My first post!!

Well it's taken me way too long to post on this blog...but since the weather has been getting colder recently, I've finally broken out my winter apparel.

I love my warm winter socks! Aunt Charlene custom made these socks to fit my feet. They are comfortable and warm, but most of all they remind me of a fantastic aunt who loves me a lot--so much that she made me awesome socks.

I love you, Aunt Charlene!

And I love the whole Murray family!

History: A story about LaVora and Clyde: School Days

This took place in about 1933 or 1934




There used to be a school house at Altonah. As a matter of fact there was at one time a fair sized town. There was at least two stores, a gas station, church house, a school, a cheese factory, a Post Office, etc.



Probably all or at least most of the Murray children went to school there. This town of Altonah was located about two miles or so south east of where we used to live. The most I remember was when I used to go for the mail when living with Grandmother and Grandfather Murray during the summer months. At any rate the story as I remember it as told by LaVora.



To get to school, in the summer, LaVora and Clyde used to ride a horse named Twin. Uncle Boyd was the proud owner of this horse but it seems that one time or another all of us have ridden him. LaVora said that Grandfather Murray used to see that she and Clyde were on Twin, then he would take the rope that was tied around Twin’s neck, make a half hitch knot and slip it around Twins nose and hand the rope to the children. This rope with the loop on Twin’s nose was their means of guiding the horse. We used to use this concept quite a bit in place of a bridal and bit. I’m sure the reason why Grandfather used it was so that the horse would not have to stand all day at school with a bit in his mouth. For when the children would get to school they had a little enclosure, a corral, they would put Twin in, close the gate and go to school.



LaVora said she used to worry about Twin standing in the corral all day without food or water. But when they got out of school Twin would still be there waiting for them. LaVora said she and Clyde would push and lead Twin up to the pole fence then climb up on the pole fence and then climb over on to Twin’s back. I can just see them going through this procedure. I would guess they at that age was just about as tall as the under side of Twin’s stomach. So not being tall enough to reach Twin’s nose, they would not be able to put the loop on his nose and once on the horse they could not reach the rope that was still on the ground. No need to worry, however, Twin knew the way home and where there was no way for them to control him there was only one place he wanted to go, Home! So they, having no control would just sit back and go along for the ride.



The ride usually went like this. First there was the stop at the canal where Twin took care of his thirst and then he would head straight for home with the rope dragging along behind. They must have been all of 6 years old. This is the way it was done in the good old days on the farm in Altonah.

Up date - August 21, 2000

While riding with LaVora and John after visiting Perry and Raya on the 6 August 2000. LaVora was telling of her school days in Altonah. Following the time that Grandfather and Grandmother Murray’s home burned they rented a house in the town of Altonah. While going to school during the week LaVora would stay in town with her Grandparents. On Friday after school let out she would walk the two miles home and spent the week end with her family. Can you visualize a six year old, now days, being allowed to walk two miles alone with out anyone knowing about it?

Boyd and Twin

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal October 2010

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal October 2010




Thursday, October 11, 1979

This morning, Dad cut sweet peas all day. I pulled some beets and put them on to cook. Fixed some rice to go with the chicken soup. It was good. Slade and Even come over to play. I’m too sleepy to write. I have had cramps all day. Had the trots and vomited. Really don’t fell sick only cramps off and on. I finally took some peptibismol, that helped. I meant to go to Relief Society this evening but didn’t have enough ambition, so I tied on the quilt after getting it on the frames. We went to bed early.

Darrell called and said they would be here tomorrow and to meet them at eleven O clock to go after wood.

We finally received a letter from the Jerry’s. They received Susannah’s pictures okay.



Friday October 12, 1979

We are still having wood hauling weather. Tomorrow would be Deward’s fifty fifth birthday. We were awake at 4:15. I wrote to the Jerry’s and then went down to get the chicken out of the deep freeze and thaw it out and fix it. I cleaned up a little and made a sheet cake. After breakfast I fixed tomatoes, cucumbers and sandwiches. Before we knew it the clock said 10:15 so we rushed through the dishes and were on our way to meet the Darrell’s. We stopped for gas in Duchesne. No one was at the turn off so we went to the Strawberry River turn off. No one there either. I mended my gloves on and finished them befor anyone showed up. Finally after waiting half an hour a brand new Dodge Truck drove up and honked. It has a club cab so everyone had room. We were looking for a little red car or a blue ford. Soon we were at the wood place and had a load on. We ate our lunch on the back of the new truck. Then carefully loaded a couple of big sticks on, being very careful nor to scratch the new body. Darrell had a rug in the bottom. Little Jon rode to the woods with us. He is so cute. He also rode home with us and worried because his dad was out of site. He was afraid his Dad was going to fast and a cop would get him. Darrell had tried to split one of the big pieces of wood but couldn’t get it onlyu a few chunks. He got all the wedges in and couldn’t get them out. By the time we got here they, he and jeff had the log unloaded and split. We unloaded the wood and I tied on the little quilt for a while. Then started supper. Dad and Darrell dug strawberry plants. Then after we ate they were on their way back home. Surely hated to see them go.

We cleaned up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Called to see if Sister Balford wants to go to Vernal with me tomorrow to the D.U.P. convention or not. She doesn’t, so I called Thema Perry. We talked for some time. Soon we were in bed and fast asleep after a good day.

Dad and Mother Going for a load of wood   abt October 1979

Pictures from Neil

The Hunters  about 1949  Jerry, Dewey and Neil – Ella took picture

Logan, Utah   Shawna, Kerstin and Sharon   abt 1960

Dear Family

Dear Family October 29, 2010


This month, like many before it, has gone by fast leaving in it’s wake many fond memories. It was fun having LaVora, Jerry and Marylyn here. While they were here we attended the Temple, shared meals, picked apples and grapes, dried apples, and tripped to the Basin. They have returned home now and I was glad to receive word of their safe arrival. It leaves it a little lonely but there is still plenty to keep me busy.
While they were here Jerry picked my apples and helped me pick the grapes. So all the time LaVora was here she was helping me do apples. She wanted me to do the grapes too but I decided that I would do them later. I should have taken her up on her offer because they, the grapes, started to spoil by the time I got to them. I however salvaged them and they are now in the bottles in the form of juice. I only have a few apples left I have been wondering if I want to dry them.

We were able to attend the Provo and Timpanogos Templs. It is always nice to attend the Temple with family. It seems they have made a few changes in the Temples. There is not as much carpet as there used to be. Maybe the tile is easer to keep up.

For the trip to the Basin Jerry decided to go by way of Wolf Creek Pass. It is always a nice drive because there is lots of beautiful country to experience. I was a little disappointed because when I told Marylyn to watch for the Elk, there wasn’t any. They were gone. We stopped at the Bluebell Cemetery. While there Jerry did a little pruning on the bush by Grandmother and Grandfather Winkler’s grave. Before going to Myton we stopped at the Frontier for dinner. Yes, we all had a scone with our meals.


I hope this note finds everyone well.

Love,
Neil