The memories of a family are priceless. Stories about our past help us to remember where we came from, honor those who are no longer with us here, and provide a sense of home and belonging to our children. We all have fun and interesting stories to tell. I would love to include family stories in these newletters. Please send any tales you'd like to share and I'll get them in the next issue. The first is a memory from Aunt Pat.

OF BATHTUBS AND ORANGES: Childhood Memories from Patricia, January 25, 2001.

When I was about eight or nine, Jo had to baby sit with me while the folks went out. Not unusual but the real story begins much earlier. I had, out of negligence, flooded our upstairs bathroom (those old claw foot tubs hold a lot of water). A portion of the water had, of course, seeped down between the floorboards. The bathroom was right above the kitchen and our house had 12-foot ceilings. At some point in time someone had put oilcloth on the kitchen ceiling and the weight of the flood had caused the oilcloth to develop a large bulge.

While Jo was babysitting I had acquired an orange. I always ate them by squeezing them to loosen up the juice and poking a hole in the top. I decided for some reason to play catch with the orange and kept throwing it up in the air in the kitchen.

(Remember the bulge?) Jo finally got worried and grabbed the orange from me and said you better stop doing that or you could hit the ceiling. At that time she decided to demonstrate what I should not do.

Three things happened simultaneously. Jo threw up the orange which hit the ceiling, the seam at the center of the bulge split and dumped the whole load of water down on her, and the folks came through the door. There stood Jo, holding the orange, and looking like a drowned rat. Needless to say, Mother was not happy.

Did You Know?

Wisconsin's State Motto is "Forward", reflecting Wisconsin's continuous drive to be a national leader, the state adopted "Forward" as the official state motto in 1851.

ALMANAC

The weather outside is frightful. Old Man Winter came out of retirement and Jack Frost is making up for lost time. Don't let those old geezers get you down. Stay in, keep warm, and read a good book.

In the spirit of family fun and to celebrate the postage rate hikes, everyone was asked to send a card or note to a relative by the end of last month to let someone know you were thinking of them. Remember, you were asked to please not gloat if you have a tropical vacation planned for the middle of this wicked winter. And, it was suggested that you send your post to someone you had not written to for some time. Well......DID YOU?

I know some of you did, because I got nice letters from Betty and Avis. (Thank you both! I'll write back soon.) For those who are behind, let me know if you need an envelope or something. And remember, be sure to save the paper backing from your stamps and bring it to the 2001 Mabry family reunion. The person who mails the most cards and letters to relatives this winter and spring will be honored and win a prize at the family meeting in July.

Keep in mind, they're already planning another postage rate hike for next year, so stock up and plan ahead for a blow-out second annual family mail-a-thon!