Two Noras: January 16, 1915 and January 16, 2023

Nora Bauer: Saturday, January 16, 1915

Rained almost all day today. Gertrude and I went to church tonight. Anna went to see "Blue Bird." 

Nora Spitznogle: Monday, January 16, 2023

Off work today. Took Mom to doctors appointment then we joined the MLK, Jr. Day celebration in Whitestown.

Rain in January just sounds cold and yucky. More church for Grandma Nora and her younger sister Gertrude. Older sis, Anna went to see a play. The write up below would not have made me want to see it...."transcendental pantomime" is not a selling point for me.  Second Helpings was closed today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. It's fun to have the day off, but it's weird to not be having a party at the Farm. 

I took Mom to a doctor's appointment this morning and was gobsmacked. I should have done some research, but I hadn't gone to any of Mom's dermatology appointments and I hadn't heard the diagnosis that she had melanoma and we were visiting a plastic surgeon. I was caught off guard and it didn't help that the surgeon was thinking out loud about whether he would move skin around on her face or do a graft on her cheek. 

I like to pride myself on being able to handle medical things, but I got a little woozy and had to leave the room for a few minutes. 

We went down to the lab for presurgical blood work and a chest Xray. 

J.R. texted that he'd arranged for a fried fish and fries buffet at LA Cafe in Whitestown (just a few miles from Dad's farm). Mom and I headed there after we finished with the tests. Beth and her husband, Troy were there, several of Dad's friends, J.R.'s coworkers, neighbors, and Uncle Phil (Mom's brother). 

Mom in front, Nora, Beth, Uncle Phil, J.R.

It was great to laugh and play Euchre and tell stories.  

It took Mom to her house and got home late, smelling like fish - just like the old days! 

Two Noras: January 15, 1915 and January 15, 2023

Nora Bauer: Friday, January 15, 1915

Was pretty sleepy today. Went up town this afternoon. Did some crocheting this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, January 15, 2023

Went to Aunt Carol's funeral service and luncheon with Schaun and Brenda in Anderson. 

I'll bet that Grandma Nora was tired after the excitement of hosting the dance last night. I wish I know whether going uptown meant to work, or shop, or what. 

Today was Aunt Carol's funeral at the church that she and her husband, Dale, attended. Aunt Carol was active in the church - landscaping and funeral dinners among her activities. The service was really nice and the people were wonderful. 

I always say that you can measure the life of someone by the desserts at their funeral dinner. 

Aunt Carol was clearly loved! 

I may have skipped some family history - Aunt Carol was married to my mom's youngest brother, Uncle Phil. Their children, Kelly, Christopher, and Andy are my first cousins. 

Kelly is engaged to Adrian Rising-Moore, brother of Schaun (who I used to date) and Brenda (who continues to be a dear friend). 

Two Noras: January 14, 1915 and January 14, 2023

Nora Bauer: Thursday, January 14, 1915

Was a swell day today. Worked real hard. Just got home from the gigglers dance it is around 1:30 AM, But had such a good time. We had just a nice crowd. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, January 14, 2023

Made a batch of Aunt Carol's dip. Worked at Marigold, then drove to Logansport for Aunt Carol's funeral home calling and saw lots of cousins. Went to Mass at All Saints Church. 

What a fun day for Grandma Nora! Her club, the Gigglers, hosted a dance. 

From the newspaper report, the dance was quite a success! I wonder what antiqued old-fashioned costumes looked like in 1915? 100 couples equals 200 people - that's a bunch of people! I assume that Paul attended and I hope that Nora had lots of dance partners. 

I made a batch of Aunt Carol's dip this morning. My cousin Kelly brought it to us the day after Dad died - it was the perfect thing to much on while we were telling stories. 

I worked at Marigold today and drove to Logansport for Aunt Carol's calling at Kroeger Funeral Home. It was so nice to see so many people honoring her. 

I learned that there was 4:30 Mass at All Saints, formerly St. Joseph's, where Grandma Nora graduated from 8th grade and and attended Mass. In fact, her grandfather came to Logansport to make the bricks that built the church. 

The church spire looked much closer from the top of the hill, so I decided to walk from the funeral home. The church was six blocks away, not a bad downhill walk. 

Mass was beautiful and I loved sitting in the space that Grandma Nora spent so much time in. I chatted with the priest, Father Mauman, after Mass and shared with him all of the activities that Grandma Nora participated in at the parish. 

I caught a ride with my brother J.R. after Mass back to the funeral home. Mom and Beth and more cousins were there and it was fun to catch up with everyone and I stayed until the service was over. 

I met up with J.R. back in Indy at the Legion to hear a friend's band play. Kassie and Tracy joined us. I stopped at the Red Key on the way home to help close down and lock up, since I'd gotten my shift covered. 

Two Noras: January 13, 1915 and January 13, 2023

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, January 13, 1915

Was real nice out today. Tallied lumber today. John was over tonight and they played cards finished my dresser scarf tonight. Rich called Mamie up. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, January 13, 2023

Windy and wet weather today. Worked at Second Helpings today - the usual mix of meetings and planning for meetings. Worked in the basement this evening. 

Was it her Uncle John that was visiting? And how I would love to see that dresser scarf! I'm guessing that Grandma Nora was doing a lumber inventory for Barnes Construction, the company she worked for. 

The most exciting sentence in today's update is "Rich called Mamie up." 

Did Great-Aunt Mamie have a suitor? I hope so! Mamie never married and was a doting aunt and great-aunt - for years she'd have a gift for each of her great-nieces and nephews, I wish I could remember the specifics of those gifts. It's the thought that counts, right? 

Mamie was a bookkeeper at Seybold's Department Store for years and lived to be 94 years old. She never married, so the thought of her having a beau is fun...and makes this never-married 61 year old feel a little better. 

This evening's basement project was organizing all of my shoes, boots, purses, and socks. Now that they're all in one place, I realize what a ridiculous amount of footwear that I own. 

The bookcase on the left was in closet that I just cleaned out.  - it was a Christmas gift in 1974 (I was 13 1/2) and I loved/love it! 

Here is a photo of me with ALL of my gifts that year. Check out that groovy sweater and pants and my hot rollers! 

I still have several of the things displayed in the bookcase. The grey vase was from my dear Aunt Rita (Mom's youngest sister, who died in 1990 at only 41 years old). I'm pretty sure that Ann Herr Mitchell gave me the yellow Nancy Drew book on the top shelf.  

The collection of Trixie Beldon books are in my current bookcase - can you tell that I'm a sentimental fool? Whenever I would have any spending money, I would buy the latest in the series at the Danner store in town.  

Two Noras: January 12, 1915 and January 12, 2023

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, January 12, 1915

I suppose Paul butchered today at least he told me he was going to. Intended going to a card game but came home with a headache and went to bed. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, January 12, 2023

Worked at Second Helpings today - lots of meetings. I am excited about being on the 2024 NBA All Stars committee. We had a meeting today at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this afternoon. 

Was Paul butchering cows, pigs, or even chickens? Although butchering chickens might not be worth a mention. I'm realizing that Grandma Nora hasn't mentioned Paul's farming career at all. She wrote about visiting his house and that he painted his rig once, but that's as close as she's come to talking about it. 

Confession time: I loved butchering days when I was a kid! 

We would raise about six cows every year and butcher and quarter them. I didn't like to be around during the killing part, but I'd run out to the barn when that part was finished. I took great pride in helping remove the hide, without nicking it. 

Dad would hang the quarters in our old milk house to age before it would be delivered to the butcher to be cut to the specifications of whoever had purchased it. 

This is one of my favorite childhood photos. I'm in front, beaming with pride, J.R. is next to me, then Beth and Dad. I'm not sure of the year, but I'm guessing early 70s. 

There was a kick-off meeting for the host committee for the 2024 NBA All Star host committee this afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Indiana Pacers play. I'm in the back row on the left, in the shadows. 

Indianapolis was set to host the game in 2021, but it got postponed due to the pandemic. 

I'm excited to be part of the sustainability committee, working on minimizing the ecological impact of the game - food rescue, recycling, repurposing, composting, etc. 

Two Noras: January 11, 1915 and January 11, 2023

Nora Bauer: Monday, January 11, 1915

Was rather damp out today and tried to rain. Was real busy all day today. Helen M. called up this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Aunt Carol died today. I worked at Second Helpings today - lots of meetings. Met Cara for dinner and a concert. 

I assume that when Grandma Nora says she was busy all day, it was at work. I'm pretty sure that Helen M. is Helen Minneman. 

My beautiful Aunt Carol died suddenly this week. I was 5 1/2 when she and married Mom's brother, Uncle Phil, and I was smitten from the first time I met her.

Aunt Carol was 60s mod - makeup, groovy clothes, and she LOVED Elvis.

She and Uncle Phil lived across the field from from our beloved Grandma and Grandpa Gremelspacher and when we were visiting them we could walk over - as country kids living on a busy highway, walking somewhere seemed exotic- and visit with Carol.

My sister and I loved doing anything with Carol - we’d actually vie to do her dishes! I probably wore her out with all of my chattering and questions!

If she didn’t happen to be home we’d have fun weaving her garden hose around the yard and turning the door mat and such upside down. When I saw her a few weeks ago, she called the pranks our “calling card” and told me how much she enjoyed our visits.

The last few years she and her husband, Dale, volunteered at the Dairy Bar at the Fairgrounds with their church group. You can imagine what a thrill that was for me!

I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t smiling and I always felt completely loved when I was around her - I hope that she felt just as loved around me.

She is missed already and my heart aches for her children - my dear cousins.

Brother Brothers

I met my friend Cara Jean in Fountain Square for dinner and we saw two wonderful bands, Hello Darling, and Brother Brothers (real-life twins). Both bands were fabulous!

Two Noras: January 10, 1915 and January 10, 2023

Nora Bauer: Sunday, January 10, 1915

Was to 7:30 and 10 o'clock Mass today. Did some typing for Sister this afternoon. We played cards this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle, Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Busy day at Second Helpings, including interviewing potential culinary students. My evening home project was tackling a corner of the basement. 

I appreciate Grandma Nora's dedication to the Church. Especially when you consider that Masses were in Latin and the priests faced the altar (so their backs were to the congregation) in those days. The thought that she was part of a choir would make sense. Or maybe she was just waiting for her beau, Paul, to show up with his mother. 

Nora was doing some typing for Sister this time last year - 1914, that is. 

I love the idea of Nora's family all playing cards together. 

My day was long - Second Helpings is open later on Tuesdays so it's a good night to stay later and get things done with minimal interruptions. It was fun to give potential culinary job training students tours and interview the ones that are interested. 

My zeal for organizing is still hot, so I tackled the basement. The basement is a wreck, so I decided to start in the corner and go from there. I have another car load of donations ready to go.