one ask?

New Powell High School

New Powell High School. Long, low building so could only take a far-away photo. Reeks of blandness but probably nice. Steve, Maxine Morris informed me she was your fifth grade teacher. That's all she said so don't know implications.

The Old Dewey Riddle Ranch in Sunlight, Wyoming

Louise and I were just talking about her recent trip to the class reunion in Powell. Cheryl and Lynn took her over Dead Indian into Sunlight, where our great-aunt Elsie (Krajicek) and her husband, Dewey Riddle, had one of the first dude ranches in the area. Dad worked on that ranch, and it was there one summer that Mother came to work as a cabin girl, in between teaching school. Mail was received at a little post office called Paint Creek. I thought that I had posted this website on the blog before, but couldn't find it - goodness, we have a lot of postings!
Anyway, if you will go to this website, you will find the picture of the present-day area; then click on "history", and you will find a brief history of the ranch.

http://www.7dranch.com/

Sugar Beets and President Monson

Today when the mail came, I opened the new Ensign fully expecting to find information regarding the church in Ghana. That is what the cover depicted. But I stopped short when I saw the title of the First Presidency Message: "Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul". It is a President Monson special.

Quoting the first few paragraphs:

"..........Picture with me,...a farmer driving a large open-bed truck filled with sugar beets en route to the sugar refinery. As the farmer drives along a bumpy dirt road, some of the sugar beets bounce from the truck and are strewn along the roadside. When he realizes he has lost some of the beets, he instructs his helpers, "There's just as much sugar in those which have slipped off. Let's go back and get them!"

...The sugar beets represent the members of this Church for whom we who are called as leaders have responsibility; and those that have fallen out of the truck represent men and women, youth and children who, for whatever reason, have fallen from the path of activity. Paraphrasing the farmer's comments concerning the sugar beets, I say of these souls, precious to our Father and our Master: "There's just as much value in those who have slipped off. Let's go back and get them!"

"Right now, today, some of them are caught in the current of popular opinion. Others are torn by the tide of turbulent times. Yet others are drawn down and drowned in the whirlpool of sin."

"This need not be. We have the doctrines of truth. We have the programs. We have the people. We have the power. Our mission is more than meetings. Our service is to save souls."

The Rest of The Story

Does this complete the story of the pictures from Mother's Day many years ago?

Blood Family Grouping for Father's Day

Sorry that Dwight isn't in these pictures - he was off working, or in Laramie, or some such. Louise was earning money working for R.E.A., and I'm wearing her suit from the Duschene Woolen Mills from Utah. Judy has her blue organdy from the May Day program from school (she sang a solo in the show). However, this picture was not taken on Father's Day - it was taken on Mother's Day way back in the early '50's. We were all preparing to go to Cowley to Stake conference, when it was discovered that the neighbor's cows had taken advantage of a poor fence job, and had gotten into our strawberry beds. Since we raised strawberries to sell to the local grocery stores, this was a major disaster. So, Dad donned his old sweat-stained Stetson, and proceeded to get things straightened around. He didn't go to Conference, but he did stop to take a picture of us in our Sunday finery, and to pose with the family while I snapped the bottom photo. The fact is that Dad was very proud of his family, and cheered their accomplishments. He worked very hard for us, trying to give us a better life. So this seems like an appropriate picture to post for Father's Day -

Back to a long-ago 4th of July

These pictures were part of a treasure trove that was found in an old album that Uncle Norman gave to me. The Fourth of July may be a few weeks off, but I wanted to post these pictures while I have the pcitures out. I do not recognize all of the people in the pictures. The bottom one, of course, is Ann and Neal in the box in the tree. As usual, Ann has a smile on her face, although this probably wasn't her choice of what to do. The middle picture shows our gray Ford (on the left). You can always pick out Dad because of his light felt Stetson (hat), which he wore everywhere. And Judy is obvious, with her plaid coat. Enlarge the other pictures and let us know who you see????

It's 45!

This picture is not an appropriate one to display for an anniversary, since it shows only 1/2 of the Tanner couple who are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today. (This picture was taken of Ann by Dwight at my granddaughter Sara's wedding dinner in Ogden a few years ago. ) So this gives us a picture of Ann, but Paul's picture is still downstairs in my picture files which are in terrible disarray. (I hope you all read Pickles this morning - I'm afraid his philosophy is mine at the present time.) Ann asked me this morning if I remembered where I was 45 years ago - and with that prodding, I remembered that we were with Mother and Daddy, Louise, Ann, and Paul, and Paul's family, in the Salt Lake Temple. 45 seems like way too many years ago, but there has been a lot of water under the bridge in those years. With their family of seven children, there have been a lot of growth in those years, but the important thing is that they've made it to 45. The next biggie is 50, right?

New and Improved

This measures 16 inches by 40 and hangs on the high wall in our stairway. Lettering was created with the wonderful new must have for all creative people. It is called a Cricut Expressions by Provo Craft. The potential is unlimited.

Poppies

Mother had these orange poppies planted in her garden by the raspberries and gladiolus. I had a terrible time growing them, so last year I finally gave up and RIPPED them out. I guess they liked it because this year they have grown and bloomed as never before.

Health Habits as Prescribed by Professor Hill

As you can see, there are wonderful items of knowledge to be gleaned from Hill's Book....

"1. CLEANLINESS. Have always a pint or quart of water in the sleeping room. In the morning, after washing and wiping hands and face, then wet, with the hands, every part of the body. Cold water will not be disagreeable when applying it with the bare hands. Wipe immediately; follow by brisk rubbing. The result of this is the blood is brought to the surface of the skin, and made to circulate evenly throughout the body. You have opened the pores of the skin, allowing impurities in the body to pass off, and have given yourself in the operation a good, vigorous morning exercise. pursue this habit regularly and you will seldom take cold.
2. INFLATION OF THE LUNGS. Five minutes spent in the open air, after dressing, inflating the lungs by inhaling as full a breath as possible, and pounding the breast during the inflation will greatly enlarge the chest, strengthen the lung power, and very effectually ward off consumption.
3. DIET. If inclined to by dyspeptic, avoid mince pie, sausage and other highly seasoned food. Beware of eating too freely of soups; better to eat food dry enough to employ the natural saliva of the mouth to moisten it. If inclined to over-eat, partake freely of rice, cracked wheat, and other articles that are easily digested.Eat freely of ripe fruit, and avoid excessive use of meats. Eat at regular hours, and lightly near the hour of going to bed. Eat slowly. Thoroughly masticate the food. Do not wash it down with continual drink. Tell your funniest stories while at the table and for an hour afterwards. Do not engage in severe mental labor directly after hearty eating.
1. EXERCISE. Exercise, not to violent, but sufficient to produce a gentle perspiration, should be had each day in the open air.
2. CONDITION OF MIND. The condition of the mind has much to do with health. Be hopeful and joyous. To be so, avoid business entanglements that may cause perplexity and anxiety. Keep out of debt. Live within your income. Attend church. Walk, ride, mix in jovial company. Do as nearly right as you know-how. Thus, conscience will always be at ease. If occasionally disappointed, remember that there is no rose without a thorn, and that the darkest clouds have a silver lining; that sunshine follows storm, and beautiful spring follows the dreary winter. Do your duty and leave the rest to God, who doeth all things well."
Could you ask for better advice on how to get along in this world today?

Etiquette for 1874 - And Today?

The cover for this book is really much darker, but this gives you a better view of the pictures and wording on the front. This book was purchased by our grandfather, James Brooks Wasden in "Butte City, Montana" in 1897, a year before he married our grandmother. I'm so glad that he wrote in the flyleaf so that we would have that information. Since he was there to work in the mines, and those workers were usually a pretty rough lot, he may have felt the need to learn more about the social order of things in the polite world - who knows? Anyway, I can remember Mother borrowing the book from Grandma when we were fairly young, and we read gems from it's pages that seemed so antiquated that we had many laughs about the contents. I fell heir to the book, and have enjoyed leafing through it from time to time. Ann is preparing for a little stint that required something different, so I typed some of the more interesting bits for her, and thought I might include a few here for your entertainment:
ON WRITING LETTERS OF ADVICE:
“To what do you attribute your success?” “To an admonition given me by my father, when a boy, which was this:
“First, to attend strictly to my own business. Second, to let other people’s business alone. Observing this, I incurred no ill will by inter-meddling with others,….”
“Be very sparing of letters of advice. As a rule, you will have enough to do to attend to your own affairs:…”

SLEEP. Give yourself the necessary amount of sleep…Avoid feather beds…To maintain robust health, sleep with a person as healthy as yourself, or no one..

I will add more from time to time.

A Czech Ancestor?

And who might this lady be? There are no notes or marks on the back side. It was among the photos Mother acquired from Dad's relatives.....most likely from Rose. Could this be...Anna Mach? The time period would be right. What do you think? And if I have done this before, forgive me.

Happy Birthday Steve

After being such a slacker, I couldn't resist digging out these pictures for a birthday post. Remember when, Steve?
Steve's room was always neat and tidy!

Hopefully when this posts you can read the write-up from the Pow Wow.

Steve was definitely helping Dad paint the living room.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Steve and Mary Lynn Keep the Lights Shining

What do all of these places have in common?

My house.....

Love Ridge, Luxury Townhouses, Jackson Hole Wyoming
Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mazama Grill, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Silver Star Restaurant, Helena Montana
Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grizzly Creek Ranch, Emigrant Montana
Hilton Homewood Suites, Jackson Wyoming
Pinehurst Country Club, Englewood Colorado
Averill Lodge, Whitefish Montana
North Bay Grill, Kalispell Montana
Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota
Togwotee Lodge, Moran Wyoming
....and more....Love Ridge, Luxury Townhouses, Jackson Hole Wyoming
Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mazama Grill, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Silver Star Restaurant, Helena Montana
Snow Lodge, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grizzly Creek Ranch, Emigrant Montana
Hilton Homewood Suites, Jackson Wyoming
Pinehurst Country Club, Englewood Colorado
Averill Lodge, Whitefish Montana
North Bay Grill, Kalispell Montana
Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota
Togwotee Lodge, Moran Wyoming

This is the list from the website of Penrose Design of places where Steve and Mary Lynn's work is. Don't you think that if they moved west, it would cut the costs of shipping considerably?

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Steve!

Happy Birthday, Steve!

You were so doggoned cute - How did you grow to be so tall? When you were born, we all came home from Grandma Wasden's house to find you stretched out on a pillow - completely filling it from one end to the other. You had many talents that you used as you grew older - the drama of your plays, including being in the "mellerdramas" in Jackson Hole, showed that you had the particular talent of being "theatrical". Then there was the time you entered a high school painting in the Wind River Art Show in Riverton, and won in your division (I had a devil of a time getting your painting of clowns back to you.) You were always a good uncle when my kids came visiting, and we had times down on the river sketching and discussing your future. The last 40 years or so, you've been using your woodworking talents to showcase your witty animal art, and to decorate places like Snow Lodge and Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park, among other places. We miss you - New York State is a long ways away, but we do get an occasional glimpse. We appreciate Mary Lynn and the beauty of your New York home. Hope your day will be a good one.

In Honor of Elizabeth's Birthday!

Doesn't this photo (courtesy of DMB) epitomize our sister Elizabeth? A lot of wire and many barbs as obstacles, but she is always finding a way through it! And just you wait until she gets on the other side of the fence! No matter what, she will make "it" work.
Elizabeth does not waver on what is right and what is not. (Who else did we know like that?) How much I love and appreciate her strength and devotion to this family. She is smart. She is clever. She can cook. She is artistic.....paint, fabric....it doesn't matter. And she is my sister.

Happy Birthday! May this one be a good one. Lots of love, Judy

Happy Birthday Elizabeth 2009

I started to print a birthday card but ran out of ink, so this will have to do. Hope you have few candles and many presents. D.

Mother's Columbine

There are still two plants of this wonderful "flowers of home" Columbine. Mother started them from seed at Tumwater. It was during this time that she dreamed of having lilies, which were much too expensive for her tight run budget. She started those from seed as well.
Anyway, I smile each time I see this pink come into bloom and marvel at it's endurance. Most of all, though, I love the sweet remembrance of the hands that planted the seed.

Remember the Coal Shovel???

Sonja's father has rebuilt a sheepherder's wagon. I was delighted to see the fire shovel hanging by the little stove. (Sorry, you can only see part of it.) I'm sure that none of us were ever paddled with it - or not? Steve? I just remember scooping all the ashes that didn't fall into the ash box with it.

And then, there were the cream cans. Scooping out sour cream for the new crop of baby potatoes, or for raisin meringue pie or even for cream to churn for butter was all right, but I didn't like having to stir the sour cream - and remember the time that the cream can turned over in Grandpa's car. Mother scrubbed and scrubbed, and never quite got rid of the smell. However, having cream to sell to the creamery gave us extra cash money for things from the store like sugar and flour.

Back to our Roots - Again

Okay, so the tree by the old shop (which is no longer there) has grown large, the honeysuckle hedge to the north of the back lawn is still there, but the huge storage building and the quonset hut beyond take away the ambience of our home - PLUS - a red roof is not at all as becoming as the copen blue that was on the roof forever. Seeing this still brings back memories.

The Shoshone River, not far from our home, was always fascinating - it has changed immensely since we lived in Penrose.

For starters, the old railroad bridge has been long gone (since the mid-1960's), and there is a sand bar in the middle of the river as you look west. While it seems like a fairly recent addition to the river, there are trees and shrubs growing on it - amazing!

The other big change is that the east end of the valley. where George McBlaine and Bothilde kept a pretty tight ship, has turned into a big junk pile. Oh, well, we can ignore that, I guess. This early in the spring, trees were just beginning to leaf out in Penrose, while Burlington, about 15 miles to the south had lilacs in fulll bloom. Go figure!

Penrose Cemetery

Just wanted all of you to know that the cemetery is still there, and there is plenty of room left. Some of the gravestones are shifting a bit, as you can see from Grandma and Grandpa's. (I have old pictures of the other headstones, but didn't have this one.) Love the view of Heart Mountain, and the beautiful flowering tree. The meadowlarks still sing, and the breeze still blows across it. All in all, it is a peaceful place. It is one of the few places associated with Penrose that looks better than it did in the days that we lived there.

Mabel Blood Harper

Mabel is the sister of our grandfather, Roscoe Blood. This picture of her displays much of her strong character. She is the grandmother of our special cousin, Betty Sullivan. Betty has contributed an amazing work of family history for the blessing of the family.

Her calling card. Society requested this to be left at the home when making a visit. Some, like this one, are very beautiful.

Mabel at the front door of her neat and tidy home. Notice her flowers around the yard and the suspicion of a clothes line in the back. Anyone know the years of these pictures?

Mother's Day 2009

A Tribute to Our Mother

I have been scanning "The Letters" and in the process reading them all, some for the first time. The most difficult to read with a stiff upper lip, are the ones from the year 1935. I believe this photo would be from that time period, or close to it. I have renewed my admiration for mother's courage and fortitude. Her loneliness for Dad while he was away trying to earn a dollar, was almost more than she could bear, especially in the cold of winter. But she did whatever the circumstance demanded.

And now we have a legacy that says we can't whine when it gets hard. She's such a tough act to follow......but I know that she wants us to keep trying. To you, Mother, on this Mother's Day!

Civilian Conservation Corps

I certainly remember Dad talking of the CCCs and here is proof of his involvement. Notice that his stay was only two weeks. His job was to be a cook. Maybe that is why he didn't last! This is just one more piece of evidence of the hard times and the willingness to do whatever it took to earn a $.
Shannon found some interesting information on the web at the addresses listed below. This is an education in itself.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/ccc/index.htm

http://www.geocities.com/oralbio/castellucciorbio.html

http://www.geocities.com/oralbio/ottbio.html

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1586.html

Phantom of the OPERA!

Who did not spend time browsing this book? The pictures were "different" if not educational.

The privileged owner herself! Mother must have had a college class with opera being the center of attention. When I look at the book now, it must have been a difficult class to digest. Notice the title of "Miss". We don't use that so much any more, unfortunately.

Now she is a beauty.

And here is the Great Caruso himself. How fortunate we were that our parents liked good music and passed that on to us. There is not one of us who has not thrived in one area of music or another.