The scene at last year's traditional July "shoot-out" at the George Keidel D13 homestead in Glennie, Michigan. From left to right, we are looking at Richard Sawvel D1323.1, Tommy Lee Keidel D132, Scott Reed D1351, Sandy Keidel D134, Patrick Ross D1331-1, James Reed D135.1, and patriarch George Edward Keidel D13. But, wait a minute, you say! George Keidel D13 died on February 9, 1998! Through the magic of digital computers, Marshall Krull D1332 inserted George's image into this scene, indicating that although George has passed on, his spirit was certainly there. This photo and many others were sent to me by Lisa Keidel-Odom D1321. I thank her and encourage ALL of you to do likewise!
Those of
you who know me and my family history, will recall that I had a
brother named Willy who was killed during an Allied bombing of
Hamburg. Willy would have been two years older than I. Imagine my
shock when Lisa Keidel-Odom sent me this picture of her father Tommy!
Tommy was born the same year as my brother Willy! LOOK at the
pictures of me (I'm on the left) and Tommy! There can be no doubt
that our branches are somehow connected!
On the home front, we had our own shoot-out of sorts. I took my sons
to the local Rod & Gun Club and put some of their middle-aged
members to shame! One fellow, who had been humbled by 12-year old
Willy on the pistol range, went on to be out-shot by 15-year old
Armin on the rifle range! I myself went up against Armin and Willy
and some others in a pistol heat. I won with a shot group that was
only 1/16 of an inch tighter than Willy's!
And then it was onto Johnson City, New York, for grand daughter
Rachel's third birthday! What was meant to be a happy and cordial
visit was marred by some sort of illness, which left me extremely
nauseous at all times. The drive back was pure hell! I had intended
to make it to an important American Legion meeting, but had to pull
over three times because I thought I was going to be sick! When we
got home after our 5½ drive, I went straight to bed and rested.
Willy, by the way, served excellently as navigator. He is really
becoming adept at map reading!
Shy Rachel hides behind her thumb! Not-so-shy Erik shows his Uncle Willy that he loves him - by choking the life out of him with his shoulder!
THIS OLD HOUSE!
Our rent
just went up! That, coupled with the fact that our apartment has
become totally intolerable, made me investigate the possibility of
moving back to upstate New York. This is what I found out! Those
houses pictured above are but a small sample of what is available up
there which is AFFORDABLE to me! I could buy any one of these houses
(they usually come with a couple of acres!) on my disablility
compensation alone! Since I wouldn't be saddled with having to find a
job and commuting to work, the fact that these properties are perhaps
as much as 25 miles from the bustling metropolis of Binghamton ;-)
will not bother me! This then is a direction I will pursue. What
remains is to get pre-qualified by the local mortgage broker, in
spite of my less than pristine credit record.
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY wishes go out this month to my daughter Heidi in New
York, cousin-in-law Gunda in Salzgitter, Germany, Christen Marie
Euler (finally) in Alaska, Barbie (doll) Reittenbach in Michigan,
cousin Rüdiger in Salzgitter, Germany, cousin-in-law Inez in
Michigan, little Jana in Bebra, Germany, Robert Keidel in Florida and
the lovely Jill in Maryland!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Cousin Kellie and Richard in Michigan, Roger and Jill, George and Anna Mae, both couples in Maryland, and my lovely ex-wife Mary Jane and Tom in New York.
On a somber note I remember that my Dad, Wilhelm Heinrich Keidel A1112-31, Uncle Willy to the Huber clan in Bavaria, died this month in 1975.
This month in Keidel Family history ........May