I have two rifles that belonged to my dad - a .22 Winchester from the early 1900s that he gave me as a birthday gift years ago, and a reproduction flintlock that I got after he died (and a recurve bow, and two fishing poles). I also have a gold chain of his, the wedding ring he wore when he was married to my mother, and a watch. (I can't wear the watch.... I haven't decided yet what to do with it........) I also have his Purple Heart. He gave it to my brother a long time ago, and my brother asked if I would like to have it for awhile. He kept one of the ribbons from the set himself, but I have the medal.

Also I have his copy of The Jacob Feather Family of West Virginia. Jacob Vatter (later Feather) was my g-g-g-g-grandfather who came to the US from Germany in 1775, and crossed the Delaware with George Washington. In 1980 one of his other descendants published this very large book.

I have my grandmother's crochet hooks, some of which are microscopic, and her old Singer portable electric sewing machine. It's one of those that was made to look like the old Singers, with the black enamel finish. I also have a little angel figurine that I gave her just before she died. It only cost me a few dollars, and apparently she set quite a store by it, and wouldn't let anyone touch it. It sits on my mantel now.

When I was a teenager my mom gave me a couple of pieces of jewelry she didn't wear anymore. I was very fond of an old Gruen watch she had... the little square ones that came with the fabric-rope-band... remember those? Anyway she had it fixed for me and gave it to me, either for Christmas or birthday, I don't remember which. I wore it for a long, long time. It was stolen in a house burglary about 9 years ago, along with the necklace and the onyx pinkie ring she gave me. They weren't worth anything, really, but I was heartbroken to lose them. I do have a couple of other pieces she has given me over the years, though.

One of the coolest things I have is a quilt made by my great-grandmother, that was given to Mister and me by my grandmother as a wedding gift.

It took me years to get those souvenirs..............