As Child my first memories was of the Maple Lane Farm. This farm was located on Maple Lane in the town of Sidney Maine.
As a Child I remember riding my pony Dottie. I often road Dottie to a neighbors house. The woman who owned the home ran a nursing home. She would lead Dottie with me on its back through the home to visit with patients. I also recall Dottie taking a shortcut back to the barn and passing under the ramp to the manure pile wiping me out.

I remember, in the spring, tapping the maple trees and making maple syrup. In the fall we pressed our own apples for cider.

Dad had his own diary. He produced the milk, bottled it and delivered it to peoples homes.

I remember haying with a team of horses. Haying was the process of cutting grass, letting it dry and storing it in the barn to feed the livestock during the long winter months. Dad purchased his first tractor while we lived on this farm.

I attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. There were 25 students and 5 grades. The teacher was an unemployed lady who lived in town. Dad drove the school bus. In the spring when the roads were impassable, due to mud, school was closed. (Mud season) The toilet facilities were out houses. A two holer for the boys and one for the girls.

My next memories were of the farm we moved to on the 8 Rod Road in Waterville Maine. This was a big city (say less than 20.000 people). They had real schools. On this new farm we had more machinery hay bailers, milking machines (no more hand milking), a bigger and better tractor, etc.  We had a freezer where we kept the butter we made, the meat from the beef, pigs, chickens and sheep we slaughtered. Also we produce all of our own vegetables.

A favorite memory was eating the warm end slice, from a loaf of bread that my mother just finished baking, smothered with peanut butter.

Dad bought my sister and myself a bigger pony. Her name was Beauty. He also had riding horses and we participated in horse shows in the summer.

As an adult my greatest joy is spending time with my wife Patricia, and seeing my 4 children grow up. The grandchildren are not far behind.

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