With summer just around the corner

I spent my summer vacations-from 1975 to 1979-from ages 10 to 14-visiting my maternal grandparents who lived just outside of the northwestern Ozark mountain small town of Casa. I helped gather eggs from the hen house; assisted in feeding the chickens; churning ice cream via an old fashioned device.Their mountain top place of residence was also heavily wooded. My grandparents maintained a garden of corn, potatoes, and other delicious food items. Also-my grandmother cultivated a beautiful outdoor flower garden. During these years-they had several dogs and cats. During later summer vacations-before and after graduating from high school-at the age 0f 19 years/4 months/4 days-in Houston, Texas on Friday morning, July 20;th, 1984 at 9:45 A.M. Central Daylight Time-I visited my maternal grandparents and members of my long deceased father's family (Dad died from his second heart attack on March 27'th, 1997 at the age of 52 years/5 months/14 days). My last visit with BOTH of my maternal grandparents took place during the long Labor Day weekend of September, 1986-my grandfather was 81 and his third wife-my maternal grandmother-was 62. James Raymond Bowen died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday afternoon, February 10'th, 1991-at the age 0f 86-and surrounded by loving family matters. Cleo Mae Trivelpeace Bowen died of congestive heart failure at the age of 69 on Sunday, December 26'th, 1993.

I will always treasure the memories of the time that I spent with my maternal grandparents. They were kind, decent, friendly, loving, and affectionate.

I learned a lot from them. :)