Tag: nostalgia

Stills from Home Movies Part 1

Dear Liza,

After my brother Tim passed away last week, I felt the need to go back in time a little and see where we were as kids. I dug through the DVD cupboard and found the disc I had made years ago of Great-grandpa Lowell’s home movies.

As I watched the badly focused, weirdly framed and out-of-order movies, I got frustrated that this DVD technology, just 14 years old, is already incompatible with the rest of our equipment. Without booting up really old computers, (not my strong suit) the only way to get still frames from the movies is to run the DVD, freeze the frame, and take a picture with my iPhone.

So that’s what I did. But the movie is so old, I ended up with not so much photographs , but a series of Impressionist paintings.

But I like them, anyway. So far this one, of my Momma and me on the shores of the warm, windy Salton Sea, is my favorite.

This one of my Dad and I by a river is my childhood in one shot: Standing by big scary things, feeling completely safe, with Dad quietly explaining them.

More tomorrow!

Love,

Grandma Judy


Remembering Thanksgivings

Dear Liza,

This Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time feeling grateful for the special people in my life. Not just the family that was here, but those who are far away or who have passed on.

This giant Turkey platter was your Great Grandma Billie’s, and was on every holiday table when I was growing up. I have recently found out that a dear friend and former student, Sammy Rios, has the same platter. It was her mom’s, too.

This delightful ceramic bread pan was a gift from Bridgett’s mom Donna years ago. It makes delicious bread and good memories, even when Donna is in Fallbrook and we are here.

I was thinking of you and your family a lot, Liza. This silly set of snack plates from your Momma Olga years ago made me smile and think of all our holidays together.

And while I was remembering, I found this photo from Great Grandma Billie’s kitchen in Lompoc, with Grandpa Nelson introducing your Daddy David to the joys of Turkey.

Also from that kitchen in Lompoc, the whole gang! Great Grandma Billie, Uncle Jim, Uncle Tim, corners of Lynn’s and Wade’s heads, me, and Grandpa Phil Conway, with your Daddy David on the table.

It is nice to remember good old times, but I don’t want to get lost in them. There is so many reasons right now to be joyful.

Happy Everything! See you soon.

Love,

Grandma Judy