Granny Here,
The last six weeks have been a learning experience like no other. Although I have lived quite a few years so far and hope to live as many more as the Lord will allow I am still learning with each passing day. One thing I have learned is that you are never to old to learn about yourself, about others and what you are capable of and what lessons life has to offer you in living and in dying.
Some things I've learned about myself were a surprise to say the least, I found that I had strength to use in a time of dire need that I didn't know was there, I found that I could stand when I had every reason to fall. I found that in my circumstance I could stand up to the challenge although difficult it was. I found that I could be the strength for someone else when the strength they once had was slipping away as if suddenly an escape hatch had been opened and there was no way of shutting it again.
In the weeks before her death in caring for my ailing mother I found that she had a determination that was beyond my comprehension. Without knowing it we were making an exchange, she giving to me and I giving to her but in such different ways. Seeing her strength from day to day gave me what I needed for the days ahead. She never relented in her efforts, never giving in to what she knew was coming, making plans almost to the day she took her last breath. As I watched her make the last mile of her journey I knew the end was coming but didn't want to face that I was about to loose the most precious gift I had ever been given here on this earth, my Mother. I would no longer hear her voice, no longer watch her as she slowly shuffled down the hall bumping the walls as she made her way. I would no longer feel those wrinkled hands in mine as we chatted from time to time. Yes, this was a difficult lesson to learn, that we don't always get to keep our most valued possessions. We lose sometimes.
I found that in my mother's dying process that there is much that the human body can endure before saying I give up! The human spirit is the strongest possession we own, it can carry us through storms of life and even the shadows of death. She taught me these things, even in her dying moments she was teaching her child that there is more to life and that is death. She endured by doing what she knew best seeking her Lord and master in prayer, singing and conversation with Him. She confronted Him with questions, with wonderment, and with challenges. She wanted to know why, how, when and in her spirit He was giving her the answers and she accepted them although knowing mother she did it reluctantly but she accepted. What other choice did she have, this is the time that God doesn't let us make choices. That's a lesson within itself, He is in charge, remember that and she did.
I found in myself the courage to hold my dying mother and knowing within my heart there was enough love to hold her to the end if that's what it took. It wasn't the way she would have wanted it I'm sure, even in her last moments she felt as she was a burden but how could she be when she had given so much, would I not do the same, if not, she had taught me nothing. Mother's are teachers in every sense of the word, every moment we spend with our mother is a day of learning whether it be good or bad there is a lesson to be learned. I loved my teacher.
She's made her final journey, although she is absent in the flesh her spirit is alive and well, the lessons she left behind will continue to teach the next generation and the next and the next as the stories of Grandma Willie are told over and over again. Her legacy lives on in all that she left behind, recipes for chicken and dumplings, the value of saving for that rainy day, the art of using your hands for the necessities of life, the strength of offering that shoulder to cry on when we felt as if our lives had come to an end, her artistic ability to keep a beautiful home, to care for those who didn't care for her, to open her home for shelter to those who had none. Yes, she will keep teaching as long as we are willing to open her book of life and see the lessons she left behind. Yes, mother was a teacher, is a teacher and will keep teaching as long as we are willing to learn and we never get to old for that.
Granny here, just saying!
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Because I'm Mother
Granny Here,
My subject today is not a pleasant one but necessary, it's about the loss of my sweet mother Irene. She was a keeper for sure, a woman all her own, a woman of substance, a woman of opinion, strong opinion, a woman who didn't know the art of backing down or giving up. She lived 97 years 2 months and 14 days so to say she lived a long life is as much truth as I can come up with.
She was born Effie Irene Webb on March 26, 1919 in almost heaven, West Virginia, in a coal mining family that suffered their share and then some during the great coal mining strikes and the great depression. Her father Fred Webb was very active in the coal mines and often found himself in danger of becoming a casualty from the union depressors of that day. Her mother who was quite a few years younger than her father but her mother was also a lady of class and brass as was she.
My mother was born poor, very poor but her family of 6 sisters and one brother who died at birth had a classiness about them that made them stand out among others. They were fashionistas, always having or trying to have the latest in fashion even if their mother had to make it by hand which she often did being a seamstress well known for her sewing abilities. With 6 girls in the house you can be sure there was never a dull moment and never a time when momma wasn't watching through the keyhole to see what was going down with the girls. And boyfriends, well that could be a book all by itself, I'm sure there was an abundance of romance in that household.
Mom was a woman who knew her mind, spoke her mind and rarely changed her mind. She thought she was right, believed she was right, knew she was right and would go down fighting for the right.
If we didn't agree with her on any subject she just clammed up and that was it but we never won a battle. She didn't lose easily.
Married to our dad William (Windy Bill) for 59 years, they were Maude and Archie in reverse with Mom being Archie and dad being Maude. Mom was the driving force and I do mean driving she was always looking out for the welfare of her family and although she and dad were not the most romantic couple in the world (we know they had at least 6 passionate moments) he got the best of care at her hands. She made sure dad got the best part of a meal, that he had clean clothes and a clean home, that his children were well taken care of and that all the household business was up to date. Dad on the other hand made sure she had what she needed to do her job and do it well so together they made a complete team. We can be proud of them both and are!!!
This blog could go on and on but I will bring it to an end for now, I'm sure there will be more forthcoming. But to say mother had a colorful life would be like saying that Jimmy Fallon wasn't funny, the truth is in the pudding, her life was a book of color not always pretty colors but colors none the less.
To say she was loved is an understatement, she demanded it, she craved it and she obtained it. Loved by her family almost to a fault, she was spoiled and didn't feel any grief from it. She deserved it according to her calculations. Her reasoning was "because I'm Mother" and she meant it.
For the love of my mother
Granny here, just saying!
My subject today is not a pleasant one but necessary, it's about the loss of my sweet mother Irene. She was a keeper for sure, a woman all her own, a woman of substance, a woman of opinion, strong opinion, a woman who didn't know the art of backing down or giving up. She lived 97 years 2 months and 14 days so to say she lived a long life is as much truth as I can come up with.
She was born Effie Irene Webb on March 26, 1919 in almost heaven, West Virginia, in a coal mining family that suffered their share and then some during the great coal mining strikes and the great depression. Her father Fred Webb was very active in the coal mines and often found himself in danger of becoming a casualty from the union depressors of that day. Her mother who was quite a few years younger than her father but her mother was also a lady of class and brass as was she.
My mother was born poor, very poor but her family of 6 sisters and one brother who died at birth had a classiness about them that made them stand out among others. They were fashionistas, always having or trying to have the latest in fashion even if their mother had to make it by hand which she often did being a seamstress well known for her sewing abilities. With 6 girls in the house you can be sure there was never a dull moment and never a time when momma wasn't watching through the keyhole to see what was going down with the girls. And boyfriends, well that could be a book all by itself, I'm sure there was an abundance of romance in that household.
Mom was a woman who knew her mind, spoke her mind and rarely changed her mind. She thought she was right, believed she was right, knew she was right and would go down fighting for the right.
If we didn't agree with her on any subject she just clammed up and that was it but we never won a battle. She didn't lose easily.
Married to our dad William (Windy Bill) for 59 years, they were Maude and Archie in reverse with Mom being Archie and dad being Maude. Mom was the driving force and I do mean driving she was always looking out for the welfare of her family and although she and dad were not the most romantic couple in the world (we know they had at least 6 passionate moments) he got the best of care at her hands. She made sure dad got the best part of a meal, that he had clean clothes and a clean home, that his children were well taken care of and that all the household business was up to date. Dad on the other hand made sure she had what she needed to do her job and do it well so together they made a complete team. We can be proud of them both and are!!!
This blog could go on and on but I will bring it to an end for now, I'm sure there will be more forthcoming. But to say mother had a colorful life would be like saying that Jimmy Fallon wasn't funny, the truth is in the pudding, her life was a book of color not always pretty colors but colors none the less.
To say she was loved is an understatement, she demanded it, she craved it and she obtained it. Loved by her family almost to a fault, she was spoiled and didn't feel any grief from it. She deserved it according to her calculations. Her reasoning was "because I'm Mother" and she meant it.
For the love of my mother
Granny here, just saying!
Monday, June 1, 2015
Life's Surprises
Granny here,
Just thinking how life is full of surprises, just when we think it's dull and mundane something appears from out of the blue. Life will always catch us off guard, it's always one step ahead of us and we may try but we'll never outsmart life.
Take friendships for instance, you know you always think that your friendship is something that anyone would want right? Not! Sometimes we are a better friend by bowing out of someone's life than staying in it, ever think about that. Sometimes we make people's lives better by bowing out of them. It's always been my goal to be a blessing to others and not a hindrance but who puts their self in that category, no one, right? Well, we can belong in it whether we believe it or not.
Sometimes we can be a better friend by not being one, I know that sounds awful but it's true just the same. Just because we think we are what everyone needs in their life doesn't make it so. And don't ever think that you take up as great a space in other's lives as they do yours, you may be a lot needier than they and more willing to take others no matter what flaw they may have.
Most people love surprises, sometimes I do and sometimes I would rather be prepared but if we're prepared then it's not a surprise is it? Sudden deaths are bad surprises, births can be great surprises or at least the sex of the baby but today even that is hard to keep hidden. Life doesn't ask us permission to spring a surprise on us it just lowers the boom and that's it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it isn't but none the less life has a way, doesn't it. Our job is acceptance and that can be a hard one to conquer.
I'm surprised that my mom has lived 96 years and still going, mind strong, attitude good, holding her own. I was surprised when my husband of 48 years dropped dead without warning, without goodbye, without my goodnight kiss. Death didn't ask my permission, it just moved without warning, leaving me behind to pick up the pieces.
I'm surprised when something that was meant to be a short term venture turns into something that keeps you busy for a while, like online selling. I put a few things online for sale and to my surprise I am still selling things 4 months later, people love what I have to offer and as long as they buy I will sell. So that has been a very pleasant surprise.
Recently I learned that our pastor of 7 years will be leaving in August, boy, a surprise in one sense and not in another, the fact that that's the way our church government works, when they get orders to go, they go. I was disappointed to say the least but I think of the opportunity that the next church he goes to will have to love and be loved by this wonderful family. They are in for a blessing I can tell you that. And I also will have the opportunity to make some new acquaintances that will enhance my life and maybe I will theirs. There's always trade offs in every situation. Right?
Well, if you like surprises, life has them waiting for you, I won't say they will all be good but they can be stepping stones to move you along to your next destination. God works like that you know everything that happens in our lives can be helpful if we just learn how to use it. I'm still learning and I hope you are too.
Granny here, just saying!
Just thinking how life is full of surprises, just when we think it's dull and mundane something appears from out of the blue. Life will always catch us off guard, it's always one step ahead of us and we may try but we'll never outsmart life.
Take friendships for instance, you know you always think that your friendship is something that anyone would want right? Not! Sometimes we are a better friend by bowing out of someone's life than staying in it, ever think about that. Sometimes we make people's lives better by bowing out of them. It's always been my goal to be a blessing to others and not a hindrance but who puts their self in that category, no one, right? Well, we can belong in it whether we believe it or not.
Sometimes we can be a better friend by not being one, I know that sounds awful but it's true just the same. Just because we think we are what everyone needs in their life doesn't make it so. And don't ever think that you take up as great a space in other's lives as they do yours, you may be a lot needier than they and more willing to take others no matter what flaw they may have.
Most people love surprises, sometimes I do and sometimes I would rather be prepared but if we're prepared then it's not a surprise is it? Sudden deaths are bad surprises, births can be great surprises or at least the sex of the baby but today even that is hard to keep hidden. Life doesn't ask us permission to spring a surprise on us it just lowers the boom and that's it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it isn't but none the less life has a way, doesn't it. Our job is acceptance and that can be a hard one to conquer.
I'm surprised that my mom has lived 96 years and still going, mind strong, attitude good, holding her own. I was surprised when my husband of 48 years dropped dead without warning, without goodbye, without my goodnight kiss. Death didn't ask my permission, it just moved without warning, leaving me behind to pick up the pieces.
I'm surprised when something that was meant to be a short term venture turns into something that keeps you busy for a while, like online selling. I put a few things online for sale and to my surprise I am still selling things 4 months later, people love what I have to offer and as long as they buy I will sell. So that has been a very pleasant surprise.
Recently I learned that our pastor of 7 years will be leaving in August, boy, a surprise in one sense and not in another, the fact that that's the way our church government works, when they get orders to go, they go. I was disappointed to say the least but I think of the opportunity that the next church he goes to will have to love and be loved by this wonderful family. They are in for a blessing I can tell you that. And I also will have the opportunity to make some new acquaintances that will enhance my life and maybe I will theirs. There's always trade offs in every situation. Right?
Well, if you like surprises, life has them waiting for you, I won't say they will all be good but they can be stepping stones to move you along to your next destination. God works like that you know everything that happens in our lives can be helpful if we just learn how to use it. I'm still learning and I hope you are too.
Granny here, just saying!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Insanity Prevails
Granny here,
Well, I've heard it all, in a commerical this morning Chevy announcing their latest donation to highway saftey, in car wifi. Folks we have arrived, on the edge of insanity that is. Can you imagine, we can now eat, watch tv, listen to the radio, change clothes, put on make up, disciple the kids (maybe) read a book and if that wasn't enough now we can go online without a problem, all while pretending to drive our cars. Wait! There seems to be one thing missing, driving, watching the road, looking out for red lights, stop signs, pot holes, road construction, keeping our eye on the other driver, tell me while doing all the other things when will we find time to do what we are actually in the car to do in the first place, Drive!
This is insanity! How did Chevy ever get clearance to add such a dangerous feature to a moving vehicle. Don't we have enough problems on the highway now without adding new ones to it. While I'm on the subject of safety in our cars what about all the buttons and gadgets on our steering wheels, folks this is a moving object in our hands that has to be still for us to perform the function needed at any given moment, did the manufacturer forget that the steering wheel is a moving object that cannot remain in a still position when in use. I'm all for nothing on my steering wheel, everything should be in a panel on the dash within reach of the driver, it's a lot safer to reach forward than to have to run your buttons down on a moving target such as they steering wheel.
Get with it car manufacturers, give us safety features in our vehicles not things that make you look good with little thought to the dangers you're placing the driver in. And while I'm on the subject of car safety, children do not belong straped in the back seat away from their parent who is driving. I almost lost my son to a choking incident from that very situation. By the time I pulled off the road, jump out of the car and got to the back where he was he was pretty well strangling to death. Luckily I made it to him in time but how many children will have to die before the world understands that a child needs to be near their parent.
Well, that's my take on safety in our vehicles, hope this made sense to someone other than myself!
Granny here, just saying!
Well, I've heard it all, in a commerical this morning Chevy announcing their latest donation to highway saftey, in car wifi. Folks we have arrived, on the edge of insanity that is. Can you imagine, we can now eat, watch tv, listen to the radio, change clothes, put on make up, disciple the kids (maybe) read a book and if that wasn't enough now we can go online without a problem, all while pretending to drive our cars. Wait! There seems to be one thing missing, driving, watching the road, looking out for red lights, stop signs, pot holes, road construction, keeping our eye on the other driver, tell me while doing all the other things when will we find time to do what we are actually in the car to do in the first place, Drive!
This is insanity! How did Chevy ever get clearance to add such a dangerous feature to a moving vehicle. Don't we have enough problems on the highway now without adding new ones to it. While I'm on the subject of safety in our cars what about all the buttons and gadgets on our steering wheels, folks this is a moving object in our hands that has to be still for us to perform the function needed at any given moment, did the manufacturer forget that the steering wheel is a moving object that cannot remain in a still position when in use. I'm all for nothing on my steering wheel, everything should be in a panel on the dash within reach of the driver, it's a lot safer to reach forward than to have to run your buttons down on a moving target such as they steering wheel.
Get with it car manufacturers, give us safety features in our vehicles not things that make you look good with little thought to the dangers you're placing the driver in. And while I'm on the subject of car safety, children do not belong straped in the back seat away from their parent who is driving. I almost lost my son to a choking incident from that very situation. By the time I pulled off the road, jump out of the car and got to the back where he was he was pretty well strangling to death. Luckily I made it to him in time but how many children will have to die before the world understands that a child needs to be near their parent.
Well, that's my take on safety in our vehicles, hope this made sense to someone other than myself!
Granny here, just saying!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Out of the Past Cont'd
Granny here,
Daisy had to find out everything the family knew and fill them in on what she had been able to discover on her own. The clues so far had her dad mentioning the story of an affair, his great, great grandfather having an affair during the war all the stories told in the family down through the years, it was all pointing to the same conclusion, that Daisy's great-great-great grandfather was the soldier in the story. The chain was the missing link to the ring that Daisy had found.
Leslie's family was curious about the ring too since these stories were well known throughout the region of Calabria, they had been told over and over again by Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe. The soldiers loved to hear about it as they could relate through their own affairs with the Italian women while serving in the military in Italy and other foreign countries.
The work week was moving fast for Daisy and that was fine with her, she loved the weekends when she could see her friends, have some relaxation and spend some time with Tory, who was becoming an important part of her life, more important than even she realized. Although she spoke with Tory several times during the week, it was not the same as having his arms around her and feeling his lips on hers, that was worth looking forward to on the weekends and she did look forward to it, more that she wanted to admit to herself. She could only hope that he felt the same and she was sure that he did, at least that was the impression he gave her when they were together.
Leslie called Daisy Friday afternoon to see if she had some free time that evening after work to meet at their favorite pizza place. She wanted to fill her in on their plans to go to America to make sure everything was complaint with daisy's schedule. They loved meeting for pizza and being best friends they had no trouble spending hours in conversation.
Daisy actually got out of the office on time Friday evening and headed home to freshen up and change into something more appropriate for the pizza parlor, which happen to be her favorite denim cut offs and a tank top, of course Daisy looked good in anything she chose to wear. She arrived just as Leslie was pulling into the parking lot; they parked beside each other and talked while walking into the restaurant. They were excited about their trip to America but daisy didn't like the idea of leaving Tory. They spent the evening going over their plans, they would leave as soon as Daisy left work on Labor Day weekend, Leslie would take the responsibility of making all the flight arrangements. Daisy made the decision not to tell her family she was coming, she wanted to surprise them . She was really excited about seeing her parents again and she would also get to see her grandmothers, her grand fathers had passed away within six months of each other when she was twelve and that saddened her to think they would never know the rest of the story.
Tory was not happy about spending the holiday without Daisy but understood her need for making the trip. After all she would only be gone a few days and the space between them would give them time to evaluate their feelings for each other and give them a better idea how to face their future either together or apart. Tory was proud of himself for the way he had been able to constrain himself where Daisy was concerned, he respected her too much to lower her standards and in ways she had caused him to raise his a little higher.
The flight to America was a pleasant one, Daisy and Leslie were seated together and therefore escaped the risk of being seated with a chatty Cathy or a boozed up guy who thought he was the answer to a woman's dreams. the food wasn't the greatest but it did its job until the girls could get to their mothers home cooking.
Leslie had made plans to be picked up at the airport by her parents and they would give Daisy a ride home to surprise her parents, since neither Leslie nor her parents had met Daisy's family this would give them a chance to be introduced. They were waiting for the girls as they came down the ramp, they could see them standing behind the security fence waving to the passengers getting off the plane. Leslie's parents were so glad to see their little girl, she and her dad were very close and it had been a while since they had seen one another and her mother was just as happy to see that Leslie had made it home safely.
After the reunion at the airport, they drove to the home of Daisy's parents who didn't have a clue she was coming. Daisy had Leslie and her parents go to the door and ring the door bell while she hid behind them, when her parents opened the door they wondered who these people were, they had never seen them before. "May I speak to Daisy, please?" Asked Leslie. "Daisy doesn't live here anymore, she moved to Italy, may I ask who you are?" Replied Daisy's mother with a puzzled look on her face. Just at that moment Leslie and her parents stepped aside and there stood Daisy laughing as hard as she could, but her mother was crying tears of joy and her dad began smiling, there were hugs, kisses and many tears, introductions were made, then Leslie and her parents left Daisy and her family to enjoy their reunion which lasted the rest of the evening.
Leslie had a wonderful evening catching up on all the news from her parents and filling them in on the saga of the mystery ring which they found to be very fascinating. Her parents couldn't believe the that all the facts surrounding the ring proved that daisy's family was actually the rightful owner of the ring, that was just too strange, how could such a thing happen after all these years? Was it fate that Daisy's great-great-great grandfather was the soldier in the family story and now she had proven it to be true?
Daisy and her family spent the evening just as Leslie and her parents, catching up on all the news. She had plenty to tell them about Italy, about her villa, about Tory, and of course about the ring she had found, its value and the story she was discovering to be attached to it. She still had a lot of pieces of the puzzle missing and hoped her dad would be able to help her find them either in his memory or at least her grandmothers.
As Daisy broke the news to her parents that she had also discovered the chain and Lt. Neilson's dog tag, they were stunned. It was almost unbelievable but when Daisy took out the ring, the chain and the dog tag, there was no denying that it was true. "This story belongs in Ripley's Believe It or Not", said Daisy's mom as she looked at all the evidence.
Grandmother Sophia was a lovely lady in her late sixties, fashionable and gracious and more than willing to talk about family secrets and rumors. Since Daisy's mother had already discussed the story with her, Daisy's grandmother had pulled out all the family albums, letters, etc. that had been passed down to her husband through the years, anticipating Daisy's visit.
Daisy so wished that her grandfather was alive to tell what he knew but for now they would have to rely on what information was contained in old photos, letters, papers and family members.
They spent hours going over everything Sophia had in her archives which gave them some interesting information. Sophia had birth certificates from years gone by and her husbands mother had even more information in the old family Bible. They looked and looked until their yes hurt and daisy was about to give up when she saw the name, it was the name of her great-great-great grandfather, Robert Alexander Neilson. Daisy almost fell off her chair. "Look, mom, it's him, he is the soldier and he is the man."
It seems that Robert Alexander Neilson did have a way with the ladies. Daisy's great grandmother, Elizabeth had more letters and dates in all the papers she had kept, she even had a few letters from Alex, telling the story that no one wanted to believe.
The story as told by Alex, was, that he had rented the villa (the same one that Daisy now lived in) with a military buddy and lived there off base during his duty in Calabria. He had been assigned to escort duty for the Countess Victoria Francesca Castalina and the two of them had fell in love and had used the villa as a meeting place for the entire month she had been in Calabria. She had given him the ring as a token of her love before they parted but the chain she had placed it on had broken and he had lost it but had no idea where. He left Italy without ever finding it and only had his memories to console him for the remainder of his life. Although he came to America he had left his heart in Calabria.
The family had always gotten a kick from hearing the story, they all had their doubts that the story was true, but now with all the evidence there was no denying that alexander had been telling the truth all along. Daisy was so fascinated listening to her grandmothers tell the story that she didn't want them to stop talking, she was ecstatic that she had now found the missing pieces to her puzzle and putting it altogether they now had a picture of what happened to their ancestor many years ago. Daisy was shocked that the mystery of the ring had come full circle and a member of her family was the center of it all.
Later that evening Daisy and her family went to visit her great-great grandmother Anna who was over one hundred years old living in a nursing facility with her memories. She was a delightful lady, still feisty and full of life. She was in a wheelchair and had lost her sight some years ago but her spirits were good and she loved to talk and enjoyed her visitors. They spent about an hour listening to her recollection, what she had of the famous affair. She was excited to have this chance to reminisce about her life and what she remembered of Robert Alexander. By the end of the hour, Anna was exhausted and had to be put to bed, Daisy gave her a kiss and made her exit quietly realizing that this was probably the last time she would ever see her.
With the mystery of the ring solved, Daisy had accomplished her goal for coming to America. Leslie and she would spend their last few days with their families for the holiday and fly back Monday morning, Daisy had to report back to work Tuesday and she needed time to touch base with tory, whom she missed miserably. It had been a god and productive visit and both of them were glad they had made the trip but were also glad to be going home.
Daisy had to find out everything the family knew and fill them in on what she had been able to discover on her own. The clues so far had her dad mentioning the story of an affair, his great, great grandfather having an affair during the war all the stories told in the family down through the years, it was all pointing to the same conclusion, that Daisy's great-great-great grandfather was the soldier in the story. The chain was the missing link to the ring that Daisy had found.
Leslie's family was curious about the ring too since these stories were well known throughout the region of Calabria, they had been told over and over again by Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe. The soldiers loved to hear about it as they could relate through their own affairs with the Italian women while serving in the military in Italy and other foreign countries.
The work week was moving fast for Daisy and that was fine with her, she loved the weekends when she could see her friends, have some relaxation and spend some time with Tory, who was becoming an important part of her life, more important than even she realized. Although she spoke with Tory several times during the week, it was not the same as having his arms around her and feeling his lips on hers, that was worth looking forward to on the weekends and she did look forward to it, more that she wanted to admit to herself. She could only hope that he felt the same and she was sure that he did, at least that was the impression he gave her when they were together.
Leslie called Daisy Friday afternoon to see if she had some free time that evening after work to meet at their favorite pizza place. She wanted to fill her in on their plans to go to America to make sure everything was complaint with daisy's schedule. They loved meeting for pizza and being best friends they had no trouble spending hours in conversation.
Daisy actually got out of the office on time Friday evening and headed home to freshen up and change into something more appropriate for the pizza parlor, which happen to be her favorite denim cut offs and a tank top, of course Daisy looked good in anything she chose to wear. She arrived just as Leslie was pulling into the parking lot; they parked beside each other and talked while walking into the restaurant. They were excited about their trip to America but daisy didn't like the idea of leaving Tory. They spent the evening going over their plans, they would leave as soon as Daisy left work on Labor Day weekend, Leslie would take the responsibility of making all the flight arrangements. Daisy made the decision not to tell her family she was coming, she wanted to surprise them . She was really excited about seeing her parents again and she would also get to see her grandmothers, her grand fathers had passed away within six months of each other when she was twelve and that saddened her to think they would never know the rest of the story.
Tory was not happy about spending the holiday without Daisy but understood her need for making the trip. After all she would only be gone a few days and the space between them would give them time to evaluate their feelings for each other and give them a better idea how to face their future either together or apart. Tory was proud of himself for the way he had been able to constrain himself where Daisy was concerned, he respected her too much to lower her standards and in ways she had caused him to raise his a little higher.
The flight to America was a pleasant one, Daisy and Leslie were seated together and therefore escaped the risk of being seated with a chatty Cathy or a boozed up guy who thought he was the answer to a woman's dreams. the food wasn't the greatest but it did its job until the girls could get to their mothers home cooking.
Leslie had made plans to be picked up at the airport by her parents and they would give Daisy a ride home to surprise her parents, since neither Leslie nor her parents had met Daisy's family this would give them a chance to be introduced. They were waiting for the girls as they came down the ramp, they could see them standing behind the security fence waving to the passengers getting off the plane. Leslie's parents were so glad to see their little girl, she and her dad were very close and it had been a while since they had seen one another and her mother was just as happy to see that Leslie had made it home safely.
After the reunion at the airport, they drove to the home of Daisy's parents who didn't have a clue she was coming. Daisy had Leslie and her parents go to the door and ring the door bell while she hid behind them, when her parents opened the door they wondered who these people were, they had never seen them before. "May I speak to Daisy, please?" Asked Leslie. "Daisy doesn't live here anymore, she moved to Italy, may I ask who you are?" Replied Daisy's mother with a puzzled look on her face. Just at that moment Leslie and her parents stepped aside and there stood Daisy laughing as hard as she could, but her mother was crying tears of joy and her dad began smiling, there were hugs, kisses and many tears, introductions were made, then Leslie and her parents left Daisy and her family to enjoy their reunion which lasted the rest of the evening.
Leslie had a wonderful evening catching up on all the news from her parents and filling them in on the saga of the mystery ring which they found to be very fascinating. Her parents couldn't believe the that all the facts surrounding the ring proved that daisy's family was actually the rightful owner of the ring, that was just too strange, how could such a thing happen after all these years? Was it fate that Daisy's great-great-great grandfather was the soldier in the family story and now she had proven it to be true?
Daisy and her family spent the evening just as Leslie and her parents, catching up on all the news. She had plenty to tell them about Italy, about her villa, about Tory, and of course about the ring she had found, its value and the story she was discovering to be attached to it. She still had a lot of pieces of the puzzle missing and hoped her dad would be able to help her find them either in his memory or at least her grandmothers.
As Daisy broke the news to her parents that she had also discovered the chain and Lt. Neilson's dog tag, they were stunned. It was almost unbelievable but when Daisy took out the ring, the chain and the dog tag, there was no denying that it was true. "This story belongs in Ripley's Believe It or Not", said Daisy's mom as she looked at all the evidence.
Grandmother Sophia was a lovely lady in her late sixties, fashionable and gracious and more than willing to talk about family secrets and rumors. Since Daisy's mother had already discussed the story with her, Daisy's grandmother had pulled out all the family albums, letters, etc. that had been passed down to her husband through the years, anticipating Daisy's visit.
Daisy so wished that her grandfather was alive to tell what he knew but for now they would have to rely on what information was contained in old photos, letters, papers and family members.
They spent hours going over everything Sophia had in her archives which gave them some interesting information. Sophia had birth certificates from years gone by and her husbands mother had even more information in the old family Bible. They looked and looked until their yes hurt and daisy was about to give up when she saw the name, it was the name of her great-great-great grandfather, Robert Alexander Neilson. Daisy almost fell off her chair. "Look, mom, it's him, he is the soldier and he is the man."
It seems that Robert Alexander Neilson did have a way with the ladies. Daisy's great grandmother, Elizabeth had more letters and dates in all the papers she had kept, she even had a few letters from Alex, telling the story that no one wanted to believe.
The story as told by Alex, was, that he had rented the villa (the same one that Daisy now lived in) with a military buddy and lived there off base during his duty in Calabria. He had been assigned to escort duty for the Countess Victoria Francesca Castalina and the two of them had fell in love and had used the villa as a meeting place for the entire month she had been in Calabria. She had given him the ring as a token of her love before they parted but the chain she had placed it on had broken and he had lost it but had no idea where. He left Italy without ever finding it and only had his memories to console him for the remainder of his life. Although he came to America he had left his heart in Calabria.
The family had always gotten a kick from hearing the story, they all had their doubts that the story was true, but now with all the evidence there was no denying that alexander had been telling the truth all along. Daisy was so fascinated listening to her grandmothers tell the story that she didn't want them to stop talking, she was ecstatic that she had now found the missing pieces to her puzzle and putting it altogether they now had a picture of what happened to their ancestor many years ago. Daisy was shocked that the mystery of the ring had come full circle and a member of her family was the center of it all.
Later that evening Daisy and her family went to visit her great-great grandmother Anna who was over one hundred years old living in a nursing facility with her memories. She was a delightful lady, still feisty and full of life. She was in a wheelchair and had lost her sight some years ago but her spirits were good and she loved to talk and enjoyed her visitors. They spent about an hour listening to her recollection, what she had of the famous affair. She was excited to have this chance to reminisce about her life and what she remembered of Robert Alexander. By the end of the hour, Anna was exhausted and had to be put to bed, Daisy gave her a kiss and made her exit quietly realizing that this was probably the last time she would ever see her.
With the mystery of the ring solved, Daisy had accomplished her goal for coming to America. Leslie and she would spend their last few days with their families for the holiday and fly back Monday morning, Daisy had to report back to work Tuesday and she needed time to touch base with tory, whom she missed miserably. It had been a god and productive visit and both of them were glad they had made the trip but were also glad to be going home.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
From These Walls
Granny here,
Just wanted to write a little about the fun I've been having lately having a yard sale right from my living room couch thanks to the local yard sale page here in the city where I live. I'm sure that most cities have one going and it can prove to be profitable as well as giving the opportunity to meet new people.
I have been busy listing all the extra items that my mother and I have accumulated over the years, things we have made in our many hours of crafting and just stuff in general. So far we have generated extra money to the tune of around $700.00, not to bad for a few postings on the web site and a few trips to a local parking lot to make the exchange.
I've met some nice ladies in this process and I hope they feel the same. I have been able to supply a few things that they were looking for and they have been able to take them off my hands, kudos for everyone.
This is a great idea but there are drawbacks, there are those that post comments that are rude, people who have a personal conflict going on with another person on there, those that will promise to buy but never do and those that never show up while you're waiting in the designated meeting place. There are always those rude participators who try to kill it for the rest of us but you just have to take it in stride and keep on going.
For the most part everyone has proven to be on the up and up and have come through with their end of the bargain but there have been some disappointments. But for a pasttime that has it's benefits the downside is worth it and we can hope that it gets better as we go along. So for now I will keep posting and hope that customers keep coming and my mad money stash will take me on a vacation before summer is over.
Granny here, just saying!
Just wanted to write a little about the fun I've been having lately having a yard sale right from my living room couch thanks to the local yard sale page here in the city where I live. I'm sure that most cities have one going and it can prove to be profitable as well as giving the opportunity to meet new people.
I have been busy listing all the extra items that my mother and I have accumulated over the years, things we have made in our many hours of crafting and just stuff in general. So far we have generated extra money to the tune of around $700.00, not to bad for a few postings on the web site and a few trips to a local parking lot to make the exchange.
I've met some nice ladies in this process and I hope they feel the same. I have been able to supply a few things that they were looking for and they have been able to take them off my hands, kudos for everyone.
This is a great idea but there are drawbacks, there are those that post comments that are rude, people who have a personal conflict going on with another person on there, those that will promise to buy but never do and those that never show up while you're waiting in the designated meeting place. There are always those rude participators who try to kill it for the rest of us but you just have to take it in stride and keep on going.
For the most part everyone has proven to be on the up and up and have come through with their end of the bargain but there have been some disappointments. But for a pasttime that has it's benefits the downside is worth it and we can hope that it gets better as we go along. So for now I will keep posting and hope that customers keep coming and my mad money stash will take me on a vacation before summer is over.
Granny here, just saying!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Out of the Past Cont'd
Granny here,
The morning flew by since there were so busy they had no time to watch the clock, they had agreed to gather information, then wait until they got home to discuss it. Daisy was blown away by all the information from the jeweler and what she had gathered today was just the icing on the cake. Leslie had learned a lot more than she had bargained for and couldn't wait to share her findings with Daisy, but they wouldn't have the whole story until they combined all their findings.
They arrived back at the villa determined to solve the mystery, they didn't know yet what part the villa actually had played in the whole scheme of things. Daisy put on a fresh pot of coffee and they were going to need it, the task ahead of them was going to be daunting but they were ready for it. Daisy's information on the ring, style, value, and clarity and the report from the gemologist were the same as the information given to her by the jeweler, she also discovered the ring was from the eighteen hundreds probably between 1850 and1900. It had belonged to the royal Castalina family and the heirloom had been passed down for hundreds of years from one royal family to another. It had been given to Victoria Francesca Castalina on her twentieth birthday.
"That's exactly what my information says, Daisy, interrupted Leslie, it seems that it once belonged to her mother, Princess Marissa Gabriella Giabaldi, who was married to Prince William Vinchenzo Castalina, and before that it belonged to her grandmother Queen Elizabeth Victoria Castalina. This ring has been around, wouldn't you say, I'd love to hear the stories it could tell."
"This gets more interesting with each piece of the puzzle doesn't it; said Daisy as she looked through the info that Leslie had collected. It says here the ring was given to a soldier during the war, we have to find out who he was." "And just where do we start to find out that story, said Leslie, that's not going to be easy". "This story was told to me as a child, said Daisy, do you think there is a connection between the ring and my family, which would blow my mind. The soldiers name was Lt. Robert Alexander Neilson according to the story; he would have been my father's great, great grandfather."
It was getting late and Leslie had to be going, she had to call her mom in America about shipping her things to Italy since she had decided to make it home. The girls felt that they had done a good days work and had found out about as much as they could from books, now Daisy needed to ask questions from family members and see if there really was a connection. Daisy would begin her investigation with her mom and dad of course but right now she wanted to see Tory, it had been a few days since they had seen each other and she was getting lonely and hoped he had too.
Daisy spent Sunday afternoon with Tory, she had invited him over for spaghetti and meatballs which was one of his favorites and Daisy was a very good cook, if she did say so herself. The day was beautiful, not only was the weather cooperative but so were their emotions as usual. they had dinner and watched a movie, went for a walk in the garden and Daisy showed Tory just where she had found the ring. "Tory, do you think that it's possible that the chain is also buried here in the garden? If the ring was lost here maybe the chain was lost at the same time. Would you help me search for it, we can dig with my garden tools that are in the bottom of the kitchen sink." "Sure, I'll help you look but where do we start?" Said Tory as Daisy took him by the hand and led him to the exact spot where she had pulled up the ring hoping that if the chain was there they would be able to find it and have it as another clue to its rightful owner. Daisy ran into the kitchen to retrieve her tools and rushed back out to the garden where Tory was already digging with a stick hat he had found under a tree. He took the tools and began to dig where Daisy had found the ring and Daisy began to dig just a few feet away hoping all the while that they would discover the clue that they needed to tie the ring to Daisy's ancestry.
After digging several holes the two were beginning to lose hope of finding anything at all, they had dug up rocks, marbles, metal chips and coins that were worthless. Daisy was feeling a bit let down when her shovel revealed a piece of chain that was different than anything that she had seen before, it was broken in two pieces, the first piece was easy to pull from the ground but the second piece seemed to be hung on something. She quickly called for Tory to help her dig deeper, her excitement kept building the farther down Tory dug. Then, it appeared the other half of the chain and attached to it was a military dog tag covered with so much dirt that the name was filled in and unreadable. Tory began cleaning with the tail of his shirt and there it was Lt. Robert Alexander Neilson engraved in large letters.
Daisy fell to the ground beside Tory as he cleaned the piece of metal and she couldn't believe her eyes, the chain and the dog tag proved it, the story of her ancestors from many years ago was true. All the stories the family had told all these years was true and now she had the proof. How is this possible after a hundred years or more that she had found the heirloom that indeed belonged to her family? This was mind boggling!
Tory gave Daisy a big kiss as if to say congratulations, you have made your discovery. She stood to her feet and began laughing out loud, "Oh, Tory, isn't this wonderful, my family will be so pleased." "I'm sure they will be, but for now let's get ourselves cleaned up and all these holes filled back in so the garden will be beautiful again."
After cleaning themselves up they knew that it was getting late and time for Tory to head home although as usual he didn't want to but knew that Daisy would want him to leave. They enjoyed the view from the veranda with a glass of wine while feeling the comforts of the large chaise lounge. There were moments where restraining themselves became an art but both of them passed with flying colors. As Tory was leaving, it became obvious that their restraint was going to be more challenging as their relationship developed. Parting was becoming a problem for them and their kisses became more passionate as they thought of leaving each other, Daisy could tell that Tory wanted to stay and she couldn't deny that she wanted him too.
Daisy had been asking quite a few questions of her family since spending the day at the library, her curiosity had been peaked and her memory refreshed after reading all that information. she was now more curious than ever, as an adult she now realized that the stories she had heard as a child were true and could have more meaning than she could have ever dreamed. Daisy now had more information to tell her parents, she had called her mother once and told her all that she had found out about the ring, her mother had almost forgotten the stories she had heard from the grandmothers in the family through the years.
Daisy was trying to work out some strategy so she would be able to find out all she could about the ring but in the meantime she had placed it in a safe deposit box at the bank and bought insurance on it. She had no idea that the ring would have such an impact on her entire family and now that she had found the identifying dog tag she knew that she had to talk to her grandmother on her father's side, she remembers her dad saying something about one of his grandfathers having an affair during the war, now she knew they were one and the same. Daisy would have to make a trip to America to get all the answers she was looking for. Maybe she and Leslie could make a holiday of it since Leslie really needed to go to America and pull together all the loose ends of her life there.
The morning flew by since there were so busy they had no time to watch the clock, they had agreed to gather information, then wait until they got home to discuss it. Daisy was blown away by all the information from the jeweler and what she had gathered today was just the icing on the cake. Leslie had learned a lot more than she had bargained for and couldn't wait to share her findings with Daisy, but they wouldn't have the whole story until they combined all their findings.
They arrived back at the villa determined to solve the mystery, they didn't know yet what part the villa actually had played in the whole scheme of things. Daisy put on a fresh pot of coffee and they were going to need it, the task ahead of them was going to be daunting but they were ready for it. Daisy's information on the ring, style, value, and clarity and the report from the gemologist were the same as the information given to her by the jeweler, she also discovered the ring was from the eighteen hundreds probably between 1850 and1900. It had belonged to the royal Castalina family and the heirloom had been passed down for hundreds of years from one royal family to another. It had been given to Victoria Francesca Castalina on her twentieth birthday.
"That's exactly what my information says, Daisy, interrupted Leslie, it seems that it once belonged to her mother, Princess Marissa Gabriella Giabaldi, who was married to Prince William Vinchenzo Castalina, and before that it belonged to her grandmother Queen Elizabeth Victoria Castalina. This ring has been around, wouldn't you say, I'd love to hear the stories it could tell."
"This gets more interesting with each piece of the puzzle doesn't it; said Daisy as she looked through the info that Leslie had collected. It says here the ring was given to a soldier during the war, we have to find out who he was." "And just where do we start to find out that story, said Leslie, that's not going to be easy". "This story was told to me as a child, said Daisy, do you think there is a connection between the ring and my family, which would blow my mind. The soldiers name was Lt. Robert Alexander Neilson according to the story; he would have been my father's great, great grandfather."
It was getting late and Leslie had to be going, she had to call her mom in America about shipping her things to Italy since she had decided to make it home. The girls felt that they had done a good days work and had found out about as much as they could from books, now Daisy needed to ask questions from family members and see if there really was a connection. Daisy would begin her investigation with her mom and dad of course but right now she wanted to see Tory, it had been a few days since they had seen each other and she was getting lonely and hoped he had too.
Daisy spent Sunday afternoon with Tory, she had invited him over for spaghetti and meatballs which was one of his favorites and Daisy was a very good cook, if she did say so herself. The day was beautiful, not only was the weather cooperative but so were their emotions as usual. they had dinner and watched a movie, went for a walk in the garden and Daisy showed Tory just where she had found the ring. "Tory, do you think that it's possible that the chain is also buried here in the garden? If the ring was lost here maybe the chain was lost at the same time. Would you help me search for it, we can dig with my garden tools that are in the bottom of the kitchen sink." "Sure, I'll help you look but where do we start?" Said Tory as Daisy took him by the hand and led him to the exact spot where she had pulled up the ring hoping that if the chain was there they would be able to find it and have it as another clue to its rightful owner. Daisy ran into the kitchen to retrieve her tools and rushed back out to the garden where Tory was already digging with a stick hat he had found under a tree. He took the tools and began to dig where Daisy had found the ring and Daisy began to dig just a few feet away hoping all the while that they would discover the clue that they needed to tie the ring to Daisy's ancestry.
After digging several holes the two were beginning to lose hope of finding anything at all, they had dug up rocks, marbles, metal chips and coins that were worthless. Daisy was feeling a bit let down when her shovel revealed a piece of chain that was different than anything that she had seen before, it was broken in two pieces, the first piece was easy to pull from the ground but the second piece seemed to be hung on something. She quickly called for Tory to help her dig deeper, her excitement kept building the farther down Tory dug. Then, it appeared the other half of the chain and attached to it was a military dog tag covered with so much dirt that the name was filled in and unreadable. Tory began cleaning with the tail of his shirt and there it was Lt. Robert Alexander Neilson engraved in large letters.
Daisy fell to the ground beside Tory as he cleaned the piece of metal and she couldn't believe her eyes, the chain and the dog tag proved it, the story of her ancestors from many years ago was true. All the stories the family had told all these years was true and now she had the proof. How is this possible after a hundred years or more that she had found the heirloom that indeed belonged to her family? This was mind boggling!
Tory gave Daisy a big kiss as if to say congratulations, you have made your discovery. She stood to her feet and began laughing out loud, "Oh, Tory, isn't this wonderful, my family will be so pleased." "I'm sure they will be, but for now let's get ourselves cleaned up and all these holes filled back in so the garden will be beautiful again."
After cleaning themselves up they knew that it was getting late and time for Tory to head home although as usual he didn't want to but knew that Daisy would want him to leave. They enjoyed the view from the veranda with a glass of wine while feeling the comforts of the large chaise lounge. There were moments where restraining themselves became an art but both of them passed with flying colors. As Tory was leaving, it became obvious that their restraint was going to be more challenging as their relationship developed. Parting was becoming a problem for them and their kisses became more passionate as they thought of leaving each other, Daisy could tell that Tory wanted to stay and she couldn't deny that she wanted him too.
Daisy had been asking quite a few questions of her family since spending the day at the library, her curiosity had been peaked and her memory refreshed after reading all that information. she was now more curious than ever, as an adult she now realized that the stories she had heard as a child were true and could have more meaning than she could have ever dreamed. Daisy now had more information to tell her parents, she had called her mother once and told her all that she had found out about the ring, her mother had almost forgotten the stories she had heard from the grandmothers in the family through the years.
Daisy was trying to work out some strategy so she would be able to find out all she could about the ring but in the meantime she had placed it in a safe deposit box at the bank and bought insurance on it. She had no idea that the ring would have such an impact on her entire family and now that she had found the identifying dog tag she knew that she had to talk to her grandmother on her father's side, she remembers her dad saying something about one of his grandfathers having an affair during the war, now she knew they were one and the same. Daisy would have to make a trip to America to get all the answers she was looking for. Maybe she and Leslie could make a holiday of it since Leslie really needed to go to America and pull together all the loose ends of her life there.
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