A reproduction of The Elementary Spelling Book by Noah Webster. My grandmother gave it to my father on his 62nd birthday. I found it today while dusting a bookcase.
I’d just been talking with my DIL about spelling earlier in the day.
My guess is this book is like one my father had as a student or used as a teacher.
My father taught all grades in a one room schoolhouse in Illinois. 
*And of course we know a boy can toast a piece of bread, too.
I’ve been to Harmony, Pennsylvania but not Harmony, Maine. Recently I watched a Kristy Glass Knits knitting video where she told about Bartlett Yarn Woolen Mills (since 1821) manufacturing yarn.
The man on the video featuring Hudson Valley Sheep and Wool said, “Bartlett is a mainstay for us. This is your grandma’s yarn. This is real true farm yarn. Or your great grandmother’s yarn. At Christmas, a lot of people buy it to make stockings .” Well, I’m getting a head start this year. My friend Deb has been knitting Christmas stockings and inspired me to knit them for my grandchildren. You might remember her gauge difficulties with her Christmas stocking- I blogged it last January.
The grandmother who taught me to knit was born 126 years ago on February 7th.
That very day, I got on the phone and spoke with a nice woman and told her what I wanted to knit. Three days later I got a box of yarn from Harmony, Maine. She helped me select Spruce Heather, Cranberry and Natural. I added the other heather to create sock monkeys on the stockings, which I graphed. Mark’s old stocking from childhood served as a guide and I found a vintage knitting pattern from the 60’s on Etsy to serve as a template for the actual stocking. The woman who knit Mark’s stocking in Clarion PA was named Jane. My plan is to knit one a month and have them ready for NEXT Christmas. For the grandchildren. Getting an early start this year. And yes I did finish James’ sweater and he loves it!
Knitting bowls gifted from Toni, Laura and Bill.
Already I realize my monkey is a bit too tall. Back to the drawing board. 
Found this newspaper page from June 17,1966 today. Our eighth grade class.
My Grandmother’s High School Class 1904 picture, too.
I’m tackling a closet which had a few random treasures in the miscellaneous.
What sensible person holds onto this stuff?
Happy Birthday to my Dear Longtime Friend with much love. I hope you’re reading the blog today.
(Seriously longtime. We were in Mrs. Stewart’s class when news broke of JFK’s assassination. I remember Miss McCarthy crying in the hall).
But I figure you prefer anonymity so you know who you are.
“We were so much older then, we’re younger than that now”
Happy Birthday to my Cherished Friend
My maternal grandmother, Charlotte Rowley- bottom right
And in my mother’s handwriting -the names of the 1904 Durand High School class, Durand Illinois. Mr. Greenough didn’t get a first name?
My take on this week’s challenge- CHEEKY
Although I was looking for cheeky photos with a touch of irreverence, I found these happy baby photos of grandson Michael (now 12) instead.
Grandma Marlene kissing Michael’s kissable cheeks
Love those cheeks!
Maternal grandma (FFMarlene) baked peanut butter chip cookies for our grandkids Anna, Michael, Jack and Maura.
We are going to have a doubly sweet family weekend together. Our tins of cookies will disappear at lightning speed.
Kind, generous, considerate, helpful, responsible, creative – a genuinely good person with a thoughtful heart…and I’m not just saying this cause I’m grandmother.
Proud of all you’ve accomplished and looking forward to your future!
Wishing you the happiest birthday, Anna Catherine. Fourteen years old? Wow. I remember the day you were born.
And don’t forget, you’re the one who made up the grandma name Froo Froo (Ruthie)
love you,
FF
Grateful to be a daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, every day of the year.
Happy thirteenth birthday dear granddaughter Anna Catherine.Here is your birthday blogpost.
You are a lovely young woman. You are the one who made us grandparents.
You are kind, thoughtful, responsible, generous and loving. (Just a few adjectives to describe your character)
What a happy day when you were born.
Sunday night October 9 (can you see that the chocolate cupcakes form a one and a three?)
Here you are brand new with your grandmothers- Ruthie and Marlene. You gave us the name Froo Froo. So now we are Froo Froo Ruthie and Froo From Marlene to all the grandkids!
Happy Birthday to you! Here you are with your family at the Mellow Mushroom tonight.
And without the corny balloon birthday hat. 10-6-2016
I remember your 10-10-10 birthday post when you were so skilled at the Hula Hoop! You can watch on youtube
Last year it was a Dozen Years of Love
Love,
your FF Ruthie
On Sunday, my family drive through Durand IL (pop. 1500). It’s the place my family drive me every summer of childhood.
My son took a photo of his four kids in front of my grandparents house. He asked for an old photo of the house to compare. I rediscovered this picture of my maternal grandmother.
I wonder what she’s reading.
Grandmother whose China went to Laura post
Then I went and googled her and a her name comes up. The people I want to call and ask, are passed.
Charlotte Baker Rowley 1888-1980
Born Jun 1888 in Winnebago, Illinois, USAmap
Daughter of Eugene Baker Rowley and Mary S Smith
Sister of Clair S Rowley, May Rowley, Edna Rowley and Cecile Rowley
Wife of Judd DeWitt Vansickle — married 16 Nov 1908 in Winnebago, Illinois, USAmap
[children unknown]
Died Jun 1980 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States of Americamap. But her children are known. My mother was Marian.And no mention of Charlotte’s middle name Elizabeth.
I must ask my older cousin, John. Maybe he’ll know
I’ll list their children
John Rowley Van Sickle b 1910
Marian Van Sickle b 1912
Robert Eugene b 1914
