Our Family Quilt

... and its new again ...

Memories are
terrific,
and family
history is
important.








But even more
important are
the new little ones
who join our family.





Here are some
pictures from
Uncle Roger
and his new
grandbaby!









CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Grandpa and the Ultralite

Grampa Pape inspecting an ultra lite

Have you ever seen one of the ultra lite flying machines??? Ever had the desire to go up in one of them???

Well, Grandpa Pape, who was 100 when this was taken (summer 2008) knows someone who has one of them. I received this picture of him standing next to it, with a note that says he went out to look at it, and decided to take a ride in it!!

Can you imagine????
Just goes to show,
you're never EVER too old
to try something new!

If he can do it, what new thing will YOU try this week??? ...something to think about!

Mystery Photo #2

Who are these girls?At first glance, I thought the girl on the right was me (Linda!) , but the photo has a date of "May 55" on it. And I wouldn't have been this old in '55. (I was still a twinkle in my daddy's eye! haha) The back of the photo reads "Easter Sunday, Avis and Lori (or Lois)"

Ahhhhh, Childhood (1965)

The carefree days of summer.......

Maridel, Marcia and Becky on their swing set
June 1965
(Photo from Grandma Myrtle)

3 Ideas to starting a journal....

Some people find it hard to find something to write about. There are the simple facts first: name, age, birth date, astrological sign. Things like that don't usually change with our emotions or where we're at in life. Although, our age may change how we feel about where we're at in life! So here's a list of categories and questions to help you get started on finding a topic.

Family/Ancestry: talk about your parents, grandparents, a favorite aunt/uncle, perhaps who you were named after, any family reunions that might have occurred, or even family heirlooms that are treasured.

Growing Up: Where did you live? Who was your best friend? Did you get things delivered, like milk? What was life like: was there a lot of talking, or music? What about favorite seasons, books, games? Did you have a backyard? Did you play outside a lot?

Romance/Relationships: Do you remember your first kiss? Did you date in High School? What song do you consider the most romantic? What term of endearment do you call your spouse? Where did you spend your honeymoon?

With a little bit of thinking, you will be able to come up with something to write about, some memory just waiting to be shared. It isn't about being a good storyteller, or perfect punctuation or good sentence structure. It's more about making sure the family stories aren't forgotten. We all want to know what it was like "way back when", even more so from someone in our family.

Now get out some paper (or hop on the computer, if you're like me!) and start writing!

Picnic Time!

At the end of the picnic table is Esther and Jack. Esther is Grandma Myrtle's younger sister. I'm guessing this is at their home, circa 1950s. Can't you just smell the good foods.... (I'm wondering if there's baked beans in one of those pots, maybe some potato salad, mmmmm); feel the summer heat as it wanes in the evening, as you get ready to enjoy some family picnic time.... Makes me wish I was back in Minnesota again :)

Grandma's Famous Spaghetti

The things you learn........

My mom's spaghetti is pretty good! Even my nephews think so, and they're picky eaters. My nephew, Jake, is over 6 feet ... and growing. And a big eater when it comes to something he likes.

When Mom makes spaghetti, there are usually left overs. And on a busy school day, Jake will call before lunch and ask "Is there any left over spaghetti?" and if there is ... "Can you bring me a plate?" And of course, being a great Grandpa, he delivers a warm plate of spaghetti to the school for Jake's lunch ... which he proceeds to eat in front of his brown-baggin' friends. Every once in a while, there's enough leftovers for two plates, and one of his friends gets one as well. And that's how these High School boys began referring to it as "Grandma's Famous Spaghetti".

Picture Mystery #1

Anyone know who this is ? and when? where ?
This came from Grandma (Myrtle) .... Adorable, for sure :))

Books P and D

Are heading from Arizona to California on 7/29. Not sure where it will go next, it could be to YOU!

Pape Reunion, 1974

CASS LAKE
Do you recognize all of us?

School Fears

It is the first day of school. The teacher tells about the work we will be doing for this class. One of the projects will be a presentation, "All About Me". She shows us how to do this assignment by doing a presentation about herself.

The thought of standing up and speaking in front of the class is intimidating; I can feel my hands begin to sweat, nerves curling in the pit of my stomach, and it's not due for another two weeks. I know I'll be very nervous. I quit this class once before in order to avoid public presentations.

This is my first college course in 30 years. I am 49 years old and I am afraid.

Don't let fears hold you back.

PS: I can now add that not only did I fumble through this presentation, but two others as well. I survived and I am no worse for the wear!

Let's Get Started!

Dear Family:

I got an itch to start a project, and thought "Why not a family journal?" So, I'm beginning to gather up the necessary things I think will be needed to get started. Here's the letter you'll see attached when the journal makes it way around to you:

We are family; we are all connected. It is my goal to fill this journal with whatever you feel moved to share. It could be memories, thoughts, quotes, doodles, drawings, pictures, little tidbits from family for future generations. Genealogies are great, but lists of names and dates are a little impersonal. History happens every day - it only feels like history when its old! And I would like your help with this project.

Here's a thought to get started: If you could write a note to leave on the kitchen table, propped up against the sugar bowl, for future generations to see, what would you tell them?

Make sure you sign and date your entry. And maybe add a little tidbit of personal information, how you're related to the family, where you're living, how old you are, where you're at in life (married, single, kids, grandkids, great grandkids). You can track progress of this journal at http://DaniPape.blogspot.com/ . I also encourage you to leave a comment on the blog page for everyone to see where the journal is, or where it's headed. It is my plan to post some family stories and related pictures here; and perhaps scan some journal pages here to share as well!

If facing a blank page is a scary thing, remember this: What's the worse that can happen? You have to start over? Life is full of "starting overs". I think this could be a fun way to keep in touch!

Linda Danielson,
daughter of Oliver and Dorothy (Pape) Danielson