A site for writing and amusement
There was a sign in our eighth grade drafting class. The teacher had a nice wooden sign on the front wall showing an owl sitting on a tree branch with the following words below the owl: A wise old owl sat on a tree,The more he sat, the less he spokeThe less he spoke, the […]
Claude Jr had these humble thoughts right before he passed away in 2009. I AM SOMEWHAT INCOMPETENT-I KEEP LOSING KEYS. I AM A VERY SLOPPY DRIVER,I HAVE ALMOST HAD NUMEROUSACCIDENTS. NEVER DRIVE AT NIGHT EXCEPTFOR EMERGENCIES. DRIVE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.DRIVE SLOWLY AND VERY CAREFULLY. MY DRIVING IS A MENACE.SPEAK CAUTIOUSLY AND GUARDED.THINK BEFORE SPEAKING. […]
Marni thought it was important for kids to learn how to work hard, and one method she found was gardening. In 1970 she started a “community garden” in the common ground behind Sycamore Glen Court in Florissant, MO with the Johnson’s who lived next door (to the left) and had 7 kids. She was a […]
Steve wrote Kaeti this letter for her 30th birthday in 1995. Our Little Filly Comes of AgeIt was late in 1964 when The Great Mare set out to seduce The Bold Stallion. The GreatMare was motivated by two Darling Colts she had already borne and wished to complete thestable. Once The Great Mare had sought […]
Dear Bob,August 12,1991Thanks for the nice newsy report on the wedding. Aunt Esther is onetough little lady. Uncle Lou was pretty fanatical about his ownphysical conditioning. George Grothen passed away recently. He had a stubborn will to livehas amazed the doctors. He must have been very popular because thechurch was filled at his funeral service. […]
Steve scanned this document based on Zwart family bibles at Bob’s house in June, 2020. I kept the first 7 pages and the last 4 of the 20 page history, and appended the family tree. The founder of the Zwart family in Holland, Johannas Zwart, was born in 1768 in Borken, Westphalia, Germany and settled […]
Joseph A. Zwart (1871 – 1951) was Claude Sr’s father, and Steve Zwart’s great grandfather. His first child Carolyn was a pillar of the family, and his 3 sons were successful. Louis was a CPA and Claude Sr and Edward were MD’s. Edward served as an Army doctor at the bloody battle of Anzio in […]
Dec. 1, 1929 Globe-Democrat:The marriage of Miss Rose Mary Craig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Craig of Claytonia terrace. and Dr. Claude H. Zwart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Zwart, took place Saturday afternoon November 23 in the parish house of St Roch’s Church. with Rev Fr. John Spencer officiating. Miss […]
In September 2018 Steve took a solo trip to Europe. I drove Mazda 3 to Chicago O’Hare airport, and then took a Norwegian 787 to London Gatwick. The flight was pleasant but I couldn’t find my credit and debit cards which were packed in my suitcase. I was relieved upon finding them after landing. I […]
Steve was a cub scout den leader in 1989 for one year. My assistant was Leslie. I decided to take the 7 scouts including son Eric hiking at Big Bone Lick state park. Leslie said, “You should get consent forms signed by the parents.” I thought that was overkill. We were hiking along and one […]