I loved the drive to White Mountain, Mogillon Rim and into Heber, Arizona and the whindy roads through those pines. The beautiful fresh pine tree filled air was energizing. I loved to come down the road around the last bend and see our parents town. Then before the next bend looking to the left seeing the road leading to the small Buckskin Canyon below to mom and dad's home nestled behind Roger and Laurie Owens House. Mom's lovely sweet pea vine flowers twisting around the wire fence next to the driveway was so inviting.
Seeing dad's big beautiful blooming vegetable garden was famous was always welcoming. The many rows of tall stalks of corn, pea and bean poles, the cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, tomatoes, potatoes , beets, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, onions, carrots, parsnips etc. all growing big and strong with dad's love and care. I remember the fruit trees of crab apples, apricots, and cherries. The grapes and strawberries usually never made passed the back door to the table. The grandchildren assigned to pick them for dessert ate them on the way back to the kitchen and grandma expected that. Everything was so delicious for every wonderful home cooked meal. Everything mom made she would proudly tell us it was fresh from the garden. Dad lovingly and dutifully picked and plucked everyday.
Mom loved the garden especially her flower garden. But when canning time came it was a gigantic chore for her. Hour upon hour of canning and at the end so happy to have freshly canned food to share with her children. When we were there we always helped her.
I remember the trampoline the Owen's let Felice and Geniece jump on. Mary and Lewis Tenney had a trampoline the girls loved to jump on with their cousins when they were all so much younger. What wonderful memories.
