Day 19

The power went out all around the lake this morning. Luckily, I had showered and made my coffee a few minutes prior. Other people, who make coffee by the cup, were not so lucky. I don’t mind washing up in the lake, but somehow a nice warm shower in the morning just appeals to me. The power was restored a half hour later and my local world (John) was now caffeinated and happy.

John and Sue picked Aunt Nancy up at her new home across the street and up the hill

Galvin Farmhouse

from the old farmhouse. While the farmhouse was perfect for raising 8 kids, it was too much for a single grandmother to maintain.

John and I were always unsure of which house in Salisbury Village belonged to our Grampa Galvin. Aunt Nancy told us our

Governor Weeks Home

grandfather lived next door to Governor Weeks (Vermont governor 1927 -1931) in Salisbury where we believe all eight of his children were born.

Galvin Village Home

The Governors house was directly across from the Congregational Church and Grampa’s was the next house down the hill towards town. He worked for Governor Weeks in some capacity on his farm before eventually buying his own farm a couple of miles away on a hillside across RT 7 where he and my grandmother lived the rest of their lives.

John, Fran, Me, Neil, Nancy, Maureen, Sue

Aunt Nancy and Me

After a very nice lunch and wonderful conversation with Nancy we drove to my Aunt Jo’s (Josephine) near Burlington. Her daughter (my first cousin, Joanne,) met us at the front door and led us through the house to sit under a tree in the back yard where it was a bit cooler. Aunt Jo was out back moving some lawn chairs into the shade of the tree where it was even more comfortable. We talked about our trip and our stay at the lake. We talked about where some of our ancestors were laid to rest but soon changed the subject to more current and happier subjects, like our granddaughter who recently turned 2 years old and our pending second granddaughter and her great granddaughter who is doing residency in Tucson AZ.

I was very pleased to see Aunt Jo up and about, still sharp and happy and just “doing

Joanne, Aunt Jo and Me

things.” Like so many of our family she hates to sit still and not be “doing things.” As we were walking back into the house Joanne told me her mother still mows and trims the lawn. Now, they have a big lawn. I would guess it is close to an acre and this 90+ year old wonderful lady is out mowing. She says “Yes, but it takes me all day.” I told her that I thought it was wonderful she still enjoys it and can still mow the lawn. It’s good for her, as long as she doesn’t overdo the work, or work on a day as hot as today. (Check out a fraction of the lawn in the picture.)

Someday I will have to tell you about my 3 cousins, Aunt Jo’s children. They are such amazing and talented people, in all modesty, they are typical of the Galvin family.

After visiting for an hour or so we left to drive into Burlington and walk along the Church Street pedestrian mall. Neil and Maureen stopped to play some pinball at the Archives, a nice cool dark bar. Fran and I walked around and shopped a little in the afternoon heat. We then returned to the comfort of the Archives for a couple adult beverages.

Once Neil and Maureen finished warming up for the pinball tournament in which they are competing starting Thursday we stopped into the Farm House Tap and Grill for dinner and more libations. This is a very nice farm-to-table restaurant with the names and locations of their local vendor. For some reason the lobster is not locally sourced in Vermont but is flown in from Boston.

We then drove the hour back to the camp to enjoy the remants of the sunset over the lake with John and Sue.