Grandmas Secret

On the back of this document it reads:
"8 years old - 3rd grade Corvallis, Oregon Lincoln School
April 5- 1955 One of my treasures - Karen and her poem"

I am thankful that my grandmother saved this poem for me - it is now framed and hangs in my home.

Here are the words with spelling and punctuation unchanged:

Grandmas Secret

My Grandma Maysel's iris
Were the best I've ever seen,
With blooms so large and gracefull
And with leaves so broad and green

I asked her once the reason
Why her plants excelled the rest,
She rocked a little faster
As she smilingly confessed:

I have the roots divided
When the blooming season ends
And all my plants are strengthened
By the ones I give my friends."

I've often watched the proving
Of the words she spoke that day,
For what I have seems better
When I give a part away.

Karen Griggs"

It seems to me that this is quite an advanced poem for an 8 year old - I would guess that someones Mom helped her a little.

But - I do know from what my Mom has told me - I did learn that things seem better when you share them with others. I have throughout my life enjoyed sharing what I have with others. Momma told me that when I was a girl she would wonder, as she sent me off to summer camp, if I would come home with anything that I took with me,. I guess I often shared with my friends.

I'm thinking, however, that I learned this trait more from my Mom than my grandmother.

Happy Day - Karen

"Last Child in the Woods"

The man in the white shirt is my Great Grandfather Charles Bird Richards (b. 11 Jan 1857 Mexico, Oxford, Maine d. 16 May 1923 Salem, Marion, Or.) If I had to guess - I would say this picture was taken at some mountain in Montana. He moved his family from North Dakota to Kalispell, Montana and he lived most of the rest of his life there.

My oldest daughter recommended a book to me. The Title is: "Last Child In the Woods" by Richard Louv. His "passion" is to save our children from Nature Deficit Disorder".

Reading this book has given me the opportunity to realize how very lucky my husband and I were to have parents who valued letting us "grow up" outside! And, how lucky we were, to have lived in a much safer (or so it seemed) time!

I recommend this book highly....Karen

Keeping house at the lake

Harriet Ann Krythe Gill (b. 21 Feb. 1921 d. 2005) with my husband and his sister in the late 40's.

Being outside was just a way of growing up for my husband! He talks of raising worms to sell with a friend in a piano box and of flying kites. While they lived in the Chicago area his summers were spent at a Lake. Dad would take the family out to the lake with tents and hammocks, cooking equipment and of course the boat. Dad would spend the week ends and then go into town to work during the week. Mom and the kids would stay at the lake! What an adventure (and what a brave Mom)

Then - they moved to Lake Beulah in East Troy, Wisconsin. They lived right on the lake and had a boat they were allowed to take out themselves. He talks of walking to the store on errands for his Mom and coming home in the dark along the edge of the lake. It was in the early 50's and we were all sure that people from outer space were forever lurking near! He was always thankful when he would look and see a light to guide him home. The light was his Dad's cigarette and he knew that his Dad was waiting for him to get safely home!

The original Granola Girl

Picture of my Mom (Jean Ann Richards Griggs b. 31 Jan 1923 d 31 Jul 1994)and my sisters at Mulnomah Falls, Oregon in the early 50's.

My Mom was, in my estimation, the original "granola girl"! She had my sisters and I outside more than in!

Our backyard in Halfway had the most "original" play set. She had Daddy help her build it - an A-frame structure with logs. It looked like a roof! There was a triangle opening at each end. They were connected with logs which were quite long. The logs had openings between them and we could climb up and down; spread blankets and sheets over them to make "forts" or "houses"; hang from our knees inside - it was great!

We had chickens and dogs and cats. During the summer we all slept in the screened in back porch.

When we lived in what we called "out in the country" Central Point we had 20 acres to run and play in....and sheep and calves. We had trees to climb and woodpiles to keep stacked! We had a big garden to tend. We had bikes to take us wherever we wanted to go - we just had to let momma know we were going. And, every summer, all of the beds were taken out to the yard and we slept outside....under the sky!

Then - we moved even further out - 5 miles out of Gold Hill up Sardine Creek - across a bridge and up the hill. I was in 7th grade. We lived in the woods - our closest neighbors a field away. One of my favorite things was the swing over the driveway that came up the hill to the house. I knew I could touch the sky!!

There was a hill to explore in the summer - and slide down when it snowed. We had animals -- rabbits and a cow, ducks and a dog. We could hike to town (and were encouraged to do so). We could swim in the creek (and were encouraged to do so). Life was grand!!

I'm thankful today for the growing up that I had! I wonder if the reader can even imagine what a change it was, as a senior in High School, to move from this life style into "town" in Shoshone, Idaho.

Grandpa Tom

(By Grandma Karen with help from
7 of his grandchildren in 2007)

Grandpa is smart.
Grandpa reads magazines.
Grandpa fixes Daddy’s car.
I love grandpa every, every, every day!


Grandpa is nice.
Grandpa watches t.v.
Grandpa talks kind of a lot.
I love grandpa every, every, every day!


Grandpa is old.
Grandpa has gray hair.
Grandpa gets people out of stuck.
I love grandpa every, every, every day!


Grandpa is fat.
Grandpa likes to play trains.
Grandpa takes us on good adventures.
I love grandpa every, every, every day!


Grandpa loves me.
If Grandpa doesn’t love me,
He doesn’t get to live with Grandma anymore!
I love grandpa every, every, every day!

A letter written by major Simon Willard to us - his descendents - in 1676

A letter written by Major Simon Willard to his children of all generations.
Simon Willard is a direct line ancestor to those of us who are descendants of Maysel Ellen Richards and her great grandfather Alexander Hamilton Willard.

Simon Willard, born 1606, died 1676.

To my children, - for so I call you, though belonging to different generations, - listen to my words of instruction, warning, and advice.

It is my privilege and my duty to hold converse with you, as I have been constituted by our heavenly Father, the founder of a numerous race on these Western shores. Born before the settlement of Jamestown and Plymouth, and of an age to remember the voyage of the 'Mayflower,' - the news whereof was brought even to my retired village of Horsmonden, - I was permitted to live through an important epoch, when great principles were in discussion, the settlement of which would affect future generations in the establishment of justice and right, or the perpetuation of wrong under the forms of law.
The death of my mother, of blessed memory, when I was too young to know the extent of my loss, and that of a father in my early youth, not, indeed, before remembered words of counsel and affection, but when I needed his protection and guidance, left me exposed to the temptations which invade the humble village as well as the larger resorts of men. But, though assailed, through God's mercy I was saved from falling; and trusting in Him whom I had been in youth taught reverence, I was brought safely through.

My early training was in the church of England; and in the ancient parish church I received in my infancy, the waters of baptism by the hands of the rector, Rev. Edward Alchine, from whose instructions and catechetical teachings, when I came of age to understand them, I trust that I received spiritual benefit. But my religious preferences were in another direction, and I yielded to their persuasions. I well remember, even with the dawn of reason and reflection, the great controversy, which was then beginning to range with unwonted heat, even to the dividing of families.
I had none to aid me in shaping my future course; and though I was prospered in business and very happy with the wife of my choice, and might have borne my part in my native village, the feeling increased, that this was not my proper sphere. Neighbors and friends, the men of Kent, in various quarters, were preparing to remove to the New World, where success had attended the Plymouth settlers, and the larger and more imposing colony composed of those who lined the shores of this beautiful bay. I was in sympathy with these Christians, while still loving the church from which I had separated, and the 'tender milk' drawn from her breasts.

I saw the day approaching when sharp trials would begin, and I should be excluded from the few religious privileges which remained for those who already were stigmatized as schismatic. I determined to join those who were seeking a home in the wilderness, where we might worship God in a way which we thought was of his appointment. But how was this to be accomplished with a young family? Measures of detention, which had now well-nigh reached their culminating point, were daily becoming more stringent, requiring certificates of uniformity, and oaths of allegiance and supremacy, of all who purposed embarking for the New World. Vessels were carefully watched; and none could leave the realm, and take passage for New England, without special permission, and having submitted to various orders exacted by authority. I closed up my business in Horsmonden, made my preparations diligently and silently in connection with a married sister and her husband, and bidding an affectionate adieu to those of the family left behind, reached the coast in safety, where we found a boat in readiness to take us to the vessel which was to bear us to our coveted retreat.

I cannot describe to you my sensations on forsaking my native land. Scarce ever beyond the bounds of my little village, I was leaving home, with all its fond ancestral associations, never to return. My emotions, on taking the last view of dear Old England, were such as almost to over power me. All of love, all of memory, returned; and I felt for the moment a doubt, whether I was in the way of duty in my removal. But it was only for a moment. When the last speck of Kentish shore disappeared below the horizon, I girded myself to the undertaking; cast no more lingering looks behind, but looked forward over the wide waste of waters towards my detained abode; addressed myself to all that belonged to its duties and obligations; and never at any one moment afterwards, until the day that God called me hence from earthly scenes, did I regret the resolution I had taken. We were favored in our passage, and our little fleet reached these shores in the beautiful noontide of May, when all nature was bursting into life, as if to give us a glad and smiling welcome to the new home of our pilgrimage.

I look around me; but all is changed that is under the power or control of man. In the populous towns and cities which have sprung up, I cannot recognize the little hamlets, once my familiar acquaintance. Even my ancient dwelling places - peaceful and humble abodes in Cambridge, Concord, Lancaster, and Groton - can no longer be traced or divined, except by those marks which God himself has established in the flowing waters of the Charles, the Assabet, and the Nashaway. Strange sights and sounds salute my senses; mysterious agencies of motion on land and water are all around me; and I almost feel as if man was in communion with forbidden spirits.

Descendants, - Here I planted my stakes; here I made my home, nor wished to return to the scenes of my youth. My venture here in new and untried existence, and I loved it. God favored me with health, friends, and beloved children; while, by his will and the love of the brethren, I trust I was helpful to the Commonwealth, at least in some humble measure, in military, legislative, and judicial service, through a long period, until my death. For all that I was enabled to do I was truly grateful, while conscious of my shortcomings, and lamenting that my success did not equal my intentions.

It was my earnest wish to train up my children to walk in paths of virtue and usefulness, and to educate them in human learning according to their capacities, that they might serve their generation with fidelity. Herein I was aided and blessed in the schools, open to all, which our honored magistrates and deputies caused to be established, that 'learning might not be buried in the grave of our fathers, in church and commonwealth; 'and by the teachings and instructions of worthy Mr. Bulkeley and Mr. Rowlandson. By their regular attendance on public worship, by observing the ordinances, by worship in the family, my sons and daughters were in the sure way of preparation for good service in life and becoming examples to their own children.
And now, if, in the day of small things, when we were few in number and weak in power, surrounded by the savage, with none under God to help us save our own right arm, I was of any service to church or commonwealth, I desire to first of all thank God, and give him praise. I will not offer myself as an example for imitation, or commend myself for having done aught, but only say that I have endeavored.

Consider what God has done for you. The wilderness and the solitary place have been made glad for you; and the desert rejoices, and blossoms as the rose, as in the days of Isaiah for the chosen people. Indeed, the little one has become a thousand; and the small beginnings, which I witnessed, have widened out to a powerful commonwealth, filled with comforts, privileges, and blessings, countless in number and leaving little to be imagined or desired. Think not that your own right hand has wrought out this your happy condition; but give thanks to Him to whom they belong, and believe that never was a people more highly favored.
You would honor my memory, and are very free in expressing veneration: but if you would honor me aright, if you feel the veneration you express, show it by your deeds; by reverence of that which is higher and holier; by doing all your duty actively and earnestly in your generation; by adhering to the old paths of justice, faithfulness, and holy trust; by sincerity in belief, abandoning all Antinomian heresies as you would the other extreme of dead formalism; by being bold for the right, modestly and firmly maintaining your opinions, whether called to public station or in the more private walks; following no man and no cause because of popularity, shunning no man and no cause you believe to be right because of unpopularity or reproach; but avoiding the parasite and self seeker, and standing bravely by your own convictions. Thus did my son, even Samuel, in the time of his pilgrimage, when he set himself in opposition to the greatest delusion that ever visited this land, subjecting himself to great trial in the coldness of friends, and the harsh judgment of an entire community; but, unmoved in his purpose, sustained by his conscientious view of the right, calmly awaited that revolution in sentiment which at once was the earnest and reward of his long and patient suffering.

"Farewell !"
Simon Willard

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From the Willard Memoir; Life and Times of Major Simon Willard, 1858, by Joseph Willard.
* Simon is making reference to his son, Rev. Samuel Willard, who studied witchcraft for twenty-years prior
to the Salem Witch trials and took a stance against the Rev. Cotton Mather, an advocate in the matter of the trials.

Simon Willard, with Peter Bulkeley, bought Concord (Mass.) from the native Indians.
For twenty-two years Major Willard held the highest offices in the gift of the people. He was one of the Governor's council, a member of the Supreme Judicial Court, and deputy to the General Court for fifteen years.

A true story that happened to me
in 1952 - by Grandma Karen

I should of gone potty at recess,
Like teacher told me to.
I was having fun playing,
Oh - WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

I should of gone potty at recess,
Like teacher told me to.
Now she’s up there talking,
Oh - WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

I should of gone potty at recess,
Like teacher told me to.
She doesn’t see me wave my hand,
Oh - WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

I should of gone potty at recess,
Like teacher told me to.
Now it is leaking all down my leg -
AND EVEN INTO MY SHOE!

I should of gone potty at recess,
Like teacher told me to.
There is even a puddle all round my desk-
I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU!