by Mary (Lockwood) Branin
Photo: Mary’s Bougainvillea and Watsonias, 1989
In September of 1961 Dad (Stanley Lockwood) started building us a new home on Encanto Drive. We had rented a small house on South Citrus Avenue where we would live while the construction was going on. We had to leave Washington Avenue as we needed the money from that to pay for materials at the new place. Dad wanted to wait until the hottest weather was over to start construction but he had drawn the plans and had blue prints made earlier. With this plan we should have a roof on before winter rains began. It was in March of 1962 that we were finally able to move in. With Dad’s Contractor’s discount at the lumber yard we had enough money to do it all except the living room carpet. Dad did not want us to move onto the ply score flooring and so he loaned us the money for the carpet.
We had already met the neighbors above us – Gordon and Mary Alice Boyce with their two girls, Julie and Donna. Julie was the same age as our Jeanne. Gary had been in afternoon kindergarten due to the area where we had lived but now he was in a different section of the district and could change to morning. It was his choice to change or stay put. He chose to change as he said, “I can make new friends!”
The rental house on South Citrus Avenue was just across the street from the Mack family who had been our neighbors when we were on Rose Avenue. What a lovely coincidence. We were crowded into this two bedroom home but it was for a good cause and lasted just a shade over a year. With only a little house to care for I found time to read “Gone With The Wind”.
Herman was able to take some vacation time to help Dad at crucial points that needed two men. The electric, plumbing and plastering were sublet out to local contractors. Each of the three bedrooms had bi-fold doors on the closet, stacks of 5 draws on each side with shelves going up to the ceiling. What a lot of storage. Added to two bathrooms, one with bathtub and one with shower stall were many more drawers in the kitchen. Dad had spent a lot of time building over 50 drawers. The house had an open porch across the front and another open porch across the back. The large kitchen had room for the freezer along one end and a dining room on the other end. The living room had a concrete slump-block fireplace in one corner, folding doors across access to the dining room, a front door at one corner and a door to the hall in the fourth corner..
We could really spread out now and had a double bed in a bedroom for Herm and Mary. To fit three girls in the largest of the bedrooms we put in bunk beds and a youth bed. Lucky Gary had a room to himself which contained twin beds.
The elementary school was just three blocks away so the children could walk to and fro along with all the other neighborhood kids. This was completely safe in those days and worked well as the only car went to work with Herman. I got my turn with the car on Saturday to load up on groceries. Milk was delivered in those days and we left the back door unlocked so the milkman could check what was left over and build up to the allotted amount we needed.
Herman started adding fruit trees to the back yard plus boysenberry vines and eventually rhubarb plants. Each summer he put in a huge garden of green beans, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. Corn didn’t do well as the crows would pick out the plants before they had a chance to grow. The strawberry plants had a shallower root system than the weeds so we gave up on them.
By the time Dad finished our home we all learned that he had inoperable prostate cancer. Mother’s class at Methodist Ladies College in South Australia was having a 60 year reunion so she went ahead with her plan to go to Australia for August and September of 1962. Dad had just had some surgery to try to slow his cancer so he moved over to our house and shared Gary’s bedroom for the two months mother was away. He enjoyed being the Grandpa and bought gifts for the children. A Schwinn bicycle for Gary, smaller bike with training wheels for Jeanne a doll for Ellen and a typewriter for Marie.
Jeanne was now ready for Kindergarten and she went off to school with Julie Boyce. Herman and Gary joined Indian Guides, a club for fathers and sons sponsored by the YMCA. Their tribe chose the name Piute and Herman and Gary became White Wolf and Gray Wolf. At the meetings the boys created crafts and the group went on camping trips that included all the members’ families.
In July of 1963 Mother, age 74, suddenly died when a clot went to her heart. Her cousin, Flora, was visiting from Australia at the time and there was a plan for Mary to drive both of them to Canada to visit Mother’s brother, Hal and his wife, Mai. That plan was immediately cancelled and Flora took a bus to Canada instead.
During that summer we camped at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Family friends Weldon and Ruby Smith drove up from their home in Merced to spend the night at our campsite. Later that year the Achtens and Branins, along with Dad took Thanksgiving dinner out to camp at Little Blair Valley in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dad had a stomach upset so Mary drove him back to Escondido in his car while Herman drove our kids home in our car.
In February of 1964 we took our toboggan up to Palomar Mountain for some fun in the snow. By March Dad had moved into Gary’s bedroom as his cancer was making him sicker and causing constipation which required colostomy, a surgical procedure. Now he had to irrigate his bowel every morning. Soon he was needing shots of morphine and more care than Mary could provide so he checked into Casa Blanca Nursing Home on Fig Street. Mary did not want to get very far from her dad so we vacationed at Oceanside in a cabin just north of the pier. After eight months in this nursing home Grandpa Stan Lockwood, age 68, died on December 16, 1964.
In June 1965 after Lynette graduated from Elementary School, we packed up our station wagon and went to the Green River Lakes, the Grand Tetons and on to Yellowstone Park for our summer vacation. Every afternoon in Yellowstone the clouds would build up and we would get thunder showers and even some hail. This tent camping was getting to be more trouble than it was worth. Gary would foolishly try to chase the bears for a better look. On one rainy night we all piled into the station wagon to sleep, or try to.
In December of 1965 the school needed a cashier for the cafeteria. Mary applied and since there was a dearth of applicants she got the job. It would only require two hours and was only on the days when the children were in school. However, before long the school secretary was having surgery and Mary took over her desk. This required 8 hour days and the children were left to fend for themselves. They would often say “You weren’t here to ask!” Granny Myrt was called into service to take Jeanne to piano lessons and to pick up Lynette from high school on rainy days. This wasn’t fair to her so Mary quit her job in June of 1966
This year Gary joined the baseball team sponsored by Mid-Valley Electric. Practice and games sometimes caused him to be gone by the supper hour when Herman came home from work. A few years later Lynette got a job as a waitress at Mr. Steak which also required her to miss dinner hour at home. Thus ended our solid family together time during the evening meal.
After our experience camping in 1965 we bought a 1966 GMC pickup truck and had an Alaskan camper installed. Also that Spring Jeanne joined Brownies and had friends in for her 9th birthday. Ellen graduated from 8th grade and this required a dress purchased from a store and a hairdo created at a salon.
In the Spring of 1966 Mary’s sister, Flo, with husband, Mark, quit their jobs for a year and towed their trailer (affectionately named Brand X) around the United States. They sold us their red Cutlass Oldsmobile. That summer we vacationed along the Scott and Klamath Rivers and visited the Joe Pauletto family in Umpqua, Oregon. We also camped at Diamond and Crater Lakes and came back along the Truckee River.
In October of 1966 the Sikes family consisting of Paul, Margaret and children Sharon, Mark and Craig came to spend a few days with us. They were from South Australia and knew our cousin, Mary Milne. Paul had been attending Chiropractic College in Iowa and they were on their way back to Australia. We enjoyed their company for a few days, took them to Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Disneyland before depositing them at Wilmington dock to catch their ship back home.
Later that Fall we went to the Colorado River for a couple of days camping with neighbors, Dick and Nieta Eaton and their daughter, Sherry. Grandma Myrt moved into a Mobile Home at the Carefree Ranch a few blocks from our home. In January of 1967 friends, the Heinens, added a daughter, Pam to their family which already had a son, David.. We went to Arizona for Easter Week and wandered around the Apache Loop. One evening we heard rustling around the camper and looked out to see skunks rummaging in the sack of trash we had put outside. We all kept inside and they went on their way without further incident
The Branins camped at Bow Willow in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with square dancing friends the Sages, Pyers and Jacobs.. During the Easter break Mary drove the camper to Grand Canyon accompanied by Gary, Jeanne and Ellen along with Granny Myrt and cousin Deb. Herman stayed home with Lynette as he had to work and she had been invited to the High School Prom by Paul Moyner. Neighbors, the Heinens, also went along with their children, David and Pam. Gary went on the mule ride down the canyon with Den Heinen. Deb and Ellen went to the lodge for dinner. Jeanne, Joy Heinen, David, and Mary took the plane ride out over the canyon, while Myrtle stayed with Pam.
On a later trip to the Sierras we found snow in one of the passes. On the way home from this camping trip Mary realized her indigestion was because she was ‘with child’. It had to be confirmed by her doctor but changes would be coming in 1968. (literally). Gary was hoping for a sister so he wouldn’t have to share his bedroom. He was informed that either way the baby would be in his room as there were already three girls in the other bedroom. We had a garage built and the back porch enclosed that year. Gary learned to play the clarinet and joined the Orange Glen Elementary School band. Lynette learned to play a saxophone loaned by Uncle Mark while Ellen took up the flute. Mary at the piano completed the home ensemble.
Steven Craig was born on April 8 of 1968 and came in at 8 lbs. 4.5 oz. Mary had been surprised to learn that Herm agreed to be President of the Escon-Do-C Square Dance Club. They were installed when Mary was 8 months pregnant. That was a busy year but the older girls made great babysitters so Mary could accompany Herm to the dances. In later years Herm and Mary were presidents two more times.
During the summer Aunt Margaret and Uncle Wilf Lyne visited from Australia. During their visit we took them to Disneyland, Solvang and the Santa Barbara Mission. The family had a party at the home of Flo and Mark Achten where their pool was much enjoyed. At the end of their visit we drove the Lynes to Wilmington to catch their ship home.
In 1969 we took the advantage of Easter Week to camp on Coyote Creek in the Anza-Borrego Desert. In May Lynette went to the prom with Tony Lopez. She had a bright pink formal with multiple layers of lace covering the skirt. Later that year Mary had a mole removed from her left check, the only time in a hospital other than giving birth. We visited Paulettos, Ensleys, San Francisco and ended up camping at Mineral King in the Sequoia.
Lynette was now dating Mike Calhoon and she purchased a red VW Bug giving her more independence. Later she exchanged it for a light green van and the next year she went hippie, camping on the beach at Ventura County line and then drove across the USA to Ohio. Mary was so concerned she lost weight down to a healthy 126 lbs while Herm assured her that Lyn had a good head on her shoulders and would come out of the life style eventually.
Mary joined the Palomar Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in 1970 and served on the Information desk from 4 to 8pm, twice a week. This was a wonderful break from home as the girls got the evening meal and put Steve to bed before Mary returned from her job. Great for Mary but not so great for Ellen and Jeanne. Ellen was dating Rex Humphrey pretty steadily and they went to the prom together. For a week including the 4th of July the family camped at San Elijo State Beach with Herm commuting from his job.
Mary’s cousin, Peg Hillier, and her friend, Jo Nash, visited from Australia that summer and later Herm, Mary with Gary and Steve went to Bishop Creek and Rock Creek. Later they joined the Achtens at Cuyamaca. In November of 1970 cousin Deb Branin married Douglas Lightfoot and Ellen was a bridesmaid. When Palomar Mountain got a snowfall we took the toboggan up to the snow and Mary ended up with a depressed fracture of a vertebra in her lower spine. Steve had a habit of calling out in the night for Mary to come settle him down. Since it was very painful for Mary to get out of bed Herm took over the job and Steve almost immediately quit calling! It took years but the pain gradually eased and finally left.
Lynette had been living in Ohio and came home for a visit in March of 1972 before Herm, Mary and Steve left on a trip to Australia. To cut the long plane ride we stopped off in Fiji for three days. It was so humid Mary’s new permanent turned to frizz. That finished Mary from having more permanents. It took a good day to get accustomed to the time change before we went on to Sydney, Adelaide and Perth in Australia. Then Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand before Tahiti. This 10 week vacation took us to Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. We traveled over 23,000 miles and spent a little over $4000. Flo and Mark came to stay in Escondido and help with the family left behind. During the travels we had contact with 73 relatives (by birth or marriage) and 79 friends. If you want more details there is a diary of the trip.
When we got back home there were weddings in the offing. Cousin, Donna (Susie) Branin married Ken Lawton on May 5, Cousin Bob Branin married Jeri Capps on June 3 with Steve in a tux as ring bearer and Ellen married Rex Humphrey October 14. 1972 was a busy time for weddings. Herm and Mary bought some rental property on 6th Avenue in Escondido. There was a 1920’s bungalow on the front of the property and two 1970 apartments, one above the other, on the back.
In March of 1973 we took the job of President of the Escon-Do-C Square Dance Club for the second time. Later that year we went to Organ Pipe National Park with the Achtens and still later we visited Hearst Castle, Ensley’s, Paulettos and Lava Lakes in Oregon. We now travelled with only two of our children, Jeanne and Steve. Clark Ensley took us out in his sailboat on San Francisco Bay. Steve enrolled in swim lessons at Washington Park and was soon ready for kindergarten.
In 1974 Lynette married Douglas Humphrey in Ohio and daughter, Chante Lynette was born July 8. Gary and Wendy Fridell had a son, Jody Jon, on the 28th. You may notice I have not mentioned a wedding for them. It took them about 5 years to decide to marry.
Gasoline prices were going up so Herm, Mary, Jeanne and Steve decided to try Amtrak and took the train from Oceanside depot to Ohio to check out the new baby. We visited the Football Hall Of Fame and the C. T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. On the return trip we saw Martin McCloy in Denver and he took us to the Garden Of The Gods, the U. S. Air force Academy and Estes Park. We went on to San Francisco and back south to Oceanside.
Tina and Lesley Ann Fairbrother visited from Australia during the summer of 1974 and divided their time between the homes of Branins and Achtens. In 1975 Australians Janet Butterworth and Sue Mildred visited.
In April of 1975 a group of Square Dancing friends went to Mexico to camp on the Rio Hardy River for a few days at Matthews’ property. David Eddo went along as Jeanne’s friend.
In June Herm and Mary took Steve to Yosemite to celebrate the 25th Wedding anniversary. In July Mary flew to Ohio to visit Chante on her first birthday. Friends Betty and Stan Mack told us about the American Host Program and encouraged us to enroll This organization invites Europeans, preferably teachers, to come spend a month in America for a hefty charge. They are housed for ten day periods with three local families who show them the American life style and hopefully improve the image of Americans. We welcomed Mary Faithhorn, a telephone worker from England. The Achtens hosted Christine, a secretary from France. Universal Studios and the beach were places we toured with them.
In November four square dance couples, Pyers, Askegreens, Kellers and Branins, went to Catalina Island for a weekend. To finish off the year Herm surprised Mary with a Hammond Spinet Organ for Christmas. He termed it an investment for our future.
1976 was a year of changes. Herman retired from the Welfare Department in March although vacation time extended his employment to June 19, his 55th birthday. Steve was on a year-round schedule at school and had three week vacations after every nine week session. For his spring break we went to Hoover Dam and Death Valley. A group of Square dancing ladies formed a club to meet for lunch every Thursday. After several suggestions were thrown out they settled on the name Happy Hookers. This club continued until 2012 and rotated many members but kept the total to 12 or less. The ladies had many individual craft projects and shared the good and bad events in their family lives.
In August of 1976 we again welcomed a visit from American Host program with the arrival of Marie and Rene’ Bosch, school teachers from Belgium for ten days. We had no trouble with language as Marie teaches English in their high school. She was easily able to beat Mary at scrabble. We took them to see San Francisco, Yosemite, the Wild Animal Park and our beaches. This friendship continued with visits back and forth.
We spent many of Steve’s breaks from school camping in the Sierras, and took the train ride from Durango Colorado to Silverton. We also visited the Cliff House at Mesa Verde National Park, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion and Lees Ferry.
That same month Rex and Ellen moved into their new home and Clayton Albert was born to them September 9th. October 31 Lynette and Chante moved back to California and stayed with us a short time until Lynette found a place to live. Her husband, Doug, came to visit for Christmas that year. In January Herman, Mary and Steve went to Idyllwild for a couple of days to enjoy the snow so Steve could build a snowman.. Jeanne and Lynette joined the Order Of Thelema and Lynette decided to use her middle name Marie instead of Lynette. It was a difficult adjustment for all of us especially Grandma Myrt.
In 1977 Flo and Mark joined Herman and Mary in a visit to Europe during September and October. Steve stayed with the Hatch family while he was in class and then went out to Ellen and Rex’ during his break. The tour included Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Belgium where the Bosch’s took us to visit Germany, Netherlands and France. We were fortunate enough to return home with some money left over so bought a 78 Toyota station wagon.
Neighbors and square dance friends, Bob and Helen Sage, were moving from their home into a motor home and gave Steve Bob’s Lionel train set with track and accessories mounted on a large board. It fit very well into the back porch and Steve spent many hours fine tuning the set-up. Mary’s Uncle Hal Lyne came to visit from his home in Calgary, Canada. He was attending a convention of piano tuners and technicians.
Many summer times were spent at San Elijo State Beach, often with the Askegreens and Leamings. The Happy Hookers had formed in 1976 and endured until 2013 They met weekly for crafts and chatting and had dinner parties including their husbands. In 1978 Gary and Wendy were married and on September 6, 1980 daughter Valerie was born.. In 1978 we bought a Toyota Station Wagon, Steve was fitted with braces to straighten his teeth and we spent a fun week at Lake Powell with Matthews and Askegreens.
In 1979 Laura Ellen was born to Rex and Ellen on May 12 and in July cousin, Roma Weiss visited from Australia. We picked her up in San Francisco and took her to see Grand Canyon before bringing her to Escondido. After a visit to Disneyland she got her flight out of LAX to return home.
In October we bought a lot near Mt. Shasta City in Northern California, hoping to use it to camp and in December Herman and Mary, with Steve, went to Hawaii with Frank and Meche Alverson, visiting three islands, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu. In 1980 we three visited with the Alversons at the Arcalarius Ranch in the Eastern Sierras.
To help Mabel Siebert celebrate her 80th birthday the Hookers and husbands went to Big Bear Lake to spend a week-end in cabins. and enjoy Oktoberfest. January 17 1981 Jeanne married Engel Pieter de Monchy with the reception at our home.. The Branins and Achtens spent a few days camping at Gilbert Re Campground and Tombstone, Arizona. The Square dance club camped at Rancho Corrido in Pauma Valley in October. The next year we cmped at Hole In the Wall and Kelso Railroad Station
Sisters Flo and Mary took a trip to Australia to see their Uncle Less at a nursing home in Perth. They also visited family in Adelaide and Melbourne.
