Category Archives: Family

I Did It! ~ More on Dad’s House

Posted on by


Today’s accomplishment is not something that I did. My friend, Vanilla, at String to Short to Tie saw last Friday’s post and responded with a comment. He also sent me an e-mail with the URL of a site devoted to homes that were sold by Sears (Sears, Roebuck and Company back then). I was delighted!


This model home was called the “Maytown.” It was given the reference number, 167. In later years, Sylvia’s grandfather had removed the porch and replaced it with a first-floor bedroom.

Here’s what Sears had to say in the catalog: “For $753.00 we will furnish all the material to build this eight-room house, consisting of mill work, flooring, ceiling, siding, finishing lumber, building paper, pipe, gutter, sash weights, hardware, painting material, lumber, lath and shingles. NO EXTRAS, as we guarantee enough material at the above price to build this house according to our plans.”

” By allowing a fair price for labor, cement, brick and plaster, which we do not furnish, this house can be built for about $1,573.00, including all material and labor.”

Painting material included enough paint for two coats, inside and outside plus wood filler and varnish for two coats on the woodwork.

Sears was in this business from 1908 until 1940. You can read more about this by visiting the URL given earlier.

Stacy visits her Grandfather

Posted on by

Monday morning, Sylvia and I made the 50-minute trip to her father’s house. Sylvia usually goes alone on Tuesday, but our niece (daughter of Sylvia’s younger sister), Stacy, was there for a visit and we wanted to see her. A few days earlier, she had driven to central Michigan from South Carolina with her boy friend. They returned to school and to work later on Monday.


Dad lives in the house that his father-in-law built when mom was a child. It was a kit from Sears. Can you believe that? It’s true.


Sylvia took this shot of Stacy the day before at Sylvia’s oldest sister’s house.

Jason, Dad and Stacy


We had a very nice visit. I spent some time updating security software on Dad’s computer. We had plenty of time to chat and enjoy being together.


After lunch, Stacy and Jason took her dog, Lily, outside to exercise, which they did. Afterward they picked some mulberries. An earlier commenter on this blog suggested that mulberries are sour. They can be. This year has been cool and we’ve had plenty of rain. The result is some very nice berries this year. The ones that the young folks are picking here were particularly good. (I had some too.)


While Stacy picked mulberries, Lily rested in the shade. Her exercise had gotten her warm and it felt good to lay on the grass in the shade. Just like Uncle Chuck was doing.

My World ~ Sylvia’s Family

Posted on by


Both Sylvia and I come from close families. We love to get together with our siblings and Sylvia’s dad. Last week, my sisters were here as I reported yesterday. On Friday, Sylvia met her father and they joined her sister, Joyce, and her hubby, Paul. They drove toward Cadillac and a visit with sister, Karen, and her hubby, Al.


Karen and Al have a nice deck on the back of their house. Here Dad is sitting with them enjoying the warmth of the sun.


Paul, MacAlister and Joyce sat on the other side of Dad.


Family gatherings call for family meals, and last weekend was no exception. Looks like Sylvia cleaned her plate before she took time to shoot this photo.


Out on the deck, the geraniums continued to bloom.


Down on the lawn, a robin enjoyed a leisurely bath. What? No rubber ducky?

I Did It! – Monday ~ Sibs Gathering

Posted on by


My three sisters and the two spouses came to visit Sylvia and me last Thursday. That might not seem like something to get excited about, but to us it was. Barbara retired at the end of last year. We had planned to get together to celebrate this wonderful milestone in her life, but Michigan weather and health issues prevented the gathering of the siblings. Her family (8 kids + uncounted grands and great-grands — okay she knows, but I don’t) gave her a great celebration. We missed it.

A couple of weeks ago, Clara and I were on the phone alternately commiserating and boasting of our recent blogging experiences. I don’t remember how it came up, but the next thing we were talking about a family gathering.


Clara asked, “What shall we eat?” I said (not really jesting) lets grill some steaks. She knew just the place to get “the very best steaks.” And she did! Clara and Rick brought the steaks. I had to share the cost with them.


And so on Thursday, Sylvia and I looked on as Clara prepared the fire. Sylvia had prepared foil packages with potato, carrot, onion and corn-on-the-cob cut in thirds. She added a bit of butter for flavor and seasoned it lightly with adobo. (Adobo is a Puerto Rican favorite blend with garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and a little tumeric. You’ll find it with the Goya products in your supermarket.) When the fire was ready, they put the packets on the fire for twenty minutes, turning them at 10 minutes. Sylvia put the veggies in the oven to keep them warm while Clara grilled our steaks to order. She gets an A++ in my book!


Isn’t that like me? Here I go on about food and I haven’t introduced our sisters. There is Barbara and Gary. They are both recently retired and have purchased a place in Florida. They’ll spend their winters there.


Our sister, Maggie, lives close to Clara and she came with her and Rick.


When the food went on the grill, everyone came out with cameras in hand. It was a windy here, which tousled the girls hair. Maggie and I didn’t have a problem with that. I saw Maggie taking a picture of Barbara. I picked up my camera and stepped to where I could get both of them in a shot. Barbara saw this and picked up her camera to get a shot of me taking a picture of Maggie taking a picture of her.


This activity did not go unobserved. Clara took a step back from the grill and raised her camera to get a shot of — well you know the rest. Barbara took the above shot to show how goofy we can get. Okay sorry gals. But you’ll have to admit it was fun and we all had a good laugh.

After that we went into the house and had a wonderful meal and lots more interesting conversation mostly about family. It was a wonderful day.

Now go visit Clara and read her side of the story.

Blogger Bud ~ Clara

Posted on by

This month, Secondary Roads’ blogger bud spotlight shines on Clara. That’s right, my sister the blogger and mother of Mikki. She lives and blogs from her home in central Michigan with her MWH, Rick and their two cats, Miss Jillian and Chloe.


Here’s a recent picture of Clara. She’s far too shy to appear on her badge, so she hides behind her cat, Chloe. Well Sis, it’s my job to out you and I’ve just got started.


Here is a young Chloe with Rick. She was born in our barn. I excitedly told Clara about the kittens and when I said there were two calico kittens, she asked if she could come and visit them. I said, “Sure!” When Clara saw Chloe, it must have been love at first sight. When Chloe was weaned. They came again and took Chloe to their home and a better life than she would have had as a barn cat. Chloe always did love Rick. He was the only one who get close enough to catch her. Love you kitty . . .


This is supposed to be about Clara. Not her wonderfully beautiful and charming cat. As you can see even at 7-months old, Clara was sticking her tongue out at the world. She is still doing it today and loving it. Chloe has cattitude and Clara has attitude. No wonder she’s a feline fancier. And there’s no fancier feline than her Chloe. Just ask Clara — or Chloe.


Clara and I have two sisters, Barbara and Maggie. They are on the right in the picture. Maggie lives fairly close to Clara and the two of them are especially close.


Here we are in a picture taken last year at our family reunion. We’ll be getting together next week, but it’s just the four of us with our spouses. I helped plan the menu and I can hardly wait!


If the saying, “Sweets for the sweet” is true. Why is this one of Clara’s favorite places to shop? She’s not salty. Hmm . . . I’m going to have to think about that.

Clara and Rick are standing here with Grand Traverse Bay in the background. They love to travel around our great state of Michigan and Clara frequently documents their trips on her blog. They also love to visit Mikki and her family in Virginia. Clara loves to write about them — especially her grandchildren.

When I look at her Entrecard profile I see: A personal journey thru life and faith with lots of fun mingled in. Yeah, I guess that pretty well sums it up.

A lot of you learned about me from Clara, but if you don’t know her yet, you should. There’s more to learn, and I’ll leave that for you to discover.

Foot Prints & Top Droppers (June)

Posted on by

I suppose it started when I learned that the church where I had served as pastor would be closing its doors. (See Monday’s posting.) I began to think of the folks from back then — back there. I realized that they had impacted my life. We had worked, played, laughed and cried together. I considered how I might share the impact that those folks had on my life. Then I realized that they had left their mark upon me, my life and my family. It was like they had left foot prints that were visible even though they were not in my life any longer.


Last Sunday, there were only a very few that had been in the church 32 years ago. And I never had a chance to share that thought with them. So I share it with you today.

Some you have made indelible prints on my life in such a very short time. We’ve shared our sorrows and our joys — our frustrations and victories. Together we have marveled at the beauty that surrounds us and the absurd silliness that infects the world of humankind.

As I prepared this, I remember the path between our front door and the front door of my maternal grandparents who lived next door. This path cut a straight line across our lawn. It was deeper than the surrounding ground, having been packed down by the daily passage of our feet. For the same reason, no grass grew on that path.

The grandparents passed away. The daily visits to their house ceased and the path slowly disappeared as dirt gathered in the low part and grass began to grow. That path is gone today, but the memory of the path and the wonderful folks at the end of the path remains.

I walked along a beach and left my foot prints in the sand. I returned the next day and my foot prints were no longer visible. The waves at high tide had washed them away.

Thanks to you who are leaving foot prints on my life and creating pathways thereon. You are special and you are much appreciated.

Top Droppers for June

Juliana’s World
A blog about everything else in between and the life of a former corporate mid-management professional who happily traded her power suit to jeans and sneakers. Originally from Manila, Philippines, now living happily in New York, USA as a childless full time housewife.

60 Were Enough
60 Were Enough bolog about Music, Artists, Mp3 and 60 Were Enough News.

My Meme Mania
This blog hosts a meme that celebrates accomplishments and victories over procrastination. It also is used to participate in a variety of other memes.

Cacai’s Step and Journey
My personal blog talks about my own wits, views, reviews, thoughts, beliefs, happiness, and my day to day experiences in this beautiful world we’re living in, of good quality standard for which everyone of all ages is welcome.

Learning Corner
Center for Personal Development, Professional Learning and Education, Finance, Smart Investment, Business Management, Business Strategy, Leadership, Business Success, Computer, Technology Update, Lifestyle Improvement.

Photography by KML
Photography by KML features the fine art and stock images of photographer, Kathy Libby. KML specializes in Landscape and Nature photos. The stock photos include concepts, food, backgrounds, abstracts, sports, architecture, transportation, and people.

sound of a soft breath
“Avoid silence, avoid solitude, avoid any train of thought that leads off the beaten track. Concentrate on money, sex, status, health, and (above all) on your own grievances. Keep the radio on. Live in a crowd. Use plenty of sedation…” Have you given this a try? Now …

Split Rock Ranch
A small ranch in the mountains of central Colorado where we raise, train and show llamas, harvest their gorgeous fiber and create beautiful fiber art

The Everyday Adventurer
A blog that introduces beginners to nature, hiking, adventure, and everything outdoors, in a fun and exciting way.

Frugal Healthy Choices
Follow along as I discover the right choices for a healthy lifestyle on a shoe-string budget.

As The Crackerhead Crumbles
The purpose of this blog is to help clear-up much of the confusion that now exists concerning our Heavenly Father and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways.

Hello Kitty Gifts
Blog of News & Trips of my Hello Kitty and Limited Edition & Special Edition Hello Kitty Gifts for All Occasions and Everyone!

Juliana’s Lair
A blog about loving and living in the Big Apple. It details the dynamics in the household of a happily married interracial couple; she as a stay-at-home wife, and he as a Wall Street professional.

Stock Recomendations
Stock market recommendations, Technical Views and fundamentally view…..

Moms Lifestyle
This blog is all about the family life style and love of family

NARESH
Daily Updated Nifty Stock recommendations and intraday support resistance level…
Stock Tips and other Ideas related investment….

Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice
Italian American comfort food using fresh ingredients.

PJ’s Prose
Life, love, and happiness

Denford Magora’s Zimbabwe Blog
Daily breaking news, commentary and analysis from Zimbabwe’s leading on-the-scene analyst. Everything from Mugabe to Zimbabwe’s economy

Blogopinionz
My blogging experiences and opinions!

Everyday Living
Weight-loss tips and stories, mixed together with humor and fun. All this and more, to help you get through the journey of Everyday Living.

Coming Back to Life
A personal journey thru life and faith with lots of fun mingled in.

On The Bricks
People, Places, Things, News, World happenings, weird stuff and sometimes just plain oh stupid and silly crap. Or just anything that I feel like posting.

Family Health Avenue
Health is The Family’s Ultimate Wealth

Let’s Jump Together
A little bit of everything is here – you can jump in with us – or not – feel free to leave a comment!

Many thanks to each of you.

I Did it Monday ~ Father’s Day

Posted on by


Yesterday, Sunday, Sylvia and I spent the afternoon with Bryant, Barbara and Briana. We enjoyed a wonderful relaxed family time with our son and his family.


We had come to celebrate Briana’s 17th birthday. Yeah! So we did that with good food and pleasant conversation. Barbara had baked a strawberry-rhubarb birthday pie. It looks good in the picture. Trust me, it tasted even better.

Chuck, Briana and Bryant on Father’s Day 2009.


I wanted to post a picture with Barbara in it, but that shot didn’t come out. I can see it in the camera, but I can’t download the image. Sorry about that.

Later that evening, we called Scott (our other son) and talked with him for quite a while. I spent a little time online before going to bed. It had been a great day.

Congrats & Thanks

Posted on by


Congratulations to Briana. It is confirmed, she is officially Academic All State. Others from her team that made the honor are: Gabrielle, Sara, Stephenie & Stephanie. (Yes two of them.) It was an excellent year for #7 as co-captain and the team’s top scorer. She was given the Coach’s Award and now this high honor for outstanding academic achievement. We (Sylvia and I) are very proud of our granddaughter and of her parents too.

Top Droppers for May

Thanks to the many friends who regularly visit us here on the Secondary Roads and drop their ECs. I’m hesitant to list the top ten, because there are many others that came very close. Please understand that you are all appreciated. Here then are my top ten droppers:
Family Health Avenue 31
Cacai’s Step and Journey 31
Hello Kitty Gifts 31
eastcoastlife 31
Prove Me Wrong 31
Positive men 30
60 Were Enough 30
vanillaseven.com 30
Serian Man 30
AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles 30


Y’all come back now. Ya hear?

Congratulations Briana

Posted on by

Tuesday was “Dessert Night” aka Awards Night for the Falcons Water Polo team. Briana received the “Coaches Award” (Sarah was voted MV Offense, Eliza, the goalie received MV Defense and Mackenzie was voted Most Improved). All the awards are voted on by teammates except the Coaches Award — Coach Jarod said some really nice things about Bree…like a leader in and out of the pool, very accurate shot, adaptable to any role.

Her stats for the just-finished season: 78 goals, 107 shots (a shot is a miss), 30 assists, 81 steals and 13 kick-outs drawn. (That means that the opposition player was sent to the penalty box or that a “free shot” from the 5-meter line was awarded to the Falcons.) Briana led the team in goals scored.

As her dad, Bryant, said, “Hey I can’t help it, I am very proud of her.” Her grandparents agree! Congratulations on a great year Briana. We’re all button-busting proud of you!

Addition:
You forgot my previous comments about Briana being named “West Regional Playoff Honorable Mention” and “All Conference Honorable Mention”….Additionally she made EK All-Academic Team, and I think she will also make Academic All-State—but I haven’t heard where the line is for that yet. It gets posted after the season. I will let you know when that happens. — Bryant