Notes from Pappy's diary

Just me again. Back in the 80s, I was a night supervisor for a bread and cake bakery. It was a secure job and paid fairly well at that time. The hours sucked as some nights I would get home until 3-4 in the morning.

‘Back then I had lots of energy and was always looking for ways to add a little income. Read an ad, Make rubber stamps in your home. Fast forward: I literally made and sold rubber stamps for 14 years until I sold my house and moved to Florida. No local business, all my stamps were sold through mail orders. Business was good, to good at times and I had to refuse a few customers that wanted my stamps. It got to the point where I gave a lot of consideration to leaving my full time job, but I would have had to give up my benefits which were very good so I gave up on the idea. I had a couple of photos taken by my wife which I have enclosed.

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Pappy said:
Just me again. Back in the 80s, I was a night supervisor for a bread and cake bakery. It was a secure job and paid fairly well at that time. The hours sucked as some nights I would get home until 3-4 in the morning.

‘Back then I had lots of energy and was always looking for ways to add a little income. Read an ad, Make rubber stamps in your home. Fast forward: I literally made and sold rubber stamps for 14 years until I sold my house and moved to Florida. No local business, all my stamps were sold through mail orders. Business was good, to good at times and I had to refuse a few customers that wanted my stamps. It got to the point where I gave a lot of consideration to leaving my full time job, but I would have had to give up my benefits which were very good so I gave up on the idea. I had a couple of photos taken by my wife which I have enclosed.

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Great story... and you sound like you've been a hard worker all your life to provide for your family, which reminds me that I remember you posted a photo of your sons, and seeing this picture reminds me very much of one of them, I'm sure you'll know to which one I must be referring..:)
 
Oh my goodness. My last post was over a year ago. I thought it might be nice to post some photos of the little town I grew up in. I know some of you could care less, and that’s fine, but a lot of you like old photos, and these are old. Well here goes. I’ll try to explain them as I post. I’ll be adding more at a later time.

‘Norwich high school, grades 7-12. I left in 56.
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A couple of our stores back in the 40s and 50s. I started my career at the Victory grocery store.
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Pappy said:
Oh my goodness. My last post was over a year ago. I thought it might be nice to post some photos of the little town I grew up in. I know some of you could care less, and that’s fine, but a lot of you like old photos, and these are old. Well here goes. I’ll try to explain them as I post. I’ll be adding more at a later time.

‘Norwich high school, grades 7-12. I left in 56.
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A couple of our stores back in the 40s and 50s. I started my career at the Victory grocery store.
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Fabulous. I love Pictorial History... 🤗
 
Right Now said:
@Pappy, I was just in your town yesterday for a dental appointment! I had no idea you were a transplant from my own neighborhood! Love these photos....the Olums sign gave it away for me first.;)
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Fantastic Right Now. Born and raised there. Spent most of my time on West Hill and Gold st. Dental appointment with Dr. Ward by any chance?
 
Can’t sleep so I’ll post a couple more of my home town. My old homestead. Us newly weds making our way through the snow. 2..The Bluebird restaurant. Great food and a cute bar in the back where we drank 35 cent bottled beer and played bumper pool. 3. Tore up downtown, looking north on Route 12. The theater on the right is where I ushered for 50 cents an hour and all the popcorn I could eat.
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I think I’ve shared this before, but maybe some newer members might enjoy it. It is a true story.


When my family moved to the old house, my great grandfather built in 1900, indoor plumbing was just a wishful dream and the outhouse was a welcomed friend. This little house was located about 25 yards between the main house and our old barn. We had a long, steep driveway up to the house from the man road and the outhouse was fairly close to the driveway.



My grandparents lived with us for awhile, while the men were building their new house, and used the upstairs bedrooms. My grandfather always had some type of animal running around and at this time he had three goats. Josephine and Rags were milking goats and Batchlor Button was, well to keep the lady goats happy. Batchlor was the meanest,most miserable SOB and loved it when he could butt you and knock you on your ass. The only person that wasn't scared of him was Grandpa. He would grab him by the horns and drag him back to the barn. This damn goat would actually knock the siding off the barn just to get loose.



Needless to say, I feared this beast and always looked around when I went out to make sure the devil wasn't loose. Several times, as I was getting off the school bus, the monster was standing on the hill just waiting for me to start up the driveway. I could see his eyes turn red and would snort and bellow just waiting for the games to begin.



This is where my safe house, you guessed it, the outhouse came into the picture. If I ran my tail off, I could just make it to the outhouse before the demon reached me. Once in the safe house, thank God it wasn't busy, I would yell my head off until Grandpa came out to put the pain in the ass back in the barn. Grandpa always had a silly smile on his face. I think he thought the whole thing was hilarious.



Anyway, is wasn't much longer before we got indoor plumbing, sold the stupid goats and things got back to normal, well....normal for our crazy house.



As I reminisce about this, I wonder. I bet if I went back there now, and Batchlor Button was there, waiting for me, I would still be scared to death, but there is no safe house to hid in now.
 
My son's apartment is in the same building as the Bluebird Diner. Just yesterday people on fakebook were talking about how good their food was. Too bad they are not there not. It is empty right now.

Norwich won a grant from the state to "beautify" the downtown area. The theater is one of the projects. As much as I love the vintage appeal of it, they are going to put in comfortable seats and other upgrades. People don't like to go there saying it is not comfortable. Every time I have gone there has been barely a handful of people there.
 
katlupe said:
My son's apartment is in the same building as the Bluebird Diner. Just yesterday people on fakebook were talking about how good their food was. Too bad they are not there not. It is empty right now.

Norwich won a grant from the state to "beautify" the downtown area. The theater is one of the projects. As much as I love the vintage appeal of it, they are going to put in comfortable seats and other upgrades. People don't like to go there saying it is not comfortable. Every time I have gone there has been barely a handful of people there.
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I love news from my hometown. Keep me updated when you can. Pappy
 
Looking back to 1956. Place, St. James Episcopal church, west Main St., Norwich, NY. Two very young kids who just beginning their lives together. I was home on Christmas leave from Fort Dix, NJ. Little money, little experience, and no idea of what’s down the road. Speed ahead to present,. Married 66 years this December 25th, 3 great kids, 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandkids. But in all honestly looking back…I wouldn’t have changed a damn thing.

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Reverend Charters was a wonderful man. He told us, you get here right after service and you’ll have all these beautiful decorations to enjoy with your wedding.
 
I’m going to try to keep my dairy updated a few times a week now.

Had a visited from the visiting nurse today. Things coming along nicely. Just some bleeding and some discomfort. Total healing from this procedure can take up to 6 weeks or more. Next week nurse will discharge me as my visits are up time wise.

Thelma and I have been considering buying a three wheel bike for exercise. Hard for both of of us to walk anymore and with my balance a two wheel bike is a no-no. With this bike we both can get some well needed exercise.

‘And that’s the way it was..Pappy.
 
Pappy said:
I’m going to try to keep my dairy updated a few times a week now.

Had a visited from the visiting nurse today. Things coming along nicely. Just some bleeding and some discomfort. Total healing from this procedure can take up to 6 weeks or more. Next week nurse will discharge me as my visits are up time wise.

Thelma and I have been considering buying a three wheel bike for exercise. Hard for both of of us to walk anymore and with my balance a two wheel bike is a no-no. With this bike we both can get some well needed exercise.

‘And that’s the way it was..Pappy.
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Yes, get the trike. Put some flames on it.
I love your old photos, especially your wedding!
 
Very good news from our community one-call -now. The police have cleaned out the tent city in our woods as of yesterday. We were told not to visit the site because of so many needles and drug stuff. I wouldn’t go near there anyway.

‘Have decided to get a nice 3 wheeler from Amazon. No one locally wants to deliver and I can’t do it. I have a nice spot in my shed to keep it as bikes in our community seem to have a way of disappearing overnight.

And that’s the way it is today..Pappy.
 

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