1955 in Review.
The past year was busy and eventful for all. Les spent Xmas of 1954 in Aruba, going on to Venezuela via Trinidad in January. Early in April he came back home and dug into all the jobs that had accumulated while he was away. By the end of the summer, the house had been painted white, with yellow trim, and soft blue outline for the window sills. We put in aluminum windows, and Les constructed a winter storm enclosure for the porch, complete with a swinging door for the beasts. They really loved that! In May he had 2 weeks of reserve duty at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Then in September after long, long years of hopeful waiting was promoted to Major. October took him to Venezuela again, this time only for 2 weeks.
Polly had more than her share of troubles. in '55 with two trips to the hospital. Things looked bad in June, but all turned out well and now it's a thing of the past. The doctor threatened to use zippers on the incisions if things didn't improve. He must have scared her. She got better quick! Les did yeoman work for a while as cook, kitchen drudge, and woman of the house. It was a doggy 12 months. We were given a black female cocker early in the year who presented us with a beautiful litter of puppies. A car ended Pixie's life, but her jet black daughter took over the name and now keeps Buffy company. She is now going to Obedience school and doing nicely. The cat joined the family last year. as a kitten was named Peter. Now it appears it should have been Petra, but the old name stuck anyhow. Pete and Pixie have friendly boxing matches. Buffy joins in. but is apt to nip too hard and start a chorus of yelps.
Larry, Laurie, or "Cadaver," depending who is speaking, is a Fifth Former at Pingry School in Elizabeth. Translated, that's a High School Junior. The nickname is from school, suggested by his long lean sparsely padded frame. Last summer he learned all about paintbrushes. Now he's getting some know-how on house wiring. One of his studies is Spanish. Because of the time Les spent in Venezuela, conversations at the table have a Latin American flavor. The rest of the family have learned to be good guessers. Edward is struggling with Junior High School. riding his bike downtown. We gain the impression he is having a rough time, but so are the teachers, for his southpaw scribbles are a challenge to unscramble. Things should shake down soon. He toots a trumpet in the band. is a Scout Patrol leader, and almost ready for First Class. Daniel is still very very blond and seems never to stop talking. He is doing well in the 4th grade. but he too has the family lack of legible handwriting. Being a Cub scout keeps his spare time well filled. Some time ago Polly got an old jalopy "just to go to the store" when Les has the big car off on a trip. That darned store had branches all over the eastern half of the country, and the first clunker, a '38 DeSoto finally was steered to the junkyard to be replaced by a '37 Chevrolet. In spite of age, it fills a need and runs well most of the time. We took to the woods last summer. Les picked up a homemade luggage trailer, and after repair and remodeling, it hauled our camping gear on a leisurely zig zag trip up through New England to Laurentides Park, then back to Quebec, over to Montreal. then home via the Adirondacks. Hurricanes Connie and Diane pelted us with rain but eventually we dried out. Now plans are for a bigger better trip in '56. Mother visited us twice during the year, and shared our turkey at Thanksgiving, when the picture was taken.
