REDISCOVERING MYSELF THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday, September 8, 2014

Texture Tuesday -- Chocolate Cosmos and the Journal

My mother passed away just a month ago, one day after her 94th birthday.  A few weeks earlier, I found a thin little book in the chaos of her house, where she had lived for 63 years.  The book was her canning journal, an annual listing of the canning she did from 1952-1958 after moving to the farm in 1951. She had three daughters, ranging in age from 9 down to 2 1/2, and 6-month-old twin boys.  (The house had two bedrooms.)  That first summer, Mother canned a total of 198 quarts of various fruits and 107 pints of jam. I remember canning season every year that I was home until I left for college, but Mother kept records for only the first 5 years.  Life became very busy, obviously!    This journal is an especially precious document. 





kk_99

21 comments:

elizabeth said...

Evelyn, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a precious momento from your mother. My mama died three years ago and still I am hit frequently with missing her and wishing to talk to her, to have her here to see her newest great grandson.

Unknown said...

what a lovely picture and wonderful cosmos Evelyn! I've a lot of cosmos in my garden but I've never seen such color!
your story about this journal is very touching... finding it and reading it after your mother's death must have been a very moving experience... your mother seems to be a very "hard-at-work" woman...

Kim Klassen said...

oh Evelyn......
adore this image... the posies..the light... lovely...
your mothers journal..
touching...

a beautiful tribute .... so sorry for your loss.....

xo

4 Lettre Words said...

Wow, Evelyn...what a treasure! XO!

Unknown said...

Oh what a treasure ... truly a special find and a beautiful looking journal. Your image is stunning.

Barbara said...

I am sorry for your loss to start with, always so hard to lose your mom at any age. What a special life she has had and what a special gift she left behind for you to find. I love this so much beauty and a treasure. Thank you for sharing this.

Marilyn said...

The dash of red in a dreamy neutral background is just perfect.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Evelyn. Your mother sounds like a remarkable woman. The image here, including her canning journal, is a lovely tribute to her memory.

Roxi H said...

What a fabulous treasure you have! And it's interesting that she would keep that type of journal. I wonder if her mother did the same thing.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

hugs

that photo will remain precious too

Anonymous said...

Evelyn, my heartfelt condolences to you..Lovey image and beautiful tribute to your mother... ox

Odd Moon Designs said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I am glad that you have her canning journal - there is something so touching about seeing a loved ones handwriting. I remember helping my grandmother and mother can strawberry jam (which I hated!) but the atmosphere was party-like and the conversation was always fun - good memories.

Beverly said...

Evelyn...such a touching post of your mom's years of canning, and how she journaled the amounts. Those days of growing and stocking for winter seems to have gone by the wayside in much of the world. I love that you found her journal and have her handwriting, but I'm sorry about this loss. A lovely vase of flowers and the journal makes a beautiful tribute to her. May you cherish is always.

Lisa Gordon said...

How very fortunate you are to have this, Evelyn.
This is a wonderful tribute to your mom.
May this and many other wonderful memories bring you comfort.

kelly said...

i can't imagine a more lovely tribute to your mother's memory. so very sorry for your loss.

kelly said...

i can't imagine a more lovely tribute to your mother's memory. so very sorry for you loss.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Such a wonderful memoir of your Mother something so precious. What a long life she had I'm so sorry for your loss.

Gail Dixon said...

What a treasure. This makes your image so very special. Plus, the deep red flowers pop. Hope this goes in your photo book. :)

Ida said...

What a great find of your mom's journal. It's wonderful to have tangible memories of our parents like this. Your photo is just lovely.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What a beautiful photo and sorry to hear about you mother. What a sweet keepsake.

Mona's Picturesque said...

Evelyn ♥
What a precious and valuable piece of memory that journal really is! I'm happy you found it. Sorry for your loss. Take care.