From the old box in the attic

My Dad was recently rummaging through some old boxes he had in his attic and came across this old wooden case. It belonged to my great-grandfather, Harry Davis Mousley. He was born on 3 Jul 1883 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died rather young at the age of 47 on 9 Nov 1930 in the same city. He married Emma Louise Dreby, who was born 25 Aug 1884 in Gloucester, New Jersey and who also died at the rather young age of 48 on 7 Mar 1933 in Philadelphia.

My father never knew his grandparents - he was born a few years later - and his understanding of the "family lore" was colored by his father who did not get along with his mother. "She was a good cook" is about the only thing we can recall him saying about her. Harry Davis and Emma ran a foundry on Cedar Street in Philadelphia known as the "Cedar Street Foundry". How original huh? This foundry was established when Harry Davis' father, Harry Lincoln Mousley was not included in his father's foundry business (Charles Mousley and Sons). So the family had two foundries in the city of Philadelphia around 1920 being run by cousins competing against each other.

Harry Davis and Emma owned a small summer cottage in Cape May, New Jersey, and my grandfather told tales of his summer vacations there - how they drove on sandy paths in a Model T Ford that was constantly blowing tires - and how he caught lots of fish and caddied at a golf course there. The cottage, no longer in the family, still stands - and seems to be in good condition (I've not been inside it!)

From what I understand, Harry Davis drank a little too much and got himself run over by a streetcar or wagon one day. His wife Emma suddenly inherited the family business and ran it with an "outsider," and eventually sold some (or all of it) to him just before she died - to the great dismay (and anger) of my grandfather - who would slowly buy the "outsider" out and forever hold a grudge against his parents.

Somehow this case survived the "purge" and "turmoil." I suspect my great-grandfather burned his name in the wooden case.

Inside, are several drawing tools, and unfortunately, not the complete set. The case is labeled "The Technical Supply Company of Scranton" - and a look on-line uncovers a 1900 company catalog which would have been about the right time period and in facts, shows a similar case on page 65.

I wonder what he drew with this set of fine tools. They still shine, even a 100 years later.

Barn Charm

This morning, I drove to beautiful downtown Douglasville, PA. My path took me past the Limerick Nursery where they had a sign out saying, "We are so excited about Spring, we wet our plants!" I can relate to that!

I quickly snapped this photo from my car while driving back to the office this morning. When I was a little kid, I remember seeing a ton of cows here - when the family went to Swenksville's firehouse for a smorgasbord dinner, something we often did.. I can still taste those dinners - the hushpuppies were out of this world.

My cellphone has a crummy camera, but I like what it did to this scene. It seems a little haunted to me...

I've been really busy of late - I've a bunch of things to post - but haven't the time to do so... yet. I got the following gem in an email - it simply shouts "Spring is coming!!!!"

*Giggles* The stories this photo could tell... or make me tell.... :)

Terribly Late

During this long, cold winter, I was blessed with some sunshine in my mailbox. Anne, of PhamilyBlog sent me a package, a giveaway gift several weeks ago. I am ashamed to say it took me so long to get this entry posted. The gift had some sleepy time tea in it, so perhaps that is why? The cold weather definitely makes me want to go to sleep ala Rip Van Winkle, until Spring arrives!

Also inside the package were some Colorado-themed playing cards, a 2014 lighthouse calendar, a big bag of Boyer's coffee (perhaps I need to drink more of this to "counteract" the sleepy time tea?) and you know, it might sound odd, but the items were packed with newspapers from Colorado - and I found a few "funny pages" with comics, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku puzzles!

You may have noticed in my Flickr account, a fair number of lighthouses - well, my parents are "lighthouse fanatics" and will go to great lengths to see and visit them. They have even traveled to England, Ireland, and Wales to see some of them. Most recently, they visited the lighthouse in Jupiter, Florida.

The wonderful giveaway gift!

My mom and dad on top of Crooked River River Lighthouse, Carrabelle, Florida

My mom standing next to a light house made from glass beer bottles, Carrabelle, Florida

Thank you Anne!! Your giveaway gift is super! Thank you so much!!

The lights are back on

I have been dog-sitting this past week - Jane the Beagle - she braved the power outage with me and although she shivered - stood up to the cold like a trooper. She is snoring away in front of an electric heater.
Her people are returning tomorrow.