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...