Roosters and Hens

One of my first memories was that of the Wisconsin Valley Fair held in August of each year. Our family had always been involved in the fair. Our mother was the General Leader of the Badger 4-H club and with that family members belonged to the club and entered exhibits for showing at the fair.        We had a old Black Plymouth around a 1948 I think. It had on it a trailer hitch which we hooked the trailer up to for hauling things.  At this particular time various exhibits were taken to the fair both in the car and also the trailer. The trailer was full of chickens!  I believe the type of chickens were Leghorns which were a special breed for laying eggs.  We had maybe 10 or so, all in cages, both hens and roosters.       We were heading to the fair loaded down traveling along highway Z approaching what we always called East Hill. East Hill was known as the wealthier section of Wausau of years past. The area had grown and spilled over the top of the hill into the more open areas of newly built and nicely constructed homes on wide open lots.       As we were approaching East Hill but still traveling through this new area I looked to my left and here the trailer was starting to pass us and chickens were flying all over the place!      Dad never did get very excited and he very calmly pulled over and I remember watching my brothers running around the lawns catching those chickens!  That I think is my earliest memory of Alan. I laugh every time I think of it. I still can see that rooster flying next to the car. Probably trying to get to East Hill first!

3 Up In The Silo

It seems like things were pretty open in the old days. I understand that once mom was working in the garden when she heard very faint voices but not exactly from where.  Listening very closely it sounded like it was coming from above!      Looking up 3 little heads were peering down at her from the silo up above!!  Ron, Alan and Carol, ages 6, 5, and 3, had made their way up the ladder which is attached to the silo and they climbed all the way to the top. Mom, as she puts it, was absolutely petrified BUT she knew that she couldn’t scream at them “you come down here right now!!”.      This would have startled them creating still another problem which may have lead to them falling down and killing them all. So she waved and said “hi, all right now come on down”. Her heart was pounding loudly but they made it down.      The story goes that at the point of getting to ground level and safe and sound she then proceeded to tan their little britches!!!

Too Young To Drive

It seems that Jerry has a unique ability in driving. He was the one that was trusted well before proper driving age to drive vehicles which included the farm machinery. One hot and humid summer day all of the hay was dry on the field and everyone was working hard to get it into the hay loft before any rain made it wet.    On this particular day it was great weather for haying but muggy and stormy looking. There was a load of nice dry hay untouched by bad weather out in the field unattended. Storm clouds were approaching and it was getting very dark. The hay was on the back of a truck and Jerry, only 8 years old, hopped into the truck, started it and headed for home.    The drive was a long narrow road kinda rough with creeks running down both sides. Well as mom puts it she saw the truck coming down the road without, it appeared, anyone driving. Soon she realized that it was Jerry bringing the load home. All she could see was his straw hat bouncing up and down as he swung the truck into the yard turning it around and backing it into the garage all within one try.    He then walked out of the garage took a look back scratched his butt and walked on telling no one. Couple minutes later it was pouring rain!!!