tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post4617976232583898338..comments2024-01-14T02:19:22.761-05:00Comments on Have Your Cake & Read It Too: Memories of MermaidsErin Knightleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-29869659339539421942010-09-22T13:57:58.021-04:002010-09-22T13:57:58.021-04:00We lost my maternal grandma waaaay too early; she ...We lost my maternal grandma waaaay too early; she was only 64, I was in 9th grade. I miss her and think about her often. I agree with Ry that her laugh was one of a kind. She was a talented painter and Christmas-cookie maker; she let the granddaughters wear her makeup and clip-on earrings, and we used to watch all 6 hours of Anne of Green Gables together. She also gave me my first taste of wine when I was 11, and I remember being very giggly during a game of Yahtzee :) <br />I have so many memories of her, but fewer of my Dad's mom, who we only lost a few years ago. She was more like your dad's mom, harder to get to know, less affectionate but still a wonderful woman. My favorite memory of her is when I pushed her in her wheelchair on a crisp autumn day about 3 years ago; it was one of the last times she was lucid, and she told me all about memories of the neighborhood, where she'd lived since the 1940's. It was a special day, and I regret we didn't have more like it. But I'll take it.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05633395981565673888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-68328033283313730942010-09-18T10:57:06.088-04:002010-09-18T10:57:06.088-04:00Thanks for stopping by, Andy! I would love to kno...Thanks for stopping by, Andy! I would love to know what memories you have of her. Next time I'm in town, we should reminisce :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-79551983226925542602010-09-17T16:15:36.224-04:002010-09-17T16:15:36.224-04:00I had no idea! Great story, you've got one hec...I had no idea! Great story, you've got one heck of a memory.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02911500860268210390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-80531725381018322302010-09-15T09:55:01.287-04:002010-09-15T09:55:01.287-04:00I love your memories, Ryan! How ... interesting y...I love your memories, Ryan! How ... interesting you actually loved stuff cabbage as a kid. You grandmother must have added a touch of magic to it ;) <br />Thanks for stopping by!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-69416795021152809042010-09-15T01:43:06.347-04:002010-09-15T01:43:06.347-04:00Beautiful memory, EK. Thanks for taking me there.
...Beautiful memory, EK. Thanks for taking me there.<br /><br />Painting Santa Clauses with Grandma McCarthy. And her laugh. What a laugh.<br /><br />Grandma Devlin made famous stuffed cabbage. It's something I should have hated with all my childish might... but yet I loved it.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08214165343272889832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-86722825461170151492010-09-14T19:39:16.971-04:002010-09-14T19:39:16.971-04:00LOL, Donna, I can't even remember the last tim...LOL, Donna, I can't even remember the last time I was on a bus! Well, outside of an airport, anyway :) Thanks for stopping by, and I am glad that you enjoyed today's post!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-38858205606784775882010-09-14T18:05:50.986-04:002010-09-14T18:05:50.986-04:00I remember when riding a bus seemed like the most ...I remember when riding a bus seemed like the most adventurous thing in the world. LOL Now -- not so much!<br /><br />And I had to laugh that you were the only person in the world who had a grandmother who swam. LOL Another great story -- I really enjoyed this.Donna Cummingshttp://www.allaboutthewriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-4909735975458787012010-09-14T15:28:01.612-04:002010-09-14T15:28:01.612-04:00Wow, what a blessing to have been surrounded by bo...Wow, what a blessing to have been surrounded by both your grandparents and great grandparents, Heather! It is indeed a blessing to have them for as long as we can. <br />And, I imagine you had *lots* of German delicacies in your childhood :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-38897842981116747252010-09-14T15:01:45.308-04:002010-09-14T15:01:45.308-04:00I am fortunate enough to have memories not only of...I am fortunate enough to have memories not only of my maternal grandparents, but also my maternal great-grandparents. (Who happened by be German, so believe me, we had some yummy German Chocolate Cake over the years!)<br /> <br />Summers were spent with them at the lake, and I, being the oldest great-grandchild was a frequent fishing buddy. Alas, my great-grandfather could not swim with me, as he'd had a trach, but he loved to boat.<br /><br />He died the summer I before I turned 15, so my memories of him are strong. Sadly, my grandmother (his daughter) only outlived him by 6 years, a tragedy that saddens me to this day.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing memories of your grandmother. We're lucky to have them, even if they are gone before we're ready.Heather Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658143507115401865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-44016920637407000982010-09-14T14:15:32.286-04:002010-09-14T14:15:32.286-04:00I have never heard of Kiffles, Beth, but they sure...I have never heard of Kiffles, Beth, but they sure sound good! Hopefully both of your grandmothers will live on through your memories of them as you pass those stories on to your kids :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-23256664137235116352010-09-14T14:14:19.353-04:002010-09-14T14:14:19.353-04:00Black Beauty :) Wow, Kara, she definitely had you...Black Beauty :) Wow, Kara, she definitely had your number! I'm glad that we each have our own special memories of her :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-87042456826097064732010-09-14T13:56:49.641-04:002010-09-14T13:56:49.641-04:00I have a recipe I associate with both my grandmoth...I have a recipe I associate with both my grandmother's. Kiffles (a rolled pastry/cookie with a nut filling) from my dad's mom and a coffee cake from my mother's mom.<br /><br />My kids never met my father's mother as she died before I married. <br /><br />My mother's mom is still alive at 94. We saw her over the Labor Day weekend. I think my oldest will remember her best as he met her before the dementia set in. (This visit she didn't know who I was, much less the kids. It was a hard visit for me but one I wanted to do.)Beth Caudillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822034586213938181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-86023309535011977262010-09-14T13:47:51.346-04:002010-09-14T13:47:51.346-04:00Wow...what a beautiful, vivid story. Erin the con...Wow...what a beautiful, vivid story. Erin the controller of busses! So great. And what a wonderful memory you get to have...I don't ever remember Grandma Mary swimming, so this is very special indeed. I do remember her taking me to see The Black Stallion at a free screening at the public library, and it is still one of my favorite movies, so maybe she knew us each better than I thought...<br />Grandma Mary the Mermaid:)Kara Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02546404485329277556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-21797530498689399372010-09-14T10:45:18.438-04:002010-09-14T10:45:18.438-04:00How interesting, Clarissa, that my grandmother rem...How interesting, Clarissa, that my grandmother reminded you of your own. I hope it brought some of your own good memories to mind :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-36616844961753718452010-09-14T10:43:52.495-04:002010-09-14T10:43:52.495-04:00Thank you Sarah, I'm so glad you liked the sto...Thank you Sarah, I'm so glad you liked the story. I certainly hope those were good tears :)Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-51849192607961370362010-09-14T09:53:44.408-04:002010-09-14T09:53:44.408-04:00Wonderful story. Your tight-lipped grandmother sou...Wonderful story. Your tight-lipped grandmother sounds a lot like my father's mother. I miss her too.Clarissa Southwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999713155443152791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-3025358040673119022010-09-14T08:29:21.486-04:002010-09-14T08:29:21.486-04:00Erin, your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank y...Erin, your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing!<br /><br />SarahSarah Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07216846252237913830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-87778937769271950632010-09-14T01:57:55.994-04:002010-09-14T01:57:55.994-04:00Courtney, I am so glad that I could bring her to l...Courtney, I am so glad that I could bring her to life for you. You and several of our cousins were so young when she died, I realize how lucky I am to have memories of her. As for the muumuu, the first thing Kara said when I told her I was writing a story about Grandma Mary was "her and those flowered muumuus', lol!Erin Knightleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09368123673970225476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5071542331530983118.post-50261583264481821482010-09-14T01:47:06.842-04:002010-09-14T01:47:06.842-04:00I love you!!! This was a WONDERFUL story! I don...I love you!!! This was a WONDERFUL story! I don't really have ANY memories of Grandma Mary. I may have one, but I'd have to confirm it with my mother. This is so vivid and wonderful! I'm so jealous.<br /><br />And yes, that German Chocolate Cake is fantastic! I plan on having one for my birthday again this year! My mom and I could eat the whole thing of frosting by ourselves :). Never tried the 9x13. We use three round pans I think. I don't know if we make extra icing, but it works. Thank you so much for this blog post! It helps me add to what I think she'd be like if I had more time with her. I DO remember a blue and green muumuu.Courtney Menzel-Jordannoreply@blogger.com