My Grandmother's

My grandmother, Virginia Moremen Lindsay, was creative person: she sewed dresses and Easter bonnets for me, she crocheted, she drew, she painted, and she made ceramic bowls, horses, jaguars and panthers, and birds. I spent many hours in my childhood watching her working on some project. She would always give me something to work on -- a piece of clay, paper and crayons. But as talented as she was, I don't think she was a good teacher. I do not have memories of being encouraged by her, so I usually got frustrated because what I made always seemed fall short. I can't really blame her or my mother (the same talent and temperament) though, I think I just had to find my own way to art. There is a timing for everything in your life.

This beautiful display she made and I can remember how she would spend hours it seemed on a specific flower or the curve of the bird's wing. She made I think seven pieces in this series. My mom has the rest. I am so glad I was able to bring this one home with me.

Daily Journal Page Challenge...Day 177

Daily Journal Page Challenge...Day 177: A Song of Blue and Green

This is another photo (actually a packing tape transfer) taken of my grandmother, Mimi, when she was perhaps 18 or 19 -- around 1916. It brings to mind a song my grandmother used to sing to me. It was very old-fashioned in words and lyrics...but the tune and the memory still floats into my awareness from time to time. In vain I have searched the internet to try to find the lyrics -- my next step is the Smithsonian -- this must have been a song from the late 18oo's or early teens of the last century.

Here is what I remember of them:

In 1892 grand papa in a coat of blue
Met grand mama in a green silk gown
with hat to match on her way to town.
Grand papa with a by your leave
offered his arm in a blue clad sleeve,
which grand mama took, was a trifle rash,
because green and blue are supposed to clash....

Then my grandmother would trill a little tune because she forgot the next verse or verses, I think (it seemed reminiscent of the Poor Pauline silent movie pauses, where music would play in the theater, when the scenes changed). I don't remember the final verse, except for this single phrase that indicated a life-long relationship that ended in death:
....Years have passed and two hearts that once beat as two, now lay still as one.

Definitely a sweet...and haunting memory of my grandmother and of an era passed.

Daily Journal Page Challenge...Day 174

Daily Journal Page Challenge -- Day 174: Facing Up

Daily Journal Page Challenge...Day 164

Daily Journal Page Challenge -- Day 164: My Grandmother's Blue Eyes

Another picture of my grandmother, Virginia Moremen Lindsay. I love this studio photo of her -- she must have been around 8 or 9. If you look at photos of me around that age, there is a definite similarity. I surrounded her with blue objects -- she had the most beautiful blue eyes, and her house was filled with blue furniture, wallpaper, porcelain ash trays and bowls that she crafted. I made an Our Town Vintage oriel pendant of her called, Beautiful Blue Eyes.

My Grandfather, Jesse Scott Lindsay as a Young Man

This is an oriel pendant I created featuring my grandfather as a young man or teenager. He's probably on the farm he grew up on near the Ohio River. Here's what I wrote about him:

"...(circa 1915)-- taking a break from squirrel hunting on the family farm in Ghent, Kentucky. I love his dramatic pose -- Kentucky rifle, floppy hat drawn low on his face, and smart leather leggings. My grandfather was good looking, a cut up, and fun loving. He adored me and I adored him. He passed on to me a love of horses, horseback riding skills, and equine savvy..."

To read more about this oriel and my other custom heritage or vintage pendants, please visit my Kentucky Girl Etsy Shop!

Bouquets and Wicker

These are three small bouquets I arranged, picked fresh from our garden, sitting on a vintage wicker table my grandparents owned. I am loathe to have it stripped and repainted, because he was the last person to paint it.