Ever been to Weede?

Postmarked June 16, 1916, Grass Range, Montana, 6 AM.

What you are seeing is the Grass Range Public School, two adults standing outside, the ground covered with a dusting of snow, and, apparently, someone's hat on the ground near the bottom-center of the photo. Don't ask me why the hat is there! John is an old school teacher so he appreciates a compact school building like this and probably without a lot of administrative interference. Were these the "good-'ol-days" of education? Was this a one, two, or more classroom school? Were the two standing outside the teachers? We just don't have the answers to these questions.

Let's take a look at the message side of the card.

Turned the card sideways to make it easier for you to read. (I know, I know ... you can just do that on your mobile device ... but just for desktop viewers!)

John is fascinated by what folks wrote on cards like this. There wasn't much space and it's almost like using Twitter. You just can't go on and on. Please let me know if you think I've made an error, but here is what it looks like M.C.H. wrote to Dora:  Grass Range Mont. 6 - 15 - 16. Dear Dora, Just received your most welcome letter in Winnett last night but did not have time to write a letter but will do so very soon. I am freighting coal from here now days for a steam plow outfit near Winnett. Many thanks for letters Dora, I received them both last night and will write you a letter as soon as I get the time. I think Carl Nelson from Weedy passed me today in a ford he had a lady along. Well by by Dora. My best regards to all. [Then on top edge of the card:] Excuse haste and card. Yours, M. C. H.

So, MCH received two nice letters from Dora, just didn't have time to reply, but did have enough time to apologize for not writing a letter by sending this card.  Just getting off the hook?  Some things never change, do they?  Especially interesting to note that MCH saw Carl Nelson pass him in a Ford, and, of all things, had a lady with him. Oh my!

Lastly, we just love where Dora lived:  Weede, Montana. Where do you think they got that name?

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.

Super Bowl Sunday 2014

Update, Monday, February 3, 2014:  Congratulations to Seattle's Seahawks, winners of yesterday's Super Bowl XLVIII. Final:  Seahawks 43, Broncos 8

12th Man Flag flies above Two Union Tower
Seattle, Washington, USA
Home of John's Island

Dusk and crescent moon over Hawkville
last night.

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.

Got 97?

Welcome to February.  (And Happy New Year to my Chinese friends if I didn't get in touch with you yesterday!)

Just in case you don't have a handy calendar available for this month, feel free to use the one below.  Yes, it's from 1997, but as they say, "it's the same, only different."  This particular calendar is the official United States Government version as provided to government offices all over the country.  Unique things about this calendar:  It gives you the day number of the year.  For example, today, February 1, is the 32nd day of the year. Also, down in the lower left corner, it gives you a handy thought for the month:  EEO is for everyone. And, if you are wondering why it says SEPTEMBER in the lower right corner, that is because September is on the other side of the page. Yep, efficiency matters!!!!

Here is a little more info, bordering on TMI, just in case you were not aware:  The calendar repeats itself!  Yes, it's true! We use what is known as the Gregorian Calender.  From Wiki we see that "The Gregorian calendar ... is internationally the most widely used civil calendar." And "Gregorian years are identified by consecutive year numbers. The cycles repeat completely every 146,097 days, which equals 400 years, and which also happens to be 20,871 seven-day weeks."  So, there you go.  We wonder if anyone in government has ever considered asking for the calendars to be recycled? Perhaps the year number at the top would be too confusing?  : - )

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.  

1941 Last Portion

In 1941, two young school teachers from Connecticut took a road trip of over 11,000 miles across the US to the Northwest, down the West Coast, and back home across the South. After returning home, one of them, Charlotte Isham, put together a memory book of clippings, post cards, and other memorabilia to commerate their trip. This month we have been featuring the memory book here on John's Island.  Our feature begins here and ends today with the final portion of their trip. We hope you've enjoyed going along with us to see what travel was like some 70+ years ago.

The Alamo

Blue Bonnets and Long Horns

Man O' War

Home Again

Headlines!!!!

Superlatives Seen Page 1

Superlatives Seen Page 2

Charlotte's Trip May

To all of you who have followed my publication of this scrapbook and left me the kind comments, I would just like to say thanks.

See you in February!

1941 July 25 --> 29

We are taking a look at the memory book created by Charlotte Isham after she and Anne Hausmann (two young school teachers) took a road trip of over 11,000 miles across America in 1941.  The journey begins here and continues below, July 25 through 29, as they leave Southern California, cross Arizona and New Mexico, and see the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Cavern, and walk across the International Bridge at Juarez to touch Mexico.

To be concluded in the next installment as the teachers cross Texas, Louisana, Mississippi and return home.

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.