Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Memories of my Grandma

As I was compiling a list of songs for this blogs playlist jukebox I was overcome with memories over certain songs. Does that ever happen to you? Perhaps you had not heard a song in years and it wisked you back to a certain memory, time, place, and emotions.


Music has always been a way for me to connect emotionally. But some songs are more so than others. Such was the case with memories of my Grandma Toby. She was a woman who lived her life simply. I lived with her for a few months after my Mom died when I was five. She babysat many of her grandchildren anyway when her sons and their wives worked so I got to know my cousins a little bit better because at that time (we are talking the mid sixties here) kids were left with family members when their parents worked.


Grandma Toby's simple living has stuck in my head and heart. She had a pot bellied coal stove in her house and it kept the little brown house warm. I remember her making breakfast for all of us kids and we had oatmeal and hot buttered cinnamon sugar toast from her gas oven. (No toaster and it tasted better than any I have had since).

I remember her 40's and 50's styled furniture and the big floral patterns of slipcovers or heavy, scratchy upholstery on the furniture. Grandma did not have an abundance of money but she sure had an abundance of love for her grandkids.

When I was older I became aware of the music Grandma listened to. My Uncle, her youngest son was only a few years older than me and he had vinyl albums of Carole King and Neil Young. It was then, in the 70's and I would visit her and we would listen to the music on a small turntable. She loved the song 'Old Man' by Neil and whenever I hear it to this day, I think of my Grandma Toby. It lifts me up and makes me remember her with a smile though she has long passed away, memories of her have attatched themselves to bits of music, smells and tastes, colors and patterns of things.

It was due to these memories I created "Remembering Grandma" a digital scrapbooking quickpage. The flowers in this qp remind me of the 40's and 50's style of patterns found in Grandma's little old brown house. It is a comfortable 'feeling' I get from it.

I miss my Grandma Toby very much. This qp is in her honor~

It uses some of the handdrawn Paisley designs I have been creating for ages and oil painted roses. I will add a photo here of the qp. Those that wish to leave a comment and put their email address in the comment will get the link to the download for "Remembering Grandma".

I enjoy creating digi scraps. I would like to share them with others, however, they will only be offered in exchange of commentary from now on. I think its a small price to pay for getting these creations in exchange. If you wish to have this please leave comment, with email addy and preference as to what format you would like "Remembering Grandma" quickpage in. I will send you the link to whatever you prefer.







2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the floral bouquet .. I would love to have your QP. That was anice post regarding your Grandma. ;)

Moodeebeth@aol.com
PNG or PSP, either is fine, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, I would like very much to have it. Thank you.
My Granny still has her furniture from the 60`s, it`s so retro, but in her house, nothing else would look right.


cheddarcombos@yahoo.com
PNG Please. Again thank you.