 |
| This paper was sent to mom by Harriet Fish in 1977 (when mom was in Lousiana). Then it had to be forwarded on the Douglas City, CA. (because they had moved before the letter arrived). Along with the letter was a picture of the old home that mom had lived in. |
| Now we hear there is a book that we must read called "What's Down That Road?" by Harriet Fish. Mom and her family is mentioned in the book. Mom (Etta Roberts-Lisifka) has added a few memories in a note she e-mailed to Greg and Heidi, to share with us all: |
| Hello, Greg & Heidi.... I was pleasantly surprised this morning, when my daughter, Laura, sent me your message about your home. Actually, I am surprised that the house is still standing! I was quite young when we lived there (about 5 - 7, I think), and we moved to another station and house on the new highway. I understand that is now an RV lot. I do have some memories of living in the house on the old highway. Yes, it was a service station, too. One memory was of my parents selling buttermilk there under the shelter which covered the gas pumps. They had purchased a keg - probably about 5 gallon size - which they kept filled with cold buttermilk from the local butter and cheese plant. They kept wet burlap sacks over the keg to keep it cold, and sold the milk for "5 cents...all you can drink!". It was so good!! I believe we had 1 or 2 acres with the house, and a barn, and grew some alfalfa for our jersey cow. (Mom made butter to sell, from that rich jersey milk). Also raised a pig or two and some chickens. Some honey bees were swarming around our barn, and my parents had a bee man come out to find where they were coming from..... discovered the beehive underneath the barn floor! They took out buckets of honeycomb, and we had lots of honey for a long time! Roy and I had a happy childhood. Don't remember Ralph living with us there, but I know he was born in Sequim. There was an old red waterpump beside the house, and I remember pouring water inside the pump to prime it, and sometimes hot water, to melt the ice! A large horseradish plant was growing there by the pump, and a neighbor friend would come over to dig some of the radish on occasion. Your interesting message brought back nostalgic memories, which I felt inclined to share with you. Harriet Fish had written to me about ten years ago, in response to an inquiry of mine to the postmaster at Carlsburg. I was trying to locate a schoolmate of mine, when we attended Carlsburg School. It was Mae Petersen. Never found her, but heard the family may have moved to Canada. Harriet Fish actually went out to the house which you are now living in, and took a snapshot of it for me. So thoughtful of her. Thank you, Heidi & Greg, for the welcome bit of nostalgia! My very best to you and yours.... Etta (Roberts) Lisifka |