The tour continues

The former Spring Valley Public Library -- now City Hall-- hasn't changed in looks since it was built. It's a Carnegie library, and has similar architecture to the former St. Peter Public Library, also a Carnegie-funded building. The Kasota stone lower level exterior and Kasota stone upper window arches are very familiar to St. Peter residents, too, as the stone is featured on many local buildings.

Okay, so much for the aesthetics of the place. I have a mile-long list of memories of this library (Don't worry--you won't have to read about all of them here!). It was a cool, semi-dark refuge from summer heat the entire time I was growing up. I stopped there several times a week on my way home from swimming with friends at the local pool. I read everything I could get my hands on, enjoying the stereotyped world of the Bobbsey Twins, and another series of "twins" books that taught me about cultures around the world. I remember learning about kayaks and umiaks from The Eskimo Twins book, which was my favorite for some still-unknown reason.

I worked my way around the children/adolescent book room before graduating to adult books. I loved the Nancy Drew series, Sue Barton, Student Nurse books, and other continuing character books. Hmmm... I'm wondering if anyone reading this blog was addicted to series books the way I was? I still am, but I've moved beyond Nancy Drew with her handsome boyfriend Ned and her snappy blue roadster. When I was finally old enough to read adult novels, I found my first "home run" book in Mila 18 by Leon Uris, which opened the door to an interest in historical fiction.

But the best memory of the library is all the studying my friends and I did there. Cindy, if you read this, you know what I mean. Undoubtedly our parents thought we were the most diligent students in junior high. And poor Mrs. Rafferty had to deal with us all by herself. That little woman with the gravely voice, white hair done up in a bun, and soft wrinkly hands was a saint. Looking back, the City Council should have provided her with armed police officers or at least a muscle-bound bouncer to control the goings-on at the library. It was THE meeting spot for everyone between the ages of 13 and 16 who could convince mom and dad that the science study group was gathering there to review for The Big Test.

The gigantic wooden desk that held tiny Mrs. Rafferty's librarian tools--library cards, a date stamp (which I coveted), crisply sharpened pencils-- and that was stacked with books being returned by patrons is now in the current SV public library. Strangely, it now seems like a miniature version of the real desk, but it's not. I guess when looking back, the memories of the desk and the library appear larger than the objects themselves.

Need some buns?

It's very likely that this blog will turn into a time travel tour of Spring Valley. I have pictures from the SV Postcard Tour last weekend, and I feel compelled to share them. They won't mean much to anyone outside of a few (older) family members, so the rest of you can move on to You Tube to watch Michael Jackson videos or a Farrah Fawcett retrospective.

The Spring Valley Bakery has been around for a long, long time. I could do some research and tell you just when it got rolling, but it really doesn't matter. What does matter is the long history of going into the sweltering bakery on hot summer days, or hurrying inside on a frigid January morning and inhaling the warmth and sweetness coming from the ovens of this small town landmark. Bismarks and long johns, moon pies, snowflake rolls (a.k.a. "Spring Valley buns"), crescent doughnuts, garlic toast, raised glazed doughnuts and the chocolate cake variety, and frosted cinnamon bread (no raisins, please): the mere act of typing the words takes me back to the 1960's and a trip to the bakery for a loaf of white bread, sliced. A member of the Haack family greeted customers by name back then, and a member of the Haack family will greet you by name now, in 2009, should you happen to stop by with Charlie Reps, faithful customer for nearly 60 years.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Here's a recent favorite in my book collection. Lead Cousin Hannah speaks Spanish, and it's time for Assistant Cousin Miles to add a second language. Once he masters Moo, we'll see what Ethan and Owen want to learn. Twin-talk, I imagine.

Happy Father's Day

Charlie and Annie have already done their Father's Day tributes... here's mine.

Dad/Larry/Paco/Grandpappy and I had a great visit with GGrandpa CReps in Spring Valley today. Some highlights included: lunch from Panera, crescent doughnuts from the Spring Valley Bakery, a trip around SV to take pictures of the current sites of several postcards I've collected, many of which are from the early 1900's and the 1960's, a visit with the Grimmius family, a First Father's Day phone conversation with Charlie, a chat with Elisabeth (Evan got on the phone long enough to agree to grill a pork butt when they visit in July), and now a quiet evening at home.

Here are two dads...














...and here is the house I lived in until I was 12...taken today when GGpa CReps, Dad/Larry/Paco/Grandpappy and I went on a tour of Spring Valley to take some photos. I took these in color and converted some to black and white. Apparently all copies on my computer are now converted, much to my surprise. But, since I lived there in the 1950's and 60's when the world was black and white, this is how I remember 608 North Huron anyway!

Tough choice

It's late and I have to make a decision about whether to write a blog entry tonight or not. The bigger decision is whether to upload a cute picture of Miles or to write what could be a long and (thankfully) pictureless story about my experience at the local Holiday gas station last night.

I've made my decision, but here's a synopsis of what you are missing:

A short, close-to-elderly lady who likes chocolate but can't eat an entire candy bar because she has bowel problems shares this personal issue with me while grabbing the seat of her slacks and saying BOWEL PROBLEMS at the top of her lungs, and at the same time selecting a dark chocolate Milky Way bar to tempt fate. I know all about what her doctor has told her, that her husband ate the piece of chocolate she'd been saving for when her BOWEL PROBLEMS improved, and more that you don't want to know.

Do you see why I chose a cute picture of Miles instead? Here he is, having a snack at our house this afternoon after a restful nap. Later he went to Grandpa Dave/Grandma Doreen's house to spend the night, and to play with Putter. He's a happy boy who likes akaplsauce and cakoos.

More sweetness

Here are some pictures and video from Sunday and today. Ethan and Owen made their first trek to Gma and Gpa's house in St. Peter, and Cousin Miles was here to welcome them. His enthusiasm for his baby cousins--the "bebbies" is sweet. Hannah joined us on Skype on Sunday afternoon, singing and being cute. We wish she and her mommy and daddy had been with us in person, but we'll just have to be patient. It won't be long until their visit to Minnesota. In the meantime, Evan--hands off Hannah's edamame beans!

Today, Angie put the boys in their summer bonnets to go to campus and visit Daddy Charlie for lunch during Gustie basketball camp.

Tuesday in Richfield

Another fun day playing with the littlest cousins, who were sweet and snuggly once again today. Angie gave the boys their baths this morning, they ate several times, pooped like experts, and cuddled up to their mommy and daddy (of course), Grandpa Dean, Grandma Darla, Grandpa Larry, and yours truly.

Disclaimer: In some photos, the sheen on Ethan's head appears brighter than it does in person.

Note: If you click on a slide show picture, you'll get a larger verson, and captions as well.

Brothers having fun

Today would have been Grandma Doodie's 91st birthday. She'd have loved to know all the cousins--Lead Cousin Hannah, her assistant Miles, and the new little cousins Ethan and Owen. A woman of many colorful Southern Indiana expressions, her exclamation of "Good God, Miss Mitchell!" is still my favorite. : o )

Ethan and Owen

Nothing is more fun or heartwarming than holding babies (or a 2-year old, Hannah; or an 18 month old, Miles!). Thanks to Angie and Charlie and the boys for letting Grandma Jill visit yesterday and this morning. I still can smell those good baby smells on my clothes and skin. Ethan and Owen, I hope I didn't pass along sweaty odors to either of you in return! Here's a look at two sweet little boys who are excellent entertainment!