September 24, 2023
Dear Family:
I actually had a couple inquiries last week about “I missed
your weekly letter.” I guess that means
that someone is reading my letters.
Actually I know you do, but I thought I’d start off with a funny.
I apologize for missing, but we had such a great brunch,
visit with Brad, Sheri, Riley, Corbin, Cole, Taylor, Kelsy, Cooper, McKay,
Enzo, Amy, Mike Conner and me, that I got a little tired. It was such a rush and I had so much fun.
After everyone left I sat down for a bit, I realized I was exhausted so I went
to bed. I got up at 6 and went back to
bed at 8. But I recovered by the next
day. I worry that one of these days,
I’ll stay tired – then what will I do?
Actually I wanted to brag about Cooper and McKay last
Sunday. As you know, I had made a “Fall”
tea towel for all my girls and I had grown pumpkins in my yard for the
grandchildren. When everyone was getting
ready to go home, I had Cooper and McKay go out to my porch and pick their
pumpkins. They were so excited and Cole
even seemed to like them, but he couldn’t take one on the plane. (Amy did get the tea towel to Haley and
pumpkin to Claire – because Tanner and Family were teaching Sunday School and
couldn’t come.)
But I want you to see how Cooper and McKay were preparing
the pumpkins for travel home. It warmed
my heart.
 |
| They are wrapping them in Toilet paper that they found in Dad's car to keep the pumpkins safe |
If you didn’t see a rare FB post from me Friday, my band had
a gig at a posh retirement home (Booneridge) in Salem. Fancy is the word. They had an outdoor dinner/dance on the patio
for their residents (who couldn’t dance).
But the thought was good. It was
lovely, the people loved my old music and we were actually invited into the
restaurant afterwards for steak and shrimp and all the trimmings. It was a real treat as musicians. We usually aren’t treated so well.
Now a word about passing down traditions, talents, skills
learned etc.
One of the reasons that I give gifts that I make to the ones
that I love (especially my grandchildren) is as an example. (Such as the tea towels) It is in a hope that they will be inspired to
carry on some of the domestic arts that their grandmother (me); their great
grandmother (my mom); and their great great grandmother (my grandmothers Mary
Bankhead Glenn Leishman and Myrtle Campbell Short) loved. They were an example to me, taught me and
inspired me to create things that they loved and that remind me of them.
My grandmother Mary Leishman taught me to crochet, knit and
embroider. She loved embroidered pillow
cases and hankies with hand crocheted lace - and Judy and I decided to love them also. Mom helped Judy and me embroider and taught
us the fine points after grandma Mary got us interested. Grandma Myrtle was a
quilter and I have one of her quilts. She gave quilts to Judy and me – one of
which was a “Sunbonnet Girl” quilt when we were little. (That’s why I love sunbonnet girl quilts). Grandma Mary had two braided rugs in her
living room that I always paid close attention to. I asked her who made them and what they were
made of. I actually have one of them
now. She is the one who inspired me to
make two wool hand braided rugs. Judy
gave me the fabric that she got from her mother in law and I went to town. I used the knitting that grandma taught me to
make sweaters for my grandchildren when they were young. I
used the inspiration from Grandma Myrtle to start making quilts. My mom really taught me to sew after I took a
sewing class as a Freshman in high school.
She helped me read patterns and showed me how to make blind hems. Cleora Summers taught me advanced skills in
sewing and between Mom and Cleora I have loved to sew ever since I was a
teenager.
So my dear daughter, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and
granddaughters-in-law don’t forget the domestic arts. It is a foregone conclusion that they are
fading away. You can buy anything now
days. But the wonderful sense of
accomplishment is hard to describe. It is a high for me. It isn’t for everyone. I’ve run into women who hate to sew. It made them nervous and mad. Some people have other talents, like my
sister Glennda. She is an accomplished
artist. Sewing isn’t for her. But there might be one of you who will decide
that the domestic arts are a gratifying, fulfilling and worthwhile
endeavor. I feel hope when I see young
women on youtube or tv who have taken it to heart - quilters, knitters, etc.
I actually used and honed these arts when I was raising my
children to make them clothes, and to feel personal accomplishment while I was raising
children. It made me feel good. And a side benefit: Brian learned to sew and he made a Frostline
Jacket from a kit; Amy learned to sew and it was all because she saw me sewing
and wanted to sew as well; I believe
that Brad even made a Frostline jacket from a kit.
Well enough about the domestic arts. I love you all and pray for each of you every
night.
Have a wonderful week.
I have an Oktoberfest gig tomorrow at “The Stafford of Lake Oswego”
tomorrow afternoon. I'll try to remember
to take a photo.
Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne
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