C.Y. Bourgeois's Blog

Solitude

Come with me up this wooded shady path. This I think, will be a walk in search of solitude.
Such a beautiful place – this mountain trail, the greens, blues and even the shady places hold a fascination for me. I wonder if the animals that live and walk here are aware of their good fortune – probably not – even we humans fall far short in that respect.
It’s cooler here in the wooded shade but oh so fresh and clean. I wonder why our lives can’t be this way – why can’t people have fresh, pure thoughts and really love each other – then could all people really appreciate nature, the land and each other.
It’s peaceful up here close to the sky. I think I’ll sit here and let my soul soak up the freshness and peace I find here. No noises to irritate the ears and mind, only the sounds of nature to please and soothe the bruised and battered nerves.
The wind is so soft and soothing, just that fresh, easy breeze to clear the mind. The smells of cleanness everywhere, dew on the grass and bushes, and that sky – from here it resembles a lovely blue blanket dotted here and there with the fluffy white that makes me think of sterile cotton.
How I wish everyone of all nations could find their place of solitude, then maybe some of the world’s ills could be cured.
My solitude is here – in this land called Alaska. I ask only to be able to live here in peace and to be able to truly enjoy the lessons nature has to teach to all who care to listen.
Lois E. Schoppe

My Trek

I left my home just after dawn.
My journey had begun.
I was walking toward those distant hills, facing the rising of the sun.
I need to feel the earth as I walk, hear sounds and smells so sweet.
The rushing water in the streams, green, soft grasses beneath my feet.
My mind is clear, my thoughts on things I need to feel and understand.
God must have loved Alaska; it was he who formed this land.
I feel that I, though just a speck, my journey just begun, know now for sure as God made me, he made the land of the midnight sun.


May 26, 1983 Lois E. Schoppe

Together Forever

Mom and Dad had an agreement, one year in Alaska and if she still wanted to go back to Michigan, they would.

Needless to say, that never happened. Mom loved it as much as Dad did and never wanted to leave.

The rest of their story is simple, two years after Billy, they had me. Mom drove up with Billy and me and, after Dad got a job at the power plant in Fort Greely, we lived in Delta Junction, where they had Lori. Melanie was born later, after we moved to the Matanuska Valley. Together they raised four kids and lived the adventure of life in the last frontier.

My next several posts will contain poems Mom wrote about her life in Alaska and there is where, I'm sad to say, this blog will end. Their lives were full and happy and now they sleep, together forever, in the cold, hard country they loved so much.

What more is there to say?


Please join me next week for the first of Mom's poems: My Trek

You Got Yourself a Boy, Part II (Conclusion)

November 1957
Another man wandered up to stand beside Bill as he stared at his son. “That your kid?” Bill swallowed the lump in his throat. “My first. A boy.”  He turned to the man. “Isn’t he something?” The man smiled, showing off a black gap where his two front teeth used to hang out.  “He’s a fat one, that’s for sure.” Bill stared at the man for a second and wondered if that comment should piss him off.  He turned back to his son. Red hair, miniature Michelin Man arms ending in chubby hands folded against round little pink cheeks. He laughed. “You’re right, he is fat.” “That’s okay, though, means he’s healthy. Don’t want no skinny babies.” The man nodded his thanks as Bill handed him a cigar. “Don’t mind if I do. Thanks.” He stuck the cigar in his shirt pocket and pointed at a bassinet kitty corner from Bill’s baby.  “That’un’s mine. Girl number five. Not as fat as your kid, but good and healthy.” Turning away from the glass he smacked Bill on the shoulder. “You got yourself a boy, lucky you. Congratulations, man.” He ambled off down the hall. “Yeah, thanks.  You too.” Bill raised his voice so the guy could hear as he walked away. The man waved as he walked, turned the corner and disappeared. He stood in front of the glass for a few more minutes, then motioned at the nurse.  She nodded and placed the baby back in the bassinet. Stripping off her mask and apron, she walked to the inner door. A few minutes later she appeared, white uniform and cap as stiff as ever, beside Bill. “Can I see my wife now?” He said, still staring at his son. “He’s so tiny.” “He’s a beautiful little boy,” she said. “Red hair and blue eyes.” “Thanks.” Bill turned and beamed a smile her way. “Nice and healthy too.” “Fat.” The nurse’s eyes went wide. “No. That’s not what—” Bill’s smile never wavered. “I know. I’m just kidding.” She put a hand to her cheek and smiled. “Oh, good. I thought I may have offended you or something.” “It would take a lot more than that to insult me.” Bill’s lopsided smile faded. “My wife?” “Oh dear, yes, of course.” Smiling, she turned and started off down the hall in the same direction the gap-toothed father of five girls had gone. “Right this way.” She motioned behind her retreating back. “Follow me.”         

You Got Yourself a Boy, Part I

November 1958
Bill paced around the small, green and white room.  Back and forth, up and down.Clair glanced up from the Popular Mechanics magazine in which his nose had been buried.  “Bill, you’re going to wear a hole in the carpeting.”Bill stopped in his tracks and looked up.  His gazed into the distance like a man in a trance. His interlaced fingers whitened as he tightened his hands’ grip on each other. “What could be taking so long?”“It’s a boy,” a white-clad nurse announced from the door of the waiting room.Bill turned so fast he nearly lost his balance. The worry lines around his eyes relaxed as they widened and his mouth opened into an O, then stretched into a big smile. “A boy?” He whirled around to all the people stuffed into the room. His and Lois’s immediate families, and Mark and Anna, all jumped up and stood shoulder-to-shoulder, all grinning like a pack of fools.  “It’s a boy!” Bill yelled. Everybody surged forward and started talking at once. They pounded on his back and shoulders from every direction.  He laughed and nudged his way through the pack. “Thank you.  Clair, pass out the cigars, would you.” His eyes moistened and his smile beamed like the sun. “I’m going to go meet my boy.”  To the nurse, he said, “How’s my wife?”“She’s just fine Mr. Schoppe.” The nurse spoke without turning. “Her labor was hard, but she came through like a real trouper. She’s a tough young woman.”Relieved, Bill laughed. “You don’t even know the half of it.” He stopped and turned.  A cheer went up. Grinning, he turned back. The nurse was gone.Poking his head out the doorway, he looked to his left and then to his right. He spotted a white cap over a short bob of brown curls bouncing down the hallway. “There she is,” he muttered, hurrying to catch up. He followed her through a set of double doors and stopped in front of a wall, the top half of which was glass. Behind the glass two rows of bassinets. Bill’s eyes glistened as he looked at the rows of babies. “Which one is mine?” he said, without turning.The nurse said, “just one moment.” She walked down the hall and went in through a door.  A few agonizing minutes later she reappeared on the other side of the glass, masked, gloved and wrapped in a surgical gown. She picked her way between the bassinets and stopped at one right in front of where Bill stood with his nose centimeters away from the glass. She caught his eye and hers crinkled above the mask.Bill pointed. “Is that him?”She nodded and picked up the squirming bundle. She held him out like a doll on display.  “Wow,” Bill said. His eyes watered and he dabbed at them with the rolled-up cuff of his denim shirt.

Final Letter, Part III (Postscripts)

August 13, 1962 Fairbanks, Alaska
P.S. Check with the insurance office and get a pink slip to come through Canada. Also, when you get ready to exchange your money don’t exchange it all because in Canada you gain money, exchanging back to ours you lose. Exchange about $100.00 to Canadian and if you need more you can get a little more exchanged. Also, I just found out it might be a good idea to have the car’s insurance policy, registration and maybe your birth certificate too.
You never know what they’ll ask for at the border. If you bring the 25-caliber pistol, you’d better send it to me or hide it real good and tell them at the border you don’t have a hand gun with you. Can you make room for my bow?
Hope this answers all the questions about the trip. By the way Honey, when you get on the Alcan at Dawson Creek the best speed to travel is between 50 -60. Can you pick up a couple of natural rubber inner tubes to carry along? They can be put inside tubeless tires and save a lot of trouble.
Sweetheart, knowing you, you’ll make the trip with flying colors.Love and kisses,Your husband, Bill
P.S. Am sending you my St. Christopher medal to protect you on the way. Also sending my camera so you can take pictures on the way. You should get some good ones.
When you get to Dawson Creek take your time and enjoy the scenery and obey the signs on the Alcan after you leave D. Creek. Believe me, I know they mean what they say.
Love Always,Bill

Final Letter, Part II

August 13, 1962 Fairbanks, Alaska
By the way, did you get 2 letters with money in them? One with $80.00, the other $100.00, sure hope so and was kind of stupid of me to send it that way. Am sending you last week’s and this week’s money in this check, probably take next week’s for apartment rent.
Honey, check at the insurance office and tell them you’re going to drive through Canada and would like a pink card, also if our road service is good there. Also, when you’re ready to enter Canada, exchange our money for theirs because the people won’t give you the difference on it. You see Canadian money is worth 10 cents less on the dollar than ours and then when you get to Alaska exchange it back for ours again. Also, bring all the winter clothing you got.
Sweetheart, I hope I’ve finally done the right thing for once and told you enough so you won’t have too much trouble. As a matter of fact, none.
I know this is a mighty big step but we can always go back. I’ve got to give it a try though. Also, everybody thought I was nuts when I came up, well maybe I am. When you get here, I’d be more than willing to take the kids and let you collapse even for two weeks.
Sure am getting anxious to see you all, can’t hardly wait. Here’s hoping the kids aren’t too much bother on the trip. They both like to travel so much. Do you think they will?
Honey, I’m going to send you 2 phone numbers, one is the Riviera Boatel and that number is GLobe 6-4191, the other is Persinger’s Service Station where I work, that no. is GLobe 6-4200. If you call I’ll be at the station at least till 6, sometimes till 8 and at the boat all evening.Honey, I do love you very much and know you get real mad at me at times but I have even missed a few meals so I could send money home. So please be patient and don’t be too hard on me when you get here.Sweetheart, maybe I haven’t answered all your questions and everything this time but want to get this in the mail so you can get started as soon as possible. Can’t hardly wait to see and hold you close and cuddle up to you at night.
Am going to close now so I can get this mailed in the morning so you’ll get it. Sending all my love and kisses to you and the kids. Hoping to see you real soon.
Give everybody my love and tell them I’m doing okay and just waiting for you and the kids to get here.
All my love and kisses,Your loving husband,Bill
…to be continued

**My family is fortunate to have this written proof of how much Mom and Dad loved each other and us. As these letters come to an end, I can't help but experience a growing sadness. Almost as though I'm saying goodbye to them again.

(**) Author’s note.

Final Letter, Part I

August 13, 1962 Fairbanks, Alaska
Dearest Lois & kids:
Got your letter today and was sure glad to hear from you. Time does go fast for me being I’m working 9 to 11 hours a day. Also overtime I put in is time and a half which helps a lot. I get paid today and will send you some money and am going to see Neil and find out if he has his ½ of the expenses.
Well sweetheart, I talked to Neil and he is going to send Irene $100.00 this week and another $100.00 to Dawson Creek for her to pick up when you get there. I’m sending a check. For $200.00 which should take care of all the expenses, food and lodging for you and the kids. So, when you get this letter you can plan on leaving any time you want to and Irene is ready. You’re supposed to get $75.00 from her for her half of the expenses.
Now for the route: go the same way we did. We went up to the Straits and took Highway 2 right straight through Minot, N.D., Highway 52 from Minot to Portal on the border where you cross, then Highway 39 in Canada. Take it to Corinne then hit Highway 6 to Regina. Regina to Saskatoon Highway 11. 11 North out of Saskatoon about 14 miles to Highway 5. Highway 5 changes to 16 when you get into Alberta, Canada. Highway 16 goes right through Edmonton where you pick up 43 to Valleyview. At Valleyview take 34 to Grande Prairie then 2 to Dawson Creek. From there on you’re on the Alcan Highway.
Sweetheart, the letter you wrote the 7th I didn’t get until today so I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much worry and heartache. Please forgive me.
Honey, I’m glad you rented it (**the trailer) instead of trying to sell it. Who knows, maybe we will need it again. I sure hope not. Don’t get me wrong honey, I’m not trying to tell you to like it up here that will be up to you. But I can always hope, can’t I?
It sure is nice to catch heck even in the mail and I guess I’ve got it coming.
to be continued...
(**) Author's note

Big Dreams, Conclusion

April 1958Michigan
Lois started laughing which got her sisters, all six of them, going and pretty soon the Allen girls were laughing so hard tears rolled down their cheeks. Smiling, Bill shook his head.  Cliff and Violet Allen and Bill’s folks, Willy and Ida Schoppe sat in chairs at the front of the crowded room across the table from the couple. Cliff leaned over to their future son-in-law’s parents.  “You do know your son is marrying into a crazy family, don’t you?” Cliff said with a grin.Willy and Ida smiled. “We do now,” Willy said.     Then somebody shouted, “open the presents,” and Lois wiped her tears away with the handkerchief Bill handed her.  Still giggling, Lois picked up a silver-wrapped gift and held it out to Bill to help with the ripping and tearing.Later, after everyone had left. Lois surveyed the room. They were surrounded by ribbons, torn wrapping paper and slightly tattered paper decorations. The crumbling remnants of the beautiful cake Florence had taken hours to create and everybody had gobbled down in minutes still sat in the middle of the table. She grabbed a trashcan and started cleaning up. Bill, Florence, Clair and the kids joined her and in thirty minutes they had the room back to normal.“That was fun,” Lois said, dropping the last handful of crinkled paper in the trash. She looked at her sister. “Thank you for doing this.” Turning to her brother-in-law, she added, “You too, Clair.  We really appreciate you donating your home to have this party for us.”Clair, tall, thin, and stoic, chewed the ever-present cigar stub in his mouth and thought for a moment before plucking the stub out of his mouth. He walked over to Lois and put a hand on her shoulder. “Lois, after all you’ve done for us over the years, having an engagement party for you is the least we can do.”Lois’s eyes glistened as she stared up at Clair. The room went quiet as everybody turned to listen.“In fact, Florence and I have decided that after you get married, we want to, not only throw your reception party here at Camp Withers but, we want to give you a great deal on that nice little trailer you’ve been living in. We want you to live here, close to us.” He glanced down at her waistline. “And raise your kids with ours.”Lois blushed and put a hand to her cheek. “Oh…” The glistening turned into real tears and a couple slipped out when she turned to Bill. “Bill? Would that be alright with you? To live here, I mean. I know the party is fine, but what do you think about living here? That way we could-”“Sweetheart,” Bill said, interrupting her flow of words. He walked over and grabbed Clair’s hand, shook it, and looked at Florence. She stood beaming from the far corner of the room with a half full garbage bag dangling from her hand. “I think that’s one of the best idea’s I’ve heard in a long time.  And thank you, to both of you. We accept your offer as long as the price is fair. For you. Don’t go too easy on us just because we’re family.” He raised his eyebrows at Clair who stuck the stogy back in his teeth and nodded. “Plus,” he went back to his fiancée and draped his arm over her shoulders, “It’ll only be temporary.”Lois’s eyebrows shot up and she raised wide eyes to his face.  “Once we save up enough money to buy a house,” Bill said with a smile. “Or move to Alaska.”The kids ran forward and shouted at once. “You’re going to live here!” “Yay!” “Alaska?”Larry’s eyes shone like a beacon. “If you move to Alaska can we come and visit? I’ve always wanted to go there.”“Of course, you can,” Bill said.Larry beamed.“But, Uncle Bill,” Lorraine said, her eyes wide. “That’s too far away.”   Bill glanced down at Lois. She remained silent, but her lips were in a tight line and her eyes flashed up at him. He smiled at his niece. “Don’t worry, we’ll be here for a long time. He glanced at his fiancée. “Maybe forever.”Keeping her eyes on the kids, she nodded. “We haven’t even talked about it yet.” She shrugged out from under his arm. “But we’ll be discussing it later.”  She grabbed her sister’s hand. “Thank you, Florence.” Smiled at Clair.  “And you too, Clair. We would love to accept your offer.” She threw Bill a look filled with daggers, but he continued his conversation with the Larry and Fred. She raised her voice to carry through the din of the excited boys. “I can’t think of any place I would rather live than here at Camp Withers with you.”“I’m so glad,” Florence said.  Lorraine stepped between her mom and her aunt. “Please don’t leave us Aunt Lois. We’d miss you too much.”Lois hugged her. “Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere. We’ll be right here. With you.” “Good.” Rainy sniffled and hugged Lois hard around the waist. “Because I can’t imagine growing up without you and Uncle Bill around.” “Don’t worry, you won’t,” Lois said, glancing at Bill with her eyebrows pinched together. 

Big Dreams, Part I

April 1958Michigan


Lois and Bill’s engagement party was in full swing, the volume deafening. Bill tapped on his glass with a spoon and raised his beer. The room quieted.
“To my beautiful almost sister-in-law, Florence, thank you for the cake. You make the prettiest ones around and delicious too. And thank you to you and the girls,” he tipped his glass in the general direction of the small crowd gathered around the long table loaded with a three-tiered cake and gifts, for the real nice decorating job.”
Somebody hollered, “Hear, hear.” And the clinking of glasses commenced around the room.
“To Clair, my-soon-to-be brother-in-law, thanks for letting us use your home.” He swept an arm around the cool interior of the brick-walled basement, where the Edinger family, all five of them, lived while finishing the upstairs of their dream house. “For our engagement party.”
He draped his sweeping arm over Lois’s shoulder and pulled her close. She grinned and snuggled into his side.
Larry, the eldest Edinger boy, at fifteen almost as big and tall as Bill, whooped and hefted his glass of coke. “To Aunt Lois and Uncle Bill. May you always be as happy as you are right now.”
“Yeah!” Fred yelled. Fred was the youngest of the three Edinger siblings. Skinny and pale, eleven-year-old Fred had been a sickly kid throughout his baby and toddler years. In the last few years he’d grown strong and had recently experienced a growth spurt. Fred was shaping up to be a pretty good basketball player, thanks mostly to years of nursing and are by his mother and his Aunt Lois. Lois had been his live-in babysitter during her teens and early twenties when Florence was out all day working her fingers to the bone at Camp Withers. She had taken on the task of caring for her sick nephew as though he were her own son. “And you better take good care of my Aunt Lois or you’ll have to answer to me!” The boy’s heartfelt sentiment rang out and the crowd roared with laughter. 
“And me,” Larry added, raising his voice to be heard above the happy din.
“And me too,” Lorraine piped up. “And Aunt Lois has to take care of my Uncle Bill too.”
Bill’s eyes twinkled as he laughed. He raised his glass to the kids and sobered. A hush fell on the room. “I swear to do my best to do well by her. And if I don’t, I’ll let you kids tan my hide.” 
  Larry, Lorraine, and Fred stood still and quiet for a second, then all three grinned and raised their cups. 
“You got it, Uncle Bill,” Larry said with a wink and a smile.
to be continued... 
*Note from author: My apologies for being silent for so long. We had several out-of-town guests (including my sister, Lori) over the holidays and for my birthday and that's my only excuse. I will be cutting my posts back to once per week, but will make them longer. Thank you for sticking with me through my journey back in time!