Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Jedi Nights
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Janet
I surprised Eleanor with the topic today. I asked if we could talk about Janet as a child, and at first she said there wasn't much to say, but after a minute or two, the stories poured forth.
Eleanor described Janet as an easy baby; easy to care for and easy to love. She remembered their maid Brenda always liked to dress Janet in nice dresses to take to the play area in Canal Zone housing. Brenda would wash and iron Janet's dresses and always took care that Janet was the best dressed child when they would go outside. Eleanor would have opted for simpler clothing, but Brenda wouldn't hear of it. One day Eleanor arrived home and Janet had a broken match stick curled tightly in her hair. Brenda informed Eleanor that Janet had the hiccups, and this was the best way to cure the problem. When Eleanor removed the match stick, Janet began to hiccup, so the folk remedy must have worked. Brenda was a 40 plus year old woman who had come to Panama before World War II, she was from Portugal, and was Jewish. She spoke Spanish and some English, but didn't read or write in English, so Eleanor regretted not being able to keep in touch with her when they returned to the U.S. Eleanor remembers when Brenda took Janet to the Synagogue before the New Year to collect the money on her insurance policy. If you hadn't died during the year, you would get some money returned to you if you came to claim the money before the new year. Brenda pretty much ran the household in Panama, "she even told Fred what to do, and he did it."
The family left Panama in early March of 1949, and traveled by boat to Florida. Eleanor remembers being terribly sea sick as she was pregnant with David. They had to buy winter clothing in Florida, as they didn't have any heavy clothing while living in Panama. They took the train to Minnesota and Fred continued on the his assignment in California. Eleanor stayed with Margaret in Goodhue,and they visited her parents quite a bit. Janet loved her grandpa Albers as he rocked her in his chair and sang her favorite song, "In the shade of the old apple tree." She didn't get along as well with grandma Albers, as she told Lillian that she was the big bad wolf and bit her on the leg.
Eleanor described Janet as an easy baby; easy to care for and easy to love. She remembered their maid Brenda always liked to dress Janet in nice dresses to take to the play area in Canal Zone housing. Brenda would wash and iron Janet's dresses and always took care that Janet was the best dressed child when they would go outside. Eleanor would have opted for simpler clothing, but Brenda wouldn't hear of it. One day Eleanor arrived home and Janet had a broken match stick curled tightly in her hair. Brenda informed Eleanor that Janet had the hiccups, and this was the best way to cure the problem. When Eleanor removed the match stick, Janet began to hiccup, so the folk remedy must have worked. Brenda was a 40 plus year old woman who had come to Panama before World War II, she was from Portugal, and was Jewish. She spoke Spanish and some English, but didn't read or write in English, so Eleanor regretted not being able to keep in touch with her when they returned to the U.S. Eleanor remembers when Brenda took Janet to the Synagogue before the New Year to collect the money on her insurance policy. If you hadn't died during the year, you would get some money returned to you if you came to claim the money before the new year. Brenda pretty much ran the household in Panama, "she even told Fred what to do, and he did it."
The family left Panama in early March of 1949, and traveled by boat to Florida. Eleanor remembers being terribly sea sick as she was pregnant with David. They had to buy winter clothing in Florida, as they didn't have any heavy clothing while living in Panama. They took the train to Minnesota and Fred continued on the his assignment in California. Eleanor stayed with Margaret in Goodhue,and they visited her parents quite a bit. Janet loved her grandpa Albers as he rocked her in his chair and sang her favorite song, "In the shade of the old apple tree." She didn't get along as well with grandma Albers, as she told Lillian that she was the big bad wolf and bit her on the leg.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Panama
In the summer of 1946, Eleanor took an airplane in St. Paul, MN.to fly to Panama where Fred had been stationed. She recalls that the plane must have stopped at every airport between St. Paul and Florida where she would catch the plane to Panama. In Florida, she found that she needed a photograph to get a visa to enter Panama, and she was fortunate that she had some snapshots of her and Janet. She really didn't have to worry about the details when she went to England as the Army made all the arrangements. She received her visas and boarded the flight to Panama where she was seated with "two Mexicans who had been drinking beer and eating chili all day". The stewardess found her another seat, so the flight didn't turn out too bad, but it was exhausting. Upon arriving in Panama the sun was so bright and the temperature was so hot that she wondered why she had come. Fred soon found her and they went to the apartment he had rented above a bar called the Buzzard's Nest. The neon sign flashed on and off all evening. They had no furniture so Janet's crib was the top drawer of the chest of drawers. She remembers that they had no money,but she found an English 20 pound note in her purse which they took to the bank and received almost $50 American.
After a couple of weeks, Eleanor went to apply for a nurses position with the Canal Zone Authority. People had told her there was a long waiting list for positions, and she probably wouldn't get hired. She was hired that day as she was given priority status because she was a veteran. Throughout her career in nursing, Eleanor has been helped time and time again by the fact that she was a veteran. She makes no apologies for being given opportunities which she feels she earned by serving her country.
Once she was hired by the Canal Zone, she qualified for housing, so Fred, Eleanor, and Janet moved into housing that was so close to the Canal that she could see the boats coming through the canal from her kitchen window. It was hot during the days, and rained a lot, but the evenings always cooled down to a comfortable level. She rode a bus to work and the Panamanians were very respectful of her because of her nursing uniform. She hired Brenda, a Panamanian woman to watch Janet when she went to work. Brenda would buy fresh fish from the local fisherman, so they enjoyed great seafood while in Panama. They did take a few trips, but as Eleanor reminded me " it isn't a very big country."
When she was preparing to retire, Eleanor learned that the civil service had given her credit for the two years that she worked in Panama, that surprised her because when she left, she was given money that she believed was her retirement fund. This is a vivid memory, as she was given a thousand dollar bill as part of the payment and worried that she would get robbed all the way home from the office.Shortly before they returned to the U.S., Fred was sent to McCook, Nebraska with his bomber squadron to drop feed to cattle stranded in the Blizzard of 1948-49.
My wife's parents, Russell and Mary Mund were stranded in North Platte, NE in early 1949 by the same blizzard that brought Fred's bomber squadron to Nebraska.
After a couple of weeks, Eleanor went to apply for a nurses position with the Canal Zone Authority. People had told her there was a long waiting list for positions, and she probably wouldn't get hired. She was hired that day as she was given priority status because she was a veteran. Throughout her career in nursing, Eleanor has been helped time and time again by the fact that she was a veteran. She makes no apologies for being given opportunities which she feels she earned by serving her country.
Once she was hired by the Canal Zone, she qualified for housing, so Fred, Eleanor, and Janet moved into housing that was so close to the Canal that she could see the boats coming through the canal from her kitchen window. It was hot during the days, and rained a lot, but the evenings always cooled down to a comfortable level. She rode a bus to work and the Panamanians were very respectful of her because of her nursing uniform. She hired Brenda, a Panamanian woman to watch Janet when she went to work. Brenda would buy fresh fish from the local fisherman, so they enjoyed great seafood while in Panama. They did take a few trips, but as Eleanor reminded me " it isn't a very big country."
When she was preparing to retire, Eleanor learned that the civil service had given her credit for the two years that she worked in Panama, that surprised her because when she left, she was given money that she believed was her retirement fund. This is a vivid memory, as she was given a thousand dollar bill as part of the payment and worried that she would get robbed all the way home from the office.Shortly before they returned to the U.S., Fred was sent to McCook, Nebraska with his bomber squadron to drop feed to cattle stranded in the Blizzard of 1948-49.
My wife's parents, Russell and Mary Mund were stranded in North Platte, NE in early 1949 by the same blizzard that brought Fred's bomber squadron to Nebraska.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Pennsylvania, Janet, and major decision.
Eleanor was married to Fred Neeley at the First Baptist Church in St. Paul, MN on July 28th, 1945. Reverend Herschel Roper was the pastor and Lorraine Albers and Ruby Soeffker were the witnesses for the wedding. After the ceremony, Fred and Eleanor went to Goodhue for a couple of weeks before moving to Cochranton, PA.
Fred's family lived in Cochranton, so they decided to move there to see if they liked it. Fred found employment at a zipper factory, and Eleanor took the bus to one of the surrounding towns where she applied at a Catholic Hospital for a nursing position. Nurses were is such demand that they offered to let her start that day, even though she wasn't Catholic.When Fred returned home that evening and asked what she had done today, she told him that she had found a job and was starting tomorrow. They rented an upstairs apartment from the Powell's. She remembers the name of the family, because when she went into labor and needed to go to the hospital for my sister Janet, Mr. Powell drove her to the hospital, as Fred was at work and they didn't own a car.
Eleanor remembers how nice Fred's half brother Buster and his wife Velma were to them. Buster was a bread delivery man, and Velma was a school teacher. They had two girls from Velma's previous marriage. Eleanor described Velma as a beautiful woman with golden hair. One day Buster and Velma drove Fred and Eleanor out to the Neeley family home in their car. She remembers Buster's comment of "My God, she's pregnant again!" as Fred's mother came out of the house. Cora Neeley was pregnant with Paul Neeley, who was born a couple months before Janet.
Janet Neeley was born on April 29th, 1946 and was baptized in an Episcopal Church in Cochranton, PA.; Buster and Velma Neeley were her god parents.Shortly thereafter, Fred decided that he wanted to rejoin the military, as he didn't see himself working the rest of his life in a zipper factory. Eleanor was happy with the decision as she had enjoyed military life and the idea of travel appealed to her. When Fred returned to the Air Force, he had to go to a training program, so Eleanor took Janet and returned to Minnesota where she lived with her Aunt Margaret until Fred received his assignment.
Note: When I use italics, I am injecting editorial comments. I hope that what I write here is not offensive to people, but I have made an effort to record her thoughts as accurately as possible.
I would speculate that Fred and Eleanor had enjoyed the thrill of the military during WWII. You were doing something of vital importance and literally risking all on a daily basis; so life in Cochranton and a job at the zipper factory weren't as satisfying as they would have liked. My mother has always had a special affection for her Aunt Margaret, and as I have been talking with her, it is always Margaret who my mother had confidence in and knows that the door is always opened for her. Eleanor has commented several times as we have been working on this project that Fred did not graduate from high school. He was embarrassed about this and kept it a secret for quite a while. "He was very intelligent, but never had the opportunity to get his education, he could have been an officer".
Fred's family lived in Cochranton, so they decided to move there to see if they liked it. Fred found employment at a zipper factory, and Eleanor took the bus to one of the surrounding towns where she applied at a Catholic Hospital for a nursing position. Nurses were is such demand that they offered to let her start that day, even though she wasn't Catholic.When Fred returned home that evening and asked what she had done today, she told him that she had found a job and was starting tomorrow. They rented an upstairs apartment from the Powell's. She remembers the name of the family, because when she went into labor and needed to go to the hospital for my sister Janet, Mr. Powell drove her to the hospital, as Fred was at work and they didn't own a car.
Eleanor remembers how nice Fred's half brother Buster and his wife Velma were to them. Buster was a bread delivery man, and Velma was a school teacher. They had two girls from Velma's previous marriage. Eleanor described Velma as a beautiful woman with golden hair. One day Buster and Velma drove Fred and Eleanor out to the Neeley family home in their car. She remembers Buster's comment of "My God, she's pregnant again!" as Fred's mother came out of the house. Cora Neeley was pregnant with Paul Neeley, who was born a couple months before Janet.
Janet Neeley was born on April 29th, 1946 and was baptized in an Episcopal Church in Cochranton, PA.; Buster and Velma Neeley were her god parents.Shortly thereafter, Fred decided that he wanted to rejoin the military, as he didn't see himself working the rest of his life in a zipper factory. Eleanor was happy with the decision as she had enjoyed military life and the idea of travel appealed to her. When Fred returned to the Air Force, he had to go to a training program, so Eleanor took Janet and returned to Minnesota where she lived with her Aunt Margaret until Fred received his assignment.
Note: When I use italics, I am injecting editorial comments. I hope that what I write here is not offensive to people, but I have made an effort to record her thoughts as accurately as possible.
I would speculate that Fred and Eleanor had enjoyed the thrill of the military during WWII. You were doing something of vital importance and literally risking all on a daily basis; so life in Cochranton and a job at the zipper factory weren't as satisfying as they would have liked. My mother has always had a special affection for her Aunt Margaret, and as I have been talking with her, it is always Margaret who my mother had confidence in and knows that the door is always opened for her. Eleanor has commented several times as we have been working on this project that Fred did not graduate from high school. He was embarrassed about this and kept it a secret for quite a while. "He was very intelligent, but never had the opportunity to get his education, he could have been an officer".
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Faith of our fathers.
Yesterday, when we returned from the hospital, Eleanor's apartment was being cleaned so we decided to check her mail and have a cup of coffee. The activities director came through and told us there was Lutheran communion service in the main dining room. We went to the service and wound up sitting in the front row as we were late; good Lutherans always fill the back of the service area first, so those who come late will get the added benefit of sitting in front.
Today we decided to talk about being Lutheran. Mom was baptized Lutheran by Pastor Korn who came to the house ten days after her birth. Eleanor was born at home and her birth wasn't registered until November 30th. Her grandfather, Peter Albers lived in Goodhue with her aunt Margaret, but often came to the farm to visit. Eleanor remembers him saying prayers and reading from his German Bible."Komm, Herr Jesu" was the prayer he always began meals with. She was confirmed on Palm Sunday, 1934 at St. Peter's Church in Goodhue, Minnesota. Except for brief times in Pennsylvania, and during WW II, she has always attended the Lutheran Church. It provides her with great confidence and comfort. She has always felt that religion is important, and always tried to be active in church. I can remember when she first came to Seward, she helped with communion set up at Heartland. My father joined the Lutheran Church while they were stationed in Panama, and they even helped with the founding of the Lutheran Missionary Church in Panama. Eleanor recalls that it was built with cinder block and wasn't much to look at. As time has passed, it is increasingly difficult to get to church but she is fortunate that St. John has a regular service schedule at Heartland.
Joanne and I are Methodist, and I think Eleanor wishes we were still Lutheran. Getting me to go to communion with her is always her way of trying to keep the door open to Lutheranism.
Today we decided to talk about being Lutheran. Mom was baptized Lutheran by Pastor Korn who came to the house ten days after her birth. Eleanor was born at home and her birth wasn't registered until November 30th. Her grandfather, Peter Albers lived in Goodhue with her aunt Margaret, but often came to the farm to visit. Eleanor remembers him saying prayers and reading from his German Bible."Komm, Herr Jesu" was the prayer he always began meals with. She was confirmed on Palm Sunday, 1934 at St. Peter's Church in Goodhue, Minnesota. Except for brief times in Pennsylvania, and during WW II, she has always attended the Lutheran Church. It provides her with great confidence and comfort. She has always felt that religion is important, and always tried to be active in church. I can remember when she first came to Seward, she helped with communion set up at Heartland. My father joined the Lutheran Church while they were stationed in Panama, and they even helped with the founding of the Lutheran Missionary Church in Panama. Eleanor recalls that it was built with cinder block and wasn't much to look at. As time has passed, it is increasingly difficult to get to church but she is fortunate that St. John has a regular service schedule at Heartland.
Joanne and I are Methodist, and I think Eleanor wishes we were still Lutheran. Getting me to go to communion with her is always her way of trying to keep the door open to Lutheranism.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Hospital Daze
Went to the clinic with Eleanor this a.m. for a visit with Dr. Froehner. When I arrived, Eleanor was light headed and felt that something was wrong. After an exam and blood draw, she was taken to the hospital for a sodium infusion and more blood work. Dr Froehner is concerned about her low white blood cell count. We used to blame the sodium imbalance on the cortisone shots, but she hasn't had one in nearly a year, so something else is causing the problem.
Thanks to Mary Ann for the note to Dr. Froehner. She gave us a prescription to start the process for the lift chair. Thanks to Barbara who talked mom back into the lift chair, as she was going to "wait for her stroke" before getting one. I am scheduled to pick Eleanor up at 2 p.m., so this is a fast update on the events of the day.
Thanks to Mary Ann for the note to Dr. Froehner. She gave us a prescription to start the process for the lift chair. Thanks to Barbara who talked mom back into the lift chair, as she was going to "wait for her stroke" before getting one. I am scheduled to pick Eleanor up at 2 p.m., so this is a fast update on the events of the day.
Friday, March 18, 2011
California here I come.
Eleanor was rotated from England back to New York in 1944, and received an honorable discharge shortly thereafter.She had entered the Army Nursing Corp on June 15, 1943 and was discharged on September 10th 1944 at Mitchell Field, New York. She final discharge papers rated her character and service as "EXCELLENT".
She was now faced with the question of what she would do with her life. She decided that she really didn't want to return to Minnesota, as she wasn't the same person I was when she left. A fellow nurse, Lt Carpenter and Eleanor decided to go to California, and since Carpenter had relatives in Pomona, they decided to take a train out west.
Once in Pomona, they stayed with Carpenter's relatives and both nurses found jobs at the blood bank. Eleanor said that she drew the blood of Ingrid Bergman and Mrs. Ronald Coleman, so lots of people were still active in blood drives at this point. Eventually Carpenter and Eleanor found an apartment in Los Angeles, which was quite a feat as there were shortages of housing in most of the cities with defense industries.
One day in May 1945, she was riding the bus home from work and sat next to a army airman. He was in uniform and Eleanor said he had the biggest brown eyes she had ever seen. As she was getting off the bus, she smiled and said "why don't you come up and see me sometime". She had no idea why she said it, but a couple days later, this army air corps Sargent showed up at the door. "Fred" was in California waiting for orders to be sent to the Pacific Theater. He had seen a lot of combat as a bombadeer, and gunner on B 24,s in Libya and Italy. They dated for the next three months, and got married on July 28th, 1945.
She was now faced with the question of what she would do with her life. She decided that she really didn't want to return to Minnesota, as she wasn't the same person I was when she left. A fellow nurse, Lt Carpenter and Eleanor decided to go to California, and since Carpenter had relatives in Pomona, they decided to take a train out west.
Once in Pomona, they stayed with Carpenter's relatives and both nurses found jobs at the blood bank. Eleanor said that she drew the blood of Ingrid Bergman and Mrs. Ronald Coleman, so lots of people were still active in blood drives at this point. Eventually Carpenter and Eleanor found an apartment in Los Angeles, which was quite a feat as there were shortages of housing in most of the cities with defense industries.
One day in May 1945, she was riding the bus home from work and sat next to a army airman. He was in uniform and Eleanor said he had the biggest brown eyes she had ever seen. As she was getting off the bus, she smiled and said "why don't you come up and see me sometime". She had no idea why she said it, but a couple days later, this army air corps Sargent showed up at the door. "Fred" was in California waiting for orders to be sent to the Pacific Theater. He had seen a lot of combat as a bombadeer, and gunner on B 24,s in Libya and Italy. They dated for the next three months, and got married on July 28th, 1945.
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