The last Austin brother

January 30, 1928 - August 20, 2008

This was a hard one. I wasn't ready to let Uncle Jerry go. I always thought I would have time to sit at his knee and listen again to the family history. I wanted to hear Uncle Jerry's version. I didn't get to hear enough.

Uncle Jerry loved family. He loved and knew the family history and the genealogy. Jerry was the youngest, the baby. He had 4 older brothers and two older surviving sisters. As a child he loved hearing his folks and aunts and uncles talk and he took it all in. He told me once that he didn't want to be the last child in the family to die. He wouldn't be able to bear that, he said. He wasn't the last to go. He left that to his sister, Frieda, who is my mother's age.

When the Austins got together, they sat up late. They talked until the wee hours. They held on. The Austins had come through rough times and they celebrated and appreciated the good times.

As a child, when my dad and his siblings got together at Gramma and Grandpa Austin's, we children knew it would probably be a late night. We knew we'd end up asleep on the floor or in Gramma's iron bed, 6 or 8 children, patchwork, on the bed. I think that is why even now, I love to listen to "talk" while I go to sleep. Now it is the TV or talk radio. Then it was the grownups visiting and laughing in the next room. Talk is comfort and security.

I bet Uncle Jerry, as a child, went to sleep in the warmth and comfort of the grownups talking. I hope he is sitting atthe kitchen table now, with his brothers and sisters, remembering the good times.

Father / Daughter In Law

I really like this photo.


This photo reminds me of your Grandpa Dale and the respect and mutual admiration he and I came to . . . after getting to know each other. When I first married into the Hofmeister family, I thought that my dear mother-in-law had to be a bit too "mean", too frugal. She "turned her sheets". (Ask me, if you want to know what that means.) Later, looking back, I realized that anyone that came through the Great Depression was very careful with their things, their clothes, their money.


I really like Lisa, Kurt's wife. She is down-to-earth, practical. She has a sense of humor. I think Uncle Lefty likes her too!

PS: Watch out! Next reunion, Lisa is bringing Super Soakers!

School starts

I thought a lot about my grandchildren today, while I worked. Miss Morghan, the oldest and wisest, was starting 4th grade. She was just about chomping at the bit to get back, get social, get "learned"!

Jack managed kindergarten like a breeze last year, and now in First Grade, had graciously allowed big sister Morghan to show him the ropes -- but just until he got used to it, mind!

Maddie Mae was so excited as her friend, Chloe Marlin, is in her very classroom! However, the local newspaper caught them on film, looking a little forelorn; lost -- probably early in the day. But still, Maddie told me she had a good day!

Gabrielle Nadeen told her Nana she liked it! She like Kindergarten and she had a good day! But she was so tired! Kindergarten is hard work, I said. She sighed and agreed.

Joey Austin had a big day today, too! He turned Five Years Old! and that is enough to wear any child out! We hope you like preschool, Joey!

Audri Lu got to go back to the regular babysitter today and to play outside. She is an outdoor girl; a natural little rock washer.

Nana just loves them all to pieces! May every school year be exciting, fullfilling -- and something to look forward to!

One More Game!

Which is Craig and which is Kurt? The resemblence isn't that exact . . . but still a bit uncanny, do you think?

Kurt was born in 1968 so what, does that make him just eight years older than Craig?

New Game

At family gatherings, relatives would say "which one are you?" or "are you Linda or Nancy" You know, I don't remember our cousins having trouble with it, but the adults would ask. I was taller for my age and Linda small boned. We were both fairly blonde but Linda blonder than I. I could have told the relatives to check out the skinned knees. Nancy. Is there a smudge on the dress or a rip? Nancy. Unruly hair? yep. Nancy. I didn't care though! I was carefree and happy and wanted outside! Yes, I was a tomboy.

Now, is that me on the right? or on the left? Baby Mary is in the middle.

I think there was March wind, 1955.

October 1951

Bet you can guess these.












































I was fourteen months and Linda 2 years, 2 months. Taken at the farm north of Peru.

Again?

Mary is the smallest. Which one Linda? Which one Nancy?

1956 with Daddy

Nancy / Linda?

Linda / Nancy?

With Mama

Linda, right or left?

Wasn't Granny pretty?

With Unc

Which one is Linda? Which one Nancy?

Life Second's Numbering

This was Granny just 3 years ago according to the date on the photo. This was just when we were starting to fuss about her living alone. Before she broke her hip, the hospital stay and the nursing home. It is hard to believe that just three years ago, Granny was well enough to go to Missouri and stay overnight. She wasn't herself but still with help, could go and do and enjoy. Wish we could wind the clock back for Granny.

Your Mom's 7th Grade

This is in the internet. Your Granny always encouraged her children, to write the names of our classmates on the back of the group picture. As I don't have this photo -- or don't think I do anyway -- I can't flip it over and see which one is me. There are two possibilities. Which one am I?

Granny

Aunt Virginia and Uncle Dick came up in July, to visit Granny. They camped at 3 Mile Lake, north of Afton. Your dad and I picked Granny up on Tuesday, as usual, and drove out. Granny looks happy . . . as though she knows her family is gathered 'round.

KWITCHURBELYAKIN

Gramps might have seen a sign like this, or similiar, on vacation sometime;somewhere. When he was at Shagbark with the printshop out back, he printed up some cards (the size of business cards) with this on them, KWITCHURBELYAKIN.

I found this sign at a garage sale and (for once) Himself approved and said I should hang it at Too.