Farm Life

My love of farm living began. My dad went to a school at Chanute AFB in Illinois in 1951. At 4 years old, we lived upstairs in a Mennonite farmhouse with a wonderful family. I especially remember Monty, their son, who was a year older than me. It was a wonderful sheep farm and I remember going out to the barn to watch them sheer. Somewhere there is a picture of this farm and if I ever find it, I'd love to post it. It was a big, two story white farm house with a big wrap around porch. Love big farm houses and lots of land to this day.........and homemade pies in the window.....hmmmmmm I digress. Really, this is a great way to live. Must be why my memories are so strong. I thought it was a wonderful time. We only lived here for a year.

At this time I also started my tapping career. I remember performing "Me and My Teddy Bear."

Me and my teddy bear
have no worries have no care
me and my teddy bear
just play and play all day.

Every night he's with me
when I climb up the stairs
By my side he listens
when I say my prayers.

Me and my teddy bear
just play and play all day.

Take a bow.......................

Born in Akron, Ohio

I was born in Akron, Ohio on November 17, 1947 in People's Hospital. I don't think we stayed there very long. In my last post I showed you my first home with the sheer curtains in the window. I duplicated that curtain look when I had my own first "purchased" home in Kennesaw, Georgia. Memories have strong influences!!!

The Berlin Airlift started so Dad applied for recall. He was recalled in September of 1948 and off to Enid, OK we went. We lived in an airstream trailer for a few months. (I've always like those too!)

A few more pictures..................................................

Here I Come!!!!

On December 3, 1945 Dad got home. He had the opportunity to stay in or go to Germany during the occupation. He got out and tried to be a banker in Hudson, Ohio. They bought a little house in Akron for $9,000. I don't think he liked the 9 to 5 very well. He was suited for flying and he missed it!

Pilot Pictures and Palm Springs

A few more pictures of my glamorous parents....hump pilot and Palm Springs living "the good life"!

In The Beginning

Dorothea Jane Lehnert and Arvid Keith Shook were neighbors in Akron, Ohio. They both attended North High School where they became sweethearts. They married on May 9, 1942 at St. Martha's Church on Talmadge Avenue - high school friends Joe LaSalle and Fran stood up for them. Dad was on a 15 day leave from the Royal Canadian Air Force, went to Akron and my mom said, "In case you don't know it, you are getting married tomorrow!" ( ooooooooh......could this be shades of my own controlling ways?!!! ) Dad was in flying school and mom joined him in Miami, Ok. Christmas of l942, they got an apartment in Alexandria, VA where mom worked for the Red Cross. Then, in the spring of 43, they headed to Long Beach, CA. Dad was in the Air Transport Command. Dad said he was gone a lot.....they had a little house in Palm Springs and mom spent a lot of time around the pool. It was the good life!! Mom learned to drive a car in the desert. In 1945 Dad was called overseas to India to live in tent city. he had a monkey named Suki!!! He was a Hump pilot meaning he flew the Hump from China to Burhma during the war. These men were fearless!!
Now you'll begin to see how my worldview was shaped....................

Arvid Keith Shook and Dorothea Jane Lehnert

Known In The Gates

I just had to inject this post.....it has to do with adventures to come. My husband has entered the race for State Representative. I have to tell you how proud I am of him. He is a man of God and a man of integrity and a man of conviction...very rare in our world today. He can no longer sit around complaining about the state of affairs and not be part of the the solution...........so.....HATS OFF!!! Run with endurance the race set before you!!

"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land." Proverbs 31:23

Update - Ken did not make it through the primary but he ran an honest, upright race. It is Brevard County's loss.