A Trip to Colorado, Early 1980's. (DelGrossos, Mattsons, and Burrows)

Joseph Mattson with cousin Ashly DelGrosso at the DelGrosso

Home in Frisco, Colorado. Early 1980s

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Happy Easter!
Many members of our family are gathering in San Diego for Easter Vacation. Luella left Charles home alone to fend for himself. She and Jilane are on the road as I type, most likely just outside of Las Vegas. They should be making good time, barring an unplanned stop at a roadside casino so Luella can test the looseness of the local slots. Did you know that the casinos in Wendover Nevada know Luella as "Loose Luella"? Luella and Charles go to Wendover weekly to engage the one arm bandits in mortal combat. Luella says her nickname comes from her ability to loosen up the slots. I guess its true, because she always seems to return from Wendover with a profit in hand. The family tried to twist my arm go with them to San Diego. Sadly, I refused, reminding them that someone had to stay at home and work so others could luxuriate and play. Dad and I play the role of martyr well, don't you think?

I'm guessing nothing of importance will be accomplished by those in attendance at this mini family reunion. However, there will be plenty of family gossip spiced with hours of shopping, visits to beaches and long poolside reminisces. Shucks, and here I am stuck at the Fortress on a bright warm Easter Sunday with nothing much to do but share a few minutes with you and enjoy a ice cold Diet Mt. Dew on the deck. Shouldn't I feel depressed?

Today in our digital family gathering we step into our Way Back Machine and venture back in time 30 years or so to Frisco, Colorado. Kim lived in Frisco with husband JD and kids. Janice lived next door in Dillon, Colorado with husband Steve and kids. I was visiting my two sisters from Utah. Joe and Jake Mattson came along for the ride. I didn't take many pictures. Photography was expensive in the days before computers and digital cameras. You had to buy film, insert it into the camera, take your pictures, removed the film and deposit it at your local drug store for developing. Each roll of film was an easy $10 out of pocket by the time you got the photos back. I'm talking 1980 money, not the inflated stuff we use today.

Left to right, Cabbage Patch Baby of Unknown Origins, Jazmine Burrows (daughter of Janice Williamson and Steve Burrows) and Autumn (daughter of Kim Williamson and John DelGrosso)

Sierra Burrows, Daughter of Janice and Steve. For the longest time we wondered if that
bald spot on the side of her head would grow in. It did - to her mother's great relief.
After that, Sierra was allowed to spent more time indoors.
The reason for the scowl is unknown. It could be because of the shirt she's wearing.
Sierra was not one for girly things. Frills were an absolute No No.

Kim and JD had a trampoline in the backyard - a favorite for the local kids.
Kim is standing the background (black hair). To her right is Jacob Mattson tormenting
Brandon DelGrosso, Kim's second born. Brandon was generally mild mannered until
you pushed him too far, then watch out. People knew to run when Brandon erupted.

The boys tried to out trick each other on the tramp.
Jake is getting ready to stick this landing.

Brandon was second. His attempt failed, leading to an ugly
face plant on the tramp. This is why he was known as BellyFlop Brandon at the local
swimming pool. (I'm teasing. I don't want Brandon's family to
experience an emotional eruption because of me)

Brandon's second attempt. I'm not sure, but I think this was put Brandon in the nearby wood pile.

Joe Mattson's turn on the tramp while Brandon sulks and nurses his wounds.
Joe stuck this. Joe always stuck his flips. Well, I tell a lie. There was that front flip that
failed. It wasn't Joe's fault. Brandon had had enough and moved the tramp while Joe was in mid air.

Another picture of Joe in mid air with Brandon to the side. Notice Brandon is watching me closely.

I kept an eye on him from that point on to ensure Joe's safety.

The three cousins, Left to right: Jake, Brandon and Joseph.

Kim driving us to Denver. We were taking Janice to Denver to visit her therapist.

Janice on the way to Denver. Janice had three small daughters at the time. The stress and
toil of raising three young daughters is bad enough. Now imagine those three
young daughters were Nicole, Jazmine and Sierra. Janice suffered from early onset madness coupled with uncontrollable facial distortions and twitches. I'm happy to say the therapy worked.
Janice is normal today (if one uses the loosest definition of the word normal).

Have a Happy Easter!

Simply,
Victor