For Elise

Remembrance Day ceremonies bring many thoughts of young lives changed by setting off to fight for "King and Country". My ancestor John Clark came to Canada to protect our country from American invasions in the 1790s and fought in the war of 1812. Almost a century later great uncle Arthur Steer set off for the Yukon, once again to keep the peace and fend off American interests. That was a deadly adventure for many, yet Arthur arrived back to his family in Manitoba safe and so...und. Farming was not very exciting, and it was not long before he set off for South Africa and the Boer War. He had some close calls but remained in the armed forces to fight in Europe during WW I. His brother Frank joined the Canadian Mounted Rifles Brandon unit. They got their saddles the beginning of January, 1815 and with horses and training, they had a smooth crossing reaching to Plymouth, June 20th.They were soon fighting and he was already glad to be out for a rest before Christmas. He wrote family that he longed for a good bed and a real Canadian farm meal. He and Arthur did meet at least once. He was wounded, returned to battle, but wounded again and captured and cared for in a German hospital. He died of blood poisoning from a bayonet would in the hip. We visited his grave in Belgium. Frank was one of thousands of young men who did not return to their families. We will remember them. See more

What does an author do when COVID keeps her hostage with no travelling hither and yon talking about her book and writing? It's been hard to socially isolate, but I'm resiliant. Old muscles don't stay strong unless they are used so I decided to outlive this epidemic by staying active. We were advised that the outdoors is safe. I bought an odometer for my bike August 20, and set a goal of 500 km before the snow came. My arthritic knees complained, but I persevered. Today was the day to reach 500, and I provide the proof. Next year I'll be able to meet with people and talk stories again.

12 years ago I was launching my great grandmother's story at Glenboro when I collapsed with a front step and had an emergency ride to hospital with my cousin Dwayn. I’d had many fun adventures travelling to do the research, but this was a not fun new level. Was I being punished for breaking the truth about our family secret? At that time I could only guess what was to come. Once I could walk again I made up for lost time and my fears evaporated. My book For Elise has sold more than 3,000 copies and is still finding new homes and hearts. Unfortunately COVID has interrupted my visits to introduce and talk about our family story, and I still have many books from my fourth printing to sell.

Pioneer Cemetery Reflections Friday morning August 1, 2020: I visited Millford Pioneer Cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. The air was fresh following a brief thunderstorm and the grass sparkled in the early morning sunshine. This peaceful place is where I plan to be laid to rest. 896 Mar 20 Percy’s diary: Tuesday, Mar 24 Old Clark of Two Rivers died last Friday morning Death of Alexander Clark, age 76 at Two Rivers. Father of Nelson Clark, Oriole’s grandfather....Continue reading

A happy memory of five years ago when Dorothea and Roland Harrer took us for a walk through the grape fields beside Lake Constance. We learned about grape growing and stopped to have lunch while enjoying the view of many sailboats on the lake and zeppelin overhead in the clear blue sky. A few days later we would be in the sky overhead to fly home on our last visit to my newly discovered relatives. They are descendants of my great grandmother Elise Harrer's grandfather's brother. Genealogical research has been greatly enriching in many ways.

Birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day have come and gone in this strange time of isolation. We have at last been able to visit our sons and their families. It feels like a precious guilty pleasure to be cherished. I have not been able to share Elise's story publicly since February when the Retired Women's Teachers invited me to speak. Hopefully our low numbers of COVID will hold and our summer will be closer to normal. With more time to pay attention to our surrounding I notice more beauty in nature. The clouds were beautiful last evening as we walked east toward our son's farm. I'm a prairie girl.

May 1, after 4 long months in hospital Anna is going home. when we left her the first week of February she was out of the coma and able to open her mouth on command for the thermometer and move her thumbs about I/4 inch. 4 weeks ago she was moved to Mthe stroke rehab ward in Oshawa and is now able to walk unassisted with a walker and transfer from bed to walker etc. On Tuesday she even had a lesson in making tea. They have stairs at home so John has had a lift installed in s...pite of the fact that Anna is quite sure she wouldn't need it. She is really a miracle! Not just her physical recovery, but she talks on the phone and sounds like her old self, clear, decisive, and with a sense of humour. I am so grateful for your support as I struggled through the dark days and tried to believe this could happen. Thank you for the prayers that have surrounded her with love and given her strength to come back to us. She has a long way to go to get back her former strength but she is on the way. Art and I would be there to assist her, but that is not possible. Celebrate with us as she regains her freedom to enjoy and continue to share life with family, friends, and coworkers. See more

Our 2019 Christmas, and 2020 New Year celebrations were just about the best ever. Then as coasted through January we received a phone call from Ontario. Our daughter was and had been in an induced coma since New Year's Day. It seems she celebrated Christmas with family guests in her home and New Year's Eve complained of neck pain. Her husband took her to the hospital and she was admitted to intensive care and had been there in a coma since. After two weeks they stopped the c...oma medication, but little changed. I immediately contacted friends to ask for prayer, We were devastated and decided to fly to Toronto and spend time with her. She was out of intensive care, but still hooked up to multiple tubes when we arrived. But she had responded to a nurse's question with a slight nod. That opened a tiny crack of hope. I spent a lot of time messaging her arms, hands, legs and feet. Her head hurt too much to touch at first, but within the week she was happy to have me massage it as well. In fact she wanted me to keep rubbing. We returned home a week later exhausted from long days in the hospital, but we felt our visit had been helpful. News from the hospital is encouraging. She is breathing on her own, is able to move her legs, feet and fingers a little. Yesterday she moved her right arm for the first time. And wonder of wonders, Anna's friend phoned and said, "I am in Anna's room. Anna wants to talk to you." I heard her speak clearly and slowly. I was so overwhelmed I don't remember what she said. I told her to be brave and keep up her hope. I promised to fly to see her again. And then I went to the store and bought some yellow tulips to celebrate. We know there is a long way ahead but we are on the way. Talking about my book has taken second place for the time being. See more

Winter arrived much too soon and my book activities have been on the sidelines. Before I decided to research my Great Grandmother Elise I used to be a potter. My equipment has sat idle for at least seventeen years, but this fall I decided to do some down sizing. BUT, I couldn't just clean everything out without sharing the clay with my grandchildren. It was fun. And then I had to do some myself to fill the kiln for firing and thus I was hooked all over again with the magic o...f clay. My fingers still knew how to do their thing. I'm firing today and will have some candle holders and honey pots to sell on my table with my book at the German Christmas market this weekend. My husband, Art, makes the beeswax candles and our son Phil sells them at the St. Norbert Farmer's market with his honey. So I'm not making stuff that will just clutter up the downsizing. I won't have honey with me this weekend but I will be at the St. Norbert Market Christmas Market with Phillip, DEC. 21 Come visit me at Fort Garry Place, Friday to Sunday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1

University Women's Club Christmas Market Christmas Market 54 West Gate - Ralph Connor House November 29 -30 from 10 to 4. Oriole will be there on the second floor with her book 'For Elise Unveiling the Forgotten Woman on the Criddle Homestead'. I also donated three little pieces of pottery. The first pieces to come from my kiln in at least 15 years I spent researching, writing, and talking about my book. It was thrilling to open the kiln and find the magic of completed pieces... with shining glazes and the extra bonus that to he lids fit my little honey pots. The Christmas Market displays three floors of local Manitoba crafts, gift ware, boutiques and baking. Ralph's Bistro is open from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m on both Friday and Saturday. Drop in and enjoy a delicious lunch or snack by Chamberlyn's.

My Creative Retirement bus tour on Monday had summer weather and we enjoyed our air cooled bus between stops. Rural hospitality at Carberry and Wawanesa was, as always, exceptional. Their museums were beautifully maintained and organized and there is always something more to learn about our past. At the Criddle Vane Homestead we placed ivy on Elise's grave and trekked past the lovely coloured leaves of the poison ivy on our way to the Palace. It was a fun day and I hope to do it again. I am always amazed at learning so many Winnipeg people have never been to the area and they appreciate the opportunity to be introduced to the area.

Sept 16, 2019. Creative Retirement Bus tour: Carberry, my father's birth place in Edwy and Emily's Palace on the Criddle Homestead, and Wawanesa. It's a full fun day into rural history. leaving 8:30 from 1075 Portage Ave. Cost $60.00 Phone their office, 204-949-2565.

Come to St. Norbert Farmer's Festival today August 14, from 11 to 3 and I'll teach you how to hook. There are many other interesting demonstrations.

The Criddle Vane Picnic is this Sunday, Aug 11 from 12 to 3. I will have copies of the insert I added to the 4th printing of For Elise. DNA proves that Percy Criddle is my Great Grandfather so I decided to add information about his life in England before coming to Canada. Come join us.

Elise’s great granddaughter made the front page of the Free Press this morning. Our Living History Society was asked to welcome the guests to the Lilac and Lace Tea in support Nellie McLung's homes in Manitou. The servant outfit I sewed to wear in memory of Elise's many years of service to the Criddle family seemed appropriate to wear along with my colleagues in their fine outfits. They allow me to travel with them to events in spite of my lowly position and yesterday was a real treat allowing me to mingle with so many outstanding Women in our province.

While in Edmonton I had the pleasure of meeting with a woman who has written several books about her family and she showed the shelf of her most treasured books. It is humbling to see 'For Elise' with other respected authors. Later that afternoon a number of people who had already read my book shared their feelings about ancestors who suffered unbelievable hardship during the settlement period. We were thankful for the sacrifices that gave us the good life we enjoy.

The Manitoba Teachers' Society celebrated their centennial last week. Our Living History Society was invited to welcome the guests and I went as my grandmother, Emily Steer, who taught Two Rivers' School in the 1890s. You may know from my book that Mr. Criddle wanted her gone in order to separate her and Edwy. His plan didn’t work and the lovers married in 1897. At that time marriage ended a woman's teaching career. I could have gone as myself in the 1950s where I taught at Wilson Glen School north of Treherne. I boarded my horse and rode to school about 1 1/2 miles. There is no sign of the school or it’s grounds now.