1952 Ford F1 Shortbed
The body is original and most of the rust is surface rust which (I'm told) can be removed fairly easily. Hubby can't wait to get to work on it!!!! It'll take awhile to get it restored, but when it is, it'll be beautiful!!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hubby's New Project
The body is original and most of the rust is surface rust which (I'm told) can be removed fairly easily. Hubby can't wait to get to work on it!!!! It'll take awhile to get it restored, but when it is, it'll be beautiful!!!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Hyla E. Athey Watson, My Mom
Hyla E. (Athey Forbragd) Watson
1924 - 2010
On Nov. 5th my mom lost her battle with breast cancer. She'd have been 86 at the end of the month. She was one of the most independent and free spirited people I've ever known as well as practically fearless. She was raised in an age where women didn't go to college or join the military and yet she did both. While in high school she earned a full scholarship to the College of Wooster
http://www.wooster.edu/ and when WWII broke out she enlisted in the Coast Guard. She was always very proud of both of these accomplishments. She felt that there was no greater gift than service to one's country.
She was also extremely proud of her heritage. It is because of her that I have so much information about my maternal lineage - including documents about ancestors who colonized America in the 1600's, ancestors who received land grants and settled Ohio after the Revolutionary War, and ancestors who fought for the Union during the Civil War.http://www.wooster.edu/ and when WWII broke out she enlisted in the Coast Guard. She was always very proud of both of these accomplishments. She felt that there was no greater gift than service to one's country.
Mom, like my grandmother, Elizabeth Athey, was a member of the Eastern Star. My grandfather, Clifton Athey, was a 32nd degree Mason. Mom was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She raised three children as well as a grandson and was never one to shirk responsibility. She believed in education for those who truly wanted it, but didn't think that it should be forced on everyone.
Because of her, I developed a love for both books and history and I'll be forever grateful that she opened this world to me. My adult life has been greatly influenced by her ideas and social attitudes and I can never thank her enough for what she gave me.
She was raised in the Presbyterian church and had a strong relationship with Christ. She wasn't afraid of death, but actually looked forward to meeting her Lord. I know He met her at the Gates of Heaven and she's with Him now.
Love you, Mom.
Diana
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
My Baby Got Married!
It was a wonderful wedding!!
Ahhhh!
Our two beautiful daughters.
Because of security & privacy issues these are the only pics I'm going to post - although I'd love to share all the pictures with the whole world!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO BETH AND BRANDON!!!!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Me Oh My!
We all know that time flies, but every now and again it really hits me. Today is the last day of summer and tomorrow autumn begins! My mom is still hanging on, but of course we don't know how much longer she'll be with us and my daughter's wedding in California is fast approaching.
I thought I had tons of time to prepare for the wedding, but now that there are only a few weeks left, I realize that there is a lot left to organize. Flowers have been taken care of and the smoked salmon is being shipped in from Josephson's (yummy!!) but my daughter needs to decide on the guests' dessert tray ASAP so I can get that ordered. Thank heavens for the internet!
I did go out and buy my mother-of-the-bride dress, (but still have to get shoes), and I have decided on the jewelery (pearls) and other accessories. For me a dress is a big deal as I'm a blue jeans mama and dresses aren't my most comfortable attire. But, as mother-of-the-bride, a dress is mandatory and at least I found one I absolutely love.
So, for now, my writing and superflurous emails have gone by the wayside, although I'm still reading and researching Northern traditions, myths, and music.
I thought I had tons of time to prepare for the wedding, but now that there are only a few weeks left, I realize that there is a lot left to organize. Flowers have been taken care of and the smoked salmon is being shipped in from Josephson's (yummy!!) but my daughter needs to decide on the guests' dessert tray ASAP so I can get that ordered. Thank heavens for the internet!
I did go out and buy my mother-of-the-bride dress, (but still have to get shoes), and I have decided on the jewelery (pearls) and other accessories. For me a dress is a big deal as I'm a blue jeans mama and dresses aren't my most comfortable attire. But, as mother-of-the-bride, a dress is mandatory and at least I found one I absolutely love.
So, for now, my writing and superflurous emails have gone by the wayside, although I'm still reading and researching Northern traditions, myths, and music.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Runes - Northern Mysteries & Magic by Freya Aswynn
A couple of weeks ago my sister Jaimie sent me some books on Runology and I've been reading almost nonstop. This book, Northern Mysteries and Magick by Freya Aswynn, has really impressed me. It's a very positive and beautifully written book. Ms. Aswynn goes into the deeper meanings of the runes (and the various levels of meaning that each one represents) and does it in a way that's easy to understand.
Like many people, when I began my study of runes, I thought they were just an alphabetic divining tool, but they are much more than that. They encompass the whole esoteric belief system of the Northern Peoples before the age of Christianity. This belief system is as complicated as any other religion or philosophy - including the Hindu religion.
Runology is a fascinating study one that will have a prominent part in my next novel.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tribute to Revolutionary Heroes
On this 4th of July holiday, I would like to pay tribute to one of my Revolutionary War ancestors – Ranger James Riggs of the Pennsylvania Militia and member of the Continental Line.
The Corps of Rangers, (also known as Riflemen or Partisans) was created by the Continental Congress as a group of sharpshooters and long-term militiamen who were to serve out the duration of the revolution. Enlistment was expensive. Each soldier had to furnish a good long rifle, powder horn, charger, bullet screw, twelve flints, a pouch to hold four pounds of balls, knife, and whatever else he needed. The estimated total cost was somewhere between 20 to 30 English pounds. The most famous Ranger Corps were Morgan’s Rangers and Marion’s Brigade.
James Riggs is a descendent of Edward Riggs who came to the colonies in 1637. On October 30, 1666, Edward Riggs, along with 64 other residents of Branford and Milford of the New Haven Colony CT, signed an Agreement to found a common township at "New-Ark on Pesayack" – Newark, New Jersey.
On September 15, 1742 (a little over 100 years after Edward Riggs came to America), one of his descendants, James Riggs, was born in Rock Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland. The actual site of his birth is now the National Zoo in Washington D.C. In 1776 James, his wife, Mary, and their children; Robert, age 12, Thomas, age 9, Maxemelia, age 7, Mary, age 4, and Basil, age 2, moved to Friend’s Cove close to Bedford Pennsylvania. Right after the move, James enlisted in the Bedford County Militia as a Rifleman in Edward Rose’s Rangers and signed the following oath:
“I have this day voluntarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Continental Army for one year, unless sooner discharged, and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are or shall be established for the government of said army.”
The Pennsylvania Militia Riflemen as described by Dr. James Thatcher in his Military Journal of the Revolution:
“They are remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance.”
Members of the Pennsylvania Militia Riflemen were with George Washington as he crossed the Delaware, and fought in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Whitemarsh, Long Island, and defended the southern end of the Schuylkill River.
After the American Revolution ended, James Riggs was personally granted 200 acres on the west side of the Ohio River. He and other Revolutionary War heroes (who were also awarded land grants for their meritorious service in the Revolutionary War and included the Dye family) cleared the area and James, himself, was the first settler to set foot on what later became the town of New Matamoras, Ohio.
I would like to thank my mother, Hyla E. (Athey) Watson, who compiled our family history (some of which is pre 1066) and includes the Athey, Dye, Riggs, and Ridgeway families. I would also like to thank the organizations of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution for their detailed documents and meticulous records. I would also like to thank Dr. George Athey of Houston for his contributions to the Athey geneological records and information.
The Corps of Rangers, (also known as Riflemen or Partisans) was created by the Continental Congress as a group of sharpshooters and long-term militiamen who were to serve out the duration of the revolution. Enlistment was expensive. Each soldier had to furnish a good long rifle, powder horn, charger, bullet screw, twelve flints, a pouch to hold four pounds of balls, knife, and whatever else he needed. The estimated total cost was somewhere between 20 to 30 English pounds. The most famous Ranger Corps were Morgan’s Rangers and Marion’s Brigade.
James Riggs is a descendent of Edward Riggs who came to the colonies in 1637. On October 30, 1666, Edward Riggs, along with 64 other residents of Branford and Milford of the New Haven Colony CT, signed an Agreement to found a common township at "New-Ark on Pesayack" – Newark, New Jersey.
On September 15, 1742 (a little over 100 years after Edward Riggs came to America), one of his descendants, James Riggs, was born in Rock Creek, Montgomery County, Maryland. The actual site of his birth is now the National Zoo in Washington D.C. In 1776 James, his wife, Mary, and their children; Robert, age 12, Thomas, age 9, Maxemelia, age 7, Mary, age 4, and Basil, age 2, moved to Friend’s Cove close to Bedford Pennsylvania. Right after the move, James enlisted in the Bedford County Militia as a Rifleman in Edward Rose’s Rangers and signed the following oath:
“I have this day voluntarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Continental Army for one year, unless sooner discharged, and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are or shall be established for the government of said army.”
The Pennsylvania Militia Riflemen as described by Dr. James Thatcher in his Military Journal of the Revolution:
“They are remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance.”
Members of the Pennsylvania Militia Riflemen were with George Washington as he crossed the Delaware, and fought in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Whitemarsh, Long Island, and defended the southern end of the Schuylkill River.
After the American Revolution ended, James Riggs was personally granted 200 acres on the west side of the Ohio River. He and other Revolutionary War heroes (who were also awarded land grants for their meritorious service in the Revolutionary War and included the Dye family) cleared the area and James, himself, was the first settler to set foot on what later became the town of New Matamoras, Ohio.
I would like to thank my mother, Hyla E. (Athey) Watson, who compiled our family history (some of which is pre 1066) and includes the Athey, Dye, Riggs, and Ridgeway families. I would also like to thank the organizations of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution for their detailed documents and meticulous records. I would also like to thank Dr. George Athey of Houston for his contributions to the Athey geneological records and information.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Heroes
I was a kid when I first read Lord of the Rings and other than Frodo and Gollum, the only other character I remembered from the book was Aragon. I fell in love with Aragon.
Today I'm thinking about qualities that make a hero really memorable. There's more to them than just good looks and strength. They possess an innate quality that touches the heart.
Diana
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