Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 72

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I quick note to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my friends and relatives around the world.

Love y'all,

Nancy

A Southern Christmas

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

While visiting my folks in Florida this month, I snapped this photo of Holiday decorations, Florida style. This home is on Country Club Drive at the Spruce Creek Fly-in, a gated community with its own airport, in Port Orange.

Click on the photo for a closeup of all those BALLS....
Ho, Ho, Ho!
Nancy

Family Diaries & a 1925 Meteor Sighting

Rediscovering old, musty journals of long-dead family members was a treat. You never know what you will find!
Nancy
Dec. 8, 1885 Cold & pleasant. H* gone to Hardwick. Wm** don't know where to go, but goes to the Bend this afternoon pleasant & cold. I iron, cut R*** a shirt, sew some. H comes home.
*H might be her son Harvey by Joseph Bean **Wm is her 2nd husband William Folsom. ***R might be her son Russel.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom (age 58)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died fighting in the Civil War

Dec. 8, 1925 South Fairlee, VT
32˚ a. Cloudy, some sun at noon, spit snow p.m.  F.* & R. go to woods with both horses. I wash, mop, and help H. with barn chores, saw. Write to Willard J. Fisher, Harvard College Observatory about meteor.** Write to John C. Badger about our branch of family.
*F is her husband Frank (actually Benjamin Franklin Badger) R is her son Ralph.  **newspaper clipping attached earlier where she wrote to paper about seeing the meteor on Nov. 5
Eva Bean Badger (age 62)
Dec. 8, 1932 Pittsfield, NHDoctor calls to see Paul. Says he is overtired.
*Paul is my late father-in-law
Lester Bean Badger 

Dec. 8, 1971 Peterboro, NHTommey '17* 24˚. Sunny. Change my bed & wash. Vac & dust mop all around. L** writes, does dishes & dusts. Cloudy in p.m. After naps L writes & I fold & put away clothes. Address some more cards.
*This is Dorothea Sawyer Badger, their daughter-in-law & it is her birthday. (my late mother-in-law) Her nickname is Tommey Sawyer. **L is his wheelchair-bound wife, Lillian Robinson, my husband's grandmother.
Lester Bean Badger

TIME MARCHES ON

The dairies and cash expenditure booklets came to us through my husband's family, and when our son visited the other day, he and I started sorting them. The astonished look on his face as he read the writer's name and the date, made me realize we'd found treasure!

I want to share these snippets of daily life, mostly in northern New England, and far from the 'easy life' we live today. Enjoy! Comments welcome.

Nancy Spinning yarn
Nov. 30, 1887 I go to see G, have a minute to spin 2 skeins. Beautiful day, would like to go.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom (age 60)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died in the Civil War

Nov. 30, 1923 South Fairlee, VTBegan raining middle of night and poured all day. R. & H. got breakfast & all churn 33# butter. I help & clean up things. Lester*, Lillian, & Paul drive up from Windsor in the rain, get here at noon. Awfully glad to see them. I mend & c. an keep H's room. Nice letter from Jessie.
*Lester is her son, Lillian is Lester's wife, & Paul is my late father-in-law
Eva Bean Badger (age 60)

Nov. 30, 1937 West Fairlee, VT24˚a. Pleasant. R.* goes out with rifle in a.m. I sweep & dust mop. Jessie, May & daughter Rachel drive in just before 11, find me ironing curtains. They help me get them up. They bring tripe, angle (sic) cake, pt. oysters & crackers. Also grapes, go with venison, potatoes & pie & bread so we have plenty to eat. Have nice visit. Company leaves about 3:30. So glad to see our dear friends.
*R is her son Ralph.
Eva Bean Badger (age 74)
Nov. 30, 1971 Peterboro, NHWe get meals & that is about all. Get nice letter from Paul. 40˚ max. (note on this date printed in diary says "Have you ordered your diary for 1972?' Have it.
*Paul is my late father-in-law.
Lester Bean Badger (age 78)

LIFE BACK WHEN...NEW ENGLAND STYLE

The dairies and cash expenditure booklets came to us through my husband's family, and when our son visited the other day, he and I started sorting them. The astonished look on his face as he read the writer's name and the date, made me realize we'd found treasure!

I want to share these snippets of daily life, mostly in northern New England, and far from the 'easy life' we live today. Enjoy! Comments welcome.

Nancy
Nov. 27 1874, West Wheelock, VTWarmer. Wm & Harvey gone to Greensboro. Alin Ingalls & boy called here. Looks like rain.
*Wm is her 2nd husband, William. Harvey is her son by Joseph Bean.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom (age 47)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died in the Civil War
West Wheelock, Vermont
Nov. 27, 1888
Aggie washing. I knit some, cut Wm pants and go work in chamber, colder.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom (age 61)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died in the Civil War

Nov. 27, 1914 South Fairlee, VT
Warm. Pleasant. Dad and I drive to Ordway place in a.m. deer hunting but see nothing but one doe. Get home at noon. I develop pictures in p.m. and we lead heifer to Turner's. Dad & mother drive with me to station at 7:35, Arrive here at 8:45 p.m.
Lester Bean Badger (age 21)

Nov. 27, 1925 South Fairlee, VT
28˚a. Begins to snow before 7 a.m. and keeps it up all day. High wind. F. & R. get ready for woods but storm prevents so they go with cutter & F. gets chains & bolts at Wilson's. R. goes for feed. Bertha came with him and sweep his room and mend. Take things easy. Finish letter to Mrs. Nobb that I began last Tuesday. Card from Lillian.
*F is her husband Frank (actually Benjamin Franklin Badger) R is her son Ralph, Lillian Robinson is son Lester's wife.
Eva Bean Badger (age 62)

A TREASURE TROVE OF FAMILY HISTORY

The dairies and cash expenditure booklets came to us through my husband's family, and when our son visited the other day, he and I started sorting them. The astonished look on his face as he read the writer's name and the date, made me realize we'd found treasure!
This is one reason why I am sharing these snippets of daily life, mostly in northern New England, and far from the 'easy life' we live today.

Enjoy! Comments welcome.

Nancy
West Wheelock, looking toward Greensboro, Vermont
Nov 22 1874 West Wheelock, VT
Pleasant, 10 degs above zero. Don't go to meeting. Russel gone to meeting. Very nice evening.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom  (age 47)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died in the Civil War

Nov 22 1937 West Fairlee, VT22˚  Ground a bit white with snow. Spits snow some during day. Fluvia about, sick with cold. No callers. F & I read and think.
Eva Bean Badger  (age 74)

Nov 22 1969 Peterborough, NH17˚  Clear & cold NW wind. We shop some. L gets dress from Ward's.
Lester Bean Badger  (age 76)

Nov 22 1972 Peterborough, NH13˚  sunny. 10: Haircut. I shop a bit. L doesn't get out of car. Goes to bed when we have had a bit to eat. She feels some better in eve & eats good supper. Listen to Celtics * in eve.
*Boston Celitcs Basketball team
Lester Bean Badger  (age 79)

ON OPENING A FAMILY TIME CAPSULE

While cleaning out a small room next to the kitchen, searching for my turkey roaster pan, I stumbled across a storage bin filled with musty journals. Packed away through two house moves, I knew they were there. Unfortunately, I never seemed to find the time to really look at them.

The dairies and cash expenditure booklets came to us through my husband's family, and when our son visited the other day, he and I started sorting them. The astonished look on his face as he read the writer's name and the date, made me realize we'd found treasure!

I want to share these snippets of daily life, mostly in northern New England, and far from the 'easy life' we live today. Enjoy! Comments welcome.

Nancy


Nov 21 1872 Wheelock, VTPleasant and not very cold. Going down to Freemans to see Esther is quite slim with a cold. Dutton came to hire a teacher. Eva gone home with Julia Knit most a mitten
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom  (age 45)
*she remarried after Joseph Abner Bean died in the Civil War

Nov 21 1879 Wheelock, VT
Cold wind blows, hard snow flies all over. Sick. Harvey gone up to Mr. Nutts. Me cut and salt the pork.
Lodema Kingsbury Bean Folsom  (age 52)

Nov 21 1900 Danville, VT
Cloudy, warm. R. harlowe (sic) in a.m.  I clean shed-room. F + boys chop. 3 p.m. rain + severe wind, some thunder.
Ralph Badger  (age 11)

Nov 21 1909 Danville, VT 
Cloudy and warm Snow all gone. F & L putter around barn all a.m. I write to Eliza.  
Eva Lodema Badger (age 46)

Nov 21 1932 Pittsfield, NHCloudy + cold. Chichester in a.m. Pittsfield in p.m. P teacher meeting at 4 to plan PTA mtg. Work until 2:35 a.m. +24˚
Lester Bean Badger (age 39)
* my husband's grandfather, who I met in 1973

HUG A VETERAN

November 11th is Veteran's Day here in America. This year it lands on 11*11*11. The signifigance is not lost on many. The celebration is always held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This year will be the first time all the numbers line up.

Speaking of lining up, I plan to watch my son march in our local parade with his fellow reservists. I cannot help being proud, and came across this quote. Unless you are in the military, or are part of a military family, or the mother of a soldier (like me), these words might not mean much. I hope you read them, feel them, and thank a soldier.
My son Eric is on the far right!
Theirs is not to make reply. Theirs is not to reason why, Theirs is but to do and die. -Alfred, Lord Tennyson

ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS. DO IT!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined. This is great news! And the relief of knowing you are okay is sweet and worth the few minutes of discomfort!

I had my annual mammogram last Thursday. Since I left last year with an appointment card in my hand, I knew this day was coming for 12 months. No, it is not my favorite exam, but I believe the peace-of-mind is worth the time it takes to drive to the clinic, and have the test. I have had mammograms for over 20 years because I have lost too many friends as well as a beloved aunt to breast cancer.
I have many more books to write. Having the test on Thursday, and recieving the letter stating I am cancer-free on Saturday made my weekend. Knowing I am healthy is one more stress removed. October is Breast Cancer awareness month, so get your mammogram today! Nancy  

WHAT TO DO BEFORE A FIRE

October is National Fire Prevention Month so I thought I would share this important information with my readers, courtesy of FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/fire/fire_before.shtm

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of a fire:
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke alarms. Properly working smoke alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.Place smoke alarms on every level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.
Escaping the Fire
Review escape routes with your family. Practice escaping from each room.Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside.Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire.Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate.
Flammable Items
Never use gasoline, benzine, naptha, or similar flammable liquids indoors.Store flammable liquids in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.Never smoke near flammable liquids.Discard all rags or materials that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container.Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher than the roof. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.
Heating Sources
Be careful when using alternative heating sources.Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community. Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.Use only the type of fuel designated for your unit and follow manufacturer's instructions.Store ashes in a metal container outside and away from your residence.Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
Matches and Smoking
Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated. Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
Electrical Wiring
Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician.Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.Do not overload extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.Make sure insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.
Other
Sleep with your door closed.Install A-B-C-type fire extinguishers in your residence and teach family members how to use them.Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention
Also, in case of a fire, don't be a hero…call 9-1-1 and wait for the people better trained to deal with the dangers of smoke and fire. Be safe!

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Nancy, former EMT, Firefighter, and 9-1-1 Dispatcher,
now author of
LOVE TO THE RESCUE
Available from Red Rose Publishing
and Amazon