In the back my Mom, holding my youngest sister, on the left my Grandma Maysel holding my cousin; in the middle my Grandpa Dick holding my middle sister and then there is me with my 8 year old birthday doll Nancy!
Last weekend our home was "filled to the brim" with children, grandchildren, neices and a nephew visiting. So fun for me.
That started me thinking of visits to my Grandma Maysel and Grandpa Dicks house when I was growing up.
A few are things I used to like to do involve:
* Grandmas Hankie Box: I don't know when Kleenex was invented - but definitely not during the time of my growing up. Grandma always carried a beautiful, freshly washed and ironed hankie in her "bosom" or, if we were going to town, in her purse. She kept the hankies in a square box on her dresser and let us look through them - some plain white with lace; others with embroidery and some of my favorites had pansies printed on the delicate fabric. The hankies usually smelled of the "Heaven Scent Perfume" Grandma wore.
* Buttons: In Grandmas Treadle Sewing Machine: Grandma had a drawer of wonderful buttons. It was a special treat to get to play with those buttons during a visit. Some were large and made of bone, some had jewels in them. Grandma would often tell me the story of the "outfit" they were cut off of, who it belonged to and then what new outfit the original garment was turned into.
* Cherries: In the door of Grandmas fridge was a small jar of Maraschino Cherries - always - a small jar of Maraschino Cherries. I'm not quite sure why they were there. It was certainly a luxury that never occurred in the home of our parents. I would get up at night and "sneak" into the kitchen - open the door - and have one or two cherries!! I'M SURE SHE NEVER noticed by the end of the visit!! I do know that she never said anything.
*Alka Seltzer: Another "late night" trick was getting into the medicine cabinet and finding the "Alka Seltzer". If you have never had one - they are a flat disc that when put into water fizzes and creates "quite a little drink".
I know that Grandma created many opportunities for me to have wonderful experiences - horse back riding; boat rides; trips to the Portland Zoo; sewing together; going shopping. I loved them all - but today - I'm thinking of these.
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." Malachi 4:6
I grew up with a Mother who honored this God, this country and family. She instilled in me a desire to do the same as she shared stories of the heroes involved in each.
I was blessed with two grandmothers who shared many stories of family!
I loved sitting at the table in my Mother In Law's home and hearing stories of my husbands family!
It is my goal - with this blog - to share these with you!
As memory is an interesting thing - please feel free to add your memories - they will probably be different than mine!
If there is a picture or story I want to share re: someone who is still with us I will connect with them for permission before I share!
Happy day - Karen
"Bobby" with his pet rabbit "Lenny Fox" and his nurse.
Robert Steffen Gill - West Allis, Wisconsin - 1926
Robert Steffen Gill - West Allis, Wisconsin - 1926 
From New Orleans to Cuba. Middle is Aunt Bea (Beatrice Kemp) with Robert Steffen Gill
"Bobby" with Eunice Meredith in Florida
Hazel, Bobby and Bea
Bobby Jenske and Uncle Bob Gill
