Eat, Laugh, Learn and Love...

I spent the July 4th with the family and it was very nice. We had (yes, I'm going to tell it) a lot of delicious food. The "barbeque queen" worked her magic once again. Toyia knows how to work a grill and does a damn good job. Much better than I could, for she has the patience I know I don't. I say, know your talents and utilize them. She braved the morning heat to barbeque ribs, chicken, pork chops, three types of bratwurst and a slab of bacon. Yes, the "barbeque queen" barbequed a slab of uncut bacon and it's good. She picked, cleaned and cooked twenty bunches of collard and mustard greens. I love me some greens! My contribution to the meal was macaroni and cheese, baked beans (try them with sweet Italian sausage, green and red peppers and diced onion), corn, cole slaw, dinner rolls and cornbread. I made a pineapple upside cake and caramel pecan brownies for dessert. After the meal we sat around and discussed family history. One story lead to another and soon we logged on Ancestry.com, Snookie and I discovered more information about the Lowry side of the family. We located census records about Maggie Lowry Smith, her husband Henry and their three children. I will add all of this to the family tree. I enjoyed Snookie and Mom telling me their recollections about the family's neighbors/friends in Lawrence, Kansas. They have long lasting memories of their summers spent in Kansas with their grandparents. Yeah, I know some people would rather, drink, smoke, shake a tail feather, cuss or fight with their family at a gathering. I say go for whatever makes you happy and ensures you have a good time. Me? I prefer talking, sharing good food, laughter, stories and learning my history when I gather with my clan. We had a Happy Fourth of July and a fun time was had by all.

Ease On Down The Road

Go ahead and laugh!!! LOL This was taken more than a few years ago. I had HAIR back then. I'm not sure if we (the high top/gumby haircut and I) are going to Des Moines or returning??? It was a trip down for Drake Relays. It had been years since I'd been "home" and I was excited about the return. As a child, Des Moines seemed so big to me. Not bigger than the Twin Cities, but a large city nonetheless. As we pulled into "town," I realized it was not so big to me, now that I was a grown man. Des Moines did not shrink. I realized my memories of it were thru a child's eyes. It seemed to be so big to me at age six. Everything became more proportional as an adult. Not a big or little city, not a small or large town. It was simply Des Moines. Seeing my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins was the best part of the trip. It was time well spent with good people. As an adult, this was the first trip I had taken with Snookie and a fun time was had by all. We may take long overdue roadtrip in a couple of weeks. If all goes according to plan, the two of us will be going to Lawrence, Kansas. The purpose of the trip is for family research. As early as 1880, members of the family lived in Lawrence. Some of the family homes are still standing today. I always want to know more about the family history. I've got to check this out and of course take pictures. We shall see what it will be.

Seventy-five years ago today...

On June 13, 1934 in
Polk County, Iowa

Mister John Walter Thompson, of Lawrence, Kansas & Miss Veltirea Leonia Cooley, of Des Moines, Iowa were united in
holy matrimony.