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Rod , probably 20 or 21, was earning his living in these depression times as a "paper boy", throwing multiple paper routes. Jouree (17 or 18) was one of his customers, and they met when Rod came to collect for the paper. After a few visits to the house to collect, Rod asked Jouree for a date, and she accepted.

However, when the appointed evening arrived, and Rod went to get dressed for the date, he found that one of his brothers had already donned the single suit, shared by several boys, and had left the house. So, not having any appropriate dress clothes to wear, he just decided not to go, and Jouree was "stood up" as they used to say.

Later when he came back to collect again, he mumbled some lame excuse, and asked her out again. She hid her chagrin and sweetly accepted the date -- but when he came to pick her up, she wasn't there. Her mother acted surprised. "Jouree? Well, she's not here. I didn't know she was expecting you....."

Apparently the spite re-match went on for a couple more rounds before one of them finally gave up the one- upsmanship contest, and they finally went out. The rest is history. They were married, March 4, 1933. The same day Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated.

Rod was fond of quoting " ...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". It must have been a magnificently hopeful declaration for those caught in the clutches of the depression. Maybe it even gave these two youngsters hope to begin a life together.

1932/1933

Rod feeds his grandson Brian

Rod took daughter Rachael and 21 month-old grandson Brian to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Brian was put in a high chair, but service was slow, and he began to fret a bit.

Rod, who could never stand to see a baby cry or be unhappy, scanned the table for something to give the baby. It had been quite a while since Rod had children in the house. Without thinking, he picked up a jalapeno pepper and put it on the highchair tray for Brian to play with.

Before Rachael noticed what was happening, the baby had picked the pepper up and popped it into his mouth. Brian's face turned crimson and, you could hear the screams from the far end of the restaurant!

1963

"This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…

... unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Inaugural speech,

March 4, 1933