Saturday, 10 December 2011

Wheat trains and Dan Dunphy

I heard that Grampy Dunphy would take the train out west to help with the wheat harvest. I'm pretty sure this was before he was married.

On the way back he played cards on the train. Farmers would have time to develop card playing skills. Especially with all the so called free time during the winter.

I'd like to know what card games were popular with Dan.

Dan Dunphy retired - letter from Police dept.

Dan Dunphy my grandfather and police officer

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

you tube link to Christmas 1950 s

this link takes you to you tube and a movie that begins with Christmas 1958 when Mom and Dad had just two children Colleen and Mark.
http://www.youtube.com/user/7512123?feature=mhee#p/u/6/3VMRgdjTURY


The movie ends with Mom in a rocking chair and NFLD. Kevin made the trip to Rocky Harbour and area.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

rita from super 8 to oil

Dear ol Dad

Who recalls the time Dad was having a birthday? Mom made cookies in the shape of "Dear Ol Dad" and left them to cool. I think we were waiting for Dad to arrive home from work. Mom would be getting her makeup on. Dad came in and the cookies were presented to him. He was so happy he cried. I may have removed one cookie from the design because I could not wait.

Mark

Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Mom's crazy expressions

Mom was famous (at least with the 5 of us kids) for her often weird and wacky expressions. Here are a few of my favourites:

Jiggery pokery-as in "I think there is some jiggery pokery going on with that person" I actually Googled it, and found many links. The definition is Deceitful or dishonest manipulation; hocus-pocus or humbug.


Flicker flashback- She used to say "he is faster than a flicker flashback".  A Flicker Flashback is associated with silent films being played at a really fast speed. 


What goes around, comes around


Everything old is new again


You wouldn't question it. This one is a favourite of mine! She told me a story of meeting a woman in the grocery store. The woman said, "Oh, it's so good to see you! I have some photos from the party I wanted to give you." 
She gave mom an envelope of photos, after a little chat, and went on her way. 
When mom got home she told us the story, and said she did not know who the woman was. What??? Why didn't you say anything?
"You wouldn't question it" was her response. She then put her detective hat on and called a couple of friends (I believe Alma was number one on the list). They figured out who the people were in the photos and then delivered the photos to the woman who supposedly looked like mom. 


Can you think of some others? Add them to the list!!




Mary Jane recalls the following expression from Rita (Mom):


Get at it and to it and to it and at it and tune your attitude in .

Mark Dunphy...school memories

I recently ran into Hugh Brittain, who was the principal of Havelock School when Mark & I went there. I introduced Mr. Brittain to Erin and Katelyn, and they asked what I was like in school. He said he remembered me being a good student. :)
Then he proceeded to share one of his memories of Mark. One day when Mark was in grade 5 or 6, he brought a mouse to class. The other kids in the class were all excited and talking loud about the mouse in Mark's pocket. Mr. Brittain asked Mark if he did have a mouse in his pocket. Mark reached in and pulled out a dead mouse.
"Why would you put a dead mouse in your pocket?"
"'Cause I found it."

Carolyn (younger sister and tattle tale)

Dad's new place... reminiscent of 9 Thomas Ave

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Dad's Saint Vincent's Boys High School Hockey Team

Mom and Dad's poem - with children gone.



From: Colleen Holliday <johnandcol@me.com>
To: Carolyn & Kevin MacKenney <5macks@nbnet.nb.ca>
Cc: Mary Jane Reiners <reinerssurf@yahoo.com>; Mark Dunphy <twobuck@rocketmail.com>; Kevin Dunphy <KDunphy@ikmtesting.com>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 5:22:19 PM
Subject: A special poem


You may or may not have a copy of this poem but I've just received my boxes and found it so thought I'd share. How could we forget Dad reading it backed up by harmonica.  Not a dry eye in the house, I think it's precious and if you haven't already got a copy, print and read to yourself, cherish your family and friends wherever they are, here or not.

Love
Colleen
When your children go away
My self drawing water, my old man out at the plough
No grown up son or daughter that’s the way we’re farming now
“No work and little pleasure,” was the cry before they went
Well they’ve plenty in full measure, so I ought to be content.
Great wages men is given in that land beyond the sea 
But ‘tis lonely, lonely livin’ when the chuldren are away.
To see a baby in the cradle with blue eyes and curlly hair
God knows I’d give a great deal to see little Kevin there
No doubt he’d find it funny, lyin’ here upon me arm 
Him that’s makin’ the “big money” on a California farm.
Six pounds it was, or seven he sent last quarter day,
But ‘tis lonely, lonely livin’ when the children are away.
God is good, none better, and the devil might be worse
Each month there comes a letter, bringing somethin’ for the purse
And me old man’s heart rejoices when I read they’re doin’ fine,
But it’s oh, to hear their voices, and to feel their hand in mine
To see the cattle grazin’, the young ones makin’ hay,
‘Tis a lonely land to live in, when the children are away.
When the shadows do be fallin’, on the old man there, and me
‘Tis hard to keep from callin’, “come in children to your tea”.
I can almost hear them comin’, Colleen, Mark, Carolyn, Mary Jane and Kevin.
Ah, but I’m the foolish woman, sure they’ve all grown up and gone.
That our sins may be forgive, and not one go astray,
Do You Know?  I doubt I’d stay in heaven, if the children were away.




Colleen Holliday
5 Earle Court
Tallai Qld 4213