So.
I've been thinking about starting this blog, or what I really like to think of it as - my daily journal of life. My life. Been thinking about it..seems like, oh, forever. At least since my radio deejay days. And since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. (Which this fellow warrior as helped me so much with my stupid dumb breast cancer-thank you for being a friend: http://stupiddumbbreastcancer.blogspot.com/ ) I was diagnosed last October and it has been eating at me like no other to hunker down and get typing. And I have the time right now since moving from Iowa to Wyoming and in between surgeries as well as working. But time is of the essence. We always think we have time. Do we? Do I? This is my attempt at writing-to tell my story. My life in black and white. Not that I have a lot to say, but what I do have to say is important to me. And hopefully important to my kiddos someday. And to the love of my life.
Ok, who the heck am I trying to fool. I do have alot to say.
While thinking of this blog, or my "diary" it reminds me of my Grandma Becker. My dad's mom. She used to write faithfully in her diary every single day. Didn't miss. Maybe it was because she didn't work outside the home and let's face it, she had the time. Both her son's were grown. Ok, well, if she did miss it was because of illness or she was busy baking, canning, or cleaning. Oh gosh, the baking. More about that later. Before she was married to Grandpa Becker she was a school teacher. In a one room school house, in Butler County situated between New Hartford and Parkersburg, Iowa. She taught at Swanton School. Rode her horse to that little square building to teach those young-en's. I wish I could remember her horses' name. Anyway, Grandma Becker attended Iowa State Teachers College, graduating in the year 1929. That college is now known as the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. Her mother, my Great Grandma Perrin (how cool is it that my middle name was her first name-Elizabeth?)was also a teacher. Stay with me here, also in a one room school house. Grandma Becker died never knowing how to drive-didn't have a drivers license. Grandpa drove wherever she needed to go in their white four door Chevrolet. Yes, they had other cars but that is the one that my sisters and I loved to call the "Kitty Car". In our minds it just looked like a white cat. Don't ask.
Grandpa and Grandma were always together in that regard, grocery shopping, doctor appts, attending the United Methodist Church in New Hartford on Sunday mornings and those Sunday drives visiting friends or family. Probably both in the same day. Sunday's were for church and visiting back then. Grandpa Becker worked buying and selling cattle at the area livestock barns. Usually it would be either the Aplington or Waverly sale barn. To this day I still don't really get what he did. I always wanted to name the cows he bought and sold. Or at least pet them.
Grandma Becker was always in a skirt. She didn't wear "slacks" until her home and possessions were sold and she moved into a retirement home. That was a while after my Grandpa passed. I like to remember her in her skirts and blouses, because that's what she would like. And I like to remember her that way. Don't forget her girdle, stockings and those big square toe, heeled shoes she wore every day.
There are so many stories to share and lessons I have learned from Grandma Becker. In time. Grandma passed away on February 9, 2006 at the Western Home in Cedar Falls. I miss her tremendously.
And just wait until the stories start rolling about my
larger-than-life Grandma Pollock. My mom's mom. She is a spitfire and just recently flew (at the age of 96) to Arizona for a week. Of course, she had to have her hair done before she left. Who wouldn't?
I find it fitting to wrap up my first entry to share the last entry (known to me) of Grandma Becker's diary:
December 31, 1990
Last day of 1990!
Eva called and said they would be down tonight. Their road still very icy all the way to the paving.
Went to Shell Rock with Lester's checks, etc. Had a tenderloin from Thunder Ridge for lunch. Fixed things for lunch in the Eve. Had a nice eve but oh such cards that Dallas and I had!!
Happy New Year!
~It's a great day to be alive, make it a great day~
xoxo
Melody
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