Nancy and Bob Murdock, Editors - murmuse@erols.com


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May and June, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE:

NAVY SEAL - FIRST MISSION (Lori Turner) Click
GRASS IS GREEN (Derek Revilock-Frost) Click
HAPPY EASTER (Dotty Salminen) Click
IN MEMORIAM (Carl Martz) Click
REMEMBRANCE OF ROSE (Nancy Murdock) Click
HELLO FROM HUDSON, MA (Carol Howlett) Click
IN APRIL (Nancy Murdock) Click
NEW ENGLAND BOUND (Claudia (Howlett) Lindsey) Click
WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE! (Angelica Howlett) Click
RIVER NAMES (Gene Murdock) Click
Click for Part 2
>MINNESOTA ROCKS (Darrel Murdock) Click
PROCRASTINATION (Nancy Murdock) Click
UPCOMING VACATION (Margie Aukstikalnis) Click
SHORT NOTES (Musers) Click
JOPLIN NEWS (Roy Murdock) Click
FOSTER HOWLETT'S FISHING ARTICLE (Sent by Jane McCauley) Click
MUSE READER (Jane McCauley) Click
MUSE SITE VISIT (Sue (Schlicke) Click
BASEBALL CHAT (Meri Murdock) Click
SURGERY COMING UP (Polly Soberg) Click
YOUR WEBSITE (Robin Holmes) Click
TRIP REPORT - TOPEKA KS (Gene Murdock) Click
Click for Part 3
TRAVELING TIME (Nancy Murdock) Click
HOWLETT REUNION (Nancy Murdock) Click
BOB HOPE TURNS 100 MAY 29 (Bob Murdock) Click


NAVY SEAL - FIRST MISSION
Lori Turner

March 24: My daughter forwarded me this email this morning (Mon) that my son sent her on Sunday. This makes me more nervous to know he is out there somewhere on land.

> Subject: signing out for now

well I have to leave now but I wanted to email you before I left,I am not scared but confused. I am suited up and ready you should see the things I have to wear it's nice. well tell dad and mom that I will be ok, I love them, and for them not to worry because I am gifted and have been well trained. Talk to you when I get back. love. steven

[Ed. Note: Steven, on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, was allowed about 5 minutes to write. I was really touched by this glimpse into the thoughts and courage of this young man. Lori kindly continued to send us updates, knowing we were praying for him. NM]

March 24: I am always proud of my son.

You are most welcome to print his email in the edition of the Muse. He would be very happy to know that it was printed. Reading his email sure tugged deep within my heart and brought many tears to my eyes as he is the only son that I will ever have and I am a worried mom for his safety.

I am very proud of my son's writing and what he says. Thanks again for wanting to put it in the Muse and all prayers will sure help. I just hope this war is done quickly and my son will be home shortly.

Take care and thanks so much for all your prayers.

March 25: I was talking with my son-in-law a few minutes ago on the telephone. He informed me that my son and his squadron's mission is to disable the mines. That is a scary dangerous job but my son-in-law said that my son and his guys have been well trained for this type of mission.

So at least I have an idea of what he is doing. Still nervous and of course praying for his safe return and the safe return of all the other men and women over there.

April 8: My son received 2000 stitches while he was on his mission over in the Gulf. He is a Navy Seal and their mission was defusing the mines. When defusing the mines there is lots of debris which consists of bricks and metal and pieces flying all over. According to my son, some of the men did not make it back; some died during the mission. My son told me the ones that died were only 20 yards behind him, which was a very close call. I am so glad my son did a great mission and made it back safely but he did sustain many cuts that required 2000 stitches. He is doing well and is looking forward to hopefully soon heading back to their home port in Everett, WA. I will be flying from Wisconsin to his home port when I have a return date for him. I am very proud of his and his squadron's accomplishments.

April 18: My son's carrier left the Gulf a few days ago. They are heading to their home port in Everett, WA. It will take approximately 1 month to reach home port. It is a 10,500 mile journey and I believe they will either stop in San Diego, CA or Hawaii as one stop on the way home. He should arrive sometime in May and I am going to fly there to greet him as their carrier arrives. It will be such an exciting moment. He told me it took 2 1/2 hours for them to remove his 2000 stitches he received. Boy I can imagine how that must have hurt.


GRASS IS GREEN
Derek Revilock-Frost


Hope you are all out from under the snow and ice from this winter! The sun is shining in Virginia; it has been in the 70's this week, and suddenly, the grass is green, the bushes have buds, and the trees are getting color!

Hopefully, you will all agree with me that the "winter of our (or maybe my) discontent" has all but melted away. What a year so far!!

To lighten the mood, there are a couple dates in Hartford that you should readily mark on your calendars:

Weekend of April 11,12, and 13th: Hartt School of Dance Senior Dances. As a dance senior, Jeremy-Ruth has submitted her final senior choreography piece, together with original musical score by one of the music major seniors, and will be performed by other Hartt ballet dancers.

April 26th. Hartt Gala at the Bushnell including Dance, Music, and Theatre. Jeremy-Ruth will be performing a solo in a Martha Graham piece, and the "cow" dance (as we all call it) that she is in, will be performed. This piece was highlighted at last year's performance, and also last summer in the city at a local auditorium.

May 18th. University of Hartford Graduation. Congrats to all the seniors!

I wish you all the best, and hope you can "spring" free and visit with us for some, or all of these events.

I hope you are all prospering and in good health amid the seeming chaos of modern life.
HAPPY EASTER
Dotty Salminen

I had my usual church service this morning with the TV program Hour of Power with Dr. Schuler preaching. The weather is beautiful. Many of my spring flowers are in blossom. My family is well and I am blessed.

I am about to make a lemon meringue pie to take to Randy's house where we will enjoy and Easter "lunch" together. We are trying to lose some fat, so a lunch is going to be the traditional ham with asparagus, pears, salad and the pie. Randy was asked to work this afternoon, so we will eat early; then Gloria and I plan to watch a good movie before going over to Teddie's, where the rest of the family will be. The children will play outside, the men will gravitate to the living room where the sports channels lure them, and the women will play Scrabble or whatever around the big dining table.

I am well and hope you are also.


IN MEMORIAM
Carl Martz

To Our Wonderful Relatives and Friends,

Rose passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon, April 2, 2003. As most of you know, she suffered from an incurable liver disease that was diagnosed barely three months ago. Carl, Sarah, and Jenny were with her when she died. The memorial service was April 8, followed by a brief graveside service at Bellevue Memorial Park adjacent to the mortuary. After the services, we all met at Jenny and Cam's.

These last few months have been very difficult for Rose, and she wanted me to thank you for all the phone calls, cards, visits, and other expressions of love and support that you have given. Without loved ones and friends the world would surely be a very empty place.

Also, thank you for your support of me during this time.


REMEMBRANCE OF ROSE
Nancy Murdock

Rose Martz was truly a wonderful woman. She had a keen sense of humor, which she expressed with dry wit and smiling eyes. During our CA years, Rose was wonderful to us. Although we had no claim to her affections other than being her husband's cousin, she treated us like honored, close family members. We spent many Thanksgivings with Carl, Rose, Sarah, and Jenny.

Rose also began a tradition of getting together on Boxing Day, which is a Canadian holiday of gift giving the day after Christmas. The holiday was designed as a day to go visit friends and neighbors, carrying boxed gifts. It was a perfect arrangement, as we could each celebrate at home on Christmas and then get together for our own Boxing Day, even if it sometimes had to wait for the next Saturday.

When Julianne Fair, the daughter of Carl's brother Richard, was married a couple of years ago, Rose wrote that she thought of those happy days when the four girls (Sarah, Jenny, Julie, and Meri) would get together. We have a very happy photo of the four of them having a good visit as they played with the small stuffed animals from a Boxing Day gift exchange.

In August 2002 we visited Carl and Rose at their home. They were unable to attend the Howlett Reunion West because Rose's brother was gravely ill and they had made plans to fly to visit him. Rose was not really feeling well herself when we saw them. But that didn't stop her from being a loving hostess. With Jennie's help, she fixed an excellent vegetarian meal, including a wicked chocolate cake she served with great ceremony.

Rose used her college degree in a job at one of the Claremont colleges. For several years she oversaw the Rhodes Scholars, past and present. It was an interesting area, keeping up with this select group, a number of whom were now famous.

We will always hold Rose in our hearts.


HELLO FROM HUDSON, MA
Carol Howlett


The past couple of months it has snowed too much here. We are ready for spring NOW. We had Doug's birthday on March 3rd as our daughter Heather asked if she could have Robbie's birthday here on Feb. 22nd and we said that was fine. The boys and families gave Doug a 27" RCA TV. I knew Doug wanted a dvd at Christmastime, so asked Willow (son Rob's wife, who works at Radio Shack) if she would be on the lookout for one for me. I started to put a little money away each week to have what was needed for her. I was hoping to keep it as a surprise, a very hard thing to do, as Doug kept saying "Where did the money go?" When he opened his gift he said, "OH so that is were the money went!"

We had Brittany's birthday here on March 23rd. All were having fun at the party and later in the afternoon decided to go to the park down the street. They were riding their bikes having fun when Brian, Heather's other son, lost control of the bike and hit a chainlink fence. He has a broken jaw and will have his wires off next week. He was rushed to UMass in Worcester and the surgery was done the next day.

We had Rob's birthday here on this past Sunday, April 6th, with no problems. He asked for Angel cake with boiled frosting which I made along with the Salmon salad and of course the inevitable Chex mix. Doug also made BBQ chicken wings. We gave Rob a mouse sander for his home projects. Willow gave him a remote controlled fire engine. He thought it was great and when the nieces wanted to use it he said, "That's my fire engine!!!!!!" A good time was had by all.

We had some snow here on Saturday and last night (April 7) we got about 2 or 3" here. Possible snow again tonight. COME ON SPRING!!!!!

April 14: Today we brought Brian & Heather to U Mass to have his wires cut off in his mouth. When we got home Doug grilled some hamburgers on the BBQ and he seemed not to have any trouble eating his. It is a nice day out today and it is going to be real warm tomorrow. I even took a short walk today. Maybe if it stays nice I can get into a routine of taking some walks for the exercise.


IN APRIL
Nancy Murdock

IN APRIL

Shades of pink and white
Now greening overnight,
The trees are showing all
Their beauty, stowed since fall.

Waking to the days
The trees receive our praise
As petals of pink rain down
From Spring's ebullient crown.

Short though this phase may be
With gorgeous views to see
We store them for the gray
Of life's less joyous day.

When winter locks us in
And icy snows begin
Our spirit strews the flowers
Of Spring's remembered bowers.


NEW ENGLAND BOUND
Claudia (Howlett) Lindsey

On July 2nd, I will be leaving California and heading for beautiful New England and a three week vacation.

My first stop will be where my Dad (Clyde) lives.at the home of Polly & Carl Soberg. Polly says that we will make a few day trips to different places and to see some nice New England country side. While there Carl & I will fight over the blueberry pie that he promised to make for me. (This is a running joke that we have) I will be spending approximately 10 days with them. This means that I get to go to the family gathering on the 5th of July at John & Cathy Howlett’s home. It will be nice to see lots of relatives that I have not seen in about two years. Also looking forward to the great food that everyone brings and especially John’s ribs that he is so famous for.

My next stop will be to Townsend on the 13th of July to spend a few days with Albert & Jenny Funaiole . Jenny and I plan to walk the streets and discover Townsend all over again. Look out Antique Stores here we come !!!

After leaving Al & Jennie’s I will be heading to Lunenburg to spend the remainder of my vacation with Doug & Barb Fleming. He is a cousin on my Mother’s side. They also are planning on some day trips. By the time I leave for home on the 23rd of July I should be plenty worn out from all the sights of New England. But it will be a nice worn out feeling.

I have also been promised lots of Fried Clams and Lobster and that delicious Sweet Corn that New England is famous for. The only Clams you can get here in California are Clam Strips and that is not my idea of what Fried Clams should be. The Lobster here in California is pricey and does not seem to taste the same.

Unfortunately Dennis will not be coming with me. He will be working to pay for my trip (LOL) and minding the dog and the house.

See you all in July.


WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE!
Angelica Howlett

Things are going well for Chris, the girls, and I. Oh, one big thing that's happening to us is we're buying a house. We're in the last stretch of the home buying process and look to have our house in April. We're all excited, as buying a first home is the biggest step one can make. The kids are even more excited, as they are finally going to have their own rooms.

The house is so nice! We're so looking forward to having our first get together at our house. The town we're moving to is Palmer, MA. The town is so family oriented and they do so much based on that theory. A train ride thru town to go Christmas shopping, a Santa on a fire truck passing out candy to the kids, festivals all during the spring and summer. Things are going to be so great once we're in our house and settled. This is what Chris and I have been looking forward to our whole lives and with Chris's new job he's been at for 2 years we can finally make that dream a reality.

Thanks so much for sharing our happiness with all the Muse readers. Everyone have Peace in their lives every day and We Love You Guys A Lot! Have a Great Day and God Bless Everyone! Also I pray for the continous hedge of protection around our fighting men and women over seas. I pray that they return to their families quickly so that they might have peace in their lives again. Talk to you soon.

Angel, Chris, Brittany and Gaitlyn Howlett
RIVER NAMES
Gene Murdock

When the Europeans first came to North America they were impressed with the plentiful waterways that gave them access to the interior of the continent. At first they adopted the Native American names for the rivers, many of which we still use today like Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Platte, Osage, etc. For some of the rivers they chose new names, usually reflecting their European heritage. The Puritans named the Thames River after the mighty Thames in England. The smaller river flowing though Boston became the Charles after British Royalty. The English in Virginia made a similar choice when they named their river the James.

The major river that drains central Massachusetts is the Ware, the name originally being Weir. A weir is a small dam, usually of branches, used to catch fish. Unfortunately original thinking runs dry after the major rivers are named and all the lesser creeks and tributaries are up for potluck when it comes to names. The Ware River has many branches and each branch has forks, so a creek may end up being named the west fork of the east branch of the Ware River. Such is the case with a creek that empties the southern part of Brigham Pond in Hubbardston. Grandpa Murdock once told us that it was the Piss River because a guy once looked at it and said "I can piss as much as that fiver flows!"

Behind our house was a small creek that flowed into Brigham Pond from Healdville. It is a small creek, but significant to us because we could go partway up it in the boat and enjoy a swimming hole at the bend. Further up was good trout fishing and an old dam and mill foundation to explore. The creek never had a name that I know of but it was where I first saw and identified the great blue heron, so to me it was and always will be Blue Heron Creek. A far sight better than the "north tributary of the west fork of the east branch of the Ware River."

Creeks seem to be named according to the first thing the discoverer notices about it. For instance, around the Champaign/Urbana area of Central Illinois can be found the following creeks: Indian, Money, Prairie, Little Mud, Spring, Big Four, Sugar, Pigeon, Wildcat, Salt Fork, Brushy Fork, Dry Fork, Lake Fork and Friends. The reason for the choice of the name is lost in most cases.

Lewis and Clark about ran out of names when they explored the vast prairies and mountains. As they drew maps of the territory they gave names to the streams and each man on the trip had a river named for him as well as for many friends.

Running past my house in Glenwood, Iowa, is Keg Creek, yet the oldest maps show it as Five Barrel Creek. Now what would prompt the name change from Five-Barrel to Keg?

One of the most interesting names I have run across is just south of me in Missouri where I found the One Hundred Four River. What a strange name! I had to know the source of that so I stopped in at the library of a town that the river runs through and found a historian who knew that answer. It seems that when the area was first settled there were army forts at St. Joseph, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska. The distance from Omaha to the mouth of the river where it flowed into the Missouri near St. Joseph was one hundred and four miles – thus its name.

As for the rivers we grew up with in Massachusetts, see if you can identify these (I ran across this device in a recent crossword puzzle):

Worcester to Providence
Hubbardston to Chicopee
Greenfield to Northampton
Lowell to Newburyport
Brockton to Fall River
Newton to Boston
Look up the answers in a map – get to know the Bay State again.

From Jane McCauley, of the Hubbardston Historical Society: Hi Gene - Ken and I enjoyed your article about naming rivers. He had a couple of comments, and Martha Holgerson said that brook behind your house was called Mason Brook. Ken said the Piss River went from Lovewell Pond, now called Streeter Pond (off Grimes Road) to Joslin Brook to Mason Brook to the West Branch of the Ware River. He has a nice map on which he put in green the river route. He has walked the entire length.

He also had a comment about the naming of the Piss River. The map of 1795 of Hubbardston has that name on it. He said he thought it was from the Piss Oak that gives off a urine smell, and because there were a lot of sawmills along this river, that is how it got its name. What do you think of that theory? He has cut a lot of Piss Oak and knows the smell.

I will try to scan you a map of the Ware River Watershed System that includes that section, as it won't all fit on my scanner.


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