Category Archives: Family

Laddy–an old family friend

Family, Memories, pets

Our family always had dogs when I was growing up. Laddy was a special hound. He was a purebred collie when we couldn’t afford one. I guess we got him from the bargain rack.

Laddy came to us because he was a very sick pup. Mom spoon fed him bread soaked in warm milk, otherwise, he wouldn’t or couldn’t eat. She gave him pills in liver sausage, too. It was all because of my mom’s valiant efforts that Laddy lived and grew into a fine family dog.

Laddy 1960

Laddy put up with my sister and me dressing him up in crazy outfits. Here he is wearing a raincoat and a hat. Laddy would let us do just about anything to him. He never complained.

Dogs like Laddy are trusting, loving, and loyal. They don’t care if a person is filthy from work, they are always happy to see you come home.

I like cats, too, but I’ve never had a cat greet me at the door, wagging its tail.

Out for a ride

Family, nature, pets

Our farm lane still has issues with water, even so, Bob and I took Sunny for a ride in our cart.

Though Sunny thought he would drive, Bob eventually switched places with him.

Bob and Sunny did make room for me to ride, too.

Sometimes Sunny tries to take up more seat than he needs. We don’t like to leave him home. If he sees or even hears the cart running, he wants to join us and he is sad if we leave him behind–yes, dogs do get sad and don’t like to be left at home, even for fifteen minutes.

So we three took a ride this Monday evening. The sun was shining and the birds were twittering, but no deer were seen. Still, we were all glad for the nice farm outing.

Don’t ever regret enjoying a beautiful day. You never know when another will come along.

A special Mother’s Day gift

Family, Memories

Every year, teachers work hard figuring out little inexpensive gifts their students can make for their mothers on Mother’s Day. One particular gift I got many years ago is still etched in my memory.

snapshot of little Robby

Our first born, Robby, was going to a pre-school out in the country. This was a couple of hours, a few times a week.

The Friday before Mother’s Day, I parked in the driveway waiting for my little boy. Other children came out of the house. Each held a colorful handmade tissue paper flower–the flower was about the size of the child’s head.

Eventually, Robby came out, but he wasn’t holding a flower. To keep his gift a surprise he hid his flower under his jacket–not one of his better plans.

“I have something for you, Mommy, but you can’t have it until Mother’s Day.”

“Is it a ball?” I asked. “Or a horse? Or a flying carpet?”

He giggled. “No. And I can’t tell you.”

When we got home, Robby ran upstairs to his bedroom. From the living room, I heard him cry.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

“NO! Not you.”

“I’ll send Daddy up when he gets home from work. Okay?”

“Okay,” Robby sniffled.

Later that day, Daddy went upstairs and saved the day.

When Mother’s Day arrived, I was very surprised when Robby handed me my unsmashed tissue paper flower. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.

Trying to be creative

Family, photography

A long time ago, I was a member of a photography club. Each month we had an assignment. We were to bring a photo to the meeting that fit.

Back then I had a 35 mm camera which meant I had to take my rolls of film in to be developed. Sometimes the cost didn’t fit in my budget and I passed on the assignment.

I tried finding ways to include our children in my photos. We had young ones, so I often dragged them along with me on my adventures.

One day I took Russell and Rachel to the deserted Black Creek Depot. I wanted to get photos of the building before it was torn down.

The first photo here today was an unplanned action shot. Look to the left where little Rachel almost took a tumble as she tried to catch up with her brother.

Fall 1984 – I think

The next photo turned out pretty well. I asked Russ to look in the window. He went up on his tip-toes. Don’t you wonder what he saw?

Russell peeking in the Black Creek Depot

These days I have a digital camera. I use these photos to add life to my columns and to document life on Sunnybook Farm. Being digital means I don’t have the cost of film and developing, so I take a lot of photos which I will continue to share here and in my column.

Suzie-Q … a short memory

Family, Memories

My dad chose my name, Susan. My parents called me Suzie-Q when I was little. As I grew, they called me Susan. I don’t know where the name came from. Dad just said he liked it and never had a boy’s name in mind. Of course, back in 1950, there was no way of knowing what their little baby would be before birth. Good thing I wasn’t a boy or I might have been a boy named Susan.

My sister came along 18 months later. When Karen started to talk she couldn’t say Suzie. Ss were hard for her to pronounce. Karen shortened my name to Z. Just thinking about my little sister following me around and calling me Z gives me a warm feeling.

Suzie and a fuzzy friend