and no apologies!  [this is from our own newsletter, July 2004]

As the 4th of July approaches, we reflect on what it means to us. Subsequently this issue contains a few anecdotes and thoughts past and present regarding patriotism and July 4th celebrations.

~~~

“I remember picnics on the beach, with hot dogs and Campfire marshmallows roasted over an open fire. Campfire brand marshmallows still have the same scent when a new bag is opened! Takes a person back in that funny way scents can do.” We had a discussion the other day about how different marshmallows were ‘back then’. Campfire ones came in a box, two layers but not very many. They were much firmer than they are now, and when cooking them we had competitions to see how many times you could skin a marshmallow. A careful roaster could easily manage 5 skins. You can’t do that with the newer ones – any of you readers do that?

“I also remember having great fireworks that actually went WAY up into the air and one year we had some that had little parachutes that came out of the rocket and fluttered to the ground. I remember that one of us was always the Queen of the Fourth of July, although I never remember it being me! 🙂 :)”, says Ruth. Here Ruth pulls Nancy on our 4th of July ‘float’, the only Queen picture we seem to have.

I am very thankful for the freedom we enjoy in this great country. We tend to take it for granted until we see pictures of folks in other countries where they have no freedom. We could have been born there and maybe some of us were and came to America for the freedom it affords us. WE have the right and freedom to go out and vote for our leaders and I say we all need to get out and do that very thing.

I think it is good that we, as Americans, take the time to celebrate the 4th with family and friends because we can. In some countries there is no celebration of any kind. We are lucky.

A freezing Fourth of July in Idaho! From Ruth

Some years back when we were leasing and living on a ranch way out in the Southwest corner of Idaho, we invited family to come stay for the Fourth of July weekend. It was over a 100 mile trip for all of them and some much further, plus the last 50 miles were dirt road. So, everyone was to stay a couple nights at least.

It had been beautiful weather and promised to remain so. We had planned a big feed and then fireworks out in the green hay meadow, near the river (for safety sake), that evening.

We all got up the morning of the fourth, ready for the big day’s event, all ready to deck out in summer clothes, only to find it had frozen in the wee hours of the morning! What a surprise! The weather did warm up for the day and we had a terrific time, but had to don coats, scarves, hats and gloves for the fireworks that night! They were beautiful, though! [Mom emulating Statue of Liberty at the 45 Ranch.]

So, the next time someone says…”That’s as likely to happen as frost in July” well, look out ‘cuz it does happen and not just in the Northern states! Let’s hope this Fourth of July in Eastern Oregon, is not that cold!!

Good news:  scattered showers across the state
Bad news:  scattered showers across the state

WHAT?  This time of year, we are usually happy for any moisture, especially when not accompanied by lightening.   We are into a (predicted) serious fire season along with potential water shortage.   So, yes, good news!

Bad news part is if you have hay cut and down, because it is that time of year as well. Or family gatherings, or house painting, or just ripped off your roof to replace. Another problem is you decided to empty a room onto the deck and sort everything, clean the entire room, because of course it is nice weather, right?

Good news: plants grow so much better with natural moisture, we’re saving on the electric bill if we don’t have to pump water (or the water bill if we live in town).
So, readers, what is YOUR Good News/Bad News response? Must be some funny stories out there [okay, maybe not funny when they happened, but looking back….]

Heading out to do some random things [and make sure my car windows are up!].

Mabel Anne & Eliza Beth are always talking….

Yes, I am serious, we have over 200 subscribers, plus others who have the link and just visit. Not sure what the draw is, what you each found interesting.  However, we’ll just muddle along as always.
It may be time for a quick rundown on who we are.  First there was then: http://www.homesteadline.com/About/Honk.htm and http://www.homesteadline.com/Greetings.htm

Through the years we raised kids, held full time jobs and still the crafting crept out in a myriad of ways.  When we get together, or even gather in a chat room, it is worse! We give each other ideas. On top of that, we all qualify for senior citizen discounts [tho not perhaps medicare!].

Subsequently, we each have our own home based business and partner on several crafts as well.  In this group, retired only means being able to leave that job where you worked for someone else.

Denise is the eldest, [traveled to Alaska in 1948 when she was just over a year old, according to “Children of Glacier Point, Book One” so you figure it out!] is retired and has a Memory Teddy Bear business Bellybutton Bears.  She is supposed to maintain the websites, and manage this blog and our Facebook pages.

Linda is next and our true ‘Child of Glacier Point’ [that same link will take you to Book Two as well].  Retirement means she now works full time with her husband on their produce farm and makes beautiful quilts and other Fabric Creations.

Nancy, #3, with retirement a few years out yet, in her spare time does custom embroidery with two large machines at Only1Co.com.   She makes soaps as well!

Ruth, #4 and the youngest, still ranches full time with her husband and works with wood.  Woodshop Wonders began with unique frames and now makes a wide variety of one of a kind furnishings.  Many incorporate re-purposed items.

Because of our varied interests and skills, things tend to follow us home from fabric stores, tool/hardware stores, yard sales, junk stores, and each others stashes.
Our combined skills also include administrative, publishing, management, postal, bookkeeping, varied tech skills, customer service and don’t forget gardening, trapping, canning, fishing.

That is it for today, almost dinner time and today I think it will be breakfast.

Linda spring ’51

Excerpt from Book #2, Children of Glacier Point  http://www.brainstormspublishing.com/

May 21, 1950, Herb’s notes read as follows: “Was intending to take Teresa to town to have the baby but it came a week early so at the expense of some gray hairs I officiated.  Everything and everyone okay but me.”

Teresa recalls that, although no entry was made in the diary, the day before Linda was born the creek was running wilder than usual.  “Herb and I spent a considerable amount of time and effort moving rocks trying to get the creek to not eat into the bank on the cabin side.  Whether that had anything to do with her arriving early I don’t know, but very well might have been.”

May 21, 1950…continued.

 “The morning Linda was born I remember getting up, starting the fire, fixing breakfast for Herb and Denise. I served them hotcakes, and I made coffee but never did get it poured! Herb said something about going to town but I informed him it was too late for that since I knew the baby was on its way.  No way was I going to have that child in the boat!   Herb was all for going and getting Terry Teston but I said NO! No time for that either just stay here and help me.  I put my bundle of prepared, sterilized supplies next to the bed.  Herb put Denise in his shop, much to her dismay since she wanted to help Mummie.  Really was not long until we knew we had another little girl.  I will always remember Herb saying, “How in the world do you get a hold one of these slippery things?”  It really made me laugh but he did not think it was funny at all!  So I took the little one and was able to cut the cord as per the doctor’s instructions and cleaned her up as best I could.  Herb let Denise in then and she was so please to see her little sister.  However she poor kid had not been able to keep from messing her pants and Herb was not thrilled at having to help her clean herself up.  Again I couldn’t help thinking it was humorous since men seem to have such a time under these conditions!  As soon as Denise and I and the baby were settled, Herb walked up to Teston’s to get Terry.  She told me later that when she answered his knock on their door she knew by the whiteness and look on his face what had happened!”

Denise: I also remember that day and being told by my Daddy to “sit down there and don’t you move.”  He was so frazzled that I did not even think of doing anything but that, and was quite embarrassed at the result. It was also some while before he remembered I was still waiting as I had been told. The little sister was exciting however, as at long last I would have a friend and companion, someone to play with.   Not sure I realized it would take a while until she could keep up with me!

Diary entry continues on May 21, 1950:  “Linda Mary born at 10:10 AM.  Weighed approximately 6 lb. 2 oz [later revised to about 5 pounds 2 ounces!]  Herb delivered same.  All went well.  Ken and Terry came down after lunch.  Herb and Ken ran skate, got a halibut and 2 cod.  Had gotten a porky (porcupine) at 2:30 AM.”

So the nights sleep had been interrupted with the dogs fussing about the porcupine, and Herb shooting it.  Then the afternoon after the birth went on with business as usual, checking the skate line out in the bay.

Yesterday was Armed Forces Day.  I believe that it was May 20th, when it ‘began’, but the important bit is that we still honor our service men and women. Past, present and future. 

From the Spirit of ’76 (painted by one of our ancestors) through the current day…

Both of our parents served in WWII, as did my father in law.  Several sons, nephews and more have and continue to serve.

Whether you have or had family ‘out there’, you know someone who is on the front line of preserving our freedoms.  Give them a tip of the hat, a hug, an handshake.

Or maybe you are deleters, we’ve no way to know!
What are you hoping to see more of?  Alaskan tales?  Random wanderings as we tend to do now?
Do you read or check the other pages? Funnies, recipes, etc?

Anyone want to comment?  Just sayin’…… 😉

Nope, not a cow moose, or cow elk, or even a worthy beef or milk cow.  Just a comment because the counter says we have 154 subscribers!  Seriously? Alrighty then, you all know who you are and this is another shout out to each and every one.
Last year in May we were in Alaska on Mother’s Day, visiting old familiar places and connecting with friends and memories…all thanks to our Mom who had passed in December.  This was a metaphorical spreading of her spirit as we submerged ourselves in so many special moments. There were tears, but there was a LOT of laughter. Yes, many of the familiar places had changed so much they were hard to recognize.
Doesn’t matter, it was all good and if you are new and want to check it out you can.  Go back to May, July, August of 2013 and catch up!
This year, Mother’s Day weekend was spent with the four of us together again sorting Mom’s boxes of treasures.  Some really were treasures and sparked a lot of memories.  A goodly selection ended up being set aside for the history and content of upcoming Book #3. Some things just got thrown out! You didn’t want that old spatula, did you?  I thought not!  Despite the long hours, this was a very productive weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed the sisterhood.
Now, if you are reading this and wondering “What? I am so lost!” you need to read those earlier blog posts or visit http://www.homesteadline.com/About/Honk.htm or http://www.homesteadline.com/Greetings.htm or read the excerpt from Children of Glacier Point at http://www.homesteadline.com/Publish/GlacierPoint.htm

Don’t know most of you, or where you are ‘checking in’ from, but you are all welcome.  We don’t hold to a specific schedule, and postings might range anywhere from when we were little between 50 to 60 years ago to current happenings with our lives or grands!
Since you ARE here, we’d like to share our web sites: http://www.homesteadline.com, http://www.brainstormspublishing.com and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Homesteadline

Homesteadline.com is our Homestead Store with a variety of custom made articles for fun and utility.  Brainstorms Publishing is where we showcase our very own books.  Stories of Alaskan homesteading and more.

Children of Glacier Point

Book One

Compiled from the diaries and memories of a family that homesteaded in Southeast Alaska in the 1940’s and ’50’s, this is a true story of adventure and hardship. Told ‘the way it was’ with pictures and maps to illustrate, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Teresa and Denise, winter of ’49-50

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[sample #1]

“We can’t live in that!” said Herb.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe if we clean it up a bit, it will do to camp in until we can build a cabin” said I, with some misgivings however.

“It was 1948 and we were viewing our prospective homestead for the first time. Herb and I together with our 14-month-old daughter Denise had recently come to Alaska. We had arrived at Port Chilkoot only a few weeks before and were living there until we could find a likely place to homestead.”

~~~~~~~~~

[sample #2]

Friday, January 13th, 1950. “Temp still 4 below, slight breeze, clear.”

Remembering, Teresa writes “It was calm when we set out from home but by the time we got to the Slot, we ran into a strong north wind and the temperature dropped even lower.

“I was sitting amidships facing aft with Denise next to me. Herb was sitting next to the motor. We started taking on water over the bow when we ran through the biggest waves so I started baling. Herb had to fight to keep the motor running. Then when the one plank split we really took on water but I had to quit baling since it rocked the boat too much. The spray from the waves was freezing on the boat and us. Herb was sheathed in ice, the motor was barely running, and we were taking on water. I put Denise on my lap and did a lot of praying.”

~~~~~~~~~

Did we catch your interest? Email us at BEStore@charter.net 😉

We’ve added several new followers lately.  Don’t know where you all are from, or your interest level, but hope you find something here that makes you smile.

If you are interested in true homestead tales [from way before cell phones and computers] check out our website BrainstormsPublishing.com
Technology, gotta love it ~ except when we don’t!  When we were growing up, we saw the world through the eyes of National Geographic, the retelling of our parents life experiences and listening to the radio.  Now we have both better and worse connections with life.  It may be almost instant [okay, except when that tech stuff fails] but it can also detract from the personal touch.  It allows us to actually stay in touch with far flung cousins around the world, and yet may keep us out of the local store when we can shop online.

I could go on with the pros & cons [some downright funny] for ages, paragraphs and pages. Bottom line, tech stuff is here, it is not going away, let’s just be smart & use it to our benefit.  Which is why we are here with a blog ~ a word I do not even like!

Been to our website?  www.homesteadline.com

Moving livestock ~ from sister Linda

On my porch there lived a pig. He had outgrown the bathtub. [You missed the pre-story about why Stanley lives at their house, suffice to say…he does.] When I went to feed him one morning he almost flew out of upper door of his porch pen.  I told my husband “Dear, we need to move the pig to the barn”.
“Yes Dear, I will get that water fixed to down there tomorrow”. 3 weeks later, the pig,
growing by leaps and bounds, was still on the porch. The water was still not arriving at the barn when the faucet was turned on.
I said to my husband, “WE NEED TO MOVE THAT PIG THIS WEEKEND.  One of you
will be sleeping at the barn by Sunday night!!!” OK, so I make idle threats.  And he makes idle promises.
By Monday evening, the pig was in the barn along with another young pig to keep him company. By later Monday evening, the pig was back on the porch, but the companion pig was still in the barn.
TUESDAY, our hired hand and I spent all morning pig proofing the pen. We thought. Moved the pig back down there and went up to the house when my husband came home for lunch. “Oh yeah, pig is in the barn with other pig, they can’t get out now.”
Looked out the window, oh no, there comes both pigs to the house, followed by a triumphant dog.  I go out and lock both pigs easily in the box on the porch. Throw
dogs in my house. Hired hand and I spend more hours in rain working on pen REALLY making it pig proof this time.  Then we take the tractor and move entire box pen from porch to inside barn pen. Open door and let pigs play. All is well. Now we just need water (other than the rain). Spend another couple hours (complete with quick run to hardware store) setting up tank of water with automatic waterer sticking through wall of pen so pigs can drink. Finally around 4:00PM, thoroughly drenched, project is complete.
Looks a bit like Treefort Technology, but it works. During the last hour of our struggles, husband comes home, sits down to watch Olympics.
Asks my son, “What are they doing down there?”
Son replies, “fixing the water, thought you were going to do that.”
“Heck no, I am not getting in their way, now”.  (CHICKEN!!!)
2 days later, pigs still in pen. All well.