WWII Memories - Bedspread

In 1943/1944 food was severely rationed in the Netherlands - and there wasn't enough to go around. There was always the black market, of course - and the bartering system. Transportation was also restricted. A good place to go bartering for food was boating across the river Maas, and visiting the farmers - but you needed a legitimate reason to go there. My cousin Jan worked for the police department in Vlaardingen, and he somehow managed to get a permit for my aunt - stating she was a midwife.

Tante Jaan

She now could safely cross the river, carrying a small suitcase. By smiling sweetly at the german soldiers she managed to look like a real midwife, and so was able to get past the checking station.

She had a plan all worked out. Unraveling her prized cotton bedspread, she used the yarn to make socks -

which she then managed to trade for bread. Every week she would bring home two loaves of bread - traded for a pair of socks. This went on for quite a few weeks - keeping the hunger wolves away from our door. Finally, however, the time came when she took her last pair of socks. The bedspread was all used up. Telling the farmer's wife that this was probably the last time she could bring socks, the "boerderin" exclaimed: Oh, you know, this is working out so well - I've been making a bedspread by unraveling the socks you brought, and I'm just about done!

Hyder, Arizona - Ghost Town

Hyder is a ghost town and farming community in Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It and surrounding areas (such as "Sentinel" and "Agua Caliente") houses several different types of fish, shrimp, and other types of farms, one school (Sentinel Elementary School), and two gas stations/general markets..

During World War II it was the training spot of General Patton's desert forces. The nearby Agua Caliente also had a large hotel during this time.

Very little remains about the old camp, but veterans sometimes come back to visit this place.

Trixie making a purchase at the store. She lives about ten miles from the store, but does practically all her grocery shopping in Mesa or Phoenix. The Skousen children attend Sentinel Elementary (9 miles from home), and High School in Wellton (abt 60 miles from home).

Climate Adjustment

View of my backyard in Hyder

My backyard in Shelley

I have spent the last six winters in Arizona, with Trixie and her family. That way I get to spend some time with Trixie's and Phil's families (Phil lives in Gilbert, about 1 1/2 hours from Hyder) - and at the same time escape the Idaho winters. This year I came home a little too early, I'm afraid. Look at the contrast between the two places.

But it's really good to be home again - inspite of the weather.

Houseplants on Death Row

I’ve always had houseplants - lots of them. I can’t imagine a home without them. But you’d better not ever give a plant to three of my four daughters - because they will surely die! (The plants, not the daughters).

While I was in Arizona for the winter, Judy neglected my plants to the point of no return. Most of them were gone when I got home - only a few of them were still sorta alive - Judy thought maybe they could still be resurrected.

So off to the store to get a new supply. And from now on I’ll buy a few every week.

Marathon

Known for its breathtaking beauty, the red rock country of Sedona is host to one of the most inspiring and rugged marathon races. The third annual Sedona Marathon, held on February 9, 2008 had 1,687 runners from ages 4 to 78 participating in a marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. Participants came from around the world—Japan, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and 46 U.S. states.



The race was challenging both because of the altitude (4500 feet), and the route--half the course was on the dirt roads of Coconino National Forest. This is one of only two races in Arizona that is USATF (U.S. Track & Field) certified.

And guess who participated in this race? ARIANA!!

She ran the half-marathon as no. 623 and came in first in her age group, with a time of 1:58:46. Congratulations!

Ariana joins cousins Tara, Lisa, and Angela, who all ran full marathons in the past. (I got Angela's picture from her blog, and - sorry folks - I don't have pictures of Lisa and Tara).

Teach Me to Knit

The Mutual girls asked me to teach them to knit. There wasn't time to get into a lot of detail - all I could show them were the two main stitches, purl and knit, and some of the patterns they created.


I tried to tell them how to hold their needles to obtain maximum speed






but some of the girls had their own ideas. If I had been like the teachers in the Netherlands, I would have whacked their hands and made them do what I told them to.


We spent the first week learning how to cast on - and use just the knit stich. The second week was spent learning how to purl, and how to pick up dropped stitches.



I hope the girls will continue using what they learned, and make some fun articles.

Our Prophet Dear

Today funeral services were held for Gordon B. Hinckley, our beloved president and prophet, who died at the age of 97 on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008.

In November of 2000, President Hinckley challenged us to set goals for ourselves to be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, and be prayerful. These six "Bs," as President Hinckley called them, are a marvelous standard for all Latter-day Saints.

I am grateful for the life of this great man.

He is now with his beloved Marjorie.