That you are using your gift of prose, your noticing with an angular face, your curiosity, to relate that our bodies hold what our mind cannot is beyond measure. I pray to be in your company again. Until then, I want to tell you you illuminate and enhance my life. With Russian and Romanian heritage the grandchildren in my family were deprived of presence. Yes abundant food was love, but hearts were longing for roots pulled. And so I search at 86.
I love this. And I love the work of digging. I look forward to seeing what else you uncover.
I don't know where I got my cheekbones. But my body comes straight from the Shipp side of the family. I'm built just like my father's mother, small bosom and large posterior. And my work on tracing my ancestry has turned up a juicy scandal involving my 4th great-grandmother, who was named Keziah Malbon (1800-1840). I wonder what kind of cheekbones she had!
Jammie, Toy, Zula, Azalee! Those are characters in a Southern gothic novel for sure. I don’t remember you speaking about your brother much… I have a similar portrait of my ancestors. If only we could go back and ask them all the questions! Why do we always learn that lesson too late!
I loved reading about your grandfather and his shed. My grandfather also had a shed and a vise with chipping red paint. He died when I was 12. What I have learned about him in my adult life is not exactly congruent with the granddaddy that I knew and loved so much. Still, I cherish my memories of his smile, his lap, his Sansabelt pants with the "S" on the button that he would always say stood for "Spurgin," his last name, and not the brand of the pants. I have his awl in my junk drawer, where he always kept his.
This is lovely; I could write a book on the memories you have brought to the surface, beginning with my great grandpa Bill, teaching me to love nature and watch for all the tiny things in it (first snowdrop to emerge in Spring, to ants on peonies) from a very young age. Also, helping me bake my first cake (German Chocolate, for my Grandpa's/his son-in-law's birthday). He was amazing, I loved our trips to the hardware store...If he didn't find what he needed, he made it (weather wood or steel). He had a lathe that would turn wood, make a new chair leg, etc. It was operated by foot pedal, as were old sewing machines...Most of us have moved so far away from being able to repair things. Perhaps because modern things are not so easily to repair and repairing has become more expensive than buying new...
While I wish it was chiseled cheek bones which defined us, it is a plump 'Irish' nose, from my father; which makes us all look similar, along with "mono-eyebrowism" (my mothers term; which I managed to eliminate with years of plucking). Because it all comes from dad, even my half-brother (who is more like me and dad in personality than my other 4 brothers) is clearly my brother, by looks alone. Thank you
Wow, what life you have given to your people! Reverence in your reflection and the written word. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
That you are using your gift of prose, your noticing with an angular face, your curiosity, to relate that our bodies hold what our mind cannot is beyond measure. I pray to be in your company again. Until then, I want to tell you you illuminate and enhance my life. With Russian and Romanian heritage the grandchildren in my family were deprived of presence. Yes abundant food was love, but hearts were longing for roots pulled. And so I search at 86.
I love this. And I love the work of digging. I look forward to seeing what else you uncover.
I don't know where I got my cheekbones. But my body comes straight from the Shipp side of the family. I'm built just like my father's mother, small bosom and large posterior. And my work on tracing my ancestry has turned up a juicy scandal involving my 4th great-grandmother, who was named Keziah Malbon (1800-1840). I wonder what kind of cheekbones she had!
Jammie, Toy, Zula, Azalee! Those are characters in a Southern gothic novel for sure. I don’t remember you speaking about your brother much… I have a similar portrait of my ancestors. If only we could go back and ask them all the questions! Why do we always learn that lesson too late!
I loved reading about your grandfather and his shed. My grandfather also had a shed and a vise with chipping red paint. He died when I was 12. What I have learned about him in my adult life is not exactly congruent with the granddaddy that I knew and loved so much. Still, I cherish my memories of his smile, his lap, his Sansabelt pants with the "S" on the button that he would always say stood for "Spurgin," his last name, and not the brand of the pants. I have his awl in my junk drawer, where he always kept his.
Penny is a cute nickname for you! <3
This is lovely; I could write a book on the memories you have brought to the surface, beginning with my great grandpa Bill, teaching me to love nature and watch for all the tiny things in it (first snowdrop to emerge in Spring, to ants on peonies) from a very young age. Also, helping me bake my first cake (German Chocolate, for my Grandpa's/his son-in-law's birthday). He was amazing, I loved our trips to the hardware store...If he didn't find what he needed, he made it (weather wood or steel). He had a lathe that would turn wood, make a new chair leg, etc. It was operated by foot pedal, as were old sewing machines...Most of us have moved so far away from being able to repair things. Perhaps because modern things are not so easily to repair and repairing has become more expensive than buying new...
While I wish it was chiseled cheek bones which defined us, it is a plump 'Irish' nose, from my father; which makes us all look similar, along with "mono-eyebrowism" (my mothers term; which I managed to eliminate with years of plucking). Because it all comes from dad, even my half-brother (who is more like me and dad in personality than my other 4 brothers) is clearly my brother, by looks alone. Thank you