robertfinch.ca

Month: April 2024

  • Photo Post #30 | Bertha Arabella Mills

    Today is my aunt Bert’s birthday. She would’ve turned 80. Born Arabella Bertha Mills (we always called her “Bert”) she was the third daughter of my grandparents Alan Mills and Rose Power. She was born April 26, 1944 at home in Oyster Pond Jeddore, Nova Scotia.

    When I was growing up, Bert and her first husband and their family lived next door to us on the Beach Strip in Hamilton. I can still remember the days when she would pick me up from school. Those were the best days because she would always take me to Burger King in their orange pick-up truck. I loved that truck – and the trips to Burger King.

    Years later, she and her second husband lived in the house on the other side of us. So, Bert was our neighbour twice. Bert died September 10, 2021.

    Here is a photo of Bert taken when she was two years old. My Nan’s writing is on the reverse of the photograph.

  • Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Here are a couple photos of my paternal grandparents Clifford and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch dancing at their 45th wedding anniversary reception in 1982. I love the smiles on their faces. They were clearly having a great time.

    I can only vaguely recollect this event as I was only (almost) 5 years old at the time. I remember everybody getting up and doing the “chicken dance.”

  • Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: April 1947

    Alice (Baker) Power’s Diary: April 1947

    Tuesday April 1, 1947:
    Harpell out fishing got
    16 fish. He lost
    his logs while towing them

    Wednesday April 2, 1947:
    We got a fresh fish
    from Harpell for
    dinner Pearl here tonight

    Thursday April 3, 1947:
    Ralph on beach got 2 traps
    Otis here this morning
    Earl putting up fence

    Friday April 4, 1947:
    Bless me oh my Saviour
    bless me as I bow low at
    thy feet.

    Saturday April 5, 1947:
    Levi came here
    dinner time taking
    orders for potatoes

    Sunday April 6, 1947:
    Levi gone back on the
    Bus tonight a
    rainy Easter

    Monday April 7, 1947:
    I washed but its
    raining out the
    wind is North West

    Tuesday April 8, 1947:
    Earl Doris and I up
    to Alans in the
    Boat first trip this spring

    Wednesday April 9, 1947:
    Rob + Arth gone in Halifax
    for bait they called
    saying their engine broke down

    Thursday April 10, 1947:
    life only once we
    can live it, oh what
    a great solemn thought

    Friday April 11, 1947:
    My hope is built on
    nothing less than Jesus blood
    and righteousness

    Saturday April 12, 1947:
    Rob and Arth got home
    this evening after being
    in town service Wednesday in Boat

    Sunday April 13, 1947:
    Earl + I up to Ednas for
    dinner Fred here for
    tea. Mason + Edna here tonight

    Monday April 14, 1947:
    I cleaned kitchen ceiling
    muresco the pantry ceiling
    Earl got 20 flat fish 1 lump fish

    Tuesday April 15, 1947:
    for all the Lord
    has done for me
    I never will cease to praise him

    Wednesday April 16, 1947:
    I papered the pantry
    and painted the
    kitchen windows

    Thursday April 17, 1947:
    I cleaned paint around
    the kitchen walls
    and painted our bases

    Friday April 18, 1947:
    Ralph + Elsie here for
    supper I was down
    to Ralphs last evening

    Saturday April 19, 1947:
    When your loving Lord made
    home so bright and
    life was a merry chime

    Sunday April 20, 1947:
    Ralph + Elsie here
    for supper
    Pop here tonight.

    Monday April 21, 1947:
    A fine day
    I papered the (?)
    room this morning
    Earl + Bud set all the traps
    Hon came home on the Bus

    Tuesday April 22, 1947:
    Earl sold 68 dollars
    of lobsters price 35 + 10
    Bud sold 13.25

    Wednesday April 23, 1947:
    Earl had 45 dollars
    worth Bud had 11
    Hall’s haul

    Thursday April 24, 1947:
    Earl + I down to Freds
    this afternoon and
    to Ralphs

    Friday April 25, 1947:
    A storm rough out
    lost 4 traps.
    Elsie + Ralph here for supper

    Saturday April 26, 1947:
    heard the frogs tonight
    first this year. Lobster
    price today 28 + 11

    Sunday April 27, 1947:
    Bud stayed in town
    over night
    I have a bad cold

    Monday April 28, 1947:
    Awfull rough spring so far
    Earl made 196 dollars
    one week today Bud 46 dollars

    Tuesday April 29, 1947:
    A Big snow storm 2 inches
    down now North wind awfull rough out side

    Wednesday April 30, 1947:
    Earl + Bud wasn’t
    out side a big storm
    and rough