Best pic of your Mom. )) DANG I wish I'd met her. She's 100% right of course. Just think of mis-pronounced words as sweet quirks. That's how languages change, and localisms happen.
Just wonderful - the second one in particular! I don't know how to keep my mouth shut, honestly, and often find myself trying to correct people. Wise words from Katy, there.
She had a way of navigating her world with common sense, and a positive attitude. She kept on the sunny side, and imparted her wisdom to you, in everyday life…what a gift!
Katy could express outrage with the rough vocabulary of a sailor! And she often cried when confronted with bullying or injustice. Fairness was an all-important concept to her. But she was wise and ever hopeful. Thanks, John, for your comment.
Your mom and my older sister might have had connected wisdom genes. Lee advised me to keep my mouth closed around others. To control my own actions rather than the actions or words of others. Even gave me a small business card that said “Stop Talking.” Your mom and my sis were Good Gals with smarts to share.
Stop Talking! I love that she gave that to you on a reminder card, and I would have loved your sister, Ginevra. My mom would give me "The Look"when I was about to go off.
Oh, that is terrific, Ginevra.Thanks so much for giving them a try. As I just commented to Karen, I am never sure if there is a wider appeal for these personal family stories or not. With all the reading available out there, I am so grateful you gave Katy a chance.
You write well and her life is interesting. Leaving out her trauma and letting the readers fill that in is brilliant. And her verve! I love her stories you write and the back and forth with quotes and then your narrative. My mom was born in 1917, so there are a few parallels, even though your mom was younger. Tough girls! I love em.
Oh Sharron!!!! I just read this first one. 1) Your mom was amazing at such a young age!!! 2) She resembles you! Or vice versa! 😍 3) I can’t wait to read more Katy stories 4) You inspired me to want to write Maxine stories (my mom)! Thanks SO much!! You write from the heart here (as always, but even moreso with this memoir/biography!) 🙏🏻♥️
I am honored you would read one of Katy's stories! I am never sure, Karen, if they will appeal to anyone but family, so I am really tickled you liked it. Please write a Maxine story - just a simple memory that has stayed in your heart. You may be surprised how much comes back to you. I started out with only one story in mind and now I have 12 chapters. I am so grateful mom told us all this stuff. As long as the memories are alive, she is alive.
Yes! ♥️♥️ I hope you have videos and/or home movies of her, too! I think as people get older, they think of their parents more and more. At least I’ve been finding that to be true. I’m realizing that things I’m feeling and experiencing now must be what my parents were experiencing and feeling at the age I am now. And it makes me sad that I didn’t know it then… if I had known, when I still had my parents, what it truly feels like, and is like, to get older, I would have been so much more closely empathetic back then.😘
It is definitely challenging to speak/think like the opposite gender! I find it even trickier to write dialog for a character much younger than myself. But if I can write about a single Italian New Yorker guy who watches porn every day, or a disaffected 16-year-old boy, no doubt you can get into the heads of two older women! I am happy to look over an early draft. Go Jim!
Your Mom both looked and sounded like a lovely person. :).
Thank you, Olga. She sure was.
Best pic of your Mom. )) DANG I wish I'd met her. She's 100% right of course. Just think of mis-pronounced words as sweet quirks. That's how languages change, and localisms happen.
She would have loved you Kate. I know that for sure.
Very good advice, aptly shared.
Thanks, Linda!
I enjoyed both poems. The second was my favorite. It made me laugh.
Old Katy was quite a gal. Always optimistic.. Thanks Harley - she would have liked you.
Just wonderful - the second one in particular! I don't know how to keep my mouth shut, honestly, and often find myself trying to correct people. Wise words from Katy, there.
Such a lovely post, Sharron. Hugs to you.
Thank you, Rebecca. She was pretty smart in her way. My head is full of memories of her and her affection.
She had a way of navigating her world with common sense, and a positive attitude. She kept on the sunny side, and imparted her wisdom to you, in everyday life…what a gift!
Ever the optimist, right? We both loved her.
Great advice! My mom always told me “I may be right, but I could be dead right.”
Exactly. Especially in 2024. Where the person you correct might have a gun...
How blessed you are to have had such a wise mother.
Katy could express outrage with the rough vocabulary of a sailor! And she often cried when confronted with bullying or injustice. Fairness was an all-important concept to her. But she was wise and ever hopeful. Thanks, John, for your comment.
Your mom and my older sister might have had connected wisdom genes. Lee advised me to keep my mouth closed around others. To control my own actions rather than the actions or words of others. Even gave me a small business card that said “Stop Talking.” Your mom and my sis were Good Gals with smarts to share.
Stop Talking! I love that she gave that to you on a reminder card, and I would have loved your sister, Ginevra. My mom would give me "The Look"when I was about to go off.
And I would have loved your sweet, smart Mom, Sharron.
Thank you, Ginevra. You my be interested in Katy's stories, Try one here and see what you think- https://sharronbassano.substack.com/s/the-katy-memoir
Thank you. Read several and they are great.
Oh, that is terrific, Ginevra.Thanks so much for giving them a try. As I just commented to Karen, I am never sure if there is a wider appeal for these personal family stories or not. With all the reading available out there, I am so grateful you gave Katy a chance.
You write well and her life is interesting. Leaving out her trauma and letting the readers fill that in is brilliant. And her verve! I love her stories you write and the back and forth with quotes and then your narrative. My mom was born in 1917, so there are a few parallels, even though your mom was younger. Tough girls! I love em.
Your Mom was a wise woman. We need more Moms like that.
Thanks, Mark.
Mama knows best! You are much like her from what I know.
Thank you! Yes, maybe...except I have laid on a layer of cynicism that she never had.
Me, too. I didn't have this cynicism when young. It is a self protection mechanism nowadays. A must have.
Think I will use this line as my byline under my name with every damn email I send to politicians about stopping war:
"peace is almost always more precious than being right".
Excellent idea, Sharon! Thank you
Age has wisdoms, pitfalls.
But Mother rises and walks tall.
The story told, words well spoken
Repeat for next generation.
Amen to that, Richard.
No wonder you’re a wise delight. So was your mom!
You might be interested in the Katy stories. Try the first one here!
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/s/the-katy-memoir
Oh Sharron!!!! I just read this first one. 1) Your mom was amazing at such a young age!!! 2) She resembles you! Or vice versa! 😍 3) I can’t wait to read more Katy stories 4) You inspired me to want to write Maxine stories (my mom)! Thanks SO much!! You write from the heart here (as always, but even moreso with this memoir/biography!) 🙏🏻♥️
I am honored you would read one of Katy's stories! I am never sure, Karen, if they will appeal to anyone but family, so I am really tickled you liked it. Please write a Maxine story - just a simple memory that has stayed in your heart. You may be surprised how much comes back to you. I started out with only one story in mind and now I have 12 chapters. I am so grateful mom told us all this stuff. As long as the memories are alive, she is alive.
Yes! ♥️♥️ I hope you have videos and/or home movies of her, too! I think as people get older, they think of their parents more and more. At least I’ve been finding that to be true. I’m realizing that things I’m feeling and experiencing now must be what my parents were experiencing and feeling at the age I am now. And it makes me sad that I didn’t know it then… if I had known, when I still had my parents, what it truly feels like, and is like, to get older, I would have been so much more closely empathetic back then.😘
Words of wisdom for sure.
Good old moms!
I always enjoy reading about Katy. She reminds me of the strong women that had such a positive influence on my early life.
Maybe you could write about those women someday? I would love to read about how you characterize the strength of women.
I do have one story half written, with two women as the central characters. I find it difficult to write from a female POV.
It is definitely challenging to speak/think like the opposite gender! I find it even trickier to write dialog for a character much younger than myself. But if I can write about a single Italian New Yorker guy who watches porn every day, or a disaffected 16-year-old boy, no doubt you can get into the heads of two older women! I am happy to look over an early draft. Go Jim!