About 1821 in Ireland were born Patrick O'Shea and Catherine Healy They married circa 1850 and had 13 kids.Don't know where they married but it seems the births were in London,Eng. The first in 1852and the second, Richard Joseph, was born on Dec. 2,1853at St. Clements Danes in London. Interestingly this was 4 years earlier than Nana and her mother were told by Ricchard. Patrick was a tailor by trade and many of the kids did the same.Patrick lived till1903[82?] and Catherine till 1905[84], many of the kids died young , T.B. seems to have run in the family.
Oct. 7,1874 Richard marries Susannah Eliz. Bennett in London their only boy , Richard,Jr., dies at an early age[Nana said there were 3 kids] Soon the pair emigrate to USA, leaving parents& sibs behind They arrive on the SS CANADA Nov. 1880, Susan dies soon after. Why??
April 20, 1884 Richard marries Mary Alice Sherlock[21] at St. Michael's, 383 9th Ave.,NYC. The witnesses are her brother John T & sister Lucy Sherlock.Nana describes her mom as5'7" auburn hair and blue eyes with an easy going personality
Jan. 31,1885 Margeret Helena O'Shea is born NYC She is named after Richard's grandmother and his older sis The baby will hear many names during her life-Helen, Nellie ,Mom &Nana. A baby brother is born in 1899,William,dies in days.
For the O'Shea life had to be hard Being a tailor was almost a seasonal job Allie had started at 9 sewing buttonholes and now worked as a seamstress to help out After graduation Helen was an office clerk atWomen's Home Companion The family lived in rental apts. in NYC during this time,but 1900 US Census finds them living in N.Adams, Mass with Richard finding tailor work during a slow period -summertime
Aug 15 ,1905Margaret Helena[20] marries James Clare Nerney[31]They had met a year ago at a church dance . Richard was against the union as he wanted Helen to work and help support his
family Nana said he was a demanding person,hard on his family SO HE DID NOT ATTEND THE WEDDING!
Aug 9 1908 Richard dies of "general paralysis, exhaustion" in Manhattan State Hosp.and was buried at Calvary Cemet.,Queens Boro,NYC He had soften enough to see his 2 young g'kids- Helen and baby Jim
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Barbara Suzanne Nerney 1959-2009
It has been a sad season since losing Suzanne this past August. She died quite suddenly. My sister Mary and I went to Florida where she lived, to be with her husband and two children. The disease of addiction / alcoholism is a killer, make no mistake. I would rather keep the rest of the details private. Suzanne's life was meaningful; we have so many good memories. She will live inside of me and our other sisters, as well as her children. We had a memorial service for her this past Sunday am in Trinidad on the coast. (5hrs north of Santa Rosa) So can we post pictures on this blog? I am new at this. I send my love to all of you. I wish more of my cousins were involved in this family blog. Laura
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Seeing Frank Nerney
Subject: Papasita, himself, Francois Nerney
Good day, to you and yours,
We are doing well for a couple of graduates from South City High. Lynnette is soon to make the eggs, and bacon, and of course, potatoes, and we will eat like the famished hordes that we are.
Yesterday I called up dad, I call on most weekends, and he further expounded upon his possible anemia. What happened is that the blood test that he had taken was going to take two to three weeks, and one of the things they were going to be checking out is if he had anemia. The results came back and no, he has no anemia. (I was under the impression that they thought he had anemia, and there was further testing to do-not the case).
All is well in his neck of the woods, and I checked further regarding something he told me in the passed few years. He has had his name in the queue for a retirement community home. He heard that the date for him to make that change is drawing closer. Two people that were friends of his, and had already lived there have been called to their great reward. It's an interesting development that as someone dies your home gets closer to a reality. He likes the landlady where he is now very much, and the living accommodations, but he does want this further flexibility.
Mr. Nerney advised that his other son, the one in Colorado, the one with the degrees, and the fine attitude, and the plaudits from his fellow man, is having him stay at his house from 8/5 thru 8/19. It was further stated that one of Steve's sons is also flying in from Ohio on the day that dad arrives.
Papa is looking forward to music, visiting time, eating time, and the hikes that they go on. I applaud the Colorado branch of the family for there usual hospitality, and wish all of you well.
I will also send email that I will request Francis H., himself, to answer about the goings on. Otherwise I will have to call him upon his return, and that would actually cost me money (something I try to avoid).
To all, have fun with family, and friends, and still seek for justice in this world; it is an empty search, but I need company.
Love and hugs, and ttfn,
Larry
Good day, to you and yours,
We are doing well for a couple of graduates from South City High. Lynnette is soon to make the eggs, and bacon, and of course, potatoes, and we will eat like the famished hordes that we are.
Yesterday I called up dad, I call on most weekends, and he further expounded upon his possible anemia. What happened is that the blood test that he had taken was going to take two to three weeks, and one of the things they were going to be checking out is if he had anemia. The results came back and no, he has no anemia. (I was under the impression that they thought he had anemia, and there was further testing to do-not the case).
All is well in his neck of the woods, and I checked further regarding something he told me in the passed few years. He has had his name in the queue for a retirement community home. He heard that the date for him to make that change is drawing closer. Two people that were friends of his, and had already lived there have been called to their great reward. It's an interesting development that as someone dies your home gets closer to a reality. He likes the landlady where he is now very much, and the living accommodations, but he does want this further flexibility.
Mr. Nerney advised that his other son, the one in Colorado, the one with the degrees, and the fine attitude, and the plaudits from his fellow man, is having him stay at his house from 8/5 thru 8/19. It was further stated that one of Steve's sons is also flying in from Ohio on the day that dad arrives.
Papa is looking forward to music, visiting time, eating time, and the hikes that they go on. I applaud the Colorado branch of the family for there usual hospitality, and wish all of you well.
I will also send email that I will request Francis H., himself, to answer about the goings on. Otherwise I will have to call him upon his return, and that would actually cost me money (something I try to avoid).
To all, have fun with family, and friends, and still seek for justice in this world; it is an empty search, but I need company.
Love and hugs, and ttfn,
Larry
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
I just joined this blog...finally. This post will be short. I just filled out all sorts of info on a profile, thinking it would be to share with all of you, my family. Somehow I think I just did it for countless numbers of google readers. Who knows. It was all real and nothing I need to be private. Not at my age and not anymore. My life is what it is. And I am at peace. I miss my Dad today...and some of your dads as well, my cousins. I hope all is well in your world this day. I wish each of you love. Let's send our loving thoughts, prayers, and reach out when we can. I am thinking of Aunt Lucy's children most of all today. The ones I saw last Sunday: Clare, John, and Kevin. What wonderful people and I am related to them. It was a beautiful experience at the memorial last Sunday. One that I am still thinking about and feeling. May God bless each of you, and may our paths cross again soon. Love,Cousin Laura
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Our Celebration of Lucy's life
Good evening,
Jack Stack mentioned to me as he and his brother Jerry were leaving that he would expect an "update" on Monday---I allowed that judging by the past it seemed to be a good possibility.
Lucy Thompson (nee Nerney) left behind three loving children, Clare, Johnny and Kevin. The celebration was at Clare's house, on the water in San Rafael. The weather was perfect, with a slight breeze, and wispy clouds. We walked inside the house, said howdy, grabbed food, walked out onto the back porch and watched the ducks. As I am always hungry there was more than one walk to the food table. As it was a pot-luck we brought my ladies Spinach Dip (capitalized, as it is Lynnette's Spinach Dip), and Jennifer provided a fruit salad (I referred to it as compote, and Jennifer said that she did not believe that compoteing of fruit would be a good thing).
Jeff, Jim, Mike (Nerney's all) were there as well as Mike's wife Mary Alice. Mary Alice is one of those people that everybody likes, and when you first greet her it's like you are one of her closest friends, no matter how much time has passed. Nancy, and her daughter Norah, and her husband were there, as well as Nancy's son Terry. Terry and his son used the community pool, and came to the party late, as his son was not willing to go for a dip, but rather a marathon.
There was barbecued chicken, potato salad, other types of salad, and after awhile the lasagna came out. I spotted the lasagna and made sure that I would not show up for the last table spoon full. Later on, much later on, the spaghetti was put out and I had made the fatal mistake of already being full. I noticed others relish it so I assume it tasted as good as it looked. There was an apple pie, which again I had allowed no room for, and was again miffed, knickered off, and upset.
As we entered the house the photo album table was just prior to the living room, and kitchen. I looked through a couple of them, and happened on Jerry Stack's collection. I had not seen these photos before, and there were the three brothers, their sister, and their mom, all together. Jack/Jerry/Jimmy and Joanie, and mom Pat. Pat was the first born of the Nerney children and Jack Stack mentioned that it's not every day the nephew is older than his aunt. Jack knows the right way to say things and he put it that he was 80, and that Nancy would be having a rather momentous birthday later this year.
Jack lead off the sharing side of the celebration and gave us some of the history of Lucy in the Nerney family from of old, and Nancy talked about sharing a room with her older sister. When Lucy was about 20, and Nancy about 9, she would watch Lucy as she brushed her beautiful strawberry blonde hair and hum, melodiously, as she went about with her business. Nancy liked to watch and listen as her beautiful older sister put on her make-up. We talked of the home on Baden in SF, and of the walking down three levels to get to the site of the street car/bus, and of how when Lucy would go to catch that bus the corner store coffee shop owner would hand Lucy her cup. Jack mentioned that there were no Starbuck's in those days, and Peet's wasn't even thought of as yet.
Jack talked of the eventful sea voyage when James Clare and Margaret Helena (Nana) traveled from the East Coast (New York) and nana was over 8 months pregnant; the voyage made Nana seasick and the pregnancy was a difficult one, and then Lucy was born on dry land, in Los Gatos, Ca. Clare told us of her mother's knowledge of, and love for, St. Augustine, and that even though she was not a regular attendee at Catholic Mass that she slept with a rosary under her pillow. Someone mentioned that we all had Nana's example, and that she and her husband said prayers at their bedside, on their knees every night, and when there was a church nearby they attended. Laura (Allen's oldest daughter) talked of the time that she was searching for spiritual guidance and Lucy provided her with an attentive ear, and a warm heart to discuss things with.
In the albums of photographs my father appeared, and Lucy, and all of his brothers and sisters, and parents. We all discussed things large and small, and enjoyed each other. My cousins were my friends when we were young, and they have stayed as such in my heart. We do not meet often, and they are sometimes sad occasions, but today was not one of those, as most are not. Lucy was a Christian, and her parents went before her to be in the Lord's presence. Nana lived to 104, and died the next day. Her funeral, life's celebration in Santa Cruz was full of laugher, and there were no tears. Why cry when one of the Queen's of this world passes on and you know without a doubt that God, any God, but especially the Christian God has welcomed her and the need to cry is gone.
It was a fun day, an interesting day, and an informative day. As Jack said, I am predictable. As I said to Jack when he left, have a safe journey home and it was good to visit with him. It was good to visit with all of them. Lynnette made spinach dip, Jennifer the salad and Mary Ann and I smiled, and ate what there was. I drove, and that was my contribution; that and the ladies that came, and smiled and talked.
Until the next reunion, for whatever purpose, have fun, and thanks again for being my family,
Love and hugs, Larry
Jack Stack mentioned to me as he and his brother Jerry were leaving that he would expect an "update" on Monday---I allowed that judging by the past it seemed to be a good possibility.
Lucy Thompson (nee Nerney) left behind three loving children, Clare, Johnny and Kevin. The celebration was at Clare's house, on the water in San Rafael. The weather was perfect, with a slight breeze, and wispy clouds. We walked inside the house, said howdy, grabbed food, walked out onto the back porch and watched the ducks. As I am always hungry there was more than one walk to the food table. As it was a pot-luck we brought my ladies Spinach Dip (capitalized, as it is Lynnette's Spinach Dip), and Jennifer provided a fruit salad (I referred to it as compote, and Jennifer said that she did not believe that compoteing of fruit would be a good thing).
Jeff, Jim, Mike (Nerney's all) were there as well as Mike's wife Mary Alice. Mary Alice is one of those people that everybody likes, and when you first greet her it's like you are one of her closest friends, no matter how much time has passed. Nancy, and her daughter Norah, and her husband were there, as well as Nancy's son Terry. Terry and his son used the community pool, and came to the party late, as his son was not willing to go for a dip, but rather a marathon.
There was barbecued chicken, potato salad, other types of salad, and after awhile the lasagna came out. I spotted the lasagna and made sure that I would not show up for the last table spoon full. Later on, much later on, the spaghetti was put out and I had made the fatal mistake of already being full. I noticed others relish it so I assume it tasted as good as it looked. There was an apple pie, which again I had allowed no room for, and was again miffed, knickered off, and upset.
As we entered the house the photo album table was just prior to the living room, and kitchen. I looked through a couple of them, and happened on Jerry Stack's collection. I had not seen these photos before, and there were the three brothers, their sister, and their mom, all together. Jack/Jerry/Jimmy and Joanie, and mom Pat. Pat was the first born of the Nerney children and Jack Stack mentioned that it's not every day the nephew is older than his aunt. Jack knows the right way to say things and he put it that he was 80, and that Nancy would be having a rather momentous birthday later this year.
Jack lead off the sharing side of the celebration and gave us some of the history of Lucy in the Nerney family from of old, and Nancy talked about sharing a room with her older sister. When Lucy was about 20, and Nancy about 9, she would watch Lucy as she brushed her beautiful strawberry blonde hair and hum, melodiously, as she went about with her business. Nancy liked to watch and listen as her beautiful older sister put on her make-up. We talked of the home on Baden in SF, and of the walking down three levels to get to the site of the street car/bus, and of how when Lucy would go to catch that bus the corner store coffee shop owner would hand Lucy her cup. Jack mentioned that there were no Starbuck's in those days, and Peet's wasn't even thought of as yet.
Jack talked of the eventful sea voyage when James Clare and Margaret Helena (Nana) traveled from the East Coast (New York) and nana was over 8 months pregnant; the voyage made Nana seasick and the pregnancy was a difficult one, and then Lucy was born on dry land, in Los Gatos, Ca. Clare told us of her mother's knowledge of, and love for, St. Augustine, and that even though she was not a regular attendee at Catholic Mass that she slept with a rosary under her pillow. Someone mentioned that we all had Nana's example, and that she and her husband said prayers at their bedside, on their knees every night, and when there was a church nearby they attended. Laura (Allen's oldest daughter) talked of the time that she was searching for spiritual guidance and Lucy provided her with an attentive ear, and a warm heart to discuss things with.
In the albums of photographs my father appeared, and Lucy, and all of his brothers and sisters, and parents. We all discussed things large and small, and enjoyed each other. My cousins were my friends when we were young, and they have stayed as such in my heart. We do not meet often, and they are sometimes sad occasions, but today was not one of those, as most are not. Lucy was a Christian, and her parents went before her to be in the Lord's presence. Nana lived to 104, and died the next day. Her funeral, life's celebration in Santa Cruz was full of laugher, and there were no tears. Why cry when one of the Queen's of this world passes on and you know without a doubt that God, any God, but especially the Christian God has welcomed her and the need to cry is gone.
It was a fun day, an interesting day, and an informative day. As Jack said, I am predictable. As I said to Jack when he left, have a safe journey home and it was good to visit with him. It was good to visit with all of them. Lynnette made spinach dip, Jennifer the salad and Mary Ann and I smiled, and ate what there was. I drove, and that was my contribution; that and the ladies that came, and smiled and talked.
Until the next reunion, for whatever purpose, have fun, and thanks again for being my family,
Love and hugs, Larry
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Sad News
It is with a heavy heart that I pass on the news of Aunt Lucy's passing. Aunt Lucy passed on the morning of May 31. Clare will be hosting a memorial service at her home on Sunday June 14 @ 12:00 pm. This will be a potluck so a entree, salad or desert would be a great contribution for the day. If you have any pictures or stories of Aunt Lucy I'm sure Clare, John and Kevin would appreciate them. For more information please contact Clare. Clare's contact information is listed below.
We do not have all the family's telephone numbers or email addreses so if you could pass on this information to anyone in the family you have contact it would be much appreciated. Thanks and hope to see at the services.
Love, Norah
Clare Thompson claret@ebeancounters.com
165 Baypoint Drive, San Rafael
415-256-9409
We do not have all the family's telephone numbers or email addreses so if you could pass on this information to anyone in the family you have contact it would be much appreciated. Thanks and hope to see at the services.
Love, Norah
Clare Thompson claret@ebeancounters.com
165 Baypoint Drive, San Rafael
415-256-9409
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Frank's 85th Birthday
Good evening, (posting written on May 3rd)
We had a great visit with the family at Dad's 85th birthday. Susan Schumann (Jack's oldest daughter) hosted the party at her boyfriend's Ed's house, in Los Altos. Susan and Ed met at a widow/widower's gathering, and have become good friends. Susan's two daughters, Lori and Melanie were there, as well as two sons Paul, and Andrew. Andrew went by "Drew" once upon a time, and was a model. He is now on the other side of the lens in SF, and has his own shop. Susan has told me that she got very close to dad when he came over when her father Jack was dying. Susan was able to go out and have a life when dad would visit.
Laura Nerney, Alan's oldest, came to the shindig, and she said that dad made it easier for her to get over the death of her dad, just cause dad was always close to Alan's kids. It made me very proud to hear these things. Something that Steve and I always had was a mother that loved us and who we lived with, and a father, who came and made a difference in our lives. One of the neatest things in my life has been how both my sisters feel about him, and how much he loves them. Each time that we visit he always asks what I have heard from Shelley, Sue, and of course what's his name (Steven Francis).
Jack and Jerry Stack came, and I had fun visiting with them. Pat Stack was the oldest of the Nerney children, the first born daughter, and they had a brother, Jimmy, who died in his forties.
Clare Thompson (Lucy's daughter) was there, and so was Norah, and her mom Nancy (Kryst-Nerney) the youngest of Nana's children.
Jack Stack told us a story, several in fact, but the one that I retained is that Nana's real name was Margaret Helena O'Shea Nerney. This was the first that I ever heard that; he went on to say that a couple of Nana's relatives were named Helena. I have seen her name as, "Helen Margaret, or Margaret Helen", but never Margaret Helena. Well, live and learn.
Terry Kryst came (Norah's brother, another of Nancy's kids). He and I visited, and we talked about the Nerney family reunion of 08 that Liz and kids came to, as well as Lynnette, Jennifer, and Joey, and I.
There were others who came, and I am about done with names.
Susan had a great buffet, consisting of salad, sandwich rolls, and ham, and cheeses. There was wine (that we bought), and soft drinks, and Martinelli's. Susan bought a cake that had a baseball mitt, and a ball (sculpted in icing) on top of the "HAPPY Birthday cake".
Dad had a good time, and was smiling, and reminiscing and laughing. He was his happy charming self.
He said to Susan Jean that he hopes she was not seriously injured in her fall, and that he loves her. He thanked me for the "booklet" I put together of photos of Shelley and family, and my family, and especially the greetings from Fred Keil, Shelley, and Rich Panelli.
He had a great time, and I had a great time, and Miss Mary Ann, and all the others had fun, and it was a great day.
Love and hugs, and you are all in his thoughts, as he now is wending his way back to Aptos.
Larry
We had a great visit with the family at Dad's 85th birthday. Susan Schumann (Jack's oldest daughter) hosted the party at her boyfriend's Ed's house, in Los Altos. Susan and Ed met at a widow/widower's gathering, and have become good friends. Susan's two daughters, Lori and Melanie were there, as well as two sons Paul, and Andrew. Andrew went by "Drew" once upon a time, and was a model. He is now on the other side of the lens in SF, and has his own shop. Susan has told me that she got very close to dad when he came over when her father Jack was dying. Susan was able to go out and have a life when dad would visit.
Laura Nerney, Alan's oldest, came to the shindig, and she said that dad made it easier for her to get over the death of her dad, just cause dad was always close to Alan's kids. It made me very proud to hear these things. Something that Steve and I always had was a mother that loved us and who we lived with, and a father, who came and made a difference in our lives. One of the neatest things in my life has been how both my sisters feel about him, and how much he loves them. Each time that we visit he always asks what I have heard from Shelley, Sue, and of course what's his name (Steven Francis).
Jack and Jerry Stack came, and I had fun visiting with them. Pat Stack was the oldest of the Nerney children, the first born daughter, and they had a brother, Jimmy, who died in his forties.
Clare Thompson (Lucy's daughter) was there, and so was Norah, and her mom Nancy (Kryst-Nerney) the youngest of Nana's children.
Jack Stack told us a story, several in fact, but the one that I retained is that Nana's real name was Margaret Helena O'Shea Nerney. This was the first that I ever heard that; he went on to say that a couple of Nana's relatives were named Helena. I have seen her name as, "Helen Margaret, or Margaret Helen", but never Margaret Helena. Well, live and learn.
Terry Kryst came (Norah's brother, another of Nancy's kids). He and I visited, and we talked about the Nerney family reunion of 08 that Liz and kids came to, as well as Lynnette, Jennifer, and Joey, and I.
There were others who came, and I am about done with names.
Susan had a great buffet, consisting of salad, sandwich rolls, and ham, and cheeses. There was wine (that we bought), and soft drinks, and Martinelli's. Susan bought a cake that had a baseball mitt, and a ball (sculpted in icing) on top of the "HAPPY Birthday cake".
Dad had a good time, and was smiling, and reminiscing and laughing. He was his happy charming self.
He said to Susan Jean that he hopes she was not seriously injured in her fall, and that he loves her. He thanked me for the "booklet" I put together of photos of Shelley and family, and my family, and especially the greetings from Fred Keil, Shelley, and Rich Panelli.
He had a great time, and I had a great time, and Miss Mary Ann, and all the others had fun, and it was a great day.
Love and hugs, and you are all in his thoughts, as he now is wending his way back to Aptos.
Larry
Family Reunion Pictures
These were taken at the Nerney family reunion in the summer of 08, held at the Kryst's on the ranch property, above Ben Lomond. Cousin Jim and I talking, Cousin Laura (Alan's oldest daughter) talking to cousin Jim Nerney (Fred's son), Dad with his mouth wide open, Lynnette, Elizabeth, and Mary Ann in the background, and some of the "kids".
Larry
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Pictures of Fred and Mary Nerney
Here is a picture of Fred and Mary (made sometime in the 1980's?)
Anyone have any pictures from their wedding?
Jim III
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Jack Stack to County Roscommon
Cousin Jack Stack is going to be researching the Nerney clan when he visits Strokestown in County Roscommon from July 3 to July 7. If anyone can provide leads on our ancestry/lineage, please let Jack know by either telephone (925-939-1842) or e-mail (carjack@jps.net).
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Good day to all the lads and lassies at your various homes, and domiciles,
"Top o' the morning to ya (and your reply, me darling ones, "and the balance of the day to you".
We are all back to normal, as normal as I can be, in any event. We are awash in the mighty joy of living in this most favoured of places.I am reminded of my sainted grandmothers, one Norwegian, and one the Irish Catholic Queen of the Nerney clan, formerly of Ireland, and forever in my heart.
She was to have twelve children, and I was blessed to be one of her grandchildren. It is a matter of pride for me that she is my grandmother, on my father's side, and I am honored to be Mabel Irene Quam Green's grandson on my mother's side.
Nana (Helen Margaret O'Shea Nerney) was the matriarch of her family, and she lives in all of our hearts. Irish Catholic and then some, and always smiling, and always willing and able to play the piano. She played it at her 90th birthday party at the recreation hall in Millbrae, and she played it at her 102nd birthday party at TLC in Felton California, and she played it at the ranch house at p.o.box 2805 in Ben Lomond, California (I don't remember the street address, but the mail box on Alba Road was 2.805 miles up Alba Road and that was what I saw when I would drive onto the ranch property).
When she was born it was in New York City, and she worked for a magazine. The name of it and her title I do not recall. She was married to Officer James Clare Nerney (of the New York police department) at the age of 20, and James was 31 years old. He lived until 1955 and I was at his bedside within the last two weeks of his life on the ranch property, and I recall saying goodbye. That is my only memory of him, and then I was to bask in the glow of my love for Nana until her passing in 1989 (her age of 104 years casting a huge shadow over my life).
I would visit dad and she and I would sit at the old table in the kitchen when dad was at work, and she and I would talk. Some of my most treasured memories are of her at that table learning about her life, and her joy of life was just wonderful. We would watch the Lawrence Welk Show and she would sit at the old piano in the living room, and play the music by ear that we had been listening to. She always loved to play lively music, and she always loved to sit and talk. My friends came up and were enchanted by her. Steve and his friends would come up and me and my buddies, and she would cook us dinner, and occasionally dad would be the cook. We all enjoyed spending time with her. I have had many family members die on me through the years, and my father's brothers were among them. Jim, and Jack and Allen, and Fred, were the uncles that I spent the most time with. Especially Jim (named for his father, also sharing the same middle name) and I spent time together in Millbrae at he and his wife Viola's house on Landing Lane.
Jim and I would sit in his den and he would play his 78's with his favorite jazz musicians, and big band music, and I would talk to him of the old days. Jim and I would talk of Nana, and we would talk of Steve and my sisters, and I would discuss the Post Office (Jim had worked at the Post Office, and his father was also a former postal employee). We talked of the civil service and how it was a great job to have during the Great Depression. Jim and his brother Jack both wore the map of Ireland on their faces, and they were great story tellers. Dad told me of how Jim's job in the depression helped several families, and that Jim and Vi had been very generous with those in the family who had had especially hard times during that era.
I have never been to Ireland, but Jack and Jim went, as well as Dennis Michael Nerney, and Jack's older daughter Susan. They brought back photographs of the "old sod" and they told me stories of their travels.
I would like someday to be there in the land of my ancestors and trod upon that green land. The "troubles" are mainly behind, a thing of the past, though now and then a policeman, or a soldier will lose his life. For their families the "troubles" are today, and last week. The world knows not of what it means to be Irish. I have these shining examples of Irish Catholic nobility in my family. I am the black sheep, a "Protestant" and they sometimes cast their eyes as they roll them at me. Still and all they talk politely to my face, and as to what they say behind my back, I have no knowledge.
Actually the Nerney's and the Stack's, and the Roger's, and all the others that count themselves among the children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Helen Margaret O'shea have a love for all of her descendants. She was a fine, fine, woman, and a great story teller and my heart will always be filled with her and her children.
So, the old Irish toast I raise, "May the Good Lord take a liking to you, may the road always rise to meet your feet, and may the devil not know your dead for at least a fortnight, upon your passing".
Hear, hear, and pass the Guinness,
Love and hugs, and begosh and begorrah,
Larry
"Top o' the morning to ya (and your reply, me darling ones, "and the balance of the day to you".
We are all back to normal, as normal as I can be, in any event. We are awash in the mighty joy of living in this most favoured of places.I am reminded of my sainted grandmothers, one Norwegian, and one the Irish Catholic Queen of the Nerney clan, formerly of Ireland, and forever in my heart.
She was to have twelve children, and I was blessed to be one of her grandchildren. It is a matter of pride for me that she is my grandmother, on my father's side, and I am honored to be Mabel Irene Quam Green's grandson on my mother's side.
Nana (Helen Margaret O'Shea Nerney) was the matriarch of her family, and she lives in all of our hearts. Irish Catholic and then some, and always smiling, and always willing and able to play the piano. She played it at her 90th birthday party at the recreation hall in Millbrae, and she played it at her 102nd birthday party at TLC in Felton California, and she played it at the ranch house at p.o.box 2805 in Ben Lomond, California (I don't remember the street address, but the mail box on Alba Road was 2.805 miles up Alba Road and that was what I saw when I would drive onto the ranch property).
When she was born it was in New York City, and she worked for a magazine. The name of it and her title I do not recall. She was married to Officer James Clare Nerney (of the New York police department) at the age of 20, and James was 31 years old. He lived until 1955 and I was at his bedside within the last two weeks of his life on the ranch property, and I recall saying goodbye. That is my only memory of him, and then I was to bask in the glow of my love for Nana until her passing in 1989 (her age of 104 years casting a huge shadow over my life).
I would visit dad and she and I would sit at the old table in the kitchen when dad was at work, and she and I would talk. Some of my most treasured memories are of her at that table learning about her life, and her joy of life was just wonderful. We would watch the Lawrence Welk Show and she would sit at the old piano in the living room, and play the music by ear that we had been listening to. She always loved to play lively music, and she always loved to sit and talk. My friends came up and were enchanted by her. Steve and his friends would come up and me and my buddies, and she would cook us dinner, and occasionally dad would be the cook. We all enjoyed spending time with her. I have had many family members die on me through the years, and my father's brothers were among them. Jim, and Jack and Allen, and Fred, were the uncles that I spent the most time with. Especially Jim (named for his father, also sharing the same middle name) and I spent time together in Millbrae at he and his wife Viola's house on Landing Lane.
Jim and I would sit in his den and he would play his 78's with his favorite jazz musicians, and big band music, and I would talk to him of the old days. Jim and I would talk of Nana, and we would talk of Steve and my sisters, and I would discuss the Post Office (Jim had worked at the Post Office, and his father was also a former postal employee). We talked of the civil service and how it was a great job to have during the Great Depression. Jim and his brother Jack both wore the map of Ireland on their faces, and they were great story tellers. Dad told me of how Jim's job in the depression helped several families, and that Jim and Vi had been very generous with those in the family who had had especially hard times during that era.
I have never been to Ireland, but Jack and Jim went, as well as Dennis Michael Nerney, and Jack's older daughter Susan. They brought back photographs of the "old sod" and they told me stories of their travels.
I would like someday to be there in the land of my ancestors and trod upon that green land. The "troubles" are mainly behind, a thing of the past, though now and then a policeman, or a soldier will lose his life. For their families the "troubles" are today, and last week. The world knows not of what it means to be Irish. I have these shining examples of Irish Catholic nobility in my family. I am the black sheep, a "Protestant" and they sometimes cast their eyes as they roll them at me. Still and all they talk politely to my face, and as to what they say behind my back, I have no knowledge.
Actually the Nerney's and the Stack's, and the Roger's, and all the others that count themselves among the children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Helen Margaret O'shea have a love for all of her descendants. She was a fine, fine, woman, and a great story teller and my heart will always be filled with her and her children.
So, the old Irish toast I raise, "May the Good Lord take a liking to you, may the road always rise to meet your feet, and may the devil not know your dead for at least a fortnight, upon your passing".
Hear, hear, and pass the Guinness,
Love and hugs, and begosh and begorrah,
Larry
Happy St. Patrick's Day...a little early!
Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, 'Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!'
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'
------------------------
Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
The man said, 'I do, Father.'
The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'
Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
'Certainly, Father,' was the man's reply.
'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.
Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and said, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'No, I don't Father.'
The priest said, 'I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.'
------------------------
Paddy was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted, 'Okay, pedestrians.' Then he'd allow the traffic to pass.
He'd done this several times, and Paddy still stood on the sidewalk.
After the cop had shouted, 'Pedestrians!' for the tenth time, Paddy went over to him and said, 'Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?'
------------------------
Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney.
'Did you see the paper?' asked Gallagher. 'They say I died!!'
'Yes, I saw it!' replied Finney. 'Where are ye callin' from?'
------------------------
An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.
He says, 'Sir, have you been drinking?'
'Just water,' says the priest.
The trooper says, 'Then why do I smell wine?'
The priest looks at the bottle and says, 'Good Lord! He's done it again!'
------------------------
Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, 'Pour me a stiff one - just had another fight with the little woman..'
'Oh yeah?' said Charlie, 'And how did this one end?'
'When it was over,' Mike replied, 'She came to me on her hands and knees.
'Really,' said Charles, 'Now that's a switch! What did she say?'
She said, 'Come out from under the bed, you little chicken.'
------------------------
Flynn staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Paddy. He took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Mary.
He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful.
Managing not to yell, Flynn sprung up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his butt cheeks were cut and bleeding. He managed to quietly find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting a Band-Aid as best he could on each place he saw blood.
He then hid the now almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed.
In the morning, Flynn woke up with searing pain in both his head and butt and Mary staring at him from across the room.
She said, 'You were drunk again last night weren't you?'
Flynn said, 'Why you say such a mean thing?'
'Well,' Mary said, 'it could be the open front door, it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs, it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house, it could be your bloodshot eyes, but mostly.....it's all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror.
Cousin Larry
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'
------------------------
Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
The man said, 'I do, Father.'
The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'
Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
'Certainly, Father,' was the man's reply.
'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.
Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and said, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'No, I don't Father.'
The priest said, 'I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.'
------------------------
Paddy was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted, 'Okay, pedestrians.' Then he'd allow the traffic to pass.
He'd done this several times, and Paddy still stood on the sidewalk.
After the cop had shouted, 'Pedestrians!' for the tenth time, Paddy went over to him and said, 'Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?'
------------------------
Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney.
'Did you see the paper?' asked Gallagher. 'They say I died!!'
'Yes, I saw it!' replied Finney. 'Where are ye callin' from?'
------------------------
An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.
He says, 'Sir, have you been drinking?'
'Just water,' says the priest.
The trooper says, 'Then why do I smell wine?'
The priest looks at the bottle and says, 'Good Lord! He's done it again!'
------------------------
Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, 'Pour me a stiff one - just had another fight with the little woman..'
'Oh yeah?' said Charlie, 'And how did this one end?'
'When it was over,' Mike replied, 'She came to me on her hands and knees.
'Really,' said Charles, 'Now that's a switch! What did she say?'
She said, 'Come out from under the bed, you little chicken.'
------------------------
Flynn staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Paddy. He took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Mary.
He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful.
Managing not to yell, Flynn sprung up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his butt cheeks were cut and bleeding. He managed to quietly find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting a Band-Aid as best he could on each place he saw blood.
He then hid the now almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed.
In the morning, Flynn woke up with searing pain in both his head and butt and Mary staring at him from across the room.
She said, 'You were drunk again last night weren't you?'
Flynn said, 'Why you say such a mean thing?'
'Well,' Mary said, 'it could be the open front door, it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs, it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house, it could be your bloodshot eyes, but mostly.....it's all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror.
Cousin Larry
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Happy Sunday, and another day to follow in honor of our Presidents
Good morning and a fabulous day to us all,
We have the wind, and we have the rain, and we have the beating, breaking, breath-taking waves crashing and swirling. My house, during the wee hours of the morning and up until noon is being buffeted with high winds. Our siding, that was once guaranteed to stay in place is now all over the place (on the Western side: on the largest area per side of siding) on the side of the house, and the pieces of Styrofoam insulation are all over the place. I went out, into the wind, and rain, to pick them up and pile them in the backyard. The siding is still guaranteed, however, the siding company is not returning calls, and not responding to emails, and we do not want the legal profession to take what little money is left over after daily needs, and taxes, and well, you know, food.
So we will soldier on and in the next few weeks we will have Lynnette's handyman remove the rest of the siding from the offending side of the house, and take out the nails, and it will be painted the same color of the siding that will remain on the other three sides. There will be no more buffeting to remove siding, and we will pay to have it repainted as time and tide, and sun and rain take the color out of it. Oh well, the siding wars, and the business that should be standing behind their product have won the contest. Again, I bow my head and ask for justice, and the ages roll and the time and tide continue and again, there is NO JUSTICE. Still, we will continue and we will shake our fists at corporate America and watch the rich and the CEO's continue to prosper as they have the lawyers and they have the wealth and they will continue to laugh up their sleeves at the rest of us (see the bankers, the Mortgage lenders, the former US Steel executives as they laze and count their filthy lucre, and again I say; you dirty bad dudes!!!!).
Dr. Stanley, before I braved the storm and straightened out the detritus of the morning wind, told us about the Grace of Jesus, and how that affects the Christian. Before I knew the extent of the evil in the world, Dr. Stanley tells us that all works out for those that Love God and obey Him. I accept the words, and I accept the Good News, and yet I still cleaned up in the rain, while the wind still blows. God's Grace, as St. Paul said, is sufficient in all situations. My house is still standing, both figuratively, and literally, and the Grace of Jesus, by the Will of the Father, by the Power of the Holy Spirit still rules the world. Again the Grace comes by the Word, and the Word by listening, and the Grace of Jesus was given on the cross, and by His holy, sinless, perfect life and the sacrifice that takes my place, and the rest of humanities. Even in the midst of Paul's stoning, ship wrecks, and loneliness, and storm tossed existence he stated that the Grace of Jesus was sufficient to meet all his needs. I have my little gripes, and I sometimes wonder why things are not better, and then I remember my part is to Obey, and I think back and that has not always been my response to the words. So I will continue to try, and think on Paul.
Tomorrow is the Monday that we celebrate the combined birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. They represent all of the Presidents, and I say; thanks for my wife not needing to go to work tomorrow. Thanks, oh former, dead Presidents for being good enough to cause us to pause and reflect upon the founding fathers, and upon the 16th man to hold the office. Both great men, obviously, and Washington was the one who became the model, and chose to serve only two terms, when he could have served until his death. Abraham Lincoln knew that only as one country could we survive, and that it was going to take the death of many for that to happen, and still he soldiered on.
So with the siding, I say, oh well, and I laugh at the storm (from INSIDE the house). We will enjoy our three day weekend, and may you all do the same.
The siding will be buffeted again, and still the house will stand. That's enough for me.
Have fun, and soldier on with your siding, and the storms of life,
Love and hugs, Larry
We have the wind, and we have the rain, and we have the beating, breaking, breath-taking waves crashing and swirling. My house, during the wee hours of the morning and up until noon is being buffeted with high winds. Our siding, that was once guaranteed to stay in place is now all over the place (on the Western side: on the largest area per side of siding) on the side of the house, and the pieces of Styrofoam insulation are all over the place. I went out, into the wind, and rain, to pick them up and pile them in the backyard. The siding is still guaranteed, however, the siding company is not returning calls, and not responding to emails, and we do not want the legal profession to take what little money is left over after daily needs, and taxes, and well, you know, food.
So we will soldier on and in the next few weeks we will have Lynnette's handyman remove the rest of the siding from the offending side of the house, and take out the nails, and it will be painted the same color of the siding that will remain on the other three sides. There will be no more buffeting to remove siding, and we will pay to have it repainted as time and tide, and sun and rain take the color out of it. Oh well, the siding wars, and the business that should be standing behind their product have won the contest. Again, I bow my head and ask for justice, and the ages roll and the time and tide continue and again, there is NO JUSTICE. Still, we will continue and we will shake our fists at corporate America and watch the rich and the CEO's continue to prosper as they have the lawyers and they have the wealth and they will continue to laugh up their sleeves at the rest of us (see the bankers, the Mortgage lenders, the former US Steel executives as they laze and count their filthy lucre, and again I say; you dirty bad dudes!!!!).
Dr. Stanley, before I braved the storm and straightened out the detritus of the morning wind, told us about the Grace of Jesus, and how that affects the Christian. Before I knew the extent of the evil in the world, Dr. Stanley tells us that all works out for those that Love God and obey Him. I accept the words, and I accept the Good News, and yet I still cleaned up in the rain, while the wind still blows. God's Grace, as St. Paul said, is sufficient in all situations. My house is still standing, both figuratively, and literally, and the Grace of Jesus, by the Will of the Father, by the Power of the Holy Spirit still rules the world. Again the Grace comes by the Word, and the Word by listening, and the Grace of Jesus was given on the cross, and by His holy, sinless, perfect life and the sacrifice that takes my place, and the rest of humanities. Even in the midst of Paul's stoning, ship wrecks, and loneliness, and storm tossed existence he stated that the Grace of Jesus was sufficient to meet all his needs. I have my little gripes, and I sometimes wonder why things are not better, and then I remember my part is to Obey, and I think back and that has not always been my response to the words. So I will continue to try, and think on Paul.
Tomorrow is the Monday that we celebrate the combined birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. They represent all of the Presidents, and I say; thanks for my wife not needing to go to work tomorrow. Thanks, oh former, dead Presidents for being good enough to cause us to pause and reflect upon the founding fathers, and upon the 16th man to hold the office. Both great men, obviously, and Washington was the one who became the model, and chose to serve only two terms, when he could have served until his death. Abraham Lincoln knew that only as one country could we survive, and that it was going to take the death of many for that to happen, and still he soldiered on.
So with the siding, I say, oh well, and I laugh at the storm (from INSIDE the house). We will enjoy our three day weekend, and may you all do the same.
The siding will be buffeted again, and still the house will stand. That's enough for me.
Have fun, and soldier on with your siding, and the storms of life,
Love and hugs, Larry
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Nana's Birthday (January 31)
I am remembering Nana with so much love and appreciation on this day, January 31, 2009, her birthday. What a wonderful grandmother and role model she was for me. I am sending love to all of you my cousins.
Laura
Laura
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