It is always interesting to see what a person’s back door leads into when entering a house. Back doors often open into a mud room, a laundry room, or the kitchen. When I was growing up, the driveway of my childhood house originally led to a carport, which was around the back of the house. …
Celebrating a holiday with Gramarie is always a fun occasion. I don’t know how she does it, but she remains calm, unflustered, and cheerful all throughout the day. We have been fortunate enough to spend several Thanksgivings, Christmases, and Fourths of July together. Now that I think about it, though, I don’t know if, in …
There’s such a thing as southern shabby chic. Growing up in Louisiana, I was surrounded by it. In my world, shabby chic included beautiful old furniture that had that “loved look." It meant we enjoyed what had been lovingly handed down through the generations, including Nana’s mahogany dining table that had a cigarette burn (or …
Growing up in my family, if you weren’t ten minutes early, you were late. I often heard the phrase, “Hurry up to wait.” This meant we’d all be running around like crazy to get ready, only to gather together to then wait for the event to start or for the time to come when we …
Marie, or Gramarie as she has been known to us since our first son was born, is my mother-in-law. I am honored to be writing about her this Mother’s Day, because I am who I am because of her. I am thankful for all the people in my life – those whom I’ve chosen …
Gramarie gets her hair done every Monday and Thursday at noon. It is a simple wash and blow dry that takes about thirty minutes; forty minutes is she gets a little trim. It costs about $25 – small town pricing at its best! With every hair in place, Gramarie is always ready for the …
“Where you lay your head.” I had never heard this phrase until Gramarie said it. It was something she’d learned from her mother and it indicates the importance going to see family wherever they are. “I need to see where you lay your head,” Gramarie told me her mother had said when Steve left Michigan …
Click, the phone went dead. When Steve and I lived in Singapore the first time, long-distance calls were still made from one landline to another landline. Gramarie and I talked long distance via a landline. Gramarie always has interesting stories to tell and relevant news to share. She is a wonderful conversationalist – her gift …
Gramarie’s generosity knows no bounds. She’s generous with her time, her laughter, and her love. She appreciates other’s talents and finds ways to incorporate them into special situations. And she shares the best of what she has with anyone who’s willing to receive what she gives. I’ll never forget the time I arrived at her …
