May 27, 2020
Liz Writes Life
Memorial Day came early this year – at least for me. Two
weeks ago, I purchased a bunch of fake flowers (for graves) thinking I was
ahead of the game. Then, last week, I realized that Memorial Day was May 25,
2020 and purchased another 13 silk-type of flowers. It had been a busy week and
I was pretty tired, but I did take my extra long screwdriver (for poking deep
in the ground to stick the plastic stem) pealed the plastic hard-to-remove tags
from the flowers and drove into the Etna Cemetery. It was cleaned-up from
winter winds, mowed and looked beautiful.
This year, I remembered to take several plastic bags to stuff
with the old weathered fake flowers -- and filled three bags. Because I
sometimes can’t remember whose graves I put new flowers (the previous year) I
now get all one color. This year was pink. I cleaned-off Grandma and Grandpa
Dillman’s headstone, then my mom and dad’s. Next was Uncle Bob, who drowned
with his good friend Fred Browne in the Scott River, when their pickup drove
over the old-fashioned log railing on Horn Bridge during a blizzard on Dec. 4,
1951. Yep, it was tragic for the Dillman, Timmons and Browne families. Bob left
his wife, Marion Timmons, and two small boys, John and Jim.
Uncle Con is beside Bob and he died before Bob in July 1943
at age 17; another tragic death. He was driving a team of horses raking hay,
when the horses took-off galloping. Con fell in front of the rake and was
killed. Can’t imagine the mess that must have been!
Aunt Clista also died at the young age of 17, when she caught
pneumonia in early January 1932. She had battled pneumonia when she was younger
and the doctor actually cut an inch out of a rib, so he could make a hole into
the lung to suction out the damaging fluid. This would have been in the early
1920s.
Back in those days, big formal balls were held on holidays.
Fort Jones hosted the New Year’s Eve dance. Clista was fighting a common cold,
but wanted to attend the ball. She begged her mom, who finally relented. But,
the next day Clista became ill and died Jan. 6, 1932. I’ve been told that
grandma never forgave herself for letting Clista go to the dance. Oh, so
frustrating are some of the decisions that we make!
My Aunt Evie lies beside Clista. She lived a full life and died
in 1997.
My Aunt Rose Mae (Dillman) Hovenden is buried in the Hovenden
plot with her husband, Charlie, his brother, Clarence, and his parents, Anna
and Walter.
On the north side of the cemetery are a dozen or so Fowler
relatives. Across the middle-driveway is my Uncle Charley Dillman’s grave and
his wife and family.
My husband, Jack, is buried up in the oak trees by the
Dannenbrinks. He did get bright yellow flowers. Pink really wasn’t his color.
Aunt Katie married Dick Luttrell and is buried in the
Luttrell plot in Fort Jones Cemetery.
Oh, so back to Memorial Day. I still think of it as May 30th.
Seems like lilacs, iris and peonies were always blooming, when I was a kid. I
do have a dark lilac that still has blossoms, so I cut three bunches and
brought them in the house. Yum, they smell delicious and hint softly of times
past. Unfortunately, there is only one red bud that is about to burst on my
only peony. But, I will enjoy it. A few iris are also in bloom.
I like Memorial Day. I like recalling my ancestors – the ones
I knew and stories of the ones I didn’t. I miss the American Legion Perry
Harris Post #270 and its ceremonies honoring our veterans, but I thank God for
their service and offer prayers for liberty and peace. I love my country and
its founders, who hammered-out a formidable constitution with a “Bill of
Rights” to protect its citizens. Much more could be said of our current
divisions and factions, including opinions on this Covid-19 virus, but all I
will do is continue to pray for liberty, peace and relief from the virus – and
be happy for the many good things that I have. Smile!
Eagles
A little over a week ago, a deer was hit on the highway right
by my house. I noticed it in the ditch as birds were already eating on it. Big
black crows made a lot of noise cawing about their find, but eagles ruled the
roost. One morning, I went out on the porch and five golden eagles were flying
in very low circles over my house and I could see a bald eagle sitting in the nearby
pine tree. Such is life living in the great outdoors!
Grads
It was so nice to see photos of the Etna High School
graduates lined-up on the lawn in front of the school. In these social
distancing times, the 2020 graduates are certainly getting short-changed from
celebratory events. As I drove slowly by, I recognized some of the grads and
their names. Yep, I went to EHS with some of their grandparents! My goodness,
how time flies.
I saw where College of the Siskiyous is holding a virtual
ceremony that will be pre-recorded, arranged and edited by Siskiyou Media
Council. All grads are invited to participate by submitting a short video or
photograph. The ceremony will include music by the Vocal Jazz Ensemble,
Community Band and speeches by the College President and other guests. I don’t
know when the video or how the video will be aired – call 530-938-5373 for more
info.
Garden
I felt foolish Friday morning, when it didn’t freeze. I had
covered the tomatoes, bell peppers, one surviving cantaloupe plant and
foot-tall potatoes. But, I didn’t feel as foolish on Saturday morning, when the
thermometer said 34 degrees (under the porch roof) and there was a pretty good
frost. I think the danger of extra cold mornings is over, especially with the
weather stations reporting record heat for this week. Yuck! It is so
frustrating, when summer temps attack and it is still May!
Oh, I did start
picking lettuce and spinach – mostly cuz they won’t like 90 degree temps.
Liz
Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She
is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past
year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
#
# #
No comments:
Post a Comment