First Day of Spring 2018 . . .

On this 1^st day of spring, though there may still be snow in many places, and in the Midwest tornedos are making their rounds again, these too will pass and spring is here. So, it’s that time again . . . spring-cleaning time! Augh? Maybe yes, maybe no, nevertheless, when weather permits, open those windows, let in the fresh spring air, and clean, clean, clean.

Just like everything in life, organization is the key to process and procedure, starting with making lists of where, what and how to get the jobs done. Like many, closets always seem to be a bane in everyone’s life and is the first place to go to tidy up. However, there is another place where there is a plethora of stuff, not the physical kind, but the intellectual property and pictorial kind. I am talking about what’s in your computer’s hard drive. Augh again.

The hard drive in a computer is meant for storage and is like your long-term memory, storing many extremely important facts about your life and everyone connected with it. RAM, an acronym for random access memory, is your system's short-term memory.

All this is fine and good, but one-dimensional. You can’t feel, smell or hold the memory stored in a computer. I’m not talking about important documents, I am talking about photographs, the ones that show a time, event, person and maybe the very thing you no longer have in your possession: a piece of jewelry grandma wore on her wedding day, the toy truck his grandpa made for him, the funny crayon drawing of her papa juggling. Now, if you had saved these things, how much richer your life could be.   

Now don’t get me wrong. I use a computer every day, writing, researching, and saving all the above. But they are just words. And those words are about the very things that are in our Family Museum. But what is by more important than words, it is the photographs that are so easily stored . . . and forgotten . . . that should be made whole again. Not kept digitized, but printed and saved in a book you hold in your hands or in a picture frame you hang on your wall.

 

And better yet, if you are fortunate to still have the object that appeared in the picture, how lovely it would be to print out that picture and place it in a shadow box along with the item and include a short story about who, when, what and why the picture was taken. Then hang it on your wall or place it on a shelf. That way, you will see it often and be reminded of that moment, that person who perhaps was near and dear to your heart, and event that perchance changed the course of someone’s life.      

So when your computer needs a spring cleaning, or needs to be replaced, be circumspect of the photographs stored there. Be prudent and discerning when selecting the images your print out. I have files galore of picture and I know there is no way I could print them all out, however, here is my suggestion I will pass onto you that makes this task easy and enjoyable. After a vacation and over 200-plus pictures have been taken, I sort them out, edit as much as possible, and put them in a file to go into a photograph album you create online. There are several of these companies that provide wonderful creative choices for you to design as many albums as you want. I personally like the company Snapfish and have made over a dozen albums that are now display on the table in the family room to share.

There are so many facets to having a Family Museum that can be located in many places in your home, including the walls. So clean up that computer, breathe new life into those digital files that are nothing but encryptions, and make them whole again and support your long term and short term memory. For memories tell stories of the people, places and things from the past, that contribute to future histories.  Embrace your heritage. It makes you who you are.  

Memorial Day Reflections . . . always!

I posted this blog several years ago and feel that is still relevant today, as Memorial Day should be every year. Thank you for your family's service and may God Bless America and all her brave men & women you gave their time and souls to keeping America safe.

Every family has one if not more members of the family who have perished in a war. As Memorial Day is to honor those who lost their life fighting for the freedom we cherish, today’s blog makes this contribution. Here are some facts and information that I am sure you already know but is always good to reminder.   

With the aid of the Internet, you will find a multitude of websites that give detailed information on all the United states Military wars fought, won and lost, offering numbers of when, where and how our brave men and women lost their lives.   

Most of these sites will tell you that Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

To brush up on your knowledge of the American Civil War, visit the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/cwp/

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Know the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day? Click on

www.almanac.com/content/when-veterans-day page.

The Remembrance poppy has been used since 1920 to commemorate soldiers who have died in war. Inspired by the World War I poem, "In Flanders Fields", they were first used by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers who died in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Small artificial poppies are often worn on clothing for a few weeks until Remembrance Day/Armistice Day (11 November). Poppy wreaths are also often laid at war memorials.

As you create, add to, or make changes to Your Family Museum, make sure you give special attention to those in your family who were in the Military; even those who are currently serving our country. In our family museum, pictures, uniform pieces and souvenirs from Keith’s Naval Reserve Duty are showcased with much pride and respect.  When a visitor comes to our home and is taken to see our museum, I can see the pride in Keith’s eyes has he shares his memories with the guest. In turn, they usually have some memory of theirs to contribute, creating fascinating conversations.

In Our Grandparents Museum there are two albums filled with photos from my side of the family: Uncle Mike & my dad.

Uncle Mike’s military service was in the Army during WW I driving a medic truck in the  fields of France. 

There must have been a time when he visited the city of Paris, because he sent this  post card home.

Among my Uncle's things was this pencil sketch of a battle scene. There is no writing on the back to tell the story behind it. He also had this French sword. Over the years there had been many different stories about it, but the one that rings most true then the others in that since he drove the Medic truck onto the fields to retrieve the dead and wounded soldiers, he apparently found this sword and kept it.

My father, Bill’s military service in the Navy during WW II was as a Aviation Machinist stationed on the Air Craft Carrier Enterprise. When going through his papers, I found a captivating account he wrote about how he survived the Japanese air attack, taking refuge in the lowest deck on the Enterprise. 

From Keith’s side is a photo of his father’s younger brother, Edward B. Goesel, a 20- year old Airman, killed on June 18^th 1944, when his B-17 Flying Fortress was shot down over Hamburg, Germany. Missing in action, his remains never were returned home.

 

As we reflect on this Memorial Day, let us all keep in our hearts the memories we have of our family members, friends and acquaintances that have served and continue to serve our country today.  God Bless them, one and All.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime . . .

Another great 4th of July holiday has come and gone, but not the memories. Hope you made some good ones and now it’s summer time and a great time for creating more memories. Everything and anything you and your family do this summer, remember to take lots of pictures and movies of the moments, even any artistic endeavors such as sketching, painting (not the house, but that would still be an activity to remember) and don’t forget those sandcastles.

When the pictures get developed, either in hard copy, on disc or to a hard drive, don’t forget to jot down the; who, when and where the images were taken. We all have photographs that have no name, date, or place written on the back. But if we just take the time to jot down those facts and a little story, you, your family & friends will be able to recall those wonderful times years later.

Keith (right) fishing with his brother

Little Lizzie on a beach

Charlie camping with his Pop

Tiffeni and her dog Sidney in the pool

Here are a precious few photographs in our Family Museum telling stories, some forgotten, some remembered.
So remember to . . .  
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

Just fill your basket full of sandwiches and weenies
Than lock the house up, now you're set . . .

"Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer"

Sung by Nat King Cole; arranged by Ralph Carmichael

 

  

High School Yearbooks

Do you still have your high school yearbooks? Where are they now: in the attic or basement?  When was the last time you looked at them? Are you still in touch with any of those friends you made during your high school years?  

Do you remember when you first got your yearbook how you scanned every page to see how many pictures there were of you? As I look through my book it made be recall how I missed out on a lot of extracurricular activities, even though I remember participating. In fact, the only club I belonged too, my picture was cut out. Go figure. 


Your yearbook provides a plethora of information about the life you led during your school years. The photographs pretty much tell the story, but also the personal autographs everyone hustled to get as soon as the year books were distributed. Remember rushing about between classes, at lunch, before and after school? And why were they so important? I even remember the process being a bit of a competition. Who can get the most autographs. And why was it so important that the corners of the pages be the place to write those words of good luck and best wishes? I guess it really doesn’t matter as long as your friends cared enough to write some last words to you.    

Keith’s Senior Picture Stats: Basketball 1,2,3,4; Cross Country 3; Hall Monitor 4; Homecoming Committee 3; Intramural 1,2,3,4; National Honor Society 3,4; Prom Committee 3

Keith’s Autographs:
Keith, It was fun in College Prep – even though you did cut me down all the time! Good Luck! Love, Char Jo

Keith, You’re the best d _ _ _ (you said dirty) hall monitor around. I’ll never forgive you for snitching on me – just because I threw your book in the garbage can – Well anyway – Luck! Friends Always, Joyce Mitchell ‘68

Dear Keith, To one of the greatest guys I’ve ever known. I wish you luck at school and in your live forever. Just stay as sweet as you are now. Love Always, Deb
To Keith, One of the greatest basketball players I know. Duschean

Lizzie’s Senior Picture Stats: F.H.A. (Future Homemakers of America) 1; F.B.L.A. Future Business Leaders of America) 3,4

Lizzie’s Autographs:     

Liz, It sure was nice having you in shorthand class even if you never had an eraser or any typing paper. Good luck always in everything you do. Be god this summer but still have fun!! Love ya, Mary '68. 

Liz, I would like to think of something different to say but all I can think of is that you’re a wonderful girl with lots of laughs and I hope you never change. There is far to few people like you around. Hope we do get together soon, and I’m sure we will. Good Luck in the future and may you never stop smiling. (Besides you have sexy teeth). Right? Right! Love Jerry

Liz, You certainly are very talented in the dance area and I hope you continue with it after school. I hope the future brings you all the happiness and success in the world. Miss VanDeWalle

Liz, You are my finest dance student and I really enjoyed having you in class. Best wishes in the future especially modeling. I’ll be looking for you in Vogue. Mrs. Robison

Your yearbooks, not just from High School, but grade, junior, college, etc., should go into your family museum, along with your class pictures and class ring, any trophies or awards you received, and any other item that will make it fun to recall those glory days of education. Share it all with family and friends and remember the good times!
 

Note: From the same people who made the class rings pictures in the previous post, offer a fabulous history of the yearbook. Check it out.

http://www.herffjones.com/0204CF00-0B6B-11DF-A8ED001279D65E3F

Same goes from the people at Ancestry.com. Titled, “About U.S. School Yearbooks,” it is an indexed collection of middle, junior, high school and college yearbooks from across the United States. Their take on how a yearbook relates to ancestry (genealogical research) is this: yearbooks are a source of many details, especially when you are searching for names and dates, times and places, what you/they looked like, even world events, fads, and pop culture.  

http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1265

 Next Post: Memorial Day Reflections