There are Trips and There are Trips!

“A DANCING GIRL'S CROOKED ROAD TO GOD”

( Book title seen in a Great Valley, NY antique store.)

There are Trips and There are Trips!

On September 1, 2008 we received an email telling us that a dear friend had died. Off to Clearfield, Pennsylvania for four days.

I have traveled this route so many times since the 1960's that I have my own personal ruts in the roads. Those ruts have been made on sunny days when the views of the hills have been clear; at other times I have traveled those ruts when I could barely see the road during a blizzard.

The road seems longer now. The drive seems to take forever. From now on it will be a two-day trip.

Weddings and funerals – the two events that demand that we come together. To ignore the call is to do so at your own peril. They are occasions for reviewing our past and sharing our histories. They are hopeful occasions because we see the new generations that are growing and taking the place of the passing, older generations. We are assured that life goes on.

Over the days of mourning tales were told that would make you cry but there were stories – and many of them – that would cause you to bust a gut laughing.

And food. Baked beans, potato salad, stuffed meatloaf, Italian wedding soup; not much coffee or tea or alcoholic libations– this is a pop/soda family.

We finally got to meet and hug the newest generation: Caleb, Anna, Elianna, Marilla, Isabella.

We all owe a great deal to M. Jean Carns. In her 84^th year she brought us all together to honor her life.

Thank you, Jean!

And yes, to many it was a surprise that you took flying lessons; I wonder how many knew that you also played the autoharp? Keep those strings in tune!

Grandpa George and Elianna







The Department store where Jean worked for many years. It is now a beautiful antique store maintained by the Leitzinger family.








Mom and daughter. Amy and Anna







Dad and daughter. George and Elianna.






Marilla hits the road in her Princess-Mobile!


Peg and Cathy watch over Isabella.










Bob brings in fresh corn from the garden.



Raymond and Brian relax.

James relaxes while watching his nieces.















Jennifer tries to not to think of that long drive back to Maine.

Caleb tries not to think of that long ride with Mommy!





We are almost all gone and Linda thinks of relaxing.







Jack and Sue head out the door to Bradford.




Jean worked in the Accounts depart of the store. This is a recent picture of the in-store mail tubes.





Best place for a sandwich in Clearfield! Ethan's Cafe