Family gatherings
Last night we went to visit with Jared's cousins. We visited, played video games (I now want Mario bros for wii!), and of course played music. I love that we have been getting together more with these folks. They are wonderful people.
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The Speech
My uncle, gave a wonderful speech on the day of my grandparents' anniversary celebration. My mom passed along a copy of it, and I will pass it along to you.
All of these people you see here this afternoon are the children of Doctor Grafton and Estyl Bowers, along with their spouses and the Bowers grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And we are here to celebrate Doc's 97th birthday, which was yesterday, and Doc and Estyl's 75th wedding anniversary. The family has come from St. Louis, Lathrop, Lee's Summit, Columbia and Warrensburg, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; Glendale, California; and Topeka, Kansas.
Grafton Bowers and Estyl Cowgill were married on June 2, 1935 at the home of Stella Thompson, clerk of the court, in Kingston, Missouri. They had met, rumor has it, at the swimming pool in Cameron. The way I heard it was, Grafton jumped off of the high diving board and made a huge splash, and when he came up, his face was just inches away from the beautiful face of the girl whom he would marry and spend the remainder of his life with.
Doctor Bowers is a 1938 graduate of Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Following his graduation, he and Estyl borrowed money from Dr. Frick, his surgery professor, to buy a car, which would take them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Doc would be a meat inspector for the United States Army. Later they moved to Chicago with the army, and ultimately settled on a farm south of Cowgill where they raised their four children. Doc practiced veterinary medicine for 35 hears all over Caldwell and Ray county. His 1945 and 1946 Willy's Jeeps became an icon to the community. somehow in the midst of everything that happened on that farm, Estyl managed to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Pedagogy from what is now the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, and later, she earned a Master's degree in Music. She taught piano lessons from their home on the farm for over 40 years.
Their four children are Mitchell and wife Agnes, who live in St. Louis; Brenda and husband Pete, who live on a farm east of Lathrop; Ellen who makes her home in Glendale, California; and Charlotte and husband Jim who make their home in Topeka, Kansas.
Music has been a huge part of the Bower's family from the earliest years of their life together. Grafton has played the bass violin, the banjo, mandolin and sings tenor. Estyl plays the violin but is basically a keyboard person, playing the organ, piano, and accordion. Together Grafton and Estyl have been known as "We Two", and they have played impromptu at innumerable community events around the two county area.
As a tribute to our favorite "We Two", the family is going to sing a few songs that we are pretty sure most of you know, and we hope you will sing along.
Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue
Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
The World is Waiting for The Sunrise
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The family
My uncle gave a great speech on the day we went to visit my grandparents. I have not yet got a copy of the speech, but when I do, it would go perfect with this post.
We wowed my grandparents with our expert singing skills. We sang four songs for them. We then played music for them... as they shouted out requests, we played lots of the songs. Only a few we didn't know. The kids gave an impromptu recital, each getting up and playing at least one piece, without hesitation. We served cake, we posed for a photo. My grandpa played this bass again, which was a touching moment. Only a handful of people are missing from this photo.
We made them proud.
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News worthy
Our local school district has decided to go to a four day school week next year. There are strong opinions on both side of this issue. As a parent, I am looking forward to having a three day weekend with my kids. As a salaried employee of the district, I am looking forward to a three day weekend. I am not a teacher. I have not thought it through from a teacher's perspective. The superintendent said that 90% of the teachers were for it. I know there are positives and negatives.
This decision has caused at least four news crews that I know of to visit the school. Exciting stuff.
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Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother's Day to my mommy! Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law! Happy Mother's Day to my Grandma! I'm one lucky lady.
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Auction
Today I went to my second auction in my adult life. I do recall going to auctions with my dad, growing up. But, as an adult, with money, it's different. The above photo, from the first auction. My grandparents. That event was an emotional one. The first half of the day I fought back the tears. The second half of the day, I found enjoyable. The auctioneer was wonderful. He was delightful to listen too. Alex followed him around most of the day, mesmerized.
Today, auction number two. It took place across the street from my folks. They had a couple things I was interested in. It was good, not to have any emotions wrapped up in this sale. However, the auctioneer, was not as charming. I did a lot of comparing throughout the day. It was an interesting time. Alex followed this auctioneer around as well. He loves listening to them.
In good news. I walked away with a washing machine for $15. I've been hauling laundry to my folks' for the past 7 months. My mom told me I still need to come visit.
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Happy May Day
Happy May Day! It's finally here. OUR month. We spent the afternoon and evening in Independence. I needed a book for work, which gave us the excuse to drive there. We enjoyed browsing the books, and managed to just buy four. Not bad. Jonas is now going to clean out my mini van to earn his book, and Caleb will mow the yard. Score. We took our first trip to Bass Pro Shop. That was an experience. Waterfalls, aquariums, stuffed animals, a restaurant, a fudge shop. Wow. We were hunting for some very compact camping chairs for vacation. They had one, but we tested it, and it was NOT comfortable. Looks like we'll take turns sitting on the cooler.
We headed over to Independence Center for the food court. The boys love that we don't have to agree on one restaurant, and everyone gets what they want. Jared and I enjoy the free wifi. The lines though, are not for me. Waiting in 4-5 different lines for food, is rough on a hungry gal.
We finished our night in Guitar Center, testing drums and guitars. I am wanting to get an electric guitar for the family. I think all of the boys would enjoy playing one. We will probably have to add more, once they fall in love, and want to play together, but we'll start with one. I wanted to hear the different sounds of the different brands. I also was looking at amps. I would like to add a pick up to the mandolin. No one could complain that they can't hear me again. I priced things. BUT what I did find... was the coolest, sparkliest guitar. It was a Daisy Rock. I totally want one. I want to learn to play it. I'm hooked. Never mind getting a guitar for the boys. We must get a Daisy Rock.
All in all. A good May Day.
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A good good day
We received the news yesterday, that someone is showing great interest in our house! Now, I'm trying so very very hard, not to get my hopes up, but frankly, I'm just so thrilled to get someone that likes it! We hear so many complaints, and never anything good, that it's just reassuring to know someone out there agrees with us, that it's a good house. So, we'll keep our fingers crossed, and hope St. Joseph casts a magic spell on these people.
Jared had a job interview as well. He rocks at job interviews, so I'm sure all is good in that area. Everyone should keep their fingers crossed for us in that area too!
Really, my whole day was great, just because of these two pieces of great information.
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Slacking
My father pointed out to me today, that I have been slacking on my blog posts. I do see him daily, so I think he has a good idea of what I'm up to, but there are others in the world, whom I know is dying to know what I'm up to.
I am pleased to find a pear tree in our yard. I just love these trees. This one, happens to be buzzing with bees, so I admire it from a distance, but it is oh so beautiful to admire. We will have to plant one when we build our house. Maybe a couple.
I treated myself to a handful of annuals and planted them in a small flowerbed next to our front door. I don't want to tear up the yard in anyway, but there was one small bed already dug. I noticed hostas in it last fall, so, I planted around them. In a month or so, it should be colorful and cheerful.
Only 27.5 days left of the school year. If you're counting. There are no full days off between now and then. I've been getting more and more exhausted each day at work. These are long weeks. There are several field trips I get to attend coming up though, so... that's something.
Nothing else of cultural significance is floating through my head right now.
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Decendants with skill
We had a lovely start to the new year. We visited my grandparents today, and upon instruction, brought musical instruments. I thought we looked rather comical, as we entered the building, each of us carrying a different instrument.
Jonas wowed them on the violin. They bought this violin for me when I was 9. I had been playing the mandolin and banjo, when I went to visit them, but my fingers got so sore from the mandolin. Grandpa handed me this violin and told me, it won't hurt my fingers as much. He reminded me of the story behind it. He bought it from a lady at a flea market for $25. It had been handed down in her family for several generations. He said it was a beautiful instrument, that he just couldn't pass up.
Alex had been wanting to play for some of the residents there. I'm not sure if Grandma had already gotten his letter about that or not. But, when he said he had some piano pieces to play, she hustled us all out the door, into the dining room, for a piano. Grandpa was in the middle of talking (typical), but when everyone but me left, he told me I need to go out there, and show everyone there what his decendants are capable of.
So, Alex played the piano for a bit, doing some duets with Grandma. He played the accordian for a bit, then Jared and I played some together. There were only a handful of people there, but as it got closer to dinner time, we gained a crowd. I think we proved that their decendants are quite talented folks.
At one point in our playing, Grandpa surprised me, by asking for the mandolin. Grandma told me VERY quickly. "Take his picture." Not a request. He hasn't played in awhile. He wanted to find the key Caleb was playing the trumpet in. He laughed when he was done, and told me, his fingers just weren't working, but then told me where to play exactly, to get the chord. So, he must of found it.
All in all, a pretty nice way to start the year off.
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