Monday, May 1, 2017

Welcome, to the Merry Month of May

No, this is not a photograph taken from the deck of Fridtjof Nansen's ship, "Fram," to illustrate what happens to a sailing vessel frozen into the Arctic ice cap or one taken recently to demonstrate the ferocity of Minnesota winters. This is a sidewalk on Main Street in Cottonwood. Best guess is that the photograph was taken around 1910 .... Cottonwood is the small, rural, Minnesota town in which I spent the first eighteen years of my life.
 
While the town did not even exist until 1888 when a post office was established and the railroad arrived, the first homesteaders had appeared in 1871. Although I was not present in 1888 or even in 1910, this is the way I remember Cottonwood during winter months and the way I remember the depth of the snow: One did not shovel the sidewalk; rather, one shoveled a one-way path along the sidewalk.

The small sign in the foreground reads: "J V Mathews Lawyer"
Behind it, the sign proclaims: "Meat Market"
Further down the street, the sign says: "Restaurant"

There is a photograph of Mathews, incidentally, in, "An Illustrated History of Lyon County Minnesota," published in 1912. He was born on his parents' homestead on March 30, 1879, moved to Cottonwood on March 12, 1907, and had his office on the second floor of the Grieve & Laingen Building. Although the "snow shoveler" is not identified, he very well might be Lawyer Mathews.

By the way, welcome to the Merry Month of May. I shoveled snow both yesterday and today ....
 

39 comments:

Anita said...

Wow!!Very much snow in Minnesota!Cottenwood seems to be a nice place to grow up in.I hope the next weeks will be more springtime at your place..Iam sure it will be the best place on earth when it blooms

Nice music as well--althoug my mind is not into rock music soo early in the morning..I prefer Chopin Spring-and April Dreams.

Wish you a happy week coming in and thanx for nice reply on my post.

Anita

Fram Actual said...

When I was a "working/practicing" journalist, I wrote a weekly column. At one newspaper, it pertained to local and regional history; at another newspaper, it centered on books and art and music and plays and films; at a few other places, it simply centered upon my own personal reflections about whatever happened to be in the news or on my mind.

One column was about the benefits and the advantages of growing up in a small, rural community where everyone knew everyone and there really were no dangers and nothing or no one to fear. I think I was very fortunate to have spent my boyhood in Cottonwood.

I guess I essentially agree with you, Anita: There is a time and a place for each and every style of music. On the other hand, part of me feels anytime is a good time for rock 'n' roll. If you have about twelve minutes to spare, both listen to and closely watch the second video -- "Rock Bottom." Pay close attention to Michael Schenker and how he plays his guitar. He was fifty-seven at the time of this performance, had been playing with bands since he was fifteen and arguably is the best "guitar-man" walking the earth. I saw him play two years ago, when he was sixty, and I still am in awe of his skill and talent.

I am sure both you and I are more than anxious for the arrival of spring .... take care .... and, rock on, baby ....

Anita said...

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah-Here we go again-
What do you mean both of us anxious for the spring?

Its Nice to read about Your past Fram...A journalist..books and art and music and plays and films;That seems Nice..I want to dive into old Movies..Reallly old..Now i am looking at Walking dead series..much bec my son likes it..Icant stand those dead ones but like the roles like Daryl and Meryl are playing..I was thinking about you when looking at Daryl :)
Right now i feel like Greta Garbo "I just wanne be alone" famous scene ..You now sometimes you want to do something, but not having replies..But hell..it came so many questions on Messenger to open it again soo..Its open..i reaaly dont know what to do With the blog anymore..How do you do that thing comments will show up after approval?i cant find it anywhere..

Ok i am working late again..Have a Nice week Fram.and dont think so much -life goes on anyway-while you sit there filosofing what comes NeXT--
Big hugs from me

Anita

Fram Actual said...

Both of us anxious for spring is no more and no less than a simple sentence -- a plain, ordinary, declarative statement: I am tired beyond tired of cold and snow and gray skies. I want the sun and a warm breeze, and, I assume, you do, too, Anita.

When I became managing editor of a newspaper in Michigan, I began a weekly outdoor page and a weekly arts & entertainment page. I coordinated them both and saw to it there was a "lead" story written locally for each and enough related material to fill them both; I also wrote a column for each. It was a lot of work, but I did enjoy the process.

I also like "old movies," and try to watch a few every week. At this point in time, I have been watching many from the late 1920s and 1930s. "It Happened One Night," with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, made in 1934, is on television right now.

I watched part of a, "Walking Dead," episode a few years ago and never another minute of it, so I have no idea who any of the characters are or what the story-line is .... I did not care for the show.

Apparently, you are not allowing comments on you newest post. If you are, I cannot find them. My posts are set up so that any comments placed two weeks or later after publication must be approved. There is a way to fix it so any and all comments made must be approved before becoming visible, but I cannot recall exactly how that is done and I am too busy this evening to research it.

I am busy because I have an appointment with a doctor in Mankato tomorrow. That takes preparation the night before and getting up early in the morning. Driving time is about ninety minutes each way, and I turn the trip into a shopping excursion, which adds still more preparation in advance.

Anyway, I have to run. Thank you, Anita, for coming here and for writing a note for me. Be good, be careful, and I will think of you while racing down the interstate tomorrow .... hang on when we go around curves !!!!

Liplatus said...

Interesting picture!
Minnesota has a lot of snow.
Hard work has to be done, snow machines do not stop.

There is also a lot of snow in Finland in winter, especially in northern Finland.
Greetings

Anita said...

Doctor??Having a check up??I can do it if you want hehhe..just kidding:)

Ok i ssee you driving those high ways with nice music on the stereo..what a funny and nice thing to do..I love driving car hikes..

I cant figure out that comment place..whatever I do it still is invisible for comment..So i think never say you want something it may happen but gives you no pleasure..only pain in the ass..

That movie seems great..Iwas a great fan of Gable since my fahter loved him so much..I remember me as a little girl sitting watching "Gone with the wind"or a cowboy film like Gunsmoke

I got a movie i want to see The Big sleep with Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely ..

Ok drive safe home agaian and I wonder what did you shop?Guns again or or or??New watch??Rolex??

Take care and i might write to you later in the nigh..from work

Bye Bye!

Anita

A Cuban In London said...

Lovely post. Full of history and character.

Greetings from London.

Smareis said...

Olá Fram!
Bem vindo ao mês de maio.
Desculpa a demora em aparecer. Estive tendo alguns problema na minha rede de conexão devido um temporal.
Como tem passado?... Sua pascoa foi boa, renovou as energias.
Andei um pouco perdida pela quantidade de feriado que teve esses meses. Feriados é que nem jogo de futebol. Uns ama e outros odeiam.
Olhando essa foto mais parece um navio cheio de gelo. Nunca tinha visto tanto gelo assim. Um calçadão ficar assim imagine no meio da cidade.
Aqui ainda faz muito calor. Manda um pouco dessa neve pra cá. Aqui ainda é outono e nada de frio. Só no mês de julho que esfria algumas semanas, muito pouco. Embora o Brasil tenha alguns Estados que a temperatura vai abaixo do zero grau, no meu Estado o frio mesmo nem passa perto.
Não conhecia essa banda. A música é muito boa. Gostei!
Desejo pra você um excelente mês de maio. Quando puder, se quiser me mande uma nota.
Tem uma atualização!
Uma ótima semana!
Um ótimo mês
Um abraço, e um sorriso!
Blog da Smareis

Fram Actual said...

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has the most snowfall of anywhere I have lived, Liplatus, and the Keweenaw Peninsula usually sets the records each winter. It is not unusual for nearly 300 inches to fall on the peninsula, and the record is just under 355 inches. I recall seeing what I thought were fishing docks stored in yards there and being told they were not for fishing, but, rather, were extensions reaching from the front door of the house to the street so that homeowners would not have to shovel so much snow.

Both the Upper Peninsula and northern Minnesota have large populations whose ancestors came from Finland. I remember hearing "older" women speaking a tongue I did not recognize, and being told it was the Finnish language.

Thank you, Liplatus, for coming to visit me again and for your comment. By the way, I "signed up" as a follower at your blog and, although the counter registered it at 403, my image did not (and, does not) appear. I have no idea what the problem was/is ....

Fram Actual said...

Although "my doctor" is a woman, I think I probably would have enjoyed having you "examine" me, Anita, rather than her. In fact, I am certain of that. The results were satisfactory, though. I do not have to return for another six months (this one was after three months) unless some manner of problem arises.

Yes, it is fun driving while listening to music -- usually classic rock for me. There are times I prefer the interstate and driving fast/faster/fastest, and there are times when I take the older routes which go from one small town to another and actually pass through them instead going of around them -- and, it is possible to see the countryside between them.

When I miss a day on the blogs, it sometimes puts me far, far behind. That is the situation today, and I will be falling further behind because the weather is cooperating for outdoor work and I have been engaged in that much of the time. So, I will try to wrap this up quickly: I am not a great fan of Clark Gable (he is ok, but ....); I am a great fan of Humphrey Bogart, and especially like his Philip Marlowe movies; no big purchases, but I did stop at a bank to "move" some money around and I did load up on food and assorted odds & ends.

I am glad you found your way here again, Anita, and I am happy you found time to write a comment for me. Thank you, and see you in the not too distant future ....

Fram Actual said...

Yes, CiL. Thank you, for your visit and for your observations.

J.V. Mathews was a contemporary of one of my great-grandfathers: Mathews was the village attorney and my ancestor was the village constable during the same years, so I would imagine their lives were often intertwined.

Fram Actual said...

Hmmmm .... I see Smareis has reversed her photograph and now looks to her left, rather than to her right. Is there a reason for this?

I know for decades Billy the Kid was thought to be a left-handed gunman, but it turned out the only verifiable photograph of him had been printed in reverse. The mistake was not realized until someone noticed the Winchester rifle he was holding was shown in reverse. Hence, Billy was right-handed.

Do not worry about when you arrive here. The only important thing is that you do arrive here at some point in time. If you do not, I will think you are angry with me.

I am glad you like the music. Michael Schenker has been with several bands -- the Scorpions and UFO when he was young, for instance -- and mostly with his own band -- the Michael Schenker Group -- for a number of years now. I think he easily is among the top five guitar players in the world, even yet as an "old man" in his sixties. And, he is one of my favorites. If you have the time, do as I suggested to Anita: Listen to, "Rock Bottom," while watching Schenker's hands. It is amazing what he can do with a guitar.

I will be cutting this note a bit short. When an entire day, plus a few hours, is lost from the blogs, it is difficult to recapture all of it. I guess lost time can never be recaptured -- it simply must be "stolen" from other activities until time runs out and is forever gone.

I probably will not make it to your new post until tomorrow. Nice weather has drawn me outdoors, and other responsibilities pull me away from the blogs once again this evening.

In any event, Smareis, I am very pleased you have come here and have written a comment for me. Be assured, you will be receiving a note from me this weekend .... in the meanwhile, stay safe and think of me and keep those smiles coming ....

Anita said...

Allright Fram.I quess the barbeque is all over now.??I hope you had alot of fun😀Here we have 23 degrees.But IM.working..typically!
Thanx for greatJimmy poems.Happy new week coming in 🤠💋😀

Btw..lats pic is from Las Canarias..Greetings
Anita

Fram Actual said...

Hmmmm .... a lot of fun at a barbeque ???? I think you may have confused me with someone else, Anita.

The air was cold and sky was a solid mass of gray clouds this morning, but by noon the sun had broken through so I had no excuse for ignoring yard work. First on the list was trimming some dead branches from two trees and cutting them up. Next, came mowing the grass in the backyard. Then, I changed the oil in the lawn mower. Absolutely no fun ....

On Monday, I will go shopping for orange juice, Vienna bread and assorted snacks. On my way home, I will stop at a Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles office and purchase license tabs for my automobile. After that, I will cut the grass in the front yard. Then, the rest of the day is mine .... so, maybe a bit of fun ....

Yes, I had forgotten about your holiday to the Canary Islands. I was pretty sure there are no palm trees in Bergen.

There are many/many rock 'n' roll songs about motorcycles and bikers .... I went for Jimi Hendrix because I love his guitar work.

Thank you, for your appearance here and your comment, Anita. I always enjoy your company very/very much ....

Anita said...

Outdoor activity ..Fram....Cutting grass is the last thought !soo much gardening..Hell do you have a big farm or or or???


I am soo glad you are declared totally fine again and enjoying life

After work you can sit in your summerchair having a drink and look at the spring girls!Thats life:)))

Seeing you..Iam out for some running..Soon beach time and i have to loose some pounds.winther was soo long !

May you have a suuuper monday!!

Anita

Fram Actual said...

No farm, Anita, no garden .... just an ordinary house with an ordinary yard in a quiet, pleasant, safe neighborhood in a Saint Paul suburb. At some point, however, I hope to exchange it for a place more conducive to canoeing and trigger time -- like a beachfront house on the shores of Gitche Gumee .... or some equivalent lake.

Well, compared to my former self, in some ways I am unrecognizable. That is to say liquor has not touched my lips for four months now. It is not unusual for me to go a few months or even for a year without drinking, so we shall see how this "experiment" works out. Actually, I think I will return to an occasional glass of Benedictine now and then before much longer, and wine on the occasions such a beverage is appropriate.

All the "girls" in this neighborhood are too old, too young or too committed to someone. Put it this way: I look, but I do not pursue.

Both Buddy and I need to drop a few pounds, too, so do not feel alone in that regard.

Have a good week, Anita, and thank you, for your visit and your comment. Remember to run fast, faster, fastest when in the scary woodlands ....

Anita said...

Goodmorning!!I have looked too much on the walking dead series I dreamt of them tonight!!and i should take a pic of beautiful nature and the camera did not work ohh what abad dream..

so you live in a common place with nothing nice to visit you..too bad..but keep on looking on those nice things its for free..Me masself is thinking of handsome men but they are all dreams..got a kick on hunters like Daryl though..

Yes in those forest of mine..Last time there was --I can not tell it..bec its too bad..it includes childmisbuse..and they raised their arms when they saw what I had seeen..you know..We got alot of people coming from Romania..Just to doo that thing..begging is just an excuse..sometimes they sell their own little babies two years ones streaming them online on teve doing bad things..and yes the customers are Norwegians..you see how bad it is here????in my town..everywhere..

But the woods are beautiful and deep..so i like it there but iam always on alert--

Benedictine is medicine,,have a glass Fram !Me..i have not have any alcohol in many years..Have no time to it..always on work..besides i dont like to be drunk..seen to much bad drunk people

Take car e Fram..I have one blog post to do ..then its working for me to monday morning..and then 17 mai is coming in..our national day..so much festivities this month..

wish you all good and stay tuned!


Anita

Fram Actual said...

Elements of your comments and your posts are reminiscent of a poem, "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening," by Robert Frost:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

I seldom, if ever, dream or have nightmares about things I have seen on television. In fact, my mind is a complete blank right now in regard to dreams and dreaming. I will have to wait until I have another and make some notes about it in the morning so I do not forget it.

This immediate area where I live is calm and peaceful, Anita, but only a few miles away things like drug use, prostitution and gang violence are part of everyday life. The metro region here has more recruits going to places like Syria and Somalia to fight for ISIS than does any other place in the United States. Some have been killed in the fighting there, and others have been arrested just as they were about to depart from the airport. There is nowhere on earth which is free from the bad, the ugly and the violent. That is why I like to always have firearms near me -- they provide, in the least, a small measure of personal security.

I think I will hold off on the Benedictine and the wine for a few more months. I do miss liquor, but I do not need it.

I ordered two magazines online today: One was a Scribner's from 1933, and contains a short story by a woman named Grace Flandrau. She was a Saint Paul writer who was instrumental in getting F. Scott Fitzgerald initially published. The other is a Saturday Review from 1952, and contains a review of Ernest Hemingway's novelette, "The Old Man and the Sea," done not long after its publication. I am anxious/eager to read them.

So, I see you have your new post published. Your photography is both excellent in a technical sense and beautiful in an artistic sense, Anita.

Thank you, once more, for coming here and for writing a note here. You are a very special person -- remember that .... and, do not work too hard. See you later ....

Liplatus said...

Fram Actual, the Finns changed a lot in the late 19th century to do American work. Minnesota was a popular venue for both Michigan.
My father's grandfather moved with his wife in Michigan in the late 1800s.
They later returned to Finland.

I apologize. The reader did not work. Did you try again?
It often does not work, it can work later.

Fram Actual said...

It is not necessary for you to apologize for something that is beyond your control, Liplatus. The blogs, in a technical sense, are considerably better now and more efficient than was the case only a few years ago. Glitches still do occur, but not with the frequency of previous times. I did try twice in a row to "sign up" as a follower of your blog; I have not attempted since, but I will try again later today.

My own ancestry is, roughly, three-quarters Norwegian and one-quarter German. I know when and where my ancestors arrived in America and places some settled (Manitoba, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa) before coming to Minnesota in the 1850s. I know the towns/regions they came from in Europe. It was fascinating to discover that around the turn of the Nineteenth Century to become the Twentieth Century, not everyone who arrived at Ellis Island was allowed to remain in the United States: Women with children and no husband and men over age sixty who did not have documentation of a job or of a family waiting for them were held and put on the next ship going back; people with infectious diseases also were turned around and sent back to their homelands.

I was unfamiliar with Finnish names when I moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but initially working as a reporter for a newspaper there meant that I had to acclimate quickly. Both that region and northern Minnesota, where I moved after leaving Michigan, have countless descendants of men and women who came from Finland. Many came to work in the mining and lumber industries.

I do not think it was usual for those who immigrated to later return to their homelands. I would be curious to learn why your ancestors made that decision.

Thank you, Liplatus, for coming here again and for your comment.

Fram Actual said...

P.S. The first two times, I tried with Windows Explorer. I just tried again with Google Chrome. The same results, Liplatus .... I am a follower, but without an image on display.

Anita said...

Hello sweet Fram!

Thank you very much for your reply !

I think you are the only one that got that message that i will take a looong summer holiday soon..
Will be back in autumm or somethink like that on the blogs

Ihope you are doing fine and if our roads do not cross..may you stay happy and all good to you :)

Your friend Anita


Liplatus said...

Hello Fram Actual!

Ok, blogging things well.
Thanks for the information

They returned to Finland because they encountered a serious mining accident, one family member died.
After the event they decided to return to Finland.

Fram Actual said...

Sweet like chocolate and brandy, Anita -- that is me ....

Perhaps, the reason I was the only one to realize you are going to take an extended holiday this summer is because I am the only one, other than you, of course, who can read the Norwegian language .... perhaps. I will say no more about that at the moment, and, rather, step back into the shadows so you can think about it.

There really are no guarantees in life, but I would not be surprised if our paths did cross at some point and some time. And, unless you "walk away" from the sea of blogs permanently, undoubtedly we will be exchanging comments here from time to time.

I am restless, as always, but otherwise doing fine, Anita. Next weekend is a holiday weekend, and my son is going to try (again) to come here for a few days. The only question will be (if he makes it) if the rain will stop long enough for us to do anything outdoors. Right now, it has been raining for nearly nine hours without let-up, and the chance of rain is in the forecast at least for the next ten days.

You, too, Anita !!!! I hope all is well and fine for you and Alexander, and that you do not forget about me during your summer ventures ....

Fram Actual said...

It is nice to see you here again, Liplatus, and it is enjoyable to read your words. Thank you, for both ....

I lived in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where the region is noted for iron ore mining. I also spent a bit of time in Calumet on the Keweenaw Peninsula, in the heart of "copper country," and a year downstate. A group of us left the daily newspaper in Marquette for political reasons and began a weekly, where, among other things, I wrote a history column. Mining is synonymous with the Upper Peninsula and accidents are synonymous with mining. You have made me curious .... if you have access to information about the years and the location where your ancestors lived while in Michigan, I would like to do a bit of research to satisfy my curiosity.

So, take care, Liplatus, and I hope to see you back here from time to time.

Liplatus said...

Hello

They moved to America in 1892. Ironwood, Gogebic, Michigan, USA
I have found information about their family portraits.
They went to photography at O. L.Thornbladh, Ashland ave near the town hall, Ironwood Michigan.
Photography is also N. M. Nelson Photography, Ishpeming, Michigan

I'm also interested in what happened.
They moved to Finland before 1930. I do not know the exact year.
The work was iron ore mining.

Anita said...

OkFram.I want a big amount of that chocolatte and brandy taste!
thats a wondeful combination.no iam not going away..just have some time out from the blog world..lost inpiration you see,,Iwant something new to happen.I will have a post before I leave.

good for you about the visit of your family.Hope the rain stops so you can have some outdoor fun.

Here its only work work work..Soo f....boring!!
We have sun yes but not enough sun..typically scandinavian summers

Icecold waters!


Nice talking to you..The Wolf!!(some times I wonder who is that man)

Now I go for my afternoon walk..Before going to my sofa ,slumering, looking at movies with a great hamburger and pommes frites(Yes i know,,bad, bad thing not good for my curves)

See you honey!


Anita

Fram Actual said...

Hmmmm .... only "slightly" before my time there ....

I never have been in Ironwood except to drive through it a few times coming from or going to Minn-n-n-n-e-e-e-e-sootaaaa. The interesting thing about this is that Ironwood is about one hundred fifty miles from Marquette (where I lived for a few years) and Ishpeming only is about fifteen miles away from Marquette. I actually covered a few city council meetings and other events in Ishpeming when I was a reporter. (I became managing editor after about a year.) I wonder if your relatives lived in both towns for a time, or why they would have utilized photographers so far distant from one another? Especially during a time period when travel was considerably more difficult.

I noticed that there have been more than nine hundred deaths in mining accidents over the years in Gogebic County alone. Ironwood is on the Michigan side of the border with Wisconsin and, in addition to those mining operations around Ironwood, there also is a number of them just across the river in Wisconsin. This could turn into a time-consuming project, which is no problem for me, but any other information you could provide might make the difference in what I am able to discover. A name or two could make all the difference .... is/was the last name Hoikkala ?? I noticed a Lydia Hoikkala, age thirty-one, single, born in Finland, living in Houghton County (copper country), Michigan, in 1920.

You have made me curious, too. Are you a professional photographer? A journalist? A publicist?

In any case, I will look around a bit more ....

Fram Actual said...

Well, if we ever should go out somewhere, sometime to eat, I will see to it that the only items on the menu are chocolate this and that and brandy. Does that meet with your approval and your requirements ??

Rain remains in the weather forecast almost constantly, but I did manage to cut the grass in half of my yard yesterday and in the other half today. That is work/work/work and boring/boring/boring .... but, at least it is excellent exercise.

I do not think there is anywhere in the world which would have a climate to suit me. I prefer sun, with temperatures ranging between sixty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit. This I would like for nine months every year. For the other three months, I do not care what the temperature might be or what the amount of snowfall would be, but I do want it cold enough for the snow to last. And, I want one big, fierce, howling blizzard each of those three months so I do not forget that I am a "northern boy" by birth and by choice.

Hmmmm .... I think I know you pretty thoroughly, Anita, and, other than not knowing my actual identity, you should know me very well, too.

I was not familiar with "pommes frites" and I had to do a bit of research. They do sound delicious, but it seems I might have to go to New York City or some other destination outside of Minnesota to buy some. My current weakness is a chocolate-covered, cake doughnut or two or three every day. I would eat more of them, but I am trying to trim my waistline an inch or two .... or three ....

Speaking of which, I think I will have one right now .... waistline or not, I do need to maintain a high level of sweetness .... right, baby ??

Liplatus said...

Hi, thank you for wanting to help with genealogy.

Yes it is possible that relatives live in both cities.
In 1892 my dad moved to America with his family, so his brother moved to America. He died in a mining accident.
Other relatives also moved to America.
Their descendants still live in America.

I also tried to find information about the event.
I thought this might be the Pabst mining catastrophe on September 24, 1926
Accident inside the mine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pabst_Mine_Disaster
I do not know exactly if Pabst was.

Good luck that they went to the picture, I have memories.
Photographs were rare in the 19th century.

Loved My husband's surname is Hoikkala.
I asked him about America, he said he had no relatives in America.

I want to keep the names of American relatives secret.

I'm not a professional photographer, but photography is a nice hobby.

I'm not a journalist, not an entrepreneur, even though I've been involved in many years ago.
I did charity.

Fram Actual said...

Let me begin by saying that I appreciate and understand your concern about privacy. In many ways, I write a great deal about myself and about my personal life, but I do not reveal exactly who I am. I have no allusions that someone with the right skill sets could uncover my actual identity, but I doubt anyone has enough curiosity or motivation to do so.

But, of course, without a name there is no actual trail to follow in regard to your ancestors. I did a preliminary search regarding the Pabst Mine Disaster, but found no names in regard to the three who were killed. I am uncertain in my mind if I should pursue the matter further, or allow it to end as it is now.

As a footnote to the name "Pabst," I might mention that I drink Pabst Blue Ribbon beer when I live in a region where it is distributed. The name comes from the beer being awarded the blue ribbon at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago .... at least, that is according to "legend."

My interest in photography is rather low at the moment. When I worked as a reporter, I carried a camera with me almost constantly. At times back then, my interest would soar and I would buy more gear and experiment both with a camera and in the darkroom.

I will keep my eyes open and attempt to learn more, although I am not certain to what ends. In the meanwhile, I will continue to visit your blog and, I hope, you will do the same at mine. As an afterthought, I cannot help but wonder if my path might unknowingly have crossed with some Finns in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or in northern Minnesota who are related to you.

Thank you, Liplatus for coming here and for answering my questions. Take care, and keep your camera handy ....

Smareis said...

Bom dia Fram!
Como está? Espero que tudo esteja bem contigo.
Tenho navegado a cada dia menos pelos blogs por isso minha ausência. Mais sempre estou de olho nas suas atualizações.
Soprei ao vento uma porção de coisas boas. Espero que chegue ai...
Que seu domingo seja cheio de coisas boas.
Boa semana pra ti!
Um sorriso!
Escrevinhados da Vida

Liplatus said...

Hello,
I started blogging as a nickname but soon added my real name to the pictures.
It's worth checking out what's online, there are a lot of bad things in the world.
If I were anonymous, I would write a lot more.

I did not know "Pabst" what it is, thanks for the info.

I've never worked in a dark room.

It is much possible that previous generations have met.

You can not continue the genealogy because there is no name.
Thank you so much for your interest in getting to know the lives of previous generations.

Welcome to my blog, I'm also visiting your blog.

Fram Actual said...

So, Smareis, I am fine and having a good day .... I hope the same is true for you.

I look (with one eye) at the blogs most days, but my mood is not right for being active and there is nothing which captures my interest or imagination enough to write a post about it. It seems to me that it will not be long before I even stop looking at the blogs. The past year (ten months, actually) have been rather negative for me; I need to break free of my current situation -- somehow, someway -- and, as the cliché goes, find greener pastures.

I will keep my eyes open for "a lot of good things" drifting to me whenever there is a wind coming to me from the south.

My son is spending a day or two with my former wife. He will arrive here this evening to spend a day or two with me. I am looking forward to the time I will have with him.

Your visit here pleases me and your note makes me happy. I guess I owe you two notes now, since I have not yet responded to the one from May 7. I am slow/slow/slow .... ooooffff ....

Take care and think of me, Smareis, when you have a few moments to yourself ....

Fram Actual said...

I did not notice your comment here until a few minutes ago, Liplatus, but I have seen it now and I will respond to it now. Better late than never, as I find myself saying all too often ....

I have very few problems while "navigating" the sea of blogs, but I am aware of women who face many difficulties unless they "mask" their identities. I guess that might be a universal problem for women no matter what the venue.

I was taught how "to run" a darkroom at the first newspaper I worked for, a weekly, and that skill/knowledge actually was a key when I began to apply for work at daily newspapers. I always was willing to learn anything and to try any position and, within a few years, could cover any slot in a newsroom and most in the "back shop" area. I also sold advertising at the first weekly. Often, I would handle my own position and cover for anyone else who took vacation or sick days.

Although you (we) are not certain the mining accident which took the life of your ancestor was the Pabst Mine Disaster, I have sent emails to the Gogebic County Historical Society and the Ironwood Daily Globe requesting assistance in researching the 1926 accident. I have had no reply from either. That might be because it is a holiday weekend in the United States, or it might be either or neither responds to such requests. During my own years in journalism, I took it upon myself to at least acknowledge any requests sent to the news departments where I worked. So often, newspapers fail to reply simply because there is not enough staff to accommodate requests for assistance or information. If I learn anything which I think might be useful, I will pass it along to you.

And, now, I will sign off with these words: Take care and stay safe, Liplatus ....

Smareis said...

Boa noite Fram!
Tudo bem? E o verão já chegou por ai! Aqui pelo jeito o inverno não quer dar as caras. Muito calor ainda.
Eu penso que essas famílias que perderam seus familiares na guerra devem sofrer muito nesse dia de homenagem.
Você foi muito corajoso em responder SIM a pergunta que o sargento da artilharia do Corpo de fuzileiros marinhos lhe fez. Nem todo mundo tem coragem de dizer sim.
Sabe Fram, mesmo que muitos aceitem morrer pela família, pela pátria, os pais sofrem muito com a perda de seus entes queridos... Deve ser uma dor muito grande. Eu penso que ninguém deveria morrer pela pátria, e sim se viver por ela. Tem até uma canção que fala sobre isso.
Desejo uma semana muito feliz pra você Fram!
Um punhado de sorrisos!

Fram Actual said...

You have found me at my weakest state since mid- to late-January, Smareis. I woke up with a sore throat a week ago today. I have been enduring it and body aches and pains since then, and I am beginning to wonder if these things will go on forever. Actually, I felt considerably better on Friday, but, perhaps, I overdid things and had a relapse on Saturday, which pretty much kept me in bed all day. Most of the time, my legs are wobbly and it is painful for me to walk.

I have been burning wood cut from tree branches dropped in the yard during wind storms. It has been stacked outdoors for three or four years. I really, really like the scent from burning wood, so I have been in the middle of the smoke every day except for one. I think that might be the cause of my lingering sore throat.

I was twenty-two when I was asked and when I answered the question about willingness to die for my country, Smareis -- young enough to still be reckless, old enough to know what I was doing. I really do not think courage has much to do with it. It is more a matter of selfishness for the reasons you cited: Putting yourself, your own feelings, above those of your family and friends.

It is interesting that you have the same attitude about death in the military as did General George S. Patton. Addressing troops just before leaving Africa in 1943, he said: "No dumb bastard ever won a war by going out and dying for his country. He won it by making some other dumb bastard die for his country." That was my position, entirely, then, and it never has wavered, even the time when I found myself in an "Alamo" situation.

Someday, I might choose to write a post about this topic, Smareis, but not today .... my body hurts, my brain is foggy and I need a nap .... thank you, for your presence and your thoughtful comment .... how happy my week will be depends upon the weather and my health .... I wish you one of your very best weeks ever .... I will think of you, and I hope you will keep the smiles coming my way ....

Smareis said...

Boa noite Fram!
Eu pensei que meu comentário não tinha sido registrado. Foi depois que percebi que havia feito na segunda postagem e nem tinha percebido ehehehe.
Acho que me distraí relendo sua segunda postagem.
Espero que esteja melhor da garganta. O ar seco e frio é irritante para a mucosa e para as células das vias aéreas. Qualquer fumaça e o próprio tempo seco e frio prejudicam bastante a parte respiratória e também principalmente a garganta.
Cuida-se dessas dores Fram, você deve estar fazendo muito trabalho pesado com esses galhos de árvore que caiu com a tempestade.

Eu ainda não fiz atualização no blog. Vamos ver se faço na próxima semana.
Envio sorrisos, e desejo melhoras!

Fram Actual said...

Actually, I am not really any better -- a bit worse, perhaps, in that I have spent about one-half of my time sleeping during the last two days and I have to make myself eat even when I do not wish to do so.

It seems my son brought the sore throat with him during his Memorial weekend visit. He had a bad cough, but did not mention the "bad throat." My legs are very wobbly and my knees hurt, but I cannot blame those problems on him. I am glad I have no immediate needs to work on the roof .... or it might be goodbye, Fram !!

The work is not unduly strenuous, and, in many ways, much of the past week to ten days has been sort of a blur. The weather finally broke: Daytime temperatures have been around ninety degrees (or higher) Fahrenheit and nighttime lows in the mid- to high forties.

My "uniform" for both day and night excursions has been shorts and a t-shirt. As I mentioned a few days ago, I like the scent of wood smoke and I spent the first four days or so right in the middle of it. That probably did the trick .... if I still drank like I did in the not-so-distant-past, I probably would be under the earth instead of atop it.

Anyway, all bad things (like all good things) must come to an end .... right, Smareis ?? I am trying to take better care of myself, but it seems my "aging body" has plans of its own.

I will look forward to your next post .... thank you, for the smiles and the good wishes. For you, Smareis, I send a piece of my heart and wishes for life to treat you well .... I think of you ....

Something special ....