Oh, what a hoot! A Cherokee who was actually Scottish & English... Cheeky Grandma Hudson! She played all but we'll never know why. Better though.... the lingering mystery allows us to write elegant and sweet short stories. Super well done, Sharron!
Thank you, AT. Yes, her grandson and great-grands were disappointed to learn that their believed heritage was untrue. Unlike her own children, they were proud to have Native Americans in their ancestry.
Thank you for reading this longer piece, James Ron. You are a true friend. They say that she is still alive if the memory is still alive. I have two other pieces about her - a poem -- Porter Gulch 1949, and a story where she tangled with a mean goose -- Porter Gulch Mayhem. She would be a wonderful character for a piece of fiction.
Kids think Grandparents will live forever since they already have, yet they don't have a minute to spare to tell us much. I have questions that will never be answered. I do know about the boned corset though. They are not for making a skinny middle. They are for supporting the back and protecting hips while you do chores... hauling bales of hay, cutting same, chopping wood, carrying that too. LIfe was more physical from cooking to laundry. I'm definitely "not dressed" in 18C part of my life without boned corset. Its a lot more comfortable than modern underwear or a big black OSHA belt. I might take to wearing it for landscaping.
Ha! That is so interesting, Kate. I always thought corsets were for shaping the figure. I wonder if continually wearing a corset for support, then, would cause the back muscles to atrophy and become dependent? Just the thought of those tight bones compressing my middle makes me short of breath...
NOT tight. You could put a sandwich between the corset and your front to keep for later. Bras are tighter and hurt. Corsets do not. Muscles do not degrade by wearing one. No shortness of breath. You can sing opera in them, and scream for the cattle to come home. The silly ones that ARE made for ridiculous fashion are a different tool entirely. Those ARE stupid and keep people from breathing or walking right. Those can make you faint. But even those are not worn full time... just for stupid fashion shows and Gala Nights. They get the press reviews because they are so stupid. That's what people remember. A handful of sand is not the same thing as a dumpster load falling on you. Similar thing with corsets.
What a beautifully written memory! I am transported to that time, those places, and I feel the sun beating down on my own face! I know that place. We have a picture of a young Grandma Hudson, hanging over our bed.
Thanks, Sharon. It is your history, too. She was 'crotchety' but she cared for us as best she could. I am curious if Benjamin lll has other memories of her to share?
Truly a poignant and beautifully written memoir, Sharron. I didn't want it to end. My own grandmother was similar in her stern nature but she lived long enough for me to begin to understand how her generation demonstrated their feelings. She loved geography and would pore over the maps I would bring her from my father's collection of National Geographic magazines. When she became incapacitated, she somehow became a big baseball fan and we had many lively conversations about our beloved Yankees.
I originally thought that Porter Gulch was a fictional place. I was happy to realize that it does exist and that Sharon is keeping the tradition alive. I'm looking forward to reading her posts from the gopher farm.
Thank you for introducing us to Grandma Hudson, Sharron.
I am happy you found this of interest, Jim. I thought it would waken reader's memories of their own grandparents. Most of these notes reflect the time when I was 8 to 12 years old, and much of it is remembered as if it were last week. I am glad you had really good years with your grandmother. I love the idea of a multi-generational household. I believe it is as it should be.
.. Outstanding ! Such historic folks are scattered across North America .. in every single State & Province .. World War 2 - Pearl Harbour, Korea & Vietnam in their lifetimes.. Have read numerous different ‘tales of such ‘Culture Sharon ! & I write ‘short Fiction & ‘Memoir Stylings’ of such folks myself.. and Films like ‘Cold Mountain - albeit Civil War Era reflect such realities..
Lovin the garden planting tricks ! We had our own on the farm.. & the story of why Lilac are often seen ‘planted in rows - on farms is simple but makes sense - as does the reason why many barns were painted red .. 🦎🏴☠️🌽
.. you want the explanation.. or shall we see who else knows the Lilac story ? Farm Life in itself ‘reflects an astonishing & diverse spectrum of Life & Culture - & fascinates me to this day.. ! 🦎🏴☠️🌽
If her English/Scottish ancestors spent any time in North Carolina, there may have been some DNA osmosis going on. Same thing with my family, only it was a story about some great-great-grandma working in the field and some man grabbed her and done the deed. According to my uncle, the story got wilder every time his sister told it. Was it a Cherokee, and circus rouseabout, or a runaway slave? Who knows, but where did my daddy get that silky, crow-black, curly hair?
This was a vivid description not only of a person but a way that many people had to live. Sounds hard to us, and it was, but it was so ingrained in their being, it was just the way it was. I loved how your collected so many facts and stories about her. She would love how you put them all together.
Have you ever tried googling your grandma's name and dates just to see what's there about her? I've collected lots of writings and stuff about my ancestors that is just mind-blowing. You never know.
Thanks for. your interest in his story, Sue. I am glad to see it has resonance with others besides our family. Yes, we have extensive genealogy from both sides of our family. It is fascinating stuff. Grandma Hudson was my step-grandma, but still, I like to think I inherited her tenacity and strength just from being around her in my childhood.
Oh Sharron, this is a breathtaking post - I can picture myself there with Grandma Hudson, and with you and your little brother - you first minding him, then having to pick berries. Such beautiful stories - lots and lots of them, bound together in this sheer treat of a post.
LOVED this idea: "She would plant snap beans and corn together in the same hole with small chunks of fish heads for fertilizer. The beans would grow up the cornstalks, so no poles were needed." Awesome thinking!
She could be mean as a snake, in our child- estimation, but she kept us safe and clean and fed. Above and beyond her call of duty. She had a quick mind and razor sharp wit. I am glad you read this, Rebecca. I had hoped it would ring true to others and not just family.
I had family members of whom I was less fond than others - I can totally relate. I didn’t ever spend huge chunks of time in one go with them though. Grandma Hudson sounds like such a character - and challenging relationships are great fodder for stories!
My mom is still with us and lives in an adjoining addition. She's a sweet gal but sometimes that hard edge comes out. I know her times were no picnic and she's certainly weathered some stuff. (her two sons included!) Your writing peels back some more of the layers of those times. It was an honoring piece you wrote.
What fabulous history for us my dear sweet sister. Grandpa was a clog dancer. Small time vaudeville and freelance entertainment. At least, that's what I heard as a toddler eavesdropping on Dad and Grandma. Love, Ben III
Oh, what a hoot! A Cherokee who was actually Scottish & English... Cheeky Grandma Hudson! She played all but we'll never know why. Better though.... the lingering mystery allows us to write elegant and sweet short stories. Super well done, Sharron!
Thank you, AT. Yes, her grandson and great-grands were disappointed to learn that their believed heritage was untrue. Unlike her own children, they were proud to have Native Americans in their ancestry.
Well said, well said, dear friend!
Thank you, Linda. I hope I did her justice here. No one really knows much about her, so every memory counts to keep her alive.
A cool Grandma, peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, and clog dancing. Pretty good! Enjoyed this, Sharron!
Thank you for reading this longer piece, James Ron. You are a true friend. They say that she is still alive if the memory is still alive. I have two other pieces about her - a poem -- Porter Gulch 1949, and a story where she tangled with a mean goose -- Porter Gulch Mayhem. She would be a wonderful character for a piece of fiction.
Beautiful memories always bring regrets for not being able to speak with a person now. Thanks!
Absolutely, Marcia. Thank you and welcome to 🌿Leaves! What I wouldn't give to have my own mother back! There are so many things I want to ask her...
Kids think Grandparents will live forever since they already have, yet they don't have a minute to spare to tell us much. I have questions that will never be answered. I do know about the boned corset though. They are not for making a skinny middle. They are for supporting the back and protecting hips while you do chores... hauling bales of hay, cutting same, chopping wood, carrying that too. LIfe was more physical from cooking to laundry. I'm definitely "not dressed" in 18C part of my life without boned corset. Its a lot more comfortable than modern underwear or a big black OSHA belt. I might take to wearing it for landscaping.
Ha! That is so interesting, Kate. I always thought corsets were for shaping the figure. I wonder if continually wearing a corset for support, then, would cause the back muscles to atrophy and become dependent? Just the thought of those tight bones compressing my middle makes me short of breath...
NOT tight. You could put a sandwich between the corset and your front to keep for later. Bras are tighter and hurt. Corsets do not. Muscles do not degrade by wearing one. No shortness of breath. You can sing opera in them, and scream for the cattle to come home. The silly ones that ARE made for ridiculous fashion are a different tool entirely. Those ARE stupid and keep people from breathing or walking right. Those can make you faint. But even those are not worn full time... just for stupid fashion shows and Gala Nights. They get the press reviews because they are so stupid. That's what people remember. A handful of sand is not the same thing as a dumpster load falling on you. Similar thing with corsets.
))K
What a beautifully written memory! I am transported to that time, those places, and I feel the sun beating down on my own face! I know that place. We have a picture of a young Grandma Hudson, hanging over our bed.
Thanks, Sharon. It is your history, too. She was 'crotchety' but she cared for us as best she could. I am curious if Benjamin lll has other memories of her to share?
Truly a poignant and beautifully written memoir, Sharron. I didn't want it to end. My own grandmother was similar in her stern nature but she lived long enough for me to begin to understand how her generation demonstrated their feelings. She loved geography and would pore over the maps I would bring her from my father's collection of National Geographic magazines. When she became incapacitated, she somehow became a big baseball fan and we had many lively conversations about our beloved Yankees.
I originally thought that Porter Gulch was a fictional place. I was happy to realize that it does exist and that Sharon is keeping the tradition alive. I'm looking forward to reading her posts from the gopher farm.
Thank you for introducing us to Grandma Hudson, Sharron.
I am happy you found this of interest, Jim. I thought it would waken reader's memories of their own grandparents. Most of these notes reflect the time when I was 8 to 12 years old, and much of it is remembered as if it were last week. I am glad you had really good years with your grandmother. I love the idea of a multi-generational household. I believe it is as it should be.
.. Outstanding ! Such historic folks are scattered across North America .. in every single State & Province .. World War 2 - Pearl Harbour, Korea & Vietnam in their lifetimes.. Have read numerous different ‘tales of such ‘Culture Sharon ! & I write ‘short Fiction & ‘Memoir Stylings’ of such folks myself.. and Films like ‘Cold Mountain - albeit Civil War Era reflect such realities..
Lovin the garden planting tricks ! We had our own on the farm.. & the story of why Lilac are often seen ‘planted in rows - on farms is simple but makes sense - as does the reason why many barns were painted red .. 🦎🏴☠️🌽
Thanks, Timber, for your comments. Glad you liked this one. I know about red barn paint, but now I am curious about the lilacs in rows ...
.. you want the explanation.. or shall we see who else knows the Lilac story ? Farm Life in itself ‘reflects an astonishing & diverse spectrum of Life & Culture - & fascinates me to this day.. ! 🦎🏴☠️🌽
Let's see who knows the answer.
.. yikes ! Sharron - not Sharon .. ! (heads to woodshed for a whuppin .. 🦎🏴☠️
Hah. Makes no difference to me. In our family, though there are both Sharon and Sharron. We are affectionately known as Won-ar and Tu-ar.
If her English/Scottish ancestors spent any time in North Carolina, there may have been some DNA osmosis going on. Same thing with my family, only it was a story about some great-great-grandma working in the field and some man grabbed her and done the deed. According to my uncle, the story got wilder every time his sister told it. Was it a Cherokee, and circus rouseabout, or a runaway slave? Who knows, but where did my daddy get that silky, crow-black, curly hair?
This was a vivid description not only of a person but a way that many people had to live. Sounds hard to us, and it was, but it was so ingrained in their being, it was just the way it was. I loved how your collected so many facts and stories about her. She would love how you put them all together.
Have you ever tried googling your grandma's name and dates just to see what's there about her? I've collected lots of writings and stuff about my ancestors that is just mind-blowing. You never know.
Thanks for. your interest in his story, Sue. I am glad to see it has resonance with others besides our family. Yes, we have extensive genealogy from both sides of our family. It is fascinating stuff. Grandma Hudson was my step-grandma, but still, I like to think I inherited her tenacity and strength just from being around her in my childhood.
Cranberry beans! My grandma was the only person I knew who grew those.
Also the only person I knew who’d tell us kids to “Pipe down!” or “Be still!”
You put me right back in her kitchen.
Hooray! I am glad it worked out that way. Thanks for the comment, Penny!
Oh Sharron, this is a breathtaking post - I can picture myself there with Grandma Hudson, and with you and your little brother - you first minding him, then having to pick berries. Such beautiful stories - lots and lots of them, bound together in this sheer treat of a post.
LOVED this idea: "She would plant snap beans and corn together in the same hole with small chunks of fish heads for fertilizer. The beans would grow up the cornstalks, so no poles were needed." Awesome thinking!
She could be mean as a snake, in our child- estimation, but she kept us safe and clean and fed. Above and beyond her call of duty. She had a quick mind and razor sharp wit. I am glad you read this, Rebecca. I had hoped it would ring true to others and not just family.
I had family members of whom I was less fond than others - I can totally relate. I didn’t ever spend huge chunks of time in one go with them though. Grandma Hudson sounds like such a character - and challenging relationships are great fodder for stories!
That was such a sweet read, Sharron. The knowledge, the labor, the sternness at times of those folks. They loved through hard times.
Definitely a different era, that's for sure. I have a lot of older readers. I hoped it would echo some of their own experiences.
My mom is still with us and lives in an adjoining addition. She's a sweet gal but sometimes that hard edge comes out. I know her times were no picnic and she's certainly weathered some stuff. (her two sons included!) Your writing peels back some more of the layers of those times. It was an honoring piece you wrote.
Thank you, Ron, you dear soul.
What fabulous history for us my dear sweet sister. Grandpa was a clog dancer. Small time vaudeville and freelance entertainment. At least, that's what I heard as a toddler eavesdropping on Dad and Grandma. Love, Ben III
Thanks, Benny. You no doubt know more about him than I do. Let's tell stories!