A year ago this week—on June 5, 2008—our Aunt Donna [Donna Elaine Cleverly Winters] (1923–2008) died. Her husband Dean died three days later. Donna was the final surviving child of Henry William Cleverly (1870–1955) and Olive Ellen Ritchie (1881–1945). Donna's passing ended that generation of the Cleverly family.
On January 5, 2002, Aunt Donna wrote me a letter with her early memories of her older brother Ivard (1915–1988) and the family. The full letter was published in the April 2002 issue of the Cleverly Newsletter.
My first recollection of your dad (Ivard) and his twin brother Irvin—they were teases.
Our home had no electricity, only coal oil lamps for light. On August 6, 1929, the electricity was turned on, which consisted of one light globe hanging from the middle of the room. A strong cord was attached to the light fixture, causing the light to turn on or off when pulled.
Before we had lights my two brothers frightened me enough that I still cannot walk into a dark room where someone can hide behind the door—and I'm 78 years old.
Ivard and Irvin would have fights almost every day. This summer day Dad got so exasperated—put boxing gloves on them. They fought each other until they were covered with blood and could not get up off the lawn or raise their arms. Being their baby sister, I was screaming and crying hysterically.
Every night we had family home evening, unless we had to go to a sports event, basketball, baseball, or football. Basketball was our number one sport. Our father was very musical. He made records before he married our mother. Dad sang solos, duets, quartets, barbershop, and directed music at the church. Our family was all musical but Stella. Annie, Louie, Sarah, and I all played the piano. Wayne played cornet, Ivard the violin, and Irvin saxophone. We were all good singers.
On Saturday night our relatives brought their instruments, and we had a real hoedown. Our home was a place of good food and beautiful music.
Irvin told me how he and Ivard sang all the music for school plays or whenever music was needed from first grade to junior high school because they were so good.
I got along fine with Ivard, but Irvin and I were too much alike. We always wanted the same things.
Sunday afternoon all the Cleverly clan came home. After lunch we played softball, touch football, sang, and played instruments, played cards—where most of us learned to add and subtract. We had a wonderful life.
On Saturday Dad, Marvin, Ivard, and Irvin milked all the cows by hand. We sold the milk to Moss Dairy in Woods Cross. They started milking at 4:00 a.m. and finished around 7:30 a.m. After breakfast Ivard, Irvin, Wayne, and I were each assigned a room in our house to clean before my brothers could go play with their friends.
The funniest thing that happened to Ivard and Irvin: They took newborn kittens and put them into our outdoor toilet. Dad made them go fishing for them. They lived. I don't remember which one went down head first through the toilet seat with a rope around him. Both Ivard and Irvin were covered with fecal material. What a mess!! They were happy when they had a hot bath.
The Bamberger [the intercity train that ran from Ogden to Salt Lake] ran in front of our home, and you had to cross the tracks to come into our yard.
On a summer day when I was ten years old (1933), our dog was hit by the train. Some of us kids carried our dog down to the lawn where we wanted to pray for him. Ivard got Dad's shotgun to put him out of his pain and suffering. We all knelt down and circled the dog. Bobbie Cleverly, five years old, wanted to say the prayer. This is the blessing he said, "Father in heaven, bless the food. Thanks for it. Name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Ivard did not shoot the dog. He lived.
Showing posts with label Number 333. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Number 333. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
2 Quote of the week
"Our children are growing up in times of economic uncertainty. Just as our grandparents and great-grandparents learned vital lessons through economic adversity, what we learn now, in our present circumstances, can bless us and our posterity for generations to come" (Robert D. Hales, "Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually," in Ensign, May 2009, 7).
3 This week in our family
Tues, June 2: Talmage's birthday [Dean]
Wed, June 3: Bill & Kelly married 1982 [Gail]
Wed, June 3: Randy & Valerie married 1988 [Lyle]
Sun, June 7: Shauna Reher's birthday [Ray]
Sun, June 7: Fast Sunday
Mon, June 8: Jared Sayer's birthday [Jackie]
Mon, June 8: Miriam Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Mon, June 8: Gail died 2000 [Gail]
Mon, June 8: Next issue of newsletter
Wed, June 3: Bill & Kelly married 1982 [Gail]
Wed, June 3: Randy & Valerie married 1988 [Lyle]
Sun, June 7: Shauna Reher's birthday [Ray]
Sun, June 7: Fast Sunday
Mon, June 8: Jared Sayer's birthday [Jackie]
Mon, June 8: Miriam Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Mon, June 8: Gail died 2000 [Gail]
Mon, June 8: Next issue of newsletter
4 Bits and tidbits
Graduation
Crystal Price (Lyle's family) posted the following on May 20: "Josh graduates from Western Washington University on June 13 with a bachelors degree in Industrial Technologies-Vehicle Design. . . . He is staying very busy finishing up his projects, presentations and all the other things of life. He has been polishing up his resume and we have found a few companies worth applying to (and no none of them are in Detroit) and are researching the housing markets in several towns. It's so weird to not know what will be happening in your own life two months down the road. We would greatly appreciate any prayers for direction and to just help us get through this last bit of school.
"This weekend we are planing on doing some shopping for this big event. . . Josh hoping to get a suit for his future interviews and to wear to the ceremony. It'll be his first suit ever. He doesn't even know how to tie a tie, so this will be interesting. Plus, he said that since he'll be all spiffy at graduation I can get a new dress to wear, so I can be all fancy, too. We're going to go visit his brother in Auburn, so we can shop down there and have more of a selection than here in Bham [Bellingham]."
New apartment
Kay on May 17 posted the following on his and Karen's missionary blog: "Our lease is up on our apartment July 24th. We are going to move upstairs into this larger apartment. We went up and visited Adria and she let me take some pictures even though she has been sick this week and is in the middle of doing some serious cleaning. The apartment is a 2/3 bedroom with 2 1/2 baths. Very much larger than what we have now." Various pictures are shown at the blog, Called to Serve.
Crystal Price (Lyle's family) posted the following on May 20: "Josh graduates from Western Washington University on June 13 with a bachelors degree in Industrial Technologies-Vehicle Design. . . . He is staying very busy finishing up his projects, presentations and all the other things of life. He has been polishing up his resume and we have found a few companies worth applying to (and no none of them are in Detroit) and are researching the housing markets in several towns. It's so weird to not know what will be happening in your own life two months down the road. We would greatly appreciate any prayers for direction and to just help us get through this last bit of school.
"This weekend we are planing on doing some shopping for this big event. . . Josh hoping to get a suit for his future interviews and to wear to the ceremony. It'll be his first suit ever. He doesn't even know how to tie a tie, so this will be interesting. Plus, he said that since he'll be all spiffy at graduation I can get a new dress to wear, so I can be all fancy, too. We're going to go visit his brother in Auburn, so we can shop down there and have more of a selection than here in Bham [Bellingham]."
New apartment
Kay on May 17 posted the following on his and Karen's missionary blog: "Our lease is up on our apartment July 24th. We are going to move upstairs into this larger apartment. We went up and visited Adria and she let me take some pictures even though she has been sick this week and is in the middle of doing some serious cleaning. The apartment is a 2/3 bedroom with 2 1/2 baths. Very much larger than what we have now." Various pictures are shown at the blog, Called to Serve.
5 Our family 50 years ago
Excerpts from the June 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915-1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.
Mon, June 1. I got up at 8: & made waffles & hot cakes for breakfast & Ivard & kids came in from doing beets & ate. They went back out, all but Kay & he had a nap. I mixed bread & baked 6 loaves & 2 pans cinnamon rolls.
Tues, June 2. I came home from work & Ivard was home & had the beets finished cultivating & a crew of 40 Mexicans in. They finished thinning all but 4 rows, kids will do. I went right to bed. They got me up at 11:45 & Ivard & I, Jackie & Dean & Gene took Kay to Adrian to last regional play off for Boise ball. We beat Mopin 5 to 1. We go to State Tournment at Portland the 6th.
Wed, June 3. I cam home & I ate & went to bed. Ivard got up at 9:45 & took Dale in to Primary. I got up at 3: We ate after Gene did chores. Ray went to Mutual. I went to work for last time this summer. laid off.
Thurs, June 4. We ate & Ivard & Kay went & got Puch & went to Adrian to ball practice.
Fri, June 5. Got up at 4:30 & had a bath & packed & at 5: A.M. Ivard & I & Kay left for Adrian left Adrian at 6:30 for Portland & State Baseball tournment. There were 4 cars. We stoped at Huntington & had breakfast. Stoped at Legrand & gased up & I drove. Kay drove awhile. We stoped at the Dalles & had dinner. got to Portland at 5:30 & checked in at Mallory Hotel on Yam Hill. Ivard & I had a nice room on 8th floor, bath, twin beds, radio & T.V.
Sat, June 6. at 8: we went down town to Jolly Joan & had breakfast then drove back up to hotel. June & I walked down town, 9 blocks & went shopping. Walked back to hotel, got blister. Ivard took Kids up to Multloma stadium. at 4:30 June & I walked up. game started at 5: We beat Gaston 5 to 4 to keep State Title.
Sun, June 7. We got up at 7:30 & got ready & I packed & at 8: we checked out of hotel & went down town to Jolly Joan & we all had breakfast, gased up & left Portland, for home, at 9:15 by way of Bend. Had dinner & gased up at Bend. stoped at Burns for a pop & gas. got to Vale at 9: & stoped at drive Inn & had hamberger, fries & a banna split, gased up & came over hill. It was 11: when we got home. I sure was tired & my ankle hurt. It was cool to ride.
Mon, June 1. I got up at 8: & made waffles & hot cakes for breakfast & Ivard & kids came in from doing beets & ate. They went back out, all but Kay & he had a nap. I mixed bread & baked 6 loaves & 2 pans cinnamon rolls.
Tues, June 2. I came home from work & Ivard was home & had the beets finished cultivating & a crew of 40 Mexicans in. They finished thinning all but 4 rows, kids will do. I went right to bed. They got me up at 11:45 & Ivard & I, Jackie & Dean & Gene took Kay to Adrian to last regional play off for Boise ball. We beat Mopin 5 to 1. We go to State Tournment at Portland the 6th.
Wed, June 3. I cam home & I ate & went to bed. Ivard got up at 9:45 & took Dale in to Primary. I got up at 3: We ate after Gene did chores. Ray went to Mutual. I went to work for last time this summer. laid off.
Thurs, June 4. We ate & Ivard & Kay went & got Puch & went to Adrian to ball practice.
Fri, June 5. Got up at 4:30 & had a bath & packed & at 5: A.M. Ivard & I & Kay left for Adrian left Adrian at 6:30 for Portland & State Baseball tournment. There were 4 cars. We stoped at Huntington & had breakfast. Stoped at Legrand & gased up & I drove. Kay drove awhile. We stoped at the Dalles & had dinner. got to Portland at 5:30 & checked in at Mallory Hotel on Yam Hill. Ivard & I had a nice room on 8th floor, bath, twin beds, radio & T.V.
Sat, June 6. at 8: we went down town to Jolly Joan & had breakfast then drove back up to hotel. June & I walked down town, 9 blocks & went shopping. Walked back to hotel, got blister. Ivard took Kids up to Multloma stadium. at 4:30 June & I walked up. game started at 5: We beat Gaston 5 to 4 to keep State Title.
Sun, June 7. We got up at 7:30 & got ready & I packed & at 8: we checked out of hotel & went down town to Jolly Joan & we all had breakfast, gased up & left Portland, for home, at 9:15 by way of Bend. Had dinner & gased up at Bend. stoped at Burns for a pop & gas. got to Vale at 9: & stoped at drive Inn & had hamberger, fries & a banna split, gased up & came over hill. It was 11: when we got home. I sure was tired & my ankle hurt. It was cool to ride.
6 What in the world
World's longest yard sale
From August 6th through 9th, a 654-mile stretch of U.S. 127 will transform into a roadside bazaar billed as "the world's longest yard sale." Running from Unity, Ohio, south through Kentucky and Tennessee, the sale ends in Gadsden, Alabama, home of the 100-foot Noccalula waterfall. The route also features more than 300 tourist attractions, including Civil War battlefields and a restored 19th-century German village. Sounds like it would make a great road trip.
Temple open house
The public open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple begins today and runs through all of June and July (except for Sundays, July 4, and July 24). Tickets are required but are free and are available at www.lds.org/reservations or by calling 1-800-521-5105 or 801-240-7645.
From August 6th through 9th, a 654-mile stretch of U.S. 127 will transform into a roadside bazaar billed as "the world's longest yard sale." Running from Unity, Ohio, south through Kentucky and Tennessee, the sale ends in Gadsden, Alabama, home of the 100-foot Noccalula waterfall. The route also features more than 300 tourist attractions, including Civil War battlefields and a restored 19th-century German village. Sounds like it would make a great road trip.
Temple open house
The public open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple begins today and runs through all of June and July (except for Sundays, July 4, and July 24). Tickets are required but are free and are available at www.lds.org/reservations or by calling 1-800-521-5105 or 801-240-7645.
7 A final word
When the Lord God brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of Egypt into the promised land, He reminded them that He was giving them cities which they had not built, houses full of good things they had not filled, wells they had not dug, and vineyards they had not planted (see Deuteronomy 6:10–11). Sort of like us today in the early years of the 21st century.
"Beware," He cautions them, "lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 6:12).
"And thou shalt remember," He says unto them later, "that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee" (Deuteronomy 15:15).
This pattern of remembrance runs throughout the scriptures: We are in bondage and the Lord delivers and redeems us. And we are to remember that deliverance and redemption.
Indeed, an important purpose of the scriptures is that "they have enlarged the memory of this people . . . and brought them to the knowledge of their God" (Alma 37:8).
We are enjoined in many places throughout the scriptures to remember the Lord our Redeemer and what He has done both for our fathers and for us. The word "remember," in some form or another, appears 454 times in the scriptures.
The summer that spreads before us is strewn with opportunities to remember our past, to recall what the Lord has done for our fathers, to recount what blessings we enjoy at His hand.
This past Monday was Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember specifically those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of freedom and more generally all loved ones who have passed on to the other side.
In another two weeks is Flag Day, a chance to remember the symbol of our God-given freedoms, a chance to reflect on the opportunities and responsibilities of living in this "sweet land of liberty" (Hymns, 339), "the land of the free and the home of the brave" (Hymns, 340). The Lord Himself referred to it as "a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth" (Ether 1:42).
Three weeks later, on the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birthday of our country and remember again that the Lord has particular designs for the destiny of this nation. He declared, "And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I have raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:80).
And finally, we celebrate Pioneer Day, a wonderful commemoration of the great migration of our forebears to these western valleys. We remember their sacrifices, their devotion, their faith as they fulfilled the ancient prophecy that "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1) as the Lord "set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people" (Isaiah 11:11; 2 Nephi 21:11).
Deliverance and redemption. May each of us remember. And may each of us declare, as did the Psalmist anciently, "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old" (Psalms 77:11).
"Beware," He cautions them, "lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 6:12).
"And thou shalt remember," He says unto them later, "that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee" (Deuteronomy 15:15).
This pattern of remembrance runs throughout the scriptures: We are in bondage and the Lord delivers and redeems us. And we are to remember that deliverance and redemption.
Indeed, an important purpose of the scriptures is that "they have enlarged the memory of this people . . . and brought them to the knowledge of their God" (Alma 37:8).
We are enjoined in many places throughout the scriptures to remember the Lord our Redeemer and what He has done both for our fathers and for us. The word "remember," in some form or another, appears 454 times in the scriptures.
The summer that spreads before us is strewn with opportunities to remember our past, to recall what the Lord has done for our fathers, to recount what blessings we enjoy at His hand.
This past Monday was Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember specifically those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of freedom and more generally all loved ones who have passed on to the other side.
In another two weeks is Flag Day, a chance to remember the symbol of our God-given freedoms, a chance to reflect on the opportunities and responsibilities of living in this "sweet land of liberty" (Hymns, 339), "the land of the free and the home of the brave" (Hymns, 340). The Lord Himself referred to it as "a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth" (Ether 1:42).
Three weeks later, on the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birthday of our country and remember again that the Lord has particular designs for the destiny of this nation. He declared, "And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I have raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood" (D&C 101:80).
And finally, we celebrate Pioneer Day, a wonderful commemoration of the great migration of our forebears to these western valleys. We remember their sacrifices, their devotion, their faith as they fulfilled the ancient prophecy that "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1) as the Lord "set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people" (Isaiah 11:11; 2 Nephi 21:11).
Deliverance and redemption. May each of us remember. And may each of us declare, as did the Psalmist anciently, "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old" (Psalms 77:11).
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