(Final fragment 1)
[When Minnie went to the TB sanatorium, Polly went to live with her Aunt Olga] and my father gave my brother to his mother at Fond du Lac where her daughter Lois and husband Bill McWhorter lived.
Showing posts with label grandparenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grandparenting. Show all posts
November 27, 2013
November 15, 2012
The wicked glint
(1995 March 13)
Skip, I want to tell you about how you behaved to the delight of all assembled when you were eating. Sometimes I would take you to visit Grandma Rosa Kay and her daughter Lee, and of course you were the prime show. I fed you first and got you off for a nap or there was no peace. So -- you were with your bib tied firmly on and a dish of cream of wheat before you. Lee and Grandma seated on one side were ready for a show. I was the one with the apron and the spoon in hand. So -- open wide -- a spoonful of cereal -- equal to your role of entertainer -- as soon as you had a mouthful, you loqked as wicked as ever you could, took a deep breath, and let it all out, admiring ones beware! -- Then Grandma and Lee would howl with laughter! Later on in the week when Lee went out with her friend Arabella and Grandma would invite Mrs. Watkins over, she would tell the whle story including the wicked glint in the big blue eye. Also when Lee was at her bridge party she would entertain all with what Skippy was able to eat and drink and how he managed those things. So -- if it were early enough, Lee would walk to the street car with us and see us safely on our way to Whitefish Bay, or sometimes Lorin came to eat with us, and of course then we would all three ride home together and get a tired little boy washed up and tucked in.
Skip, I want to tell you about how you behaved to the delight of all assembled when you were eating. Sometimes I would take you to visit Grandma Rosa Kay and her daughter Lee, and of course you were the prime show. I fed you first and got you off for a nap or there was no peace. So -- you were with your bib tied firmly on and a dish of cream of wheat before you. Lee and Grandma seated on one side were ready for a show. I was the one with the apron and the spoon in hand. So -- open wide -- a spoonful of cereal -- equal to your role of entertainer -- as soon as you had a mouthful, you loqked as wicked as ever you could, took a deep breath, and let it all out, admiring ones beware! -- Then Grandma and Lee would howl with laughter! Later on in the week when Lee went out with her friend Arabella and Grandma would invite Mrs. Watkins over, she would tell the whle story including the wicked glint in the big blue eye. Also when Lee was at her bridge party she would entertain all with what Skippy was able to eat and drink and how he managed those things. So -- if it were early enough, Lee would walk to the street car with us and see us safely on our way to Whitefish Bay, or sometimes Lorin came to eat with us, and of course then we would all three ride home together and get a tired little boy washed up and tucked in.
November 3, 2012
Grandma's advice
(1993 July, Parsons memoirs)
[Martha Parsons, my grandmother,] was always lots of fun, and I would stay with her while the rest went to the movies. She could not stand them.... So she would give me money for a quart of ice cream and we would put our feet on the glowing coal stove and tell stories. "Do the boys try to put their arms around you and kiss you and all that?" she would ask. "No" I would answer, wondering how it would be. "Well, they will! And don't let 'em." I said all right and we got on another topic.
[Martha Parsons, my grandmother,] was always lots of fun, and I would stay with her while the rest went to the movies. She could not stand them.... So she would give me money for a quart of ice cream and we would put our feet on the glowing coal stove and tell stories. "Do the boys try to put their arms around you and kiss you and all that?" she would ask. "No" I would answer, wondering how it would be. "Well, they will! And don't let 'em." I said all right and we got on another topic.
September 4, 2012
Lawrence & Lorin
(1969 after Christmas)
[Skip and Miryam went off to a history convention.] Master Lawrence [4] and Lorin, meanwhile, spent the week from Christmas to New Year's with us. He was good, he was naughty, he was charming, he was fun! We often looked out of the corners of our eyes studying him. We came to the conclusion he was a pretty nice little boy, and he liked us too. When Lorin would wiggle his ears, Lawrence would shriek with disbelief. Some best times together were on Grandfather's lap having Mr. Toad ("Wind in the Willows") read.
[Skip and Miryam went off to a history convention.] Master Lawrence [4] and Lorin, meanwhile, spent the week from Christmas to New Year's with us. He was good, he was naughty, he was charming, he was fun! We often looked out of the corners of our eyes studying him. We came to the conclusion he was a pretty nice little boy, and he liked us too. When Lorin would wiggle his ears, Lawrence would shriek with disbelief. Some best times together were on Grandfather's lap having Mr. Toad ("Wind in the Willows") read.
August 22, 2012
Lawrence Richmond
(1967 March 7)
Random thoughts [about Skip's new job at Lawrence, KS]. Who would ever have dreamed after all these Ozzy years there really was a place called Kansas? And won't the baby be confused wondering if he is a person, place, or thing? ... Bad enough with that Richmond middle name, but now the first also. Fate.
Random thoughts [about Skip's new job at Lawrence, KS]. Who would ever have dreamed after all these Ozzy years there really was a place called Kansas? And won't the baby be confused wondering if he is a person, place, or thing? ... Bad enough with that Richmond middle name, but now the first also. Fate.
August 9, 2012
What'sup?
(1966 August 10)
We follow the adventures of the Kentucky Kays with eager attention. By the 24th will Laurie be walking? Will the cat have kittens? Will the Volvo speedometer be working? Will the bill on prayers in schools be dropped? Will the French landlord change his mind on taking out his bedding? What about the snags in the Doctor's MS [about the Council of Bourges]? Will they be ironed out? [No - it was finally published in 2002.] Can Gail bring her bike? Were Elizabeth's winter boots packed? Is there room for Miryam's roller skates? Don't forget your camera.
We follow the adventures of the Kentucky Kays with eager attention. By the 24th will Laurie be walking? Will the cat have kittens? Will the Volvo speedometer be working? Will the bill on prayers in schools be dropped? Will the French landlord change his mind on taking out his bedding? What about the snags in the Doctor's MS [about the Council of Bourges]? Will they be ironed out? [No - it was finally published in 2002.] Can Gail bring her bike? Were Elizabeth's winter boots packed? Is there room for Miryam's roller skates? Don't forget your camera.
July 18, 2012
Life skills
(1969 May 22)
Very much interested in Lawrence's [arithmetic] paper of matching numbers. All right but one! Jan, who is substitute teaching kindergarten, says very fine. Hope he grows up appreciating the virtues, honesty fair play, etc. Very important.
Very much interested in Lawrence's [arithmetic] paper of matching numbers. All right but one! Jan, who is substitute teaching kindergarten, says very fine. Hope he grows up appreciating the virtues, honesty fair play, etc. Very important.
July 4, 2012
Babysitter
(1968 April)
I noticed in the paper all the rioting began in Baltimore. Gives one pause to think. Hope by the time you get ready to go there [on your postdoc in August] things will have quieted down. If a question of safety, as long as I am able I will take the baby [Lawrence]. Hope this unnecessary and family can be together and stay together. You will know as time goes on.
I noticed in the paper all the rioting began in Baltimore. Gives one pause to think. Hope by the time you get ready to go there [on your postdoc in August] things will have quieted down. If a question of safety, as long as I am able I will take the baby [Lawrence]. Hope this unnecessary and family can be together and stay together. You will know as time goes on.
June 20, 2012
Little boys
(1967 November 2)
When I go shopping, I eye the little boys and often ask their mothers how old they are, to keep up with Lawrence.
When I go shopping, I eye the little boys and often ask their mothers how old they are, to keep up with Lawrence.
May 30, 2012
Skippy II
(1967 April 21)
Thoroly enjoyed your section on Lawrence [age 18 months], Skippy II, chip off the old block. No nap while he is awake. Gee, I don't know whether I could cope with him singlehanded or not. He is getting to be a real person - his pictures are darling.
Thoroly enjoyed your section on Lawrence [age 18 months], Skippy II, chip off the old block. No nap while he is awake. Gee, I don't know whether I could cope with him singlehanded or not. He is getting to be a real person - his pictures are darling.
December 20, 2011
Ben
(1992 June 18)
[While MM went to Madison] Ben was instructed to get our evening meal so it could not be said I had to do it. Ben has changed from desiring to be a chef to becoming a doctor.
[While MM went to Madison] Ben was instructed to get our evening meal so it could not be said I had to do it. Ben has changed from desiring to be a chef to becoming a doctor.
December 19, 2011
Chops
(1992 June 18)
I went in the kitchen and asked MM, "What's for supper?" "Chops," says she. "What's Ben doing?" asked I. "Fixing himself a steak," says she. "He don't like chops." Bruce brot Ben to stay with us a while since he misses his mother. I am not sure which higher school each [grandson] will choose.
I went in the kitchen and asked MM, "What's for supper?" "Chops," says she. "What's Ben doing?" asked I. "Fixing himself a steak," says she. "He don't like chops." Bruce brot Ben to stay with us a while since he misses his mother. I am not sure which higher school each [grandson] will choose.
December 17, 2011
Duller days
(1992 June 12)
I hope Sally will like it at the music school she is at. If she is looking for a loving dull place to spend a month, remind her of her Grandma Polly's.
I hope Sally will like it at the music school she is at. If she is looking for a loving dull place to spend a month, remind her of her Grandma Polly's.
November 28, 2011
Lost lyrics
(1991 near Thanksgiving)
Jan asked for poem "Over the River and Thru the Woods," I told Bill, and he got Jean to zerox it from a book. Admirable!
Jan asked for poem "Over the River and Thru the Woods," I told Bill, and he got Jean to zerox it from a book. Admirable!
October 12, 2011
SRS?
(1991 April 9)
Then [Geraldine told about] a granddaughter grown tall in the interval where grandparents were not allowed to see grand kids but now they were.
Then [Geraldine told about] a granddaughter grown tall in the interval where grandparents were not allowed to see grand kids but now they were.
September 15, 2011
Nickelodeon
(1991 January 22)
I have an idea that might please Dorothy. I'll enclose a dollar which you will change to nickels. Tell her you will hide a nickel every day in the room the piano is in, which she may hunt for after she finishes practicing. Tell her it is just for fun. Places to look might be under the sheet music, under a corner of a rug - no place where she might break a vase or such. If she doesn't like it, just quit and buy stamps with the remainder.
I have an idea that might please Dorothy. I'll enclose a dollar which you will change to nickels. Tell her you will hide a nickel every day in the room the piano is in, which she may hunt for after she finishes practicing. Tell her it is just for fun. Places to look might be under the sheet music, under a corner of a rug - no place where she might break a vase or such. If she doesn't like it, just quit and buy stamps with the remainder.
September 10, 2011
Crazy glue
(1991 January 14)
I was heartbroken to read of Dorothy's bad luck with her horse breaking. Poor child! ... That wicked cat! The horses's leg can be well mended with Crazy Glue, which can be purchased at variety stores or hardware. You must beware not to get involved with it, as when it sticks, it clings forever - just one touch and you are stuck. When it first came out there were dreadful stories of it. The one I recall was a woman stuck to the refrig and could not free herself until her husband came home and got the remedy. But it will fix the leg on good and strong. You bet.
I was heartbroken to read of Dorothy's bad luck with her horse breaking. Poor child! ... That wicked cat! The horses's leg can be well mended with Crazy Glue, which can be purchased at variety stores or hardware. You must beware not to get involved with it, as when it sticks, it clings forever - just one touch and you are stuck. When it first came out there were dreadful stories of it. The one I recall was a woman stuck to the refrig and could not free herself until her husband came home and got the remedy. But it will fix the leg on good and strong. You bet.
August 26, 2011
Travelers' luck
(1990 October 6)
I got a note from Liz [Thursz] and was glad to hear from her. She said they were too late to see Old Faithful on their second day, and on the first day they made it to Mount Rushmore. It was dark but luckily monument lit up. She said, "that is traveling with Lawrence."
I got a note from Liz [Thursz] and was glad to hear from her. She said they were too late to see Old Faithful on their second day, and on the first day they made it to Mount Rushmore. It was dark but luckily monument lit up. She said, "that is traveling with Lawrence."
April 24, 2011
Bing Crosby
(1988 April 16)
I enjoy the Bing Crosby [tape] Lawrence sent. He recorded it himself I'm sure at the radio station - about 15 songs, some I never knew he sung. About an hour long. Today I turned it to low and it put me to sleep. And shut itself off.
I enjoy the Bing Crosby [tape] Lawrence sent. He recorded it himself I'm sure at the radio station - about 15 songs, some I never knew he sung. About an hour long. Today I turned it to low and it put me to sleep. And shut itself off.
February 14, 2011
Valentine
(1987 February 14)
Sal said to her Gramma one day / "Please buy me a horsey, I pray. / I'll gallop - I'll trot - / I'll canter - or not." / But Gramma to Sally said, "NEIGH."
Sal said to her Gramma one day / "Please buy me a horsey, I pray. / I'll gallop - I'll trot - / I'll canter - or not." / But Gramma to Sally said, "NEIGH."
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