Gosh, such harsh, harsh teachers, apart from Cora Norrin! I think it's no coincidence that Katy recalled so many decades later her favourite teacher's FULL name - the cruel ones were only 'Mr Doyle' and 'Miss Makins', which I find really interesting.
I'm ashamed to admit that although I'm not a native speaker, I resort to swearing very loudly in German when I'm extremely cross, so as not to upset my neighbours with my bad language!
Such a great post, Sharron - I really enjoyed reading it.
Hah! I swear in German, too! It is the best language for cursing, seems to have much more impact than Italian or French. Thanks for reading my Katy stories, Rebecca.
What a difference three years and moving away from home made for this lovely young girl and woman. My Mother's family came from Germany, as well, but they relocated in Indiana.
My German ancestors sprung from Baden-Württemberg in the 1700s, but immigrated to Ukraine / Russia around 1800 to start their own farming villages on "free" land granted to them by Catherine the Great. After three generation of living there, they discovered, however, that nothing is actually free. Many of them left Ukraine in 1900-1910 to come to the US, including my own great grandparents. I am curious where your ancestors came from.
Katy could have written quite a novel, based on her experiences. So glad you are sharing her story.
My husband is German. He often tells the story of his grandfather, who loved to farm and also loved to eat garlic. Sunday church services always provided him with a pew that was slightly away from anyone else. I think we know why!
Oh, I love this. Given a wide berth at church! My grandfather also had barrels of fat homemade dill pickles down in the cellar - absolutely loaded with garlic. They were so hot, I couldn't eat a whole one.
Your stories create enormous empathy for your mother. The power of that empathy gives your stories universal appeal for readers who are not in your family circle. When I read this Saturday morning's installment about your mother's elementary school experience, I was so sad and angry about the bullying from sadistic teachers and students and neglect shown by her parents, and so grateful that at least one teacher showed your mother some kindness and fed the spark of the beautiful person she was inside. Your biography has such power because it makes us all care about what happens to your mother and root for her courageous soul.
You are so thoughtful, Marina. My mom's stories are often sad and infuriating.= and hard to write. I don't want to be depressing, though, and I try to find the optimistic note. What did she learn that helped her becoming the loving, protective mother and the strong independent woman she was with no good role model? As far as formal schooling went, she mostly learned from the extra-curricular...
Wow, what a story of her years in her local community schools. In some ways, not much changed when I was in school in the 1960s, as I was raised in grades K-3 in another country and can remember similar prejudice....Her story on the troubling 7th-8th grade boys problem continues even now, which is sadly why so many were placed on medication during my daughters' childhood school years. But overall, of course, she had a very, very tough childhood, which later in life she overcame and raised you so well - that we are grateful for her life story!
Thanks so much, Linda, for continuing to read through my mother's stories. She would have been so happy to know you were interested in them. ( Maybe she DOES know..)
What a history and relatively not that long ago. Thank you for telling her story. When we kids were young and said we were bored, my grandmother had a German saying that translated to stand on your head and catch flies with your ass.
Otherwise she and my mother would converse in German when they did not want us to know what they were talking about.
You don't know how much this made me laugh, Sharon. My grandmother had several such rude sayings that she used with her children, just as irreverent and dismissive. You might like this story, also with a German adage from my crusty grandmother.
I have records that date back to the mid 1700s. They lived in Meisenbach, and one lived in Welsebach Rhein, Baiern Germany. They migrated to the US in 1837 and eventually settled in Indiana around Ft. Wayne. For a while I was really interested in genealogy but got away from it . . .maybe a project for the future.
Thank you, Janice. Very interesting to me. Genealogy work is fascinating, BUT one gets lost it it for hours...days...months. It is hard to stop searching once you have begun. It consumed nearly a year of my life. I am finished now. Thank goodness. Whew!
In the early 1950s teachers were still allowed to hit us if we got lessons wrong. That scarred my math ever since. It takes absolute silence and all day determination to keep the check book and pay bills. I keep meticulous receipts to run my business. I've erased her name from my memory and smile every once in a while to think that she was a lot older than I am, so probably dead by now ... she can't hit any more kids. What a sad life for her. My house is wall to wall books with some starting to stack on the floors. She didn't slow me down learning at all... except for the numbers part. Alchemy works for those most of the time. Straight cut hair seems to have been popular in Katy's time, so can't tell why the other kids were so mean about it. I always sat in front row first seat, so I could see the board. No temptation to goof off either. I was born 6ft tall, so clothes never meant much to me. If they fit they were worn. end of story. Still don't care much. Still 6 ft tall hahahaha.
I’m really enjoying these pieces, Sharron. These snippets into your mother’s life continue to amaze me. Also, I can’t help but compare what schools are like now versus then...what horrible treatment those students received! I’m thankful at least one of the teachers was kind to your mother.
Thanks, Justin. I have so much to get down about her life. I am starting a little late. I hope I have time to do her justice. I appreciate your encouragement, always.
Gosh, such harsh, harsh teachers, apart from Cora Norrin! I think it's no coincidence that Katy recalled so many decades later her favourite teacher's FULL name - the cruel ones were only 'Mr Doyle' and 'Miss Makins', which I find really interesting.
I'm ashamed to admit that although I'm not a native speaker, I resort to swearing very loudly in German when I'm extremely cross, so as not to upset my neighbours with my bad language!
Such a great post, Sharron - I really enjoyed reading it.
Hah! I swear in German, too! It is the best language for cursing, seems to have much more impact than Italian or French. Thanks for reading my Katy stories, Rebecca.
Oh, how funny - wir haben also einen Fluchenstil gemeinsam! 🤣
I love your Katy stories - I look forward to each new edition.
What a difference three years and moving away from home made for this lovely young girl and woman. My Mother's family came from Germany, as well, but they relocated in Indiana.
My German ancestors sprung from Baden-Württemberg in the 1700s, but immigrated to Ukraine / Russia around 1800 to start their own farming villages on "free" land granted to them by Catherine the Great. After three generation of living there, they discovered, however, that nothing is actually free. Many of them left Ukraine in 1900-1910 to come to the US, including my own great grandparents. I am curious where your ancestors came from.
Katy could have written quite a novel, based on her experiences. So glad you are sharing her story.
My husband is German. He often tells the story of his grandfather, who loved to farm and also loved to eat garlic. Sunday church services always provided him with a pew that was slightly away from anyone else. I think we know why!
Oh, I love this. Given a wide berth at church! My grandfather also had barrels of fat homemade dill pickles down in the cellar - absolutely loaded with garlic. They were so hot, I couldn't eat a whole one.
Oh my!
Your stories create enormous empathy for your mother. The power of that empathy gives your stories universal appeal for readers who are not in your family circle. When I read this Saturday morning's installment about your mother's elementary school experience, I was so sad and angry about the bullying from sadistic teachers and students and neglect shown by her parents, and so grateful that at least one teacher showed your mother some kindness and fed the spark of the beautiful person she was inside. Your biography has such power because it makes us all care about what happens to your mother and root for her courageous soul.
You are so thoughtful, Marina. My mom's stories are often sad and infuriating.= and hard to write. I don't want to be depressing, though, and I try to find the optimistic note. What did she learn that helped her becoming the loving, protective mother and the strong independent woman she was with no good role model? As far as formal schooling went, she mostly learned from the extra-curricular...
Wow, what a story of her years in her local community schools. In some ways, not much changed when I was in school in the 1960s, as I was raised in grades K-3 in another country and can remember similar prejudice....Her story on the troubling 7th-8th grade boys problem continues even now, which is sadly why so many were placed on medication during my daughters' childhood school years. But overall, of course, she had a very, very tough childhood, which later in life she overcame and raised you so well - that we are grateful for her life story!
Thanks so much, Linda, for continuing to read through my mother's stories. She would have been so happy to know you were interested in them. ( Maybe she DOES know..)
So interesting. I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to you and your Mom for sharing.
Thank you, Terri. I don't want her life to be forgotten. I am writing as much as I can. I am happy it is meaningful to you in some way.
What a history and relatively not that long ago. Thank you for telling her story. When we kids were young and said we were bored, my grandmother had a German saying that translated to stand on your head and catch flies with your ass.
Otherwise she and my mother would converse in German when they did not want us to know what they were talking about.
You don't know how much this made me laugh, Sharon. My grandmother had several such rude sayings that she used with her children, just as irreverent and dismissive. You might like this story, also with a German adage from my crusty grandmother.
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/die-wir-mogen
I have records that date back to the mid 1700s. They lived in Meisenbach, and one lived in Welsebach Rhein, Baiern Germany. They migrated to the US in 1837 and eventually settled in Indiana around Ft. Wayne. For a while I was really interested in genealogy but got away from it . . .maybe a project for the future.
Thank you, Janice. Very interesting to me. Genealogy work is fascinating, BUT one gets lost it it for hours...days...months. It is hard to stop searching once you have begun. It consumed nearly a year of my life. I am finished now. Thank goodness. Whew!
In the early 1950s teachers were still allowed to hit us if we got lessons wrong. That scarred my math ever since. It takes absolute silence and all day determination to keep the check book and pay bills. I keep meticulous receipts to run my business. I've erased her name from my memory and smile every once in a while to think that she was a lot older than I am, so probably dead by now ... she can't hit any more kids. What a sad life for her. My house is wall to wall books with some starting to stack on the floors. She didn't slow me down learning at all... except for the numbers part. Alchemy works for those most of the time. Straight cut hair seems to have been popular in Katy's time, so can't tell why the other kids were so mean about it. I always sat in front row first seat, so I could see the board. No temptation to goof off either. I was born 6ft tall, so clothes never meant much to me. If they fit they were worn. end of story. Still don't care much. Still 6 ft tall hahahaha.
Very interesting personal comments, Kate! Thank you!
I’m really enjoying these pieces, Sharron. These snippets into your mother’s life continue to amaze me. Also, I can’t help but compare what schools are like now versus then...what horrible treatment those students received! I’m thankful at least one of the teachers was kind to your mother.
Thanks, Justin. I have so much to get down about her life. I am starting a little late. I hope I have time to do her justice. I appreciate your encouragement, always.