My Childhood--Gatha

Growing up on a farm that was two and a half miles from either Romeo or Antonito, it was necessary to travel to stores. Romeo didn't have a clothing store or a drug store, so sometimes we drove to Antonito for things that were not available in Romeo. We had an old car, but it was quite serviceable. There were eight of us in our family. so sometimes we were crowded in our car. Seat belts changed the number of people that can ride in a car. There were eight of us. I grew up through World War II, so there was a lot of things that were not available to purchase. Nylons, sugar, tires, gas was rationed, Being on a farm, gas was more available.

We had a garden that was about an acre. All of us pulled weeds and hoed. Our garden was very productive. One year we raised enough carrots to fill a wagon bed. We had a cellar that was big enough to park our car in through the winter when it was cold. There were bins for different vegetables. We always had enough potatoes to last until the next harvest. We had enough carrots that year to feed many people. The vegetables, and fruit that was raised in the San Louis Valley had a better flavor than any I have tasted since leaving there. We always had cabbage, onions, beets, and many other things. We raised rhubarb and we had a big strawberry patch, and we raised raspberries. I think the reason that I like raspberries so well is because Mom canned them. She did them in hot water bath. They were so good.

We had meat that we raised. We always had pork, beef, and sometimes mutton. We lived through the depression, but on a farm there was always food. That was a blessing.

The best part of growing up was the great love and acceptance we felt. I always felt that I was loved and approved of. I think my growing up years were very special.

New blogs added to blog list

Recently, Larry and I have added some new blogs to the list:

• Jordan and Candice is Laraine's son and his wife who live in NY City. They both graduated from BYU in April and Jordan got a great job working for an ad agency in NY. They always have lots of fun and Laraine tells us they are a bit crazy.
• Are they still alive? is the blog Laraine's daughters posted in Europe last summer (2007). They documented their trip sailing around the Mediterranean with their dad. They came home in July and never finished blogging about their adventures because they all went back to their busy lives. But it is entertaining.

I would like to add other blogs of family members. If you are aware of one I have missed, please contact Kent Vance with the URL and a little about why the link should be added.

Growing up in Romeo

We had a kitchen table in the kitchen, where we always sat down together for our meals. We had an assigned place at the table. In the winter when the nights were long, we would sit around the table and visit about what had happened through the day and what our plans were. Sometimes we would read stories or play table games. We had a fireplace and it was fun to have a fire there. Our heat was all wood and coal. Daddy and the boys would go to the mountains in the Summer to get wood. It would take them 2 days, with a team and wagon. We bought coal by the ton. We had a coal shed. We didn't have a pickup or a truck.

We often had friends stay with us. Nona and I spent a lot of time together. We would often go to family members and visit. Our life was good. The church was our life. That is where our friends and neighbors met and had church, mutual, parties and dances. We had a good life.

Laraine's Family

My children are all adults now. Amazing!

I live in Rocklin, CA. Before moving here in 2002, we lived in Danville, CA near Oakland. I have 6 children, 5 daughters and 1 son. This picture was taken at Christmas 2007. Rebecca (aqua sweater) is the oldest and she teaches art in Littleton, CO. She just got married Aug 26th and is now living in Arvada, CO. She married Dawson Jones and we should have pictures soon. Juliann (black sweater, red hair) lives in San Francisco and works in photography and web design. Lindsay (black sweater, blond hair) also lives in San Francisco and works for a graphic design/advertising firm. Jessica (white shirt) and her husband Scott DiMaggio (baseball cap) are remodeling a cute home in Walnut Creek, CA. Jessica is a real estate appraiser and Scott works at the Berkeley labs. Jordan (tall blonde with white collar) and his wife, Candice (beautiful smile, brown hair) live in New York City. They both graduated from BYU in April and Jordan has a job at a big advertising company in NYC. Candice is still shopping for a fabulous job. Malorie (orange coat) and her husband, Richie Smith (tall with dark hair) live in Rocklin and work for Richie's dad's construction company. We were all together last weekend for Rebecca's wedding and we had a great time. I love spending time with my kids. They are great people.

Family at Dad's funeral (Keith Edward Bingham)

Many family members came to be with us at my Dad's funeral. Back row: Kelly, Barry, Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, LaRue, Leon and David. Front row: Laraine, Barbara, Sue Ann, Mom (Erma Rae) and Dick. We were so glad to have these wonderful people together.



On March 9, 2008 my father passed away in Belen, New Mexico. My brother, Kelly, directed the construction of a beautiful casket for Dad. It is made of pine and cedar wood. All of my brothers and Sue Ann's husband, Keith, and many grandsons helped to make this beautiful casket. Sue Ann and I lined it. My brothers added Dad's brand. See the BoxK on the lid? In this picture, David, Laraine, Kelly, Mom, Sue Ann, Barry and Dick are standing by the finished casket.



My Dad's siblings came to be with us for the funeral that was held in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Doris Faye's husband, Doris Faye, Harold, Gatha, Barbara, LaRue, Leon and Mom (Erma Rae) are in this picture.

Grandma Cora 100

I did this once but don't find it on the blog. Today my Mom would be 100 years old. I have never been able to see her in my mind since she died 64 years ago. She was a wonderful mother and I think of her so often. The years have gone by so fast and so slow. It seems forever.

Mom and Dad were very in love. Dad could hardly leave the house without Mom being with him. I think that is why it was so hard for him when she wasn't there any more. They were fun parents. We did a lot of fun things together. I remember sitting around the table after supper in the winter, we visited for long periods of time. Those are special memories for me. We didn't have TV or even radio that was plain enough to listen to very well. Living on a farm and spending evenings together was special. Sometimes one of our parents read to us or we played table games. We had a good life. The gospel was center in our lives. We talked about many things. Those were the days!!!
Doris Faye was 70 today.

I am sure that they would both have been very pleased with all of you. They didn't get to know any of you. I think it will be a joyous day when we are all together again.

Grandma Cora

Today, July 29th, my mom would be one hundred years old. The time has gone fast in a way and slow in another. It has been 64 years since my mom died. It always makes me feel sad that none of you children and grandchildren have never seen her or my dad. They would have been so pleased with all of you. The were good parents and everything was for our good. I feel that I was raised in a home full of love. My dad didn't want to go anywhere without Mom. They were very in love with each other. I look forward to the time when we will all be together again. Today Doris Faye is 70. She and Bert are in Alaska. They will be home tomorrow.

Cora Emily Dunn Bingham

Cora Emily Dunn (Second from the right in the back row of the picture to the left) was born on 29 July 1908. Her parents were Anna Buletta Jensen (known as Annie) and Simeon Harmon Dunn. Cora was born 25 August 1901 in Eastdale, Costilla County, Colorado. Her older sisters were Frances Edna, Ethel Leona, Ruth Carrie. Cora and these sisters were born in Eastdale.

The family then moved to Manassa, Colorado. Cora's younger siblings were born in Manassa. They were, Edgar, Ina, Hazel, Elma, Doris and Loyd. Her mother then had a stillborn child they named Keith Melford. Cora's baby brother was Rex.

Cora grew up with seven sisters and three brothers. Because the girls were born first, they milked cows, fed chickens, and helped in the fields. Cora was very good with math.

Cora had several friends that she spent time with. Nora Christensen, Dollie Christensen, and Leta Kaneaster were the closest friends. Cora was a good basketball player.

(Taken from Ted and Cora, A love story by Gatha Bingham Vance Wilson)

Crazy Drivers

You wonder why those drivers that always have a cell phone up to their head drive crazily. Their brains are cooked.

Where do we go from here?

I never knew Grandma and Grandpa Bingham. I have only the memories of stories I have heard from Mom and her siblings. I have searched for more, but have no more to contribute. If there is no contribution to this blog in the coming month, I wonder if it should be removed. Let me know what you think.

It would be valuable too if descendants of Grandma and Grandpa Bingham would like to share news of their families. I will be happy to add authors if there is any interest.

Kent