“Busy Days After Macalester”

Since leaving the exciting and busy days of college behind, my days have been full of activities. I continued my creative art in American hand weaving which accounts for the three looms that are prominent in my Red Wing, Minn., home. I attended training for weaving and am self-taught through a Shuttle Craft Guild correspondence course under the direction of Harriet Tidball. Some of the lovely intricate woven pieces I made over 40 years ago still grace my lovely home. As a graduation present, Ruth, took me to Pennsylvania to study weaving from Osma Gallinger. Since then, many items have been given away as gifts to much appreciative friends. By 1961, I had made and sold 150 3-ply baby blankets since I made my first one for a college friend in 1960.

Being a third-generation ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, I have been extremely active and am currently serving my second three-year term as a Deacon. I have attended three Tri-Annual Gatherings of Presbyterian Women, first at Purdue University, and later in Louisville, Kentucky. I am also a third generation member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. My generous spirit has inspired me to make and donate items for several fundraisers over the years. I have spent many long hours serving on various committees while rebuilding a local church after a devastating fire in 2002. Many treasured heirlooms were rescued from the ashes.

Ruth, my mother, showed me by example how to handle the everyday tasks of running the household. When Ruth became ill, I took over as “head of the house.” After ten long years under my loving care, Ruth died leaving me alone and totally in charge. The rumor around was, “Oh, now what will become of I?” They did not realize that I had been running things for a long time! She kept the household running with 24-hour personal care staff. It makes for a busy house with people coming and going.

I stay busy with daily computer entries, but still make time to attend the Sheldon Theatre for a variety of concerts. I also take day trips to Minneapolis, Rochester, and Austin, my birthplace. Not to be left behind with technology, I am also self-taught with home computers, which by now, I have gone through three of them and four printers! Email keeps me in communication with my friends.

Oh how I wish computers had been around during those college days.

For Kathy Morrow, Sally Santos Moldwin and Grace Prechtel Young (deceased), Macalester is where our lifelong friendship bloomed. We will miss our dear friend Gracie but thank Gad for her friendship and love all these years! (Note: Kathy and Sally were roommates at Wallace Hall.)