Monday, cold and windy, 20's and partly cloudy. I washed and hung clothes in attic. Cleaned the house and Mrs. Mayo, Joyce and Evelyn here at night to finish planning program.
Comment: Getting cold, winter and Christmas coming.....
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Sunday, November 29, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diairies
November 29, 1964
Sunday, partly cloudy and cold. Clifton, girls and I went to church and Sunday School. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner and supper. Laura here in evening. Gerald and Mary Ann too, they had been at Roger's for dinner.
Comment: And the family gathers on Sunday. Roger was Roger Cohn, friend at SUNY@Cobleskill....From Susan about "posters" that I didn't get a couple of days ago. We "posted" our land trying to keep "city people" hunters off the land......"Gerry: The “posters” were to post the land at hunting season. J Susan"
Sunday, partly cloudy and cold. Clifton, girls and I went to church and Sunday School. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner and supper. Laura here in evening. Gerald and Mary Ann too, they had been at Roger's for dinner.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Saturday, November 28, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 28, 1964
Saturday, partly cloudy, becoming cloudy in pm. Clifton and I went to Sadie Gordon's funeral 11 am Stamford. Monty Stryker hit a Clark boy and killed him and Don Rivenburg was killed.
Comment: I did not know any of these people directly but was familiar with all the surnames....
Saturday, partly cloudy, becoming cloudy in pm. Clifton and I went to Sadie Gordon's funeral 11 am Stamford. Monty Stryker hit a Clark boy and killed him and Don Rivenburg was killed.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Friday, November 27, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 27, 1964
Friday, beautiful, clear, sunny, warm day, 40's. Clifton, the girls, Roberta and I went to Oneonta in am to get part for pump. Did some Christmas shopping for Marilyn and family. David and Wayne went out but Gerald stayed home. Had letter from Marilyn and Doug.
Comment: ummm, me not going out on a Friday night..must have been sick..still working on the damned water.......this is the type of well pump we had in the kitchen when I was a kid....."The only running water was the hand pump by the sink, we used to wash our clothes and selves and fill the pail to drink"....
Friday, beautiful, clear, sunny, warm day, 40's. Clifton, the girls, Roberta and I went to Oneonta in am to get part for pump. Did some Christmas shopping for Marilyn and family. David and Wayne went out but Gerald stayed home. Had letter from Marilyn and Doug.Comment: ummm, me not going out on a Friday night..must have been sick..still working on the damned water.......this is the type of well pump we had in the kitchen when I was a kid....."The only running water was the hand pump by the sink, we used to wash our clothes and selves and fill the pail to drink"....
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thursday, November 26, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 26, 1964
Thursday, cloudy and overcast, little rain in pm. LaVerne and Roberta here for Thanksgiving dinner and Laura here at night. We rode down to dam in afternoon, water was nearly out so it can be cleaned out. Gerald came home from Mary Ann's at night. Girls went home with LaVerne and Roberta.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 25, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 25, 1964
Wednesday, cloudy and warm, 40's, rained all night. I baked 4 pies, a cake and got turkey ready. Kids home at 1 pm. Put in back window light in kitchen. Clifton worked back there in am. Girls and I went to prayer meeting at Evelyn Bailey's at night and heard that Reverend Van Devender's 10 yr old grandson had been killed and Sadie Gordon died at noon.
Comment: Thanksgiving eve and Mom has started cooking and the repairs and maintenance continue....
Wednesday, cloudy and warm, 40's, rained all night. I baked 4 pies, a cake and got turkey ready. Kids home at 1 pm. Put in back window light in kitchen. Clifton worked back there in am. Girls and I went to prayer meeting at Evelyn Bailey's at night and heard that Reverend Van Devender's 10 yr old grandson had been killed and Sadie Gordon died at noon.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Tuesday, November 24, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 24, 1964
Tuesday, cloudy, 30's and 40's. Barry Taylor here for dinner, he and David went hunting in pm. Clifton and I went to Cobleskill and up to Mothers a few minutes. Clifton had his eyes fitted at Dr. Glenn's. Kids went to ball game at school at night. I wrote to Marilyn.
Comment: Dad going to Cobleskill for unemployment sign up...dinner was the noon meal....
Tuesday, cloudy, 30's and 40's. Barry Taylor here for dinner, he and David went hunting in pm. Clifton and I went to Cobleskill and up to Mothers a few minutes. Clifton had his eyes fitted at Dr. Glenn's. Kids went to ball game at school at night. I wrote to Marilyn.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Monday, November 23, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 23, 1964
Monday, nice day, sunny and clear, 35. I washed and cleaned some. Clifton and I went to Stamford to Kelly's at noon. David hunted all pm. Mayos were here for supper and Joyce and Evelyn for meeting to plan Christmas program.
Comment: And another week begins....
Monday, nice day, sunny and clear, 35. I washed and cleaned some. Clifton and I went to Stamford to Kelly's at noon. David hunted all pm. Mayos were here for supper and Joyce and Evelyn for meeting to plan Christmas program.
Comment: And another week begins....
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Sunday, November 22, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 22, 1964
Sunday, 15-39, sunny, cold and windy. Roberta brought girls up to church and they were here in pm and for lunch at night. Wayne and Laura went with David and took Doug to Kingston. Tweet, our parakeet died.
Comment: "lunch at night", kinda different...until now I'd forgotten about Tweet, our first and last pet bird, (I think) we ever had. I remember him flying around the house landing on our outstretched fingers and sometimes our heads, cool little bird....and he looked just like this.....
Sunday, 15-39, sunny, cold and windy. Roberta brought girls up to church and they were here in pm and for lunch at night. Wayne and Laura went with David and took Doug to Kingston. Tweet, our parakeet died.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Saturday, November 21, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diairies
November 21, 1964
Saturday, 10 in am. Mostly sunny, windy and cold, 35 high, snow flurries at night. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner. LaVerne and David went hunting. Doug and Wayne got new tires on David's car. Roberta, the girls and I cleaned church in pm. Billie called about Ella Mae, she wasn't very good, still had bad cough and bad with ulcer. Girls went home with LaVerne and Roberta stayed overnight.
Comment: Deer hunting and the holidays....quite a combination.......I was 14 when I shot my first deer with a 16 gauge Mossberg bolt action...and here it is...sweet...note the "choked" barrel for tightening down the shot pattern when shooting bird shot...
From Hubbard Hill Memories:
Thanksgiving came with hunting season, lots of family'd find a reason to come "up home" to join in meals and song.
We'd gather round that old piano Dad sang bass Mom sang soprano, cousins , aunts and uncles sang along
And the old time Christian hymns would soar and chime
With harmonies so sweet and so sublime
Then all the men would go hunt deer while all the ladies helped to clear the table for the meal at suppertime. To hear the whole looooong song see below....
Saturday, 10 in am. Mostly sunny, windy and cold, 35 high, snow flurries at night. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner. LaVerne and David went hunting. Doug and Wayne got new tires on David's car. Roberta, the girls and I cleaned church in pm. Billie called about Ella Mae, she wasn't very good, still had bad cough and bad with ulcer. Girls went home with LaVerne and Roberta stayed overnight.
Comment: Deer hunting and the holidays....quite a combination.......I was 14 when I shot my first deer with a 16 gauge Mossberg bolt action...and here it is...sweet...note the "choked" barrel for tightening down the shot pattern when shooting bird shot...
From Hubbard Hill Memories:
Thanksgiving came with hunting season, lots of family'd find a reason to come "up home" to join in meals and song.
We'd gather round that old piano Dad sang bass Mom sang soprano, cousins , aunts and uncles sang along
And the old time Christian hymns would soar and chime
With harmonies so sweet and so sublime
Then all the men would go hunt deer while all the ladies helped to clear the table for the meal at suppertime. To hear the whole looooong song see below....
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Friday, November 20, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 20, 1964
Friday, cloudy early, becoming sunny, 50 early am, becoming colder. I washed in am hung clothes upstairs and cleaned. Clifton and I went to Middleburgh before dinner after posters and put them up in pm. Boys got home from Virginia 4:40 pm. Carol had first ball game at Grand Gorge.
Comment: Wow, don't remember any of what the posters were for or Carol's ball game or the boys coming back from Virginia.....Thanks to siblings LaVerne and Marilyn for their memories about This Old Desk.....here is a picture of us when when we were all very young and when the old desk was already in use in the house behind us....
From LaVerne: Gerry:
Friday, cloudy early, becoming sunny, 50 early am, becoming colder. I washed in am hung clothes upstairs and cleaned. Clifton and I went to Middleburgh before dinner after posters and put them up in pm. Boys got home from Virginia 4:40 pm. Carol had first ball game at Grand Gorge.
Comment: Wow, don't remember any of what the posters were for or Carol's ball game or the boys coming back from Virginia.....Thanks to siblings LaVerne and Marilyn for their memories about This Old Desk.....here is a picture of us when when we were all very young and when the old desk was already in use in the house behind us....
From LaVerne: Gerry:
As you know I have the desk. I purchased it when the contents of the home was going to the auction barn. The auction estimate was $400.00 which I paid.
I see evidence of green paint on the desk, the color is what you would get by mixing all the paint left overs of various colors, light green.
I do not remember this desk being in the Gilboa home Mom and Dad lived in when I was born. I think the desk was left in the house that they moved to that had been occupied by Grandma Anna Christiana Hubbard. "The Hubbard Hill home." Very possible that Gamalia and Anna used the desk. I think the desk came from the Christianas. The desk has dovetailing and other features that I do not believe Grover Haner had the tools to produce.
Grover was the son of Meg Hubbard Haner. Gamalia would be his uncle.
Best always;
LaVerne
From Marilyn: Hi All, I was under the impression that Grover Haner, made the desk and that Mom and Dad inherited when they moved up on the farm. If he made it or not. I never remember it being black. LU "M"
Monday, November 19, 2012
Thursday, November 19, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diairies
November 19, 1964
Thursday, windy, 28-32, cloudy, started to snow 10:30 am and turned to rain. David and Wayne left for Va. 8 am. Clifton and I put on storm windows on girl's rooms and tightened up cellar. I cleaned wood house and wrote to Marilyn. Clifton made leaf for desk in pm and I did some ironing.
Comment: I guess David and Wayne heading for Virginia to pick up Doug. Here is the desk Dad made the leaf for...I'm remembering it was hand made as a wedding gift for Mom and Dad by Grover Haner, a distant relative that lived toward South Mountain.. I remember it when it was painted black...I think Dad refinished it.....Marilyn and LaVerne might know better....... "At his battered home-made desk I still can see my dad, as he pulled old bills from pigeon holes and paid with what he had"....from "The Milk Check"...
Thursday, windy, 28-32, cloudy, started to snow 10:30 am and turned to rain. David and Wayne left for Va. 8 am. Clifton and I put on storm windows on girl's rooms and tightened up cellar. I cleaned wood house and wrote to Marilyn. Clifton made leaf for desk in pm and I did some ironing.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wednesday, November 18, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diairies
November 18, 1964
Wednesday, partly cloudy with snow flurries, very light, 35. I made Marna a jumper and finished Patty's. Clifton, the girls and I went to Stamford at night to Kelly's to see about the heater. I went to P.J. with Lavilla and Mrs. Mayo.
Comment: Not sure what P.J. is, probably something about the church.....Mom sewing for the first grand kids.....here is a story of Me And Marna when she was about 7 moths old....only lucky people get old..........
Wednesday, partly cloudy with snow flurries, very light, 35. I made Marna a jumper and finished Patty's. Clifton, the girls and I went to Stamford at night to Kelly's to see about the heater. I went to P.J. with Lavilla and Mrs. Mayo.
Comment: Not sure what P.J. is, probably something about the church.....Mom sewing for the first grand kids.....here is a story of Me And Marna when she was about 7 moths old....only lucky people get old.......... Saturday, November 17, 2012
November 17, 1964, The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 17, 1964
Tuesday, mostly cloudy, 30's, very light, fine snow, none on the ground. I sewed in am. Clifton and I went to Cobleskill and came back by Stamford. David took Wayne to Cobleskill in am to have his eyes tested. Did not need glasses.
Comment: Wayne was mostly blind in one eye. When about 6 years old, he was hitting two hammers together and a bit of steel flew off and hit him in his left eye. As he grew older the scar tissue grew more over his pupil blocking his vision.....here is him in the first grade, I think.....
Tuesday, mostly cloudy, 30's, very light, fine snow, none on the ground. I sewed in am. Clifton and I went to Cobleskill and came back by Stamford. David took Wayne to Cobleskill in am to have his eyes tested. Did not need glasses.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Monday November 16, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 16, 1964
Monday, cloudy over east and warm 50. I washed and dried some clothes outside. Ironed and mended for Gerald. He left at 5:30. Had letter from Marilyn.
Comment: And Mom comes through again..must be going back to SUNY for last semester.....and the number 1 song on this day in 1964 was...."Baby Love" by the Supremes.....
Monday, cloudy over east and warm 50. I washed and dried some clothes outside. Ironed and mended for Gerald. He left at 5:30. Had letter from Marilyn.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Sunday, November 15, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 15, 1964
Sunday, beautiful, warm day, 60's, mostly sunny. Clifton, girls and I went to church and Sunday school. Girls sang. Sue and I went at night. Gerald got back with Mary Ann 5:30. LaVerne and Roberta here toward night. Wayne and Laura too.
Comment: And the family and friends gather, wonder what song the girls sang...this is a great one...
Sunday, beautiful, warm day, 60's, mostly sunny. Clifton, girls and I went to church and Sunday school. Girls sang. Sue and I went at night. Gerald got back with Mary Ann 5:30. LaVerne and Roberta here toward night. Wayne and Laura too.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Saturday, November 14, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 14, 1964
Saturday, cloudy and windy, 40's. Had our septic tank cleaned. Robert Mae (?) from E. Cobleskill did it. Men worked on it most of the day. Gerald, David and Mary Ann went to Rochester. Clifton and girls and I went to Middleburgh 4 pm to return snake to hardware store. Heard that Ellis Kinks (?) wife had been in a bad accident few days previous and both legs nearly cut off.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Friday, November 13, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diary
November 13, 1964
Friday, beautiful, warm day, 65, very windy. Clifton and I went to Oneonta with David's car in am and got a new machine head. Ate lunch with Roberta and LaVerne. I washed in pm. Discovered water wasn't draining out properly. Clifton and boys worked at that. Wayne and girls went to Middleburgh after supper after 50 cent sprocket stuff? for tank. Boys went out at night.
Comment: Constant maintenance around the house.....fall in the Catskills.....
Friday, beautiful, warm day, 65, very windy. Clifton and I went to Oneonta with David's car in am and got a new machine head. Ate lunch with Roberta and LaVerne. I washed in pm. Discovered water wasn't draining out properly. Clifton and boys worked at that. Wayne and girls went to Middleburgh after supper after 50 cent sprocket stuff? for tank. Boys went out at night.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thursday, November 12, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 12, 1964
Thursday, warm and sunny, 60's. Clifton and David finished putting asphalt siding on back of house. Wrote to Marilyn in am and called Sears about my machine; they told me to bring the head back and they would give me another. Gerald came home about 4 pm.
Comment: Not sure why I came home, should be knee deep in my last semester at Suny@Albany.....here is the room where mom did all her sewing...kinda unkempt because she had moved out at the time......I remember her sewing with an old treadle Singer most of the time.....now it's a Sears......
Thursday, warm and sunny, 60's. Clifton and David finished putting asphalt siding on back of house. Wrote to Marilyn in am and called Sears about my machine; they told me to bring the head back and they would give me another. Gerald came home about 4 pm.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Wednesday, November 11, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 11, 1964
Wednesday, overcast and some sun, 55 high. Kids home for Columbus Day. Clifton and I went to Middleburgh in am with Opel after asphalt siding for dinning room and back side. The boys put part of it on in pm. Red Schemerhorn was here to help. I did some ironing.
Comment: Did not know the Opel was still running. Still getting ready for winter.....here is a bleak view to the barn from the house in early winter.....
Wednesday, overcast and some sun, 55 high. Kids home for Columbus Day. Clifton and I went to Middleburgh in am with Opel after asphalt siding for dinning room and back side. The boys put part of it on in pm. Red Schemerhorn was here to help. I did some ironing.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Tuesday, November 10, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 10, 1964
Tuesday, partly cloudy, 50's, overcast nice day. Clifton, David and I went to Saugerties to look at back hoe and on to Cobleskill and did shopping. Lyle called and asked me to be chairman of Christmas program. I cut out aprons and blouses for Marna and Patty at night. Very little rain in night.
Comment: The quest for reliable water continues...here are Marna, Dean and Patty in 1963 about a year prior.....
Tuesday, partly cloudy, 50's, overcast nice day. Clifton, David and I went to Saugerties to look at back hoe and on to Cobleskill and did shopping. Lyle called and asked me to be chairman of Christmas program. I cut out aprons and blouses for Marna and Patty at night. Very little rain in night.
Friday, November 09, 2012
Monday, November 9, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 9, 1964
Monday, overcast with some sun, windy. I washed in am. Had a letter from Marilyn. LaVerne and Roberta here a few minutes in the evening. LaVerne bought Morris Minor car off Jackson's.
Comment: I don't remember this car, but it was a small car built in England from about 1948 to 1971.
Monday, overcast with some sun, windy. I washed in am. Had a letter from Marilyn. LaVerne and Roberta here a few minutes in the evening. LaVerne bought Morris Minor car off Jackson's.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Sunday, November 8, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 8, 1964
Sunday, cloudy, 50, went to church and Sunday school. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner. Patty Young came home from church with Susan. We went to West Conesville in pm to look at Jackson's car. LaVerne and Roberta and Carol went with David to take Doug to Kingston at night. Sue and I went to church. Jr. Clapper was at church in am.
Comment: Sounds like they are looking for another car..Doug back to duty.....Doug in younger days with siblings David, Carol, Wayne, Susan..looks like a cold spring day with snow still on the mountains...David is holding a rabbit.....
Sunday, cloudy, 50, went to church and Sunday school. LaVerne and Roberta here for dinner. Patty Young came home from church with Susan. We went to West Conesville in pm to look at Jackson's car. LaVerne and Roberta and Carol went with David to take Doug to Kingston at night. Sue and I went to church. Jr. Clapper was at church in am.
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Saturday, November 7, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 7, 1964
Saturday sunny day warmer. Clifton dug for spring in field below spring lot. I baked in pm. Girls did homework.
Comment: Still looking for consistent water supply....here are my memories of The Spring Lot......
Saturday sunny day warmer. Clifton dug for spring in field below spring lot. I baked in pm. Girls did homework.
Comment: Still looking for consistent water supply....here are my memories of The Spring Lot......
The “Spring Lot” was three acres out southeast across the road
Beyond the “crik” with minnows, frogs, the barnyard with its toads
Some years we’d plant Sudan Grass, tall, billows, green, in waves
In other years, we planted corn. Between the rows, dark caves
Lairs, from which we’d “hide n’ seek” and hunt for dangerous game
The rustling winds and dank dark earth held fears we couldn’t name
The lot was close and in full view of folks from our front porch
And through the trembling grass or corn, light flickered, as a torch
One day I lay beside the spring in warm and tender sun
And overturned a rock to watch the insects’ frantic run
I pondered their perceptions in a world I couldn’t see
And wondered if their eyes and minds could see that it was “ME”
The “ME” who made the calls about their right to live or die
I thought that this was how we were when looked at through God’s eyes
And then I saw wild strawberries, a sweet and acrid taste
And left that rock turned over, and the insects to their fate
I often think, if there be gods, they must be like a child
Playing in a “Spring Lot” while we skitter, scared and wild
They’ll never know the why, the what, the wonder of our days
‘cause all they see are strawberries and blithely move away
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Friday, November 6, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 6, 1964
Friday, cloudy, cool, 30's I washed in am and hung clothes outside but they didn't dry good. David went to Ashokan job hunting, no luck. I went over to Madylin's (Blakesley) in am after gift for shower. Girls and I went to Betty's shower at Conesville with Madylin at night. LaVerne and Roberta called in evening. Doug came home 7:30.
Comment: Not sure which Betty the shower is for....or if it's a wedding or baby shower...
Friday, cloudy, cool, 30's I washed in am and hung clothes outside but they didn't dry good. David went to Ashokan job hunting, no luck. I went over to Madylin's (Blakesley) in am after gift for shower. Girls and I went to Betty's shower at Conesville with Madylin at night. LaVerne and Roberta called in evening. Doug came home 7:30.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Thursday, November 5, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 5, 1964
Thursday, cloudy and some rain, 40's. Clifton called different one to see about a bulldozer to dig ditch for water line. Louise called in am, she had a bad cold and I had a prayer meeting for her. Went to Ella's in pm. Wrote to Marilyn.
Comment: Still plagued with water problems, maybe this is the answer.....
Thursday, cloudy and some rain, 40's. Clifton called different one to see about a bulldozer to dig ditch for water line. Louise called in am, she had a bad cold and I had a prayer meeting for her. Went to Ella's in pm. Wrote to Marilyn.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Wednesday, November 4, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 4, 1964
Wednesday, lovely, warm day, 60's. Clifton and I went to see Earl about his bulldozer and we drove down to see Dewitt's about one. I had headache. David was laid off at Carlisle.
Comment: Dad is going to be working on the water problem they've had over the past month of so.....he was an Operating Engineer and could operate almost any kind of equipment.....here are some of the things he did............
Wednesday, lovely, warm day, 60's. Clifton and I went to see Earl about his bulldozer and we drove down to see Dewitt's about one. I had headache. David was laid off at Carlisle.
Dad A Confession, Original By Gerry Hubbard
Solidarity Forever
An Operating Engineer was what my dad was called
He ran the big equipment, and I guess he drove them all
Dozers, graders, drag-line cranes, he worked ten hours a day
From spring through fall, six days a week, he drew good union pay
He’d usually come home close to dark, all sunburned, cloaked with dust
Us kids would all race down the hill, to greet him, to be first
He’d stop the car and pick us up, on fenders up we’d ride
We hung from running boards and doors, rising like the tide
Euclid scrapers, high-speed pumps, he “sloped” with Cat D8s
Through parts of west New England and all through New York State
He worked the New York Thruway and Route One-Forty-Five,
Milking cows at four am to keep the farm alive
In summer’s dust and searing sun his lips and hands would crack,
And he’d rub in Bag Balm Ointment that he carried in a sack
In winter’s numbing wind and cold, he stood ten hours a day
To watch an air compressor pump water from a quay
We’d go to work with him sometimes when work sites were nearby
And ride the big equipment, it was dusty, hot and dry
LaVerne and I and sometimes Doug would go and spend the day
With diesel fumes & roaring “Eucs” as dozers pushed away
And though he had his issues, he was held in high regard
And I never heard him once complain ‘bout working so damned hard.
When someone said I looked like him at a Hill reunion chat
Tom O’Hara softly said, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that”.
And though I’m not religious, as all friends will attest
Here’s a spiritual iota to which I must confess
Sometimes when summer’s thunder clouds are roiling up on high
I think of Dad on his big D8, “sloping” in the sky…
Sometimes when summer’s thunder clouds are roiling up on high I think of Dad on his big D8, “sloping” in the sky
An Operating Engineer was what my dad was called
He ran the big equipment, and I guess he drove them all
Dozers, graders, drag-line cranes, he worked ten hours a day
From spring through fall, six days a week, he drew good union pay
He’d usually come home close to dark, all sunburned, cloaked with dust
Us kids would all race down the hill, to greet him, to be first
He’d stop the car and pick us up, on fenders up we’d ride
We hung from running boards and doors, rising like the tide
Euclid scrapers, high-speed pumps, he “sloped” with Cat D8s
Through parts of west New England and all through New York State
He worked the New York Thruway and Route One-Forty-Five,
Milking cows at four am to keep the farm alive
In summer’s dust and searing sun his lips and hands would crack,
And he’d rub in Bag Balm Ointment that he carried in a sack
In winter’s numbing wind and cold, he stood ten hours a day
To watch an air compressor pump water from a quay
We’d go to work with him sometimes when work sites were nearby
And ride the big equipment, it was dusty, hot and dry
LaVerne and I and sometimes Doug would go and spend the day
With diesel fumes & roaring “Eucs” as dozers pushed away
And though he had his issues, he was held in high regard
And I never heard him once complain ‘bout working so damned hard.
When someone said I looked like him at a Hill reunion chat
Tom O’Hara softly said, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that”.
And though I’m not religious, as all friends will attest
Here’s a spiritual iota to which I must confess
Sometimes when summer’s thunder clouds are roiling up on high
I think of Dad on his big D8, “sloping” in the sky…
Sometimes when summer’s thunder clouds are roiling up on high I think of Dad on his big D8, “sloping” in the sky
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Tuesday, November 3, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaires
November 3, 1964
Tuesday, Election day. Beautiful, warm, sunny day, 70. I cleaned the house all through in the am. Lorraine and Howard came about 11 am. We went to vote and ate dinner at Mrs. Dugan's; they went with us.
Comment: Hey, Hey, LBJ, How many kids did you kill today? And about 40 years later it happened again....from the BBC:
1964: Election triumph for Lyndon B Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson has been elected president of the United States defeating hard-line Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona by an overwhelming majority.
The Democrats adopted a social reform platform, with President Johnson, also known as LBJ, campaigning as a candidate of peace, pledging not to widen US military involvement in Vietnam.
But soon after his election he increased the number of US troops in the region after sustained attacks by the communist Viet Cong. Troops numbers continued to mount reaching a peak of 550,000 in 1968.
In spite of this increase, there seemed no end to the war and LBJ's public support declined.
What is more, the cost of the war sucked money away from social programmes and began to fuel inflation.
Living standards for black Americans failed to improve and there were several race riots in the mid to late 1960s all over America.
On 31 March, 1968, LBJ shocked TV viewers with a national address in which he announced major reductions in the bombing of North Vietnam and a plan to request peace talks. He also said he would not be running for nomination for the 1968 presidency.
In 1969 LBJ retired to his ranch in near Johnson City, Texas. He died in January 1973 of a heart attack
Tuesday, Election day. Beautiful, warm, sunny day, 70. I cleaned the house all through in the am. Lorraine and Howard came about 11 am. We went to vote and ate dinner at Mrs. Dugan's; they went with us.
1964: Election triumph for Lyndon B Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson has been elected president of the United States defeating hard-line Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona by an overwhelming majority.
The man who took over the presidency last year after the assassination of President Kennedy got the largest popular majority in US history - greater than Franklin D Roosevelt's landslide victory in 1936.
The campaign took place in the middle of an escalating Vietnam war.
Senator Goldwater's demands that North Vietnam should be continuously bombed and his questioning of the US social security system proved unpopular.The Democrats adopted a social reform platform, with President Johnson, also known as LBJ, campaigning as a candidate of peace, pledging not to widen US military involvement in Vietnam.
But soon after his election he increased the number of US troops in the region after sustained attacks by the communist Viet Cong. Troops numbers continued to mount reaching a peak of 550,000 in 1968.
In spite of this increase, there seemed no end to the war and LBJ's public support declined.
What is more, the cost of the war sucked money away from social programmes and began to fuel inflation.
Living standards for black Americans failed to improve and there were several race riots in the mid to late 1960s all over America.
On 31 March, 1968, LBJ shocked TV viewers with a national address in which he announced major reductions in the bombing of North Vietnam and a plan to request peace talks. He also said he would not be running for nomination for the 1968 presidency.
In 1969 LBJ retired to his ranch in near Johnson City, Texas. He died in January 1973 of a heart attack
Friday, November 02, 2012
Monday, November 2, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 2, 1964
Monday, nice day, 60's. I washed in am and mother called and asked us to come over for dinner. Clifton signed up (for unemployment) and I shopped. Susan went to Schenectady to "little red school house" that Gilboa Central was on. Had a letter from Marilyn. We got more insulation at Bush's. Gerald called at night.
Comment: Still working on getting ready for winter and it seems no matter what we did, when the temperature went below zero, it was cold throughout the house......Here is a view to the house in the winter...that's our dog Prince who fell out of the tower and broke his left hip, you can see that his left leg is stiff.....more about the tower:
.....The following is excerpted from “Fire Towers Of The Catskills, Their History And Lore”, Martin Podskoeh, Purple Mountain Press, 2000.
In 1947, the state took down the 80-foot tower that stood on Gilbert Lake State Park and rebuilt it on Hubbard Hill. The mountain is named after the Hubbard family who have owned land and farmed there since the 1800’s.
However, the state misnamed it Leonard Hill Fire Tower, after a lower hill owned by Dr. Duncan Leonard next to Hubbard Hill.
“It wasn't supposed to be Leonard Hill,” says Frances Hubbard. “Somebody got the maps mixed up. It always bothered me.”
Fred VanAken was the first observer at the tower. He started working April 8, 1949. He and the other rangers parked at the Hubbard farm and followed a rugged trail along the telephone lines to the tower.
“About 15 years after the tower was built, the state purchased 75 acres from my parents,” said Doug Hubbard, son of Clifton and Frances Hubbard. “The state built another road to the tower on the north side of the mountain, and we hardly saw the observers after that.”
One day during the 80’s, observer Judy Merwin gazed out the tower window at the beautiful valleys and woods of Schoharie. A young couple standing next to her had hiked to the tower and were learning about the area. Judy pointed out the Majestic Catskill Mountains to the south and the fertile Schoharie Valley to the north.
In the distant they could see a single-engine plane approaching the tower. As the plane got closer, they saw that it was pulling something. The young man said to his girlfriend, “Look! It has a sign.”
The words were now visible: “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” The young woman’s eyes filled with tears. She embraced the young man with a heartfelt, “Yes.
Monday, nice day, 60's. I washed in am and mother called and asked us to come over for dinner. Clifton signed up (for unemployment) and I shopped. Susan went to Schenectady to "little red school house" that Gilboa Central was on. Had a letter from Marilyn. We got more insulation at Bush's. Gerald called at night.
.....The following is excerpted from “Fire Towers Of The Catskills, Their History And Lore”, Martin Podskoeh, Purple Mountain Press, 2000.
In 1947, the state took down the 80-foot tower that stood on Gilbert Lake State Park and rebuilt it on Hubbard Hill. The mountain is named after the Hubbard family who have owned land and farmed there since the 1800’s.
However, the state misnamed it Leonard Hill Fire Tower, after a lower hill owned by Dr. Duncan Leonard next to Hubbard Hill.
“It wasn't supposed to be Leonard Hill,” says Frances Hubbard. “Somebody got the maps mixed up. It always bothered me.”
Fred VanAken was the first observer at the tower. He started working April 8, 1949. He and the other rangers parked at the Hubbard farm and followed a rugged trail along the telephone lines to the tower.
“About 15 years after the tower was built, the state purchased 75 acres from my parents,” said Doug Hubbard, son of Clifton and Frances Hubbard. “The state built another road to the tower on the north side of the mountain, and we hardly saw the observers after that.”
One day during the 80’s, observer Judy Merwin gazed out the tower window at the beautiful valleys and woods of Schoharie. A young couple standing next to her had hiked to the tower and were learning about the area. Judy pointed out the Majestic Catskill Mountains to the south and the fertile Schoharie Valley to the north.
In the distant they could see a single-engine plane approaching the tower. As the plane got closer, they saw that it was pulling something. The young man said to his girlfriend, “Look! It has a sign.”
The words were now visible: “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” The young woman’s eyes filled with tears. She embraced the young man with a heartfelt, “Yes.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Sunday, November 1, 1964 The Frances Hubbard Diaries
November 1, 1964
Sunday, nice day, 60's, Girls and I went to church and Sunday school and we were at LaVerne's and Roberta's for dinner. Colleen and Sharon were there. Sue and I went to church at night. Grace Merwin, Irene Browns aunt, was buried.
Comment: Coleen and Sharon Renz, Roberta's sisters, were there.....kinda typical Sunday....
Here is a bunch of family attending church with Mom when Marilyn was visiting back in the mid nineties..missing are my siblings, David, Wayne, and Carol
Here is a bunch of family attending church with Mom when Marilyn was visiting back in the mid nineties..missing are my siblings, David, Wayne, and Carol
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