I knew my elderly Grandmother. Her diary provides a window into what she was like as a teen. It’s fun to see how remnants of the fun, quirky teen in this diary were part of Grandma’s personality throughout her life.
Awhile ago several relatives wrote guest posts about their memories of Grandma. My cousin Anne Marie wrote about an April’s Fools day when Grandma was in her late 60’s or early 70’s.
One April Fools Day Grandma took an old newspaper from her basement and carefully glued all of the pages together and quietly placed it in our newspaper box. I can still hear Mom laughing when she tried to read the paper that day and it didn’t take her long to figure out who the prankster was.
Photo of the house that Grandma lived in during her later years.
See more guest posts with relative’s memories of Grandma by clicking on the Family Memories category.
(This comment is a repeat of the comment that I made last year on April Fools Day. I apologize for being repetitive–but it seemed so appropriate and relevant for this diary entry.)
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The class play is on April 5. It sounds like the cast was getting really stressed out as the big day approached. The previous day Grandma wrote that they almost decided not to have the play–but decided to persevere.
I have learned to be very careful with my pranks. I caused a big uproar years ago with an e-mail with a false announcement of my engagement. It was filled with funny and obvious improbabilities, but some of my family took it serious and didn’t realize it was a joke. My sister was mad at me that I didn’t call her and tell her in person.
I’m sure I’ve said it more than once, but it really doesn’t seem like a whole month has flown by since the last poem. I think it’s lovely that your Grandma used to write a poem at the beginning of each month.
The newspaper prank made me think about my own Grandma. On April 1st she would shout up the stairs to Grandpa, who was still in bed, and tell him that there were some sheep in his garden eating all his vegetables! 😀
Grandpa also used to complain that cars didn’t stick to the speed limit outside their house. So Grandma made some speed limit signs and placed them up the garden to surprise him. 😀
I find it interesting how the much of the language in the diary sounds about the same as what we’d say–with the occasional archaic word or phrase mixed in.
I would say it must be – but dad was from the south! But he was an Irishman through and through. Not sure if Helena was Irish, but could be with her sense of humor!
A great sense of humour is a good thing to put in you pocket as you travel thru life. That’s so awesome, I’m going to put that one on the back burner…hehe.
I have learned to be very careful with my pranks. I caused a big uproar years ago with an e-mail with a false announcement of my engagement. It was filled with funny and obvious improbabilities, but some of my family took it serious and didn’t realize it was a joke. My sister was mad at me that I didn’t call her and tell her in person.
How funny!. . . It’s interesting how different people have different senses of humor.
Oh, I bet your Grandma was a fun person!
She was fun!
I’m sure I’ve said it more than once, but it really doesn’t seem like a whole month has flown by since the last poem. I think it’s lovely that your Grandma used to write a poem at the beginning of each month.
The newspaper prank made me think about my own Grandma. On April 1st she would shout up the stairs to Grandpa, who was still in bed, and tell him that there were some sheep in his garden eating all his vegetables! 😀
What a fun prank!
Grandpa also used to complain that cars didn’t stick to the speed limit outside their house. So Grandma made some speed limit signs and placed them up the garden to surprise him. 😀
I love how she used “row”. We seldom hear that word used in America.
I find it interesting how the much of the language in the diary sounds about the same as what we’d say–with the occasional archaic word or phrase mixed in.
I think my dad and your grandmother would have gotten along famously!!
How funny! It must be a central PA sense of humor.
I would say it must be – but dad was from the south! But he was an Irishman through and through. Not sure if Helena was Irish, but could be with her sense of humor!
A great sense of humour is a good thing to put in you pocket as you travel thru life. That’s so awesome, I’m going to put that one on the back burner…hehe.
You’re so right! I need to remind myself sometimes of the importance of a sense of humor.
It sounds like your grandmother was quite the character. Great “newspaper” story.
She did have a sense of humor!
Love this. I’m having so much fun following this blog! It’s so unique. I look forward to every post.
Thanks for taking a moment to write the nice note. I’m glad you enjoy it.
What a great story about the newspaper–I know I would have liked her!
Great! I love this.