My mother found this hilarious letter among her things today. My grandmother was in a foul mood when she wrote it. I recalled this weekend like it was yesterday when I read the letter. Grandma was nosy. If she’d been an animal, she’d have been a ferret. She like to get right behind Daddy, quizzing him about his business and his family. “How come your mama moved off the Henderson Place? Seems like she was set up real well there. How come Ella May and her husband separated? They looked like they were doing good?” If she didn’t get enough answers, she picked us kids. “When did Suzie get married?”
None of this endeared her to Daddy. He wasn’t a patient man. If he’d been an animal, he’d have made a fine bear. She had already been visiting two weeks by the time this letter was written. She was thinking her son was on his way to get her when she got a call, learning it would be another two weeks. It didn’t make her or my dad happy to know they had another two weeks to spend together. My dad was on strike at the time, throwing them together, even more. His family came in to visit that weekend, creating a perfect storm. I expected them to kill each other!
I will transcribe for you”
Dear BL, Just time for word. Hope all are getting along all right. Sure hope your daddys neck is feeling better I don’t feel too good Such a crowd here last night Bonnie, Edward, their 3 kids & Geneva came Ester, Junie, and their 5 hienas. Cat Young & her bunch of Angel then 2 bunches of neighbors & their familys & it was so quiet it hurts my ears til yet. running & slamming doors. I thought they would never leave. Kack(my mother)is fixing to take Cat Young to Springhill she has to go to the bank on business & Arnold had to go help Edward finish his filling station today & use his car& he ask her to take her to the bank. I intended to go & found out Kack was going to take all her kids. I better close. O I talked to John yest he ask me if I’de mind staying here two weeks longer til schools out that he hated to come one day & go back the next.so I told him I’de wait they are beginning to make a little progress in their talks about settling the strike they are all hoping the mill will open after July the 4th Bill got to work 2 days for another construction job, he had to walk the picket line last night for an hour for two must close Kacks ready to start tell your daddy Bill is wanting to give away their big collie does he want him to go with Blue. Must stop now. Please write soon. Love to all Grandma
I had forgotten until I reread this letter that Grandma didn’t bother with punctuation, though she had been a teacher.
Reads like a James Joyce story. Loved it. ☺☺
LikeLike
Times with Mother are never boring. She is delighted with everything.
LikeLike
As they say, you can pick your friends but not your family. Hope all is well with you and yours.
LikeLike
We are good. I am in Haddonfield for a visit right now. Hope you are well and peaceful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tough Christmas Season with missing Andrew and I have a very dear friend who dying. The grands keep me busy and smiling.
LikeLike
It will be a blessing when your feelings aren’t so raw and you remember more good times than hard. That’s where I am now with my nephew. That’s my hope for you. I pray things go as well as they can for your friend, and you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Nutsrok.
LikeLike
There was certainly a lot going on. Never a dull moment. Your grandmother didn’t miss writing about a thing. I love old pictures. I have a bunch also. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aren’t they great!
LikeLike
The photographs were worth studying, then your explanation of family dynamics and Grandma’s letter advanced my interest and gave me quite a chuckle. Thank you. I had a lot of fun with this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did, too! They were quite an unhappy pair!
LikeLike
This was the best! What a letter, love the pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad you let me know you enjoyed it. I can’t get enough of your stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh thanks! This was so great and the letter was just the icing for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remembered that day so clearly when I read the letter. Daddy was mad. Grandma was mad and they both made sure nobody forgot it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh boy! I love how you describe each of them! That must have been some two more weeks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was like a dance of death, but nobody died. They just kept fighting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does read like a text. 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! That’s funny she didn’t bother with punctuation, especially being a teacher. 😀
LikeLike
She was hot!,,,,
LikeLike
Hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I nearly passed out then reading without pausing for breath. I’m gasping now. Good job it wasn’t a longer letter.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
LikeLike
You are right!
LikeLike
Could have been worse, she could have called the hienas “heathens”.
LikeLike
She got around to that before she was done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hilarious!
LikeLike
😁😁😁😁😁👌👍
LikeLike
Ha ha, it’s like she was texting. Very humorous. N.
LikeLike
She didn’t have time for commas. She was hot!
LikeLike