Links for Fred Marchant

I recently did a Google search for Dad and found that this Church News article from when he was made Stake President.  In those days, they were able to do a longer article for each new Stake Presidency.  The link is HERE.

Also, I read about a website for graves around the world, findagrave.com.  There is a picture and information about Dad's grave site HERE.

The Fence:

Looking at the picture of the fence in front of the house I was thinking that Fred and Ione's grandchildren and great grandchildren, probably did not know the fence was ever there.  This picture of the front fence with the front porch in the background reminded me how the fence provided a dividing line along with the sidewalks, for the family lawn work assignments.  The fence and sidewalks were used to split the lawn into 6 separate pieces (6 kids needing a job..... just goes to show you that Fred was a pretty sharp math teacher & never think Ione didn't know the correct number of jobs needed as well).   Anyway the 6 areas gave every child a piece that they would take a turn in mowing their section of lawn each time and raking if needed.  The smallest piece of lawn that everyone wanted, was the side piece next to the driveway.  Getting this small assignment was like hitting the lottery, since it was the smallest and in about 3 passes you could be done mowing your assigned area.  And then the next week we would rotate to one of the other pieces and so on.  Now Fred and Ione showed the ability to adapt their math skills based on the number of kids available each time we mowed the lawn.  Since "6 kids a mowing" was a limited engagement.  Because not all of the kids would have been old enough to mow the lawn when they first moved in.  And it took a number of years to get all 6 big enough to mow and by then the older ones were getting old enough to go to college and moved on with there lives.  We adapted our math skills to divide the chore of mowing so that it could get done without being to hard for any one person. At times we would take turns cutting a few rounds then the next person would take a turn and so on.  No self propelled or riding mower in those days and if we did not keep it cut the long grass had to be raked and that was a real pain.  We tried not to let that happen. 


I also remember in the summer and fall most Sunday evenings the lawn between the fence and the road was used as the "community football field".  It seemed everyone came to play and when it got to dark to play, it usually ended up being a great place to talk, into the warm summer nights or cool fall evenings.  After a while in the dark, Ione would open the front door, telling us it was late and time to come into the house.  Of course, I being very obedient would always hurry in.... my sisters.... well I can't remember if they were as obedient as I was or not.  (I am sure they will be happy to tell you if they were or were not.... if you dare ask)

If memory serves the fence out front, was taken out after lighting struck the pine tree which is now just a stump and has flowers on top.  I recall the fence was fun because you could walk on top of it from the back to the front and back again.  Problems were encountered when someone else was coming in the opposite direction and if you could not work together to step around each other.
I also remember the titter totter which was made from an old wagon wheel axle with wooden spoke wheels (just like the Pioneers used, pulled by either horse or oxen), one wheel is now next to the South side of the house and is used as a decoration.  A number of years ago I took a piece of wood from the original axle and gave a piece of it to a friend of ours in Spring Creek, NV (John Lynch) who made knives. Now this was a block of old ugly wood about 9 inches long and 4 inches square faded and rotting on the edges.  The middle was very hard and was cut probably 12 years before and set aside.  I remember it was difficult to cut and had hoped to do something with it... so I asked him to make a letter opener...    After a few discussions, he convinced me to let him make a knife instead and if Ione wanted to open a letter the knife could easily do that as well.... So I consented and he then shaped a handle out of the small block of axle I gave him (White Oak) and used it to make a knife for Ione.  If you want to see a very nice knife with a piece of the original axle made into the handle ask Ione if she will show you it. I am sure she would be happy to show it to you, it is beautiful and by the way it is a very sharp knife so be careful.

Well these are just a few of my thoughts as I looked at the picture on the blog and remembered.  And by the way in a few weeks the bush near the right of the steps at the front of the house will bloom into a pink "cotton candy" color and always was a welcome sight letting us know spring had sprung in Peoa...

General Conference

I was thinking about General Conference just the other day and what it was like in Peoa. What I remember about conference with our family was first coming home from school on Friday's and having it on the Radio as Mom was finishing cleaning the house for the weekend or cooking dinner. Back in those days we had Conference for three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There was a total of 7 sessions with Priesthood.
We listened to as much as we could. We still had to do chores on Saturday with the farm, but had it on all the time if we were by a radio.
During October conference, I remember going up the canyon to get the cattle from being on the range all summer. I remember there were some times when I was waiting at the truck for others to come and would turn the radio on to listen as I waited. It was a beautiful time - the leaves were changing, it was ususally a sunny day.
April - I remember if it rained we would say - "when the saint meet the heavens weep". Some times we had snow never knew what the weather would be.
Sundays, we were required to listen and watch the two sessions. We could do things to keep busy as we set there - crochet, puzzles, etc. When the prophet came on to give the closing address - if we were not in front of the TV, we were called back into the front room to listen.
After Dad became Bishop and Stake President, he ended up going to conference as often as he could. I think the Priesthood leaders were the ones that had the tickets for the ground floor of the tabernacle.

Easter

Here are some of my memories of Easter:

Colored eggs. We colored a lot of eggs - I think we usually got 3 to 4 eggs each. We did the coloring around the kitchen table. This was one time I remember ever using the good china cups. I remember using regular food color sometimes with vinegar and using a crayon or candle to write on the eggs prior to coloring them. We then hid them alot on Sunday Easter morning in the two front rooms, Dad was the one that hid them for us to start with, then we all took turns hiding them. We always made deviled eggs out of them for Easter dinner.
I only remember not finding one for a while after Easter, we had to count them to make sure we had them all every time.

Easter baskets - we really didn't have baskets. I think dad was too practical to have the basket and then have to store them for the rest of the year. We did get candy each year - I remember it being mainly chocolate, could be that was what I liked so that is what I remember. The other candy I remember we got was peeps, but chocolate was the favorite and something we all liked. I do remember going to Salt Lake and going to a candy factory and getting their second's. We did this a few times during the year and then closer to Easter we got baggies of the candy for our individual Easter Candy. I remember one Christmas also having that candy along with some hard tac candy for our Christmas socks (as an extra treat). That was always a fun trip to Salt Lake being able to help pick the candy.

Spring in Peoa

April will soon be here.  Consider these topics and write a post.  You can do it!
* April 2 will mark the 58th Anniversary of Mom and Dad's wedding.  What memories do you have of them together as a couple?  
* What do you remember about General Conference time with our family?  
* What stands out as you think about Easter at the Marchant home?

Celestial Math

Louise, thanks for starting this Blog.

I must comment on Mom and Dad and the picture on their honeymoon. The car is so noticeable. I have to say I am so glad they got married and started our family. After seminary I often talk to the other teachers and one was speaking of her family growing. She spoke of it being wonderful how Heavenly Father uses "Celestial Math" with families. It all starts with just two and then it grows and is so wonderful as more and more join in the family. I'm sure Mom and Dad didn't realize what they were starting then, but I for one, am very grateful. Dad was always good at math, and it continues.

Hopefully we can all continue to add a little to our family history as we continue to add to the family.

Becky Nielson

Welcome to the Marchant Family Blog!  I hope you'll all participate to make this a fun site as we share memories and create a meaningful family history.

To begin, here are some pictures Rachel used in our 2012 calendar.

Fred in the kitchen in Peoa, still one of the most comfortable places in the house.

Check out that wallpaper!

Fred and Ione on their Honeymoon, 1954

Ione at her parent's in Woodenshoe

Ione & Fred.  That's an afghan Dad made.

  OK.  Come back often and contribute!