Jack's Mother In Virginia

Jack's Mother In Virginia

Here is Jack's Mother in Virginia at George Washington's Mount Vernon home and estate. This is one of the most visited homes in America. The estate has been expanded in recent years with a recreation of George's round barn and the recreation of George's whiskey distillery. There is also a new visitor's center. Mount Vernon was saved by a group of ladies and it is now a great money making enterprise here in the state of Virginia.

This home is not my favorite colonial home in Virginia. There are several others including Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and James Madison's Montpelier that I think are more attractive and interesting. However the one thing that Mount Vernon has that neither Jefferson's home or Madison's home has is a tremendous view of the Potomac River and the state of Maryland across the Potomac River. That's why you see so many seats on the porch. Many tourists like to come and sit a spell to enjoy the view of the Potomac. Someone did have the foresight to forbid the erection of any signs or buildings across the river from Mount Vernon so that all you see is a beautiful forest. My favorite time to visit is in the fall when the leaves have turned and are reflected in the river.

In this photo Jack's Mother is standing by the tomb of George and Martha Washington on the grounds of Mount Vernon.
In this photo Jack's mother is visiting another very famous tourist attraction in the state of Virginia. This is a photo of Arlington National Cemetery and the grave site of President John F. Kennedy. It was less then ten years since the assassination of Kennedy in 1963 when Jack and his Mother visited the grave. There were many tourists on this particular day and there are many tourists each and every day today that visit the Kennedy grave at Arlington.

No matter what your political leanings are I know that all of us hope that we never have to live through another presidential assassination. In my opinion this presidential assassination during the Cold War was even scarier then the experience of 9/11.
Yes, this is a photo of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery and the changing of the guard. These specially selected army soldiers operate from the old Fort Myer Army Post in Arlington County. That rickety reviewing stand on the right is no longer blocking the view. Thank goodness.

Jack's Mother In D.C.

Jack's Mother In D.C.

Here is Jack's Mother standing in front of the White House getting ready to visit the Nixon White House. Jack and his Mother took this White House tour back in the early '70s. The White House tour today is so different. For one thing you no longer enter the White House thru the front door. For another, security is much much stricter. Look at these folks running to get in line by the ropes. Today you go thru the same electronic screening devices that you have to do to board a plane at one of our airports. Those big purses like Jack's mother's are opened and thoroughly searched.

Today you cannot stand so close to the Oval Office either. Yes, the times have changed and are still a changing. Did I mention yesterday when I showed photos of the U.S. Capitol that there is a special short subway line underground that takes congressional folks from their various office buildings like the Sam Rayburn building over to the capitol building.

Jack, our daughters and I used to take this subway when visiting the capitol. You would always be riding with senators and house members and aides. One time I remember the late Senator Ted Kennedy taking the train. But today this neat little subway is restricted to authorized personnel. No capitol visitors and tourists can take this subway.

This is a picture of the Lincoln Memorial from the '70s It is still pretty open to all visitors and you can go there anytime of day or night.Below is a photo of Jack's Mother posing by the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial. In the background you can see the Washington Monument. Notice the young girls with the long hair parted in the middle a la Gloria Steinem. That was the look in the early '70s.

Jack's Mother In D.C.

Jack's Mother In D.C.

From '71 to '74 Jack worked for Army Audit in Germany but made several trips back to the states to attend mandatory army audit schools. On one such trip Jack's Mom flew in from Missouri to visit with her son before and after each day's training session in Washington D.C. In these photos Jack is showing his Mother the U.S. Capitol building in D.C.

Last month Jack and I scanned these old slides (remember slides and slide projectors?) into our computer. It was fun to see these photos of Jack's late mother and to see how clothing styles and the landscape around the capitol have changed. Notice the bell bottom pants. Notice the car parking lot that leads right up to the steps of the capitol. Bell bottom pants are gone and so is this parking lot which is now replaced with grass, trees and physical barriers for protection of the building. Lots of concrete barriers around the capitol today since 9/11.

The times and the fashions well they are ever changing.

Crocheted capes were big in the hippie '70s

and Jack's Mom wore her cape everywhere on this trip.

Notice the big old cars with lots of chrome. But I do see one little Volkswagen beetle in this photo. If this parking lot still existed today, it would have a lot more cars packed into it. I think this photo was taken on the weekend but Congress back then did work on the weekends. Today the lazy congressional folks of both political parties show up around noon on Monday and then head back out of town Thursday afternoon. It is the lowly paid congressional aides who today keep our government running. The congressional folks spend a lot a time courting votes from their constituents and money from big pocket lobbyists.

Should there be term limits on our congressional members like we have for the president? I think so. Some of these folks love the D.C. area so much that when they finally must leave Congress they still remain in D.C., Maryland or Virginia. Former Senator Robert Dole and Mrs. Dole are both examples of this. How you going to keep them down on the farm once they have seen D.C.?

Jack Joined Army Audit After College

Jack Joined Army Audit After College

After spending four years at Central Missouri State University and graduating Jack started his army audit career in St. Louis, Mo. In this photo Jack is standing beside his father Jewel Shipley.

But the Vietnam War was going on and Jack was drafted into the army. In this picture Jack is standing by his mother Reva Jackson in the southwest desert near Tucson while on army leave.

After serving in the army and being stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and Ludwigsburg, Germany, Jack returned to Army Audit and spent a lot of time on the road doing audits. In the above photo Jack is standing by a totem pole on the campus of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Here's Jack with one of his favorite cars of long ago, which

was a bright red Oldsmobile convertible.

They don't make cars like that anymore.

And they don't make husbands, fathers and grandfathers like Jack anymore.

***

Happy Birthday Jackie Lee Shipley!

Joann, Jennifer and Terry, Jeanine, and Little Jack Aidan hope you have a great birthday Saturday even though it may turn out to be one of the coldest birthdays that you have ever had in your entire life except for the snows of Alaska!

My Husband Jack As A Student At Hale School In MO

Jack At Elementary School In Hale

Jack At Junior High In Hale

Jack At High School In Hale

Jack At High School In Hale, MO

Jack's Graduation Day At Hale School

Hale, MO

Jack's Birthday This Saturday

Jack's Birthday This Saturday

January 22

Here's a picture of little Jack in his farm overalls

on his grandparents farm outside of Hale, Mo.

Doesn't he look sweet in the rose bed.

Sending Sunny Wishes To.......

Sending Sunny Wishes To.....

Sending sunny wishes to my Jack's half brother, Channing Lowe, in Missouri who is finally home from the hospital recovering from some type of blood disorder that required multiple blood transfusions. We are hoping you have a speedy recovery and your back to your old self real soon. You are in are thoughts and prayers.

These Spring Flowers For Uncle Richard

These Spring Flowers For Uncle Richard Jacobs

Jack's Uncle Richard died on Good Friday in Carrolton, MO at the age of 86.

This was Jack's last remaining uncle and he has no remaining aunts.

Uncle Richard was laid to rest yesterday at the Cameron Cemetery in Missouri that he helped
maintain.

Until two years ago Uncle Richard stayed busy running the road grader around Hale, MO.


Aunt Bonnie preceded Uncle Richard in dying. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Richard were married for
64 years. Amazing!

Little MO Farmer Now On Medicare!

This Little MO Farmer Is Now On Medicare!

Jackie Lee Shipley Turns 65 Today.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Lots of Love From,

Jennifer,

Jeanine, and Joann

He was first in his Hale High School class in 1963.

He volunteered to be an Army GI after completing college at
Central Missouri State University,
the home of the mules and jennies.

And look below...........Jack became Mr. Cool in Seattle, WA in his red convertible Oldsmobile.
They don't make 'em like that any more------
Jack and Oldsmobiles!

Eleventh Day of Christmas Photo The Rosenbergers of Kansas City

This is Jack's First Cousin Donald Rosenberger

and

His Wife and Children and Grandchildren
*******************

Eleventh Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer

From Our Jeanine

Is

Two Winter Lagers From Sam Adams Brewery

Boston, MA

Third Day of Christmas Photo Dr. Channing Lowe's Family

These Are The First cousins of the Reagan Family Children.

*********

Dr. Channing Lowe Is A Teaching Pediatrician At The University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. (Baby #4 Is Due is 2010 and Will be Another Little Girl. Dr. Lowe Lives In A Female Household. LOL!

The Late Bonnie Jean Whitacre Jacobs

The Late Bonnie Jean Whitacre Jacobs of Hale, Missouri

Jack's Wonderful Aunt

Richard Jacob's Wife For Over 60 Years

Steve, Chis and Kathy's Mother

Christy's Grandmother

One of Jack's high school classmates from Hale, Charles Ballew, wrote to us in offering condolences for Aunt Bonnie Jean's recent death made this observation: " I will always remember her as a very glamorous and attractive woman who sort of stood out in a crowd because of the almost regal way that she carried herself. I know that many people in Hale are immensly saddened over her death, as am I."

Here is an old photo that I took of Aunt Bonnie Jean with her husband Richard Jacobs and my husband Jack.

In Memoriam

These Flowers Are For Jack's Niece's Son,

Nick Shoultes of

Lake of the Ozarks and Camdenton, Missouri

Nick Shoults

December 31, 1985 - August 28, 2009

May He Rest In Peace

Nick Shoults grew up in Camdenton, Missouri and graduated from Camdenton High School in 2004. He was a professional bull rider. He then enlisted in the Army and served in Iraq for a year as a cannon gunner. In Iraq he was injured in three separate incidents which led to an honorable medical discharge in 2008. The heavy pain killers and medications he used for his disabled back contributed to his untimely death this past week. Nick received many decorations and medals for his time in the Army. These include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Nick had a passion for bull riding, camping and canoeing. He will be missed by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Nick Shoults's maternal grandmother, the late Judy Shipley Colliver grew up in Hale, Missouri. Nick was the son of John Shoults of Springfield and Lynne Gail Colliver Stewart of Camdenton.

Nick's funeral will be at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Camdenton and his burial will be at Allee Memorial Gardens where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.

In Memoriam

These Flowers Are For Jack's Aunt Bonnie Jacobs Who Was The Wife Of Jack's Mom's Brother Richard Jacobs

Bonnie Jean Whitacer Jacobs

January 21, 1926 - August 31, 2009

May She Rest In Peace

Aunt Bonnie lived her entire life in Hale, Missouri where she was a school teacher, wife, mother and homemaker. Aunt Bonnie graduated in 1944 from Hale High School and then earned a teaching certificate from Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Missouri. She taught at rural one room schools near Hale and later while raising her three children she was a substitute teacher at the local rural school in Hale. Aunt Bonnie loved decorating, cooking, sewing, crocheting, playing bridge and being active in her Hale United Methodist Church. She was a grand lady and will be truly missed by her husband Richard Jacobs, two sons Steve and Chris and daughter Kathy Haas and one grandchild Kristy Haas.

Sky Watch Friday in Black and White

Sky Watch Friday

This Sky Watch Photo is in Black and White

and it Was Taken in 1947.

Happy Birthday to Jackie Lee

Best Wishes From Joann

My husband turned 64 recently! He was not a baby boomer and neither was I. He is a war baby.
This is Jack in cap and gown for his high school graduation from Hale High School where he ranked first in his class. By the way, there were only 11 students in his high school graduation class! I had 18 students in my high school class so he had me beat when it came to a small high school.

And here is Jack in St. Louis in 1967 with his father Jewel. Jack was just beginning his career after college as an army auditor in the Midwest district which had its head quarters in St. Louis.

Jack got drafted into the army in 1968. This photo was taken in the desert landscape of Arizona when Jack went to visit his mom after basic training.
This was the 1970 red Oldsmobile convertible that Jack bought when he got out of the army and moved to these apartments in Salem, Oregon to work once more for Army Audit. Jack didn't get to have the top down very often in Oregon because it was either rainy and/or cold.
And here is Jack tying the knot with me on April 15, 1974. Our good friends, Jim who worked also for Army Audit and Joyce who was the secretary for the deputy district manager of Army Audit in Frankfurt, Germany, were our best man and maid of honor. Jim and Joyce got married in September of the same year.
Here is Jack with daughter Jennifer Mary. Daddy and Jennifer were dressed up for Easter Sunday mass in Ajo, Arizona. We had stopped for the night in Ajo while on a roadtrip to Los Angelas and Disneyland.
Here is Jack with both of his little girls at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Jeanine is in Jack's arms while Jennifer is posing by the gothic window of the cathedral
Now go visit some other Sky Watch Friday blogs by clicking here:
http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Memories of Aunt Corrinne

Aunt Corrinne was quite an independent spirit and fearless lady. She was the only woman I know who drove across country from Missouri to Arizona by herself with two preschool grand kids when she was in her 60's. Another time she drove alone to Washington D.C. from Missouri to visit her daughter, Vickie.

Aunt Corrine grew up on a Missouri farm and moved to Kansas City as a young woman to be a business woman. At one time she ran a restaurant in downtown Kansas City. Later she became a key punch operator for a Kansas City company. (Pre computer business practice)

She finally retired at the age of 65 but remained active in the following roles: widow, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. I will always remember her as a courageous woman who had a southern bent for hospitality and food. No one ever went away hungry from Aunt Corrinne's home. She prepared pounds and pounds of candy for relatives, co-workers and neighbors at Christmas time. Her favorite homemade candies were peanut brittle and divinity.

Jack has many fond memories of his Mom's older sister. Life was never dull with Aunt Corrinne around. She had a way of starting home projects and getting everybody involved in these projects. Even this fall she was supervising a remodeling project on her house!

My two daughters dearly loved Aunt Corrinne for she had a way of speaking her mind no matter what and Jennifer and Jeanine found this very refreshing. It was during a late October visit in 2002 that she showed both my daughters how to crochet. And could she crochet! Even though she was legally blind she could turn out crocheted afghans like no body's mother. While I was fixing supper each evening she along with Aunt Judy would sit by the fire crocheting and drinking bourbon and water. Now that's a southern dame! And she could even show Aunt Judy a new crochet stitch or two.

I will always remember Aunt Corrinne's beauty and style. She had the most beautiful grey hair and blue eyes. And she was not afraid to wear high heels as she grew older. I can still picture Aunt Corrinne in her new three inch high heels at Jennifer's high school graduation. My niece's husband, Guy Celeste, had to help navigate Aunt Corrinne from the high bleachers in the gym and thru the crowded hallways that day. She looked like a grand lady from the 1950's in her dress and heels. During her 2002 trip to Virginia Aunt Corrinne and Aunt Judy did the Washington D.C. tourist circuit from the Capital to the Smithsonian to Arlington Cemetery to Mount Vernon and to Monticello. She refused to use a wheel chair anywhere we went until the final day at at Mount Vernon. After a week of sightseeing she finally did admit that she was just a little tired so maybe she would sit in the wheelchair for a little ride down to Washington's grave at Mount Vernon. At the time she was 84 years old!

Oh, how we will miss Aunt Corrinne. And God better get ready for a heavenly home project or two or a new crochet group!

Corrinne Rosenberger 1918-2007

Corrine Rosenberger

Born February 8, 1918

Hale, Missouri

Died December 2, 2007

Lee's Summit, Missouri

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.

Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief,

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now. He set me free.

Author Unknown

In loving memory of Jack's mom's sister, Corrinne Rosenberger, who had been in failing health this past year. God took her home for Christmas and all Eternity. Aunt Corrinne would have been 90 years old on February 8, 2008. Aunt Corrinne was quite ready and willing to "cross the bar" into Eternity. Therefore, I especially like the very last line of the poem above:

"God wanted me now. He set me free."

Randy Wright April 1958-August 2007

Randy Wright
April 1958 - August 2007

In Memory of Jack's Nephew

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination
And life is a journey:
From childhood to maturity
and youth to age;
From innocence to awareness
and ignorance to knowing;
From foolishness to desecration
and then perhaps to wisdom.
From weakness to strength or
from strength to weakness
and often back again;
From health to sickness
and we pray to health again.
From offense to forgiveness
from loneliness to love
from joy to gratitude
from pain to compassion
from grief to understanding
from fear to faith.
From defeat to defeat to defeat
until looking backwards or ahead
We see that victory lies not
at some high point along the way
but in having made the journey
step by step
a sacred pilgrimage.
Birth is a beginning
and death a destination
And life is a journey;
A sacred journey to life everlasting
Author Unknown