Finding myself!
I just had an ADVENTURE, and can't wait to tell you guys about it...
I LOVE history, and the local historical society just had a presentation about a GORGEOUS ranch near my town. I actually hesitated about going - I couldn't find anyone to go with me, didn't know anyone who would be there. But I'm so glad I did - to me, it turned out to be completely FASCINATING. The story was told by the great, great grandson, and was about two people, braving the unknown to build SOMETHING out of NOTHING in 1877. I know I'm sounding a bit like a movie script, lol, but this fills my heart....
When I was little, my grandmother on my mom's side used tell me stories about how she moved from Canada to Wisconsin with her family when she was age 7, in a covered wagon. She showed me where they had the pump house where she would collect the daily water in buckets once they settled. She showed me the ceramic jars - HUGE jars - where they would store supplies, such as butter, and told me how they would strap them into the wagons and the clay would keep them cool. She used to let me play on the musical instruments that they used to keep themselves occupied with during what little free time they had. To understand what it was like, I learned to make soap, churn butter, and to dip candles. 6 months before she passed, she gave me the fairy tale books from all over the world that I would read whenever I was there (I still have them). And when she passed, she still had the spinning wheel and a sewing kit the family used to make their own clothes back then....
On my father's side, our family still owns the farm my great grandfather settled in 1914 after having immigrated from England. I remember wrestling with the tin containers that my great grandmother would hide the cookies in when we'd go visit her. The lid would go clank as we finally got to our "rewards", lol. I still have the little metal jewelry box that I was given when she passed. And my grandmother who just passed away in January, told me last year about how she was so proud when she graduated the 8th grade (but no more because that's all there was then), how hard the work was on their farm, and yet I remember when she ran for Congress when I was little - she was SO STRONG....
So back to today's ADVENTURE. The people the grandson spoke about came here with nothing - they fled Denmark to escape the German occupation before the first World War. They traveled across the ocean... then across the states... and found a place to settle here in South Dakota - and there weren't any planes or buses or autos or even a dependable mail service then! Shortly after they arrived, they made a dug out shelter which was their living quarters for some time.... just a mound of dirt with a hole and a door.... then they built a barn because a barn was so necessary, and they started a dairy and made milk and butter and meats which they sold to the miners in Deadwood. The money made from the dairy was enough to build the house, outbuildings and bunkhouse. They were considered wealthy by that time. The wife lost her husband a few years later, married another nearby rancher, started a hotel with him when the railroad came to the area, and he too died before the hotel could be completed. But SHE continued on...
The ranch, barn, house and hotel still remain and are recently being renovated. A BEAUTIFUL place. And what fills me up the most about this is that at the time they were LIVING, they probably had no idea what was coming for their future, what would remain after they were gone. They just did their best, jumped at things that FIT or did what was just necessary.
And I'm finding that's ME as well. No idea about the future, but SO EXCITED to get started and discover it. And I have a grandchild to pass on the stories to as well. I know some people would say that's not an adventure... but to me, it represents the FUTURE! AND I LOVE IT!
LATER!
I LOVE history, and the local historical society just had a presentation about a GORGEOUS ranch near my town. I actually hesitated about going - I couldn't find anyone to go with me, didn't know anyone who would be there. But I'm so glad I did - to me, it turned out to be completely FASCINATING. The story was told by the great, great grandson, and was about two people, braving the unknown to build SOMETHING out of NOTHING in 1877. I know I'm sounding a bit like a movie script, lol, but this fills my heart....
When I was little, my grandmother on my mom's side used tell me stories about how she moved from Canada to Wisconsin with her family when she was age 7, in a covered wagon. She showed me where they had the pump house where she would collect the daily water in buckets once they settled. She showed me the ceramic jars - HUGE jars - where they would store supplies, such as butter, and told me how they would strap them into the wagons and the clay would keep them cool. She used to let me play on the musical instruments that they used to keep themselves occupied with during what little free time they had. To understand what it was like, I learned to make soap, churn butter, and to dip candles. 6 months before she passed, she gave me the fairy tale books from all over the world that I would read whenever I was there (I still have them). And when she passed, she still had the spinning wheel and a sewing kit the family used to make their own clothes back then....
On my father's side, our family still owns the farm my great grandfather settled in 1914 after having immigrated from England. I remember wrestling with the tin containers that my great grandmother would hide the cookies in when we'd go visit her. The lid would go clank as we finally got to our "rewards", lol. I still have the little metal jewelry box that I was given when she passed. And my grandmother who just passed away in January, told me last year about how she was so proud when she graduated the 8th grade (but no more because that's all there was then), how hard the work was on their farm, and yet I remember when she ran for Congress when I was little - she was SO STRONG....
So back to today's ADVENTURE. The people the grandson spoke about came here with nothing - they fled Denmark to escape the German occupation before the first World War. They traveled across the ocean... then across the states... and found a place to settle here in South Dakota - and there weren't any planes or buses or autos or even a dependable mail service then! Shortly after they arrived, they made a dug out shelter which was their living quarters for some time.... just a mound of dirt with a hole and a door.... then they built a barn because a barn was so necessary, and they started a dairy and made milk and butter and meats which they sold to the miners in Deadwood. The money made from the dairy was enough to build the house, outbuildings and bunkhouse. They were considered wealthy by that time. The wife lost her husband a few years later, married another nearby rancher, started a hotel with him when the railroad came to the area, and he too died before the hotel could be completed. But SHE continued on...
The ranch, barn, house and hotel still remain and are recently being renovated. A BEAUTIFUL place. And what fills me up the most about this is that at the time they were LIVING, they probably had no idea what was coming for their future, what would remain after they were gone. They just did their best, jumped at things that FIT or did what was just necessary.
And I'm finding that's ME as well. No idea about the future, but SO EXCITED to get started and discover it. And I have a grandchild to pass on the stories to as well. I know some people would say that's not an adventure... but to me, it represents the FUTURE! AND I LOVE IT!
LATER!
Replies
I think that is fantastic. Wish I lived in an area where they had such history! You are absolutely right is does represent the future! Can\'t wait to hear more! Hey! your grandmother ran for congress???? Now there is a story I would love to read if you ever have the time or desire!
Hugs!
You have your own history. Now I am envious for the first time. All I know is my mother and dad. My mom lived on a farm of sorts and loved to play basketball. My dad lived in Paducah and they lived above the bar their parents ran. His mother was was named Johnnie Mae and that\'s all the history I have. I know I have tons of relatives on his side but he left them and never looked back.
It was good for you to go see and hear the history about this ranch. That visit brought your history to your thoughts. You have roots and deep ones and you will do well. This divorce will not hold you back for long. Your grandmother ran for congress. Something else to be proud of as you move forward and make a new life.
Mac - not much to tell... she lost the election and I was too little to hear or understand what policies she ran on. All I remember is that we rode an elephant in the town\'s parade prior to the voting, lol.
News today.... see next post!
WOW!!! I love history too. I would have gone with you... you are a very interesting and happy woman. I like it. ;)
I loved reading this journal entry!!!!! I love that pioneer spirit in you!!
I am so pleased you went to it on your own. That is the new gift I have discovered for myself recently, to just go ahead and do the things I want to, and to not wait to have someone to do them with. It is so freeing.
What an inspirational event it must have been to go and hear about the bravery of these people.
I like you also feel that my future is one huge adventure filled with all sorts of possibilities. It is so awesome!!!
Thank you for sharing this story!!
To have this verbal history of your ancestors is such a treasure! I hope that at some point, you will write them down to leave for YOUR descendants. I am fortunate enough to know SOME of my family history (German immigrants on both sides) and remember the farm where my paternal grandparents scratched out a living not long after arriving in America.
I am pleased that you attended this opportunty ALL BY YOURSELF! Think of what you would have missed out on if you hadn\'t just braved it and gone! Good for you my dear! This is progress!