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Every time this photo comes through my Facebook memories, I admire the clothing and the youth of my maternal grandparents, showing off their Easter garb in 1930. I’m fairly certain that Nana, a devout Catholic, was dragging grandpa off to church; there was no place he would rather be LESS! Then I wonder why, as a non-church goer, I tend to celebrate Easter. Some years I haven’t but with the small grandsons, I made cards and prepared some Easter treat bags–not all candy, but also a stuffed rabbit (Anders) and some Hot Wheels (Sharky and Obro) Ian won’t get any goodies this year except a card to mark his first Easter. At his age, he won’t notice.

Thursdays Anders has his gymnastics class, so I take care of Ian. Like most babies, he’s mercurial: one minute smiling happily, the next fussing for a bottle, not long after that, conking out on my shoulder. I find babies fascinating. I talk to them almost as I would an adult, telling them stories, asking them questions, making admiring comments about their beauty. Who knows how much they understand? When I get a cooing response back or smiles, I treat that as communication: I like you, I’m comfortable, I’m happy. We have conversations, perhaps a bit one-sided but lovely nonetheless.

With a sleeping Ian on me, I couldn’t chase Carol off the fuzzy bunting although I hissed at her (cat talk) and said her name in a threatening tone. Can you see how smug she is?

I still have a paltry number of blooming tulips, but that could change soon.

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This forecast is bound to activate some flowers, right? I’m certainly not complaining although I will need to hook up my hoses for watering and switch over to short sleeved shirts. Welcome, Spring!

After debating making frosted sugar cookies for my Easter Egg hunt, I took the easy way out and bought two different varieties of desserts, not that any of us need them. I also did a little house cleaning with the major tasks (lawn mowing again and vacuuming) happening this weekend.

Mari has no idea what’s in store for her Sunday with those little boys running around and making lots of noise. She’s not a holiday type at all. 🙂 On the other hand, I use every reason possible to celebrate and to spend the day with my family. ❤️

Comments

10 responses to “Thinking”

  1. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    Great photos! The newer ones are so vivid on my Samsung tablet I feel like I could reach thru and touch sweet Ian or Carol (haha) but my favorite is that awesome one of your grandparents–what a smart looking couple! Margaret, the toys and treats for Easter are perfect, you’re thinking about the kids. :^)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It sounds like that tablet has great clarity! I wish you could reach through and grab Carol off that chair. LOL I do love that photo of them; I don’t remember Nana very well since she died at 51 when I was about 4. My mom missed her so much and talked about her a lot.

  2. Anne Bennett Avatar

    You have found such treasured photos of your relatives. And such a cute/sweet photo of you and your grandson. What a doll.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I don’t have many of Nana, so I do treasure the ones I have. She never got old whereas Grandpa did. My other grandmother died in her late 60s of ovarian cancer while that grandpa lived into his 80s. He is a very sweet baby although unpredictable like most of them!

  3. Ed Avatar

    Catholic churches get a lot of use this time of year. We did Holy Thursday yesterday, just got back from Good Friday service this evening and tomorrow will be the Vigil before of course Easter Sunday. If you don’t like going to church, it is a bad time to be Catholic.

    I like that picture of your grandparents. I only have a few pictures of my maternal grandparents at that age and none of my paternal. In most of my pictures they are my current age or older.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I grew up Episcopalian with some of the same traditions. We gave up something for Lent, did Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. I don’t think we did Holy Thursday though. I think Mom called it Maundy Thursday? I don’t know if my grandparents had cameras, but they probably only took photos on special occasions. The pictures I do have are very special. There are a few of my maternal grandfather when he was in dental school and I’m not sure who took those!

  4. Linda Avatar

    Lovely photos. Your grandparents were a handsome couple.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks! I wish I remembered Nana. She thought the world of me, according to my mom.

  5. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Your grandparents are attractive people. The photo shows them to be poised, polished and proud. Lovely people. That is a beautiful and treasure of a photo.
    Easter Sunday many years ago meant going to church and dressing for the Easter service. I remember wearing a new dress, hat and gloves. My mother was a shopper and loved fashion, so my sister and I were all very prim and proper.
    Your family Easter gathering sounds like fun. The boys will love all the special treats.
    Ian looks very content sleeping in your arms.
    Carol likes fleece/sherpa and she looks pretty cozy and reluctant to move.
    Once the weather is consistently warmer, I suspect your tulips will blossom like they did last year.
    It is very cold at night in MA and days are still not consistently warm.

  6. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Your garden looks so tidy with tulips ready to bloom. Mine is still covered in leaves which I’ve been warned not to remove before it warms up, lest I kill all the bees and bugs overwintering there. It’s hard to wait! It’s sad you lost your grandma so young. Your boys are getting wonderful times with you!

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