I think I loved Tom all my life. He was the neatest person. Always caring and looking out for those less fortunate. His sister, Betty and I became friends in grade school also. She was my friend forever. I always looked up to her and knew she would be there for me always.
When we were teens she and her family moved to Williamsport so I didn't see her as much except at the "Dances". The Square Dances were held in the Fire Hall in Trout Run. Previously, they were held in the Lodge Hall across from our home in Trout Run, Pa. I went to the dances from the time they started there. I was probably 10 or so. We all met there. Had our own little group. We pretty much kept that group even after I left town and had to get a ride to the dances!! This was always a trial. My older brothers were so good about dropping us off and picking us up. (My sister, Carol & I) Later it was My sister Ann and I, after Carol was married. She married at 17 so I was still only 15 going on 16.
Later when I began work in Williamsport at the Grit Publishing Company, I stayed at the YWCA. They had rooms to rent at that time and this was acceptable with my parents. Tom was still in service so I got to see him only on leave. I did visit with his sister, Betty at her Mother's home on Rural Avenue. We always had a good time together.
On particular Saturday she called and asked if I wanted to go to the dance. I said sure but would she drive or what. She didn't want to drive as she had had a fender bender with a bus and was still a little apprehensive about driving. I told her I didn't have a licenss but did know how to drive. She said "Oh well, I'll just give you mine and we can take Richard's car as he isn't home yet." She said he wouldn't mind and so our plans were set.
We took off to the dance in Trout Run. About 13 miles from Williamsport. We had a grand time at the dance and headed home afterwards. About half way home the car started acting up and yep, you guessed it, we ran out of gas. We parked on the side of the road and went to a house where there were lights on and they left us use the phone. We called my sister, Mary and asked her if Clyde would mind her bringing us a can of gas. She said she would and I am sure laughed all the way. We got back on the road and got back to Rural Ave shortly and I stayed all night with Betty. The next morning her brother, Richard was home on leave and I could hear him all over the house yelling. "Who moved my car?" We, of course, confessed we used it but felt sure he wouldn't mind. He said "I wouldn't mind but you didn't know the pins were out of the door on the drivers side." There was no way the door would have stayed on if we had jiggled it just the least little bit. Can you imagine!! Well, we had a good time anyway. I left and went home and let Betty deal with him.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Gammy & Grandpap
The attached picture is of Mary Harriet Henry Mundrick, my grandmother, William Jacob Mundrick, my grandfather, the tall boy is Uncle Fred Mundrick, the tall girl is Aunt Sadie, the shorter lady is our Mother, Elsie Ann Mundrick Holdren and the boy on Grandpap's lap is Uncle Emerson. They had a younger boy, Mason, who died when he was about 5.
My grandparents on my Mother's side were special. I knew my Father's parents but not as well as I did my Mother's. Daddy's Father died when I was probably 5 or 6 and his Mother died a couple of years after that. They lived in Muncy so it was a ways to go to visit. I remember going to visit but was very young.
My Mother's parents were living in Cascade. This made it easy for us to pile in the car and go visit them of a Sunday. Not often, but enough that we remember it. Gammy would cook up a big meal and we all sat on the porch afterwards and talked. She and Grandpap always teased each other. They farmed the land around them in the old fashioned way. They grew corn and oats and I don't remember what else but I do remember them using an old fashioned schythe to cut the hay and oats. Plowing was done with a horse and one blade plow which they walked behind. Hard work!
I remember Grandpap telling how he and Uncle Fred had to walk to get to the CCC camps in Hillsgrove. It was before the Second World War started. When that started Uncle Fred got drafted and from what he told me the money he drew from that was a big help to his parents. They worked at the camps during the week and walked home on weekends. This must have been at least a 10 mile trek. They needed the money they earned there.
One time while walking home, Grandpap tells about a mountain lion that was in the path he was on and so Grandpap stopped and stood just as still as he could and waited and waited. Finally the mountain lion took off into the woods. That was a scary walk, I am sure.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Accidents
I think I only had two accidents with any of our cars. The first one was minor but memorable. We, Terri, Tommy & I, were coming home from Falley's over on West Crawford. As we came by the gas station, I stopped to make a left turn on Phillips and the person behind me didn't stop. She rammed me in the rear as she was waving at the person in the gas station. I was out of it for a minute and Terri, in the front with me was stunned also. Tommy was in the back seat and he was furious. He was probably about 10 or 11 at the time and he out of that car and was back by the other lady's car just a yelling at her. "What do you think you were doing?" "You hurt my mother and wrecked our car!" By this time I was a little worried about him more than the car. I ran after him and said we would call the police and they would take care of her. He calmed down and we parked the car on the side of the street and she did too. The police came and we exchanged insurance and such. I think if that had been a 500 pound man, Tommy would have taken him on and beat him!! Thankfully, we were all okay and we went on home. Drove that car with the bent trunk lid tied down for a long time after that!!
The previous accident was in Trout Run when I was working at Summit Lodge. I was on my way to work in the morning and was driving a big car, can't remember the make but was like Beth & Joye's "boat". Danny tells me it was an Oldsmobile. It drove good and was reliable but the tires were pretty bald.
I got to the hill that goes up to Summit Lodge where the road becomes four lane and I hit a patch of oil and boy that car skidded around in a circle so fast my head was spinning. It ended up on the wrong side of the road up against the guard rails. It actually took out one guard rail and pulled another loose. I got out and looked under it and couldn't find anything wrong with my car so got in and went on to work.
The funny part was later in the day I stopped at my sister, Mary's place. Her husband, Clyde, had a garage and gas station. Mary operated a small coffee shop. I went in and asked Clyde to put new tires on my car as it was getting dangerous. While we were sitting there in the kitchen having coffee (Mary & I) waiting on Clyde to change my tires, a man came into the station and was talking to someone else in there. He was going on and on about this lady he saw turn around on the highway by Summit Lodge and how she hit the guardrails and then got back in her car and drove off. He said she didn't even seem shook up!! Mary & I had a good laugh over that.
The previous accident was in Trout Run when I was working at Summit Lodge. I was on my way to work in the morning and was driving a big car, can't remember the make but was like Beth & Joye's "boat". Danny tells me it was an Oldsmobile. It drove good and was reliable but the tires were pretty bald.
I got to the hill that goes up to Summit Lodge where the road becomes four lane and I hit a patch of oil and boy that car skidded around in a circle so fast my head was spinning. It ended up on the wrong side of the road up against the guard rails. It actually took out one guard rail and pulled another loose. I got out and looked under it and couldn't find anything wrong with my car so got in and went on to work.
The funny part was later in the day I stopped at my sister, Mary's place. Her husband, Clyde, had a garage and gas station. Mary operated a small coffee shop. I went in and asked Clyde to put new tires on my car as it was getting dangerous. While we were sitting there in the kitchen having coffee (Mary & I) waiting on Clyde to change my tires, a man came into the station and was talking to someone else in there. He was going on and on about this lady he saw turn around on the highway by Summit Lodge and how she hit the guardrails and then got back in her car and drove off. He said she didn't even seem shook up!! Mary & I had a good laugh over that.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Slippers
Our Mother was a stickler for propriety!! She would not go to town without a bath, lipstick, stockings and when she was younger she even wore a corset! That must have been torture, but it was required of a lady.
She was a pretty woman and kept herself nice at all times. Dresses were the thing. No slacks for her. She always wore house slippers around the house when she was home. These, sometimes, got pretty well worn. We lived in the country so were in and out doing things like bringing in wood for the fire and such. Slippers got a beating.
One day she was going to the Dr. in Canton and Daddy had come home to pick her up and off they went. She was hurrying as the appointment was getting close. She tells us they drove all the way to Canton (approximately 30 miles) and as she was getting out of the car, she realized she had her house slippers on yet!! There was no way she would go into the Dr.'s office with house slippers on. Daddy hurriedly went to the nearest shoe store and got her a pair of shoes to go into the Dr's office.
A few years later we had moved to the Wilson Place. This was in the back of beyond. We loved it here. Hunting was great. We had woods behind us, in front of us and beside us. Our Mother loved hunting and fishing. She wore dresses to go hunting and fishing!!
Our sister Mary came to visit one Sunday with her husband and son. She had bought our Mother two pair of slacks. They were like a chino material and very nice. They would be warm to wear in the woods and would be good against the brambles we ran into. When Mary & Clyde left she took the pants upstairs and told me afterwards there was no way she could put on a pair of pants!! No way!!
I had taken off a day during the week to go hunting with Mom. We were the only two home so I was thrilled to have Mom to myself for the day. We were getting ready and I told her it was blustery and cold out so why not put on a pair of the slacks Mary had brought up. Well, you would have thought I was committing a crime!! She said no way and I, of course, told her no one could see her and I wouldn't tell anyone so why not at least try them on. Well, she gave in and came downstairs a little later and wanted to know my opinion. Did I think she looked okay or what? I assured her she looked fine. We went on our way and you know after that you couldn't get her out of those pants when we went out to the woods or the mill. She loved being able to put slacks on for gardening and even just walking in the woods.
She was a pretty woman and kept herself nice at all times. Dresses were the thing. No slacks for her. She always wore house slippers around the house when she was home. These, sometimes, got pretty well worn. We lived in the country so were in and out doing things like bringing in wood for the fire and such. Slippers got a beating.
One day she was going to the Dr. in Canton and Daddy had come home to pick her up and off they went. She was hurrying as the appointment was getting close. She tells us they drove all the way to Canton (approximately 30 miles) and as she was getting out of the car, she realized she had her house slippers on yet!! There was no way she would go into the Dr.'s office with house slippers on. Daddy hurriedly went to the nearest shoe store and got her a pair of shoes to go into the Dr's office.
A few years later we had moved to the Wilson Place. This was in the back of beyond. We loved it here. Hunting was great. We had woods behind us, in front of us and beside us. Our Mother loved hunting and fishing. She wore dresses to go hunting and fishing!!
Our sister Mary came to visit one Sunday with her husband and son. She had bought our Mother two pair of slacks. They were like a chino material and very nice. They would be warm to wear in the woods and would be good against the brambles we ran into. When Mary & Clyde left she took the pants upstairs and told me afterwards there was no way she could put on a pair of pants!! No way!!
I had taken off a day during the week to go hunting with Mom. We were the only two home so I was thrilled to have Mom to myself for the day. We were getting ready and I told her it was blustery and cold out so why not put on a pair of the slacks Mary had brought up. Well, you would have thought I was committing a crime!! She said no way and I, of course, told her no one could see her and I wouldn't tell anyone so why not at least try them on. Well, she gave in and came downstairs a little later and wanted to know my opinion. Did I think she looked okay or what? I assured her she looked fine. We went on our way and you know after that you couldn't get her out of those pants when we went out to the woods or the mill. She loved being able to put slacks on for gardening and even just walking in the woods.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Thanksgiving Turkey
It was a few days before Thanksgiving and as usual we were all busy. The boys, Roy and Jerry were helping Daddy in the woods at this time. Someone had run into Daddy's truck one day and this resulted in a broken knee for Roy and a severely injured knee for Daddy. They all continued to work but this was so upsetting for the whole family.
One particular afternoon, my mother and father were in the kitchen discussing what they needed from the grocery store. Money was evidently tight and they weren't sure we would have a turkey. This was essential to Thanksgiving!! My mother was upset anf finally asked Daddy what he was mad at her for and he just looked at her and said "I thought you were mad at me!" Well, they hugged and made up and then got down to cases about what to get for Thanksgiving.
Lawrence had been up to Gammy & Grandpap's for a few days helping with the fall harvest. Just after my parents got their little differences settled between them, Lawrence rode in on his bike. Yes, you guessed it, Gammy had sent home a turkey for Thanksgiving for us. Lawrence hauled it home in the basket on his bike. That must have been some ride. Danny tells me he rode to Trout Run once and Lawrence had to ride from out in Cascade all the way to Trout Run. We were a happy family and had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
One particular afternoon, my mother and father were in the kitchen discussing what they needed from the grocery store. Money was evidently tight and they weren't sure we would have a turkey. This was essential to Thanksgiving!! My mother was upset anf finally asked Daddy what he was mad at her for and he just looked at her and said "I thought you were mad at me!" Well, they hugged and made up and then got down to cases about what to get for Thanksgiving.
Lawrence had been up to Gammy & Grandpap's for a few days helping with the fall harvest. Just after my parents got their little differences settled between them, Lawrence rode in on his bike. Yes, you guessed it, Gammy had sent home a turkey for Thanksgiving for us. Lawrence hauled it home in the basket on his bike. That must have been some ride. Danny tells me he rode to Trout Run once and Lawrence had to ride from out in Cascade all the way to Trout Run. We were a happy family and had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
1955
I was dating Tom back in 1954 and 1955 right after he got out of the service and 8 or 9 months before we were married. We didn't usually do too much except the movies, going square dancing and seeing friends.
One weekend Tom said we were invited to Sunday dinner at the Toti home. The Toti people were very Italian. Originally from Italy. They had a beautiful home in South Williamsport and owned a bar in Newberry. They had several children but I can't remember how many. I do know they had two daughters, Julia and Betty. You all remember Betty as Aunt Betty and Uncle Earl. Tammy's father and mother. She and Julia were the neatest people. I always enjoyed their company.
This particular Sunday, Tom and I went to the Toti home as did Bill & Julia, and Betty and Earl lived there in the apartment upstairs. I was a nervous wreck. I did not know these people and Tom did so he was comfortable. I give him credit as he stuck by me the whole time except when the women asked me to come to the kitchen. There I met Mama Toti (Betty & Julia's mother). She was a short and quite round lady and spoke brokenly but was a very cheerful person. I was so impressed with the preparations for dinner. She had spaghetti hanging on a line in the kitchen along with some pasta that was probably for ravioli. You had to duck for the strings of pasta hanging there. There was a large pot of sauce simmering on the stove and it smelled simply wonderful.We talked or rather I listened and tried to fit in but I was NOT Italian.
In a little while we sat down to dinner. What a meal. Spaghetti made from scratch, even the sauce. It was simply delicious. They were insistent I eat a lot as I was very skinny at that time. They were very nice to chat with and I enjoyed the dinner but was glad to get out of there and calm down.
I got to know Julia and Betty much better as time went by and we became friends. I went back to the Toti home a few times after that but it was not something we did often. I spent my visits with Julia and Bill.
Julia and Bill is another story.
One weekend Tom said we were invited to Sunday dinner at the Toti home. The Toti people were very Italian. Originally from Italy. They had a beautiful home in South Williamsport and owned a bar in Newberry. They had several children but I can't remember how many. I do know they had two daughters, Julia and Betty. You all remember Betty as Aunt Betty and Uncle Earl. Tammy's father and mother. She and Julia were the neatest people. I always enjoyed their company.
This particular Sunday, Tom and I went to the Toti home as did Bill & Julia, and Betty and Earl lived there in the apartment upstairs. I was a nervous wreck. I did not know these people and Tom did so he was comfortable. I give him credit as he stuck by me the whole time except when the women asked me to come to the kitchen. There I met Mama Toti (Betty & Julia's mother). She was a short and quite round lady and spoke brokenly but was a very cheerful person. I was so impressed with the preparations for dinner. She had spaghetti hanging on a line in the kitchen along with some pasta that was probably for ravioli. You had to duck for the strings of pasta hanging there. There was a large pot of sauce simmering on the stove and it smelled simply wonderful.We talked or rather I listened and tried to fit in but I was NOT Italian.
In a little while we sat down to dinner. What a meal. Spaghetti made from scratch, even the sauce. It was simply delicious. They were insistent I eat a lot as I was very skinny at that time. They were very nice to chat with and I enjoyed the dinner but was glad to get out of there and calm down.
I got to know Julia and Betty much better as time went by and we became friends. I went back to the Toti home a few times after that but it was not something we did often. I spent my visits with Julia and Bill.
Julia and Bill is another story.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Christmas Eve is always memorable but this particular one was even more so. My parents went to town with the older boys and Carol. I was home with the younger kids. Five of them plus me. I was probably 14 or 15. I was always glad to help out with the kids. My mother trusted me so we were fine.
It began to get late and so Bill & Ann and I put the rest of the kids to bed and we decorated the tree. I finally sent Ann to bed as she was so sleepy. Bill and I kept the fire going and watched TV and just generally paced the floor wondering where our parents were. It had snowed earlier but the roads were not impassible. Bill was getting tired so he went to bed and there I was. I decided to get the gifts out and place them around the tree as it was getting into 2:00 in the morning and I wondered if something had happened. With no phone there wasn't a way to call anyone and no near neighbors to go to. I just plain worried!!
After getting the gifts done and putting more wood on the fire I got a book and sat back to read. My favorite occupation. Pretty soon I heard someone talking outdoors and went to the door and put on the porch light. I was scared but at the same time hopeful that it was my parents finally making it home.
It was them and they were cold, wet and tired. The car had broken down and they had walked through the woods to get home as it was closer than going by the road. My mother had a dress on and high heels. Can you imagine!! She was so pleased to come in to a warm house and the tree and gifts done. I was so happy to have them home I couldn't begin to grasp it. I finally went to bed and they were still getting warm. It was a wonderful Christmas.
It began to get late and so Bill & Ann and I put the rest of the kids to bed and we decorated the tree. I finally sent Ann to bed as she was so sleepy. Bill and I kept the fire going and watched TV and just generally paced the floor wondering where our parents were. It had snowed earlier but the roads were not impassible. Bill was getting tired so he went to bed and there I was. I decided to get the gifts out and place them around the tree as it was getting into 2:00 in the morning and I wondered if something had happened. With no phone there wasn't a way to call anyone and no near neighbors to go to. I just plain worried!!
After getting the gifts done and putting more wood on the fire I got a book and sat back to read. My favorite occupation. Pretty soon I heard someone talking outdoors and went to the door and put on the porch light. I was scared but at the same time hopeful that it was my parents finally making it home.
It was them and they were cold, wet and tired. The car had broken down and they had walked through the woods to get home as it was closer than going by the road. My mother had a dress on and high heels. Can you imagine!! She was so pleased to come in to a warm house and the tree and gifts done. I was so happy to have them home I couldn't begin to grasp it. I finally went to bed and they were still getting warm. It was a wonderful Christmas.
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