My husband grew up deep in the cowboy country of eastern Colorado, on a wheat-and-cattle farm/ranch on the high plains near the Kansas border, 15 miles from the nearest small town. His parents were warm, friendly, loving people. When I first joined their family, they were still raising their younger sons (who were in high […]
Tradition, Guns and Country Folks Read More »
This is Larissa’s story about her first childbirth experience. It is presented here, in a slightly edited form, by Marilyn. Sept 21, 2010 Around noon, I was putting away the dishes in the dishwasher, debating whether to have fish sticks or a Kaho-smuggled box of Annie’s Mac and Cheese or (more likely) both of them,
Helena’s Birth Story Read More »
JUNE 4, 2009 Controversy about women’s clothing sizes–and women’s body sizes–is well known to any woman, whether cute young fashionista or mall-shopping grandmother. Part of the shopping experience is the absolute necessity of trying on jeans and trousers before purchase. The occasional knit top might be bought on the fly, but a garment that has
et tu, Levi? (Vanity sizing from an old friend) Read More »
A visit from my sister (the dedicated birdwatcher) and her partner (the even more dedicated birdwatcher) has given us two days of trying to find birds in the dead of winter, and has taught us the following facts: 1. Of approximately 700 bird species in the United States, there are approximately 600 to be found
Birdwatching in Texas Read More »
Disaster today–of a small kind. An open tap, a clogged sink, some inattention, and a flood that covered the bathroom and progressed down the hallway. We’ve been saying for years that we need to replace the old carpeting. It was installed about 30 years ago, and has been looking increasingly shabby, but the thought of
The back side of this photo is marked 1892 by the photography studio, which probably indicates the year it was taken, for the photographer’s files. It was taken in Trieste, Italy, according to the photographer’s information. From left to right, I believe these folks are: Lisette (seated, with flowers in her lap), Louis (sitting on
Margutti family in Trieste, ca. 1892 Read More »
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008 Our beloved cat Billy Bob was put to sleep this afternoon. He had been slowly failing for several months (we see in retrospect), and reached the critical point on Saturday (two days ago). We took him into the Burnet Road Animal Hospital (where he has many fans), but the treatment he
Farewell to Billy Bob Read More »
JULY 5, 2008 Two little sisters and a little red wagon, in a California garden in 1948 . . . This baby grew up to be beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving and strong. Her big sister is just as proud of her now as she was then, sixty years ago. Today I wish that she may always
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOUNTAIN LADY ! Read More »
The Margutti children, from left to right: Elisabeth, born 1886 Victor, born 1889 Louis, born 1885 These names and dates are noted on the back of the photograph, as well as the date in French, “July 1900.” The picture was taken in Melun, France. Laure Chartrey Margutti with young Victor, in Trieste, Italy The back
Margutti Children (and their mother Laure) Read More »
This week we have been enjoying a lovely visit from a designer friend of Larissa’s, who has turned our family room into an atelier, complete with busy sewing machine, lowly assistants (Larissa and her mom) and yards of silk organza. Today the bridal gown is taking its final shape. This is a big thank-you to
A special visit–and a special dress Read More »
I believe a painting of the coat of arms described above was commissioned by Tante Lisette as a gift for my father the year she died. It was found in her desk drawer, together with a note from my mother asking for a “coat of arms” for my father’s birthday gift. Much later, I found
Albert von Margutti: Historic Arms Read More »
Victor Louis Alexander Margutti 1913-1980CinematographerFather of Simon, Judy, and Guy Margutti.
Victor Margutti of England Read More »
Albert Margutti served in the court of the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary for about 17 years, and in the court of the Emperor Karl until the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was dissolved at the end of World War I. He became one of Franz Joseph’s personal aides.
Cousin Albert von Margutti Read More »
Carlotta Gallo Margutti and Enrico Margutti, Abbazia, 1907 Parents of Albert von Margutti This photo was found among Lisette’s things. The back is inscribed in French, “Best wishes from your Aunt Charlotte and your Uncle Henri.” This picture was taken in the 40th year of their marriage. Very rough translation of the wedding announcement (from
Aunt Carlotta and Uncle Enrico Read More »
Here is a picture of the Rodust family, taken when they lived in San Francisco, on Washington Street, near Larkin, about 1885. Left to right, they are: Bernhard (father), “Addie,” “Birdie,” “Daisy” (in front of Frank), “Frank,” Mary (mother). The father of the family, Bernard Adolf E. Rodust is listed in Record 4913 of the
Rodust Family, San Francisco, California Read More »
Letters from Louis Margutti to his mother in France, immediately following the death of his brother Victor. Three years after his burial in California, Victor’s remains were returned to France to be reburied there.
Letters from Louis: September 1908 Read More »
Letters from Victor Margutti, uncle and namesake of Victor M. Margutti, mentioned here as “Baby,” to his mother in France in the summer of 1908, when he came to California to live with his brother Louis. He died in a train accident in Fresno, California, on September 17, 1908. In my translations, I have followed
Victor in America: Summer 1908 Read More »
Victor Mario Margutti 1906-1994DoctorFather of Marilyn, Laura, and Elizabeth Margutti.
Victor Margutti of America Read More »
Hello World, Billy Bob here. I want to report a most insulting situation foisted on my by my humans. I love and respect them and all, but they certainly have no notion of what they have done to me this time. This afternoon, a sore from a bite wound that I received a few days
Billy Bob’s Miserable Experience Read More »
Home of the Chartrey de Menetreux family FEBRUARY 22, 2008
Family History: House at Chartrettes, 1912 Read More »
Denis Victor Amedée Chartrey de MenetreuxBorn 21 July 1831Died 7 April 1899 Father of Laure ChartreyGreat-grandfather of Victor Mario Marguttiand Victor Louis Alexander Margutti
Family History: Victor Chartrey de Menetreux – Portrait Read More »
The following is translated from a typewritten copy in French, presumably prepared for the alumni yearbook mentioned in the title. I give the title of the article in the original French, and my translation after it. My explanatory notes are in square brackets, in italics. I have followed, as much as possible, the punctuation and
Family History: Victor Chartrey de Menetreux – Story Read More »
Denise Laure Jenny ChartreyBorn April 30, 1863Died March 20, 1947 Grandmother of Victor Mario Marguttiand Victor Louis Alexander Margutti JANUARY 29, 2008
Family History: Laure Chartrey Read More »
Billy Bob lived up to his reputation as one of mellowest dude-cats in town yesterday. Seth, the new neighbor across the street, and his little daughter Leila (aged 22 months) came over to our yard for a chat, on one of our first sunny days in ages. When Leila saw Billy, she was very enthusiastic.
Billy Bob Makes a Friend Read More »
Since my sister Elizabeth and her friend Tom got us interested in birding, I’m collecting links for beginning birders.
JANUARY 6, 2008 Basic information below is translated from French, the language of the datebook. My own comments are within the square brackets. I have added missing information, which I have surmised from my own knowledge of the family, in rounded parentheses. January 3 1940: Death of Albert von Margutti. [Cousin from Trieste, officer in the
Family History: Tante Lisette’s datebook Read More »
Originally posted on RANDOM THOUGHTS FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 I was cleaning out drawers today in preparation for getting furniture ready to move for the new carpeting job. (Carpet will be “Native Colors” a soft brown in Karastan’s “Divisadero” line, with little flecks of red and blue-gray in the brown, to help hide stains.) I
A Child’s Visit to Boston and other memories Read More »
A visit to the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory with Elizabeth, Tom and Marilyn. A chilly day, but sunny. We saw a number of ducks and some grebes: Eared Grebes, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, Coots. We also saw some turkey vultures and several sparrows we couldn’t identify.
Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory Read More »
St. Nicholas (ascetic Bishop of the early church in Asia Minor, feast day Dec. 6th, known as the patron saint and protector of children) became Santa Claus (jolly old elf with red suit, a big round tummy and a chuckling laugh, flying the world on Dec. 25th with 8 tiny reindeer)
How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? Read More »
Last night the wind was blowing, the temperature was dropping, and I was thinking, “Thank goodness I don’t have to go out tomorrow!” Today the sun is shining, taking off that 27-degree chill quite rapidly, and it might actually become a nice day. But I still don’t have to go out if I don’t want
Larissa’s Study Abroad: University of Bristol Marilyn’s Version: In 1995, Larissa chose to attend the University of Bristol for her year of study abroad from Scripps College. Bristol was an English-speaking university, and she could easily transfer the credits to Scripps. Another student, whose name I don’t recall, was also going to Bristol. Larissa’s friend
Marilyn Visits Larissa: Bristol, 1995 Read More »
Marilyn remembers best about the photo with Uncle Bruce is that it was taken one afternoon when Larissa was extremely fussy (probably from those teeth coming in) and she absolutely, positively did not want to take a nap.
Larissa meets her Mischievous Uncle Bruce Read More »
I still remember a gray day in February 1971. Anti-war sentiment in San Francisco, California was running high, and the U.S.O. at 1017 Market Street, where I worked as a secretary, felt almost like a besieged fortress. Then one day, a whisper went through the office (which was upstairs from the main U.S.O.) — “Aretha
A Memory: When Aretha Franklin Visited The U.S.O. Read More »