25 Comments

We are so spoiled!!!! We have two men with snowplows at our place. So we can usually get to the road out front. County plows often scrape snow to a pile at the entrance when they clear the highway. Police, firetrucks and ambulances use that road to get to the smaller towns all around, so it has to be clear... just getting to it can be a challenge. I'm not fond of winter. I'll rake leaves off the sidewalk again so the new snow won't freeze them lumpy and make people trip.. That's a lot easier than walking five miles to anywhere. Indiana is not as hard as Dakotas.

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When I think of all these farming families had to endure, I feel like such a lacy-pants. It is 60º here this morning and I had to put on another sweater. I guess it is what you get used to.

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Thank you Sharron; such a beautiful piece you are sharing. I’m so grateful that I had the privilege of knowing your mom. A very special woman with a giant heart.

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Oh, thank you so much, Lenka, for this comment. I have been writing a lot of "Katy" stories. On my 🍁Leaves website they are all collected at the top of the page as "KATY MEMOIRS". I am so glad other people ( besides family ) find them readable! Happiest of new years to you!

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Wow, Sharron! I would say 'I can't imagine....!' but I CAN, because of how beautifully you - and of course Katy - have written this. Epic post!

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Thank you, Rebecca. I am never sure if all these KATY MEMOIRS will be of interest to other people besides family. But I have made a new "SECTION" at the top of my home page that collects the Katy stories under one "roof". My mom was a remarkable woman. But I suppose everyone feels that about their mothers. Thank you for giving it a try!

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Sharron, they’re a delight!

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This was very informative Sharron. Although it was difficult for your Mother and the rest of the family back then, this shows what people can accomplish without all the things that we have today. We don't usually get these kinds of details. I'm glad you're sharing it.

I remember hearing stories about relatives having an outhouse.

I have to agree with the snow. I left New York State in 1982 for Florida. I enjoyed playing in the snow as a kid but my Mom was tired of driving in it. The tires slipped and slid too many times. There is no control.

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Thank you, Matthew, I am glad these stories are of interest to you, and not only to my family. I have a few more stories to come. Just trying to keep her memory alive. She earned it. Happy new year to you!

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Wow. I feel her very close by.

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She told you a lot of stories, too, I imagine, Julia. You will have to share them with me in case they are ones I don't know.

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This was such a great read, Sharron. What resilience your mother and her family had. To them this way of life was so very ordinary, but in reality it’s beyond extraordinary. I love hearing stories about the past, and yours always seem to leave a lasting impression. Thanks for that!

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My mother had a lot of stories. I learned a lot about tenacity and self-reliance from them that has lasted through my lifetime. I am happy you see their value, Justin.

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Oh, I had friends from North Dakota and I guess they all getting bragging rights on having so many winters full of so much snow! I agree that we're wimps these days with all our conveniences. Yes, we should be very thankful and especially these two weeks of rsin that I've whined about.

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Rain! Such a gift. We sure can use it. I wish it would come in August and just do away with wildfire season all together.

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I was thinking the same thing - thank goodness I live in California in 2023. We have to deal with of rain at the moment , but I can't imagine surviving Katy's life style. Spoiled, yes.

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We Californians always find rain something to celebrate. There are times when all my neighbors and I go running out in the street to do a rain dance to the first downpour of the season. But snow? Not so much.

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Amen To That!

You always bring scene, settings, characters to life with impeccable detail. Thank You for Your brilliant, creative, devoted persistence. My life experiences have broadened widely as one of Your readers.

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Oh, thank you, Bonita. There are still three or four stories in my mind about Katy. On Saturday I will post one about her schooling and the all-important extra-curricular learnings. Thanks,again, for reading these memoirs.

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Great job incorporating your mother's quotes into your words. We definitely could do better at appreciating what we have.

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Thank you, Scott. I know how much family and family history means to you. Your book clearly shows it. I loved the videos you made of your interview with your father. I still have three or four more stories to come.

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Sharron,

Your Katy memoirs place our current time and current complaints in perspective. The collection of your Katy stories would make another wonderful book because your mother's life was epic. I encourage you to publish your collection of Katy stories as a book. I would like to gift such a book to many others because your mother's life story is so moving. -Marina

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Wow! Oh thank you, Marina. I was not sure the stories would prove meaningful to anyone other than her family. I will definitely consider that! I appreciate your encouragement so much!

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No snow here in Santa Cruz. First drought and then plenty of rain. Some mud slides in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Have friends there. Praying for all of them. Enjoying the stories.

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Thanks Sandy. I am glad you like them. Meanwhile, batten down the hatches! Keep back from the shore! More rain coming tomorrow!

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