A week or so ago when I pulled the hatbox from the top shelf of the hallway closet, I found a photo inside of Dad with my 4’11” Granny. It was the early 90s. She was 80ish. My dad 50ish. Granny wore a necklace, a long gold-plated rope chain with an oversized owl pendant. The owl’s eyes suspended, dangling rhinestones. My Granny’s eyes sparkle, too. Her smile warm and true.
When my Granny passed in January of 1999, I inherited her owl necklace, and I didn’t need anything else. She was born in November of 1911 (11/11), and she was 87. I’ll always remember her love of books and her seemingly endless collection of Louis L’Amour, her love of animals and her tiny Chihuahua Chip, her talking cockatiel Bird and her calico cat Calileo. I’ll always remember how she asked about my grades in school and after my report how she would say, “That’s my girl!” I’ll always remember her ability to stand on her head into her 60s and the way she took a stand when it came to other people’s shit. The owl symbolizes wisdom, in the Greek tradition the owl was also a protector, and mine will forever stand for my Granny.
I appreciate you for taking time to share my memory of Granny and for supporting my first A-Z blogging challenge! One more favorite Granny story is that time she sprayed the neighbor boys with a water hose when they were all dressed up and going somewhere, church, I think. I’m sure my Dad could supply the missing details. From what I remember, the boys started it. Granny ended it.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
My other posts are clickable below:
A is for Apple and B is for Boozer and C is for Champagne and Chanel No. 5 and D is for Dad and E is for Epiphany and F is for Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope and G is for Great _______ and H is for Hatbox and Honeysuckle and I for an I and J is for Jesus and K is for Kody and L is for the Lovely Lauren and M is for the Marvelous Misti and a Dirty Martini and N is for the Numbers
Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope 
Your granny sounds like quite the lady. My wife’s granny was even shorter, but so full of love and hugs. Women from that era had already been through a lot and knew about adversity
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So true! I wish I had asked more questions when I had the time.
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You know all those times our parents and grandparents said to us kids, someday you will understand. I guess that day is now. It has always been thus. In our younger years we are busy establishing ourselves and tend to place importance on other things. Stay well Crystal. Allan
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I see a resemblance, especially in your smile and hers. Lovely.
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Thank you! I was thinking the same thing about our smiles. Weird how it sometimes takes 50 years to realize certain realities!
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lovely post, and you have her spirit !
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That’s the biggest compliment anyone has ever given me! Thank you, Dave!
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Mama Nedley, my maternal grandmother, was quite short in her elderly years, too, because “Mama had a humpback” and always sat in her “humpback” rocking chair — so said my sister and me when we were children. We LOVED Mama’s humpback chair — we could fit into it together, side by side, and rock away, singing at the top of our voices. Osteoarthritis was fairly common among elderly women in those days before appropriate treatment or preventive drugs were available.
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I’m seeing a whole blog post in your future about Mama Nedley. Thanks for sharing, Jo!
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I was just reminiscing about my grandma last night. She was also 4’11” at best. I was always impressed by her style and presence. ❤ ❤ ❤
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These days call for reminiscing. My post for tomorrow includes my other grandmother (speaking of style). She was much taller, like 5’ 1”. ❤️
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My grandmother loved owls. She would have really liked that necklace.
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Owls were a thing during that era. We have a brass owl trivet that belonged to my husband’s great grandmother. I like owls, too.
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Loved this post.
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Thanks so much. Granny was a character.
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That’s a gorgeous memento. I’m glad you have it… she looks awesome. Thank you for sharing!
O is for. Think of something for me 🙂
Love, light, and glitter
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I used to wear it more—in those days when I had some place to go…
Let’s see—O is for Online Yoga.
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O is for Overcoming.
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🙂
Online friends is a better one. Thanks Crystal… 💕💕💕💕💕
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Love stories like this.
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Thank you, Jonathan! I appreciate your visit!
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