Thursday, November 27, 2014

Gram Mattered

Lorene Fulp Wall May 13, 1921----November 17, 2014


Last Saturday we celebrated the life of Lorene Fulp Wall, my Mother-in-law. It was a sad time, but somehow a joyous time.

This photo was taken at her ninety (90) birthday celebration. How many of us would like to look like that at ninety? It was difficult for her to let us take care of the celebration because that was always her job.

As a child, the next to youngest of eight children, she was often cared for by older siblings. That roll reversed later in her life as she became the one who looked after them. Each birthday she would have the siblings to her house to celebrate. This included her own birthday. You can see why it was hard for her to let someone else do the job.

The last three years of her life Gram was a victim of Alzheimer's disease.

While Gram lived in a Memory care unit, my brother-in-law, Ed and his wife Janice were her care givers. My sister-in-law, Janice talked about how much Gram taught her during the last three years of Gram's life. Janice spent many hours talking to her about her family, showing her photos and trying to keep her connected. To them we own a special thanks.

Our son, G. Lee reminisced about Gram from the grand children's perspective. Some of his earliest memories are about the times we spent at the Blue Marlin Motel in Atlantic Beach, NC. Gram and Papa owned and operated this Mom & Pop motel. Many years, at Thanksgiving, the motel was opened to family, that included extended family as well. The living quarters were small, the kitchen even smaller. How did she create a Thanksgiving meal for so many people? She was Gram, she could do anything.

Lee talks about the weekends in the Spring when family would visit Gram for the purpose of doing some of the harder yard work. He says, "Being the strong woman and avid Gardner she was, Gram would always insist upon getting her hands dirty. I can assure you that I had put in a backbreaking day of work so as not to be out worked by a Grandma. The key was to wait until she went inside to check on dinner, then work for another 20 minutes or so then I could lay off for the day with a reasonable degree of confidence that my Grandma had not got the better if me."

I've already mentioned Gram's prowess in the kitchen, Gram liked to feed people. You never left her house hungry or empty handed.

Lee says, " my favorite thing about Gram was that I never felt like she judged me, but I cared what she thought about me. I knew she liked, accepted, and loved me for who I am. She treated everyone that way."

"By the way, I think Gram was a very lucky woman, because she was important and needed in this world by so many. To her children, and to her many grandchildren and great grandchildren, Gram mattered. I feel Gram had an amazing, enviable, and long life. I am sure that Gram felt blessed and fulfilled to have mattered so much to so many."

A great tribute to a great woman, she will be missed.

This post is linked to: www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

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Friday, November 14, 2014

What Happens when Everything Goes Wrong

My Sunday morning began well. We had a leisurely breakfast and watched our favorite Sunday Morning program. I put a pork roast in the crock pot. Looked up a recipe on line for Parmesan orzo with peas. Had everything I needed except the peas, so I decided that I would take a quick run to the grocery.

Got to the car inserted the key and it wouldn't turn, I tried to move the gear a little still no start. Walked back to the house and told my husband, "the car won't start". He came out and put the key back in and it started. OK, I'm famous for mechanical or technical failures, so I don't think too much about this.




I had decided that while I am out I will swing by a beautiful old oak tree in its Autumn splendor, and take a photo. I get one shot, and then try another view, but the camera won't work. Mind you, I had just charged the battery.
I turned it off and on, took the battery out, cleaned the connectors, still doesn't work. The lens is out and will not retract. OK, so much for photos today I tell myself. Off to the grocery to buy a single bag of peas. At least that went well.

After I returned home, I decided that I would work on a piece that I had been procrastinating on starting the quilting. I always have such a hard time at this stage of my work. Since my record with mechanical things this morning, had not been exactly good, I was hesitant to start using my machine. However, I was in the mood to sew so I decided I would do a little meandering. After a couple of inches the thread shredding in the top. I rethreaded, etc. and it happened again and again and again, I changed bobbin thread, I changed the needle, I cleaned the bobbin case, I changed the top thread. It still shredded. I'm talking a couple of hours working on this problem. Finally I give up.

OK, the day is not lost, at least I can make the Parmesan Orzo Pea recipe. The pork looks and smells good. I whip up a nice green salad to accompany the meal. Hubby doesn't like the pork or the orzo. It has just not been my day.
This post is linked to www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday, November 7, 2014

Fiber Artist, Gwendolyn Ann McGee

I recently had the privilege to view a fiber art exhibit at UNCG, Greencboro, NC. This exhibit is perhaps the most moving art exhibit I have ever witnesses. The title is Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Quilts of Gwendolyn Ann McGee.





LiftEvery Voice and Sing, 2004
41.5" x 53"

My writing is not eloquent enough to express the feelings that one has when viewing the following pieces of art. I will post the photos, some of which I have to comment on, and other pieces with just the title.






Southern Heritage, Southern Shame
22.5 x 32.5















Full of Faith 41.5 x 53
This is one of the pieces that really threw me. As I looked at it, and studied the choice of fabrics, and the design of the background, my thoughts where "that looks like hell". I expressed that comment to my SIL, and she said, "well".

















Bitter the Chastening Rod. 43.75" x 39"
It may be hard to tell that the dark shadow begins at her mouth. To me it show the pain, and agony suffered by this pregnant woman as she is beaten.












Blood of the Slaughtered I and II. 70" x 85"
This is by far the most powerful piece in the exhibit. The background is printed with old newspaper article that appeared in a Southern paper. It also has a list by state of people who were slaughtered in the name of the law. I began reading one of the articles and could not finish in. This is a powerful piece.

My apologies for procrastinating in getting this posted, Nov.8th is the last day of the exhibit.
This post is linked to :
www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

Fiber Artist, Gwendolyn Ann McGee

I recently had the privilege to view a fiber art exhibit at UNCG, Greencboro, NC. This exhibit is perhaps the most moving art exhibit I have ever witnesses. The title is Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Quilts of Gwendolyn Ann McGee.


LiftEvery Voice and Sing, 2004
41.5" x 53"

My writing is not eloquent enough to express the feelings that one has when viewing the following pieces of art. I will post the photos, some of which I have to comment on, and other pieces with just the title.



Southern Heritage, Southern Shame
22.5 x 32.5


Full of Faith 41.5 x 53
This is one of the pieces that really threw me. As I looked at it, and studied the choice of fabrics, and the design of the background, my thoughts where "that looks like hell". I expressed that comment to my SIL, and she said, "well".



Bitter the Chastening Rod. 43.75" x 39"
It may be hard to tell that the dark shadow begins at her mouth. To me it show the pain, and agony suffered by this pregnant woman as she is beaten.




Blood of the Slaughtered I and II. 70" x 85"
This is by far the most powerful piece in the exhibit. The background is printed with old newspaper article that appeared in a Southern paper. It also has a list by state of people who were slaughtered in the name of the law. I began reading one of the articles and could not finish in. This is a powerful piece.

If you are anywhere near Greensboro, NC, I would recommend a visit to this exhibit. Unfortunately I procrastinated getting this posted, Nov.8th is the last day of the exhibit.



Posted using BlogPress from my iPad