July24th

Mid 20's yesterday. Bowled - scotch pairs. Tie game and home for the rest of the day. M has now one both games on the tournament she 's in. Our hgrape vine is producing grapes this year, so enough sun after all. I think they had to just get a little more mature.
More results coming in on myDna tests. Relatives separated by several generations are showing up.

  “No problem son. You should never rush into anything this important, so you just think on it for a couple days. But while you’re thinking just remember we need men like you.” Then he gave me a big wink, “And don’t forget when the girlies see you in uniform you’ll only have to crook your finger at ‘em.”

  Two days later I was back and I was in the army!

  Of course I had to go home and tell my folks, but I had a week before I had to report for induction and basic training so I sort of put it off. Then as luck would have it Ma decided to have everybody for dinner the next Saturday; I figured that  would work out so I’d only have to say it once and with everyone there, Ma would probably hold back a bit.

 

  When everyone was about halfway through dinner and Ma was fussing with Violet’s three year old, I cleared my throat but still only managed to squeak out, “Thought everyone should know, I joined the army. I’m leaving on Monday.”

  Squeaky voice or not they all went silent. Ma’s face started to go red and she shoved the baby at Violet and started to stand up. But before she could say anything Pa jumped to his feet and grabbed me by my shoulders and said, “You did? Good for you boy! Hear that Dolly, our youngest is goin’ to be an Army man.” As he spoke he looked over my head towards Ma, there was a hard look in his eye and Ma never said a word.

  There was quite a hullabaloo for a while, everyone talking at once, hand shaking hugs – all that stuff.  When it all simmered down a bit, Ma kind of got in front of me; her eyes were shiny she looked at me for a long moment then said, “You just be careful, Roy Stewart Harvey, you come home every chance you get and you write to us, we’ll all be here when your hitch is up.” She leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek. She turned away real fast like and went out into the other room.

  Well Erma and Violet cried a bit, there were more hugs and stuff then Pa said, “I think we better have a bit of a toast to celebrate.” He crossed to the sink and brought out a jug of corn whiskey. He poured four small glasses and I drank the first and only drink I ever had with my father.