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Across the Fence: What woman in your life has inspired you the most? ![Next Topic Next Topic](icons/icon_go_right.gif) |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
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22941 Posts
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Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 9:42:27 PM
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I think for me, it must be my mom. She is amazing. She is a great artist, an awesome bargain shopper, very intuitive, and loves her family very much. Growing up she disciplined us girls but always loved us even when we were horrible! I look at my mom and marvel at how she can turn something from an ordinary object to a work of art. I am so proud to be her daughter. I think of her every day and talk to her several times a week. I love my mom so much. I honestly can say that I would not be who I am without her loving and strong guidance through out the years. Thank you Mom! You mean the world to me!
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
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1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 9:59:04 PM
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Hands down it would have to be my maternal grandmother. She was the epitome of a Texas Lady. She was very well educated, back when women didn't get much schooling. She was a fabulous cook, no recipes for her! She and my Grandfather ran a cattle ranch out in the middle of no where Arkansas, no indoor plumbing, no electricity, water was from a hand pump. She kept her husband and 6 children fed, clothed and educated during the height of the depression. She had a deep and abiding faith that she shared freely. The other ladies in the community would seek advice from or come to her to find out a remedy for some sickness or another (she saved several people's lives). She was generous with her time, her money and herself. I never heard her complain, even living as rough as they did-they didn't get indoor plumbing until the '60's. She did this all with so much grace and dignity that when you left her, you knew you had been in the presence of a true lady.
Audrey
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
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4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 11:58:20 PM
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My grandmommy from mom's side inspired me the most. Just because she was an awesome lady. When she was 14 her mom died (her dad sort of killed her) and grandmamma had to look after her 4 younger sisters 24/7. No money, no income but they managed as best they could. Five weeks after her mom passed away her youngest sister drowned, so that was the 2nd blow. Her dad was an alcoholic so he didn't do much to bring money home. After she married my granddaddy at 26, they had 3 children ( more but they were stillborn). They lived in a small house with no gas, no shower. Electricity was around but she always was afraid of gas so she cooked on petroleum cookers. During the WWII grandmamma had a very difficult time. She was very ill(hunger udema (SP) ), their sons (my uncles) were in a prisoner of war camp in Germany. They both escaped, one of my uncles swam from Germany to Switzerland! Grandmamma didn't know about this and only saw him again after the war. She didn't know whether he was dead or alive all that time. Granddaddy did all he could to scrape some food together but grandmommy saved every bit for her other son that escaped, so he could have more food than her. She had to "fight" to get the Germans leave them alone, because granddaddy was helping refugees and if the Germans had found out granddaddy would have been shot on the spot. So grandmamma had to stand up to the Germans when they came to their house for a search. And she did with her whole small stature. I am SO proud of her and granddaddy!!
After the war grandmamma always was a bit sick, her back was ruined, but she always did her housework. It was so clean you could eat from the floors :) Later when we , grandkids, came along, she took care of us because my mom needed to work because our father left mom when I was 6 weeks old. Grandmamma always played along with us, buying water etc, lol.
Her youngest son (my uncle) and his wife emigrated to Canada and they went to visit them 3 times, 6 or 7 months at a time. I am so happy they could finally do that :)
Grandmamma passed away when I was 15 and I still miss her. Granddaddy passed away when I was 18. Grandmamma always told me: whatever you do, wherever you are, with whom you are, even if you are home alone, always remember to be a lady. Meaning: don't belch, don't fart, eat with a knife and fork, never gossip, always be honest but never mean etc.
Sorry this is long, but I can go on for hours about my grandparents :) Grandmamma was a true Dutch lady and I loved her to bits. I always have her in mind when I do something.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog: http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Lynner
True Blue Farmgirl
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225 Posts
Sheri
Missouri
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 04:31:20 AM
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That would also be my Grandmother. She had nine children my mother being the ninth. After my mother was born, her father passed away from influenza. In those days, and living in the backwoods of Arkansas, they did not know how to treat such illnesses. My grandma lived on a small farm and they ate from the garden and I believe they had a milk cow. Eventually my grandma moved to California and became a wash lady for guest ranch. She was such a hard worker and I remember living with her when I was very small. My mother, then divorced, moved in with her taking myself and my older brother. I remember going to the wash house where my Grandma washed all the linens in wringer washers hanging them in the sun to dry. She always scrubbed my brother and myself clean and took us to church. She was a true farmgirl too and I learned my love for canning and putting away food from her. She was extremely frugal, as she had to be. But I learned to love the simple things in life from her. Always a godly and upright woman, her family was most important to her. She was actually more of a mother to me than my own mother. Because my mother had to work, and have the honor of being with grandma all the time. Going to Grandmas in later years, was always the best thing ever. We sat together in her porch swing, and would have coffee and chat. She always listened to what I had to say. She was an amazing woman. There in the sands of California, she grew the most beautiful garden. She also dried peaches and apricots in the sun, and she could made the best peach cobbler you could ever eat. When I think of my Grandmother, I remember her wearing an apron. Every morning upon rising, she put on a dress along with an apron. Many of the pictures I have of her, are with her wearing an apron. I now have some of those old ragged aprons that I keep in my cedar chest. She has been gone for many years, but I always remember Grandma. A wonderful legacy, she left behind. Sheri
Many Hands Make Light Work!
...God made the seed to grow...1 Cor 3:6
The best fertilizer for a farm, are the farmers footsteps... |
Edited by - Lynner on Oct 29 2009 05:02:20 AM |
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Lynner
True Blue Farmgirl
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225 Posts
Sheri
Missouri
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 04:39:09 AM
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Marian, Have you ever seen the movie I remember Mama? Your post reminds me of that family. A very old black and white. Alot of history in the movie. It is one of my favorites. Its about some Norwegian immigrants who moved to San Francisco in 1910. A must see. Sheri
Many Hands Make Light Work!
...God made the seed to grow...1 Cor 3:6
The best fertilizer for a farm, are the farmers footsteps... |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
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4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 05:31:32 AM
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Sheri, no I never saw that movie. Heard about it though, I think it was on this board too after a previous post about my grandmamma :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog: http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
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4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 06:26:59 AM
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It would have to be my mother's mom, my Grandma Helen. She was the eldest of 3 children, all girls, and years ago, the eldest child was the one that usually stayed to take care of mom and dad as they aged. Gram was madly in love with an engineer, "Emmett" who wanted to whisk her off to Texas to live so he could work with the oil companies, but Gram wouldn't leave her mom and dad. So, instead, she married locally and had my mother and her sister, Sharon. The marriage didn't work--was over after 6 years (alcoholism on Roy's part, the ghost of Emmett on my Gram's) and he abandoned the family. Gram never owned property, she never got her driver's license, but she did whatever job she could to raise her girls, and to make them good, giving people. She never remarried, never dated. Mom remembers "tramps" coming to the backdoor of their house near the railroad tracks, and Gram would give them whatever she had--which certainly wasn't much. I get my love of animals from her--she was never without an animal she adored, and if she thought you weren't taking care of your dog/cat, etc., she would simply tell you to your face, and take it from you and take care of it herself--just TRY to get it back!!! Those were the days before animal control!!! Like many other women in the 50's, careers were somewhat limited, but she took in laundry and nannied for wealthier families in the city. Despite the path her life took, she was never without a smile--she was always laughing. And she took care of her mother and father every single day without fail, until they both passed away. My mom recalls going up "home" every night, 2 blocks away, being pulled in a wagon with the dog, Butchie, and the canary, Jasper, riding on top of Butchie's head, in all types of weather. I, too, took the trips "up home" to see my Great Grandmother as she ailed. It never mattered in her senility, how nasty she was to Gram, Gram just always told her, "now, Mom, you know I love you, so just stop being so silly and let me comb your hair!" or "let's just eat one more bite!"
I always admired her tenacity--her ability to just "plough on through" and her joy--to make "fun" where there wasn't much fun about. She never let life beat her--and there were some hardknocks, for sure. I find myself being like her, without even trying. There hasn't been one person I've encountered who doesn't tell me what a "wonderful woman" my grandmother was. But then, I knew that.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
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4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 06:35:00 AM
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I see a pattern here :) All our grandma's were wonderful women :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog: http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
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1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 06:51:00 AM
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My mother. She passed away when I was 19, which seems like a lifetime ago. She was sweet, charitable, the kind of woman who would and did give you the shirt off her back. She would fit nicely as a farmgirl. She grew up in a small town in Kansas, surviving from one flood to the next tornado, keeping her spirit always. She became a mother of 3 children at 17 when she married my dad. She later had my brother and myself. Mom was a hardworker and a creative person.
She was truly the kid of person who could make something from nothing, whether it was crafts or food. Looking back I dont know how she managed sometimes.
She was always encouraging and wanted the best for her kids. She pushed us to study and be good students and taught us to be good people. I remember several times as a child, my mom asking us to go through our things because she knew of someone who had nothing.
I miss her. She and my dad are together again now. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
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22941 Posts
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Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
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5602 Posts
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Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 08:47:14 AM
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Yup, add another Grandma to the list. Another Texas lady, Grandma Catherine was a sweet, charitable, artistic, gentle and kind woman. She was also tough, reliable, fiesty, independent and stubborn! She made do being a single mother to my dad all through the depression after my drunkard granddad left her. She went to work designing greeting cards =) and took care of her grandparents as well.
I love her and miss her terribly. She WAS a farmgirl at heart, having been raised in the country and to farming folks, and would have loved the MJ'S farmgirls and forum and would have promptly declare the whole lot of us adopted!
When things get tough, I think of her and ask myself what she would do in any current situation and somewhere, I just know grandma is smiling and giving me a wink.
Annika Farmgirl & sister #13
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
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2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 09:55:42 AM
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It would be my Mom and her Mom Mom always gave more than was really needed We lived in a 4 room cabin , no indoor plumbing we had lights, a wood cook stove and a coal stove for the living room We lived in that little cabin until I was in the second grade My dad worked out of town and Mom had to take care of us 4 kids by herself she didn't have a phone for a long time ; nor a tv. She was very much a farm girl She worked from sun up to sun down. Her Mom inspired the love of sewing and quilting, hand embroidery and crocheting. Mom could do all those things; but had little time to do them. I am glad for modern day things. I don't think I could have done as Mom did She is 79 and often says she is really tired she has back problems and some other health problems I tell her she wore her self out by all the work she did She had gardens and canned to beside all the other chores. It makes me grateful for today and not having it has hard as Mom did. hugs sheila
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com http;//www.sheilascreativewritings.blogspot.com |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
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2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 10:22:08 AM
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I could not pick just one, my Momma, both Grandmas, and a friend who is like my extra Mom. They all have taught me SO VERY MUCH. My Momma and her Momma, my G/Ma taught me all I ever needed to know about farm/ranch life and raising kids. My dads Mom, my other G/ma taught me so much about sewing and quilting, and making time for my kids, no matter how busy farm/ranch life was, and baking. What I thought I knew about canning was adequate and was in no way wrong, but my extra Mom taught me so much , and helped me in so many ways, she is an amazing women. All the women in my life are amazing in their own rights, and I absolutly would not be who I am today, without all of them. Thank you all so very much for being in my life, I love you all and miss a few terribly (my G/mas have both passed).
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
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4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 12:40:48 PM
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I have several. First, my Nanna--she was living simple before it was cool. She was always dressed perty and chic but could put anyone in their place with style. She loved my Papa more than life itself and never was attached to money or anything material. She loved life!!!
There are several women who have come and gone in my life who have all taught me to live my life MY way, never give up, DREAM BIG and Hug longer...this includes a Vice Admiral I met in the Navy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Ann_Tracey
2 different executive business women and a SAHM who knows how to WHOOP IT UP!!! : ) They inspire me when things get tough and make me appreciate the good times.
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
Edited by - catscharm74 on Oct 28 2009 12:46:26 PM |
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Lynner
True Blue Farmgirl
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225 Posts
Sheri
Missouri
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 06:14:49 AM
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Robin, I am so sorry about your Mother, but what a wonderful legacy. I have told my husband that we have already had more good memories up to this point in our lives, 54, than most people have in a lifetime. Thank God for all of those special people He has allowed us. Sheri
Many Hands Make Light Work!
...God made the seed to grow...1 Cor 3:6
The best fertilizer for a farm, are the farmers footsteps... |
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Across the Fence: What woman in your life has inspired you the most? ![Next Topic Next Topic](icons/icon_go_right.gif) |
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