Mamie's Garden

The picture tonight is part of my "Mamie" garden, named for my dad's mom.  She taught me gardening in the most amazing way.  Her yard was full of flowers, not a blade of grass, just stepping stones and flowers.  Out back she had herbs and fruit trees and then down a dirt road, a vegetable garden. Every inch of dirt that she could possibly grow something in, she did.  Containers were the same way, she recycled before anyone knew the word.  She had plants in cans, old kitchen containers, slop jars, tires, whatever held dirt, she used it.

If we had a cut, scape, burn, bite, cold whatever, she had  something for it.  Lard was used for cooking as well as doctoring.  I wish I had had the good sense to write down everything she did.  She used clean white sheets to dry fruits and vegetables on to eat during the winter.  She could tat lace, crochet, quilt, knit, embroider and she loved to work crossword puzzles in the newspaper.

Family members have told me for years that I am just like her.  I hope so.  My mom was exceptional and she too learned a great deal from Mamie, but never in my life have I ever met anyone else like Mamie.  Hard times and being poor never stopped her from being giving and kind.  She died when I was in my early 20's, I still miss her so much.  The plants in my Mamie garden came from her yard.
They are most precious to me, worth more than any amount of money.

I am grateful tonight for the strong, yet kind women in my life, my mom, Mamie and my two older sisters.  All four helped to guide me, to love me.  I am a lucky woman.