Chickens in the Basement

I love to write and I love to laugh. When I write, I get to the point quick. My stories would fit on the back of a postcard. They usually make me chuckle. And you know what they say, "It's all about me!"

Friday, May 7, 2010

Ode to Mom, My Aunts, and Granny

A couple of months ago, I found a box of hats at an auction. Under the pile of hats were several whimsies...those net-like things girls wore back in the 40's and 50's.
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My mom and aunts have told this story so many times, I should know it by heart, but had to call mom before writing...
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It was 1950 something. They were at a funeral for one of their grandparents. Of course, it was raining. Mom and her two sisters were standing under one umbrella. Mom was holding it, Katie was on one side and Mollie was on the other. Granny was sitting in the funeral car.
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As the girls advanced towards the graveside, mom lifted the umbrella a little. Katies whimsy went up with it. Mom noticed and lowered the umbrella so the whimsy sat back on Katie's head. She had to keep the umbrella steady through the entire funeral. All of them had to control the giggles that were raging to come out.
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Unbeknownst to the girls, Granny saw all of this happening from the car and became hysterical. I'm sure all of the attendees thought the whole family was overcome with grief.

Pat (Mom), Mollie and Katie
Fast forward to 2010, here are the girls at the Tea Room in Wake Forest. Once again, they are wearing their whimsies. No umbrellas in sight.
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Six years ago, Granny died on Mother's Day weekend. She would have loved these trips to the Tea Room. And, she would NOT have put one of those whimsies on her head! I can hear her now! "You don't know who had that thing on before you!"


13 comments:

Stacey said...

What a funny story! And how sweet that you were able to take a picture with the whimsies.

You'll have to share pictures of your hats... It's always fun to see vintage styles!

LemonyRenee' said...

LOL! Cute story. I didn't know those things were called whimsies. You learn something old every day. ;)

Happy Mother's Day, Anna.

Sharon said...

Oh, okay, that's what a whimsy is. I didn't remember. That was f u n n y!

Have a great Mothers Day!

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

Whimsies... Nope, didn't know that either!

Happy Mothers day.. =D

ted and bunny said...

I love this story, and am glad to see I'm not the only one who can find something amusing at a funeral- when Ted's uncle died we all went off afterwards for the funeral tea to a nearby hotel as instructed, only to find they had no idea who the 40 or so mourners were, as the wrong hotel had been booked and the "organiser" couldn't remember the name of the correct hotel, where the sandwiches and cake were laying in wait!
Needless to say I found this the funniest thing and couldn't stop giggling...it even makes me laugh now when I think back ;))))))
xx
ps thanks for leaving me such klovely comments

Lisa said...

Great story! Enjoy your lovely mothers! Have wonderful and sunny Mother's day!
Hugs, Lisa

Little Messy Missy said...

Happy Mothers day...thanks for sharing the memories.

linda said...

Happy Mother's Day!
And i love this story.

Amber Von Felts said...

Have a Whimsical Mother's Day!

Anne Lorys said...

Hello dear Anna,

Thank you so much for your unbelievably kind comments on my last post, they truly did touch my heart.

Wishing you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Anne

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a sweet story. Why is it that we can get the giggles at the most inappropriate times.
Happy Mother's Day

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Fun story! Love the whimsies!

Together We Save said...

Great story and wonderful pictures!!