home » stories » by mesearch within stories

Family Stories -- by me

A potpourri of stories about various family members or events

Organized by topics

In this index, note that stories can have 1 or more topics assigned to them. At the end of each description, [yyyy-mm-dd] gives the date published; {abc; xyz} indicates topic assignments for the story. If you wish to see the listing in the order they were written, visit here.

1870s
1910s
1920s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Al
Al's family
Biking
Cabin
Camping
Children
Cousins
Education
Environment
Event
Faith
Family history
Food or Meals
Grandchildren
Grandparents
Health
Home
JEH farm
List
Marcia
Military
Misc
Parents
Parents+Siblings
Siblings
Technology
Trips

1870s

Sesquicentennial of the Hibbard-Westurn Arrival: This longer post documents the arrival of the Hibbards and Westurns from NY to MN in 1871. Where were they? Why there? Why did they come?
[2021-06-17] {family history; 1870s}

1910s

How My Paternal Grandparents Met: Was he courting tennis or Edna?
[2021-02-13] {1910s; Grandparents}

1920s

How My Maternal Grandparents Met: If they differed in ages by 7 years, how did they meet at college?
[2021-02-13] {1920s; Grandparents}

1940s

How My Parents Met: Connected to the ratio of women to men at SCSC in 1944?
[2021-02-13] {1940s; parents}
Potentially a Last Photo: A family photo before my dad heads back for service
[2021-01-21] {1940s; parents; grandparents; military}
Getting Milk: Karen recalls using a container to retrieve milk from the barn
[2026-01-09] {Karen; JEH farm; 1940s}

1950s

My First Home: This story describes the home that became my first home, how and when we got there, and when and why we left. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}
Leaving Michigan: Explores thoughts about why we left Michigan
[2021-01-09] {trip; home; 1950s}
Cloverleaf Trailer - St. Cloud, MN: This story describes the second home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}

1960s

Farm Trailer - J. E. Hibbard Farmyard: This story describes the third home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
First Call Answered: This describes my first time answering a telephone.
[2026-01-26] {Al; 1960s, technology}
Life in Our Trailer Home: The main focus is on the trailer that we lived in while at my grandfather's farmyard. This also hints at why we built a house in 1963.
[2026-02-19] {Al, home, Parents+Siblings, 1960s}
Haven Township Home: This story describes the fourth (and major) home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
A Kick in the Rear: An experience as a 5-year-old comes back to bite me.
[2026-02-21] {Al, parents, children, 1960s, 1990s}
My State Fair Experiences: This has two main foci: my grandfather taking me to the MN State Fair in about 1963, and a visit about 40 years later to the IA State Fair when I took Christina.
[2026-02-20] {Al, children, grandparents, 1960s, 2000s}
Keith raising Quacks: Using several newspaper articles, this describes participation in raising some mallards in 1965.
[2026-07-17] {siblings; 1960s; environment; JEH farm}
Walking to the Hole: This describes an event that occurred in the summer of 1967 or 1968 involving Bruce, Lou, and me at the duck pond (connected to the story below).
[2026-07-17] {siblings; 1960s; JEH farm}
Mumps and Me: This is a recollection about my experience with mumps in December 1965 (±1).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health}
My Introduction to Hand Brakes on a Bike: The title likely says enough. Set in the summer of about 1966 (±2).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; biking; event}
A Motorcycle Built for One but Carrying Three.: Again, the title likely says enough. Likely set in the fall of 1966 or the spring of 1967.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; event}
Hungry?: I share some of the advantages of living near my grandpa
[2021-03-25] {Al; 1960s; 1970s; Grandparents}
Riding a bus for 8 years: This describes my school bus years
[2025-06-26] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
Memories from grades 1-12: The title suggests what this is about.
[2025-08-30] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
More about the hamster and the bear: Comments about previous post
[2020-06-13] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
The hamster and the bear: An event on a trip to Yellowstone in 1967
[2020-06-12] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
Fargo Home: This story describes the fifth home where I lived, during the years 1968-1972. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s; 1970s}
Falling out of a Tree: Here, I describe two times that I fell out of a tree with consequences.
[2026-02-21] {Al, 1960s, health, event}
So Many Flat Tires!: Al recalls his experiences in learning how to patch a flat bike tube
[2026-01-22] {Al; biking; 1960s}
Overview of 1969 Trip East: MI, Ontario, Quebec, VT, MA, DC, PA were all visited
[2021-02-14] {1960s; trip; parents+sibs}
I know which way to go: An experience at Expo 67 (in 1969)
[2021-01-29] {1960s; Al; trip}
From Burlington to Mahnomen: From Burlington, VT, mom was called to return to Mahnomen
[2021-02-06] {1960s; parents, grandparents, trip}
Rolling over (the odometer): They all coincide: Travelall, 1969, Boston, 100K.
[2021-01-14] {trip; 1960s}

1970s

Fargo Home: This story describes the fifth home where I lived, during the years 1968-1972. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s; 1970s}
Early Driving: This describes my early driving experiences up to when I was married.
[2026-07-17] {Al; siblings; 1970s;}
Another Prison Story From Grandpa: Recollections about the Gray Stone College
[2021-02-03] {1970s; Haven; grandparents}
Hungry?: I share some of the advantages of living near my grandpa
[2021-03-25] {Al; 1960s; 1970s; Grandparents}
Need Something To Do?: This relates to a story that my grampa told us several times if he thought we were bored.
[2021-03-25] {1970s; Grandparents}
Don't Meddle with Nettle: In the summer of 1971, while living in Fargo, I went biking with a friend at Lindenwood Park. This park along the Red River had a network of many bike trails that often had many curves, short hills on which one could build speed and more. I learned something that day.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1970s; health; event; biking}
Sun Reaction: This describes a day when I biked from my home in Fargo to Buffalo State Park (20 miles east, one way) and back. This was within days of my encounter with nettle
[2026-06-10] {Al; 1970s; biking; health}
Fargo to St. Cloud by bike: This describes a day when I biked from (near) my home in Fargo to (near) St. Cloud.
[2026-06-12] {Al; 1970s; biking;}
Riding a bus for 8 years: This describes my school bus years
[2025-06-26] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
Memories from grades 1-12: The title suggests what this is about.
[2025-08-30] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
How Marcia and I Met: It was in the chemistry (class)
[2021-02-14] {1970s; Al; Marcia; Education}
I Chose Christianity: This describes the backdrop to my choosing to become a Christian, what I knew before that decision, and what's come of it.
[2026-06-08] {Al; 1970s; faith; event}
Blow up the Calculator!: How to get your calculator to blow up! How does one do this, and what does this even mean?
[2025-08-25] {Al; education; 1970s}
Roadside Treat(s): An encounter in 1977 on my bike around Lake Superior
[2021-06-01] {Al; biking; 1970s}
St. John's 1976-1977: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1976-1977 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1970s}
An "Easier" Way of Taking Physics: In my first fall at college, I was given two choices of how I could try to learn physics. I chose the "easier" way, I thought.
[2026-02-04] {Al, education, 1970s}
St. John's 1977-1978: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1977-1978 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Education; Home; 1970s}
Our Wedding Day: A description of our wedding day
[2025-06-03] {Al; Marcia; 1970s}
Tim's Birth: Story of Tim's birth
[2021-05-28] {children; 1970s}

1980s

Can I have some sugar too?: What would you say if your three-year-old asked you if he could have sugar on his cereal, as you had put on yours?
[2026-02-04] {Al, children, health, 1980s}
Carrie’s birth: This briefly tells the story when Carrie was born
[2021-03-11 - finished on 2/22 but not officially "posted" until later - Sorry, Carrie] {children; 1980s}
Bearly not intersecting: An event at the cabin when kids were young
[2025-07-17] {Al family; cabin; 1980s}
A Fender Bender in South Bend: Can you guess what this is about?
[2025-09-01] {Al's family; 1980s}
Do you weigh us before and afterwards?: A morning in the fields outside of South Bend, IN
[2021-06-04] {Al family; 1980s}

1990s

A Kick in the Rear: An experience as a 5-year-old comes back to bite me.
[2026-02-21] {Al, parents, children, 1960s, 1990s}
Christina's Birth: Story of Christina's birth and naming
[2021-04-13] {children; 1990s}

2000s

I Am Not Going to Melt: This describes several years of knowing a fellow church member whom I assisted in getting to church. She was more beneficial to me than I was to her.
[2026-07-20] {Al; faith; 2000s;}
My State Fair Experiences: This has two main foci: my grandfather taking me to the MN State Fair in about 1963, and a visit about 40 years later to the IA State Fair when I took Christina.
[2026-02-20] {Al, children, grandparents, 1960s, 2000s}
Marcia making the rounds: This briefly tells the story of how a friendship at church turned into Marcia choosing to regularly visit the elderly.
[2021-03-09] {Marcia; 1990s; 2000s}
Hanging Pasta: An event today made me remember driving past a Barilla pasta plant in Ames, Iowa.
[2026-01-28] {Al's family, 2000s}

2010s

Thinking outside the box: The title is the punch line
[2021-02-19] {2010s; grandchildren}
What does a dying person look like?: Marcia and I had a surprise when she initiated starting home hospice care.
[2025-08-08] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Beginning of the End: This describes Marcia's last meeting with her oncologist.
[2025-08-05] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
Marcia and her cannabis experiment: After using morphine to deal with cancer pain, Marcia explored using cannabis. This describes this process and the results.
[2025-08-04] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Final Beginning of the End: This story describes, in some detail, Marcia's last six days on this earth. A related story, The Beginning of the End, recalls when Marcia and I first started counting the last days.
[2026-07-27] {Marcia; Event; Health; 2010s}

2020s

Why do you walk everywhere?: My answer to the question posed by a granddaughter
[2021-02-11] {2020s; Al; grandchildren; biking}
From dock to dock: During Aug. 6-7, I took out one dock and put in another.
[2025-08-08] {Al; cabin; 2020s}
Binary Birthday Blast: This describes a recent birthday celebration using candles whose position gave a binary representation of my age. Thanks Tim T.
[2026-01-24] {Al; 2020s}

Al

My First Home: This story describes the home that became my first home, how and when we got there, and when and why we left. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}
Cloverleaf Trailer - St. Cloud, MN: This story describes the second home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}
Farm Trailer - J. E. Hibbard Farmyard: This story describes the third home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
Life in Our Trailer Home: The main focus is on the trailer that we lived in while at my grandfather's farmyard. This also hints at why we built a house in 1963.
[2026-02-19] {Al, home, Parents+Siblings, 1960s}
Haven Township Home: This story describes the fourth (and major) home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
A Kick in the Rear: An experience as a 5-year-old comes back to bite me.
[2026-02-21] {Al, parents, children, 1960s, 1990s}
Accidents and Medical Situations: This chronological list gives information about accidents that I have had or medical situations that have arisen. It is currently outlined partially, and most details are missing.
[2026-05-30] {Al, event, health, list}
My State Fair Experiences: This has two main foci: my grandfather taking me to the MN State Fair in about 1963, and a visit about 40 years later to the IA State Fair when I took Christina.
[2026-02-20] {Al, children, grandparents, 1960s, 2000s}
Mumps and Me: This is a recollection about my experience with mumps in December 1965 (±1).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health}
Scrambled Eggs: This is short story about four distinct connections to scrambled eggs.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Food or Meals;}
My Introduction to Hand Brakes on a Bike: The title likely says enough. Set in the summer of about 1966 (±2).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; biking; event}
A Motorcycle Built for One but Carrying Three.: Again, the title likely says enough. Likely set in the fall of 1966 or the spring of 1967.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; event}
Don't Meddle with Nettle: In the summer of 1971, while living in Fargo, I went biking with a friend at Lindenwood Park. This park along the Red River had a network of many bike trails that often had many curves, short hills on which one could build speed and more. I learned something that day.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1970s; health; event; biking}
Sun Reaction: This describes a day when I biked from my home in Fargo to Buffalo State Park (20 miles east, one way) and back. This was within days of my encounter with nettle
[2026-06-10] {Al; 1970s; biking; health}
Early Driving: This describes my early driving experiences up to when I was married.
[2026-07-17] {Al; siblings; 1970s;}
I Chose Christianity: This describes the backdrop to my choosing to become a Christian, what I knew before that decision, and what's come of it.
[2026-06-08] {Al; 1970s; faith; event}
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: My hair, yesterday, today, and tomorrow
[2021-02-12] {Al}
Homes where I lived: This gives a brief description of the homes where I have lived (for at least 3 months)
[2025-06-25] {Al; home}
First Call Answered: This describes my first time answering a telephone.
[2026-01-26] {Al; 1960s, technology}
Riding a bus for 8 years: This describes my school bus years
[2025-06-26] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
Around the Next Curve: A wild goose chase?
[2022-06-17] {Al; cabin; 1960s; biking}
Fargo Home: This story describes the fifth home where I lived, during the years 1968-1972. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s; 1970s}
Falling out of a Tree: Here, I describe two times that I fell out of a tree with consequences.
[2026-02-21] {Al, 1960s, health, event}
So Many Flat Tires!: Al recalls his experiences in learning how to patch a flat bike tube
[2026-01-22] {Al; biking; 1960s}
I know which way to go: An experience at Expo 67 (in 1969)
[2021-01-29] {1960s; Al; trip}
Bike Trips: This is a list of bike trips that I have taken over the years. Eventually, details for each will be added.
[2026-05-30] {Al, biking, trip, list}
Fargo to St. Cloud by bike: This describes a day when I biked from (near) my home in Fargo to (near) St. Cloud.
[2026-06-12] {Al; 1970s; biking;}
How Marcia and I Met: It was in the chemistry (class)
[2021-02-14] {1970s; Al; Marcia; Education}
My Undergraduate Work: This lists the years and locations of my undergraduate work, with a page for each academic year.
[2026-07-29] {Al; lists;}
St. John's 1976-1977: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1976-1977 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1970s}
An "Easier" Way of Taking Physics: In my first fall at college, I was given two choices of how I could try to learn physics. I chose the "easier" way, I thought.
[2026-02-04] {Al, education, 1970s}
Blow up the Calculator!: How to get your calculator to blow up! How does one do this, and what does this even mean?
[2025-08-25] {Al; education; 1970s}
Roadside Treat(s): An encounter in 1977 on my bike around Lake Superior
[2021-06-01] {Al; biking; 1970s}
St. John's 1976-1977: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1976-1977 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; Education; 1970s}
St. John's 1977-1978: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1977-1978 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Education; Home; 1970s}
Our Wedding Day: A description of our wedding day
[2025-06-03] {Al; Marcia; 1970s}
Can I have some sugar too?: What would you say if your three-year-old asked you if he could have sugar on his cereal, as you had put on yours?
[2026-02-04] {Al, children, health, 1980s}
Biking the Canadian Rockies: This describes a bike ride that I took with 3 other Central professors. We drove to Jasper, Alberta and headed south.
[2026-06-06] {Al, biking, trips}
I Am Not Going to Melt: This describes several years of knowing a fellow church member whom I assisted in getting to church. She was more beneficial to me than I was to her.
[2026-07-20] {Al; faith; 2000s;}
Haste Makes Waste: The quote in the title foreshadows the cause of the worst bike accident that I have had. I have learned some things from this.
[2026-05-31] {Al, event, biking, health}
Why do you walk everywhere?: My answer to the question posed by a granddaughter
[2021-02-11] {2020s; Al; grandchildren; biking}
The Price of Avoiding an Elevator: I wanted to visit a friend on the second floor of a building. I also wanted to take the stairs to do so. You know, free exercise, and save energy by not running the elevator. What could go wrong?
[2026-02-04] {Al, health, environment}
Binary Birthday Blast: This describes a recent birthday celebration using candles whose position gave a binary representation of my age. Thanks Tim T.
[2026-01-24] {Al; 2020s}
Lists: Have you noticed that the three are actually list of events related to the topic of the list. This is now a list of all of the lists in these stories, both complete, started, and just an idea.
[2026-05-30] {Al, list}

Al's family

Bearly not intersecting: An event at the cabin when kids were young
[2025-07-17] {Al family; cabin; 1980s}
A Fender Bender in South Bend: Can you guess what this is about?
[2025-09-01] {Al's family; 1980s}
Do you weigh us before and afterwards?: A morning in the fields outside of South Bend, IN
[2021-06-04] {Al family; 1980s}
Hanging Pasta: An event today made me remember driving past a Barilla pasta plant in Ames, Iowa.
[2026-01-28] {Al's family, 2000s}

Biking

My Introduction to Hand Brakes on a Bike: The title likely says enough. Set in the summer of about 1966 (±2).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; biking; event}
So Many Flat Tires!: Al recalls his experiences in learning how to patch a flat bike tube
[2026-01-22] {Al; biking; 1960s}
Bike Trips: This is a list of bike trips that I have taken over the years. Eventually, details for each will be added.
[2026-05-30] {Al, biking, trip, list}
Don't Meddle with Nettle: In the summer of 1971, while living in Fargo, I went biking with a friend at Lindenwood Park. This park along the Red River had a network of many bike trails that often had many curves, short hills on which one could build speed and more. I learned something that day.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1970s; health; event; biking}
Sun Reaction: This describes a day when I biked from my home in Fargo to Buffalo State Park (20 miles east, one way) and back. This was within days of my encounter with nettle
[2026-06-10] {Al; 1970s; biking; health}
Fargo to St. Cloud by bike: This describes a day when I biked from (near) my home in Fargo to (near) St. Cloud.
[2026-06-12] {Al; 1970s; biking;}
Roadside Treat(s): An encounter in 1977 on my bike around Lake Superior
[2021-06-01] {Al; biking; 1970s}
Biking the Canadian Rockies: This describes a bike ride that I took with 3 other Central professors. We drove to Jasper, Alberta and headed south.
[2026-06-06] {Al, biking, trips}
Why do you walk everywhere?: My answer to the question posed by a granddaughter
[2021-02-11] {2020s; Al; grandchildren; biking}
Haste Makes Waste: The quote in the title foreshadows the cause of the worst bike accident that I have had. I have learned some things from this.
[2026-05-31] {Al, event, biking, health}

Cabin

Around the Next Curve: A wild goose chase?
[2022-06-17] {Al; cabin; 1960s; biking}
Bearly not intersecting: An event at the cabin when kids were young
[2025-07-17] {Al family; cabin; 1980s}
From dock to dock: During Aug. 6-7, I took out one dock and put in another.
[2025-08-08] {Al; cabin; 2020s}

Camping

How NOT to clean a cast iron pan: A third-grader's experience with a cast iron pan
[2021-06-09] {Al; camping; 1960s}

Children

Tim's Birth: Story of Tim's birth
[2021-05-28] {children; 1970s}
Can I have some sugar too?: What would you say if your three-year-old asked you if he could have sugar on his cereal, as you had put on yours?
[2026-02-04] {Al, children, health, 1980s}
Carrie’s birth: This briefly tells the story when Carrie was born
[2021-03-11 - finished on 2/22 but not officially "posted" until later - Sorry, Carrie] {children; 1980s}
A Kick in the Rear: An experience as a 5-year-old comes back to bite me.
[2026-02-21] {Al, parents, children, 1960s, 1990s}
My State Fair Experiences: This has two main foci: my grandfather taking me to the MN State Fair in about 1963, and a visit about 40 years later to the IA State Fair when I took Christina.
[2026-02-20] {Al, children, grandparents, 1960s, 2000s}
Christina's Birth: Story of Christina's birth and naming
[2021-04-13] {children; 1990s}
Babysitting from the Grandparents: This tells the experiences that Marcia and I had in having our parents babysit for our children.
[2021-03-11] {children; parents}

Cousins

Getting Milk: Karen recalls using a container to retrieve milk from the barn
[2026-01-09] {Karen; JEH farm; 1940s}
Around the Next Curve: A wild goose chase?
[2022-06-17] {Al; cabin; 1960s; biking; cousins; siblings}

Education

Riding a bus for 8 years: This describes my school bus years
[2025-06-26] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
Memories from grades 1-12: The title suggests what this is about.
[2025-08-30] {Al; education; 1960s; 1970s}
How Marcia and I Met: It was in the chemistry (class)
[2021-02-14] {1970s; Al; Marcia; Education}
Blow up the Calculator!: How to get your calculator to blow up! How does one do this, and what does this even mean?
[2025-08-25] {Al; education; 1970s}
An "Easier" Way of Taking Physics: In my first fall at college, I was given two choices of how I could try to learn physics. I chose the "easier" way, I thought.
[2026-02-04] {Al, education, 1970s}
St. John's 1976-1977: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1976-1977 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; Education; 1970s}
St. John's 1977-1978: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1977-1978 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Education; Home; 1970s}

Environment

The Price of Avoiding an Elevator: I wanted to visit a friend on the second floor of a building. I also wanted to take the stairs to do so. You know, free exercise, and save energy by not running the elevator. What could go wrong?
[2026-02-04] {Al, health, environment}
Keith raising Quacks: Using several newspaper articles, this describes participation in raising some mallards in 1965.
[2026-07-17] {siblings; 1960s; environment;}

Event

How They Met: This is about how various relatives of mine met, currently including my wife and I, my parents, my paternal grandparents, and my maternal grandparents.
[2026-05-31] {event, list}
Accidents and Medical Situations: This chronological list gives information about accidents that I have had or medical situations that have arisen. It is currently outlined partially, and most details are missing.
[2026-05-30] {Al, event, health, list}
Falling out of a Tree: Here, I describe two times that I fell out of a tree with consequences.
[2026-02-21] {Al, 1960s, health, event}
My Introduction to Hand Brakes on a Bike: The title likely says enough. Set in the summer of about 1966 (±2).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; biking; event}
A Motorcycle Built for One but Carrying Three.: Again, the title likely says enough. Likely set in the fall of 1966 or the spring of 1967.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; event}
Don't Meddle with Nettle: In the summer of 1971, while living in Fargo, I went biking with a friend at Lindenwood Park. This park along the Red River had a network of many bike trails that often had many curves, short hills on which one could build speed and more. I learned something that day.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1970s; health; event; biking}
I Chose Christianity: This describes the backdrop to my choosing to become a Christian, what I knew before that decision, and what's come of it.
[2026-06-08] {Al; 1970s; faith; event}
Haste Makes Waste: The quote in the title foreshadows the cause of the worst bike accident that I have had. I have learned some things from this.
[2026-05-31] {Al, event, biking, health}
The Final Beginning of the End: This story describes, in some detail, Marcia's last six days on this earth. A related story, The Beginning of the End, recalls when Marcia and I first started counting the last days.
[2026-07-27] {Marcia; Event; Health; 2010s}

Faith

I Chose Christianity: This describes the backdrop to my choosing to become a Christian, what I knew before that decision, and what's come of it.
[2026-06-08] {Al; 1970s; faith; event}
I Am Not Going to Melt: This describes several years of knowing a fellow church member whom I assisted in getting to church. She was more beneficial to me than I was to her.
[2026-07-20] {Al; faith; 2000s;}

Family History

We are Immigrants: Immigrant status of my 8 great-grandparents
[2021-01-19] {family history}
Sesquicentennial of the Hibbard-Westurn Arrival: This longer post documents the arrival of the Hibbards and Westurns from NY to MN in 1871. Where were they? Why there? Why did they come?
[2021-06-17] {family history; 1870s}
Name Continuity: This describes how various people with my family tree "passed down" one or more of their names as another relative used the name when a child was born.
[2026-01-28] {Family history}

Food or Meals

Scrambled Eggs: This is short story about four distinct connections to scrambled eggs.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Food or Meals;}
Hungry?: I share some of the advantages of living near my grandpa
[2021-03-25] {Al; 1960s; 1970s; Grandparents; Food or Meals;}
Roadside Treat(s): An encounter in 1977 on my bike around Lake Superior
[2021-06-01] {Al; biking; 1970s; Food or Meals;}
Can I have some sugar too?: What would you say if your three-year-old asked you if he could have sugar on his cereal, as you had put on yours?
[2026-02-04] {Al; children; health; Food or Meals; 1980s}
Do you weigh us before and afterwards?: A morning in the fields outside of South Bend, IN
[2021-06-04] {Al family; 1980s; Food or Meals;}

Grandchildren

Thinking outside the box: The title is the punch line
[2021-02-19] {2010s; grandchildren}

Grandparents

How My Paternal Grandparents Met: Was he courting tennis or Edna?
[2021-02-13] {1910s; Grandparents}
How My Maternal Grandparents Met: If they differed in ages by 7 years, how did they meet at college?
[2021-02-13] {1920s; Grandparents}
Potentially a Last Photo: A family photo before my dad heads back for service
[2021-01-21] {1940s; parents; grandparents; military}
Sayings From Grandpa: This consists of a (growing) list of sayings that Grandpa Jesse used to tell others.
[2026-02-21] {grandparents}
A Prison Story From Grandpa: Moving sawdust?
[2021-02-02] {grandparents}
My State Fair Experiences: This has two main foci: my grandfather taking me to the MN State Fair in about 1963, and a visit about 40 years later to the IA State Fair when I took Christina.
[2026-02-20] {Al, children, grandparents, 1960s, 2000s}
Hungry?: I share some of the advantages of living near my grandpa
[2021-03-25] {Al; 1960s; 1970s; Grandparents}
From Burlington to Mahnomen: From Burlington, VT, mom was called to return to Mahnomen
[2021-02-06] {1960s; parents, grandparents, trip}
Another Prison Story From Grandpa: Recollections about the Gray Stone College
[2021-02-03] {1970s; grandparents}
Need Something To Do?: This relates to a story that my grampa told us several times if he thought we were bored.
[2021-03-25] {1970s; Grandparents}

Health

Accidents and Medical Situations: This chronological list gives information about accidents that I have had or medical situations that have arisen. It is currently outlined partially, and most details are missing.
[2026-05-30] {Al, event, health, list}
Mumps and Me: This is a recollection about my experience with mumps in December 1965 (±1).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health}
Falling out of a Tree: Here, I describe two times that I fell out of a tree with consequences.
[2026-02-21] {Al, 1960s, health, event}
My Introduction to Hand Brakes on a Bike: The title likely says enough. Set in the summer of about 1966 (±2).
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; biking; event}
A Motorcycle Built for One but Carrying Three.: Again, the title likely says enough. Likely set in the fall of 1966 or the spring of 1967.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1960s; health; event}
Don't Meddle with Nettle: In the summer of 1971, while living in Fargo, I went biking with a friend at Lindenwood Park. This park along the Red River had a network of many bike trails that often had many curves, short hills on which one could build speed and more. I learned something that day.
[2026-06-06] {Al; 1970s; health; event; biking}
Sun Reaction: This describes a day when I biked from my home in Fargo to Buffalo State Park (20 miles east, one way) and back. This was within days of my encounter with nettle
[2026-06-10] {Al; 1970s; biking; health}
Can I have some sugar too?: What would you say if your three-year-old asked you if he could have sugar on his cereal, as you had put on yours?
[2026-02-04] {Al, children, health, 1980s}
Haste Makes Waste: The quote in the title foreshadows the cause of the worst bike accident that I have had. I have learned some things from this.
[2026-05-31] {Al, event, biking, health}
What does a dying person look like?: Marcia and I had a surprise when she initiated starting home hospice care.
[2025-08-08] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Beginning of the End: This describes Marcia's last meeting with her oncologist.
[2025-08-05] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
Marcia and her cannabis experiment: After using morphine to deal with cancer pain, Marcia explored using cannabis. This describes this process and the results.
[2025-08-04] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Final Beginning of the End: This story describes, in some detail, Marcia's last six days on this earth. A related story, The Beginning of the End, recalls when Marcia and I first started counting the last days.
[2026-07-27] {Marcia; Event; Health; 2010s}
The Price of Avoiding an Elevator: I wanted to visit a friend on the second floor of a building. I also wanted to take the stairs to do so. You know, free exercise, and save energy by not running the elevator. What could go wrong?
[2026-02-04] {Al, health, environment}

Home

Homes where I lived: This gives a brief description of the homes where I have lived (for at least 3 months)
[2025-06-25] {Al; home}
My First Home: This story describes the home that became my first home, how and when we got there, and when and why we left. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}
Leaving Michigan: Explores thoughts about why we left Michigan
[2021-01-09] {trip; home; 1950s}
Cloverleaf Trailer - St. Cloud, MN: This story describes the second home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1950s;}
Farm Trailer - J. E. Hibbard Farmyard: This story describes the third home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
Life in Our Trailer Home: The main focus is on the trailer that we lived in while at my grandfather's farmyard. This also hints at why we built a house in 1963.
[2026-02-19] {Al, home, Parents+Siblings, 1960s}
Haven Township Home: This story describes the fourth (and major) home where I lived. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s;}
Fargo Home: This story describes the fifth home where I lived, during the years 1968-1972. This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1960s; 1970s}
St. John's 1976-1977: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1976-1977 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived.
[2026-07-20] {Al; Home; 1970s}
St. John's 1977-1978: This story describes the sixth location where I lived, during the 1977-1978 academic year at SJU. This describes where I was that year, why I chose SJU, and what courses I took that first year (and some explanations for those choices). This is part of Homes Where I Lived. It is also part of My Undergraduate Work.
[2026-07-29] {Al; Education; Home; 1970s}

JEH Farm

Getting Milk: Karen recalls using a container to retrieve milk from the barn
[2026-01-09] {Karen; JEH farm; 1940s}

List

Accidents and Medical Situations: This chronological list gives information about accidents that I have had or medical situations that have arisen. It is currently outlined partially, and most details are missing.
[2026-05-30] {Al, event, health, list}
Bike Trips: This is a list of bike trips that I have taken over the years. Eventually, details for each will be added.
[2026-05-30] {Al, biking, trips, list}
How They Met: This is about how various relatives of mine met, currently including my wife and I, my parents, my paternal grandparents, and my maternal grandparents.
[2026-05-31] {event, list}
My Undergraduate Work: This lists the years and locations of my undergraduate work, with a page for each academic year.
[2026-07-29] {Al; lists;}
Lists: Have you noticed that the three are actually list of events related to the topic of the list. This is now a list of all of the lists in these stories, both complete, started, and just an idea.
[2026-05-30] {Al, list}

Marcia

How Marcia and I Met: It was in the chemistry (class)
[2021-02-14] {1970s; Al; Marcia; Education}
Our Wedding Day: A description of our wedding day
[2025-06-03] {Al; Marcia; 1970s}
Marcia making the rounds: This briefly tells the story of how a friendship at church turned into Marcia choosing to regularly visit the elderly.
[2021-03-09] {Marcia; 1990s; 2000s}
What does a dying person look like?: Marcia and I had a surprise when she initiated starting home hospice care.
[2025-08-08] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Beginning of the End: This describes Marcia's last meeting with her oncologist.
[2025-08-05] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
Marcia and her cannabis experiment: After using morphine to deal with cancer pain, Marcia explored using cannabis. This describes this process and the results.
[2025-08-04] {Marcia; health; 2010s}
The Final Beginning of the End: This story describes, in some detail, Marcia's last six days on this earth. A related story, The Beginning of the End, recalls when Marcia and I first started counting the last days.
[2026-07-27] {Marcia; Event; Health; 2010s}

Military

Potentially a Last Photo: A family photo before my dad heads back for service
[2021-01-21] {1940s; parents; grandparents; military}

Misc

Skating: Skating is a MN winter activity
[2021-01-15] {misc}

Parents

How My Parents Met: Connected to the ratio of women to men at SCSC in 1944?
[2021-02-13] {1940s; parents}
Potentially a Last Photo: A family photo before my dad heads back for service
[2021-01-21] {1940s; parents; grandparents; military}
A Kick in the Rear: An experience as a 5-year-old comes back to bite me.
[2026-02-21] {Al, parents, children, 1960s, 1990s}
From Burlington to Mahnomen: From Burlington, VT, mom was called to return to Mahnomen
[2021-02-06] {1960s; parents, grandparents, trip}
Babysitting from the Grandparents: This tells the experiences that Marcia and I had in having our parents babysit for our children.
[2021-03-11] {children; parents}
Some of Dad's Photos: the title says it all
[2021-01-18] {parents}
Sometimes Plan B is Better: This explores the consequences of the decision to be in Fargo for 4 years
[2021-01-16] {parents}

Parents+Siblings

Life in Our Trailer Home: The main focus is on the trailer that we lived in while at my grandfather's farmyard. This also hints at why we built a house in 1963.
[2026-02-19] {Al, home, Parents+Siblings, 1960s}
More about the hamster and the bear: Comments about previous post
[2020-06-13] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
The hamster and the bear: An event on a trip to Yellowstone in 1967
[2020-06-12] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
Overview of 1969 Trip East: MI, Ontario, Quebec, VT, MA, DC, PA were all visited
[2021-02-14] {1960s; trip; parents+sibs}

Siblings

Keith raising Quacks: Using several newspaper articles, this describes participation in raising some mallards in 1965.
[2026-07-17] {siblings; 1960s; environment;}
Walking to the Hole: This describes an event that occurred in the summer of 1967 or 1968 involving Bruce, Lou, and me at the duck pond (connected to the story below).
[2026-07-17] {siblings; 1960s;}
Around the Next Curve: A wild goose chase?
[2022-06-17] {Al; cabin; 1960s; biking; cousins; siblings}
Early Driving: This describes my early driving experiences up to when I was married.
[2026-07-17] {Al; siblings; 1970s;}

Technology

First Call Answered: This describes my first time answering a telephone.
[2026-01-26] {Al; 1960s, technology}

Trips

Leaving Michigan: Explores thoughts about why we left Michigan
[2021-01-09] {trip; home; 1950s}
More about the hamster and the bear: Comments about previous post
[2020-06-13] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
The hamster and the bear: An event on a trip to Yellowstone in 1967
[2020-06-12] {Parents-siblings; trip; 1960s}
Overview of 1969 Trip East: MI, Ontario, Quebec, VT, MA, DC, PA were all visited
[2021-02-14] {1960s; trip; parents+sibs}
I know which way to go: An experience at Expo 67 (in 1969)
[2021-01-29] {1960s; Al; trip}
From Burlington to Mahnomen: From Burlington, VT, mom was called to return to Mahnomen
[2021-02-06] {1960s; parents, grandparents, trip}
Rolling over (the odometer): They all coincide: Travelall, 1969, Boston, 100K.
[2021-01-14] {trip; 1960s}
Bike Trips: This is a list of bike trips that I have taken over the years. Eventually, details for each will be added.
[2026-05-30] {Al, biking, trips, list}
Biking the Canadian Rockies: This describes a bike ride that I took with 3 other Central professors. We drove to Jasper, Alberta and headed south.
[2026-06-06] {Al, biking, trips}