Just when I think that I've turned over every scrap of the "family papers" to the Washington State Research Center, I seem to run into something else. Today it was a story that my Uncle Willard Espy ("Wede" t0 friends and family) wrote for a...
Thirty-six years ago today Nyel and I were married At Croquet. Gordon was my Bridesmaid, Roy was Best Man. Joel Penoyar did the honors Much to Willard's chagrin! It was a surprise to everyone Except to my son Charlie My mother had the vapors Dad...
I ran across a fat folder of typewritten pages -- some apparently in order, some definitely missing, and all with crossed out sentences and margin notes in my Uncle Willard's handwriting. I believe that they are part of one (or more) drafts about...
Now why I ask you Do won and won make too And why I ask some more Do too and too make for And why I further state Do for and for make ate? Won too for ate they go But why I do not know. --Willard Espy Downsizing in this household is endlessly fun! ...
The story of Fort Oysterville is one of my favorites! I think my Uncle Willard told it best so I will give his version here. From Oysterville, Roads to Grandpa's Village: By the 1850s, reports of Indian uprisings sent spasms of apprehension...
As I read yet another interesting bit of misinformation about my family -- this time on a FB posting -- I wished I had a nickel for every incorrect piece of news, history, rumor or piece of hearsay that I've run across in print. It used to be that...
... I really don't like oysters all that much. Fried oysters, yes. My great-grandmother's baked oysters, yes. Smoked oysters -- especially those! But on the half-shell or in stew or in a sandwich, I'd just as soon pass. So, when Debi Snyder,...
The 12"x 12"x 5½" box arrived by priority mail day before yesterday. It was heavy -- $21.90 worth of heavy -- and mailed from Seattle by Marilyn Nero. Perhaps you remember her? She and her husband Mark Nero ran the Cranberry Press which had an...
Anyone who knows Nyel very well knows that he loves chocolate -- the darker the better. Me... not so much. Especially not the darkest kind. However, there is a special place in my heart for Dilettante Chocolates (especially the Not Dark ones)...
In same ways, my uncle Willard Espy had a checkered career -- as in a number of disparate jobs. But all of them, one way or another, had to do with writing. Now he is remembered mostly for his books on wordplay, or if you live around this neck of...
In yesterday's Observer under "Dispatch Reports" is this small item: "Aug. 13 -- At 8:47 a.m. it was reported that an older woman had been missing since 7 p.m. the night before. At 8:52 a.m. she was found at the Oysterville Cemetery. She had...
We watched the State of the Union address last night. I had vowed I wouldn't, but then… thought I "should." I had told myself I would remain silent throughout. Promise broken in the first five minutes. I told myself I'd stay seated – or at...