Family Photo Friday- Dearly Beloved

Now that looks like a couple who is going to have some beautiful children. :)



What, you say? It's not Friday? I don't know what you're talking about...

Family Photo Friday- Sue

Sue was technically my second cousin, but she was really like an aunt to me. She gave me my teddy bear that was my prized possession for many many years on my first birthday. She was fun and charming and sweet and had such a dear heart. She loved her family ferociously.

She died long before her time when I was a senior in college. I really do miss her.

I recently found these photos and love them so much because they're so expressive of the youth, beauty, attitude and mystery of her.

Family Photo Friday- Mom

It's my mom's birthday. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful mom. She has taught me so much about selfless love and I hope to be close to the woman and mother she is.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of her.

My mom in a great jacket, my grandmother, my dad

Family Photo Friday- Cousins

My cousin and I were born almost exactly a year apart, me being older. In fact, I was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Spoiled much? :)

They liked to dress my cousin and I alike.

I'm on the left, which I think should be obvious. I have been told I was a very happy baby. :)

Family Photo Friday- Father's Day

Here's to the fathers! Of course first is my own father. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I use this picture often, but I love it. Me and my dad:


My dad and my sister, Molly:


Molly, Dad and Me in 2003(?):


My dad with his dad:


My mom with her dad:

Family Photo Friday- Shades

I love this picture of my grandmother and my mom. My mom is such a doll! I love those shades.

Family Photo Friday- Mule Pack

In 1950, my paternal grandfather, Harloe, enlisted in the Army. Having grown up with a deep love for horses and mules, he had heard rumors of a "Mule Pack" artillery division, and asked if he could volunteer for it. He was immediately told that all volunteers were welcome, because few people wanted to work with mules.

My grandfather, however, loved it.

Lest you wonder what on earth purpose mules served to the military, they were used to haul weapons (75mm howitzers) in difficult terrain where vehicles and people couldn't carry them.

In addition to being pack mules, some were trained to ride. My grandfather worked with a mule he named Flag. Here are his words about the meeting.

"One cold morning when I picked up his right foreleg, he straightened it out and his hoof came down on my foot. I thought it was broken, but in a few minutes I was able to walk on it. I went up to him and kicked his shin, and when he picked up his leg I caught it and examined it. The next morning I repeated the process and he picked up his leg again. From then on I could snap my finger and he would raise his leg. I told everyone I taught him to shake hands, but didn't bother to tell them about my stomped foot."

By the age of 20, my grandfather had been promoted to Field First Sergeant over most of the entire Mule Pack because of his skill with and knowledge of the animals.

Discharged in 1953, he thought that was the last of the Mule Pack. Two years later, newly married to my grandmother, they visited some relatives and happened to take a trip to Ft. Carson, home of the army mule corral. Wondering if Flag was there, my grandfather started looking.

He says, "I was looking for a black mule with number 38H1, and when I found him he would know me. [My great-uncle] asked how I would know he knew me. I said that he would shake hands with me. When I found Flag, I went up to his right foreleg and snapped my finger. He picked up that leg and placed his foot in my waiting hand just as he had done when I was his master. I still wonder what went through his mind that day..."

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Happy Memorial Day. Be sure to say thank you. And technically, yes, Family Photo Monday.

Photo on top is my grandfather on the right with mules. The bottom photo is my grandfather and Flag.

Family Photo Friday- In my blood

These are my paternal great-great-great-grandparents, Richard and Zenobia. I've always been told she was 100% Native American.

Family Photo Friday- Mothers Edition

Special edition family photo Friday, to the wonderful mothers of my family.

First up, of course, is my own wonderful mother. This is one of my favorite pictures of us at a tea when I graduated from high school.

This is my paternal grandmother with our little family circa 1989. And yes, that is an awesome t-shirt I'm wearing featuring an armadillo with neon pink sunglasses.

Another picture I love, this is me with my maternal grandparents.


Going back further now, this is my paternal grandmother with my father and my aunt.

This is my maternal grandmother with my mother.

Back another generation, this is my paternal great-grandmother with her children.

This is my maternal great-grandmother with my grandfather, as well as his cousin and aunt. They grew up together and he considered her a sister.

This is my other maternal great-grandmother with my grandmother. Aren't they lovely?

Family Photo Friday- Something missing

I don't really like this picture. It is a little dagger in my heart every time I see it.


Strange, I know. It's a cute little boy and a beautiful young woman.

But look closely at the left side. Notice the ragged edge?

This is only 2/3 of the original picture.

This is my grandfather and his mother. His father was on the other side.

He left probably not long after this picture was taken. And my grandfather never saw him again.

I don't know who physically removed him from the picture, but it makes me sad.

(PS- I did find an original copy of the picture including my great-grandfather.)

Family Photo Friday- Handsome Couple

These are my maternal grandparents probably very soon after they were married. I really like this picture. Such a sharp couple. :)

Family Photo Friday- Smirk

This is my paternal grandmother, Mary. I don't know when this picture was taken. I love the little smirk on her face. So gorgeous. Still beautiful.

Family Photo Friday- Lighthearted

I'm not sure, but I think this is my maternal great-grandmother, Lena.

I really hope this is her.

She was a woman who endured quite a bit of heartache that she carried for many years, and all I can say is that I hope this joy is hers.

Family Photo Friday- Sisters

Again, in honor of Sister's birthday, here's a Family Photo Friday for her.

1988

1990

Family Photo Friday- Four Generations

My great grandmother, my grandmother, my dad, and me. Probably about 1984 or so.

Family Photo Friday- Big Brother

This is my maternal grandmother's brother, James. He died before I was born so I never met him, but every time she spoke of him, she still talked like he hung the moon. I wish I could have heard more stories about him.

Family Photo Friday- Rebel without a cause

This is my dad. Hmm, wonder where I get my rebellious streak from. :)

Family Photo Friday- Willie and Billy

These are my mother's family's Siamese cats, Willie and Billy. The note on the photo says they were 10 weeks old on October 15, 1967. That is my grandmother's handwriting.


This is my cat, Penny Lane, February 2009. :)

Family Photo Friday- Just Married

These are my paternal grandparents. Just married. Aren't they a handsome couple? Still are. :)

Family Photo Friday- Frances

I've always been the genealogist in my little branch of the family, and lately I've been scanning in a lot of old photos to help me with that.

That inspired me to do start Family Photo Friday. This is actually the picture that inspired me to it.

Time doesn't change some things that run in the family. :)


This is my maternal grandmother's cousin, Frances. They roadtripped from Arkansas to California, and judging by the photos, had a blast.