Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wistful Wednesday: A Tree In Iowa

This is Far Guys paternal Grandmother, Theresa or Tracie.  She was visiting her old Iowa "home place." ( Near Logan, Iowa)  She was born on June 13, 1895, this year would have been the 115th celebration of her birth.  She always loved her birthday party and she would look forward to it every year, she died in 1983 just a little short of her 88th birthday.

I ran onto this photo recently, the film was developed in December of 1964.  Grandma wrote on the back " Emma and I by the big tree in Iowa, our old home place..October 1964."  Emma was just one of Grandmas sisters.  We called her Aunt Emma..even though she was our Great Aunt.  Aunt Emma was a "corker", she was outspoken and would tell it like it was. I believe that she was Grandmas favorite sister, or perhaps it just seems that way, they came to Minnesota at the same time..when it was a wilderness.  They lived just 9 miles apart from each other their entire lives, and just across town from each other when Grandma left the farm for an apartment in town.

I do not know the story of the huge tree, I wish I knew what the sign on the tree said.  In the photo Emma is hanging onto her sister, this was typical of Emma..she was a touchy feely kind of old gal and liked to hold your hand when she talked to you.

I have been trying to recall, the last time that we visited with Grandma in the hospital we had just come from Emma and Rupert's Auction Sale..Grandma asked right away what we bought..and that is the part I cannot remember..perhaps one day I will remember, what made Grandma smile and say "good for you"?  Grandma died peacefully in the hospital a few days later.  She avoided "the home", when she died from Liver Cancer shortly after being diagnosed.  I have no doubt that there was a big party for her in heaven, she always said that there would be:)

16 comments:

Emma Rose said...

Good story. She sounds like a great old gal. My Grandma was very outspoken. Oh how I miss her! She was so wise.

The Duchess

Judy said...

Knowing our grandparents and great grandparents is so important...I really miss mine...

Anonymous said...

She sounds like a real sport. Nice that you have these pictures. I hope you remember what you purchased.

DayPhoto said...

This is beautiful, Connie! Very well written.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Patsy said...

Do you think it was planted my their father or was a very small tree when they came there.
Patsy

lisa said...

I just love reading your stories! So nice!

DJan said...

You know, I haven't heard that phrase "corker" for a long time, but it made me think of my grandmother, my father's mother, who was also one. She was anything but touchy feely, though. Wonderful poignant post.

Paul C said...

How fitting that you can remember loved ones beside such majestic trees like this.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Wow, you have some wonderful pictures there. My Grandmother Dow was quite the 'corker', some might say I take after her. You have some treasured memories there.

I'm trying to catch up a bit but am still fighting new shingles along with the swelling and pain of the old ones. This has sure gone on long enough!

Take care and God bless you sweetie! :o)

Lattice said...

We had a sign on our biggest tree, too. Our son made it. It said, "Pepper" and the dates that his first kitten was born and died. The tree was a huge forked oak, and we had to cut it down this spring. There were two kittens and several gophers buried beneath its big, shady limbs.

Andrea said...

Great old pictures!! I really like to sit with my old aunt, and she likes to hold your hand when she talks to you too.

LadyFi said...

Great family memories to be treasured. I like the idea of a big party up in heaven for your grandmother.

And that tree is HUGE! Is it still standing today?

Far Side of Fifty said...

I do not know if the tree is still standing or not..perhaps someday we will have to take a trip that way and see if we can locate it! I have no idea who planted it..
Thank you everyone for your comments:)

Mary said...

A lovely post, Connie. I found myself holding my mother's hand the last time we were together. It really gave her pleasure. I should work on being more touchy!

L. D. said...

My dad always liked driving past the old home place that his father had built the home. He would have been upset to know that they lifted it and moved it to town. Thank your dad for all the car identifications. I am not that good at that nor do I have the time to look them up. Great blog. I like the old tree, and I wonder if it is still there.

Lanny said...

Another great Far Family story! Thanks for sharing them.