Family Tradition

Every 4th of July all the Schiesses in Southern California met at Uncle Joe's in the San Fernando Valley. It was a tradition long before I knew Wayne, but after we began dating, I went, too. Joe and Margaret had a pool, which was a big drawing card. Their house was small, but it sat on a lot of land. They had no children--and there's a story behind that. Maybe next time I'll tell it.

Those celebrations were fun. We played in the pool and ate and talked. Maybe somebody played ball. I don't remember. I think there was mostly a lot of sitting. I do remember one 4th that Wayne's good friend Phil Cardon came and brought Ruth Taylor. They later married.

I met Schiess people. Uncle George and Aunt Evelyn and Aunt Katie. Wayne's cousin Ron and his kids. I already knew Orville and Dorothy, because Orville Schiess was my dad's ward clerk. Their kids Pete and Lyle. Bud and Winnie I also knew already and their son John.

After Wayne and I were married we went over. At least once. I was responsible for potato salad for all. I had never made it before, but I had watched my mother make it, so I figured I could do it. I did, but it sure took a long time. I felt a lot of pressure for it to be good. All those women were good cooks.