You can take the GRITS out of Florida, but you can't take Florida out of the GRITS!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Unofficial Fun Monday

Until I get a new computer, I refuse to officially sign up for a Fun Monday. Not being able to post pictures really sucks, and I make alot of typos on this laptop. But this Monday's theme is a good one and I want to write about it - unofficially!

Molly at Return of the White Robin want us to share our favorite childhood memory. I have many, so I think I'll focus on one person - my Grandma.

My Grandma was a genuine Florida Cracker, born in Hatchbend (where I bet I'm related to the whole town). She died many years ago, but I still miss her every day. My Grandma was my friend. We took long walks together when I was little. She bought me my first rod and reel, which I still have and refuse to get rid of (an old Zebco bait caster). I remember fishing on my uncle's land in Zolfo Springs and getting my Grnadma to bait my hook since the worms would squish and squirt when you hooked 'em. Yuck! We would fish alot... My Grandma gardened. She read the Bible and went to church. She drove a 1965 VW that I always wanted one day and was very upset to learn that while I was in Texas, my Dad sold it.

She would go with us on vacations, including the first time we went to Disney World. I think it was 1971 and they had just opened. I sat next to her in the Haunted Mansion and laughed when we saw a ghost sitting between us!

I remember walking along the canal near my uncle's house and picking guavas. I used to hate the smell when she would cook them down for jelly, but now I love that smell!

"Here's My Heart" cologne from Avon was her favorite. I always say I want to buy a bottle just so I can smell it and think of her, but I don't even know if they make it anymore.

All just memories...pictures in my mind, feelings, smells...keep my Grandma with me all the time.

Well, that's my unofficial Fun Monday post that most people probably won't even read without a link to my site from the hostess's, but I don't care. I just wanted to write about my Grandma and my childhood memories of her!

7 comments:

R.Powers said...

That's a sweet tribute to your Grandma.

IamwhoIam said...

Hey you can't lose me just by not linking. Lovely story and memories, it been said that smell is the strongest link to memory. Funny how certain thing trigger memories mostly good.

ChrisB said...

Grandmas feature a lot this week and you wrote a lovely tribute to yours.

Unknown said...

Grandma's are the best! I think it's really cool that you still have the fishing rod. :)

Sayre said...

She feels alive to me. You obviously keep her close in your heart.

Anonymous said...

Really nice what you wrote about your grandmother. ;o) And, she had a VW!! ;o) hehehe. You would LOVE the parks we have visited, maybe you want to meet us along the way. Take care!

Paula said...

your grandma was the best!!! i remember her VW bug and her little room in the back of the house with a door to the outside!!! wow, memories! I know, I'm about a year late posting this too! :)