Saturday's Activities (By Beth)

After spending the morning cleaning house and reading blogs... :) we were privileged to tour the McCarty-Fickel home in Berthoud, CO with several other members of the Johnstown Historical Society .

We got the "insiders" tour.. everything down to seeing the storage, going on the enclosed porch, having the player piano and record player demonstrated to us, etc. Well anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the interesting history of the house and the families who lived there.

Brief, brief history of the house: The Dr. McCarty family had the house built in 1916 and after both he and his wife passed away their daughter (Dr. Helen) lived in it with her husband (Dr. Fickel, a dentist) and family until her recent death. He is still living and donated the house to the Berthoud Historical Society.

You can read more about the McCarty-Fickel home by enlarging this brochure clipping.



After the tour and before supper we stopped by our neighbor, Rachel's house to sing "Happy Birthday" to her (her 92nd). We enjoyed visiting with her and took this picture of Mother and her.

Emily and Jason Play Nicely Together (by Beth)

Several times this week we have really enjoyed the music of the piano (played by Jason) and a recorder (played by Emily) together.

Switching songs suddenly, giggling uncontrollably, ("Only Emily," Jason insists, though I caught him laughing in 3 out of 4 pictures I took!), and "patiently" working to fit each other's musical timing were all a part of this concert while Mother and others prepared supper in the kitchen.

"What note are we starting on?"; "You play the introductory, and I'll join in at the start."; "Start over, I messed up!" [Okay, I have to admit.. I only heard the first of these three "quotes" and made up the other two based on previous experiences.]