Update to December

Updating Blog; The first of December made our Winter Migration to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for December through March. We have already had the pleasure of visiting the Harvey clan on three occasions. Two were to babysit while Susannah and Will got to go out on a DATE (for a change.) It was our pleasure and the boys were great. The two little Heroes (sometimes known to their mother as Heathens) were lots of fun and well behaved. The last visit (just last Saturday) we took the boys out for ice cream after supper. That was a treat for all of us. There is the usual confusion and energy levels. We OLDERS are slowly adapting to that. The boys are really GREAT BROTHERS. When Colton gets hurt or is upset, Harrison is most often very willing to hold him and comfort him.

Colton and Harrison

We ventured up to Wilmington, Deleware, one day a few weeks ago and visited Winterthur, the big home and estate of one of the duPont clan. They had the tour of two of the many floors and these two had rooms decorated for Christmas as they would have been in the 19th century. Mogie and I were to as impressed with the whole place as we expected to be. The exterior of the house is really dull and uninspiring. The furnishings are terrific and the Christmas decorations seemed less than expected and did not exude quality (to our minds.) It was a good trip, though and we are glad we made the trip. The history of the place is realy great. It is 1000 acres and used to employ more than 200 people, grounds and house. (no pictures, though.)

Last Saturday I got into some trouble at a country auction that had a collection of horse drawn farm equipment, buggies, wagons, sleighs, etc. I have always loved those old things. I had an old sleigh years ago but never restored it. On this occasion, we could not stay for the auctioning of the neat old buggies, etc, but an acquaintance said he would bid. I gave him a few preferences and a top limit. Mogie and I were driving to Virginia when the man called and aske, " How many do you want?" He explained that the first sale was an old but good Bob Sled that went for $200. I said to get me what he could. He was able to get my first choice, a black 'Buck Board' that is technically, I am told, and Amish Durbin. A fellow at the sale said it was probalby worth twice what it sold for, and we got it for $700. It has shafts??for a single horse. I thought it would be just ONE MORE project for Montana. (Now the big question is to figure out how to get it to Montana (:<)
Despite the Moving challenge, I am delighted. PLUS, it gives Mogie another reason to shake her head and ot tease me about impulse purchases.
I will have to figure out if Sam will learn to drive without wrecking all of us.


New Addition to the ROLLIING STOCK for Montana.
This is an Amish Durbin, with some history from New York state.
The maker's name in cut into the steel of the steering mechanism,
and the wheel hubs apparently have ball bearings. There is little or
or no slack in the wheels. It has a foot brake and did have rear
lights, powered from a car battery, but they are gone.


This enclosed Amish buggy apparently sold for only $175.
Since I was not there, I almost cried when I heard the low price.