Bgmaus2(a)aol.com wrote:
Thanks, Bill, for the good reminder! And I really did enjoy reading
those
letters!!
Betsy Gorman
One more of Phebe's letters to go.
I wanted to share with you how rewarding I found my visit with Cousin
Dave Walker. I heard a bunch of interesting stories I had never heard
before about his WW2 experiences in the Battle of the Bulge and
liberating Dachau. Got to know his wife better -- a good hostess.
Picked up a bunch of additional genealogical data. He meant a lot to me
while growing up and it was very pleasant to see him again.
Dave reminded me about a fish story my dad once told a young Dave, Jr.
It seems there were two small lakes in the Adirondacks, connected by a
narrow, shallow channel, but both full of bass. Once a year the locals
would place logs over the entire length of the channel -- centering them
over the channel with an end on either side. After the logs were in
place, they would get in one of the lakes, making as much noise as they
could and drive the fish to the other lake. Then, they would turn the
logs over, so that the side that had been on top, was now underneath.
Next they'd get in the the other lake and drive all the fish back though
the channel to the first lake. There were so many fish passing through
that narrow, shallow channel that their dorsal fins sawed all the logs
in half.
Now I never witnessed that event myself, but while growing up I was
often assured that fishermen's stories are always true.
Dave had a major heart attack last year, but recovered nicely and is
doing well now. So, more important than the clever (or lazy)
lumberjacks, is the message that it's great to "reach out and touch"
relatives you haven't seen for a while, especially the older ones. I'm
very glad I made the trip, and bet you will enjoy making similar visits
just as much. Happy trails to you.