We decided to hike around Kettle Pond, a small conservation park just a half a block from Steve’s house.

There’s something about a bare tree that I find very beautiful.

Steve Bloy leads the pack above.

There was a pair of mallard ducks in the pond, probably looking for a good spot to raise a family.

The city did a nice job with this park (they “renovated” the area last year). What a nice way to experience nature, right in the neighborhood.

My sister Barbra and my father Wil. Taken on Thanksgiving Day at Mondovi, Wisconsin.

Taken at a small family gathering yesterday. From left to right, Wil Bloy, myself, Chris Davis (née Bloy), Barbra Bloy, Steve Bloy.

Pictured here are four Bloy cousins. From left to right: James Bloy, Wilmer Bloy, Janette McCormick (née Bloy) and Ruth Zeppelin (née Bloy).

Unfortunately, there are no shots of the two of us together.
We should have taken a few of those.

Update: July 26, 2008
Today Dad and I exchanged pictures of our trip. He took this nicely composed shot of me with his camera.

When you drive through the park, it’s difficult to keep your eyes on the road as scenic views emerge.

Our destination for the first day was Cades Cove, a valley surrounded by the mountains.

We were there on a Sunday, with a lot of other tourists.

As you drive through the Smokies, there are countless scenic views along the roadway, like Meigs Falls below.

So in honor of Mom, here are some shots of flowers I took recently.

You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she’d want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and live on.

     - anonymous, some attribute it to Charles Henry Brent.

Obituary

Allegra “Lee” S. Bloy died peacefully on the 17th day of March, 2008, age 79, at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg, on Monday, March 17, 2008. She was born January 15, 1929, in Black Creek, Wisconsin. She was baptized, child of God, as Allegra Shirley Reitz, the daughter of Frieda A. (Brandt) and Herbert M. Reitz. Childhood and days of her youth were lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Appleton West High School in 1947.

On August 5, 1950, she married the Rev. Wilmer Bloy, and for 57 years she was his loving wife and helpmate. They began married life in Naperville, Illinois, participating in college and seminary life with other married students while Wil completed his bachelor’s degree at North Central College, and then his theology degree at Evangelical Theological Seminary. During that period Lee was an original member and president of SemAnnes, the theological student wives organization. Then followed her ability and work to make a home for her husband and family in the various parsonages of the churches that her husband served, including Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau. Along with her husband she retired in 1991 and lived in Sun Prairie, until 2000 when they moved to Oakwood Village East.

Throughout all her life she was first of all a caring, concerned and affectionate mother of four children. Secondly, she patiently endured the burdens, and joyfully shared the blessings of a supportive pastor’s spouse, being a confidant and partner extraordinaire to her husband in the ministry of the church. She was always involved behind the scenes in many church activities, including serving as president and leader of a large women’s group at the Bay View United Methodist church, Milwaukee. Though her church roots were in the former Evangelische Gemeindschaft Kirche, she had a strong ecumenical belief that God as known in Christ was much greater than any one denomination. In addition to the volunteering she did, she worked as a part time library assistant, a sales clerk for Sears Roebuck, and early in life as a floral designer and arranger. This gave her a life-long love and knowledge of flowers and plants that she appreciated throughout her days. She loved singing in choral groups beginning with a church junior choir at age 10, the Chaminade Chorus in Appleton, various church congregation choirs, to even during the last days of her life singing with the Oakwood Village East chapel choir.

When not busy with things of the church, sewing and creating things with needle and thread provided her with relaxation. Also, one of life’s great pleasures for her was reading historical novels set in England. The many trips she and Wil made to England, exploring cathedrals, parish churches and villages with their long time English friends, was a highlight of many of her summers. Camping trips with her family, birdwatching, and later in life attending Elderhostel educational weeks were some of life’s gifts that she enjoyed. Behind her often quiet demeanor there was a spark of heaven, perhaps not easily recognized because her life was played out in the most ordinary of settings, her home, her family, as a spouse and in the church. With understanding she served as care-giver to her two sisters in the later days of their lives. For more than four years she bravely struggled with cancer.

Allegra is survived by her husband; two sons, Steve (Laura) Bloy and Jonathan Bloy of Madison; two daughters, Barbara Bloy (and long-time friend, Dennis Anderson) of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Christine (Glenn) Davis of Lebanon, Indiana; two grandchildren, Michael (Kirstin) and Sarah Bloy; one great-grandson, Adam; three sisters-in-law: Audrey (Gerald) Elsner of Green Bay; Arlene Krueger of Appleton; and Carol Reitz of Wausau; and by nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Evelyn and Elfrieda; and two brothers, Milburn and Herbert, Jr.

Photo Notes

The first picture is one of my favorites of Mom. It was taken when she was in her thirties, close to the year I was born. I like to think that image of her was burned into my mind when I was an infant, and that’s why I like it so much.

The beautifully composed photo of my parents was taken by my sister Chris last summer.

Also several years ago, I got a copy of my grandmother’s recipe from my mother, with the intention of trying to make them myself. This year, I finally did. I should probably mention, these are not the same pfeffernüsse you often see in the grocery store this time of year (which are much larger and covered with powdered sugar). Apparently my Grandmother followed a different traditional German recipe.

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Dark Corn Syrup
• 1/2 Cup Molasses
• 1/2 Cup Shortening
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup White Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Boiling Water

Dry Ingredients

• 1/2 Tsp Cardamom
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp Cloves
• 1/2 Tsp Anise or 1/8 Tsp Anise Extract
• 3/4 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Cup Nuts (chopped)
• 1/4 Cup Citron
• 3 Cups Flour (more or less)

Put the wet ingredients into a pot and boil for 15 minutes. Let cool until lukewarm.

Mix in the dry ingredients except for the flour. Next add the flour gradually until the mixture is stiff enough to handle, then chill (to make it easier to roll and cut).

Once chilled, roll into sausage-like strips about a penny or nickel in diameter (2/3-3/4 of an inch). Then cut into 1/4-1/3 inch thick pieces.

Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes. Cookies are done when the tops spring back when you touch them with your finger.

Makes approximately 250.

My experience

The citron I bought was in pretty large pieces. So I basically minced it before adding.

I also had a hard time keeping the dough round while I was cutting it. I think my baking inexperience lead me to use less flour than I should have (I only used about two and a half cups), and the dough wasn’t stiff enough. So instead of using the roll and cut method described above, I took small bits of dough in my floured hand (enough to make an appropriately sized cookie), rolled it into a ball, then pressed it flat with my fingers and placed it on the cookie sheet. After I got the hang of getting the correct amount, the results turned out pretty well.

I left the first batch in the oven a little too long. They came out a bit burned on the bottom. Once the pfeffernüsse from the second batch cooled, I put one in my mouth (okay more than one). They were pretty good — real close to what I remember. Thanks again Grandma, and Merry Christmas everyone.

From left: my brother Steven, my sisters Barbra and Christine, and myself.

Barbra and her boyfriend Dennis.

Four generations of Bloys… Michael, Adam, Wilmer and Steven (from left).

My sister Chris.

Finally, my great nephew Adam with two of his grandparents, Laura Bloy (above) and Steve (below).

To those of you who I promised to share photos with, these are the best shots from my camera. Unfortunately, the group shot I had from the restaurant wasn’t so good. How did yours turn out? Do you have any to share?