Canada-Again!

The Odessa job finished during the summer and the whole family traveled back to Canada. This time, we lived next door to the Sanderson family. Al and I decided to get married...or at least to be engaged.  He bought a diamond and although our parents did not particularly like the idea, it was set.

We (Mom and Dad) decided that I should return to G'burg for my last year of school.  It really made sense, but I suspect ulterior motives! I was able to ride with one of the Fish families that always went home to Oklahoma for the school year.  They took me as far as G'burg.  I had my engagement ring in my pocket, fearful that I was doing something illegal by smuggling it across the border!

I stayed with Luther and Peggy Shuck.  They had been friends of the family since before any of them had family. Luther's parents lived down the road a couple of miles from Grandma and Grandpa Kruse.  Anyway, I had my OWN bedroom.  I think it was the first time since I was two (and Ginger arrived) that I had space of my own!

I had been back for about two weeks when I began dating.   I put my ring on  a shelf in the closet and assumed the normal life of a high school senior!  When the Kindersley job was done, Mom and Dad came to G'burg and Al came with them. I gave him the ring, and his very nice transistor radio and leather jacket then Dad and I took him to Dodge City to catch the train.  I later learned that one reason that Dad liked Al so much was that they would drink together.  Al's Dad, Buster was a recovered alcoholic and I believe that after Al was married to June, he eventually became a recovered alcoholic.

After a short time in G'burg, the folks went to Holland, Michigan.  I learned details of  their stay  through letters from Mom and Ginger. ( I also received the first and only letter from Daddy while they were there.  I still have that letter.) Holland is known for the tulip festival.  During the time tulips are blooming in the town, it is against the law to mess with them.  Part of the festival involves Klompen Dancers...school age dancers who wear wooden shoes and "authentic" dutch costumes. Ginger was one of those dancers.  For years, we had her wooden shoes, but I don't know what became of them.  I understand that it was necessary to wear many layers of socks with the shoes.  They were NOT soft and flexible!

The school year was rather  uneventful (Well, there was that time that a group of us girls climbed over the fence at the swimming pool after it was closed and were swimming without clothes and were found... but that is really of no concern.)

Mom came with Becky and Jan by train for graduation. We returned to Michigan by car! Uncle Bill (Mom's brother) and Marion Cullins (Mom's Cousin) decided to make it a vacation trip and take us to Michigan.