John Fouts and Susan V. Willison Married October 28, 1915.

This photo was sent to me by my cousin "Rich" Clare Fouts, he is the son of Merle and Letha White Fouts.  The caption on this photo is in Rosa's hand writing and reads:  John Fouts and Susan V. Willison was united in marriage Oct. 28, 1915 and lived in this residence 13 years.

Thank you Clare.

My favorite photo of Rosa Dell Hann

This is my favorite photo of Grandma and her sister, Grandma is the younger one on the left and you can almost see the energy in her that she drew from all of her life...she's ready to get down and get moving.

More photos

I am adding some more photos here.

Seems like everyday I learn something new, and that includes how to display these photos in a size that they can be viewed easier.  So, having said that, some of these are already here on the blog, but they deserve a closer look.

Thank you for visiting.

Rosemary

December 3, 1951 Letter from Rosa Fouts to Gimbel Family

This letter from Rosa Dell Hann Fouts to Orpha, Bud, Bob, Claudia and Rosemary was in with the letters that Orpha saved that her son Bob wrote to her and his Dad during the time he was in the army. If you would like to read his letters, please visit http://pocofish2.blogspot.com/


Mesa Arizona

Dear Orpha, Bud, Bob, Claudia and Rosemary,

I hope this reaches you before Bob leaves. I sure would of loved to have seen him, in fact I think I am a little home sick.
I love the weather here but don't like it as it is so far from all you children.
We are about as usual.
Wish it was so you could come here while we are here.
We was to Glady's last Sunday. Willards was with us, we had a very nice visit. She wanted to get us some dinner but there were 7 of us but she made coffee and we had cake. Swell coffee to as yo know I broke my stem in mine (coffee percolator) before we left and have not bought any, so we make instant coffee, but I like perked the best.
If nothing happens we are leaving Saturday the 8th of December for California.
So if you answer right back return mail, I may not get it but air mail is I think just 1 day ahead of other mail.
You did not say when Bob was leaving for California, we are going to be around San Bernadino, that's where Uncle Henry Bowman lives.
Tell Bud, wages here are not so high but one don't use much fuel and no heavy clothes.
Did Rosemary know Bob?
Oh Orpha, I have very little paper. I forgot to get a tablet and my, I sure write a lot.
Yes, Orpha, I will be praying and praying and please, Orpha, you and bud don't get sick over Bob leaving. I feel he will be safe. I have faith and faith is what counts. The Lord can take care of us better than we can, so we must trust in him.
I too, saw where they are talking peace, I believe we will have it as I think the Russians are beginning to think if they don't do something pretty soon, we will be obliged to use the atom bomb and they don't want their soil all blowed up.
What is Claudia doing? Is she getting ready for Christmas entertainment at school?
You know I told you we went to Gladis and Willard went a long, well we got us a few small cactus and we was not supposed to get them. Then we did not hardily know how to get rid of them but we did. You are not supposed to get them. They are government property but we did not see where it was posted. Well, we have learned better. Gladys told us.
Well Orpha, I want to say so much that probably I won't say anything.
I got a letter from Mrs. Hardy and they are planning on going to Florida.
Dad likes it here a lot better than I do or at least he says so.
I wrote Merle and Joyce both a letter, I hope they have it now.
My it seems months since I saw you children.
We are on a very busy road, if I wasn't I would die from lonely.
Well, I'll be good but if I get too lonely, I will come home, cold, snow, rain or shine. It won't make any difference.
Take good care of yourselves and don't worry too much about Bob and us. We will all be fine and all be home safe and sound someday.
Lots of love to Orpha, bud and the Sweet Children.
Kisses to all and take care of yourselves.
Mother and Dad.

Women that behave seldom make history.

March 24, 2010 5:46 pm.

Thank you to everyone that will be taking the time to read this blog.

You know someone once said "Women that behave seldom make history". My Grandma Fouts certainly did not follow any one's path. She was a good woman that did not behave as others in her generation did, as pretty much all the strong women in my family. I'm proud of them all.

My Grandparents probably had only a 6th or 8th grade education, they managed to maintain an above average life style by working hard, saving, flipping homes - selling them on land contracts earning interest. I think at one time they may have had 6 homes, maybe more. They also made money raising and selling cows, butter, chickens, eggs, corn, asparagus, raspberries, cherries, cucumbers, sweetcorn, flowers, rabbits and who knows what else.

Yet, they lived good, they never went without. They had nice clothes, nice cars, beautiful homes, televisions, modern appliances, and good food. They were also caring and sharing people.

They were members of the Church of the Brethren, baptised there, but they just really really believed in God. Period.

I didn't know when I started this blog, that I would find myself saying hello and then sadly goodbye again to Grandma, Grandpa, as well as my Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

I want to invite anyone that has questions to contact me, this is "our" family and I have old photos and other information you may be interested in sharing. So please contact me at Pocofish@aol.com.

I also have the "Gimbel Family Tree" in Ancestry.com as with any of this, you are welcome to check it out and use the information that you need. I will continue to update and add, I just made a major correction this morning, so I am learning constantly and value input from others. I will also be adding more photos, soon.

Thank you again.
Rosemary Gimbel King
Orpha and Bud's Daughter, Rosa and Orby's Granddaugher and Hazel and Otto's Granddaughter.

November 1966

Tuesday, November 1, 1966
It flaked a little snow this morning. I mopped my kitchen. I am dizzy but the floor was so dirty.
Wednesday, November 2, 1966
I was sick. Orpha came over and was with me 4 hours, she is sick herself but Orby called her also Bud and you know she was sick herself but came and would not eat any dinner. They brought our tractor and snow plow over tonight, cost $5.00 to get fixed.
Thursday, November 3, 1966
It snowed last night, I don't know how deep as Dad has not got out. I feel some better but awful dizzy yet. Sent letter to Merle and Letha.
Friday, November 4, 1966
I sent letter to Lane Bryant today. Dad shoveled snow out of driveway. Then went to big store in Kalamazoo.
Saturday, November 5, 1966
It is flaking a little snow. I am still dizzy. We will have chicken and sweet potatoes for dinner. Mrs. Dennis called. She is not too good. Ernest better. Orpha called, she was mad, I don't know why. Snow is going away some.
Sunday, November 6, 1966
Wrote letter to Mrs. Charles Isabell Carlson at 2345 E. Main, Mesa Arizona. I had Rex of Ohio on at 8 o'clock, his sermon was good. They had Communion today. Orpha and Rosemary was here a while today. Orby went to Ike's and got papers. Dorothy and Ken and Butch was here a while.
Monday, November 7, 1966
I cleaned my blinds, did not do much. Orby wanted me to cut on pie when we had apple sauce, plums, pears open and I would not. Then he said we never have anything to eat. We also had irish potatoes and sweet potatoes besides pickles, beets and what goes every day with a meal.
Tuesday, November 8, 1966
Today is Election Day. Dad voted, I stayed at home. Orpha called, she said Rosemary was in school. Snow is gone and am I glad. Dad went to Kalamazoo for groceries.
Wednesday, November 9, 1966
It is raining some. Well, election is over maybe now we can hear other programs besides election. (Even back then..) I had meat, hominy, kraut, pears and cookies.
Thursday, November 10, 1966
It is raining. Wrote Willard a letter about Carlson at Mesa to see them, as they are back 2 months on payment on house on Miller Road. Carlson paid 2 months, October and November.
Friday, November 11, 1966
I vacuumed the house. Did not do too much but it is not too nice out , looks like rain or snow.
Saturday, November 12, 1966
Sat around all day, my eye was blood shot. So I did not do much.
Sunday, November 13, 1966
I did a wash, hung 2 sheets out doors as it was real nice, the rest in basement. Mrs. Hardy called and I was in bathtube but Dad told her I would call tomorrow.
Monday, November 14, 1966
I did another wash, hung 2 sheets out as I know they would dry as it is nice. Dad went ot Otsego to get Ike's shoe, last as my shoes need resoling. Orpha called said Laura and Leon from Grand Rapids was there for dinner. Called Mrs. Hardy. She is not too good, we talked quite a long time. Got letter from Lane Bryant and Merle.
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(And this is where we say "Good bye" this is the last of her entries...Thank you Grandma, you were one heck of a woman!
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October 1966

Saturday, October 1, 1966
Today I don't do much work as one of God's 10 commandments tell us to do no labor for the 7th day of week is for God and we should keep it Holy.
Sunday, October 2, 1966
Men drill din wheat and we went to South Bend to visit Barbara and Elmer. Had a real nice time and dinner. We got home at seven o'clock.
Monday, October 3, 1966
I did a wash this morning and Orpha called, said she was going to wash. My it sure is windy today. I could hardly hang up clothes. I fixed my two belts and girdle elastic.
Tuesday, October 4, 1966
I ironed my clothes, washed my hair. Ike brought over papers. Orby was to town and we had a long visit. He went home before Orby came back. Orpha called and wants me to come over around 9 o'clock so she can fix my hair. Got a card from Merle, $68.45 checks and Willey.
Wednesday, October 5, 1966
I went over to Orpha's and she fixed my hair. Stayed all day, had a wonderful time. Rosemary was home. Orpha is getting her car fixed. (I was probably skipping again.)
Thursday, October 6, 1966
It frosted last night and my lovely dahlias got ruined. Sent letter those dahlias were as big as saucers, they were so pretty, yellow.
Friday, October 7, 1966
I mopped kitchen and bathroom then vacuumed all over house. cleaned out refrigerator and cleaned over all furniture and cleaned the kitchen table and chairs, got dinner.
Saturday, October 8, 1966
Got the dickens all day, I wish I could make every one know how I have to live and am called every thing but a decent woman.
Sunday, October 9, 1966
I did a big wash and am tired but I have to get dinner. It is a nice day, some people you know who I mean can sit around and boss the house work, meals and everything. God knows I can't lie to him. Orpha and bud drove over for a half hour. I had just started dinner, wanted them to stay but they said they had to get home. I had cabbage, potatoes, meat, pie and lettuce.
Monday, October 10, 1966
I did a wash and went to Effie's and after dinner we went to Kalamazoo and she bought me a hat and pair of gloves. We had a good time. She wanted me to stay a week. I said no, then she said 2 days and I said some other time. I would of stayed but Donald is there, I did not want to stay.
Tuesday, October 11, 1966
Dad said he did not feel too good. It is chilly this morning. He was sick all day and did not do much of anything.
Wednesday, October 12, 1966
Orby and I was to Ike's then after dinner, he was here. He had been gathering walnuts and they were awful nice and large. I guess he is gathering them for the squirrels.
Thursday, October 13, 1966
Orby picked up and hulled about a bushel of walnuts. I called Mrs. Dennis and she felt pretty good but Dorothea fell part way down stairs and hurt herself. Mrs. Dennis is better. Ernest feels pretty good. Orby is better today.
Friday, October 14, 1966
I changed bed clothes, will wash soon. I got letter from Merle, they are pretty good, said weeds sure grew while they were gone. Took bath. Feel really clean. Orby has about a bushel of hulled walnuts. Now Ike has a lot more he gets them for the squirrels. Some woman called 3 times to inquire about Carolyn Fouts. We told her, her father lived on Morgan Street in Milwood, his name Wilbur Earl.
Saturday, October 15, 1966
It rained about all night, good for the wheat but I think it will soon frost. well, it did frost and killed rest of my dahlias and they were so pretty.
Sunday, October 16, 1966
I washed and am I tired and don't feel too good and it looks lot like rain. Well, I took some of the clothes down and put them on rack in breezeway so they all dried.
Monday, October 17, 1966
I did ironing. Dad went to Kalamazoo.
Tuesday, October 18, 1966
We went to Otsego stayed till noon. I went to Rosie's had a nice visit. She said she may go soon to see about her feet to Ann Arbor.
Wednesday, October 19, 1966
Today I did a wash of 2 sheets and other things. It did look some like rain but clothes got dry.
Thursday, October 20, 1966
I cleaned and changed all my furniture around. Ike came and wanted Orby to go with him to the big store in Kalamazoo. I did not want Orby to go but he was going and I was so tired but Ike asked me to go along and I went but was I tired and won't ever go gadding when I am so tired again.
Friday, October 21, 1966
Went to Orpha's as Orby went to Kalamazoo. Had a good visit, Claudia came over and brought Orpha some coffee ans Orpha did not know she was short on coffee. The children are growing like weeds.
Saturday, October 22, 1966
Sat around all day read messenger paper and feel pretty good. It is pretty windy.
Sunday, October 23, 1966
Well, I woke up last night at 4 o'clock and was so dizzy and sick. Could not walk with out holding to someone or door. I was so sick, vomited and went back to bed. Had light on and nearly sit up in bed but got some better. Did not eat anything, only drank cup of coffee till one thirty, when I ate slice of bread, a small piece of meat, an apple. It is three and I don't feel too good.
Monday, October 24, 1966
Mr. and Mrs. Culver from Brethren Church. We have popcorn for a little treat. She had her mother with her. Mother's name was Edith, she will be 81 years in May and I will be 86 years old in February. Ike was here this afternoon. Had been gathering more walnuts.
Tuesday, October 25, 1966
Orpha came over for a short visit. I sure enjoy when she comes, would love to stay with her but I guess she don't want me. She had her car, it looked awful nice. Bud sure can make them nice when he wants too. I shortened one of my dresses.
Wednesday, October 26, 1966
We and fried mush for breakfast. We went to Dennis' then drove home. They all look pretty good only Lillian gets stagger spells but I do too. I really get awful some times and fall.
Thursday, October 27, 1966
I am making one of my best dresses smaller and am I tired. Will try to finish it tomorrow. Orpha just called said Mrs. Parker was dead, died in Chicago, I think.
Friday, October 28, 1966
I finished making one of my best dresses over, hope it looks good. We had turnips for dinner. They were pretty good.
Saturday, October 29, 1966
My day of rest and read the bible. It is a nice day. Dad went to the big store. We heard Williams and Robert Kennedy, they were both good. I love to hear them talk, they are good plain speakers. Democrats.
Sunday, October 30, 1966
Nice day. I listened to church music and singing. I used to get Mr. DeHahn on from Grand Rapids but he passed on to glory. I get several from Kalamazoo and one in California and Ohio. We had Rex for Ohio on TV 12. I did a large wash and they are all dry and now I will iron some of them. We had potatoes, gravy and chicken for dinner.
Monday, October 31, 1966
Halloween. Last day of month, nice day. Washed some wash. Ike came for a while. Had been to hospital to make up hospital bill. He looks pretty good. We stayed home, we generally went to Daisy's (for Halloween) but now she is gone., but in 1963 she was still with us.