Waverly and Joe's Bayou

No love letter today.

Just a love drawing.

Last night while reading through the last of the love letters to my parents, I came across this drawing of their home in Waverly, Louisiana. Our then 6 1/2 year old son and I spent several weeks the summer of 1990 with my parents out at their home on Joe's Bayou.

In October of that same year, "little J." drew this picture: 

I love the alligator and canoe and even snake in the bayou. 

What about the bench out in the backyard? 

And that railroad track across the road! How many times did that train whistle wake us?

This is the Google Map snap.

And this is Joe's Bayou.

LL 11 september 1979

Venice Photo Source

11 september 1979

Dear Mother and Daddy,

J. went back to work today, so I'm catching up on housework. Yesterday I went to the Volks University to see about taking a Dutch course. Thursday night I have to go back to take a test to see how much I know (not much I'm sure). Then I will be placed in a class. That will begin the end of this month.

Also, I'm planning to go to the police station to register tomorrow so I had new photographs made yesterday. I am enclosing one of the better ones. I will probably have to wait in a long line to register, but there is no other alternative.

Yesterday afternoon we drove to the Hague (30 min.) to my Michigan State course. I think the class should be easy and will give me something to keep me busy for 5 weeks. (The class meets Mon and Thursday 4-6 pm.) J. will drive me on Mondays, but I'll ride the train on Thursdays. My Dutch class will be either Thursday or Friday night.

I miss not working, but I'm glad that I've saved a little money and am able to take these classes. Perhaps next week I'll call the American schools to remind them that I'm still available to substitute.

I was glad to get home Sunday night. This vacation was very interesting, but I was worn out when we arrived in Olst late Friday night. The day that J., another couple, and I went to Venice, A. and I had food poisoning. We think we got it while eating the night before at an Italian family's home (tuna salad). I have never had such stomach cramps! We were sick for over two days, but we never stopped sightseeing. Luckily, we just had the cramps and didn't have to visit the toilet often because they are hard to find in Venice.

Venice is the most unusual place I've ever been. There are only boats and water canals through the city. We parked the car outside of the city, because we couldn't drive on water. There are walking streets, but no cars. The boats go right up to the doors of the hotels, train station, etc. We saw venetian glass being made and visited the Lido (the very first bathing beach). I waded in the Adriatic Sea while we were there.

Last week on the way home we slept in Innsbruck, Austria and in Germany with J's cousin. We visited two castles built by Ludwig II (Lindenhof and Swan Castle). We also saw a Glockenspiel (sp.) like a gigantic cuckoo clock.

But I'm relaxed again at home. And B----straat 32 does feel like home now. No more vacationing until Christmas.

We are having corn-on-the-cob and chops for dinner. Wish you were here to join us.

Take care and take some photographs for me. Tell W. she isn't doing her job.

Love, Linda

Hand-stitched Quilt Flimsies

Don't send me to town on an errand!

Our town isn't large, but next to the cemetery is located a small vintage items mall/shop. (Appropriate place for DPS, don't you think?)

On the way out of town yesterday I dropped by the shop just to check out the prices on Pyrex bowls (which were waaay toooo expensive), and I found these three handsewn quilt flimsies (quilt tops).

The story is that the hand pieced quilt tops were made locally by an elderly lady. The seller could not/would not remember her name. 

All three were cheap! 

$8.00 each!

All three need repair! 

All three were lovingly sewn by hand. 

I can't take them apart! 

I can repair them!

I can iron them! 

I may even quilt them!

And Flip is with me all the way.

Hey, there is a Blog Party at http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com. Join in.

Vacation Postcard--28/8/79

(Refer to X on front of card.).     LAGO D'ISEO.       SALE MARASINO

28/8/79

dinsdag

Dear Mother and Daddy,

The weather is clearing from the thunderstorm we had this a.m. Yesterday it was hot, but today the weather is cool. I'm glad I have socks and long sleeves.

We had lasagna, sweet and sour peppers, beef liver, and wine and cheese in the village today. We eat out everyday, so I'm resting from the kitchen for a couple of weeks.

I found an inexpensive leather shoe shop today. We'll go back and shop later this week.

Take care and I miss you.

Love, Linda and J.

And Hi, F. I miss you. Write me.

Time to Get my Dirty Feet off the Table!

I am really trying to get into this quilting thing. While reading a few quilting blogs, I ran across the sewing machine accessory called a "walking foot." A while back my oldest niece asked if I had a walking foot, and I referred her to my mom, the seamstress in our family. At that time, I didn't have the faintest idea what a "walking foot" was.

But now I do. And one for my late 1960's vintage super high shank Kenmore sewing machine will cost $50.00. Not just any old "walking foot" will fit my machine, so I suppose that I will just do without it in quilting my quilt. My mom said she never had one, and she made lots of quilts back when. So I will do without, too.

But in the meantime, I will keep an eye out for a cheaper genuine special walking attachment for my Kenmore that has sailed the Atlantic twice in its almost fifty year existence. 

Yesterday while thrifting, I found a box containing a huge assortment of Singer sewing machine attachments and feet. No luck with finding the foot I needed, but I have spent a few hours today identifying and labeling the accessories found in that sewing box. 

Who knows? Maybe I can make someone else happy with a Hemmer or Ruffler or Tuckmarker.

[I am partying at Ivy and Elephants.]

Shelfie #9--Love Letters

This is just one of three stacks of love letters that I am enjoying reading. This particular stack was written 35 years ago by me to my loving parents. The rest are stashed away in an old black suitcase at my feet as I write this blog.

Stay tuned for more love letter reveals later on this week.

LL 25 augustus 1979

25 augustus 1979

Dear Mother and Daddy,

While Signor J. prepares spaghetti with ragu sauce, I'll let you know about our trip so far. We left Olst on Tuesday morning around 11:00. Traveling out of Holland and into Germany in the rain was not exactly scenic, but it was interesting. We spent that night in a German guest house near Rottweil, Germany. The room had no hot water or bathroom. Wednesday morning I went to the toilet downstairs and got locked in. I shouted "Help" and pounded on the door. Finally, the lady manager awoke and opened the door. J. said he heard me, but he thought someone was being awakened by the knocking.

Wednesday we entered Switzerland. We walked for 2 hours in Zurich and then travelled to Lucern. We walked through the shopping area looking for a store that sells Famolare shoes. We found it, but they no longer sell those shoes. Europeans don't like comfortable, ugly shoes for women.

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland

(photo source--https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitman2006/9346633992/)

Then we drove on to Lauterbrunnen outside of Interlaken, Switzerland. We slept in a nice hotel, but the shower was only one big drip. We had a delicious steak with french fries for dinner.

Thursday morning we arose early and rode a train up the mountains Eiger and Jungfrau. We saw "real" glaciers and snow everywhere on the top of the mountains. The temperature was below freezing, but luckily I was dressed warmly. We went as high as 11,333 ft (above 2 miles). Can you believe there was actually a restaurant there? The train is the only one in the world to go so high.

That afternoon we visited Trummelbachfalle (pot holes made by the glaciers). We went inside these pot holes with the waterfalls only inches away spraying our faces. 

(photo source--http://www.face-music.ch/fotosswiss/interlaken/trumel_g10.jpg)

You can guess how frightened I was. Later we travelled back to Interlaken and then through two mountain passes in the fog and rain. I was a nervous wreck. J. was mad because we couldn't see the panoramic view, and I was GLAD I couldn't see the scary ride.

Thursday night we slept in a quaint little guest house with a pitcher and wash bowl and no hot water. It is strange that they had handworked lace sheets and a delightful feather comforter, but a dinky toilet on the 2nd floor.

Friday morning we rode on another pass through the fog. Then we entered Italy, and the weather immediately cleared up and got warm. We walked around Milan and had some famous Italian gelati (ice milk).We arrived here in Iseo, Italy around 4:30 p.m. And came to the house but the guests were still here. So we stayed last night in a hotel by the lake. The view was beautiful across the lake to the neighboring island. Last night a terrible thunderstorm hit the area around 9:00. I think I even heard hail, but I was afraid to look out to see.

This morning we shopped for groceries and came up the mountain to the house. The guests were still here, but they left about an hour after we arrived. J. and I worked for a couple of hours setting everything up for us. We even put up an aluminum and plastic swimming pool that is filling with water over night.

I had time to get a little sunburn on my arms while sitting on the balcony. The temperature was about 78 F in the shade, but the breeze makes it feel cooler. Tonight the temperature is in the 60's.

J's spaghetti wasn't his best, but it was filling. We'll stay here tomorrow (Sunday) since there is too much traffic in the village. Monday we'll do some shopping and sightseeing.

It is good to have my own guide and translator. He can get along anywhere. I'm understanding more Dutch. Hopefully I'll begin my class when we return.

Well, my handwriting is getting worse so I'll stop. Please don't forget the money transfer from my savings to my checking. I will need it Sept. 10.

Tell everyone hello, and I'll write again next week.

Love, Linda