Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Little Holiday

My mother, Lillian, in her canoe in 1953 on her little lake at the homestead.

Women didn't want diamonds back then...just a boat and a lake ;-)



Because we have been more aware of unnecessary spending, my husband was able to treat me to a sentimental holiday for a few days, to a place where I once had an adventure. I am to walk the path to the hill between two lakes where my parents first homesteaded. It is over 50 years later, but it will be approximately the same day in September. This was the place where we learned to be so resourceful and innovative. In spite of the fact that the Big House is not there, and the land has returned to the wilderness state, it will be good to just breathe the air. The man who now owns the land is deliberately keeping it in its natural state, in memory of our family. I will be happy to be in the land of the midnight sun, once again.


I will imagine what it was like for them, seeing it for the first time, as a young couple in their early 20's, and I will be thinking of them living in a tent with three children under the age of 3, while the log home was being built. I hope to phone my parents from the little lake and see if they can hear anything from the nature. I am not good at sitting still for very long, as I like to be busy, so I hope I don't drive my friends crazy by trying to wash every dish in the sink.



I may be posting a few times before I leave, and I may even get time to post from my homeland.
One of the highlights will be a visit to Norman and Libby Smith
who homesteaded there and who have a gallery of Norman's Alaskan art. He paints under the name of Norman Lowell. I knew him as an art teacher, and attended some of his classes when I was a girl.
Another highlight will be meeting a childhood friend, Carol McGahan who was a neighboring homesteader (as neighbors in those days were anyone you could drive a car to visit) from a family very much like my own.
I am also looking forward to my stay with a family that took so many pictures to help me put my book together about the homestead.


I have been scurrying around trying to get the home in shape, and get myself ready, too. I don't like to leave the house a shambles when I go anywhere. I've learned that it makes it too gloomy when it is time to come home.
Everyone has seen this picture many times, taken around 1955. I hope the water looks blue like this when I next see it. This is what we did when we were little...our Dad took us for rowboat rides. It was better than Disneyland. It has been made into a U.S. postage stamp, available at Zazzle.I used it on letters several times, and it actually takes the letter where it is supposed to go.

18 comments:

Jenn said...

What a wonderful memory and what a great thing to be able to go back and see were your parents were... how sentimental.

ladyakofa said...

Hmm, I can imagine you drinking in the sights and sound of homeland, Lady Lydia. And would love to see pictures of the place as it is now, when you come back. :)

Happy Vacation!

Tracy said...

Have a wonderful time! What a blessing for you.

Cindy said...

I hope you have a wonderful trip: it looks like a great adventure, and a lovely place to go, combined with all the memories!

Travel safely!

Julie said...

Oh how wonderful. Have a happy and blessed trip!!

Anonymous said...

I can't read the words for this section of your blog. Did you change the font size?

Lydia said...

To the sarcastic commenter: the comment "women only wanted a boat..." was supposed to be irony, and meant as humor. We had no use for jewels in those days.

Lydia said...

I won't be online today but if there is something wrong with the fonts I can get to it later. If anyone else is having trouble reading this please post and I'll see if I can get some help to correct it.

Just Me said...

I'd love to be able to hear what it was like for your mother during that time of living with her young children in a tent. She must have some great stories!

Anonymous said...

It sounds fantastic! I hope you have a lovely time. (o:

Karen said...

How wonderful! I wish you safe and happy travel.

I know just what you mean about trying to get everything in place before you leave. It might make things hectic now, but when I come home from travelling, I find I am always very tired and the laundry is a mountain. If the house is clean it doesn't seem as overwhelming.

When you are back, and if you have time, I would love to read a piece from you on getting back to routines after summer break! (and of course a piece about your trip!)

best regards,
Karen

Mrs. Hurzeler said...

My husband's family lived in a teepee in Oregon for quite a few years, then they moved into a shed, eventually into a house. How's that for rugged? LOL

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful trip, it sounds absolutely lovely.

~ Ann

Unknown said...

Have a wonderful vacation Lady Lydia. The lake view looks so nostalgic and magnificient. Am sure you will have a fabulous time. We'll be looking forward to reading from you. Enjoy your holiday!

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

Have a wonderful trip. Be safe.
Jenn

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful adventure. Have a safe and delightful trip. I'm sure many wonderful memories will be kindled with the sights and sounds of your childhood home.

Mrs. Anna T said...

What a wonderful time you will surely have! Enjoy your vacation.

Mimi said...

What a wonderful trip! It's nice to hear that the people are keeping the place in its natural splendor.