KC & Great-grandparents share a book

From Fat Cat and Skinny Cat

Not sure if this will work for long. . .

Corrections

This correction is brought to you courtesy of Fodey.com.

Big News

Chillicothe Courthouse & Buicks

February 1940. Courthouse and auto transport hauling Buicks in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Hate to bump Ginny's picture from the top but this scene finally includes a picture from Chillicothe that I thought Mom & Dad might recognize AND a picture of "new" old cars that date it nicely. This is another picture from the Shorpy's blog I mentioned previously. Dad, I can't quite make out the road sign and haven't looked it up in my Route book -- is it U.S. Rt. 25 or 23?

We're babysitting KC and he's just gone down for his afternoon nap. I was supposed to get off work at noon today but thanks to someone else's stomach flu I get to go back to work tonight. What a privilege! At least I'm healthy!

Knightingale Concert

December 16, 2007

Carolers courtesy of the WPA

Serena here is a picture to go with your caroling post. And in case any of you want to see even more of the WPA posters, they come from a blog called "Shorpy the 100-year-old photo blog" which has lots of neat old pictures -- many recently have been from Chillicothe OH in the 30s and 40s . Here is a link to their WPA poster page.

"The Works Progress Administration in Ohio presents the Federal Theatre for youth in 'A Christmas Carol.'" This poster for the Federal Theatre Project presentation of "A Christmas Carol" was created between 1936 and 1941.

Carolers

Last night about 7:15 I answered the door and it was 6 carolers a-caroling. After they were done, they asked if they were to late for my parents. I told them, "No, you're too early, they're out square dancing." It was about 6 women - I think all from the neighborhood.

I realized later I should have grabbed the camera, but didn't think of it until much too late.

Shopping anyone?

Wendy reports that the stores are crowded today. We're watching KC as she attempts to finish up her Christmas shopping and prepares to leave for Ogden tomorrow for Grandpa Tom's funeral.

This is a Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster from 1941 extolling the benefits of retail commerce.

Makes me think of the shopping in downtown New Vienna in the 1950's at the Drug Store or even Streber's Market where one could get some kinds of candy, 2 for a penny -- I'm sure I didn't eat too much of it, as I'd rather keep my pennies, probably gave it all to my favorite younger siblings!

Christmas Decorations

Sorry for the poor photography, but thought I would show the AL house and neighbors. Guess which one is the AL house and which are the neighbors'?

My suggestion was just to stick up a menorah on the garage door and mezzuzah near the door and be done with it, but I was out-voted.

Good-bye, [KC's] Grandpa Tom

We are sad to report that KC's great-grandfather, Tom, passed away yesterday. He was the father of Marsha (Ken's Mom) and Jeff. His wife preceded him in death in 2006. He is survived by his father who lives in Utah, where Tom will be buried. He and KC had a strong resemblance, especially when wearing hats. Unfortunately KC was not looking at the camera in this picture taken about 8 months ago. Serena, you and Pat met Tom at Thanksgiving. Not sure if any of the rest of you had met him or not, although he was at KC's birthday party.

In other news, we took KC to a baby exercise class this morning which he seemed to enjoy greatly. There was a lot of bouncing and jumping on mats, stair climbing backwards and forwards, hanging on to a balance bar, rattling bells, and playing with bubbles. My co-worker, Susan, takes her 8-month old daughter, Addie, every Friday, and we went as their guests.

Photos from the Big 85th Birthday Party

And an extra one that was taken at Morgans' house.

The reason for the problem pictures is more complicated than it is worth explaining.

What do you mean I have to go outside? - It is below 72 degrees.

Possibly the last time Jean Wallace Ballantyne Uible was photographed in the snow.

Time flies

The 53 Places to Go in 2008

Check out #14 - it scored higher than Detroit! Link is in the title and here.

Today's Arizona Republican paper

Roberta, did you see the review of Line Thai? It was an okay review.

There was also an article about today being the 5th anniversary of the NW library branch in Surprise.

New Jeans

I bought some new blue jeans (7 for all Mankind brand) today - they look sorta like the jeans below - except the pockets have a much more intricate design. The below are available at Nordstrom's for $246.

Mine were considerably cheaper and bought at the new Surprise Goodwill. Although I susupect that mine are not this year's style.

Newest links on the right

Please note the newest links on the right - one to Catherine's photo gallery and one that will take you directly to KC's photos.

KC at his birthday party

These are two of my favorite photographs of the ones that Catherine sent, although the sleeping one was cute, too. These two photographs must have been taken after we left. He opened three presents, Wendy put him down to pick something up and the birthday boy fell asleep in the middle of his party.

Weather Forecast in Phoenix for December 11-12

I just checked the weather forecast for Phoenix area for December 11-12 - high around 74 degrees. For the same time period, southern Ohio forecast is for 29 to 40 degrees.

Grapefruit from the backyard

I was talking to the next door neighbor and he mentioned that he hoped that I didn't mind that they had taken some grapefruit. I said, "Oh, they're ripe? You're certainly welcome to them." He said the grapefruit from their tree is not yet ripe, but that we'll be welcome to have some of that.

By the way, MV, it is a pink grapefruit tree and, fortunately, the fruit seems a lot sweeter than I remember - although still not quite as I would like - although now edible out of hand.

The photograph was taken on the back porch on the seat of the exercycle.

Christmas Cards

Mary, we got your Christmas greetings today. Great pictures! Thanks. It has gotten cold here -- in the 40s -- and some people, including Wendy, have their decorations up. Personally, I'm not in the mood.

Book choices

Sometimes I like to read holiday books this time of year, but don't think that will be the case this year as I have too many other ongoing book reading projects -- see list below. Anybody else got any good books in process?

• Faulkner -- on #3
  
• Patrick O'Brian's Master & Commander Series -- on #4
• Guardians of Ga'Hoole - a youth animal fantasy series -- on #5
  
• Terry Pratchett's Discworld series
  
• an occasional adult non-fiction -- just finished a biography called Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat about Haiti, very moving
  
• an online youth fantasy book discussion group

Grapefruit and Orange Trees in the yard

Above are photographs of the orange and grapefruit trees in the yard. The grapefruit are on the bottom and the orange tree is on the top (obviously). None of them are near ripe yet.

Thanksgiving meal

I've got about six loaves of bread rising - two Healthy Bread Kids Will Like, two Holiday Pumpkin Bread and Challah. I may offer some to Roberta to take to her gathering, if she wants.

Pat is coming over about noon with a salad and then shortly thereafter, Catherine and Gerry and we leave for Ken's family's house.

MARIE SIMPKINS

Reading Level

Skip the turkey - eat fruit

Being a lover of fruit, as well as anything related to the WPA, this caught my eye today. Hope you all will be eating fruit as well as turkey on Thursday! Here's a blurb about the poster:

According to Fruit From Washington:

The Federal Art Project sponsored by the Work Projects Administration produced color silkscreened prints on posterboard which have been collected by the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division."

War genre, patriotic posters have an important place in our cultural and social history. Here are a few examples on an agricultural theme that FruitFromWashington has gleaned from the National Archives.

Sid and Roberta cycling on Alta Loma

Well, actually, they are only sitting in the driveway in these photographs, but they did cycle over and back, I assume.

Thanksgivings past

While waiting for Roberta's Ireland post, and thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, here's a few unrelated Thanksgiving thoughts:

• Our reunion in 2004 (?) in Newark to see Kate in the Nutcracker
• The successes and occasional meltdowns of Thanksgiving dinner preparations
• The parade of guests through the New Vienna dining room -- Eloise Simpkins, and Miss Letty being two I remember well. Help me think of others....
• Grandma & Granddad's leaving for Florida right after Thanksgiving (or did they go before that?) I know they often came home on/around Easter.

Roberta

No newsy post about Ireland yet? Is Roberta not feeling well? Perhaps she overdosed on ice cream last night and couldn't write?

Back in Dublin

Hello, we walked and walked this afternoon after arriving here from Limerick. I want to remember some of the limericks we were told. It is getting cooler here, but still I cannot see my breath. I am checking though. Had a seafood chowder tonight, but the bread was the best part of the meal. I don't drink in the restaurants, the tea was $2.75 euro so I drink the free stuff in the room. More later, this is costing me. Hope this finds everyone doing well...... Roberta the walker and Serena the editor

Veteran's Day (Observed) 2007

The veteran in our family -- Gerry -- spent part of his day helping Wendy do some odds and ends around her house, with the side benefit of being able to spend time with Wendy & KC. There's a stand-up toy that KC can push and walk behind. He walks quite quickly in short spurts as he can only go in a straight line and then has to be re-aimed in a different direction. The other cute thing he is doing now is walking in place, almost more of a march, while holding on to the furniture. They have winter grass (rye) planted in their back yard which is nice and green and also a new picket fence around the patio part of their back yard so the dogs can be contained on one side of the yard of the other. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside with KC in his high chair and fed him his banana and apple babyfood. He now also eats small amounts of regular food like cereal, rice, bean burrito, squash.

checking in from IRELAND

Did this work? I can't seem to get the caps right. More later. Will hope to check tomorrow. I am fine. No rain yet. I want to keep carrying my umbrella that I got when Grandma and I did the Mississippi River trip in 1980 something.

Roberta (this cost me 2 euro for one hour on slow computer down the street from hotel. At the hotel it is 2 euro for 20 minutes.)


Above is slightly edited version. Below is Roberta's original:
dID THIS WORK? i CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE CAPS RIGHT. mORE LATER. wILL HOPE TO CHECK TOMORROW.....i AM FINE, NO RAIN YET. i WANT TO KEEP CARRYING MY UMBRELLA THAT i GOT WHEN gRANDMA AND \I DID THE mISSISSIPPI RIVER TRIP IN 1980 SOMETHING. rOBERTA (THIS COST ME TWO EURO FOR ONE HOUR ON SLOW COMPUTER DOWN THE STREET FORM HOTEL. THERE IS WAS 2 EURO FOR 20 MINUTES.


edit added much later: According to Google,

2 Euros = 2.9396 U.S. dollars

Harold Uible Pillar of Republican Party

Uible honored as pillar of Republican Party
Harold H. Uible, left, was presented a plaque by Roger Bennett, right, former executive chair of the Clinton County Republican Party. Larry Droesch, current party chair, is in center.

ROSE COOPER County Editor
A long-time pillar of the Clinton County Republican Party, Harold H. Uible, was honored at the Central Committee’s annual beef roast Monday night at the Wilmington Savings Bank/Clinton County Senior Center.
“We want to take the opportunity to thank you and those individuals in the county who have made contributions over their lifetime and made an impact on the Clinton County Republican Party,” said Larry Droesch, executive chair of the party.
Clinton County Republicans have had some tough times and have had ups and downs, Droesch said. “We’re still powerful and we still make a difference. We’re well-known all over the state for being a very good and powerful Republican county.”
Roger Bennett, immediate past executive chairman of the party, presented Uible with a plaque. “It is an honor to have Harold H. Uible here,” Bennett said. “I’ve worked with him. He’s been a first-class individual.”
After the presentation, Uible said it was some 50 years ago when he became a Central Committee member. “That was one of the best things I ever did. The party has done much more for me than I will ever be able to do for the party.”
He called the Central Committee “the key to a grassroots organization.”
Also attending the dinner was Uible’s wife Jean, and two of their five children, John Uible and his wife Julie of Newark, and Mary Uible Crowson of Dublin, Ga. Their other children are Catherine Morgan of Glendale, Ariz., and Roberta King and Serena Uible, both of Sun City West, Ariz. Also seated at the family table was GG Walker who has worked for Uible for many years.