Category: Family Stories

The Unexpected Road Trip: The North Fork Valley ~ July 22

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment

I had butterflies and couldn’t sleep, so I finally rolled out of bed about 4:30 this morning and hopped in the shower.   Today, I was returning “home” to Hotchkiss, Colorado to attend a family reunion, and I hadn’t been there since my grandmother’s funeral in 1983. Too many years had passed since I had visited my early home. Continue reading “The Unexpected Road Trip: The North Fork Valley ~ July 22” →

The Unexpected Road Trip: The Tooth Fairy and Connor B. ~ July 20

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant2 Comments

DSC02790Well come to find out the Tooth Fairy had some problems making her delivery this week when Connor lost his tooth the other night, so we decided to write her an email to resolve this issue. She was quite pleasant and worked hard to make amends with my grandson. Connor and I were quite pleased how she handled this whole situation.  Here is our correspondence with the famed fairy. Continue reading “The Unexpected Road Trip: The Tooth Fairy and Connor B. ~ July 20” →

The Unexpected Road Trip: Birthday Surprise Party: July 18

Published on by Ann Marie BryantLeave a comment
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Max and Mitzi

After the death of my brother David, I needed some time away. My daughter Leslie told me to come to the mountains for some R & R. Without much planning, I threw some clothes into my duffle bag, grabbed my puppies, and headed north to the small mountain town of Kremmling, Colorado. Continue reading “The Unexpected Road Trip: Birthday Surprise Party: July 18” →

The Toothbrush

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant8 Comments
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My mama, Dotty Allen, her horse, Midge and her furry friend.

Sitting on the porch of their small cabin, my grandparents, my aunt and my mama enjoyed a pleasant evening on their Colorado ranch. As the family visited together, the family dogs tried to join in on the family fun. Since the pets had horrible breath, my grandfather, Tom Allen chased the dogs off the porch and would not allow them to sit any where near the family. Continue reading “The Toothbrush” →

Missing David

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant8 Comments
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Our Boy Scout, David Reeder, 1974

Tonight I am writing with a heavy heart, my sweet younger brother, Dave, left this world for the next. Today, as my family grieves together, all I could imagine was his reunion with our mama! I told family members, wish I could be a mouse in the corner to witness that precious reunion. Continue reading “Missing David” →

Yellow Crocus

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant8 Comments

One of all time favorite past times has always been to read a good book.  Unfortunately, over the last several years, I have fallen away from this favorite routine.  Yesterday, I decided to remedy that cold and hard fact and settled in for a long afternoon of good old fashioned reading.  But, my long afternoon turned into a three in the morning ordeal; I just couldn’t put this book down! Continue reading “Yellow Crocus” →

Paper Dolls

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant5 Comments

IMG_20170614_0087Recently, my favorite aunt, who lives in California, sent a box of treasures. She and her husband plan on moving, so they started the task of sorting their belongings. Since I began working on the family tree and preserving our family stories. Aunt Jan sent me a huge box of pictures and papers that belonged to my grandmother. This box contained a wonderful collection of trinkets that I will treasure, including some items that once belonged to my mother, her infamous paper dolls. Continue reading “Paper Dolls” →

No Place Like Home

Published on by Ann Marie Bryant11 Comments

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One ancestor that had a homestead was my grandmother, Elva Bryant. For years after her mother died, my grandmother lived with family and friends and never really had a home of her own. When she finally had her land and her cabin, I often wondered how she felt when she stepped through the door of her new home and knew it was really her very own place. Continue reading “No Place Like Home” →