00:00:01.010 - 00:00:19.330

it is just a pizza kitty. They call them job. But then, yeah, and And my mother was Theresa, and and the names on the thing says, Oh, kitty. So, you know, I kind of have to go on that. I'm not sure just what to say. I

00:00:19.330 - 00:00:36.510

figured that they were married. Her name was Teresa Zenoni. Who was then owning Zenoni was her folks. Oh, her folks. Okay. And they came from It was robot Sacco. They came from Lugano, you know, gun. But they had a rubber Tsekos. A little. I'm drawing is

00:00:36.510 - 00:00:51.240

a little tiny place, and we got to go back there and see, you know, remember. And we ran into the gal that she says My mother was her godmother. Yeah, I remember. She hugged you in the street. I went to Switzerland. It was her very first

00:00:51.240 - 00:01:05.430

time, and it was 1989. I had just finished law school and she was 75. And so we went to Switzerland together. I was already over there, and she ended up over there and she took me to visit all of our relatives in southern Switzerland. There's don't

00:01:05.430 - 00:01:18.190

you go. The priest who is your first cousin. There was Elsie, who was your first cousin who you hadn't seen since you were little girls. She was four years old when she went back to Switzerland and she was born here. But she was born here. Yeah.

00:01:18.250 - 00:01:32.700

Didn't speak a word of English? No. And we went and visited just a number of relatives. I'll never forget the first morning because her first language Grandma was first language was the Swiss Italian dialect. She didn't learn English until she went to school in here in

00:01:32.700 - 00:01:47.070

Cinema County. But we went back there and we got in late at night and we were tired. And so we were sleeping and I was 25. She was 75. I wake up about 10 o'clock in the morning. She comes in with two piggy banks from on

00:01:47.080 - 00:01:58.850

from the bed. And I said, I said, What are those? She said, their piggy banks. I said, Where'd you get those? She said from the president of Bank on. She said they thought I was local because she still spoke the dialect just like she had learned

00:01:58.850 - 00:02:11.130

as a little girl and spoke to her parents through the throughout their lives until they passed away in the sixties. They made me go back the second day, though, because not all his workers who were there but I didn't know why. And he says, uh, well,

00:02:11.130 - 00:02:26.560

you know, you speak perfect dialect, and I said, What do you mean? You know, at first I thought he was telling me that I was that something was wrong, you know? And so anyway, he says no. He says you don't abbreviate and you don't throw in

00:02:26.560 - 00:02:44.270

any slang and anything He says now. They don't even talk right anymore. You know, uh, So anyway, that one occupation have you bring in? Well, he was a baker. Is Aziz a young person? And when he came here, this all I can tell you is that

00:02:44.270 - 00:03:04.550

when they came to Petaluma, he went to work at Thea U S Bakery in Petaluma. US Baker. Yeah, which was probably Main Street then instead of Petaluma. Bolivar. Was that just Yeah. Waas? Yeah. Uh, so he went to work for Gus. Settler? Yeah, uh, and that.

00:03:05.040 - 00:03:19.740

How long did he work there? Well, I don't know how long, because really everybody was saying to my dad. Oh, if you want to make money, you know, you gotta work on a ranch. You know, you got to do this. So you got to do that.

00:03:19.900 - 00:03:36.600

So what he did, I guess he talked to the right people. Uh, but then I I was born in between, you know, But you were born. He lived. He had that ranch out on it at south of town. You still pointed out when we drive by

00:03:36.600 - 00:03:54.520

there. Yeah, but it's not there anymore. And, uh, because they tore down, and so but anyway and my mother was helping of milk cows that they she went into labor. And I'm just telling you this, but then you don't have to use it. And Dr Brian

00:03:55.250 - 00:04:09.040

came down and picked her up. They must have caught. Somebody must have called. You know that, uh, And you were born What? Petaluma General Hospital. So you were on the ranch when you're born or you're still in town? No, I was still in Petaluma. We had

00:04:10.840 - 00:04:28.850

at south of town on the down. It used to used to be next to the freeway, but it kept moving closer to the freeway somewhere. The road. I don't know. They kept moving the road to And, uh so, uh, that's that's all I you can remember.

00:04:28.850 - 00:04:48.690

And then about when I was about eight months old around there, he got a chance to go to work. That was my dad had a chance to go toe work at Duncans Mills on the Charlie Rule Ranch, and Charlie Rule did nothing but race steers. That's

00:04:49.010 - 00:05:07.840

this is all I know, you know. And we were there for about two years. Then my dad worked with with on the ranch and my mother did the cooking. What did you do? I went out and played with the horses and they told me not to.

00:05:09.510 - 00:05:27.050

And they said, No, don't let your child go near those horses. I listen. They waited for me every day. There were about 12 them. They look like Clydesdale horses to look, and I would sit on my hand and, uh so So we were there just about

00:05:27.540 - 00:05:44.780

the two years. And then my dad had a chance to go to work at the money Holla ranch, which would be out in Inverness. You know, really, and everybody says point Reyes, but and um, it's still there to have got still got that name on. There's

00:05:44.780 - 00:06:03.060

right next to the lighthouse. And I ran up and down those steps every day. I wouldn't be able to. Now, I bet you would step from the White House. Uh, yeah. The point race the light has So is that was at a different kind of job

00:06:03.130 - 00:06:22.330

that No, it's still cow. Yeah, the same thing. And he did that My dad did, till he had enough money to Lisa Ranch That that's really what was on his mind to do. Because that's what everybody told him, you know? Ah, when you get enough money,

00:06:22.330 - 00:06:39.610

you can Lisa wrench. So there was a ranch available. The code oniy ranch at that time. It's got another name now and took tow. Coloma. Oh, that's the ranch in tow. Coloma, you talk about and choke. Aloma isn't on the map anymore. And I think there's

00:06:39.610 - 00:06:55.760

a plaque there. There's nothing in tow, Coloma, except the new bridge there that we used to cross over from the ranch. That damn so I wish. Sometimes there'd be a little history on took Aloma, you know? Were you the only child No, I had a brother,

00:06:55.760 - 00:07:13.180

but he was born 55 was five years younger than me. He's deceased now, though sometimes I have to stop and think. Do because I'm not sure what you're gonna ask me. Where's your brothers, Hank? That called him. But Henry was his name with Yeah, on the

00:07:13.190 - 00:07:32.590

ranch. Did you kids have any requirements? Obligations when? Well, I'll tell you, I was a bad girl with bad girl. I used to want a tip that buggy over all the time. And, you know, when he passed away, I had a guilty conscience, but he was

00:07:32.590 - 00:07:43.320

old, you know what I mean? He had been in the navy and everything. The baby buggy he was in. Oh, yeah, when he was a kid, I I used to want to tip that over all the time. Well, you know, five years different. I guess that

00:07:43.330 - 00:08:03.380

made a difference. You know, I wasn't used to having. I was used to the cows and the horses. Not another child, you know, around where there did you have friends for their neighboring ranches? Did you have? Yeah, but not that. Not that close. Snow and and

00:08:03.380 - 00:08:17.920

wait, you know there was no school yet or anything. You know eso I was down at that lighthouse that most of the time you know whether other families in the area Well, if there is, I don't remember. Let's put it. I don't mind saying that. Really?

00:08:17.980 - 00:08:37.350

Can you tell me what you remember about starting school? Well, we went. We were in tow, Coloma. I was eight years old when I started school. So, you know, it was a little bit older and walk for miles to a lima that's two miles each way.

00:08:38.140 - 00:08:56.430

And and the hills were like this Real curvy. Then I hope you're Do I Do I show up like that? Just she's doing great school were curvy. Yeah. And, uh, and I remember at the top of the hill, there was a family up there that spoke

00:08:56.430 - 00:09:14.350

Portuguese. Well, we didn't dwell very well, And but, uh, but we'd meet, you know, probably at the top of the hill, and then walk down and need on same walking back. And the one thing I remember, you know, it's a one room schoolhouse, for one thing.

00:09:14.740 - 00:09:33.250

And the one thing that I do remember I was expelled from school one day. I think I told this story Beaver and, uh, eso anyway, kind of I wonder, and I don't know what I did, but I must have hit that boy in stomach or something.

00:09:33.830 - 00:09:48.450

And anyway, the teacher says you're expelled, you know? So naturally, I But I wasn't moving. And she kept saying, Aren't you gonna go home? You know, but I have a hunch that the only reason I didn't go home I didn't want my folks to know. What

00:09:48.450 - 00:10:06.060

the heck are you home for already? I mean, not in my, you know, thinking about it now, because I I don't know what I did. So anyway, I waited and waited and she says, Oh, wait. She says, I walk home with you. And so on the

00:10:06.060 - 00:10:21.230

way home, she says, You'll never be expelled again. And, uh and I says Why? My dad had to take her home in the horse and wagon because that's, you know, back in those days we didn't have anything else And, uh, no. And she always said, Boy,

00:10:21.230 - 00:10:42.450

and I'll tell you, she never cut me down for anything after that first in one year's time, I was getting a in English. Tell me about Tom. About your first day of school in the English. Well, that's different. The first, the first week or two of

00:10:42.450 - 00:10:57.530

school. Well, you know, you cry half of the time because you're not sure. You know, nobody else that run that spoke the language or anything. And, uh, and then what was worse is when a month later, the they have a health check, they go around and

00:10:57.530 - 00:11:11.840

check And the school nurse, you know, they had a nurse that came around. And when I saw that tongue blade, I'll tell you that I was knocked me over, and, uh, s Oh, boy, that scared the life out of me. Yeah, I that I remember that

00:11:11.850 - 00:11:31.880

part. And what about your nickname? In school, they call me spaghetti because it was easier. Because my last name was a kitty, you know, and everybody called me spaghetti all the time. Okay, let's see. And then your father's did on that ranch. How long? Five years

00:11:32.200 - 00:11:50.000

were there. And then one day they come and said to me that they're moving back to Petaluma. Oh, I cried, I cried, and I just really, I I was upset to leave my horses and my cows. That's all I knew. Really. And, uh, except the, you

00:11:50.000 - 00:12:06.590

know, people on the wrench. Because otherwise, as faras that knows, we probably went to visit somebody maybe once every three months or four months. And Guido book Colleoni and his family, his mother and dad. My folks knew riel Well, so we go visit them and we

00:12:06.590 - 00:12:29.460

do Was just gonna learn to play the accordion, and I couldn't remember and was one of her boyfriends. Had a lot of boyfriends way never. We never saw it. So what? Your parents want to leave ranching, and, well, they lived here first when they came from,

00:12:29.470 - 00:12:48.000

you know, and, uh, for I guess he probably had had enough money. And then he went in with, you know, with Paul, Paul and Show. And they had that a little I got a little bar, whatever you want to go. And, uh, and then in some

00:12:48.000 - 00:13:04.070

of the best businessmen and Petaluma before they did any business with anybody. Clarence Miller. What? I shouldn't mention name, but Clarence Miller from Christie Manufacturing Company. Oh, God. He'd have to go in he'd have a drink or eat something before anybody sit down. And then he

00:13:04.080 - 00:13:17.240

do its business there at the table until he was through. And then he'd go back this work. And But it was so funny. And they were quite a few that would just, you know it would. I don't know if there were more relaxed in there, because

00:13:17.240 - 00:13:32.600

I'm sure that went after his son took over the business. He didn't know anything about the business. That made a big difference. What was the name of the bar? Paul and Joe? It was on right there on Main Street was 1 56 I think it says

00:13:32.600 - 00:13:49.330

1 44 somewhere else. But then I always thought it was 1 56 But anyway, what was the menu? Whatever it was that day, whatever they get, Molly Molly was full. You know, a friend of the of Poll, I guess for a long time, even before his

00:13:49.330 - 00:14:02.550

wife was still alive and she says she'd come in and serve and she would she come in and serve the meals, you know, and I forget what her last name was, but anyway and they had polenta, right? Oh, God. I know they will have all that

00:14:02.550 - 00:14:18.400

kind of stuff. Yeah, and And Paul love to cook. So me and my dad would tend the bar and and Molly would wait on tables. And, uh So anyway, did you ever go on eating their when you were a girl? Oh, yeah, I did. When I

00:14:18.400 - 00:14:32.550

go to the city sometimes with my dad, if you go to the city, even when I was younger, you know, he take me along and all these places Italian places down there that you know, that there's couple still in the city. Of course. Now I don't

00:14:32.550 - 00:14:49.140

know where they are, Really. And, uh, and my dad would take me and, you know, I'd go about just try to figure out what everything was about, you know? So that's about it back then. Did your mother stay home? That she worked at the restaurant are?

00:14:49.650 - 00:15:10.050

No. No, she was She was in home then, Because and, uh And then when we came back to Petaluma, I was in the sixth grade. So when I skipped two grades over that one room schoolhouse, think something we're glad to get rid of, But anyway, um

00:15:10.720 - 00:15:29.290

So So did you go to Washington? Grammars? Yes. And then the last six months, Because then I went on to junior high. Where'd you go? To? Grammar school? Washington grammar. And, uh, And then I'm And I'm scared to death of everybody. Anybody that's tolerant, you know,

00:15:29.290 - 00:15:46.250

that Looked at out. Just frighten me. I don't know why, but I just And cause I'm used to the kids, you know? And, uh, So anyway, uh, we get in school and I'm not there 10 days, and she says to me, I forget what she said

00:15:46.250 - 00:16:03.170

first, um, you got to do me a favor. It was Alice Brown, school teacher. I will always remember her that she was a good school teacher. Not because she picked on me, but anyway, but And I thought who who would be told to stay after school

00:16:03.170 - 00:16:18.950

unless they did something wrong? Oh, gosh. That's all I ever heard anyway. So in school, so anyhow, um, she told me to sit down. She told me twice during the day, Did remind me to make sure I stayed. And then when we sat there, she says

00:16:19.550 - 00:16:34.110

she probably said, You you have to do me a favor. I don't know which was first. That or I can't read anybody's writing in this class. And she says, I want you to teach him the Palmer method And she says, Take five or 10 minutes every

00:16:34.110 - 00:16:53.320

morning and she says, You got the board there. You do what you want. That's like So and I really? Because I was I was a scared of everything, really. Just having come back to Pelham, I didn't know anything really about Petaluma since I left. You know,

00:16:53.440 - 00:17:07.960

in the Palmer method is and the Parliament, you don't know what the Palmer method is. Tell me again, huh? In writing. Well, you better learn to use computers. Know what you always have Good handwriting. You talked about the Palmer method. But how is it powers? People

00:17:07.960 - 00:17:23.140

that come to me today and asked me to write their cards for still do good handwriting. So, uh, but just circles, you know, in the the lines across and everything. And I got you novel. She was worn out in six months, but every morning, and those

00:17:23.140 - 00:17:40.000

kids hated me, I think. But anyway, then I went on to junior high and Uh, and we had a couple of I shouldn't say that a couple of girls in the class, you can leave this event in the class That were kind of, Well, everybody, they

00:17:40.080 - 00:17:58.860

they got to do everything. I don't care. And so they were electing on Secretary of Girls after the athletics, And, uh So anyway, it was really kind of funny that to him, we're going to run. And they came and asked me from the office if I

00:17:58.860 - 00:18:14.890

would run and I said no. But then they came back and asked me again, and I thought, Oh, it'll be good for you. It will be good for you. Okay. And all this This is not saying that you're gonna win or anything. Well, guess who won?

00:18:14.890 - 00:18:33.920

I did. And, uh, So then surprise. Surprise. I think that gave me a little more comfort. You know, I started to get a little bit confidence back because I sure didn't have any talk about I didn't. I was afraid to talk. Way got over that friends

00:18:33.920 - 00:18:54.150

with from school. Oh, yeah, and and some of And I didn't bring that picture. We were We were the Petaluma Chicks. Part of us with the feather and we every parade that came along. Kerrigan, you know, what's his name? I would always and ask us to

00:18:54.150 - 00:19:10.290

go and and I remember, but course in Yonville, they'd be young fellas over there. Then now they'd be, you know, older men and, uh, a big difference, but, you know, from the Navy, or you know that from the service over there. But they want to pull

00:19:10.290 - 00:19:26.690

the feathers off. Right? Tresses are little dresses. I can always remember that. And, uh, but cash wheat. We were in parades all the time. Now, is that different in the egg basket, girls or the What were they called? No, that's That's a difference over there. They

00:19:26.690 - 00:19:44.380

elected a queen and everything else, but and Bill Sabrina's e I had on Willie yet a big article in the artist about the effect he had our picture in there to a long time ago. You junior high school that age or older? Well, my husband went

00:19:44.380 - 00:19:58.610

and put my agent, and I think he made it a year younger. I think he had 15 in there, and, um, but I thought I was 16 but maybe he was right. I don't remember. He didn't know me. Them? No. So and, uh, but anyway, and

00:19:58.610 - 00:20:19.570

it was down here on the street. They had taken the picture and they had a separate liken a pillar. Two of us on top to down below. And then two ladies. But we don't remember who. The ladies worker. Oh, no one was Barbara Smith. And I

00:20:19.570 - 00:20:34.740

don't know if she's around anymore, and I don't think so. And Angela, um, Jack, um A And she passed away a number of years ago because they had moved, See, after they get out of high school, that's what. And the other one was Debbie somebody and

00:20:34.740 - 00:20:49.990

I don't know, she had moved to Santa Rosa, but I can't think of her last night. It might be on the if I have the article if I run across the article, but Lord knows where I put it. I'll tell you why I have a hard

00:20:49.990 - 00:21:10.520

time locating some of the things for the 150 years ST Vincent's. They burn a lot of my scrapbooks. I got scrapbooks back then. I never knew I had. I think someone were underneath the that They're a bitch over by the church. And you and somebody, even

00:21:10.520 - 00:21:25.660

from Oregon, had left some scrapbooks there for me. See, all the things I've done, the O and the scrapbooks ever ready to just fall apart. But I did get back scrapbooks that I enjoy reading because I don't remember ever looking at it. It's where did you

00:21:25.660 - 00:21:42.480

live? In town, when you will. I think we had to move into a place like on Stanley Street, up by the high school, right off the bat. But then we did move into for it was 4 50 What was for 15 or four? 11? First for

00:21:42.480 - 00:21:58.770

11. You guys cheated because I told her that Diana for 11 and we moved in here in it. It was Marieke. It was Thomas's home, I think. And they sold it to us. And my dad had enough money to to, uh but you know, by that.

00:21:58.930 - 00:22:11.620

And then after we were there, while he bought the lot next door. So after we were there a while, he had gone kid, Uh, I guess the county had asked him if he wanted to go. Anyone was in the house is still there. I gotta go

00:22:11.620 - 00:22:24.300

by and look at it. One of these days. I don't know if it was built with these bricks, you know, on the outside or what? But anyway, he built the house, you know, right up right next to it. And, uh, and then we lived in there

00:22:25.020 - 00:22:41.050

for till I get still. I got married. Your father built the house. Yeah, he did. And, uh, but he had. But he you know, when he went to work for the county, did a lot of that work, and he got, you know, used to doing construction

00:22:41.050 - 00:22:58.810

with, uh and, uh, so I'll never forget. When we went to Switzerland in 1989 the relatives took us to see where her father lived. Just epi zoo kitty. And we look up to the top of a little barn that he had made and write in small

00:22:58.810 - 00:23:13.070

lettering at the top of the Barnett. Said gz for Giuseppe's. Okay? Yeah, And he had made that just before he came to America. Yeah, so anyway, that Yeah, those air, a lot of things. That and Oh, I sure like that. But I don't have a phone

00:23:13.070 - 00:23:30.850

number nothing. Because those kids, when they threw out all my papers, they threw those out. Then I would find it. You have the phone number? What was what was required of you as since you were in school? Did you work well when I was when I

00:23:30.850 - 00:23:49.550

got into high school one day across the street. I don't remember the name of this little store. I have no idea what it was. They said, though you wanna do you want to come and and help us give out lunch? You know, and, uh and they

00:23:49.550 - 00:24:02.940

said, We'll give you your lunch for it. So anyway, so I did. I thought, Well, that's you know, so I did, and I So I used to work over there. So then I I did go before I got out of high school to work at fund

00:24:02.940 - 00:24:19.550

this candy store, which was like, See's candy. Now I'll tell you, because when see's candy came, they even asked me if I show him how to pack candy. Of course, now I don't remember it so long ago. And But anyway, we go there that he ceiling

00:24:19.550 - 00:24:35.610

and beat the high like this because, you know what's right next to the Mystic theater over here. And so anyway, we'd sit there and show nuts, form and everything, but But we got to learn to He had made packing, you know, candy in the boxes and

00:24:35.610 - 00:24:53.000

everything. And he was a Greek. Peter fund is was a Greek here, but he sure could make candy and and then they other word articles in the paper than it says about all the girls that he had working for him and everything. And, uh, Yen, we

00:24:53.000 - 00:25:09.850

freeze down there, too, because they'd be so cold in that place with the high ceiling and no heat around. But here we'd be shelling those nets, we'd be so covered up. And but then and then I remember when they first start making sandwiches out, you know,

00:25:09.860 - 00:25:26.410

in these different places And, uh, because always sold was ice cream, you know, before and things like that. Coke and, uh And it was funny. People would come in and they said, I want a gallon of ice cream. You can imagine We had a packet, you

00:25:26.410 - 00:25:44.290

know, we had a tick and take it out of another thing and be so hard. It where's up and not like. Now it comes all packed and well, I'm sorry from No, it's great. And where they're glad. Can you tell us some of the types of

00:25:44.300 - 00:25:58.770

candy he made? He made all the all the different chocolate can, you know, can just, like, seized They spread out. Now they probably make a lot more, you know, than they used to. A different kind. Good candy, huh? Good candle gas. Yes. I thought it was

00:25:58.780 - 00:26:12.530

better than sees that. Oh, my saying. But it was No, it was good. No. What if I get cease candy and box of see's candy? It reminds me of that, because that's the way we back it, you know? And, uh and I don't And I don't

00:26:12.530 - 00:26:26.760

know how he ever got here. He came from San Francisco, and I don't know if anybody in this family, you know, had anything to do with candy before, but he sure was. I was good at it. Let's put it that way. And, uh and then let's

00:26:26.760 - 00:26:45.980

see from their wages. Did you earn? I don't have No, no, no, I don't remember. Hobby wasn't very much for your counter girl. They In other words, we waited on him. Yeah, during the day. That's what we did. We waited on him and took the money

00:26:45.980 - 00:27:03.310

and everything. And, you know, but don't ask me how much, because I couldn't tell you except that I remember a lot of things probably were from five cents up. I wouldn't be a bit surprised at that time, you know? And, uh, that No, that's one thing.

00:27:03.310 - 00:27:26.500

I Now that's something that might be in the old Argus is, But I don't know. I graduated from high school in 1932 and, uh, Petaluma High Petaluma High. And, um yeah, and, uh and we were the last class. In other words, the next class next year.

00:27:26.940 - 00:27:43.870

War. The first caps and gowns. We were the last ones. Teoh wear ordinary clothes. You know, they just told us, address it. And we graduated from the gym because the gym was there and the junior high was on the other side at that time. That was

00:27:43.870 - 00:28:08.240

during the Depression, during a lot of things. I guess that I you know, And, uh but, uh, but, you know, thinking back when I got into that being secretary girls athletic. You know, that gave me a confidence. There's something. Because then I worked. I was always

00:28:08.240 - 00:28:26.930

working around with this student body or doing thing, you know, and I just kept going. And then after, after I got out of high school Well, let's see, I even I'm not even gonna mention this because I even work that at the 50. You know the

00:28:26.930 - 00:28:45.350

story. Wool worst. Yeah. And they had me working the candy counter because they thought I know all about candy, and it's altogether different, you know? And, uh, but it but it was just a and different things that that I did before. I even thought of going

00:28:45.350 - 00:29:06.290

on, you know, dio nursing or anything that just that just has inspired me. And I, uh So when I went when I went down to the French hospital Well, that that was then I'll never forget I I shouldn't even mention these things, but anyway, we had

00:29:08.180 - 00:29:30.520

My roommate was a senior down there at the French hospital. Where was the French hospital? San Francisco. It's no more, though. It's been a lot of things since then, And I think now I don't know what it is now. And anyway, she, uh the first thing

00:29:30.520 - 00:29:47.100

she said to me, I'm not in very much a night. And will you please cover for me on Tetteh? I had more pillows thrown around, you know, And you because they come around and check. You know, we didn't get to come home on weekends. You know,

00:29:47.310 - 00:30:03.860

if you go to nursing school now, you get to come home after class. But no, that was a different story. And, uh oh, and then and then one Gail on. Then I'll never forget this. I shouldn't even tell this. But then this not for two. Big

00:30:03.860 - 00:30:22.050

written them. But I remember there. Scallon was in my class and she's she'd go swimming out of the okay, the swimming pool out there. What was it called it? Yeah, out there. Well, anyway, she didn't feel good and she says, Well, I don't know why she

00:30:22.050 - 00:30:37.350

says all I ever take It's just aspirin and, well, I guess she took too many aspirins because they found out she was pregnant. And, uh, but anyway, well, how could the only thing I do is go swimming out there and she says, I don't see anybody

00:30:37.440 - 00:30:55.670

I don't know. Well, they finally sent her home, but telling times for different. And, um and, uh, but that's not for publication. Nursing. What? Did you have other choices that you thought you might like to do? I don't know. I could have gone. I could have

00:30:55.670 - 00:31:09.720

gone up to junior college, and I Well, I did. I took classes. A junior college at night, you know, with the on. And everything was at night in those days because they didn't have the nursing class, you know, really set up. They were just go to

00:31:09.720 - 00:31:28.500

start and which was great. But then I volunteered. I was always volunteer. I'd go down here to the hospital whenever they needed somebody extra, or I go up, not polio epidemic. I come home sometimes with blistered hands because we put the packs on because that's what

00:31:28.500 - 00:31:44.640

we had to do at that time and at the county hospital, you know, and did a lot of did a lot of volunteer work and that I think that gave me the, uh, you know, idea that I Really I wanted to make something of it, and,

00:31:44.640 - 00:32:05.000

uh and I probably would if I had a room with this gal, I probably would have gone on and stayed there. Oh, she drove me nuts. Yeah, well, and up here, I'd go up and take classes in the evenings and everything but the doctor. Most of

00:32:05.000 - 00:32:24.980

those doctors air going now that But But I got, you know, we got to work out at the county hospital, and then I even I even worked in the TV ward, and, uh, I did for quite a while to and they and, uh, yes. So, you

00:32:24.980 - 00:32:43.940

know, you took a lot of chances to think, and then your job you have a great story about we went to work for all that, And that was Well, I went to what was funny because, But that married in 1934. And, uh So then ST Vincent's,

00:32:43.940 - 00:33:04.850

right? Yeah. Yeah. Your husband. Well, how I met him. Was it at the hermit? Well, no, I think one night, you know, art Spolli. You know him well, Arts Fellini said to me, Don't you want to go to the basketball game? And I think they played

00:33:04.850 - 00:33:22.170

for the Why am I? And they played in the creamery, You know, creamery had a place there that you could They think it play ball. And so anyway, I said Okay, so I went and, um, her last name was Cassidy. But I can't think of her

00:33:22.170 - 00:33:38.690

first name, and, uh, and she used to work. It was the leader downtown, and she said, I'll go with you, which was fine. So anyway, she went with what we would watch the best of all game. And when the basketball game with things were different, then

00:33:38.690 - 00:33:58.350

we go downtown and have a chocolate instead of going to have a drink or anything, and, uh and that's what we do. And I ended up going home with Russell, just, you know, moving the same guard. But anyway, and, uh, that's really how I wouldn't somebody

00:33:58.350 - 00:34:16.750

tapping on the shoulder. That was That was before. Yeah, now that I went to Herman Sense, all right. After the Herman said so that this was before when Herman sends hall opened, they had Well, they were having quite a few dances out there, And, uh, and

00:34:16.750 - 00:34:26.380

there was a fellow in the class that everybody kind of liked, you know, And I don't know what made me you know, he had his back turned He was dancing, and I thought it was I thought it was that guy and I almost went up. And

00:34:26.380 - 00:34:39.140

I was right like this. And did I turn around quick, but he turned around to and, uh, but he didn't realize who I was, but he came and asked me for dance about four dances later, you know? And he had a date that night. He told

00:34:39.140 - 00:34:57.010

me that, and I wasn't looking for a date then, right, That we were just looking around looking to see what the new Herman said so looked like, you know, But anyway, and that's just how we met. And we didn't go, you know, really steady or anything.

00:34:57.170 - 00:35:10.840

But once in a while we meet up at the groove at the river. That was about it. And then, uh, you because I had a fellow down the street that wanted to carry my books every day, OK? And sometimes I had to get rid of him

00:35:11.500 - 00:35:30.210

and I don't know whatever happened to him. How did you decide to get married? Well, um I don't know. I remember that when we announced it, I had that black dog, and it was a a water spaniel. What? You don't hear much about them and, uh,

00:35:30.270 - 00:35:46.160

put a bowl on. So we must have decided, you know, to get married. And, uh, but that I don't want this in the paper, though. But the doctor said told me that I would never get pregnant if I got married, you know? And so, uh, anyway

00:35:47.140 - 00:36:06.010

well, after we're married about yeah, because he was born in 39 and, ah, about five years, huh? I asked him, but this doctor in the city, my mother was I had to take her down. Dr. Jim wanted her checked, you know, have a second opinion. And,

00:36:06.010 - 00:36:18.290

uh so I went with her. Now why? I wouldn't say anything for my doctors here who had told me the opposite. You know, I never said anything to him. And I said to this doctor, I said, You know, I said, I've been married now almost five

00:36:18.290 - 00:36:33.570

years, and I says they told me I would never get pregnant, and, um, I don't know what he gave me a shot of something in the next month. I was pregnant, so sure gave my husband a bad time. So what is your husband's name? Didn't tell

00:36:33.570 - 00:36:50.800

you. Mentioned. Well, Russell, they called him Russell. But his first name was William. But But he always went by the name of Russell Silver. I think that's the way they know. You know, no one by but but that was sure. Funny I says that I probably

00:36:50.800 - 00:37:06.450

could have told the doctors here, you know, some, but they never offered to do anything, you know, for me. So what did? What did Russell do for a living? Will wrestle. I'll tell you, when we got married, he was working at the Bank of America here,

00:37:07.330 - 00:37:24.110

I think, probably making about $85 a month. I mean, I mean, it was not. And the funny part about it is that Mr Barron's this was the senior barren. He needed someone to do shorthand. And, you know, usually you thought of girls doing short and, well,

00:37:24.110 - 00:37:38.340

my husband, I went up to Empire school because he went to Santa Clara first. And he didn't finish up there either, and went up to the Empire school. You know, took a business course, so he went to work for the Bank of America and then became

00:37:38.340 - 00:37:58.290

a, you know, went through the whole thing. And, um, and then for two years, we went to point Arena to work. That was during the war years. He was. And I was really glad about that, in a way, because I'll tell you why, Although I don't

00:37:58.290 - 00:38:12.510

want that in the paper either. Well, I'll tell you why. It was a friend who had a little girl the same age as my son, and she ran out of the street up here and got killed. And you know that Just put the fear on me

00:38:12.510 - 00:38:30.900

because my son was not a person to city still, And, uh and, um, you know, my son album, which I haven't said his name. I know he was ready to shoot me over here, and, uh, but, uh, and he always wondered how come I named him

00:38:30.900 - 00:38:51.870

Alvin. And I said Now he auto feel lucky because they keep coming up with the l Alvin and the Chipmunks again. No, she loved that. He loves that when I tell her, but, uh and, uh, clear with two point arena during the warriors? Yes. And then

00:38:51.870 - 00:39:05.510

we'd walk down the road and guard, you know, look to see. You know, if there's any ships coming in or anything else you know, way had to do our part. We did it about twice a week, and he he'd walk with me. And that's the best

00:39:05.510 - 00:39:25.380

thing that ever happened. Then what we do my my husband Bresil with 10 bar on the weekends, I would wait on tables, and my son and their little girl would play. This was another little girl that they have just the same age. And, uh, so it

00:39:25.380 - 00:39:41.090

worked out really, really nice that way. And, uh, so we just kept busy cause up there. What? What could we do? Because they're anywhere. There's a lot of the people were gone, you know? And, uh so But we had a nice little house. They're going down

00:39:41.100 - 00:39:57.920

to the lighthouse, and, uh, and it was nice, but I I enjoyed, and I'll never forget. I arrived up there. This is not for the paper, but we arrived up there on Good Friday and wrestling going up two weeks before. And so when we get there

00:39:57.920 - 00:40:14.280

on Good Friday, everybody's in church, you know? And that I look at the church, it goes like this, you know, Windy put very, very windy. And that church, you could hear it screech, you know, And it would go like that all the time. So when I

00:40:14.280 - 00:40:28.550

went in, you know, everybody's looking at anybody come in new. They looked and everybody kept looking up and I couldn't figure it out. So then when I after everything was over, they said were surprised. You stayed the whole time and I said, Why? And they said,

00:40:28.740 - 00:40:44.420

Nobody they're all scared out of, You know, when they hear the wind like that and it doesn't. And it makes the creek, but it but it never fail or anything. But they got a new church now. I noticed. So at that time, you weren't in in

00:40:44.430 - 00:41:02.520

doing nursing? No, I hadn't got no. And, uh, And that time, No, that was in the 44 though. Going up there? No, I went. I went to work for Dr K. It was She asked me one day. She says you want to come in and work

00:41:02.520 - 00:41:25.560

force for a few months and see how how it is. Well, I was there 25 20 almost 26 years. And she was she get k she then she married aside. L She was Morris. Dr Kay Morris. But Sedale is s I is a ET it's It

00:41:25.560 - 00:41:41.290

was spelled wrong. I think you probably had it right. I don't know whether other women doctors of the time, um, there had been And, um and we had a lot of when I went in there, and so she had men and women, you know? She had

00:41:41.600 - 00:42:05.530

just everyone and, uh, and busy, too. So anyway, so the we tried to start to get rid of the men. Not for any, but just to make it easier because there was the does need for obstetrician. So, you know, and, uh So anyway, how things went

00:42:05.530 - 00:42:21.000

along as she finally was Still every more babies than you know, that she had time, But But she was always on house calls, though. And at night got you never know how she come in in the morning. She'd be so tired. And, um but then another

00:42:21.000 - 00:42:39.780

thing, too, that she taught me so much. I would do the thyroid tests in the morning seven. And then she could easily read him and everything. You know what I mean? And, uh, and it worked out really great, then. Another thing, too, was them the e

00:42:39.780 - 00:42:55.500

k gs, and she I'd even develop him, do all that, and then you know that now all you do, you go in and you get em done. You know, you got an answer right away, and it's the same way with the thyroid test, you know, they

00:42:55.510 - 00:43:09.240

tell it in your Bible, a blood, you know? So it just shows. I says, I just like I worked in another era helmet on the shots, all the shots here. Oh, the shots. And while I gave all I gave all the all the shots, never had

00:43:09.240 - 00:43:25.770

any problem in effect. I helped the other nurses sometimes over in the other office. I like my work. I really did. And, uh, and on. And I was disappointed, You know, when I heard that, you know, she was gonna leave? Well, she came down with cancer,

00:43:26.300 - 00:43:47.710

and, uh, so then Dr Panning and Santa Rosa told me for, I guess almost a year. He says, Alba. He says when Dr Retires he says, Now be sure you take at least two months off. So OK, the time goes by. And, uh, one day I

00:43:47.710 - 00:44:07.210

get a personal call and it's about well, it was at home, and I said, And he says, Well, this is personal And I said What he says, Well, could you come toe workforce in three weeks? And I said Three weeks, Dr. Panning, I said, How can

00:44:07.210 - 00:44:22.730

I am working for Dr K And he says, Uh, well, you know, she's retiring next week. You know, we hadn't been informed of it, Really. I guess she was afraid to inform us. And, uh, because the other one that did the office work, she stayed, I

00:44:22.730 - 00:44:41.240

think, for almost a year, you know, to get everything, uh, and your order, you know, on everything. And, uh, so anyway, but isn't it funny how he says you don't need the two months he says, Forget about it. So I went to work. And then at

00:44:41.240 - 00:44:59.490

Christmas time, we went over and came over and visited our son Al in Hawaii because he was regional manager of IBM then And over there I was five. I remember that. Yeah, on So in these kids when they came back to this land, they didn't want

00:44:59.490 - 00:45:18.850

to wear shoes. One barefoot trouble year there. But yeah, it does spoil you over there. You can't help it and dance. So let's see where I left off. Now I am working for Dr K. Where you doing? A lot of your volunteer work. Women's Club. Well,

00:45:18.860 - 00:45:33.850

I get to go to my meetings now and then, you know, and I probably I took a leave of absence from now for like, for while I you know, when I became their grand president, and, uh and it took a leave of absence for one year

00:45:34.070 - 00:45:47.020

and she well, she she was nice enough to give it to because I didn't know if we would or not. And, uh, she said no. She says, And you can just says when you get ready to come back, come back. And so I took a euro

00:45:47.360 - 00:46:11.530

and I traveled, you know, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Hawaii. That was 19. That was 1959 1960. I took off from work, and, um, in your role. Waas you were the grand president of Young Ladies Institute, while I anyway, and they were gonna organized here in

00:46:11.530 - 00:46:31.560

1923 in Petaluma. But they organized in 18 87 in San Francisco. And it's it was to help the needy, you know? And, uh and you're still helping? Yes. We still? Yeah. Yeah. And the Catholic ladies aid to tell us about your meeting on Sunday air Saturday.

00:46:31.560 - 00:46:50.890

You went to I, like told tomorrow nobody. And tell him on camera. Huh? Own Asadi. The meeting I went to well was a Nan Shil. It's a Santa Rosa diocesan council meeting with sincerity. We have to a year. And Margaret, any a poetry see from here

00:46:51.110 - 00:47:10.220

is is Thea President right now for the diocese? I served them before twice going back a number of years and I say a number of years because you'll find that out. I guess I I didn't think about this at all. And so Saturday we have they

00:47:10.220 - 00:47:25.840

have the meeting and we had the speaker on water to those that can't get water back. You know, African, all that Jen's. And it was very, very It was interesting. And the fellow was very interesting. He came from San Francisco this speak, and there was a

00:47:25.840 - 00:47:38.160

girl here from Seattle to So we heard him both and then they get just before they closed the meeting. And they says we have one more thing that we have to take care of, which is very important. And I just about they had a platform e

00:47:38.870 - 00:48:00.290

50 years that are belong two. And then they gave me a O Most gorgeous vase that somebody made and the roses yellow roses. It was just gorgeous. And then the gal gave me a book to read the one from up North, A book to read, and

00:48:00.300 - 00:48:19.830

I'm kind of looking forward to because it is between black colored in and, uh, you know, and the white people, you know, what was the 50 years okay? Belong in a Santa, a National Council of Catholic women. That's as a whole because I've been for here.

00:48:19.830 - 00:48:39.060

I've been there only province director, which I never put down, but which was cooking them. It ain't called Province of San Francisco, and, uh and I served that I probably have the dates written down in that in that package. I can't remember all these dates. Really,

00:48:39.270 - 00:48:52.030

because that's it was a two year and I did travel and one thing about that, What I liked was that I got to travel to all these. I went to Texas, I went to Florida and I went to Alabama. I went to all these places for

00:48:52.030 - 00:49:06.780

my quarterly meetings as a as a board man member. Now they just go straight to Washington, D. C every time. You know what I mean. And, uh, it's a little bit different. He's gonna keep looking at you. And I think about Catholic ladies Catholic ladies Aid.

00:49:07.170 - 00:49:27.320

Well, I served them five times its current president, because there they got desperate, but they know better now. Now I tell them to and, uh, so that And that was organized in 18 87 2 in in Oakland, but just goes to show, and that was it's

00:49:27.320 - 00:49:43.710

for it also for the need of people. But we I shouldn't tell the difference between one and the other. The really because it makes while I look. But well, while I am probably invest more is what they do. So you don't have to write this down.

00:49:43.710 - 00:49:59.530

I'll just tell you for your own, um, but the while I have a lot of investments, you know? And then So they never given. Maybe we usually have to raise our own money year for to give away. But now, Catholic Ladies Aid Society Grand Council, They

00:49:59.540 - 00:50:12.920

had investments. And, of course, we draw from those investments. When we go to convert, I don't want to go to convention or anything like that. We do give money away like we give to the carousel fun. You know, we give to the and, uh and then

00:50:12.930 - 00:50:27.800

this last time we gave even to the ST Anthony's farm out here, which I don't think anybody they give to the OGA sailor, anything but not to the farm itself. And they really needed the money. And so that was good. Would you want a 20 or

00:50:27.800 - 00:50:42.390

30 years from now from all these service organizations? What? What would you What would you want to be remembered for? Having done? Well, you know, um, I look at my articles that are written up in the paper 75 85 years. You know what I was that

00:50:42.390 - 00:50:57.670

age. I think a lot of it is said right there. I think there's one article in there, and it says I care for people like I worked at the kitchen. I got certificates for that. You know, if I drag everything out, I don't I don't want

00:50:57.670 - 00:51:15.030

it. But, I mean, you know, things that and, um, carousel fun. I've been, I guess, 19 years out of the 20. And, you know, and, uh, what did you do all this? Because I like to be able to help people. And I've always had that feeling,

00:51:15.430 - 00:51:34.310

and I can't stand people that don't have that feeling, and I just It just burns me up, And, uh but that's just the way, uh, you know, And when you always tell me about attitude, you have to have a good attitude. I'd positive attitude. I take

00:51:34.310 - 00:51:50.910

a positive over there where I live at Valley Orchard. Somebody come in and says, Oh, what a lousy day today I said, You know, you look pretty good. It's not a bad day on then. No. And they said I do. I do help change their mind

00:51:50.910 - 00:52:02.250

a little bit, you know? And I have people that call me still call me to this day. Now, this girl lost her husband the other day, and she says l But I had to call you and she says I know you'd make me feel better. So

00:52:02.260 - 00:52:16.240

you know what? What are you gonna dio? I just, uh And, uh, but you know me, I get. So when I got it, when I get wanting once in a while, I want to get away from it all. I think I hide myself in my room.

00:52:16.430 - 00:52:34.890

I don't have that much time, but I do. But I do try to because I I like people. And if I don't like your boy, I'll tell you there's one or two that I can't stand in this town. You know, I love Petaluma, and I think

00:52:34.890 - 00:52:52.220

they're making too many changes on the buildings, you know, and think they're changing the kind of changing it, Which I wish that, you know, I like that. You know, I'm used to the downtown, and I'm used to this west side, you know, because after all, I

00:52:52.220 - 00:53:14.260

lived over here and, uh on and you see all these new homes going up and in the offices that are empty. That's what bothers me and I end. But then what are you going to do? I would like to know. What do you attribute your good

00:53:14.260 - 00:53:36.890

health to your brightness? I don't know. Do you know? Well, you're get a tremendous sense of faith. You always tell me that. Get a good attitude. Yes. You have to have a good attitude. You like to give people hell. I dio after I will. And, uh

00:53:37.300 - 00:53:50.150

and it's like, over there, you know, I have a table. There's five at the table, and, uh, I'll bring him their milk or their tea Or while they're waiting for their stuff, you know, And I'm glad that I can get up. It's that little exercise I

00:53:50.150 - 00:54:09.260

can get that I parked my walker and, you know, and, uh, sometimes my knee gets sore. But so what? I guess. What do you know what, 94 that the rest of us don't know. Times have changed. Oh, and more ways than one. You know, I just

00:54:10.140 - 00:54:32.460

I don't know what to tell you right now. I'd have to think of So you're not shy any longer? Like when you began moving into pedal over. You lost that? No, that's I say what I think and they know it. Did your husband 12 years ago.

00:54:33.040 - 00:54:51.350

Yeah, we were married 62 years. Tell him what you told where you lived most of those years on Western. I lived on Western Avenue and the home is still there. And three homes were still there that my father law really built because he was in construction,

00:54:52.220 - 00:55:15.110

and, uh, and it was real nice living out there. And then one day it's funny how all this happened. 11 day I got a call from M emergence, which you probably knew. Ah, and she used to live here in town. And her family, uh, lived over

00:55:15.120 - 00:55:31.440

and Sonoma, part of family and known L. A. You know, those a little bit of even It's so Anyway, Emma was so funny. She called me and she says, I saw the Cooter's place today. Oh, she says I'll but go look at it and mobile in

00:55:31.440 - 00:55:43.270

a mobile home. And, uh, I said, What makes you think I want to move into a mobile home? She says, Well, I just thought you might look at it And she says, I bought mine already, and she says, I can't cause she says, I'd like this.

00:55:43.270 - 00:55:57.440

So anyway, my husband comes home and I happened to be home that day. I don't know how things work something. And so he came home at noon and I said, You got 20 minutes, I should have mentioned more than 20 minutes And he says, What for?

00:55:57.450 - 00:56:14.490

I said, I really don't know. And so I said, He says, Okay, get in. So I got in and we go down to which was Kendall would at the time. And we go in and, uh and there's this felon, this woman sitting there on all their

00:56:14.490 - 00:56:30.340

like all their stuff. We didn't know till after we got in. They talk to us and they were moving the next day to Wyoming, I think, and she would had worked at Safeway and she says we put an ad in the paper. They got it in

00:56:30.340 - 00:56:46.080

wrong the wrong number or something, She said. Nobody's come to answer. Uh, and so anyway, we looked around and every I like the unreal e like the place because it had a nice big bedroom and had a like a big front room and ah, nice family

00:56:46.080 - 00:57:01.670

room. And you know, it was the biggest one in the park. Now they got all new ones they put in, and but, uh, I like and then so somebody came and signed up for after I got out of the hospital because I had fallen and hit

00:57:01.670 - 00:57:21.940

the cement. So, uh, I went to the hospital. So then, um, when I was in the hospital, I had put the place up for sale because my son didn't want Meteo be living by myself. Okay, so that's not This is my grandson. Look, it may. This

00:57:21.940 - 00:57:41.270

is the one I could talk. Teoh. She can talk that I could talk to. You can talk. I can talk to my son to It is just that I give him a bedtime. I'm too short handed, huh? Any message for your great grandchildren watching? Oh, well,

00:57:41.270 - 00:58:01.680

listen, I love my great My great grandchildren love my grandchildren too. But I don't get to see them that often. They're too busy. But the kids, What advice would you give about living life to its host? Well, you know, people. I don't know really what to

00:58:01.680 - 00:58:14.670

say, because over where where I live is that I could take this personal, come to me and say I don't know why I'm still living. They'll say, you know, and I sitting says, I'm getting so old. Why do I still in Isis? Don't take that attitude.

00:58:15.040 - 00:58:32.780

I said you just make life miserable for yourself, you know? And, uh so I don't know. You know, I've always said I live every day, like each day, like it's the best, because I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, you know? You know, I

00:58:32.780 - 00:58:52.790

mean, after all, we don't And, uh, But like I said, I keep my attitude in my faith at the top. So and I always and I remember the person that I almost felt that I gave her a little. I don't want this in the paper, though,

00:58:52.790 - 00:59:07.550

but she sure gave me a lot and was just like a mentor. That was Helen Putnam. Petra Mayer. Yeah, and she'd call me for a lot of things should say, Alba, I want to talk to you. You know, just about something or this in it And,

00:59:07.550 - 00:59:29.310

uh, you know, and Ivo And, uh So I figured I I affect some people, and they affect me. So, uh, and my husband, you know, was a good father and everything. You know what I mean? And we were married 62 years, and, uh so I I

00:59:29.310 - 00:59:43.540

think I think all that in, uh and I don't know, maybe that walking four miles each day to school at the beginning was what I needed. I don't know, because I milk to cows in the morning and two cubs at night, you know? And, uh, who

00:59:43.540 - 00:59:56.150

knows? I really can't. Can't give you the answer. What? Except that, you know. Did you get all that the end to Great. Oh, he's ready east from ready to throw me out because