The Murdock Muse

May and June, 2002
Muse editors: Bob and Nancy Murdock, Baltimore, MD.
Email: murmuse@erols.com.

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE:

*PLANNING FOR GENE'S VISIT (Dotty Salminen)
*HOWLETT REUNION 2002 (Nancy A. Murdock)
*OUR HOUSE WILL BE READY (Claudia Lindsey)
*SPRINGTIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (Cathy Howlett)
*SPRING IN LYNXLAND (MINNESOTA) (Darrel Murdock)
*BIG CHANGES FOR KRIS AND SEAN (Sean Howlett)
*TRIPS TO REMEMBER (Bill Hiscock)
*MAY TRAVEL SCHEDULE (Nancy A. Murdock)
*GREETINGS FROM LIVERPOOL, NY (Barb DiStefano)
*MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Ian Murdock)
*UPDATE FROM HUDSON, MA (Carol Howlett)
*"GET WELL" WISHES FOR TWO MUSERS (Bob Murdock)
*BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (Christie Murdock)
*DAYS OF YORE - MOM'S WOES (Gene Murdock) - Click
*SOME MUSE HISTORY (Nancy A. Murdock) - Click
*A STORY BY MEREDITH (Meri Murdock) - Click
*AROUND THE NET (Bob Murdock)
- - - - MUSE PART 2 - - - -Click
*UPDATE FROM ITHACA (Wendy Morgan-Littlefield)
*HOME IMPROVEMENT (Valerie Davidson)
*FLORIDA TRIP REPORT (Orrel and Charlie Frost)
*AN INTERESTING DAY (Nancy A. Murdock)
*THE LONG FAREWELL (Nancy A. Murdock)

PLANNING FOR GENE'S VISIT
Dotty Salminen

April 20 - Lorraine and I went up to Margie's and met with her, Aunt Ona, and cousins Joy, Priscilla and Donna yesterday. What a fun day that was! We finally stopped talking long enough to discuss the matter at hand only to stray now and then again. We have so much to talk about after all these years!

We finally ended up with a Murdock get-together on May 26th at the Lithuanian Club in Gardner (near the old outdoor movie on route 2A) and a Charlton get-together on the 27th at Donna's in Vermont. More info will follow.

My extended family is having a weight loss marathon. We want to see how much total weight we can lose by Memorial Day. Everyone is welcome to join and report to Barb. I'm off to a good start myself. Of course mine is doctor's suggestion because of my knee.

HOWLETT REUNION 2002
Nancy Murdock

"Go West, young man, go West!" Yes, this year we will have Howlett Reunion West! Claudia and Dennis Lindsey are generously hosting this big event at their home in West Covina, CA, on Sat. August 10. Since several Howlett families have migrated to that area, we expect a sizable gathering, including the Murdocks.

Bob and I will be leading the East Coast delegation. Claudia thinks her father, Clyde Howlett, may also make the trip. So that's the start of a mini-migration of short duration. We're hoping you will all decide to cash in your frequent flyer miles and join the fun. Our slogan might be:

"Glad to See You - - At Reunion 2002"

For more information contact Claudia Lindsey, 515 N. Lyall Ave., West Covina, CA 91790, phone 626-966-9538, email lindseyd@flash.net (with "Howlett Reunion" in the subject line so it won't get deleted).

OUR HOUSE WILL BE READY
Claudia (Howlett) Lindsey

After careful consideration Dennis & I have talked it over and feel that it will be possible to hold the reunion at our house. We have two covered patios, with one right off the kitchen which would make it ideal for serving the food on tables set up. We can rent some folding tables and chairs. We will have a big barbecue for the carnivorous and a small one for Garden Burgers.

We also have a side yard where we could play some games with the little ones and also could play some on the front yard. Parking would not be a problem as long as no one parked in any of the neighbors driveways. If it gets too hot out the older folks could go inside where it is cool. Our house is easy to get to, about 6 blocks from a major freeway.

The reunion is a good excuse to do some things around the house that we have been putting off!

SPRINGTIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Cathy Howlett

We had a nice weekend and a very nice Easter Sunday. The weather today was much milder than anticipated; and for the last day of March, much greener. The maple buds will be popping soon, and we've noticed my daffodils are experiencing substantial growth from one day to the next. We finally received some heavy rains, but still need many April showers to ease the water deficit.

Lori & Michael's wedding is coming up Saturday, May 18. Johnny and I are both taking the Friday before and Monday after off, so we can relax and enjoy the wedding on Saturday and Sean and Kris's graduations on Sunday.

SPRING IN LYNXLAND (MINNESOTA)
Darrel Murdock

After a very warm Jan and Feb, then a bitter March, we were greeted by the magical transformation from black and white to emerald green as mid-April finally arrived.

Due to snow cover in early April, once again the daffodils and tulips were blooming together, which is a better show. The dianthus, columbines and pansies are up and getting ready to replace the spring bulbs. The daylilies, hostas, astilbes, delphinium and bleeding heart ferns have started their longer journey, too.

But no less exciting to me are the ornamental shrubs. The red barberries, honeysuckle, ruby spirea, tangerine potentilla, rosa ragusa and weigela shrubs have started their leafing and budding.

And the annuals are still to come! Oh how I love Spring in Minnesota. I've scored a few hits with my camera with the returning wildlife, too. So far I've captured the souls of bluejays, orioles and cardinals, and my helicopter-seed-eating squirrel friends love the rewards I leave outside my kitchen window. They come within two feet of the camera and look cute nibbling snacks.

BIG CHANGES FOR KRIS AND SEAN
Sean Howlett

We have three big changes that have come about this year and it is only March. First and foremost is the fact that we are now pregnant. We found out a little bit ago and Kris is out of the first trimester, so we feel comfy letting the world know. This was a surprise to us as we were not really trying. We had taken a wait and see approach and we are lucky to be blessed. We have had an ultrasound and the little bugger has two arms and two legs and appears to be coming along just fine. Kris has been lucky so far as all she has had to deal with is some fatigue, dizziness and light nausea.

Next we have both recently completed the last class for our bachelor's degrees. We do not march until May but the way we see it who cares. We are happy this coincided with the pregnancy, as at least we got this out of the way before any kids came along. We will both have a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Science from Franklin Pierce college. This adds to my two Associates (Criminal Justice and Human Services) and her Associate's degree (Criminal Justice) to make us some learned folk.

This brings me to a third change, as I have realized I needed to use this education and get a real career. I have recently been hired by the NH Department of Corrections and am now a Corrections Officer Trainee. It is a far difference from Sales at Staples but I really like it. I am lucky to be posted to the same location as Kris (NHSP-M in Concord) and am assigned currently to Interior. This means I get sent to a different post within the facility on a regular basis. This is good, as I am quickly learning many of the posts and acclimating to both staff and the inmate population on a good clip. I am also lucky, as I know some of the staff from being Kris's husband, which gives staff and me a better level of comfort, and I am using the little bit of knowledge gleaned from Kris's time in, as well as our Education, to be as good a COT as I can.

I may not have been able to serve in the military due to childhood Asthma, but at least I get to serve my country and community just the same. Well I would like to write more but I have some dishes to do (it's my turn) so I will chat to everyone at a later time.

Later everyone -
Sean, Kris, Idi (the dog), Ozzie (the cat) and our future child.

monkholio@mindspring.com

TRIPS TO REMEMBER
Bill Hiscock

April was a month to remember. The first weekend of the month Sandra and I traveled to Orlando to spend the weekend with our son, Tim, who was working a convention there. Tim had plenty of free time for us to enjoy together. And during the times that he had to work, Sandra and I visited the old haunts where I grew up in Winter Park, and, of course, every quilt or fabric store we could find. It was a wonderful weekend!

The next weekend we traveled to Miami to help a dear friend celebrate her 80th birthday. Since we don't travel the way we did years ago, we took two days to get to Miami. But that's OK. There are plenty of quilt shops on the way there. We arrived in Miami around noon on Saturday, in time to make a big quilt show in Coral Gables. Then we called another friend we hadn't seen in years and years and made arrangements to have dinner with him Sunday night. Sunday I went to church in my old neighborhood. Wow! Has that church changed! But that's another story. Then on to our friend's birthday party. She didn't know about the party, and when she came in, she looked around the room and then went all the way across the room, passing everybody there, to greet Sandra! She spent more time with Sandra during the party than any one else there. So we arranged to stop by Monday morning before we left town.

Sunday evening we had a wonderful dinner and time with our other friend. It was good to renew old friendships!

Monday morning we kept our scheduled appointment with the birthday friend, and stopped for an hour's visit. Three hours later we got on the road back to Tallahassee. Two days and many quilts shops later, we arrived home happy to have had such a wonderful time and good visits with old friends! Everybody should try it!

MAY TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Nancy A. Murdock

With three events in New England in a 10 day period, Bob and I will be gone from May 17 through May 28. Here are our itinerary and the current (tentative) plans.

17--Drive up to our favorite Super 8 Motel in Gardner, MA.
18--To Foxboro MA for the wedding celebration of Lori Howlett and Michael Brown, and back to Gardner.
19--Check in at a resort timeshare in Bartlett, NH, where we'll stay the week.
19-25--Visit Howletts, Sobergs, and Frosts. Tour the quilt museum and textile mills museum in Lowell, MA. Go to Portsmouth NH one day. We may go to a couple of quilt shops, too. And I plan to take my fabric dyeing supplies.
25-27--Stay at Gardner Super 8.
25--Gene Murdock arrives.
26--Murdock Reunion at Lithuanian Club in Gardner.
27--Charlton Reunion (Bob's mother's family), at Donna (Bob's cousin) and Chris Estep's in Jacksonville VT.
28--Homeward bound.

GREETINGS FROM LIVERPOOL, NY
Barb DiStefano

Happy Spring!, though I'm not sure we had winter. I found a fun site I want to share with other aMuse-ing family and friends. I have been overwhelmed with work, housework and a high maintenance husband, so I went to a site I read about, www.FlyLady.net . She sends several emails a day, but it has made an amazing difference in my approach to everything in my life! It makes me happy!! And my house is much cleaner all the time, with seemingly less effort!!

I also have a couple of amusing stories to share. Last night, as I finished the kitchen floor, and had the corned beef dinner cooking away, I noticed a wine bottle on the hutch, with about 4 inches of a thick red substance I thought was maybe cherry brandy or something. So, wanting to keep the hutch top bare, I put the bottle in the fridge. After a while, Mary Anne came down and said, "Did you see a bottle on the hutch?" To which I replied, "Oh, the wine? I put it in the refrigerator." She started laughing, A LOT, and said "That was bubble bath I put in that bottle for decor! I was going to rinse it out and toss it!"

The other story is re Alexandra, age 6, who went with her family to the company-sponsored annual ski lesson and fun day at Greek Peak. She was taught to slalom, and wanted to use the lift and go up to the first mountain slope for beginners, having mastered the bunny slope. The instructor reminded her to go up on the lift, turn, then slalom down. Allie went up, turned correctly, and skied straight down as fast as she could, with a big grin on her face. Her mom asked her, "Why didn't you do what he said, and slalom down?" Allie, who is a tiny girl for her age, put her little hand on her hip and said patiently, "Mom, I am not a slalom skier, I am a down-hill skier!" A bit of an Olympic influence, I think.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Ian Murdock

[Ed. note - In an Email to Ian, I rejoiced about John Madden's joining Monday Night Football. - RDM]

Funny you should mention John Madden, buy the whey; I was just now thinking about how I couldn't be happier with the removal of Dennis "Come on! You don't know who Wendell Willkie is?" Miller from the booth, and how it was such a bummer to see Pat "Mo' Money" Summerall give "No, thanks, I'll take the bus" Madden the old "So long, sucker" at the Superbowl. Besides, I've been a big admirer of Madden since his mid-'80s garden emporium commercial in which he admits to bending the rules as the Raiders' coach. "Clipping, gouging, stickum on the hands; whatever it took," he spluttered excitedly.

One has to admire that kind of candid honesty, even when he's speaking as a shill for fertilizer. (There's something redundant there, but I can't put my finger in it.)

Anyway, I think the announcing lineup has improved tremendously. Can't wait to see a few Vikings or Ravens 'Monday Night' games!

UPDATE FROM HUDSON, MA
Carol Howlett

Decided to send an update on the THE HOWLETT CHRISTMAS CACTUS. It started to bloom just before Thanksgiving 2001, and has continued to bloom constantly. It was at its peak right around Christmas. I had Doug take a picture with my digital camera, hope he can paste a copy for you at the end of my letter. Today is March 27th and there are still blooms coming out, I have never seen it bloom as long before. Does anyone know how old it is? Doug remembers it as a boy.
[Ed. note - We'll try to get the cactus picture into the Muse soon. - RDM]

I baby-sat our 18 mo. old granddaughter Tamara 4 days a week last fall. This gave me an excellent reason to take walks, which I really like to do, as she loves to go bye-bye. As soon as the word came up she would run for her coat and put her arm in. The weight has come off slowly so it hopefully will stay off. I have lost 18 lbs. and hope to lose more.

This past Sunday there was a b'day party for Brittany upstairs. Many of her friends came and all had a good time. We brought up the chex mix and salmon salad, and there was plenty of food for all.

I really like seeing the Muse on the Internet. Great going.

"GET WELL" WISHES FOR TWO MUSERS
Bob Murdock

Two members of the Muse family were recently hospitalized, and will appreciate cards and letters.

Pete DiStefano, my sister Barb's husband, sustained a leg fracture after a fall at home. He may be laid up three months, Barb said. Send greetings to him at St Joseph's Hospital, Room 4116, 301 Prospect Ave., Syracuse NY 13203. Or Email to Barb, at pdistef1@twcny.rr.com .

My sister Lennie Schlicke was taken to the Athol, MA hospital May 1, with upper abdominal / chest pains. Lennie hates hospitals, and went home the next day. But she was re-admitted May 5. You can send greetings to her at home: 555 Highland Ave., Phillipston, MA 01331. Or Email via her son Don, at ipbcables@NET1Plus.com .

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Christie Murdock

My birthday (March 18) was nice. With my Amazon.com gift certificate, I got Alanis Morrisette's new CD "Under Rug Swept," the CD for the Musical WORKING, a "Six Feet Under" CD compilation, and a Johnny Mathis Greatest Hits - I think it's a cassette, not sure. I just remember listening with my Grandpa Hanson and LOVE Johnny.

My Mom sent flowers to my classroom, claiming that's the only place she could count on my actually attending during the day (she's probably right). After classes I went to a dinner fund raiser for Panhellenic, went to my induction into Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and then went to sleep. Tomorrow, we're supposed to go sailing to celebrate my birthday and then go to dinner, but most of my friends were unable to go and the weather is a bit dreary. I hope it all clears up by tomorrow. My friends will be attending the nice dinner afterwards (they'll be off of work by then) at one of my favorite Thai food places, Kitima.

DAYS OF YORE - MOM'S WOES
Gene Murdock

[Ed. note - Using excerpts from Mom's diary interspersed with his own commentary, Gene has written an insightful account of how Mom coped with the struggles of our early years in Hubbardston. Click here to see his article in Gene's Gems. - - RDM]

SOME MUSE HISTORY
Nancy A. Murdock

[Ed. note - Nancy tells how the Muse got started, and how it evolved. This article will be a permanent item for the Muse. Click here to see some Muse history - - RDM]

A STORY BY MEREDITH
Meri Murdock

[Ed. note - This is the first of what we hope will be a series of stories by Meri. Click here for this story - - RDM]

AROUND THE NET
Bob Murdock

Gene Murdock, April 2
The big weekend is underway. Ona, Joy, Pris and Donna are going to Margie's to lunch with her and Dotty and plan the Charlton gathering on April 19th, then will meet again at Donna's in Vermont in May. Dotty and Teddie will do the Murdock one.
I have reservations at the Gardner Super 8 to arrive Friday the 24th and stay 5 nights (I will stop at Barb and Pete's on the way in.)
I am excited.

Carol Brugge, March 19
I'm Lynda's sister-in-law, Carol. Thank you for your wonderful words about Lynda in your newsletter. Since she left for Baltimore in 1981, we have not had too many visits (except by telephone) and you helped bring to us, what her life was like with you all. I read most of the Olympics On Our Own, Another Decade Birthday, and all of In Memoriam, at the memorial service we held in Menlo Park. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts -- we all enjoyed learning a little more of how others appreciated Lynda.

Polly Soberg, March 28
We've had some pretty wintery weather in the past week, about 8 inches of snow which is not welcome at this time of year. I went out to fill the front bird feeder this morning about 6:30 AM and nearly became a frozen statue. Wow did the wind ever blow through me. I am truly looking forward to real spring and warm weather. My lilac bushes were starting to bud with the warm weather we had been having but now they look awfully cold.

David Leskinen, April 27
David Leskinen and family here at home in Ithaca NY. Yes we finally updated and now are on the net. Unfortunately the children don't allow me very much time to get on. But I made it. We can be found at Iamgr8dad@aol.com . See everyone on the net.

Dotty Salminen, April 21
Just got back from an exciting morning watching the opening of the Junior leagues baseball season. It was blustery up at the rec field but lots of fun. There are almost 400 kids from Hubbardston Center School on the teams this year!!!! Boys and girls. That is a very large percentage of the school population.

Chip and Rose Martz, April 8
Yes! We would love to participate in a Reunion-West. We will be around all summer. Jenny is due with our first grandchild in early June, so hopefully she and her husband along with baby will also be able to come. Keep us informed.

Charlie Frost, April 10
Here the snow has gone, but spring is just getting rolling (snow drops, forsythia, and a few others). Some mild days, some chilly ones. We're in that transitional season of yo-yo weather.
Orrel and I plan to leave Friday morning for a few days in Eastport, Maine, doing genealogical research. Perhaps we will visit a cannery museum and a few other sights.

Christie Murdock, April 22
I have put in my application for a $2500 Gladstone International Scholarship in Public Relations. I got two instructors to write me wonderful recommendations, but there is a LOT of excellent competition, so cross your fingers that I get the scholarship.

Stephanie Wiseman, March 5
I know you have about a gazillion or more birth dates and anniversaries to list but I noticed that my son Zachary is missing - his birth date is June 26, 2001. Thanks.
[Ed. note - Only about half a gazillion. Zachary's date is now in place. Thanks. - - RDM]

Teddie Doane, March 6
The latest issue of the Muse was great! Entertaining, informative, and interesting! I always get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I read the Muse. It's wonderful to have such a family. We truly are blessed. If you ever get the chance I would love to see a brief history of the Muse and how it got started.
[Ed. note - Sterling idea! Click here for Nancy's article. - - RDM]

Becky Murdock, April 25
I'm a little distracted right now, for my girlfriend from school is dying of lung cancer. She only has days left and it is a very sad situation. She just got married four months ago, to someone from school that I set her up with. It is quite upsetting to see this happening, to someone who had so much to live for.
[Ed. note - Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and with your friend. - - RDM]

[Click here for more articles in Part 2.]

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