Catherine Sevenau's Blog: Writings~Rambles~Rhymes, page 57

Sonoma Sun #3: Shopping Queen

Many of us have too much stuff, and with the holidays upon us, more creeps into our space. My dilemma is shopping locally, versus not shopping at all. I have young grandchildren, and as much as I like to buy them presents, I refrain and give them money (so they can buy their own stuff), […]

Shopping Queen

Many of us have too much stuff, and with the holidays upon us, more creeps into our space. My dilemma is shopping locally, versus not shopping at all. I have young grandchildren, and as much as I like to buy them presents, I refrain and give them money (so they can buy their own stuff), […]

1903, Canada, Cuba or Bust

A letter from my grandmother, Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield, at age 30, to her younger sister Mamie Chamberlin, age 16. Note: the photo at the bottom is the one she refers to in the letter. October 15th, 1903 • Sulphur, Grand County, Colorado My dear Sister, I received your letter & the pictures some time ago, but you’ve […]

I Sir, Am Not a Bum

Arden was the wanderer in the family, a vagabond of sorts. He traveled the country by hitchhiking and rail, seeing every state except Oklahoma through his dark glasses. Even on the road he was immaculately dressed, favoring light colored slacks and shirts, his shoes always shined. Story has it that he wore two shirts, two […]

Sonoma Sun #2: My impending demise

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Catherine Sevenau ~ “Oma, there’s dead people under those rocks, you know.” I glance over to see what Satchel is talking about. My four-year-old grandson is commenting from his car seat about the small cemetery to our left on East Napa Street. “I know, that’s where they put our bodies […]

An 8” x 10” Color Glossy

June 16, 1956, Upland, California ~ The first time my parents saw each other after their divorce was at Larry and Marian’s wedding. I have an 8” x 10” glossy reminder of the occasion: the respective parents are flanking the bride and groom, Marian’s parents to her right, smiling big and happy, Larry’s to his left, […]

A Chicken Story

It’s been four years since Kim left. She didn’t want to leave and I didn’t want her to go, so we left it at that… “Will you leave me something in your will? No one’s ever left me anything—mainly because most in my family didn’t have much to leave anyone—so just once,” I said, “I’d […]

Butterfly Kisses

1955, San Jose, California ~ Reading was good company and I read whatever was in front of me. I read all four sides of the milk carton, Cheerios box, and C&H container. I read the editor’s notes, publication dates, and fine print in the front of True Detective, Reader’s Digest, and whatever other magazine Mom left on the […]

Zane Gray and Nancy Drew

Audio: click arrow to play ~ I wondered if Mom moved a lot on purpose, holding out for the day I wouldn’t find my way home. Moving all the time made me anxious, especially with not having a good sense of direction. I got around on my own, and as soon as I figured out […]

Sonoma Sun #1: How did I get here?

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Catherine Sevenau ~ In 1943, my father exchanged his iceman’s uniform for a suit and tie. Union Ice Company was having financial difficulties, and Dad had enough sense to get out of the cold. Offered a management position with Sprouse Reitz, he had the option of running a five-and-dime […]