Easter Coming to Wisconsin

by Delores Miller

Full moon shining all night, but a big snowstorm is forecast in a few days.  Just what we need for a sloppy Easter egg hunt that the Easter Bunny will scatter around the Miller yard along with chocolate Easter Bunnies and real colored cooked eggs.  Want to come along to Good Friday and Easter Sunday church services with us?

It has been a busy spring for us, we are getting slower so things take longer.  Went dancing twice last week, good polka bands and saw lots of people to gossip with.    Tucker, Matthew's 5 year old son had grandparents day at his school and we went for tea and crumpets.  Was fun.  Here is a poem that was handed out:  'Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren, The strength and wisdom that time and experience have given them.  Grandchildren bless their Grandparents with a youthful vitality and innocence that help them stay young a heart forever.  Together they create a chain of love linking the past with the future.  The chain may lengthen, but it will never part.

So last week was St. Patrick's Day, March 17.  Not Irish in our family but all the bars serve Corned Beef, cabbage, carrots, red potatoes and marble rye bread.  Russ cannot stand the smell of cooked cabbage, so took me out twice to eat it.  Was very good.  Nancy Reagan former first lady and wife of President Ronald Reagan died at 94 and we watched the funeral on tv from the Presidential Library at Simi, California.  Had visited it about ten years ago, beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.    Russ had a luncheon with his Marine Corps buddies, they all joined together in 1953.  Needless to say they have gotten older.    And now this is Leap Year, had an extra day on
February 29.  Politics with people running for President in November and we will hear all that hullabaloo.  Went to a church luncheon, their speciality was pea soup and banana pie.  Was very good.  Another church had a pancake supper.  Girl Scouts were selling cookies, bought two boxes.    Another church had a polka service and a chili luncheon.

Funerals of friends, sad.  Cancer, heart trouble and a fiery truck accident.

So on that happy note we close and wish you a Happy Easter.  Think spring and planting a garden.

Russell and Delores Miller in sunny Wisconsin

 Delores Miller lives with husband Russell in Hortonville, Wisconsin.    In the summer of 2007 they  celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party hosted by their five children and ten grandchildren.  It’s been a long road.  Dairy farming until retirement in 1993, they continued to 'work' the land, making a subdivision of 39 new homes on their former hay fields.

The Dupont Gunslinger

By Harold Ratzburg

I'd guess that by now, anybody who knows me, knows that I have been a "gun nut" (also known as a "Collector") for all of my life. How that fascination came about is anybody's guess, but there it is and I just have to live with it.

My first memories of a gun comes about in the first and second grades of Maple Valley Grade School in Dupont township.. With imagination of a kid, we kids found that you could fashion a gun of sorts out of a straight stem out of a lilac bush, (of which there were plenty around the school at that time) about seven inches long. What you had to do then was break the stem about three inches from the heavy end into a 90 degree angle and then peel the bark down at the angle and the bark would make a passable trigger guard. That left a barrel about four inches long. Then, armed with this formidable weapon, and if you could holler "Bang, you're dead" first --and loud enough, you could win the schoolyard shoot outs or nail those pesky Redskins hiding out behind the lilac bushes.

As time went on, I got bigger and more trustworthy with a sharp instruments and Dad got me a jack knife down in town at the hardware store. The next step up in the arms department was guns whittled out of cedar shingles. A coping saw helped a lot also, for cutting around the curves of the handle. Shingles were straight grained and easy to whittle and when finished, they didn't break too easy, With a shingle nail for a trigger it made a passable sidearm. You hadda carry it stuck in your belt but a quick draw was still possible.

CONTINUE HERE:

http://morecontinued.blogspot.com/2016/08/continued-dupont-gunslinger.html

Mouse in the House

 by Chester L. Tuthill

It was 1945 and I was still in the Marines in China.  It was natural for me to make friends with some of the local merchants.  Eventually I was invited to go with them to a restaurant, in return for which I was going to take them to a movie at the auditorium in the school where we were lodged.

There were about five or six Chinese men there with me.  The first thing we did was climb up some stairs to a small cubicle on the second floor.  We were given a bowl of hot water and a  towel to wash our face and hands.  Everybody used the same water!

Once seated it now became a struggle to converse.  My Chinese at this stage was rather limited, nevertheless, with the aid of a book of translation provided by the Marine Corps we were able to converse after a fashion.  I'm not sure what was ordered as I left that matter up to them.  During the course of the meal which had now moved along on a really high note, due to the beverage of choice.  It was “bei gar”, an innocent, clear white substance, about 150 proof.  (My alcohol knowledge and  consumption was very limited.)

I noticed a cat fooling around at my legs, so I gave it a kick to remove it.  With that, I felt something shoot up inside my pants leg.  I thought, “My goodness a mouse must have run up my leg”.  I jumped up and started to unbutton my fly so as to take off my pants.  I was trying to explain to the startled group (with the aid of the translation booklet) what I thought had happened.  They said, “No, No, No.  This clean place, not possible.  Must be your imagination.”  By now, quiet had been restored;  the cat had left;  I sat down and we finished the meal a half hour or so later.

We left the restaurant and climbed into rickshaws for the ride back to the school.  I noticed the full moon didn't seem to stay in the same place.  It was sort of bobbing and weaving as opposed to the rickshaw which was weaving and bobbing.  The “bei gar” was working.  I thought, “How soothing it is to ride in a rickshaw being pulled along at a rapid pace by a local entrepreneur.”

Once inside the auditorium we all sat down and were waiting for the houselights to die so we could watch the movie.

I had my hands in my lap and we were sort of chatting to pass the time.  I noticed I had no feeling in my groin, and I wondered why.  I began to unbutton my pants again.  The business men I was with must have thought I had a fixation with taking off my pants.  I opened the fly and noticed there was blood on my skinny shorts.  I thought, “My God, I've been shot and I don't even feel it.”.  Continuing with the operation there suddenly appeared a bleeding mouse looking up at me with soulful eyes.  I took it by the scruff of the neck and said “See, I told you there was a mouse in my pants. And you didn't believe me!” 

I held my pants together with one hand, and walked to the exit door near by and threw the mouse out the door.  I re-buttoned my pants and sat down again.  The lights dimmed and we saw a local showing of Pearl Buck's  “The Good Earth” with Luise Rainer and Paul Muni.

copyright 2015, Chester L. Tuthill

 Chet Tuthill served in the Marines and after the end of WW2 was sent to China.  He took advantage of the Bill of Rights for veterans afterward earning a college degree.  Married with four children, he is now widowed and retired from the Education field.  He is the sole homemaker and caretaker of his son.  

Bruce's New Companion

 A Letter from June Bassemir

Dear Bruce,

Your new hobby received this Christmas of an expensive drone sounds like an exciting one. Richard tells me that a friend of his bought the exact same model drone as you have and that he can even program it to follow him on his long walks.  If you can do the same, I suggest you give your drone a name like: “Freddie” since he will become your companion on extended hot evenings.  You might even have to put his name and address on the base somewhere in case he becomes inoperable some time.  It could say:  “Hi my name is Freddie and I live with Bruce Tuthill in Baiting Hollow, FL  Please see that I get home.”  After those long walks “Freddie” will have to rest so I hope you have provided a special parking spot in your garage where he can wait until his next outing. 

There is a problem however that I am not sure you are aware of right now and that is: I wonder if this new companion will override your faithful loving wife who will have to sit at home and wait for you and “Freddie” to come back from your tender walks in the evening.  I guess she could always join the two of you but she might feel that she is barging in?  Perhaps you should rethink this new companionship.

Of course, if  “Freddie” is out sometime and not living up to the honor system of viewing, the Drone Police might come knocking at your door.  And then you might have to engage a high priced Drone Lawyer to defend poor “Freddie” in the event he is incarcerated on a minor infraction of being somewhere where he shouldn't be.  The listing of Drone lawyers in the classified (if there is still a classified) will become a definite need and a new branch of study for young men and women in colleges will be worth looking into.

We might also need a social register with the names of male and female drones because surely there will be other companions with names like “Sally” or “Olivia” or “Lucy”.  Of course, their flying about could become a problem for you, so I suggest a firm control with definite flight patterns planned on a weekly basis.  One other thing:   I realize that space is unlimited but let's talk about drone traffic.  Do you forsee problems in that area?  What happens if  “Freddie” and “Olivia” collide?  Will that break up the friendship?          

                June Tuthill Bassemir is the widowed mother of four and grandmother of ten.  An artist and writer, she  volunteers as a docent in a 1765 farm house.   June loves old cars and antiques, and has also enjoyed furniture stripping and rug hooking.  "I used to say I was a stripper and hooker.but with so many trips around the sun, no one raises an eyebrow anymore. They only laugh."  June has given up furniture stripping, but is still an avid rug hooker.

Merry Christmas From Wisconsin

We always enjoy hearing from Russell and Delores Miller in Wisconsin.  That goes for any time of year, but especially during the holidays. 
 

 It's time for Christmas, although we have no snow and the temperatures are always above freezing which we like, no icy roads or yards or plowing snow.    But it is dark gloomy days, the sun seldom shines. Got the bill for the farm taxes, over $3000 which made a dent in the checking account.  Threw out my back and going to the chiropractor, which helps.  Russ decorated the small Christmas tree and the gifts are gathering up under.  Thanksgiving was November 26, had 17 people for the feast, most stay nights.  Also went out for Indian food.  Then one Sunday afternoon went dancing.  The band Don Peachey played 60 years ago at the Caroline Ballroom, before we were married.  He is now an old man, but still has good beats.  Deer hunting season was for 10 days.  Russ does not hunt.  But it was the 'rut' and so many deer in the middle of the roads, getting hit and killed.  

Watching professional football, the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots and the University of Wisconsin Badgers.  Bucky Badger always entertains.  Sandhill cranes finally left, they stayed longer than most years.  Where do they go?  Veteran's day was November 11.  Programs honoring all military personnel.  We went to 4 of the programs.  Good food, music.

Here is a picture if it comes through taken at grandson Tucker's 5th birthday.  In the back row is Barb Olson, the other Grandmother, Sam Olson, and of course Delores.  Front is Lisa, Leon Olson , Russ and Matt with Ollie and Tucker.

So that is it for the year 2015.  And a Merry Christmas to all.

Russell and Delores Miller

copyright Russell and Delores Miller, 2015

Making Hay While The Sun Shines; 1929 Klingbeil Style

By Delores Miller

r

So it is summer  on the farm and time to make hay on the Klingbeil Farm in the Town of Little Wolf, Waupaca County, south of Dupont.  But first a little history and genealogy:

Wilhelmine and Gottfried Klingbeil left Posen Province Germany in 1873, traveling aboard the ship S.S. Leipzig landing in Baltimore.  Over two hundred passengers crammed in steerage.  Two small children, one died  on the boat and is buried at sea, another son Herman died shortly after they arrived.  Train ride to Bloomfield, following the river to Fremont and then to Little Wolf.  Along with their steamer trucks, they brought their Bibles and Lutheran religion.  Eight more children arrived in 18  years.  Gustav Jule, Bertha Lembke (my Grandmother), William, Albert, Ella Johnson, Minnie Becker, Robert and Marie Becker.  Thirty years later, the family gathered for a group picture at the Quimby Studio in Manawa.  The land of opportunity provided financial means for this expensive  lithograph. 

Age and infirmity  caught up to these patriarchs who had been married for 62 years.  Gottfiried became ill, he had cataracts on his eyes, after a few operations he lost his sight.  Lost his hearing, had lip cancer, suffered from eczema.   Long white beard that frightened the grandchildren.   Wilhemine, who had heart trouble  and Gottfried died several days apart in 1929 and the funerals were held together. 

CONTINUED HERE:

http://morecontinued.blogspot.com/2015/10/continued-make-hay-while-sun-shines.html

Retirement

By Wanda Spannuth

Slugs. I think they are the most disgusting looking creatures on earth. For a short time I became a human slug. No, this isn’t science fiction, just the story of a woman who retired.

The best thing about retirement is not having a schedule. The worst thing about retirement is not having a schedule. Until May 3, 2014, the first day of my retirement, every day of my life was on some sort of a timetable.

As a baby and toddler it was likely I had a feeding and sleeping routine. The feeding more or less led to pooping at a regular time, more or less. During the weekdays a trip to the sitter was at the same time, as was a return home, dinner on the table at 5:00pm every day and so on and so on.

Starting school meant a new schedule. It wasn’t long before I had to plan time for housework, fixing dinner, homework and after school activities. Before summer employment was added to my to do list there was babysitting my sister.

I mistakenly thought college would bring some relief. Although I was able to create some free time by cutting classes I learned, the hard way, that it wasn’t in my best interest.

CONTINUED HERE:

http://morecontinued.blogspot.com/2015/09/continued-retirement.html

Wanda Spannuth finished her career in Human Services and was encouraged to pursue her passion for writing by author Lisa Doan.  She completed her first children’s book, “Meesha’s Secret”, in 2013, followed by “The Turtle and the Pond Life” in 2014. Her books teach life lessons in hope, courage, acceptance and tolerance.  Wanda is currently working on a one-act play based on “The Turtle and the Pond Life”, will continue with additional children’s books and hopes to complete a novel based on some of her work in Human Services.  Wanda earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling from Indiana University and is an avid IU Basketball fan.

Memories Are Made of This ...

An East Too Far

by Chester Tuthill

            Chester is stationed in Tsingtao, China.  It is 1945.  He is in the Marines.  Although the Communist's have by now taken over much of the country, he has been there some time now, people know him and he visits local places with immunity.  He is by himself.  He enters  a small Chinese market where they sell trinkets, vegetable and meat.  He buys a small brass incense burner and some small glazed children's kitchen ware toys for a few cents.  The people crowd around, smiling,  The little boys call out "Da Beedza lai".  The people bow and smile. They do not know that Chester knows Chinese and that the boys are saying "Big Nose Comes'.  Chester smiles.  The crowd smiles.

      He goes over to a meat market where a big butcher is about to prepare some meat for someone to take home. The butcher's block is covered with 'blowflies'.  The butcher shoos them away to clear a space to cut the meat. The files return.  The butcher slams his cleaver down flat on the butcher's block.  Them flies scatter but don't move fast enough and a few are killed.  The butcher uses the cleaver as a spatula to scrape off the dead flies and puts down the meat to be cut up.  The butcher wipes his cleaver off on his bloody apron.  Chester moves on to the vegetable section.

      Chester then leaves the Chinese marketplace to go visit his new chinese friend who has invited him to supper.

      Chester approaches the small house.  A puppy is playing in the front yard.  It sidles up to Chester and prances around.  Chester tickles the puppy under the chin.  "Hello, Ming," says Chester.  "What's for supper?"  Ming replies, "we're going to have stew.  You like puppy stew?  You were just playing with supper."  Chester looks horrified.  You don't mean that puppy there, do you?"  "No," says Ming, "I was just joshing you.  We are having dog stew though.  The puppy's mother.  Dog just right age for stew.  They get much older than two years  dog gets tough; like shoe leather.  Time to eat, come on in."   Chester says, "Gee, sorry Ming we'll have to postpone supper.  I just remembered I have a very important meeting I should be at.   I'll see you later."

      Ming says "Wait, don't go yet.  I have a present for you."  Ming goes in the house and brings out a bag.  In the bag are about two dozen shoes such as the chinese women used to wear to stunt the growth of their feet.  They are embroidered and truncated, but much like the shoes two year olds wear .  Chester says, "They are very interesting, do you really want to give them to me?"  Ming nods assent.  Chester takes the shoes back to the United States where he is discharged and keeps them for many years, showing them off to anybody who will listen.  Chester finally dumps the whole lot in the trash bin to be rid of old memories.

 Chet Tuthill served in the Marines and after the end of WW2 was sent to China.  He took advantage of the Bill of Rights for veterans afterward earning a college degree.  Married with four children, he is now widowed and retired from the Education field.  He is the sole homemaker and caretaker of his son.

Resuming Operations

I'm back and on light duty.  If you have an article or fiction piece or verse and would like to send it along to me, I'll post it here on Lunarticks. No guarantee as to amount of time it will take me to do it.  Some days I have energy, some days I don't.

But it would be great to have a couple of stories to put up, so send them to me at:
dave@windsweptpress.com

Thanks.