Chuck soloed and got his pilot's license. He did not have an instrument rating so we flew only on clear days. The first time we planned to fly "home" to visit his folks and my Mom, we woke up on departure day to rain. So we waited until the rain stopped and the weather cleared - we were able to leave a day or so later. The flight to his folks took about 6 hours. Driving took considerably longer. One time we made the trip in 4.5 hours - great tail wind that day!
The charts pilots use are lots different than the maps we use when we drive. They show all kinds of landmarks from race tracks to the location of TV and radio towers. These landmarks help pilots with "I Follow the Roads" ratings to see where they are. There's one chart that shows a large letter "M" or "W" - I don't really remember what the letter is but it is in Wisconsin. More than once we circled water towers in different towns to check exactly where we were!
One time we took off to fly to Kansas. As we flew more and more clouds formed beneath us until we were on top of a cloud layer with no breaks where we could see the ground. It was disconcerting at the least and scary at the most! Chuck was very calm. He told me to mark off a segment on the chart every five minutes on our route. I did this for about twenty minutes or so. Then we saw a break in the clouds. We saw the northeastern corner of Kansas where the river cuts the corner. We were exactly where I had ploteed we would be! I was very proud of us!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Experimental Aircraft Association
We went to our first Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in in Rockford, Illinois. The year was about 1965 so Patti and Tony were about 6 and 4. We continued attending the Fly-in in Rockford until the Experimental Aircraft Association moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Chuck joined the local EAA chapter and soon their monthly magazine arrived in our mailbox each month. A short time later Chuck began taking flying lessons.
We purchased a 1948 Stinson airplane. It was referred to as a "taildragger" because it had one small wheel in the back and one on each side under the wings. The Stinson had four seats and sometimes was called the Cadillac of small planes. Another featurr was a large tail that made landing in a crosswind rather "dicey."
The local EAA chapter often met in our home. It was an interesting group. One man built his own plane - an Emeraude. Planes like his were called "homebuilt" but not home made. There were several engineers, an optomitrist, a priest, some farmers, and a WWII vet or two.
We took in the weeklong EAA Fly-in annually camping in an alfalfa field near the airfield in Oshkosh. We cooked most of our meals in front of our tent. Chuck was always the breakfast cook. We got plenty of walking in each day just walking from where we were camped to the convention grounds. They also ran "shuttles" pulled by tractors and these were fun.
Interesting workshops were held during the day. Paul Harvey was the featured speaker in the evening one year. He used his amazing voice just like a musical instrument. Chuck attended some of the various workshops and we all attended the evening programs.
The War Birds of America flew each day about 4 p.m. These planes were refurbished war planes. There would be P-51s, Corsairs, a B-17, a B-29, a P-38 Lightning and probably some others I don't remember. Individual pilots also flew aerobatics in small planes designed for that. The Canadian Snowbirds performed there one year. This group is similar to the Blue Angels and the Thunderbird flight teams.
Jane, my sister-in-law, and I started volunteering, working the gate between where individual planes were parked and the convention grounds. It was very interesting and fun because both Jane and I love to "people watch."
We always enjoyed the afternoon airshows. Art Scholl flew his "Chipmunk" in the airshow. He was known for his "stunt" flying in movies. An old Ford Trimotor gave rides; one plane was sponsored by the Mennen company - and the smoke the pilot released smelled like Mennen's product while the smoke the other pilots released didn't smell nearly so nice!
North American Aviation's Bob Hoover flew a P-51 and also the company's Aero Commander Shrike. He always wore a suit and straw hat when he piloted either of those planes. He did the "Tennessee Waltz" - touching down first on one wheel and then the other. It was very impressive.
I took a workshop for spouses that taught us what we needed to know to land our plane if the pilot was incapacitated. I never had to do this, but I learned how and was confident that I could land the plane if necessary.
Chuck joined the local EAA chapter and soon their monthly magazine arrived in our mailbox each month. A short time later Chuck began taking flying lessons.
We purchased a 1948 Stinson airplane. It was referred to as a "taildragger" because it had one small wheel in the back and one on each side under the wings. The Stinson had four seats and sometimes was called the Cadillac of small planes. Another featurr was a large tail that made landing in a crosswind rather "dicey."
The local EAA chapter often met in our home. It was an interesting group. One man built his own plane - an Emeraude. Planes like his were called "homebuilt" but not home made. There were several engineers, an optomitrist, a priest, some farmers, and a WWII vet or two.
We took in the weeklong EAA Fly-in annually camping in an alfalfa field near the airfield in Oshkosh. We cooked most of our meals in front of our tent. Chuck was always the breakfast cook. We got plenty of walking in each day just walking from where we were camped to the convention grounds. They also ran "shuttles" pulled by tractors and these were fun.
Interesting workshops were held during the day. Paul Harvey was the featured speaker in the evening one year. He used his amazing voice just like a musical instrument. Chuck attended some of the various workshops and we all attended the evening programs.
The War Birds of America flew each day about 4 p.m. These planes were refurbished war planes. There would be P-51s, Corsairs, a B-17, a B-29, a P-38 Lightning and probably some others I don't remember. Individual pilots also flew aerobatics in small planes designed for that. The Canadian Snowbirds performed there one year. This group is similar to the Blue Angels and the Thunderbird flight teams.
Jane, my sister-in-law, and I started volunteering, working the gate between where individual planes were parked and the convention grounds. It was very interesting and fun because both Jane and I love to "people watch."
We always enjoyed the afternoon airshows. Art Scholl flew his "Chipmunk" in the airshow. He was known for his "stunt" flying in movies. An old Ford Trimotor gave rides; one plane was sponsored by the Mennen company - and the smoke the pilot released smelled like Mennen's product while the smoke the other pilots released didn't smell nearly so nice!
North American Aviation's Bob Hoover flew a P-51 and also the company's Aero Commander Shrike. He always wore a suit and straw hat when he piloted either of those planes. He did the "Tennessee Waltz" - touching down first on one wheel and then the other. It was very impressive.
I took a workshop for spouses that taught us what we needed to know to land our plane if the pilot was incapacitated. I never had to do this, but I learned how and was confident that I could land the plane if necessary.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Learning to Sew and Sewing
Mother had a treadle Singer sewing machine. She tried to teach me how to sew. I had a terrible time with that treadle - I'd make it go backwards and it would break the thread. It would really upset my Mom.
The only thing I remember making when I was a teenager was a short sleeved blouse. The material looked like newspaper print - all white with black writing. It was fun to wear because it was different.
When I left home after I got married, Mom gave me her mother's electric sewing machine. It was old - but I didn't have to worry about treadling it backwards and breaking the thread!
The next thing that I remember sewing on was a pair of black slacks. I really liked them and the zipper broke. I didn't know it was difficult to put in a zipper. So I went to the fabric store, bought a black zipper, came home and sewed in into the slacks. Success! Mom was very amazed that I could do this - especially after all the trouble she had with me sewing on her machine!
I learned to sew by making clothes for Patti and Tony, and ultimately for myself. I really enjoyed sewing and made every thing from knit shirts to night gowns. I made nearly all of my own clothes for many years.
One year I made parkas with snap-in pile linings for Patti, Tony and me. They were nice and warm. I made two prom dresses for Patti and a white dinner jacket with black piping for Tony. Nothing really intimadated me.
I made dresses for Patti and me for my sister-in-law Jane's wedding. I was matron of honor and Patti was a bridesmaid. Then when it came time for Patti's wedding, I made two bridesmaid dresses (above with Lisa and Dawn wearing them), Patti's wedding gown and my dress. All above. I was very proud of the wedding gown.
I made pantsuits, jackets, blouses, skirts, etc., for myself. I even made Tony a leisure suit when they were popular.
When Patti was a junior and Tony was a freshman in high school, we had a new band director who wanted band uniforms in the drum corps style. So many band moms cut out satin shirts, double knit black pants, and gauntlets. It was a BIG project, but with teamwork, we got it done and the band really looked sharp!
I even made my clown costume when I volunteered with St. Luke's Clown Connection. The first one is shown in the photo above. Later JoyToo (my clown) grew up a little and became a tomboy who wore "bibbies."
I quit sewing in the mid-eighties and I have no desire to sew, now. Whenever I think I would like to sew something I take a deep breath and remember, I don't really want to do that.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The 1960s
There was lots happening in the 1960s. Some events stand out and really made an impact on our lives.
The first was the assasination of President John F. Kennedy November 22, 1963. It was a very shocking thing to happen. I doubt that anyone ever thought that another president would be assasinated. We could hardly believe the news. It was covered by the media for hours and hours and hours.
The first news came while the CBS-TV soap, "As the World Turns," was on the air. The Zapruder home movie was shown many times. Everyone was totally shocked.
Then, before we had time to really understand what had happened, we saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald in the basement garage of the police department. He was immediately taken into custody.
I was putting Sunday dinner on the table and just chanced to look up and there was Ruby, Oswald, and law enforcement officers. It seemed unbelievable that a man would shoot another man with all the police around.
Children pick up on how adults are feeling. They just seem to sense it when people are upset. They didn't understand what was going on but they knew something was wrong.
As with all traumatic events, there were scenes impressed on our brains that we won't ever forget. The reasons for what happened, and why, were never explained. Many people were dissatisfied even after the Warren Report was published. The shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald made it impossible to find out what really happened and why.
The second event was July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong, a US astronaut, became the first man to walk on the noon four days after the launch from Cape Canaveral. Buzz Aldrin also walked on the moon then.
We were driving to Denver to visit brother Bill and we heard it on the radio. Then we watched it on TV later in the day.
My Mother never really believed that any man had walked on the moon. She tnought it was all fake. I never could change her mind.
The first was the assasination of President John F. Kennedy November 22, 1963. It was a very shocking thing to happen. I doubt that anyone ever thought that another president would be assasinated. We could hardly believe the news. It was covered by the media for hours and hours and hours.
The first news came while the CBS-TV soap, "As the World Turns," was on the air. The Zapruder home movie was shown many times. Everyone was totally shocked.
Then, before we had time to really understand what had happened, we saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald in the basement garage of the police department. He was immediately taken into custody.
I was putting Sunday dinner on the table and just chanced to look up and there was Ruby, Oswald, and law enforcement officers. It seemed unbelievable that a man would shoot another man with all the police around.
Children pick up on how adults are feeling. They just seem to sense it when people are upset. They didn't understand what was going on but they knew something was wrong.
As with all traumatic events, there were scenes impressed on our brains that we won't ever forget. The reasons for what happened, and why, were never explained. Many people were dissatisfied even after the Warren Report was published. The shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald made it impossible to find out what really happened and why.
The second event was July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong, a US astronaut, became the first man to walk on the noon four days after the launch from Cape Canaveral. Buzz Aldrin also walked on the moon then.
We were driving to Denver to visit brother Bill and we heard it on the radio. Then we watched it on TV later in the day.
My Mother never really believed that any man had walked on the moon. She tnought it was all fake. I never could change her mind.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Life in Our Neighborhood
I made friends with the other mothers in the neighborhood. We would all get together about once a month for "coffee." I never did learn to drink coffee - maybe because I served so many cups of coffee at Rexall Drug and later at College Drugstore in Aggieville. Tea never made my favorite list either, so I usually drank water or hot chocolate.
We hadn't lived in our home very long when our neighbor, LaVonne, invited the kids and me to go to church with her and her two daughters. It was a Methodist Church and I was very comfortable there since I grew up attending the Methodist Church. I joined the church and taught kindergarten Sunday School from the time Patti was five until she was fifteen.
Patti and Tony grew up in that church sitting in the second pew from the front. I sang in the chancel choir from 1977 through 2004. The choir and the handbell choir were a very important part of my life. I loved making music. The chancel choir and the handbell choir had wonderful directors. My church family was a big part of my life, especially after the kids grew up and left home.
We bought a second car so I was able to grocery shop and shop at the fabric store. My friend Carol from next door and I often went shopping together. Sometimes we had her three boys and Patti and Tony with us. That could become rather challenging at times.
I loved the sidewalk sales at Lindale. Quite often these sales enabled me to buy school clothes for the kids at very reasonable prices.
The day after Christmas we would go to Armstrongs Department store to trade in the kids' outgrown ice skates for skates that would fit. That was a great service the store provided. Of course, Armstrongs was my favorite store. Perhaps I will write about it later.
We hadn't lived in our home very long when our neighbor, LaVonne, invited the kids and me to go to church with her and her two daughters. It was a Methodist Church and I was very comfortable there since I grew up attending the Methodist Church. I joined the church and taught kindergarten Sunday School from the time Patti was five until she was fifteen.
Patti and Tony grew up in that church sitting in the second pew from the front. I sang in the chancel choir from 1977 through 2004. The choir and the handbell choir were a very important part of my life. I loved making music. The chancel choir and the handbell choir had wonderful directors. My church family was a big part of my life, especially after the kids grew up and left home.
We bought a second car so I was able to grocery shop and shop at the fabric store. My friend Carol from next door and I often went shopping together. Sometimes we had her three boys and Patti and Tony with us. That could become rather challenging at times.
I loved the sidewalk sales at Lindale. Quite often these sales enabled me to buy school clothes for the kids at very reasonable prices.
The day after Christmas we would go to Armstrongs Department store to trade in the kids' outgrown ice skates for skates that would fit. That was a great service the store provided. Of course, Armstrongs was my favorite store. Perhaps I will write about it later.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Latest Jewelry Sets
"Beaded" bead earrings and the Russian spiral bracelets are easy and fast to make. I usually make a Russian spiral bracelet in a couple hours sitting in my chair in the living room with a rectangular cookie tray on my lap. Inside the cookie tray is a fuzzy mat on which I place the beads. It is handy and the beads don't roll around or fall off.
The dark sapphire and white opal "beaded" bead earrings belong to my niece, Roxanne, even though they are still in my possession. :-D She will get them the next time we travel to Kansas City. These "beaded" bead earrings also can be completed in one evening.
The red bracelet and earrings belong to daughter Patti. I was quite pleased that the bracelet is a perfect match for a jacket Patti has. I had my doubts until I saw them with the jacket. She was pleased with them and replaced the earrings she had on with the new ones and put on the bracelet.
Granddaughter Jessica loves purple so I used Swarovski purple velvet crystals with white opal. She hasn't seen them yet but will get them really soon.
The final set is granddaughter Elizabeth's. She will be in town the week of Easter. So she will have hers then. The earrings are made with Swarovski rose crystals and white opal.
I really enjoy the process of making the bracelets and earrings. Then it is even more fun to give them to family and friends and see their enjoyment. Making jewelry keeps me so busy that sometimes I forget I have a blog to write!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Growing up in the 60s
We made many trips to the Carnegie Library when Patti and Tony were small. I always took them to "story hour" each week. They were allowed to check out several books from the children's library. I read to them before bed. They always wanted me to read each of the books every night, not just one or two.
The elementary school was down the hill and a few blocks away. Patti and Tony were able to walk to school which was nice. I liked the teachers and the principal who was a small, wiry, soft-spoken man.
Patti was tall for her age when she started school. There were two teachers who were tall. Both these ladies walked tall. Patti never slouched when she walked. I credit the example set by these two teachers. She reached her full height about 5th grade. After that she was no longer taller than the boys in her class.
I don't remember Patti's first day of school but I do remember Tony's. I walked with him down the street to the Luzum's house where his pal came out to walk with him. Both boys wore red shirts. They walked off down the hill without a backward glance. No wave, no nothing!
Elementary school was from kindergarten through 6th grade. After that they went to Junion High in another building.
Both Patti and Tony started clarinet lessons when they were 4th graders. (I think my Mom wished two clarinet players for me so I would know what she went through with me!)
I volunteered at the elementary school when the secretary was away. I really enjoyed being back in a school setting.
The school hired me to be noon hour supervisor when Patti was about 5th grade and Tony, 3rd grade. I supervised the kids in the lunchroom and out on the playground. Some of the 5th and 6th grade boys were bigger than I. That was sometimes a challenge.
We called Tony Anthony until about third grade when he told his teacher he wanted to be called Tony. From that time until now, he is called Tony.
Somewhere along the line, I was room mother for each of the kids, baking and taking cupcakes and other treats several times a year.
I am sure Patti and Tony will remember other things - or maybe differently than I remember but that it ok. These are my memories.
The elementary school was down the hill and a few blocks away. Patti and Tony were able to walk to school which was nice. I liked the teachers and the principal who was a small, wiry, soft-spoken man.
Patti was tall for her age when she started school. There were two teachers who were tall. Both these ladies walked tall. Patti never slouched when she walked. I credit the example set by these two teachers. She reached her full height about 5th grade. After that she was no longer taller than the boys in her class.
I don't remember Patti's first day of school but I do remember Tony's. I walked with him down the street to the Luzum's house where his pal came out to walk with him. Both boys wore red shirts. They walked off down the hill without a backward glance. No wave, no nothing!
Elementary school was from kindergarten through 6th grade. After that they went to Junion High in another building.
Both Patti and Tony started clarinet lessons when they were 4th graders. (I think my Mom wished two clarinet players for me so I would know what she went through with me!)
I volunteered at the elementary school when the secretary was away. I really enjoyed being back in a school setting.
The school hired me to be noon hour supervisor when Patti was about 5th grade and Tony, 3rd grade. I supervised the kids in the lunchroom and out on the playground. Some of the 5th and 6th grade boys were bigger than I. That was sometimes a challenge.
We called Tony Anthony until about third grade when he told his teacher he wanted to be called Tony. From that time until now, he is called Tony.
Somewhere along the line, I was room mother for each of the kids, baking and taking cupcakes and other treats several times a year.
I am sure Patti and Tony will remember other things - or maybe differently than I remember but that it ok. These are my memories.
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