Here's a little slideshow of a hike I took out to Foster Cemetery. The Fosters were the founding family of River Falls. The oldest grave is for Eli Foster who was born in 1796 and died in 1856. A little more about the cemetery here. Mom says she remembers a cemetery clean-up day held yearly by Trinity Episcopal (which no longer exists). The cemetery, otherwise abandoned, is now an historical site. It sits on top of a hill overlooking Lake Louise and the lower dam with great views of the Kinnickinnic valley. A beautiful resting place.
For those familiar with the territory, here is a map:
The prime view reminded me of this photo of Chris and I sitting on the Sioux burial mounds overlooking the St. Croix in Hudson in 1966. (There is now a sign asking that one respect the dead and not climb/sit on the mounds). I wonder if the Fosters aren't the only ones buried overlooking the Kinnick.
Reading about the plans for a White House vegetable garden this morning I was especially amused by this bit,
Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, “whether they like it or not,” Mrs. Obama said laughing. “Now Grandma, my mom, I don’t know.” Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: “Isn’t that lovely. You missed a spot.”
Go First Grandma! Anyway, the thought of the long-legged Obamas all out weeding reminded me of this iconic Angelyn Stevens photo, once blown up to poster size:
And this like-mother-like-daughter Grace Stevens homage:
Assignment: Define absquatulate and use it in a sentence. This word was a clue in a recent crossword Dad completed. This picture which dates from the late 70s or early 80s, (maybe Pete remembers) shows Dad and Pete working on a gargantuan crossword puzzle which was a gift to Dad for Christmas or birthday.
This picture of Nancy with Great Aunt Sara TerMaat (the two Mrs. Chris TerMaats) was taken shortly after Chris and Nancy were married. Aunt Sara was born in 1885 so she was approaching 100 at the time.
Here is a wedding or engagement photo for Aunt Sara and Uncle Chris. They were married on Valentine's Day in 1912.
Mom included this picture in a round robin and wrote on the back: "Peter's artistry. He took 3 shots, all with the same problem." Actually, the Monet-effect is quite impressive! But I still think Pete deserves some kind of 'Most Improved Photographer' award. This is Mom and Dad by the flower garden in River Falls, that much I can tell. Date and occasion unknown but I assume Pete was going through some kind of clumsy teenage phase.
Recently, Pete, Mom and I were reminiscing about our trips to Deer Lake in the winter, which Pete was too young to remember. He was particularly interested in the logistics, eg. the snowshoes used to hike in, but unfortunately there is no photographic record for that. But we do have photos collected from 1968, '69 and '71. Evie was along for the fun in '68.
This mailbox is in our backyard and is a repository for gardening tools. I think thoughts of green, growing things should bring a little warmth to the long nights, no?
In the picture below, I love how Mom is all prim and proper in an apron, oblivious to how bizarre her son posed in a rainslicker with gun is going to look fifty years from now. It sure is more interesting than our other standard Christmas poses of cute kids in 'jammies! So take this as a tip for your photos this year: try to get your kids to look as ridiculous as possible for the benefit of future generations!
Speaking of pipsqueaks that won't sit still for their Christmas portaits... Actually I think capturing the wigglies on camera like this is rather brilliant.
Two different Christmases here, one at Marshall Court and the other at 1228. One with fidgety pipsqueaks and one without. Be sure to click on the picture above to see Gracie's bird.
Max did a little dance for us last time he visited which reminded me of this picture of his Daddy being a goofball. These photos were taken in Hattie's backyard in Sheboygan-- apparently they had a bit of a flood that year. (And no it's not your eyes. It was a crappy camera with a shaky operator.)
TerMaats have so many fish pictures that look similar to this one that it
Baby Ann and Hugo.
In the picture below, I love how Mom is all prim and proper in an apron, oblivious to how bizarre her son posed in a rainslicker with gun is going to look fifty years from now. It sure is more interesting than our other standard Christmas poses of cute kids in 'jammies! So take this as a tip for your photos this year: try to get your kids to look as ridiculous as possible for the benefit of future generations!
Speaking of pipsqueaks that won't sit still for their Christmas portaits... Actually I think capturing the wigglies on camera like this is rather brilliant.
Two different Christmases here, one at Marshall Court and the other at 1228. One with fidgety pipsqueaks and one without. Be sure to click on the picture above to see Gracie's bird. 
