July was a busy month. John went to Blair with mom and dad early in the month and when they came back, dad worked on John’s Honda some. I have the cutest pictures of John sitting with Jennifer in front of him on the Honda….it was all dad’s idea to see Jennifer’s eyes open big when she got a ride on it. He was concerned about safety though so he took a belt and fastened the two of them together. Dad got his money’s worth!! Jennifer was quite taken with it so John rode her up and down the road several times.

Later in the month dad and Warren began a screened in porch at the back of our mobile home. I had been wanting one so we could sit outside and not have to put up with the bugs and mosquitoes. They took the pick-up and went to Springfield to buy the lumber and materials. Dad helped him pour the concrete and level it for the floor. They worked on it everyday until it was finished. I was really proud of it.

Becky started working as a waitress at Hillbilly Junction. The factory work was always slow this time of year so she worked there on week-ends and some evenings to make ends meet. We had Jennifer’s first birthday at our house (August 3rd) and mom made her cake. It was heart shaped with boiled pink icing. She had all kinds of packages to open and I think we had more fun than she did…..she naturally was confused by the whole affair. Kids normally like the wrapping paper and ribbons more than the things in the boxes.

The night before her birthday was a record cold snap for our area. It got down to 52* …….that’s pretty cool for August in Missouri. We had out of State family drop in now and then in between our gardening and canning. We are in a good vacation spot and we enjoyed having them stop in on their way through. Summers were always good for that. George Jr. surprised us and drove in on Monday the 13th. He was home on leave and it was good to see him. The next day we decided to drive down to Big Springs Park at Van Buren and invited mom and dad to go along. Big Springs is the largest single spring in the world…….and is in a beautiful setting. It is always a nice place to take visitors to our area. We had a nice lunch and came back by Alley Springs which is totally different but equally beautiful.

That evening after we came home dad had been talking to George about buying the lot next door to them and to us. He would be in between……..it was for sale at a very good price and it would be an investment for him…or to retire on some day if he wanted to. Mom and dad were good friends of the couple who were selling it so we drove over to see about it and the deal was struck.

Mom and dad left for Blair as grandma Stricklett was not doing too well. Also, the Powell’s were there from Virginia so it was time to go for the Stricklett reunion that took place every mid-August. They went ahead so George Jr., Warren and I drove up later and stopped in Shawnee to see some of our friends, briefly. We had Jennifer with us as Becky wouldn’t have anyone to take care of her, otherwise. She was a sweetie and everyone wanted to hold and carry her so she was no trouble. We stayed a few days to visit with everyone and until grandma could come home. We headed back to Missouri as George still had to go to the Court House to sign papers with the Goggins who were selling to him. He had to do that and get back to Shawnee as his leave time was running out. George barely got gone when mom and dad pulled in from their extensive trip. After being in Blair for the reunion they drove on to Seattle to visit my brother and wife several days. They had a good trip and were glad to be home again.

Warren’s Army buddy and his wife arrived the next day and I enjoyed meeting them. They pulled a nice travel trailer behind their car so they stayed in George’s lot and slept in their trailer that night. They wanted to go fishing and camping at Norfork Lake so we drove our pickup and camper and went along. The guys fished while us gals did the kitchen duty and enjoyed the fall weather. I liked them a lot.

Becky met a nice young man at the factory several months ago and had been dating him all along. They planned to be married in November so when we got back from the camping trip I went after material to make her dress. Since she had been married once, she didn’t want white but rather an icy blue satin. I began on the dress towards the end of September….the wedding was to be in November so I had plenty of time. I also made a dress for me and one for mom.

The first of November Warren put in an application for work at the shoe factory. They hired him for the following Monday as a cutter. He didn’t have the foggiest notion what that was but was glad to be working again. In no time he was acquainted with everyone and in the swing of things. He ended up in the shipping room where he worked with a couple of older women who were delighted to have him working with them. He came home with a funny story about his day much of the time.

Hank and Becky were married in our church on the 27th of November. She asked dad to give her away and normally dad would run from anything like that but he was honored and pleased to perform the service. He liked Hank, who was a good ole farm boy, and he was so happy to see Becky and Jennifer safe in his care. It was a simple service but a happy one for all of us.

Christmas this year Becky and Hank hosted dinner for mom and dad, Warren and me……..and John who came down to be with us for the holidays. The dinner was delicious and their little home was warm and comfortable. Jennifer loved Hank and he treated her as his own. It was a wonderful way to close out 1973.…..hearts were full and brimming over………

Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther