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One night Mary Celia Thompson (Moodie) and her friend Kay Baker came up to ask about the bagpipes, Dad explained a bit and next thing we knew Mary Celia was working hard to keep the pipes "howling" and Kay was trying to keep a rhythum going on the drum. Talk about laughter! At the General Store one day while my parents chatted with someone, Olaf Olson (dear Olaf) talked to me. He asked me if I got paid ( I was ten years old)" Oh yes, Daddy gives me the shim plasters". Remember the small bills worth 25 cents?... A couple of nights later, Dad at the door with cash box and tickets found himself being paid largely in shim plasters.... Strange.....Meanwhile, Olaf was sitting at a vantage point so he could enjoy all of this. He had told folks as they came into the store about me and the shim plaster and the folks picked it up from there. Can't you picture Olaf's sly smile as he would look over his glasses?! Mom and I had a great laugh and yes, I got the shin plasters. My parents were accustomed to being "the entertainers". In Sesekinika WE were being entertained. The Thompson invited us to a "real" southern BBQ. Mary Celia picked us up; lovely ride across, cottages nestled among the trees- and Mary Celia sang some of her school songs. I remember this so well! It was a most enjoyable time and long remembered. Mom kept in touch with Mrs Thompson and Mary Celia all through the years. When our week was up the decision had been made. We would winter Sesekinika. Upon return in late fall we settled into Chris Sorenson's cosy, white bungalow. It seemed only a day or two later when Randolph Nord arrived carrying a "still warm" pumpkin pie. "Welcome in" from the Nord family. Other folks dropped by, neighboors became friends---long time friends. One winter evening (1940-1941) a group gathered just by chance. People dropped in. There were eight or ten people and Dad noted the different nationalities. In the course of conversation Dad turned to Sam Ivers and asked "Sam, do you have any property back in your homeland?" There was a pause.... quiet.... Then" Ja, I haf a cementmixer." There was laughter from our little "League of Nations" as Dad called it. Why did we stay in Sesekinika? It was all because of the people. How does that song go?" I love those dear hearts and gentle people....". We lived in may different places and were away for periods of time but Doc and Rita Hamilton always returned. This place was, for them,truly home. Marion (Hamilton) Stroud |
