Cow Appreciation Day

Mary Harris Coates Appreciating a Cow

Some days I just keep doing fun stuff like looking through pictures, reading blogs, looking up ancestors, eating chocolate, and just generally not doing what I’m supposed to do. Today is one of those days. I just learned over at geneabloggers.com that today is Cow Appreciation Day and that reminded me of this picture of my great-grandmother Mary Ann Harris Coates.

I promise – no more posts today!

Sepia Saturday – Wheeled Baby Transport

The prompt from Sepia Saturday this week had me looking through the family pictures on my computer for babies being transported – or at least posing in a carriage or stroller. Here’s what I found….

Bernard Coates (1908-1998)

Bernard Coates was my grandmother’s brother. I called him Uncle Bernie.

What is that expression on his face?  I don’t want my picture taken… This big bow is a bit much… I’ll sit here for the picture, but I won’t like it.

The strap across the front of the stroller seems more of a suggestion to the child to stay in the stroller than an attempt to keep him restrained. At least it doesn’t wrinkle his clothes.

Wilbur Hoskins (1924-1930)

Wilbur Hoskins was the first-born child of my grandparents, Eveline Coates Hoskins and Thomas Hoskins. My grandparents left their home in Mystic, Iowa and traveled to Rockford, Illinois so that my grandfather could find work. Wilbur came with them; they left their young son, Albert, in the care of his grandmother; Eveline was pregnant with my mother. During their stay in Rockford, Wilbur got the measles, suffered kidney failure, and died at the young age of five years. I think he resembles his father.

The stroller itself is very interesting – looks like a seat within a seat. It looks like the handle for pushing the stroller has been swung over the top of the stroller and is on the ground in front.

Birthday Goodies

On a lighter note – here is a picture of me chatting it up with someone about my birthday haul which includes a baby and a baby buggy.

Fun on the Farm

So this last one isn’t a baby buggy or stroller, but it is a fun form of transport for a kid. This is my (step)grandfather G. A. Hockensmith and two of my sisters getting a ride during a visit to our grandparent’s farm. I love this picture because everything looks just as it was – no posing, nothing cleaned up or hidden from view for the picture, my sister’s joyful smile during her bumpy ride.

June 9 – Happy 170th Anniversary!

Today is the wedding anniversary of George Washington Bryan and Sarah Stokes. I don’t have time to write about them today, but did not want to let this anniversary go unrecognized. I credit stumbling upon information about George and Sarah as the event that fueled my obsession with family history.

So Happy Anniversary, George and Sarah! Thanks for making it through tough times and parenting a fine family that continues to this day.