Sunday, July 31, 1977

Went to 10:00 AM Mass in Harrison. Finally made it on time. Paul went with us. We had brunch when we got home. Then, John and Dave went up the hill and blew a few more stumps. Lloyd Ashburn, a former Fullerton policeman, came by with James to see John. It was a beautiful day - clear and breezy. I barbequed a pork roast and it didn't get finished till about 8:30 PM. I just sat down to eat and leaned on a bee which promptly stung me on the back. Tonight, John took me up the hill to show me the stumps they had blown.

Saturday, July 30, 1977

John, Dave and boys went up the hill. They are using dynamite to get out the stumps. Jacquie worked up there, too. I spent the day cleaning and raking up the camp. The girls worked inside the trailer. I took a cold bath by lantern light in the big tub. James and Mike came over about seven and stayed till about eleven-thirty. Barbequed steak for dinner and had ice cream for dessert.

Friday, July 29, 1977

Vera came over this morning and she and I went to Harrison. Did my laundry and shopped a little in the Ozark Mall. Exchanged Kristin's jeans and bought her a little pair of boots. John fixed the gas tank on the white van and then went up on the hill to work a while. When he came down, Sue, Val, and I went to Harps for groceries. Vera came over tonight. The girls went out with Marty and James. The rest of us went to the creek for a swim. John went to Grimmett's to call Al and Paulette.

Thursday, July 28, 1977

Kristin has been decorating this book. John and the boys went up the hill to work. This afternoon, Dave arrived with his new tractor. He took Sue for a ride on it up the hill. Pulled the first stump. I think it took a couple of hours. Broke down the tractor. Nothing else much happened today. Jacquie got a letter from Margaret.

Wednesday, July 27, 1977

After breakfast, John and the boys went up the hill to work. Jacquie and I went to Harrison to get some supplies at Race Bros. Then we went to Penneys and got some jeans and shirts for Kristin. On the way home, the van quit. We tried everything, but couldn't get it started. We waited from 1:15 till about 6:00 PM. Finally, John came and rescued us. My brother, Mike, was with him. He, Vera and the kids were coming for dinner. We came home in the Volkswagen. John and Mike went back to get the van and the Volks got a flat. Everything finally got fixed and brought home and we had dinner.

Tuesday, July 26, 1977

We had a terrific thunderstorm last night. We really enjoyed it. It was still raining this morning. The weather is much cooler. Mike and Vera came over for a few minutes on their way to Harrison and again on the way back. John and Dave went to Harrison to work on a tractor Dave is buying. John may have found one for himself, too. He and I went to Burleson's tonight to talk to Berry about someone coming to put in a well.

Monday, July 25, 1977

Loaded up the dirty clothes and kids and went to Yellville. Dropped Sue and Val off at Burleson's for showers, then went to the laundromat. Mike, Vera, and kids were there. Got groceries at Harps, picked up some water, and finally got home about 4:00 PM. Found out the fire got away on John and they had a heck of a time putting it out. Mr. Riggs, from the Power Company, helped. Went up there with John tonight to check the area. It looks like rain. We sure could use it.

Sunday, July 24, 1977

We went to Mass in Mountain Home. Beautiful, big, air-conditioned church. Stopped by at Bull Shoals Hospital and John went in to visit Jim Pearson, Sr. who is recovering from surgery. Drove down Hwy. 235 to see if we could see Mike and Vera - no luck. This afternoon, John, Dave, and the boys went up the hill to work. Along came Mike, Vera, and kids. We visited a while - went up the hill and showed them the home-site. Fixed barbequed chicken for dinner. After dinner, I went up the hill with John to watch the fires.

Saturday, July 23, 1977

John and Dave left right after breakfast to go to an auction and were gone all day. I went for a walk up to the tent this afternoon. It sure was quiet and peaceful. The dog went with me. Joe and Linda came over for a while with their family. They bought some furniture at the auction. John only bought a trash barrel and some small stuff. Barbequed steak for dinner tonight, then we all went down to the creek for a swim.

Friday, July 22, 1977

After breakfast, John worked on the electric lines. The power was hooked up at the old house, so he and Dave went up the hill for poles and started stringing a line over to camp. I went shopping and did some laundry in Yellville. When I got back, John had the refrigerator plugged in. The pump is plugged in too. James Pearson came over to see Val while we were gone. Got our first "Mountain Echo" today. Tonight, Dave rebuilt his lean-to and made it larger. We all went swimming down at the creek tonight - even the dog. She decided she like the water.

Thursday, July 21, 1977

I didn't go anywhere today. The girls went to the post office. Sue got a letter from Lee Howard and Jacquie got one from Joanne. It rained this afternoon and we sat around and looked at house plans. We finally decided on one that we think will be really nice. I made a barbequed meat loaf and baked potatoes for dinner. John and I and Darren went in to town tonight. John wanted to make some calls about a well and a tractor. When we got back we had a cup of coffee, sat around a while, and went to bed.

Wednesday, July 20, 1977

John took the boys up the hill to work. I went to town to get some groceries. This afternoon, John went in to town to the Power Company and the Health Department. We had a thunder storm this afternoon. We had spaghetti for dinner. After dinner, we sat around and looked at house plans till it got dark. Paul Grimmett came over to visit the kids tonight.

Tuesday, July 19, 1977

John and Dave went in to town to see about a building permit and get some culvert pipe. Some bad news - the report on the water came back unsafe. Joe and Linda Mohalvik (not sure about that name) came over with their 3 children and brought us fresh vegetables from their garden. Tonight, John went to see Mr. Allen about some fill dirt. We went swimming for a while. Later this evening, we went to Yellville to make some phone calls about a well. Darren went with us.

Monday, July 18, 1977

I went to town and did eight loads of laundry. Sue and Val went to the lake with Mike and James. John decided on a new entrance and driveway and started working on it. A man came out from the electric company to find out what we need. As soon as we get a building permit and clear a way, they will come out and put in the lines. Good News!! Got a letter from Rosemary, they sold their house and will be here in about a month. Mike, James, and the girls got back about 7:00 PM and the boys ate dinner here.

Sunday, July 17, 1977

Went to Mass. Had trouble with the car again and we were late. After Mass, we went to Burleson's for a while, then took a ride out Hwy. 235 to see if we could find Mike's place. Got some good water from a natural spring and then stopped at Harps for some food. We all went swimming down at the creek this afternoon. Later, Paul Grimmett came over to see the kids and stayed till midnight. Tonight, John and I went to Burleson's, tried to call Jim, but no answer. Called Bruno and John talked to him a while.

Saturday, July 16, 1977

John and Dave took off in the truck. The rest of us gathered the wash, the water jugs, etc. and loaded up in the van, but the battery was dead so we all stayed home. Late in the afternoon when John got home, he charged up the battery, then he and Dave went to work on the hill for a while. I barbequed a roast and baked potatoes for dinner. The girls and Dennis went to town with Mike and James Pearson. Jim Pearson, Sr. and his wife, Alma, came over for a while this morning. Dave took a trip to Missouri tonight.

Friday, July 15, 1977

John fixed the fuel pump on the van and VW. Then he and Dave went up the hill to build a floor for the tent. Val and I went up the hill to bring some water. It looks pretty up there. Cooked "Chinese Pie" for dinner. The neighbors from down the road came down to visit. There names are Ken and Sara and their boy's name is Paul. Paul fired Dave's gun and ended up going to the hospital for stitches in his lip because the gun kicked back and hit him in the mouth. Mike came and took Sue and Val to town with him.

Thursday, July 14, 1977

While lying here trying to get caught up on the last couple of days, I just got a surprise... the dog was chasing a kitten and ran across this page with muddy feet. John and Dave went to Harrison this morning to get fuel pumps for both cars and lumber for the floor of the tents. This afternoon they went to Yellville to fix and pick up the VW and to pick up the boat from Burleson's. Tonight we all went down to the creek for a swim.

Wednesday, July 13, 1977

The guys went up the hill to work. The rest of us all climbed into the VW and went to Yellville. I washed Dave's things and some more of ours. Got some more groceries. The kids took showers. Mike Burleson and a friend came over for a while. John went to town to see about utilities. While there, the fuel pump went out on the VW and he had to get a ride home. After dinner, we all climbed into the van and went down to the creek for a swim. Val and Jacquie went down earlier with Dave.

Tuesday, July 12, 1977

The guys went up the hill to work. I went to town with Val and Kevin. Did some washing, got groceries, got subscriptions to "The Mountain Echo" for us and Al and Paulette. This afternoon, John and I took the boys to Harrison and got some boots, overalls, etc. John bought a chain saw. When we got back, the girls had the chicken cooking on the barbeque. We fixed some rice to go with it. Spent the evening sitting around enjoying the cool evening air and watching the dog catch June bugs.

Monday, July 11, 1977

Darren and Robert woke up early and rode down to the creek on bikes. After breakfast, John, Dave and the boys went up the hill to work. The girls went in to town to take showers and didn't get back till 3:30 PM. John and I went in to Yellville to get some groceries. When we got back, we barbequed some hamburgers and had some baked beans and salad. John took me for a ride up the hill to see the progress. When we came down we had some coffee, sat around for a while, and then went to bed.

Sunday, July 10, 1977

Had a pancake breakfast, then drove to 10:00 Mass in Harrison. After lunch, we loaded up in the van and headed for Little Rock to pick up Darren. Had trouble with the fuel pump all the way down and we were about an hour late. A kind CB'er called the airport for us to let Darren know we were coming. Had trouble again all the way home and didn't get home till after dark. We fixed some sandwiches for dinner. Had a cup of coffee and went to bed.

Saturday, July 9, 1977

John, Dave, and Robert went up the hill for a few hours then came down and went to the lumber yard to get a roll of plastic to cover the trailer. Sue, Val, Robert and Jacquie went to Yellville to take Mike Burleson home because when he came out here his motorcycle wouldn't run right. Had another little thunderstorm this afternoon. Barbequed a roast for dinner tonight. Afterwards, John and I went in to Burleson's to take a shower. Visited Barry and Lola for a few minutes at City Hall and came on home. Stopped and picked up some ice cream on the way.

Friday, July 8, 1977

Got up about 6:00 AM and had early breakfast. John, Dave and Robert went up the hill to work for a few hours. When they came down, John adjusted the brakes on the van and I went to Yellville with most of the kids. I put in a load of clothes at Burleson's and some of the kids stayed there for showers. The rest of us went to the laundromat and then shopping at Harps. Went to the Health Department to see about the well water. We have to send in a sample to Little Rock. Got back about 5:00 PM and fixed hamburger stew for dinner. Had another thunder storm this afternoon and lightning flashed all evening.

Thursday, July 7, 1977

John, Dave, Robert and Dennis went up the hill to work. When they came down, Dennis was sick. They saw a copperhead snake. Dave fired at it, but missed. John fixed the brakes on the van. We had hamburgers for dinner. John and Dave went up the hill for a while again this evening. When they came down, we climbed in Dave's truck and went down to the creek again. We sat around for a while enjoying the cool evening air. Had a cup of coffee and went to bed around 11:00 PM.

Wednesday, July 6, 1977

Got up about 8:00 AM and had breakfast. John, Dave and Val went to town to get tires on the VW. I spent most of the day sorting clothes and straightening up the trailer, then just spent a while lying around in the shade. John filled the big tub with well water and Kevin, Kristin, and Sharon played in it a while. John took Sue, Val and Jacquie to Yellville to take showers. When he came back, he took Dennis and Robert up the hill to start trimming along the roadway. I fixed meatballs for dinner. After dinner, we went swimming down at the creek. Met a man who moved here from California 9 years ago and says he never would go back.

Tuesday, July 5, 1977

John and Dave went to Harrison for pump parts and other equipment - trash barrels, sickles, arc welder, etc. I went to Yellville and established a bank account, shopped for groceries and did some washing at Burleson's. Took the kids to Carol Lee's Donut Shop for a donut and Dr. Pepper. Went to the Pyatt Post Office and rented a box. We now have an address - P.O. Box 171, Pyatt, AR 72672. When I got home, we had a sudden little thunder storm and we ran around like crazy covering things. John and Dave got back and finished up. At least the weather cooled off a little. Tonight we loaded up in Dave's truck and went down Patton Cemetery Road to the creek where we went swimming and took a bath. It felt great! Also, got the pump started today.

Monday, July 4, 1977

Slept in till about 9:00 AM. Fixed breakfast and sat around talking a while. John, Dave and I went up the hill in the VW to look for a building site for the house. There are some nice level spots up there, however we'll have to do a lot of clearing. We barbequed hamburgers for dinner and about that time Frank McConnell and his family arrived and spent the evening with us. They brought some fireworks and the kids had fun lighting fireworks and shooting rifles. Today was a bad day for Kevin, he started out by falling out of the top bunk on his face, then at dinner time he backed into the barbeque and burned his back.

Sunday, July 3, 1977

Found our way to Mater Dei Church in Harrison. Afterwards, we went to a little old fashioned cafe for breakfast, then took a walk around the town square, looking in store windows. Later in the day we picked up Mike and Brian Burleson and drove out to the 125 Boat Dock where we got the front wheel of the car stuck in the mud. It took about 45 minutes or so to get it out. Then we had a refreshing swim. On the way back, the car was making strange sounds and we discovered that we need a brake job. Came home and barbequed some chicken - had dinner with cold duck about midnight.

Saturday, July 2, 1977

Got up about 9:00 AM. Walked around the property a bit. Discovered we had a capped well. Met our neighbor, Mr. Tabor. John and Dave left to get a pump and supplies. Dennis, Jacquie, and Rob stayed here while Sue, Val, Sharon, Kevin, Kris and I went to Yellville to the laundromat and did laundry. Fixed spaghetti for dinner and had cake for dessert. Kevin's 4th birthday. Dave, Sue, Val and Jacquie went to Lead Hill to a party or July 4th celebration. They got back about midnight. The weather was clear, hot and humid, but it cools off at night.

Friday, July 1, 1977

... and finally, about 6:15 AM we crossed the state line and stopped at the Tourist Information Center where we fixed breakfast and waited about 3 1/2 hours. Thunder and lightning had been rumbling and flashing for hours and finally it started pouring. The weather was very warm. Dave finally caught up and we headed to the nearest gas station where we lost the Volkswagen and had to go back looking for it. Finally got on the road. The weather cleared up. We arrived at Yellville about 4:00 PM and went to the Real Estate office where we signed the final papers. Arrived at our land about 6:00 PM.