Margaret's Reply - May 20, '03

Hi, Rog,

Thank you so much for sharing the stories.  I remembered that something like that had happened to Joe but couldn't begin to have told you what.  I had a long phone conversation with Vera  one night probably over a year ago now and she filled me in on Mac and his demise and many other details of that part of the family.   It seems Edna left @ 8 million to three family members, Vera being one of them. 

 I just mailed you addresses and phone numbers for several of the relatives including Vera and Uncle V's daughter Kathy and son Jon Chris.  Jon Chris is a very colorful figure and very unconventional.  He and Jacque have built their house and do a lot of camping and travelling.  He works with school kids writing poetry and she is a belly dancer.  You will find his communications entertaining and fun.  He doesn't write very often--not to me at least--but I have owed him a letter and thank you for poetry books he sent quite some time ago, so I don't have room to cast any stones.

I'd be interested to hear Uncle V's nickname too.  Could it be "Curly?"   Anyway, I hope you have opportunity to engage some of them by phone or letter or e mail.   I am SO glad that you are putting the family history down on your site and will covet a hard copy as you near completion. 

I fondly remember the visits to your family on the farm near Ft. Collins, at La Porte.  Riding Dutchess was one of the great thrills of my childhood.  Stories and info about Rick would be welcomed.  I feel as though I have sort of kept in touch with Byron, but not Rick. 

My dad's dad was an alcoholic and the tendencies were there for my dad but he never got carried away with it.  He did always seem to think a visit to your  home was an occasion to buy a bottle and belt down a few!  I remember being scared riding in the car with him after he had been imbibing.  He died of Parkinson's Disease.   I have pictures I will get together to send ASAP.

                                   Later,
                                    M