Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

January 19, 1999: what a beautiful spring-like day. As I went for my morning walk at the old gym in Franklin, the morning light was just starting to show under the clouds, and I knew it would be a good day.

Many of us gather early in the morning at the gym, each of us walking for different reasons. We are walking comrades. Before I started walking with these nice people, I really didn't know them. This is a case of God bringing each of us together through a need and want to be healthier. I really think I need my walks more for mind than for my body. If someone is missing for a day, we are wondering where are they and are they all right. I am usually the first one back to the gym in the fall and the last one to go outside to walk in the spring. All summer I am anxious for fall so we all can get into the routine again. Sometimes even in the summer I come back to the gym on dew-wet mornings, or when the Nebraska wind blows so hard its impossible to walk comfortably. Ohhhh—but those 90 minutes are long without my friends. The time goes much faster when you have someone to talk to. Some of us are consistent walkers and some are drop ins. All are welcome. So if you lack something to do as the sun rises come on down to the old Franklin School Gym and we can walk and talk. It's simple talk about the weather, world affairs, recipes, and plans for the day. Who knows, you just might make a new friend.

Back home, I get ready to face the day, and then usually sit at my desk to do what bookwork I need to do or turn on my computer to get my messages. With that done, the household chores come, and then its time to study history or do my projects. But this day, the bright sun coming in the south window seems to day, "Come Outside". So, on went my hooded sweatshirt, given to me by a friend. Up the creek I went to the Old Fenton and Milo House across the creek. I just wanted to take another look at the used to be house. No wind made for a lovely day among the bare trees. There was now even less of the house than when I went to see it in the springtime. I saw the very northeast side of its corner wall, about four pulpy boards leaning against a tree growing up at its front side. The old corner board has fallen down. I see brick from the chimney scattered on the ground, and now I see why the walls I saw 20 years ago are gone. A Tree has fallen right into the heart of the house, collapsing the walls, which are lying in the leaves and rotting. I was right in my mine. There is no foundation to that house left now, and if there ever was, it has been carried away to fill a hole or gully. This tells us it's a really old house. Out to the southwest of the house up the hill is the cellar. Its broken cement walls are falling into its pit. On the first step I see, written in its cement, V23, maybe A3. Some one knows or knew what that meant. Springs run freely from the ground around the home area, so I can see why the house was built there, as there is good source of clean water. Many people including the Toomans, Butlers, Bixbys, and Hills lived in this house. We probably know all we are ever going to know about the Toomans, I already covered Fentons and Milo Hills lives in that house.

Till we know more, I wish to tell you what I know about the Bixbys. This could go on for a while, for there is a lot to tell. It's amazing to me, as I said before, once I get started on a house or an area. Seems like the information pours in and yet other houses and families I search for with no rewards.

I went up and out of the creek and across the bridge to home, but I just couldn't go inside. The sun felt too good, so I went into the backyard and leaned on a fence post to see if the creek had anything else to offer. I found birds chattering among the trees, back and forth to the bird feeder. Somewhere down there in the creek is the reddest cardinal you'll ever see. He comes to my feeder with the morning and evening sun. I still couldn't go inside. I felt I needed to enjoy every minute of this afternoon for it will go away and winter will return. I stood in the sun by the front porch on the west side. My eyes fell at my feet and, don't you know. There is the dead grass were the green blades of my little crocus peeking from the ground. From the creek came the music of scolding robins. From my front porch swing, as it turned toward 5:00 p.m., I saw two robins fly to the cottonwood over my head. They chirped at each other, as to say, "We claim this tree for our spring nest." They sat there for the longest time and as I finally gave up to the coolness of the evening, and went inside.

I thought, "We were given this special spring day in January to make the winter days to come more bearable." I am thankful for this day and for the time to enjoy it.

"January—darkness and light reign alike. Snow is on the ground. Cold is in the air. The winter is blossoming in the frost-flowers. Old sounds are silent in the forest and in the air." H. W. Beecher

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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