Mamma's Memoirs Part 3 on Author Memories

This is the 3rd post of the memoirs of Tyyne Henrekson:

Part 1 - Mamma's early years in Finland
Part 2 - Meeting and marrying Pappa and emigrating to Canada
Part 3 - Early Years in Canada until 1950

These memoirs are taken from Mamma's hand-written booklet, Grandma Henrekson (Kakkonen) Memoirs--in English (1992).

However, because Mamma's Memoirs contains mostly photos of Pappa and Mamma's life in Northern Ontario during this 3rd part, I'm letting their eldest daughter, Taimi DisCala, whom we met in Part 2, tell you what it was like back then.

Aimo and Tyyne Kakkonen/Henrekson in front of their new Ryland home, 1950

This was supposed to be the final part, but Taimi sent so much valuable information that I felt should be posted for everyone to read.

Hence, the 4th part will take us through the 50's and 60's and will include the tragic accident - in Mamma's own words - that claimed the life of Billy, the only child of Pappa and Mamma who preceded them to heaven.

My Childhood Christmases

I'm over at the Inkwell today with the post, Big Christmas Trees from Logging Country. I'm showing photos of Christmas in my childhood.


Christmas morning, 1960. Anita 3, sister Bonnie, 4.
Logging Camp #5, Stevens, Ontario


In my post, I talk about the Lulu dolls we're holding in the above picture, toys, Christmas trees and ornaments and my 50 yr old stocking. Stop in and say hi even if it's just to look at the pictures. :)

I credit my mom for taking so many photographs of my childhood so that I can share it now with you.

The questions for discussion are: Look at your own photo of a past Christmas. What do you remember about it? The gifts? The location? The people? Do you remember how you felt as you waited for the 'click' of the camera?

Back To Normal... Almost

It's August and things are almost back to normal after putting 5200 kms/3200 miles on my vehicle during a 10 day stretch in July which included:

July 12: JJ and I headed west, stopped at Fort Walsh in the Cypress Hills, SK.

July 13: Drove to Calgary, AB to spend time with Jessica.

July 16: Jessica, JJ and I drove back to the farm.

July 17 am: Nelson and the kids went to church where they led worship with JJ working the sound. Meanwhile, I picked up Crystal at Regina airport.

pm: Crystal and I joined the family at church where she spent a few mins with her dad, then the kids and I headed east to Thunder Bay. Nick shared the driving.

Jul 18-21: Spent 4 days in Thunder Bay with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Torsti including a family meal at Hoito's with Uncle Paul and cousin Nancy.

While in Thunder Bay we enjoyed a birthday celebration at the Prince Arthur Hotel with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Judy.

We also drove out to the Amethyst Mine Panorama for exercise and pretty purple rocks. :)

July 21: Dropped Crystal off at Thunder Bay airport for flight back to Vancouver, BC

July 22: Drove 3 kids back to farm, again with Nick sharing driving

July 23 am: Arrived exhausted, run-down with sore throat, stuffy nose, et al, but content. Van still in relatively good shape.

pm: Nick left for the Street Invaders Team boot camp in Eston, SK prior to his departure to South Africa.

July 24: Jessica left for job as counsellor at Circle Square Ranch, Wolf Creek, SK.

July 30: Picked Jessica up at the ranch.

July 31: Drove Jessica to Regina airport for flight back to Calgary, AB.

Aug 1: Nick landed in Cape Town, South Africa. Please pray for him and the mission team.

So, the girls have gone back to their homes, but Nick won't be back until mid-Aug.

And that's how my summer's been so far.


How about you?