Saturday, June 26, 2010

A Picnic or Two......



I've been thinking alot about family and picnics and just spending some relaxing time together in conversation.  Maybe not talking at all, but watching the kids run around.  No pressure to "use our manners" ~  No pressure to "use the right fork".  Just to say AH~H~H~H, kick the shoes off, and sip that glass of sweet tea, all frosty and cold.

I absolutely love this picture.  It is a picture of a family back in the 70's (yes, back when I was in my prime).  The picture is from a vintage issue of House and Garden.  Now these people are a little "over dressed" for my picnics.  Shorts, t-shirts, sandals and flip-flops are a must at my picnics!  But, doesn't this picture just bring a smile to your lips and a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they are having such a good time.  All under the shade of a tree, with wonderful balloons, umbrellas, and yes, even hats for those of us that worry about the sun.  Children in cotton dresses, the feel of grass under your feet, and the sweet smell of clover in the air!  Just so wonderful.

While pondering about this picture, I suddenly had a flashback to my youth.  When I was a little girl, probably 6 or 7.  My family went to my Dad's grandparents who lived in Frametown, WV, near Gassaway and Sutton.  Now these were country people, and Oh, such sweet country people they were.  Big Mommy and Big Daddy (as I knew them), were the kindest, gentlest souls.  With their thick local accent (which I found myself picking up the longer I was there :)), they would give hugs and talk and talk about what was going on in the local town and of course, their little church.  Dad would line us up, me, my brother and my sister, and have us sing hymns for them.  A small little concert.  You would have thought we were stars on the stage by the twinkle in Big Mommy's eyes.

They lived in a very small, very simply furnished cottage ~ no air conditioning.  Big Mommy's sister, Merle, lived behind her in a little cottage, where she raised chickens and a had a few sheep.  I was thrilled to find out Aunt Merle had named the one sheep "Kitty Lynn".  I mean, really, at the age of 7, wouldn't that be the most amazing thing in your life?  We found eggs in the hen house, ran through the creek, and petted Big Daddy's dog, "Bally".  Carefree summer days, where we would walk down the dirt lane, and take a ride through the mountains.

We didn't visit my great grandparents much, and it wasn't long until Big Daddy passed and then Big Mommy.  Time gets muddled in your youth, so I couldn't give you the year.  But the one thing I remember most is how Big Mommy died.  The story goes, she was sitting in church, she stood up to give her testimony, sat down, and the Lord took her home.  If I could ask for anything, anything at all, it would be to go home to the Lord, in this way.

So, as I was looking at this family, in the vintage picture above, all these memories came rushing back. 

Yes, family, so precious, ever changing, and so many memories.....  If there is one thing I want to do this summer, is to make some "family memories", for me, for my kids, and especially for my grandkids.

Blessings to all.  Happy Summer! Kitty

16 comments:

  1. Kitty you are so right. Family is precious.
    I love nothing more than on a Wednesday night when all my family come home for dinner. I love just sitting back watching my adult kids chatting away and seeing the little grandkids playing and squabbling as kids do. makes me so proud to see how well they all get on with each other and enjoy being together.
    Alison

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  2. Mom this is the sweetest post, I loved hearing the story about your Great Grandparents, I wish I would have known Big Mommy, I think I would have loved her! Especially since she named her children Earl, Mearl, Pearl and Vearl!! STILL crack up over that one! She had to have such a sweet spirit to name her children that way. lol!! I never knew how she died... see I am learning from your blog! I am glad to see you are back and we will have to make sure to have a picnic or two this summer before it slips away. love heather

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  3. Kitty, Thank you for sharing your beautiful childhood memories. I see parallels to some of my beloved family members....funny how your story filled my head and my heart with warm remembrances, as well.

    Best Wishes,
    Kay

    PS: I love family picnics too!

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  4. oh what a lovely post Kitty! thank you for sharing your precious memories with us of Big Mommy and the simple things that kids enjoy and remember.
    I just saw Heather's comment and thought that was cute too - Earl, Mearl, Pearl and Vearl!!! xo

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  5. Hi Kitty!
    I'm happy to read something from your hand again! And what an attractive story, I don't know whether you know the Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren (author of Pippi Longstocking) over there. She used to write down her childhood memories and I think yours are even a tad better. Maybe you and Heather should be co writers, as I love her additions! Hope you have a lot of family gatherings/picnics with your loved ones, that is better than blogging, no matter how much fun that might be! Enjoy summer!

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  6. Kitty, i agree with LiLi! you have a beautiful way of telling a story...thanks for sharing your sweet memories with us:) i can't wait to spend time with my parents and sister later this summer!!!

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  7. warm greeting for your lovely family *_*

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  8. What nice memories. I think we are longing for simpler honest times again in this country.
    Marcie

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  9. Oh Kitty, I agree with the above comments, you are an excellent story teller, I've always enjoyed your writing and this was just wonderful! I enjoyed reading about your memories of your great grandparents and how special they were. Thank you for sharing this and the reminder to cherish family and to love the moment!
    Hugs to you sweetie ~ XOX Madai

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  10. Thanks for sharing some of your memories.It makes me think of some picnics we had after church at "the farm"... It was nice to see you and Heather last weekend.(Antiques in the woods) Hope you found some great stuff! I know I did!

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