From my Grandmother’s Album.
My mother and her brothers had one first cousin- Melburn Clark Potter. b.1906-d.1940.
Melburn is ten years old in this photo. seated on the left in the first photo. Uncle Ralph is his father and he’s holding Robert, John and Marian.
Remembering Paul Robert Van Sickle.
A loving husband, father of three, and a proud grandfather. A brother, a teacher, a gifted musician, gardener, and woodworker.
And our beloved cousin.
We’ve just returned home after celebrating Paul’s life during a Memorial Service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lenox, Massachusetts last Saturday the 20th. Paul would have loved all the music- the singing, the playing of the organ. It was beautiful. Poignant.
The cousins drove in from Vermont, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. After the service we gathered together at his home to share stories and memories.
I felt moved as I entered Paul’s workshop, behind his home, and inhaled the scent of wood. He could repair things, too. See his tools all lined up? His grandfather’s toolbox on the bench. There’s a wooden toy box in my home that Paul crafted for my son, Mark.
Paul was a master musician, organist and vocalist. He had a beautiful singing voice. I remember his playing our family piano when he’d visit our home. J.S.Bach was a favorite composer.
Paul’s favorite cookies were my mom’s recipe for Sour Cream Cookies. His wife Susan baked them for the family gathering after the service. My mother baked them for a Paul in the sixties when he’d visit our home. That kitchen was in Morris Plains, New Jersey and he’d visit when he was on leave from the US Army -Ft. Dix, New Jersey.
It’s hard to sum up a life in a few words. Paul was a blog follower and told me one time I was a little heavy on the photos showing decay. You know those abandoned buildings and discarded furniture pieces, the garbage I post? 😂 We’re going to miss his laughter, his kindness, his generous heart- full of love for all of us.
Here’s a link to his obituary in the Berkshire Edge.
Hymn of Promise Author: Natalie Sleeth (1986). pianist Evan Alperone sung by Tim Silva
Oscar is a labradoodle who will be one in August. He’s enjoying being part of Laura, James and Charlie’s family. They’re enjoying him, too. ❤️
The gold letters on the yellow ribbon spelled “Cousin”.
Left as a remembrance.
The sign that someone came and put the ribbons there as a tribute touched our hearts even though we didn’t know the person.
Steve and I saw the ribbon on a tree when we were walking in the park. Then we noticed the bench with the memorial plaque right by the tree. We’d not seen it before.
The obituary told how he passed, peacefully under an oak tree in Highland Park, after doing what he loved – hiking. He had a congenital heart condition. So young.
I came home and googled the name and if you click it you can read about his life. Christopher Emmons
The ribbon on the tree, the memorial bench and the message on the plaque, so poignant. Can’t even fathom how much his family misses him.
Erika’s cousin Shannon captured the store exploring we did. I missed National Sloth Day last month.
I captured the “found grocery list” in the cart.
What fun to find and read other people’s grocery lists
first time seeing Peatos
Puppets need a human (or two) to come to life. One to operate and even better with one to appreciate the effort of the puppeteer.
This puppet looks like a giftwrapped present. Surprise! It’s a furry puppy. Like a manual Jack-in-the-box without the organ grinder music. This particular puppet was Michael’s (12) and he’s passed it on to cousin Charlie (2 1/2).
Laura surprised Charlie.
Then Charlie gave the puppy a kiss. 
Figuring out how it works 
There’s been a lot of buzz about the early appearance of pumpkin spice lattes. Not too much about pumpkin hats.
People gripe about rushing the season. It’s a short window for pumpkin hats.
Plus, as babies age and turn into toddlers with their own fashion sense, they may reject sporting a pumpkin on their head!
Spoiler Alert: These two knitted pumpkin hats are for my first cousins twice removed. (Or my first cousin’s new grandson and his big sister.)
The pattern Punkin’Head is by Tara Thomsen and is available for free on Ravelry.
Color: Bittersweet Yarn: Premier Yarns Everyday: Deborah Norville Collection
(Wash and dry with ease for mom)
Two years ago I knit eight of these in a week.
Happy Eighth Birthday Maura Clare.
Aunt Lala took this picture of Maura carrying her cousin Charlie
November 17, 2008 October 2016
Maura loves arts and crafts, swimming, piano lessons, dancing, going to the Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh and taking good care of her dolls. She brings a lot of energy and spirit to the party, that is for sure! Have a wonderful birthday, Maura.
Love from Grandma Frooey.
Hope you like your birthday blog. You can always check out some more photos of when you were little here on your 6th birthday blog.
What happened to ‘ I think I’ll be six forever and ever”?
Maura and I were at Laura’s house, folding the freshly washed baby things, trying out some of the new baby equipment. Laura said, “let’s do the giraffe puzzle that Aunt Mary gave me”
So we did. Matching tiny numbers to numbers. A and B giraffe.
Do you have a doll with crocheted clothes, right on its body?
Marlene’s cousin made many of these bride dolls and I photographed hers when we were in Hardy. Virginia,
There is a 1951 pattern available for $1.49
Would like to make a gallery of vintage crochet dolls and their clothes if you want to share a pic or two.
Joanne, i know you have that poodle! Are people still creating these? Share your photos.
Look what just arrived from Omaha! Joanne sent her Poodle crocheted by Aunt Angie
