Last Tuesday, I posted what I thought was the story of two abandoned houses that are a short way from here.  I based my interpretation on the story told by an elderly farmer friend and neighbor.  Perhaps he was having some fun with me?  Joy, another neighbor sent me the following e-mail, which I share with her permission.

Hi, Chuck!

Loved the pics of the old houses down the road and wanted to give you a little history on them.  I grew up about a half mile away on the cross road.  When I was a little girl, I used to walk to the corner of your road and the road a mile south of you to play with friends.  I had to walk by those houses and I was petrified.  The one on the west side of the road was built for the mother of the man who lived on the east side of the road with his wife.  The one on the west side (Mom’s house) was empty and in disrepair and I was scared there was a bear around it.  Don’t know why, but that was my fear.  The couple on the east side of the road were elderly (to me!).  He had a long beard, would sit on his front porch and wave at me as I ran by.  Ran being the operative word!  But I braved the way as I wanted to play with my friends!

He has long passed, but the wife is still alive.  I know this as my mother just called and talked with her this past year.  She had celebrated her 100th birthday.  Now, I am 62, and as I compare the ages, I realize they weren’t all that old!  But to a 10 year old girl, 50 is old!

I responded to this e-mail with a request to share it with you.  I received this reply.

I have to admit that your story makes for a more interesting one, shows the imagination and sparks an interest.

I don’t know if I told you the name of the couple.  It was ***.  His family had settled just north of us and makes us wonder if our road wasn’t named for them.  Of course, at that time, there was no expressway and the road went through to the north.  Interesting thought, anyway.  So, your story continues with Mr & Mrs *** being the name of the couple residing on the east side of the road.  Mr would sit on his front porch in a rocking chair, had wild hair (probably had taken off his cap), had the long beard, and to me, was very scary!  Don’t remember Mrs at all.  And the mother had long since passed, hence the empty home that was never kept up.

You may print this story next week with my blessing.  Hope your readers enjoy it! I know I always look forward to your blog, some interesting reading there!  Hope you continue for many moons!  Joy

.