Continuing Mother’s
story into the ‘30s:
In 1937 we were living
in Oklahoma City when the birthday tree became a part of our decorating. [The
celebration of Mother’s birthday, December 27, developed into an extension of
Christmas.] My husband found a beautiful little tree, put it in a stand and set
it on a low table. We felt the tree was so perfect it didn’t need decorations.
As I sat on the floor unpacking the boxes from home, when I came to a birthday
gift for me, I put it under the little tree. We always had the birthday tree
after that. One time it was a white tree with all blue lights. For the years we
were in Oklahoma City we also had a small tree on the buffet which sheltered
all the food from home.
[I
wonder what kind of food Grandma Portfors and Grandma Walrath sent from home. Fruitcake?
Christmas cookies? Fudge and candy confections?]
Our Christmas trees
grew and our collection of ornaments, too. It seemed no one made much fuss over
Christmas until we moved to Oklahoma City. My eyes were wide and unbelieving. I
had never seen such decorations! The mansions were rimmed with lights and
garlands of lights were strung from the rooftops to the streets.[Our extended family in 1935 when Mother and Fairly visited at home in Orofino: Back row (l-r) -- Fairly, Mother (Dorothy), Charlie Portfors, Sara and Porkie Portfors, Harry Walrath, Margaret and Ted Walrath; front row (l-r) -- Farrol Joan Walrath, Nina Portfors, Harriet Lee Walrath, Naomi Walrath holding MargotWalrath.]
Friday, Dec. 11, 1896 -- on this date at Gilbert:
Early this morning it began to rain and kept at it till middle of p.m.. Then it let up but was at it again in evening and raining hard at 8 p.m.
Ed brought in 217 lbs. of flour got of miller.
~M. L. Dickson
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