Friday, July 30, 2010

The Passing of a Generation

Millie and Son, July 1962.

Early morning July 30, 2010 Man's mother passed.

Mildred Louise Gehrke Stevens, April 23, 1923 - July 30, 2010

Millie was the last living child of Friedrich (Fritz/Fred) Johann Gehrke and his wife Lilly Anna Gerth Gehrke.  May her reunion with her husband, beloved parents, siblings and extended family be joyful.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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More Good Reading With a Dash of Serious, Follow Friday

The good stuff first:

LindaRe, a new blogger, who writes Between the Gate Posts has a great mystery to solve, Madness Monday - Killed His Sister.  I'm following to see if she can discover more.

A delightful post by Nolichucky Roots, another new blogger, where she transcribes the engagement announcement of her grandparents.  Totally delightful!

Next up, another new blog (to me), that is so enchanting you just cannot believe it.  It is not really a genie blog, but, who can resist these photos??  Go see Adele at Mila's Daydreams.  If sweet babies make you cry, you may want to have Kleenex handy.  I know you will smile.
Now, some serious thoughts and reading:

Readers and researchers from Ohio and Michigan already know a lot about this, our state libraries are in dire straights.  Michigan genealogy societies have been striving to keep our genealogy collection in the Library of Michigan in one piece for months now.  You can read all about it at the Michigan Genealogical Council web site. (Link not functional March 2019)

Curt B. Witcher, from the Allen County Library, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana (which is reported to be the second largest genealogical collection under one roof in the United States) is the focus of several blogs and news articles late this week, Terri Kallio, of The Ties That Bind, wrote Will We Have to go Dumpster Diving for Our Records? after she read about Curt's take on "Genealogical Dark Ages".  She has a link to the original news article in her post.

Times are rough, the economy has much to do with a lot of this trouble.  Federal laws enacted or considered since September 11, 2001 also will be changing our accessibility to records, old and new.  Our world, including our research world, is constantly changing.  I have definite views on much of this, which at this time I will not be detailing.  Maybe some time I will.  For now, read Terri's article and visit the Michigan Genealogical Council web site, become aware of changes that may happen, if they do, they could impact your research.



*Graphics source long lost, I am sorry.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday, Michigan's State Capital


Above:  Capital Building, Lansing, Michigan


Above, from the monument honoring the Spanish American War Vets of Michigan.


Above Austin Blair with the Capital Dome in the background.


Austin Blair, the War Governor of Michigan
1861, 62, 63, 64
Inscription found on part of the monument:
"He gave the best years of his life to
Michigan, and his fame is inseparably
linked with the glorious achievements
of her citizen soldiers.
Erected by the People of Michigan"



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Wordless Wednesday, Summertime at the Local Waterpark




*Doesn't it look refreshing?? Love that big yellow bucket, fills up, then DUMPS on the unsuspecting below! LOL

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday, O Why


Henry Roahr
Born Aug 27 1876
Died July 26 1928

O WHY

Fairhope Colony Cemetery, Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Our Summer Collage, COG's Scrapbooking Your Family History!




The next Carnival of Genealogy is Scrapbooking Your Family History.  Thanks to Jasia at Creative Gene for this fun challenge. Thanks to footnoteMaven for the great poster.

Part of the challenge reads, "Create a scrapbook page on any theme that suits one or more of your vintage photos."  I decided to go a bit of a different route. The twins were coming for a week, a week of record high temperatures, where we needed some inside activities.  So, I did not use vintage photos, but, we created family history, and vintage photos for generations to come.

First we collected supplies of every type.



Colored paper, scissors, stickers, glue, colored pencils, crayons, you name it we had it.
Later we even added a huge box of ribbons. 

Each girl did several "scrapbook pages", designing them and decorating them themselves.  At the end of the week, they chose the one they liked the best.  Gramma added these little summer photo frames I bought them, with photos of each of them which I took this week at the beach.

And our submission for this COG, is, 

Our Summer Collage




Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Sizzlin', Soggy, Slow Saturday

It is HOT HOT HOT, as well as muggy, and rainy in SE Michigan today.  It is the twins last full day here, and, we are trying to stay entertained IN the house.  See:


Needless to say, they have had me digging through the craft supply stash, needing fabric, needles, thread and fiberfill (with a little Nintendo on the side).  They have also been working on "scrapbook" pages, stay tuned!



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Friday, July 23, 2010

Some Good Blog Reading, Follow Friday

Over the last couple of weeks there have been some articles or blogs I have enjoyed, they are, in no particular order:

Sherry Stocking Kline, from Family Tree Writer, wrote what I felt was a great post, ‘52 Weeks to Better Genealogy’ series, challenge #25: Blog Comments.   A different look at the subject, but, I really relate and agree with her on this one.

Karen, from Ancestor Soup, wrote a beautiful tribute to her cousin, Warren, in Time to Say Goodbye.

The Jones Genealogist.  A new blogger, who writes beautifully, you will not be disappointed!  So far, all posts are winners, but, don't miss, "Sworn to Secrecy" and "True Tree Climbing".

Irish Eyes, from 'On a flesh and bone foundation': An Irish History, wrote a post about facts vs family lore, something that most family researchers will have to deal with at some point in their researching lives.  (Also note she did a shout out for Reflections, but that is not why I am including in this post, I am including, because I have been there, done that, and it is a great post.)  She also wrote a wonderful story about her father, ghosts, bikes and torches, at 'Cycling apparitions in the castle ruins': An Irish Story.  Need a good chuckle, go read it!  (As of October 2018 the original links were broken.)

Have you met Ernie??  NOOOO.  Well, I had not either, till Greta highlighted him in her Follow Friday post on July 16th.  Now that I have, shhhhh, now, don't tell Man, I just might be in love.  At almost 89 years young, I adore his attitude and he has a great looking blog.  Ernie cooks, gardens, blogs, he even fiddled (as the 'Sunflower Wrangler').  Go on over and meet Ernie, watch out all you dudes, your ladies may fall in love too!  Ernie has now left the binds of earth and his blog has been removed from the internet. RIP Ernie.

Hope you enjoy the posts and the blogs and the great bloggers.


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Thursday, July 22, 2010

What Twins Do On a Hot Summer Day




(And, the Grandparents sit and watch!  The sitting was great, the watching was better!)


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Roy & Theda, Celebrating 70 Years of Marriage, August 4, 2010

Let me introduce you to Roy and Theda (Dryden) Darden:


(Photo taken shortly after their marriage, 1940)

There are in one's lives people who are so special there are never sufficient words that will describe them, or your relationship with them. 

Roy and Theda are two of those 'special beyond words' people.  I met Roy and Theda and many of the Darden clan in late March of 2004 when Man and I were on our way out of the Valley (Rio Grande Valley Texas) on our way back to the north country.  We were invited to stop and meet my distant Darden cousins for the first time.

I have to laugh when I refer to them as distant cousins.  Man and I walked into their midst that March afternoon, and they opened their arms and hearts to us.  We were immediately surrounded by their love.  Seldom is that all encompassing love and affection and acceptance so easily and generously offered. 

There is nothing distant about Roy and Theda or any of their family.  They are in your face affectionate, warm, comfortable, real comfortable.  You meet them, you feel as if you just came home, safe and sound.  No strangers here, you are family, you belong.

On August 4th, 2010 this wonderful couple will celebrate their SEVENTIETH wedding anniversary.  What an amazing day this will be.  I hope all my readers and friends will join Man and I in wishing them the very best. Special wishes for very, very special people.


Roy and Theda, 2005.

Love, Carol and her Man



* This Darden clan have been the subjects of several posts here at Reflections, such as, It takes a village, another sharing experience and It takes a village, all residents invited to participate.

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Prayers Needed For Friends




I come again, asking that my readers, please join me in prayers for those desperately in need of healing and support:

Friend Patty, for her uncle and his family.

Friend and blogger "X", whose name remains safely in my heart, but surely needs our prayers.

Blogger Linda, of Flipside, whose son Aric has had another set back, the situation is quite serious, please pray for the doctors to find the root of his current situation and send him back to a place of health.

Blogger Gini, of Ginisology, whose mother is gravely ill, her post this morning is so heart wrenching.  Praying for strength and peace for the family.

Friends John and Donna who may become "adoptive" grandparents soon, any child coming to this family will be greatly blessed.  Edited to read, they will be the grandparents, not the ones doing the adopting. 

As always, there are others who are in need of prayers and support, thank you for joining me in efforts to bring some calm and peace to their lives.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday, Vernie and Arvah Frank

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Interred Maple Shade Cemetery
Onsted, Lenawee County, Michigan

For the back story, see my post Do-Over Reward - - SURPRISE For Moi.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence
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Monday, July 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Andrea




Its a birthday!  Daughter of cousin and Wild One, Anne, is having a birthday today.


Happy Birthday Andrea!


Isn't she darling?  She is about 2 or 3 years old here.  Thanks mom, errr, Anne for sharing the photo.




Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence
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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sharing a Slice of Life, Bugs

Over at Sharing a Slice of Life, this week, # 9, the keyword is BUGS!  Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww.

But, seriously, we all have bug stories.  Like, stepping on a bee, while barefoot.  Nope, that is not fun.

I remember a few 'encounters' with biting bugs, one was on a weekend campout with friends.  We were just sitting, sharing some conversation when all of a sudden a hornet decided the back of my arm was his to have.  It had to be the most painful sting I have ever experienced.  I could feel that sting like it was in slow motion, it was as if this nasty creature was  S-L-O-W-L-Y  drilling into my arm.  I could feel each revolution.  OUCH.

Not my story, but story of Son # 1, at a party, drinking a beer or two.  You just KNOW where this is going, yes you do.  He drank a bee which proceeded to sting him inside his throat.  Now, Son # 1 is quite bright (he IS my son, I am NOT prejudiced, nope, not one bit), but, can you imagine, he actually did this twice in one afternoon, followed up of course, by swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing and a trip to the ER.  This was one story I was happy to have missed the first edition, and just heard the story in the second edition.

One story, mine, that has remained fresh and vibrant in my memory banks, took place during one of our family's first camping vacations.  So happens, it takes place not 4 miles from where we live now, we did not live here then.  We had 2 weeks vacation, and at that time camping was the only financial option.  Huge 9 foot by 20 foot old army type tent, 2 kids, collie dog, Man's mom and dad, Man and I and a hoard of mosquitoes.  Mean, hungry, furiously biting mosquitoes.  Mean, hungry, furiously biting mosquitoes that it turns out I was somewhat allergic too, and that had developed a taste for ME over and above the rest of the family.

My bites would swell, itch, and itch some more.  The swelling would go down, and hours later, swell again.  I had calamine splotches all up and down my legs - - by the way, calamine really did not work all that well.  The worst tho, the very, very worst was the fact that the bites would swell the most at about 3 or 4 AM while I was tucked warmly into my sleeping bag, sleeping like the dead.  I would wake to the most intense itching imaginable, there was no way I could get out of that sleeping bag fast enough.  Best description is a woman on the verge of screaming, wild eyed, out of her mind, panic.  And, this happened for well over 7 miserable nights.


Just writing about those bites, I can almost feel them itching.  Don't scratch Carol!  Bugs, ewwwwwwwwwww!



* Source data for comic unknown.  When I went surfing looking for a graphic to use with this post I found this very graphic on several different web sites, never could determine the original source.  My thanks to the original designer.  Thank you for a perfect graphic for my story.


Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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WO's Had a Christmas Party, Yea, in July


Yes, we did a party.  Presents, good food, a few drinks, lots of stories and laughs, good friends.  No heavy coats, boots, snow shovels, no slippery roads.  Christmas in July, a good thing!

Merry Christmas, Anne, Karen and Diane!



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Do-Over Reward - - SURPRISE For Moi

Since Man's mother went in the assisted living facility, he has had a lot of paper work to do, some involved past relationships.  See, Man's father was married before he married Man's mother.  So we have been digging round a bit, gathering some stuff we did not have.

Truthfully, I have had some of the names of the prior wife's family, dates and such, but, well, I never played with them much.

The other night, late in the evening, tired, but of course, I sat here and decided I would snoop a bit.  I found some stuff, and found a small surprise along the way.

Prior wife's daddy is buried not 7 miles from our stick built, and it appears he died in this county.    Here is part of the entry from the cemetery book:




Call it a small reward for all that cemetery stomping I have been doing.  I believe I walked this section of this cemetery, but, did not recognize the name then.  I'll be re-visiting the cemetery soon for a photo op. 

Of course, one answer, more questions, who is Arvah and where is Esther, who is the mother of the prior wife?

Today, the Wild Ones will have our Christmas in July party.  On the way home from that momentous event, Man and I will pick up twins L & M.  We will be playing the Last Grandparent Standing game for a week.  With the temps forecast to be in the high 80s and 90's next week, we are already counting our blessings that we live near a lake and they love to swim and secondly that we have several new BlueRay discs for them to watch.  I am glad I have a few posts in the queue that I can use, think I am gonna need em!  LOL



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Friday, July 16, 2010

1851 Dilemma, Are Your Dresses Draggley or Turkish?

First of all, I would like to apologize for the length of this post.  I know many of us don't care to read long long posts, and this is a long one, even for wordy Carol.  I thought about breaking it into several posts, but, well, I didn't do that.  LOL I hope you will stick around and plow through it, I think you will find the visit enjoyable.


The following articles about dresses were transcribed by yours truly for the Lenawee County Family Researchers newsletter and the Lenawee County Michigan GENWEB site.  I was reminded of them when I read footnoteMaven's piece on Twice Told Tuesday July 6, 2010.    The collection of articles presented here may or may not represent all that was written about ladies fashions in 1851 in the Michigan Expositor.


Little did I know when I found these news articles several years ago that what I was reading was important in the fashion world.  I honestly believed this was some passing fad, quick to arrive and quick to fade.  I found the articles humorous, with a lot of play on words, but did not really understand what I was reading.  In fact, it was not till I started this post and started doing some research that I discovered this was more than a passing fad, in fact it lasted well past the Civil War.  I found a fabulous web site, Nineteenth Century Dress Reform in Pictures by Britta Arendt.  Britta names and has photos of 17 different ladies in short dresses and the names of 14 more for whom she does not have photos, including, Susan B. Anthony.  When I found Britta's web page, I suddenly realized I was not dealing with humor but history. She even has a photo of herself in a "Rational Dress". You need to go visit!  Then, come on back to Reflections.


The Michigan Expositor was published in Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan. 


The articles actually began with one about long dresses.  Grab your favorite drink because you have a bit of reading here.  Prepare to smile, enjoy the read.

Michigan Expositor, February 18, 1851:

Draggley Dresses

We apostroplise with the NY Mirror--Ladies!! We are daily disgusted at seeing you sweep the filthy streets with your long dresses. What a nasty fashion! What masses of mud cling to your skirts, your stockings, and all the exceteras of your pedal extremities! What a wonton waste of fabric and of soap! How many dozen pairs of stockings it takes a week to keep you decent about the ankles! But we haven't the stomach to pursue the subject. Will Mrs. Swisshelm or Mrs. Dartington come to our aid and give these abominable draggle skirts a regular blowing up?

No she won't--Mrs. Swisshelm has all she can do in this wicked world to "clear her own skirts".

(It should be noted that Mrs. Swisshelm was apparently the ladies head of society in New York City at this time, when her daughter came out just a few weeks after this article appeared in the Michigan Expositor it was reported that Mrs. Swisshelm had held a "small" party/dance for her daughter with only 160 guests.)

French fashion plates from the mid 1800's,
graphic courtesy of The Vintage Moth.
A draggley dress? Looks draggley to me!

Not two months later, the paper has reports about short dresses, seems the ladies on the east coast were on the leading edge of fashion, much as they are now.

Michigan Expositor, April 8, 1851:

From Seneca Co. Courier:

Short dresses--We are glad to see that several of the most respectable ladies of our village possess sufficient independence to show their disregard of the imperious mandates of Fashion, and consult comfort and convenience in the matter of dress. It is now quite common to see the short dress and pantaletts in our streets, and it is admitted by nearly all that they are a decided improvement upon the dragging style. Indeed they are very generally admired, and we hope that occasional rude and insulting remarks from blacguards, and the annoying conduct of illmanuered boys, will not discourage the ladies in their attempt to introduce a wholesome and much needed reform.

No reference to East Coast here, fashion moving west?

Michigan Expositor, May 20, 1851:

Short Dresses

The signs of the times plainly indicate that there is to be a revolution in the style of ladies' dresses--We suppose it must be in consequence of our having recommended (!) last winter the Turkish pants and short frocks that in several cities in the Eastern States the ladies are adopting this new style of dress, and we believe the change meets with universal favor.

Are there no ladies in our village who dare adopt the new style? It will be done here, in less than one year.

"The American Woman's dress"

Michigan Expositor, June 17, 1851:

The New Style of Ladie's Dresses

We see by the newspapers from different parts of the country, that the new dress is being adopted in numerous instances, by the more independent ladies. The innovation seems to meet a very general approbation, and the opinion of the press, is that the new style will be universally adopted, shortly.

The name now given them is "The American Woman's dress": as a declarations that our American ladies are no longer to be led by French fashions. It is true our women have held on to the skirts of the French ladies long enough, and it is quite time they should cut off the connection. This done, the home fashion will undoubtedly rise in the estimation of the American people. Our ladies have been long confined and tortured with this wholesale drapery of silk and cotton, and it is not strange at all to us that they are now pant-ing to be free from it.

A lady of our acquaintance says it will never go; because it makes a short woman look like a girl. Bless your heart, my dear C. this is the very reason it will be adopted - - what lady of twenty-give does not wish to renew her youth? Not go! when it is the very fountain Ponce de Leon sought for, which had the power of restoring youth to the aged? The lady of "a certain age" will renew her youth, and fight her lost "battles o'er again," and who can tell, if with greater age and experience, she may not win at last.

But we are really in favor of a reform - - something like the one commenced. We know it is none of the men's business; but we have thought for years, it was strange that fashion could so make slaves of our women, that they would suffer the monstrosities of her whims in the straight jacket and skirted limbs of the past styles. But reform is needed, not with the ladies alone - - look at the standing collars, and "wad" of silk around the necks of men - - the three pound hats, and harness over the shoulders, called "suspenders." It would be but little less ridiculous to see one suspended by them to the limb of a tree. But we won't say much on this point, till we get unharnessed ourself.

Success to the ladies reform - - and we hope when it is completed, they will give the men no peace "day nor night," until there is a corresponding reform with them also.

Turkish Dresses or the Pretty Pants.

Michigan Expositor, June 24, 1851:

The New Dress in Adrian

On Wednesday last two of our most respectable young ladies made their appearance in the streets in the "Turkish Dress". Their appearance created some excitement, and we are sorry that our boys had no better manners than to follow the ladies as they passed along.........

On last Saturday the "pretty pants" were fluttering in every direction; we noticed Miss W. looking prettier than ever in the new dress and gipsey hat. Just at the close of the day two ladies, Mrs. H. and Miss. G. passed our office, dressed in the full fancy costume of short embroidered skirts and turbans. The dress was decidedly becoming; and the more we see it, the more we admire it. It will take time and experience, of course, to give the new fashion perfection; but when once perfected and adopted by a lady, mind what we tell you, the utility will become so apparent, very few will be again enslaved by the long skirts, which begin already to look decidedly out of character. From the rapid manner in which the short dress is being adopted, we men will have to get new brooms and take to sweeping our walks ourselves.

The short dresses, if properly constructed are decidedly the prettiest dress that a woman can wear, and the fact that reform has commenced in earnest in Adrian, calls for an extra effort of our pen. So here goes:

Cut off those ugly skirts, girls, they're only in the way; and when you make a whirl, girls, and come the quick chasse; there'll be no mud a flying, girls, or stockings grimmed with dirt; ----then cease this useless crying, girls, and off at once the skirt.

With Turkish pants and frock, girls, you're masters of the State; to skip and hop and run, girls, with joy and easy elate;- - - then where's the naughty man, girls, can catch you in a race? - - -There's not one lives that can, girls, unless it is by "grace"- - - Then don the pretty pants, girls, and throw those skirts away; and as through life you prance, girls, you'll bless the changing day. Well you will.

(Graphic is a 1851 caricature print from Library of Congress, and is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division under the digital ID cph.3b35975.  The graphic was found via a Wikipedia article.)

Another month passes, next up, "bloomers", read this one with your dark sense of humor turned on high. 

July 22, 1851, Mich. Expositor:

The Bloomers
A Letter from Cousin Obediah

Mr. Editor:--As a lover of Humanity in general, but of the fair sex in particular, I have witnessed with the warmest sympathy the tribulation in which the Adrian portion of it has been involved by a certain vexed question.--Well--(I hardly know whether to speak out for fear they will call me a meddling fellow) the long and short of the matter is, that a certain portion of the fair ones, old and young, are longing to change their costume, and to put on something I believe they call a Bloomer, or Camilla, or some such name. You wouldn't believe perhaps, Mr. Editor, when you hear so many of them talking against it, and so many of them looking wise and sorrowful, and feeling very bad that any one could be "so foolish"--you wouldn't believe that nine out of ten of them are dying to try it all on themselves. But I guess it's so; for I heard Mrs. Tightstays say to Mrs. Longdress the other day at tea, that she didn't care if Mr. Willis had been talking some against it, and saying some should wear it and some shouldn't, according to character, shape, etc. and call it a knee plus ultra, and all that.-- She had her own mind about it; and if Mrs. Trailum would only put it on, she would. Mrs. Longdress said that that was just her opinion about it; but as she was moving in the first society she didn't care about adopting any such thing if every body was going to do it first.--She had told Mrs. Trailum so the other night at tea, and Mrs. Trailum said she wouldn't risk her position without knowing who was to follow, --but she thought it must be so pleasant a change, and wondered who sensible ladies, and Mrs. Leadlong in particular, could be so backward in adopting it. Mrs. Longdress thought fashion might be too arbitrary--she had heard so, tho' she didn't know from experience--and that the Bloomers or Camillas might look very well on one, and very badly on another, depending something on the richness of the material; that there should be some discretion used; and that those who couldn't afford anything but cheap materials shouldn't attempt to lead.

I felt sorry for the ladies, Mr. Editor, for I saw they couldn't drink their tea; and I'm told it's the same way all over town, they are so anxious about it. Now if something can't be done before long, who knows where the end will be. I know several who are determined to go to the bottom of the matter; but I rather think that isn't all that's wanted, and that a meeting should be got up. You know that a great deal of courage is manufactured at these "Woman's Rights'" meetings, as they are called. Well, they'd all speak out, as they are apt to do, and both sides would have a chance. Those that don't like the innovation could make speeches too. If they allow the new fangled thing to get to its full height without putting it down, the fault is not in their own understandings; but it may be in their want of add-dress or something else.

I meant to be as brief as the Bloomers, Mr. Editor; but I felt so sorry for the ladies that I don't know what to do about it; and now I'll sign myself
Yours and Theirs in extremity,
Cousin Obediah.

Four months pass, are the bloomers in trouble?  Toss in some national pride with your fashion.

Nov 4, 1851, Mich. Expositor:

The Bloomer Dress Again

We notice that the opposers to this reform think it will not go because the "women of the town" occasionally appear in it. If that would induce the fashionable to repudiate a "fashion", we don't know what they will adopt; for every extreme of Parisian fashion is speedily adopted by these "ladies of the pave", and none but an "old bead" would distinguish one of them from one of our fashionable daughters of the leading circles. --No, the real opposition arises from the fact that it is a "reform"; and not a legtimate "fashion" from Paris. No one, with common intelligence will doubt that had this "Bloomer Dress" originated with the leaders of French fashions, it would have long ere this been universally adopted as most beautiful and appropriate, but because it originated in our own country, it is very ugly and improper! For shame, Americans!

Still with me??  Great, congratulations on your stamina.  Hope you enjoyed reading about fashion in 1851, a bit of history, served with a dash of sarcasm.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Treasure Chest Thursday, Man's Pepper Grinder


I know very little about this wooden pepper grinder.  Man brought it home from his mother's during the 'move/clean out the valuables' process.  On the silver (colored) top is:  "Garantie B. O."  It is 3.5 inches tall, including the grinder mechanism.  On the bottom, barely legible, it says "Made in Czechoslovakia", stamped into the wooden base.  When asked about this pepper grinder, Man's mother told us it was something she had purchased, it was not a gift. Man says it has been around so long that he cannot remember it NOT being in his mother and father's home.

Over the last 10 years or so Man has looked at buying a pepper grinder for his use.  He is never happy with what he has bought or sees in the stores.  He grew up using this little wooden pepper grinder, says it works great.  No more shopping trips required now.  That alone makes it a treasure.  But, seriously, it is a treasure to Man, so, it is now a treasure to all of our family.



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday, A. C Combs, Music Man


Hillside Cemetery
Addison, Lenawee County, Michigan



Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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Monday, July 12, 2010

Relatively Speaking, Happy Birthday Karen

Happy Birthday to cousin and friend Karen. 

Here she is in her absolutely most favorite mode, Gramma!!




*Surf on over to her blog, Genealogy Frame of Mind and wish her a Happy Birthday!

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

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