Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Wistful Wednesday : Christmas 1969

This is a photo of Far Guys Maternal Grandparents.  This was taken in December of 1969.  The year that Far Guy and I got married.  

Curt and Meade Christmas 1969

I am not quite sure why these two got married?  Opposites must attract. 

Curt was kind and gentle, small things delighted him..just visiting brought out the best in him..he loved to read..mainly westerns.  He always sat in an old oak rocker.  He was tall, he walked bent over..his hips and knees had seen better days and he walked with a cane. He died in 1973 four years after this photo was taken.

Meade was ornery.  Of course we have to cut her a little slack, she almost died from Tuberculosis.  She was in the sanitarium for many years. The TB destroyed her hearing, she was deaf and refused to learn to read lips or sign.   Everyone used the “Magic Slate” to communicate with her.   She would talk to herself..of course she could not hear herself..she often cussed under her breath, or so she thought.   She did beautiful handiwork, embroidery and crocheting with fine thread and a very small hook..until she lost her eyesight.  I have many of her works of art.  She lived a good long time. She spent 17 years as a widow.

Curt liked a “nip” occasionally and kept a bottle hidden in the barn.  All the Grand boys knew where it was hidden.  If he went to town with Walt the next door neighbor, Meade would be sure to send Alaska Guy along..thinking that they wouldn’t stop at the liquor store for a drink if they had a child with them…she was wrong.  Alaska Guy enjoyed a soda at the bar almost every trip to town…and he was sworn to secrecy.

For a wedding gift we got a full set of embroidered tea towels.  I still have them in the same box with the same tissue paper covering them.  The box was decorated in an odd way.  I wish I had kept it.  Tied to the bow was a large plastic spoon, tied to small holes on the outer edge of the spoon were many blue and pink bows that held about a dozen tiny babies..Meade wrote on the spoon..a little poem..about “spooning” and the result which would be lots of babies!

Our  girls called her “the scary grandma”..because she couldn’t hear she spoke loudly and made lots of extra noises that she didn’t know she was making. Her voice was high pitched and squeaky.  We took them to visit late on Sunday afternoons for years…when she became blind..often she would grab at people..searching for a friendly hand.

One day before Meade went totally blind.  She looked at Far Guys Mom and then at Far Guys Dad and said “ You sure have been bringing that man with you for a long time.” :)

Blog Signature

17 comments:

Country Gal said...

Oh poor dears ! Lovely photo and post . Have a good day !

DJan said...

Your family posts are always interesting, learning little bits and pieces about your relatives. I can see these two in my mind, and I can also understand why she would have been called "the scary grandma." :-)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What an interesting couple. Funny how that happens. My Granny Walden was a pushy old gal in everyone's business, Pappy Walden was as sweet and laid back as he could be.

This picture reminded me of them.

I just adore readin' your family stories.

God bless ya and have an incredible day sweetie!!!

Rae said...

Interesting story. I think we might all have a few old relatives similar to this - odd and kinda scary. I had a step-grandmother that was loonier than all get out - scared me to death every time I went around her as a little girl. I hadn't thought about her for years until I read about Meade. Think I'll put that memory back on the shelf again.

rkbsnana said...

Our memories are priceless...no matter what they are. And we are who we are because of someone else. I love the "nips in the barn" and sworn to secrecy bit. Enjoy your day.

Anonymous said...

You have been married for 42 years to the same fellow, congrats upon that and at 18 only wow whee, that is a great accomplishment in this time and day!!!!!!!!!! Love your blog, every family has people who are different yours is no exception..You are so sweet and kind and smart, you should be happy that your hubby is nice and kind too, I read your blog before work each day, the tiny place I work has lots of families who have elders who are different from what people think is the norm..But at least you get along and have kindness, love and affection and respect for each other, that is saying a lot in these desparate times of a big depression, yes I believe another big depression..I am a boomer, lost all my mom's relatives and herself when I was quite young, my dad too, his people were just downright mean and callouess..never saw them at all, even treated my dad very poorly! One never gets to pick the family they came from, but I have had friends better than blood as I like to say for that I feel truly blessed each and everyday, happiest of holidays to you and yours, happy 42 wedding anniversary we are married almost 38 years soon, known my husband since I was a young one, he is the oldest of a huge family and I next the oldest of a huge family with no mamma (died young) and dad who took to drink then sobered up after he left us, be happy you are loved!

Karen said...

That photo makes me chuckle. One that you could suggest people send in captions for:)
It was interesting to read about those two though.

Karmyn R said...

Even though she sounded onery - it makes me wish to know her. (and him!)

I always wonder why people never smiled in their pictures back then.

Ellen said...

I think we all have a picture of relatives like yours. I love it! I love hearing about other people's families. The history of it all is so very interesting to me. I agree, congrats on your long marriage, what a feat!

Judy said...

I imagine they had quite a life together which made they who they were...He was easy to get along with probably because he wanted a nice comfortable home and that was the way to keep her happy...Happy wife, Happy home...wonder how much missing him after he was gone affected her...

Rita said...

She does look like the scary grandma! ;)

Makes you wonder why they fell in love. But often the strong, bossy ones marry sweet compliant ones. I suppose nobody else could put up with them--LOL!

lisa said...

I love reading about your family! Thanks for sharing.

Red said...

The picture says a 1000 words. They look mad at each other. When you tell their story you can see why each one of them had issues that didn't make it easy for them.

The Musical Gardener said...

What a great story. The picture was awesome too. Don't we all know a couple just a quirky too?

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

That photo says a lot doesn't it? Love the quote from the Scary Grandma. You desribed her wonderfully. What a character.

Cathie said...

LOVE the photo of you and Gene! How nice!

Anonymous said...

Oh - what a great story you told about these two people!