Hired Farmhand Died in the Pasture: Finalized

Hired Farmhand Died in the Pasture: Finalized

In an area south of Amery, south of Deer Park, a hired man died in the fall of 1947, his remains not found until the next spring. Details were printed in an article from the Amery newspaper, the Gazette I think, a short summary telling about the discovery of the bones and skull. This identified him positively as Edward […]

Aunt Beulah–Her Perfume, Her Life, and Her Legacy

Aunt Beulah–Her Perfume, Her Life, and Her Legacy

My aunt’s perfume I remember. On a trip to Norway, relatives wore that same fragrance. Aunt Beulah spent time in Norway during the 2nd World War. Family reunions at Mom’s home farm in summer attracted the Larson relatives once a year. Aunt Beulah and others congregated at the farm north of Amery, WI, for an […]

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: Summer, New

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: Summer, New

The book Dandelion Wine caught my attention because of the descriptions of growing up in a small community, seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. The variety of opportunities and choices mirrored my life in the area east and west of Amery, Wisconsin. I’ll present parts of the first chapter in which Douglas woke […]

A History Class Reading Nostalgia by Candlelight

A History Class Reading Nostalgia by Candlelight

Nostalgia was a popular topics in history class. When students came back to talk to me after years away from our junior high experiences, they’d often say they recalled with good feelings the time we all read by candlelight. Nostalgia was an emphasis I developed for the end of the year holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. […]

Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem

Clotheslines: Rules, Social Norms, and a Poem

Hanging clothes on a clothesline. Simple, yes. Not always. Rules in each neighborhood and cultural region meant hanging had dos and don’ts. For us living in the country, it wasn’t so rigorous and rigid because neighbors were far away. Keillor and Bachelor Farmers First of all, one reference to hanging clothes and items son the […]

The Mile High Club in 7th Grade–Final

The Mile High Club in 7th Grade–Final

East of Amery a group of pre-7th graders gathered bravely to test weapons. We started a Mile High Club, not knowing that in the world outside of Amery it had a completely different meaning. Ours had nothing to do with airplanes or jets. The summer before our 7th grade year at Amery, a few of us […]