Reflecting on Music Memories

 As old artifacts were uncovered, more memorabilia has been added to each Westra Sibling box. Jen had taken quite a bit of music when she moved out, but some of her original compositions from PTA Reflections contests over the years hadn't made it out of the Westra home.  It was fun to get the actual music (printed and cassette recordings) to look at and listen to some 35-40 years later. Would you believe Jen still remembers the songs she wrote way back when?

The first official music entry was in 1985 ... the theme was "What Sparks My Imagination?" Jen was in the 8th grade, 14 years old. Writing the lyrics and the melody for piano was no issue, it was getting the musical notation written down on paper that was the problem. Music theory, notes/timing had always been a bit of a struggle. The collage below shows some of the steps and progress, the handwriting and piano penmanship, along with the final result and entry info ... the song was recorded on submitted on cassette tape.

The lyrics ... (Verse 1) "I see a cloud, floating by. I see a rainbow way up high. When suddenly in the back of my mind, my imagination sparks, it's one of a kind. (Chorus) What sparks my imagination? What makes it burn? What sparks my imagination? What makes it flow? What makes it glow? What makes it grow? (Verse 2) My imagination sees some things, and then it flies upon it's wings. It turns some words into a song, and then I sing it all day long.  (Chorus) What sparks my imagination? What makes it burn? What sparks my imagination? What makes it flow? What makes it glow? What makes it grow?" The recorded submission was just the piano ... no singing? Was Jen not confident enough in her voice? Was it written out of range? 37 years after the fact, Jen went ahead and re-recorded the song, with singing this time (going with the lower harmonies, because yes, it's too high in some places), just for this blog post, adapted for youtube (as sharing just audio is trickier than sharing a video). See/listen HERE. 

With that first music entry done ... Jen came up with a song for Reflections for the next three years. In 9th grade, the theme was "From Liberty's View". Won at the school level and went on to region, and was asked to perform the song at 9th grade promotion/graduation at the end of the year. 

The lyrics ... "If you will listen, you'll hear her calling you. And you might think, that she is just a statue. But she's part of me, and she can be part of you. She can see us all, we're all in Liberty's view. And so are the oceans, and so are the skies, so are the mountains, and so am I. And so are you, and everything you do. Let's make her proud. Let's make her proud. Won't you  believe, she's a part of you, she's a part of me. Then you might too, realize, she's calling you." Audio from the original submission can be found HERE. 

Jen's sophomore year (1986-1987) the Reflections theme was "A Past to Remember, a Future to Mold" which must have been especially inspiring, because Jen wrote TWO songs that year! Definitely some oversinging on the original audio.  Not sure which song was written first, or which did better in the competition. The two songs were "What is Tomorrow" and "A Past to Remember, a Future to Mold" and both songs have been added to the family youtube after having the audio transferred from the original cassette tapes. 

The final song was for the 1987-1988 school year. Jen was a junior. The Reflections theme was "Wonders of the World".  Interesting to mark the change in handwriting and how the notes and other musical markings are written. This cassette tape wasn't with the others, but a later pile of "Jen's stuff" had an envelope with this entry, and the cassette tape with original audio. Listen HERE. Jen performed this song at a school assembly (picture in the yearbook of her at the piano). 

No entry senior year ... but there with all the "Jen's Stuff" were a bunch of papers and poems. There was one poem that Jen had a distinct memory of also being a song for Reflections. It would have been back in 1981-1982. Jen was in 5th grade and the Reflections theme was "What Makes Me Smile?" Too intimidated by the music entry process (writing the music down, recording it) ... Jen simply submitted the poem in the literature category instead of music. 40 years later, Jen could still recall the simple tune though. So, just for fun, and for the first time ... it's been recorded HERE. 

Will Jenna remember her song submission in 40 years? Wendy did a write up of her Reflections win on the Jenson Journal (school win, region win) and while the PTA had the song posted online for a bit, the school link is no longer working, so the song is saved in Dropbox, and on Youtube (here). 

Janika also wrote a song in 2009 ... WOW was the theme. You can hear it HERE. One might wonder if Janika has shared this song with her husband (yes, she has) ... as this cute melody recounts the wonder of a cute boy ;) Sounds like it's out of a Broadway musical. 

Here's a list of all the PTA Reflections themes from the past years ...

I THINK all the musical entries have  been addressed here. Derek has been very musical in his later years, but I don't believe there was ever a music composition entry for Reflections. He did get a ribbon for a picture he took (see HERE). Aniston entered in 2021, also in photography ...

The Reflections categories have changed some over the years, with new additions of Dance Choreograph and Film Production (Jaiden entered in dance in 2014).  Wendy wrote up all the Reflections experiences for her kids on her blog, check them out: 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

 

In the News ~ It's Brother Jensen!

This blog is all about family history, but also highlighting current events too. Recently, Rick was featured in the Church News for his role as Seminaries and Institutes North America ASL coordinator and adviser. You can read the full article HERE. 

Mug Memories

 

Oh the memories. As old artifacts are uncovered in the Westra home, often a picture is taken and exchanged over email ... most of the Westra kids remembered these mugs. No one was so sentimentally attached that they wanted to keep them forever, but they are deserving of a blog post before they find a new home ... via a thrift shop, or maybe there are some selling on Ebay and other auction sites (although these aren't in the most pristine condition having been used and loved over the years). 

Doing a reverse image search, several of these mugs popped up on the internet ... selling on auction sites, and with a few informational posts. Seriously, check out these articles for more images, videos and background. 

• Goofy Grape and Friends
• Funny Face Drinks Are More Fun
• Maybe These Pillsbury Drink Mix Mascots are Best Left in 1965
• Funny Face Evolutions

A quick recap ... the mugs were introduced along with a sugar-free drink mix, Pillsbury's attempt to compete with Kool-Aid. The crazy, animated faces were meant to appeal to kids, and they each had their fun names.  There was even a little book written about the characters; Freckle Face Strawberry, Jolly Ollie Orange, Loud Mouth Punch, With It Watermelon, Goofy Grape, Lefty Lemon, Choo Choo Cherry, Rudy Tutti Frutti, and Rah Rah Root Beer. Two of the original iterations Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry were deemed not politically correct and were updated/replaced. 

I don't know that we ever had the pitcher, but I do remember more of the mugs than the three that surfaced during the move in 2022. 

Check out the Timeless Toys post for more memories of other plastic Westra Classics ;) 

Shane's Booklist - Age 11

The "GoodReads" site created in 2006, is one of the main ways people keep track of their books today. In the olden days ... often it was just writing down the titles on a sheet of lined paper. Shane's booklist from his sixth grade year was discovered among the "saved, to be scanned" items. 

While some books stand the test of time, and are enjoyed by generations of kids, the Westra grandkid generation likely has a very different list of books for different ages and stages (Magic Treehouse, Captain Underpants, Big Nate, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter ... check out a Blackham post about Keaton's love of the Origami Yoda series) . Definitely something that is interesting to track and reflect on. 

"The Shades" was considered a Westra classic, absolutely adored by the Westra girls especially (along with the author's other book "No Flying in the House"). The "Indian in the Cupboard" series was made into a movie, as was "Babe". Jen reread "Call it Courage" and "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" recently. Which of these are still in circulation today? Have the younger generation read any of these "old" books? Which other books are considered favorites from Growing Up Westra (Beverly Cleary and Carolyn Haywood books, Encyclopedia Brown, The Great Brain, Sonny Elephant, The Marrow of the World ... I feel another blog post coming on!) 

Many books have been updated and republished over the years. It's fun to do a Google search and see if there are original covers that bring back memories. "The Ghost Next Door" didn't ring a book bell, but a look at the cover felt very familiar.

... the original list was scanned, and photographed. It's always fun to see the original handwriting. The photo is a little more legible (it's what is included here), but to make the list even easier to read, it's been retyped below.

1. The Pinballs by Betsy Byars
2. The Magic Meadow by Alexander Key
3. The Shades by Betty Brock
4. What Eric Knew by James Howe
5. The Not Just Anybody Family by Betsy Byars
6. Rasco and the Rats of NIHM by Jane Coley
7. The Ghost Next Door by Wylly Folk St. John
8. The Return of the Indian by Lynne Ried Banks
9. Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick-King Smith
10. A Hidden Magic by Vivian Veldo 
11. Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
12. Star Ka'at by Andre Norton
13. Seven Spells to Sunday by Andre Norton
14. Cave of Danger by Bryce Walton
15. The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito by Shelia Garrigue
16. Me, My Goat, My Sister's Wedding by Stella Pevsner
17. The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop
18. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
19. The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
20. Eli's Ghost by Betsy Hearne
21. Out of the Bug Jar by Kathleen Thomas
22. Prairie Songs by Pam Conrad
23. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
24. Building Blocks by Cynthia Voight
25. Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy
26. Switch Around by Lois Lowry
27. Shadow on the Dad by Anne Lindbergh
28. Hidden Shine by Walter Myers
29. Today's Special ... by Anthene V. Lord
30. Run For Your Life 
31. Illustrated Book of Knights
32. Flaming Footprints
33. Dead on Targets

Red Robin ... on Repeat

 

Red Robin has been one of the classic Westra gathering grounds for years now. In October, Wendy and a couple of kids came up to see Jase and Ellen during the school's fall break. While they were here, there was visiting with cousins and the folks as well.  Mom/Margie mentioned a lunch or dinner outing with the Jensen crew, and invited Jen and any of the boys that could make it. Then Shane's family joined too. Red Robin was the destination, Friday, October 14, 2022 was the day. 5:15 was the time. Shane's family made it there first, and got the dirty dozen on the wait list. The Blackham bunch (Jen, Landon and Coop) were a little late as always (Blackham standard time) but got there just in time to switch around a few boxes (what Mom/Margie had for Jen, Jen had some pears/veggies and clothes for others to look through) before our group was called. 

As we went to sit, Mom/Margie called for all the girls to come gossip at one end, and the men met at the other end. They brought out some fries to start everyone off (ones fried in different oil for the g/f crew). Strawberry lemonade was a favorite drink of many. Mom and Jen split some Fish&Chips (Jen ALWAYS gets that) and then there were the assortment of burgers and salads for the rest of the crew. Sweet potato fries were substituted for some, and an order of cheese sticks was devoured. Dad/Lamar got the check (thanks!)

The back room seems to be the place to be when we have a larger group.  Here are a few other Red Robin Westra memories ... although the picture proof is likely only a small number of the actual visits over the years. 

2017 (see the blog post about this visit HERE)

 ..."just the girls" also from 2017

... another "Westra Women" in 2018

A smaller group gathering (not in the back room) in 2014 (October)...

Earlier in  2014 (July), but a slightly different crew - Baby Layla in both!

Red Robin ... food, and family memories!

Father's Day 2022

Sunday, June 19, 2022 ... the final group gathering and family photo with the back patio of Scott and Amy's home on Old English Road in Draper as the backdrop. Change is in the air, and the house was on the market and sold in the months afterward. 

Scott sent out the annual invitation June 2 ... "Hey Family! You are all invited to the annual Father’s Day extravaganza at our home on Sunday, June 19th. We will probably start around 6:00 pm if that works ok. I will fire up the BBQ and the Treager if Grayson can provide me some smokin’ tips. Please bring the 9 square game. Let everyone know what you can bring and pass the invitation along to all your family members."

On June 19, the day of the party, Scott sent an update ... "Happy Father’s Day! It looks like a cold front will be blowing in early afternoon and the evening temperatures will be on the cool side. Who would be able to come if we moved the start time to 5:00 pm? Please let me know and if that doesn’t work for everyone, we can keep it at 6:00 pm. Please let me know and I will send out a definitive plan early afternoon. I will be smoking some tri-tip on the Treagar and will have our traditional Sprite chicken on the Weber. We will also have baked beans and fruit. You are welcome to come earlier to visit and help. I know many of you will be disappointed to not see me in my short-shorts and tank top but I still hope to see as many of you as possible. Bring a sweater. "

The change in the weather was ironic, as just last year (Father's Day 2021) a heat wave hit the holiday and the festivities had to be shifted a little later to accommodate! With the cool temperatures this year, there wasn't any water fun, as was the case in many Father's Day parties in the past. 

There was food, and visiting. Many got to meet little Letti  for the first time. Layla had a little beaded bracelet business going, so there was some crafting going on. Chris's crew brought some fresh eggs from their chickens for a few people to take home, and Jen brought some tomato plants she'd picked up at a Blackham family reunion the day before. 

It was a bit breezy, and we weren't sure the 9-square would work with the weather.

But we got some games in.

It was a smaller group for this final farewell to Father's Day here at this house.

We missed those who couldn't make it.

... for a fun look back at all the photos from this back porch.

Starting in 2006 in the top left corner, ending with 2021 in the bottom right. Skipped 2011, as while there was a Father's Day photo at the house, that year it wasn't taken on the back porch as all the others were. All of these years have party recaps with additional pictures. Check them out by year (chronologically on the blog archive in the sidebar), or scroll through all the Father's Day posts. 

Westra Wordle-ers

The Westra Siblings grew up playing the game "Mastermind" ... where you try to guess a pattern of colors. Different pegs would indicate if a color was correct, and whether it was in the right or wrong place. Fast forward to 2021, when a developer by the name Wardle, released a word game with a similar idea. Wordle. It took off, and gained millions of addicts ... and some of those are within the Westra family. 

Mom/Margie and Dad/Lamar REALLY like Wordle. The game releases ONE puzzle per day, at midnight. Dad says that often Mom plays the game shortly after midnight, while he's sleeping, and that he doesn't even get a chance! Dad says Mom "cheats" ... that if she gets down to the end (hasn't guessed within five) that she'll start it again on a different device, using what she's already learned, to get a few more tries in. Mom says it's not cheating, it's just taking advantage of the technology.  Mom says that she knows Dad really likes the game, because "he'll even stop working or eating to come solve the puzzle. He'll even get up from a nap!"  There are some variations out there, so Mom actually plays FOUR a day ... the main NewYorkTimes one, then Word Hurdle, which has options for four/five and six letter words (and Mom plays all three). 

Mom and Dad have their set "starting words" ... route and snail* ... with those two, they hit all the vowels and a few of the main consonants. Derek's starting words are noisy/heart and Danielle's are great/spoil. Wordle will keep track of the letters you have tried, so you know which ones could still be in the final word. The goal is to solve the puzzle in the six tries, and it's more impressive if you can get it in less (see Derek's proud #3 in the picture above). Also keeping a "streak" of how many days in a row you've been able to solve the puzzle. Landon had come over for lunch and asked for a little help, as he was down to his final guess. Based on the letters in use and what was left, I suggested "boxer" ... unfortunately for him, the word that day was "foyer" ... he was sad to have to restart his streak. 

* on Friday, January 12, 2024, Wordle #937 ... the starting word was SNAIL. 

The New York Times purchased the rights to the game, so they are now the official publisher of the daily puzzle. Everyone gets the same word ... so don't give it away to someone who hasn't solved it yet! Derek said that with several in the family (the folks, he and Danielle, Alicia) playing the game, they have to be careful!  In a family email sent out March 28 Derek wrote:

Wordle: Danielle and I play everyday. We got Mom and Dad hooked. Sometimes we try to talk about before the other person has played, and we have to remind them "We Don't Talk about Wordle." I started writing a little parody song to the tune of "We Don't Talk about Bruno." Probably won't ever complete it, but if it do, it will be funny. ;)

Anyone else in the family playing Wordle? What are your current streaks? What is your best score (the least amount of tries, it's taken you)? Cooper played it a few times, before getting sidetracked with a Pokemon variation, called "Squirtle" ...

These brain games ... good thinking exercises to keep your mind sharp!

What other game apps has anyone been addicted to?

Mom said she's still plays Word Scramble/Boggle ... she and Chris were very into that game. I couldn't keep up with Mom, but I got her playing with Pam (my MIL) and they played daily until Pam passed away, leaving a few games forever unfinished. I found the first mention of the game in an email Feb2012 (Jen in a letter to Mom) "Funny you mention playing Boggle ... there is a new game on the Ipods called "Scramble" and we are all loving it (it's like Boggle), even the boys (and Callahan keeps beating Gray and I, which surprises us!) ... it's so fun to see all the words that COULD have been created (being a computer application, it can show that after each game."  Mom said she really got into the game April of 2012 as she was recovering from her surgery, and D&D loaned her an ipad so she wouldn't be bored during her rehab stay. Since then, Mom and Dad have invested in their own ipad (or two, or three). Mom said it's still her favorite, but that most people have stopped playing. She got Nelva to play with her ... and she plays with strangers. Dad never got into Scramble/Boggle like he has Wordle, but he'll often look over a shoulder and point out words he sees. He likes the challenge of finding longer words.

A Google search revealed that "Word Streak with Friends" was released in Jan2012. The name was changed to "Scramble with Friends" (the "Scrabble" game by the same company is "Words with Friends") and then in 2017, it officially licensed the name "Boggle" as that physical game has been around for years (and was a Westra favorite) and is what people think of when they see this type of game.

In 2019, Cooper set a goal to make it through all 4800 levels of WORDSCAPES (an anagram/crossword type game) ... and he did it. Back in 2017 at the Blackham home, the featured game was Fight List.  Also in 2012 (when Scramble was first released), there was DrawSomething, a little like Pictionary, anyone remember playing that?