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My Grandmother astride a horse circa. 1920's. |
My Grandmother was a true pioneer woman. She was born in 1900 to a blacksmith and his wife on the great plains of the Midwest. She graduated High School but had higher aspirations and went on to College. She became a school teacher and taught for six years before marrying her true love and becoming a farm wife. They were together for over 50 years until parted by the death of my Grandfather. She died at age 90 and without a doubt, rejoined the love of her life.
She was a spirited woman who was a devout Christian and enjoyed a good political debate. She loved gardening and animals. Her garden was an oasis in the almost treeless, rolling hills of the plains. The two story house was surrounded by a fenced yard encircled with trees and all sorts of growing things. She grew roses, trumpet vine, herbs and hundreds of other lovely plants and flowers. It has been so long ago, over thirty years since I was at her home on the farm.... I scarcely remember all of the plants she had there. Outside the formal yard near the stream was a huge garden, where sweet corn and beans, peas and berries grew in abundance.
She had beautiful cats which she loved and I remember a couple of times over the years after begging my Mom (also a cat lover), we brought one home with us. Apparently my love of cats (and animals in general) is a genetic thing!
One of the most precious gifts my grandmother ever gave me was something she made with her own hands. It is a teddy bear. I'm not sure if he was from a kit or if she made up the pattern for him herself.
He is a little moth eaten but still in remarkable shape for being at least fifty years old. He still sits with me today in my office, a reminder of years gone by. I always loved him and his velvet ears, paws and nose. I never gave him another name other than "Teddy", not very original, but I couldn't have loved him any more. My grandmother made quilts and crocheted throws and assorted clothing for me and the other grand-kids, but they never held up in comparison to this bear. He was one of a kind and she never made one for any of her other grandchildren. I wish I could ask her why.
My grandmother was an extraordinarily good cook and baker. For years, she cooked on a wood cook stove in the kitchen which remained long after the electric range was installed. She always loved to cook for us and we had wonderful family meals at the holidays or pretty much any time we visited. Her famous dessert for Christmas was a Lane cake, which has many layers and a custard filling with raisins and cherries. Her chocolate meringue topped pie was incredible and her fried chicken delectable.
The food was wonderful because most of it was grown right there on the farm. The milk, butter, eggs, chickens the vegetables and fruits were all produced right there. The relatives and neighbors all shared and exchanged their produce and other farm products. She was not a fragile creature, she was a stout farm woman and loved to cook and eat. Butter was a favorite of hers and she never went in for that new fangled margarine when it came on the market. Did I mention she lived to be 90!
No one ever left her table or house hungry. When I was a teenager, I remember her saying to me, "You're too thin, you need to eat!" She was a kind hearted soul and believed in helping others. During the depression in the 30's, drifters (hobos) would come by looking for work and a meal and she always gave them something to eat. Usually there was work to do around the farm and my Grandfather would help them find work on his farm or on one of his many brothers farms.
The picture below was taken after her graduation from college. I think it is such a contrast to how I remember her in a plain house dress and apron working in her kitchen. She told my Mother and I one day towards the end of her life, that when she was younger she was engaged to a preacher, but she just didn't love him enough. She broke off the engagement and soon met my Grandfather a simple farmer. She told us she never regretted her decision and was quite happy with the way her life turned out.
Here are a few things I learned from her.
She taught me about
kindness towards humans and animals. She taught me about nature and
being gentle to the earth and how its abundance will bring joy to your
life through food or flowers. She taught me to love cats and how to make
a rhubarb pie.
But the most important thing I learned from her, is to be true to yourself
and only do what feels right in your heart.
Thank you for indulging me in this memory of my Grandmother as we approach Mother's Day.
I hope all of you enjoy a special day of your own. ~~ Diane