Hazel was very active in the community with 4 H and Blood Drives and she was on the Township Board back when my baby brother and I used to trap gophers…she used to make some awful faces as she counted out those smelly gopher feet. Even though we kept them in the freezer in a jar they started to unthaw as they were counted. If the firehall ran out of food at the Father’s Day Picnic…she would bring over flatbread so we had something to eat. Hazel had three children, I was very good friends with one of her daughters but I have not seen her in years. Hazel made the best deep fried chicken I have ever tasted. Their house had a front porch and it was a perfect place to sleep during the summer. As far as I know Hazel moved to Ponsford in 1951. She moved to town a short time ago to be closer to the dialysis unit.
Both women will be or have been buried in the Linnell Cemetery…where I can walk down the rows and recall many old neighbors.
There are not many old timers left…Jim and Irene have moved to Assisted Living, Far Guy’s Aunt Louise lives in an apartment next to the Nursing Home. My parents moved to town many years ago. Maurice moved to town a number of years ago. Up on the prairie Margie and Alice are still in their homes but have children living with them as far as I know. Rueben and Hilma are still living on their home place.
One by one the older generation is disappearing…and as I am getting older I realize that soon I/we will be the older generation.
Sweet sweet memories you shared. My mom used to say about her and her siblings, "We're the top layer now." It's getting that way with us, too.
ReplyDeleteHazel and Vi sound like wonderful ladies who helped make your community what it is today. They and others created a solid foundation on which to build.
ReplyDeleteI love how you honor and treasure the people and stories of your family and friends and community. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou have such wonderful memories of these ladies. I remember my parents lamenting the "passing" of many old friends. It seems as we get older all our older friends "leave" us. My dad used to say, "all the good ones are dying off". Such wise words. At least you are able to visit their grave sites and still honor them.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories though , they graced the earth now they grace the heavens as angels . Yup we are the next older generation now . Thanks for sharing , have a good day !
ReplyDeleteI remember when I realized that I had become the older generation. And now it's been long enough that many of my contemporaries are gone. That's the way things go, and I'm happy to have so much family that is younger than me. Love your reminiscent post, filled with love. And yellow iris, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to people remembered. We have not at this point had to attend funerals for very many good friends, except for those who died way too young. One thing I've noticed is how lonely the old age becomes when people go to nursing homes. I'm hoping that my life ends before I go to a nursing home. Ugh! Sorry for your losses.
ReplyDeleteThe oldsters are known by the food they made - I wonder what the newsters will be remembered for?
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how we are slowly becoming the oldest generation. Kind of creeps up on you. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is a memory lane that one can take for a long time. We had so many neighbors on the farm that are all gone now. My mom's next generation of card players are gone all except one. I liked seeing the iris growing along the fence row and seeing the horses grazing in the green field.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute. You know as the old ones go....it is us that takes their place and become the old-times.
ReplyDeleteLinda
If you hadn't written the last sentence I would have reminded you that we are the old timers. You had some amazing people as your mentors. You will miss them.
ReplyDeleteCharming stories, makes me wonder what people will say of us one day!
ReplyDeleteYou have good memories of the two ladies. We can only hope that people will have good memories of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memorial to both women. They would be honored to know you mentioned their good food, too. That was, and is, a point of pride for cooks.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories.Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also wonder what I will be remembered for. Good things I hope.
ReplyDeleteI am always struck by how well you knew the people in your rural community. My parents knew some of the neighbors, but my siblings and I didn't really have relationships with the "elders".
ReplyDeleteI am now part of the older generation in my big extended family.
What great memories you have and what a wonderful life it must be to live in the same place your whole life and to know and be known. I want a place in the country but it seems as you get older everyone moves to town...why is that? They don't drive anymore?
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