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January 26 – Tradition/Heritage (Journaling)

I used the same picture as for the name challenge, but told more memories about my grandparents and great aunt. This was interesting - I did not quite know where the journaling would go. :) Text of the journaling is the first comment for this picture in the gallery.

 
This is a weird kind of story, but I think that it meets the requirements. It is a story about something that happened in the 1900s (just barely!). It also ties in with current events, so I hope that is ok.
 
January 26 - Tradition/Heritage Journaling Challenge


Journaling:

The year is 1917. My Great Grandparents moved to Montana from Canada to the county of Stillwater to a small, largely abandoned town named Nora, which was basically just a Mercantile, a Railroad station, and a few homes. They purchased the Mercantile, and all the buildings outright and renamed the town Wheat Basin.

By 1918, my great grandmother Frances was the Postmistress of the town, the family ran the Mercantile, and Great Grandpa Edward was the barber. Soon this little town grew and now had a developed main street with a grain elevator, a bank, stores, a dance hall, and lumber yards. The town was primarily an agricultural community with a stop and depot, and as my Grandma Peggy told us, it was a wonderful place to live. She grew up on a farm, and had many friends.

When Great Grandpa Edward decided to leave the town, she was very sad to leave it behind, but looked forward to a new life in Salinas, California, where the winters wouldn’t be so bone chilling cold. In 1936, the USPS closed the post office, the town soon followed.

Today, Wheat Basin is a ghost town, with little remaining that is easily visible except a number of concrete building foundations and depressions where buildings once stood. The streets and main road are also still present. The last surviving structure was the Grain Elevator, which burned down in 1997. A sign placard indicates the site of the former town. My mother and her cousin Barbara took a trip to see the town and took pictures of the empty lots, and the last remaining street sign.

Credits:
Dawn Inskip Hush Staple, chevrons
Dawn Inskip M3 Jan 18 background, button
Little Butterfly Wings Jan 18 ADDON Blue Flower, paint
ETc by Danyale Simple Life Numbers
A Labau Jane Ribbon, pearls
 
This was a fun challenge, but I hope to never have to journal this much again! I have 153 words in my journaling. I also used a poem I had written, but I had to make it so small you probably won't be able to read it! I'm so tired right now, I'm not sure if I did everything I was supposed to.

 
Eyeore said:
@Iowan (please let me know if this doesn't fit the brief)


Andrew 1980: Although I did my utmost to try and convince the examiner that my hesitation was in the interests of safety he would have none of it and was adamant (actually correctly so) that I hadn't known who had right of way. As a result I failed the test. My learners licence was about to expire and there was insufficient time to book another test in time. A local driving school had a pre-booked test slot available and I could have it provided I had a lesson with them beforehand. Test day arrived the following week and with great nervousness I arrived at the test centre in the trusty Renault 4. I was very disappointed to be allocated a lady examiner who had a reputation in Gweru for being very strict and failing many aspiring young drivers. Off we went with me doing the best I could under the circumstances. Arriving back at the test centre at the end of the test the examiner began listing all the mistakes I had made. With great despondency after listening to all the mistakes made I said to her that I therefore presumed I had failed. But to my immense joy and relief I had passed. I was now a licenced driver and the roads were my oyster.
Stefanie 1984: I had finished school, my Mom had bought my car already, a 1977 Datsun 120Y. She couldn't wait for me to get my license and drive her around. I remember the first test, I thought it went well and was devastated when I heard that I had failed. Brian's delight at my anguish didn't help any. The second time around was quite a blur and when the traffic officer took out the paper and started writing on it again, I thought I had failed again. Imagine my delight when I had passed instead. I know that Francoise the driving instructor wanted me to tell him about the route I had taken - but it was a total blur. I am thrilled that I never ever have to take that test again.
Rosie 2018: You rolled ever so slightly forward on your three point turn and failed immediately. We tried to book again on the same day but we were going overseas and the driving instructor (Lynne Marie) was not available until after the dates that were open. So we booked on the 9th of January for the 25th. You were quite stressed before the test, but once it started you were fine. A slight bump of the curb and you requested to use your second chance and passed that time with flying colours. We are so proud of you and trust that this new ability opens many doors for you. Even as I hand over my keys, close my eyes, pray and breathe deeply when I watch you go.
Click to expand...

oh this could be our family "tradtion" too, we have all failed the first time on the driving licences
Thanks for sharing this
 
Thank you for the challenge. It was out of my comfort zone, for sure!
It's the story of the phrase ("Do you see what I see?") that we say a lot as a family. The journaling is also in the gallery. Please excuse my grammar mistakes!
 
WHEW!! Saved by the bell!! I just finished this challenge and then realized I had used current photos. Don't have photos from that time in my life. Soooooo---I figured I would have to start all over. Came back here to re-check the rules and there it was!!!! "Photos can be current." Can I say that I am doing the happy dance??????? :banana:byay:jumpey
 
Journaling {182 Words}:
My parents divorced when I was only 3 years old. They had to split the holidays, so my grandmother came up with a brilliant idea. Every Christmas Eve, my Dad's side of the family gets together to celebrate the holiday. There is always lots of food, cookies, and presents. My grandmother's short & fat Christmas trees were always a topic of discussion & laughter. My grandfather used to set up an amazing train display complete with his handmade village. My grandmother always made delicious cookies; my favorite being the Spritz cookies she would use her cookie press to shape. At first, my brother and I were the only children. Then my uncle got married and they had 4 kids of their own. Years Later, I got married and had three kids of my own. My grandparents are no longer with us, but the tradition continues. I use the cookie press to make the Spritz cookies now. My aunt organizes games for the kids. It's amazing to think that something started because of an unfortunate event has carried on for 30 plus years.

 
I might do a page around a family tradition that involves a recipe, @Iowan. If I include the recipe, does that count toward the 150 words? I will also explain the tradition of course....
 
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