Now (2010) and Before (1913) - or so?

 

Joann (husband Gorden) and Genvieve, pictured in the first photo, are sisters, and were born in our house.  Actually, the house was then owned by their Grandmother, not by us.  The sisters now live in CA, but stop by every year when they come to Iowa to visit family.  This time when they stopped by, I suggested we park their car in approximately the same location and take another picture.  They thought that was a grand idea.  

We decided that a convertible would have been better, but since the vehicle was borrowed from family in IL, we didn't think we should take the top off.  They weren't necessarily excited about saddling up the two ponies either.  Oh well, it turned out rather nice, especially since we were battling the sun in the West!  

 I enjoy hearing the stories of who slept in which rooms and where the heat came from.  How they had to sleep downstairs in the winter because there wasn't any heat upstairs.  The heat came from a wood stove in the living room and the kitchen stove.  Our bathroom was the pantry, and also had open selves for the everyday dishes and closed cupboards for the good china. It was NOT a bathroom.  When I asked where the outhouse was, Joanne laughed and said, "You went West, under the clothesline and kept on walking!"  Apparently it wasn't very close! 

The upper porch that was on the front would hold about 2 people, Genevieve told me. She said she remembered that there was a barn fire at one of the neighbors and the girls weren't allowed to go.  So, they ran up to the porch and watched from there.  Funny how things in the country don't change!  

The wind break that we started West of the house was their garden.  They had a very large garden that feed the family of 8.  There used to be a lot of large trees out in front of the house.  That sure explains on the dips in the ground as those trunks have rotted over the years. 

It was fun to see them again and I sure hope they stop by again next year!