Thursday, August 18, 2005
MAY....1996
The first of May was the day to change to our summer uniforms. It was always good to get away from the confinement of long sleeves and necktie, especially the necktie. Becky left for training in Jefferson City at the Patrol Academy. The rest of us would follow, one week at a time. A week away from home and the sterile routine of academy life makes one appreciate a soft bed and free time.
The next day, Bear busied himself bringing our new Amana stove and microwave oven home. The addition to our kitchen was a great improvement visually and especially when it came to convenience. Pete and his son came the next day to move the old stove out and the new one in. We really appreciated their help. Pete was always one to offer assistance when in need.
We went to visit George for a few days and Becky went along. We did a lot of shopping and eating out, along with visiting, before our time ran out. George’s driveway was all torn up as he was having new concrete poured to replace the old one. As we drove away the trucks were pulling up, ready to pour. On our next trip we would get to see the finished product.
I came home and did laundry and packed for my week at the Academy. I fixed a lot of food ahead for Bear and Becky assured me she would look after him. Pete came after me on Monday morning and we rode up together. I was happy to find I would be roommates with a lady I met at the last refresher course. Our room connected with two other women we both knew so it was a pleasant week in that regard.
It was interesting to tour the Department of Revenue and see how the driver’s licenses were made, along with all of the new procedures we were being informed of. The classes were held at the Academy and our meals were provided there, also. I called home several times and I was assured everything was fine in my absence. I saw Pete at mealtimes……his brother was a Major at the academy so he was eating with “brass” most of the time. You could always hear Pete laughing and telling jokes……which made everyone else laugh. Friday after lunch we headed home.
We had several very bad rainstorms and tornado threats. Texas, Oklahoma and Lee’s Summit, MO. were all hit hard. We had worked in the yard most of the month and everything was green and lush. My 64th birthday came and went with phone calls and all of the other thoughtful wishes from family and friends. Only one year to retirement now. Next year at this time I would be turning in my badge and getting ready to come home again for good…………I was looking forward to it.
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Note: We will be leaving early in the morning for KC to pick George up and then to the airport to pick John up……..then the 4-hour drive on to Blair, NE. for a Stricklett family reunion. (My mother’s family.) We have not come together for some time, due to most of our elders passing on that used to make it happen. One cousin took the responsibility of contacting our one uncle and two aunts…….and 16 cousins with their families to meet in the city park with tubs of fried chicken like the “old days” when it was our grandmother’s freshly butchered chicken, cleaned by the aunts and fried. They packed plates, silverware, glasses……homemade lemonade and iced-tea, potato salad, baked beans and desserts enough for an army. Cousin Bruce laughed and said……. “Well, now it’s going to be KFC and paper plates, but we’ll get enough food together so it can have the same menu and be at the same place it always was.” We don’t really care…….being together and laughing over the good times remembered, on the same date, will make it all good.
Since cousins are flying in from all over the country…..some driving…….we will all be present on Saturday for one day of reminiscing and visiting, catching up with each other’s lives and the year’s between……and then depart at the end of the day. Sunday will be departure day for most of us. Though short in time, we still feel it important enough to take the little bit of time and expense to make the trip……why? Because grandma and all the aunts and uncles will be watching….and one of the cousins who preceded us in death (my dear brother)……would nod with great approval. I think if we look over our shoulder once in a while……..we may even see them. They are never far from any of us.
Until Monday, then………
Essentially Esther
The next day, Bear busied himself bringing our new Amana stove and microwave oven home. The addition to our kitchen was a great improvement visually and especially when it came to convenience. Pete and his son came the next day to move the old stove out and the new one in. We really appreciated their help. Pete was always one to offer assistance when in need.
We went to visit George for a few days and Becky went along. We did a lot of shopping and eating out, along with visiting, before our time ran out. George’s driveway was all torn up as he was having new concrete poured to replace the old one. As we drove away the trucks were pulling up, ready to pour. On our next trip we would get to see the finished product.
I came home and did laundry and packed for my week at the Academy. I fixed a lot of food ahead for Bear and Becky assured me she would look after him. Pete came after me on Monday morning and we rode up together. I was happy to find I would be roommates with a lady I met at the last refresher course. Our room connected with two other women we both knew so it was a pleasant week in that regard.
It was interesting to tour the Department of Revenue and see how the driver’s licenses were made, along with all of the new procedures we were being informed of. The classes were held at the Academy and our meals were provided there, also. I called home several times and I was assured everything was fine in my absence. I saw Pete at mealtimes……his brother was a Major at the academy so he was eating with “brass” most of the time. You could always hear Pete laughing and telling jokes……which made everyone else laugh. Friday after lunch we headed home.
We had several very bad rainstorms and tornado threats. Texas, Oklahoma and Lee’s Summit, MO. were all hit hard. We had worked in the yard most of the month and everything was green and lush. My 64th birthday came and went with phone calls and all of the other thoughtful wishes from family and friends. Only one year to retirement now. Next year at this time I would be turning in my badge and getting ready to come home again for good…………I was looking forward to it.
************************************************************************
Note: We will be leaving early in the morning for KC to pick George up and then to the airport to pick John up……..then the 4-hour drive on to Blair, NE. for a Stricklett family reunion. (My mother’s family.) We have not come together for some time, due to most of our elders passing on that used to make it happen. One cousin took the responsibility of contacting our one uncle and two aunts…….and 16 cousins with their families to meet in the city park with tubs of fried chicken like the “old days” when it was our grandmother’s freshly butchered chicken, cleaned by the aunts and fried. They packed plates, silverware, glasses……homemade lemonade and iced-tea, potato salad, baked beans and desserts enough for an army. Cousin Bruce laughed and said……. “Well, now it’s going to be KFC and paper plates, but we’ll get enough food together so it can have the same menu and be at the same place it always was.” We don’t really care…….being together and laughing over the good times remembered, on the same date, will make it all good.
Since cousins are flying in from all over the country…..some driving…….we will all be present on Saturday for one day of reminiscing and visiting, catching up with each other’s lives and the year’s between……and then depart at the end of the day. Sunday will be departure day for most of us. Though short in time, we still feel it important enough to take the little bit of time and expense to make the trip……why? Because grandma and all the aunts and uncles will be watching….and one of the cousins who preceded us in death (my dear brother)……would nod with great approval. I think if we look over our shoulder once in a while……..we may even see them. They are never far from any of us.
Until Monday, then………
Essentially Esther
