Mayberry? No, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin

Duane (aka Shelly or Butch) was born and raised in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.  I think it bears a strange resemblance to Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show.  Here he is frolicking on the train tracks near where he used to live, when we visited a few years ago.

The "Falls" in Sheboygan Falls gave the town its name.  Not to be confused with the neighboring town of Sheboygan.  Duane has lots of stories of when he and his friends played on or near this river.  I think he was very much like Tom Sawyer.

Another "Mayberry" like place is where my sister Darlene lives----Marion, Indiana.  She's here with her husband, Robert, when we visited them a while back.  The thing that strikes you about both places is the sea of GREEN.  Of course, then there is the sea of white in the winter.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, but when I was twelve, our family moved to McHenry, Illinois.  Here we are in our backyard.  Another Mayberry to be sure, as we had a large vegetable garden, rabbits and ducks.

After I was married, my parents moved to a small (very small) town called Koleen, Indiana and bought a farm.  One year when Heather and I visited, this picture was taken of my sister and me with our daughters, Heather and Chantelle, who are only a few days apart in age.  As I recall, Koleen had one store that still had high button shoes in the window (for real) and the post office was in someone's house.  Fun place to visit though.

Even though we lived in the big city of Chicago---I'm the little girl in the picture---people still congregated on porches or in backyards.  Holding me is my Uncle Leo, on the left is my dad, on the right is my Uncle Frank, and in back is my Grandfather, Anton, and my Uncle Eddie.  They are all from my father's side of the family.

Here in California, we still congregate in backyards, but many times there is a swimming pool.  At this barbeque we had lots of good friends.

And, maybe the porch is used for grilling when it rains.

Personal Style

Since I am now a grandmother, people might try to imagine what I was like as a young adult.  This picture would surely come to mind, because it was the traditional outfit that a girl would wear to church in the 1960's, complete with hat, kid gloves and high heels.

Well, what can I say?  This was photographed in the 70's.  At the time I loved the art of Peter Max and actually painted one of his creations on our bedroom wall.  Just for fun I did an afro hairdo for the photo.

No, this wasn't a fox stole, but a real baby fox that a friend had saved.  Very soft and cuddly.  I made the dress, and the pattern was much like a snow angel shape---just 2 seams.

A precursor to the string bikini.  Pretty risque for 1965.  And, the guys had shorter trunks too.

Another of my own creations.  The fabric was stretch metalic, and of course, mini skirts were all the rage.  Egyptian poses were very popular---remember the song, "Walk Like An Egyptian"?

We were on our way to a wedding.  Dave was to be the best man---he doesn't look very happy about it, does he?  I think these tuxedos are still popular.  As for my dress---I actually saw one like it recently.  Some fashions are timeless.

I actually did a lot of sewing in those days.  Here is another dress I copied from some actress in a movie----don't remember who, but as you know, cutouts in dresses are still popular today.

Boots, of course, have been popular forever.  These have little heels, just like many these days.  The outfit is completed with a hat handmade in Scotland, another popular item of the time.

Couldn't resist putting in this tin type of some relatives from long ago in the Armit family.  Lots of different styles here.

Christmas Past and Present

I was about three years old in this picture.  Fake fireplaces were "in", as well as lead tinsel on the tree.  Check out the wallpaper----however, many things have not changed.  Girls still get dolls, doll furniture, and we still hang up our stockings.

When I was nine years old, my sister Darlene was born, and this is her first Christmas.  That is the first TV we ever had---quite classy with record player and radio inside.  Another thing that hasn't changed is the train under the tree.  I remember this Lionel very well and loved to play with it.  We had all of the plastic houses and other accessories to go with it.

In our family, it seems, more is better.  We always have lots of presents for everyone. This is Heather before Adam was born.  She is obviously excited about tearing into the gifts.

Adam seems very disillusioned about the whole process of opening gifts.  I think he's opening a Fisher Price Airplane---which is still available....

Fast forward to the blending of Duane's family with ours.  Here we have his son Scott, wife Kim and two adorable granddaughters---Valerie and Amanda.

We moved back to Shirlmar in 2003, and had a great Christmas.  Here we have Valerie and Amanda, with Adam, a favorite uncle of theirs.

A favorite photo of mine with Heather.  Red sweaters are definitely a part of Christmas.

Maddie in 2010, in her "mink" collared red sweater.  Note:  No lead tinsel on the tree....

And, we can't forget the Christmas Angel----our own little Reesie looking very dapper.  Christmas is still Christmas after all.

Grandma's Dual Celebration

My birthday always comes around Thanksgiving, and many times it is on Thanksgiving.  This year I was lucky enough to have our blended family celebrate my birthday and Thanksgiving together.

What a great time we had!  Here we all are wearing the multi-colored scarves I gave everyone for the occasion.  Adam and Melissa were so gracious to have the dinner at their house, and this is under their beautiful tree in the backyard.  The dinner was superb, with everything you could imagine.  I must say Thank You to all the kids and grandkids for making this such a memorable day.

GIVE THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING!

The little turkey name cards  shown in my last post, were made by Maddie two Thanksgivings ago.  How time flies!  The blank one does say Grandma, but the word didn't show up in the photo.  I now hang them on the Christmas tree.  That Thanksgiving we were at Adam's new house in Lake Elsinore.  We had a great time.

This Norman Rockwell painting has always been one of my favorites.  Who wouldn't want to be at this table?  Such warmth and good cheer.  I'm happy to say that our family Thanksgivings have always been memorable.  This painting is labeled "Freedom From Want".  It is one of a series of Freedom paintings that Rockwell did.  He got the idea from an inaugural speech made by FDR called the "Four Freedoms Speech" in 1941.  The other Freedoms mentioned and painted are Freedom of Speech and Expression, Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way, and Freedom from Fear.

Here we are in 2006, in the apartment over the garage, where we lived until our house was built.  It was also the first year Melissa joined us.  Now there is something to be thankful for!  A new family member joined us in 2009----our own Reese Noah Garcia.

Another cute decoration made last year by Maddie.  Decorations made by your grandchildren are the very best!

With my Mom, I'm about Maddie's age here at a family gathering (perhaps Thanksgiving?) in someone's basement.  It didn't matter where the meal was, as long as the family was together

Although this isn't Thanksgiving, my sister, Darlene, my cousin, Barbara, and my niece, Chantelle, try to get together for family dinners whenever they can.  This year they do plan to have Thanksgiving together at Barbara's house in Bloomington, Indiana.  Wish we could all join them.

To all my relatives and friends, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  I am thankful for all of you.

VETERAN'S DAY

It is increasingly important that we honor our veterans.  I have had grandfathers, uncles, my husband Duane, and my niece Chantelle serve our country valiantly.  In my header picture above are some of the patches and medals that my father, Richard Gerke, earned in World War II.  He sent the medals to me a few years ago and wanted his grandchildren to have them.  He was one of the lucky ones to come home alive, but did fight in major battles in France and Germany.  He would never talk about the War, but I do know that he was part of a unit that liberated a concentration camp.

Here's my Dad, 5th from the left with a Nazi flag that they captured.

My Dad was drafted into the army about 4 months after their wedding.  He was sent to several army bases in the United States to train.  Then, they had to part for three long years while he fought on foreign land.

Before he left, he was able to come back to his home in Chicago, and got this memorable picture of Mom in his hat and jacket.  In those days, everyone was so proud of those who served.

I am lucky to also have this photo of my Great Uncle Stanley from World War I ! (He was my Grandmother's brother on my Dad's side).  Veteran's Day is a Federal Holiday marking the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.  It was signed at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, in the 11th month of 1918.  Sometimes it is called Armistice Day.  I am very proud that I have so many family members who are veterans, and from every war that has been fought since World War I.  Happy Veteran's Day and may God Bless America!!!

Turkey and Teddy

Heather painted this ceramic for me years ago when she was about 12.  I have many ceramics that she has done, all with holiday themes.  These little guys have always been precious to me.

Grandma's Halloween

We only get a smattering of Trick or Treaters on Halloween, so I don't usually get into costume.  However, for some reason, this year I dressed up a little.  Don't want those grandkids to think I'm dull.

Not exactly "Cruella" the mean Disney character, but I don't like scaring little kids.

Not exactly stirring a  witches' caldron either, since we had our good friend Marian over for dinner.  I made chili, and pumpkin shaped tortillas with cheese inside.

I meant to make these for the kids this year, but never got around to it.  Maybe next year???

No, It's Not Halloween!

My husband wears many hats.  This particular outfit is not only his hunting garb, but rain gear as well.

Duck Season opens on October 22 this year.  Duane belongs to a club---named on his hat----Ramona Duck Club.  Here he is in one of the blinds.

Sometimes he stays overnight at the club, and gets to show off his cooking skills.

He doesn't only hunt at the Duck Club, but here he is in Mazatlan, Mexico where he hunted with his friend Paul.

After the hunt they celebrate at Senor Frog's establishment.

At home he takes on the uniform of the residential gardener.

When our house was being built, he became Duane the construction worker, and did a little tour with a Bobcat.

But, I love him best as my "HUNK"!!!

Halloween At Shirlmar

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays.  The fun part is dressing up, and seeing what others are wearing.  As kids, Heather and Adam dressed up every year.  Here are just a few examples. 

Heather at 19 months.  She loves it, even though she probably didn't know the significance.

The following year in a costume her Grandmother made.  As you will see, it was recycled as Adam's costume later on.

Yep, there he is entranced by Kristie's hat.  Big sister, Heather usually wanted to be a princess, dancer or other fashionable lady.  In this picture is also another neighbor, Kenny.

Sure enough, here she is as a princess with little brother Smurf in attendance.

Then, along comes Madonna, and the Karate Kid, and my kids are transformed!

Oh Oh----then along comes future husband, Jason, and she's a princess once again.

I must end with a few words about Adam's artwork.  He constructed this haunted house on his own, and it had all of the elements, including bats that flew out the windows.  He always amazed me with his designs.