Josie

About ten miles from the rock quarry where dinosaur bones hover over tourists, buried in layers of history, Josie Bassett Morris built a homestead. She planted trees, raised her animals, and tamed a bit of earth. Her little cabin is solid and comfortable. The doors only go as high as necessary. My tall husband had to bend to pass through. I walked through comfortably.

The younger generation ran around, zipping in and out and up and down. The babies zoomed. The younger kids invented innocent stories about murder and showed us the grave markers of their poor victims. Dan was the oldest kid there. He was so frustrated at the younger kids’ lack of respect for the place. He couldn’t understand the need for imagination. He finally left the younger kids and found his peace exploring the trees.

The adults watched and laughed. I think we were there for maybe 20 minutes. It was worth the drive. We are the grandchildren and great grandchildren of Jack and Janet. Jack and Janet who married in 1950 and raised three kids in Ohio. Janet was from a wealthy family. Jack was from an Irish American working class family from Pittsburgh.

Janet with her black hair and brown eyes, descended from Mayflower pilgrims. Jack with his blue eyes and red hair, descended from survivors of the Irish potato famine.

We gathered at Josie’s home. Thank you for the beautiful welcome Josie.