My husband and I live in a Chicago suburb currently with 3 cats. I love antiquing and mainly collect Lalique plus antique perfume bottles, non commercial. I love traveling, playing the piano, music in general and attending musicals, plays, and other events in Chicago. I’ve been reading your blog for 10 years or maybe more and have purchased some amazing antiques from you. I enjoy your blog very much. I hope to meet you someday soon!

Dawn Fleming

 

 

 

I've so few photos, like others have said I was too busy clicking the camera and do not have a phone that will upload a photo - This photo is from just before the Pandemic when I visited family back east - in the center is my kid Sister, age 72, I'm wearing the Oaxana dress and was 87. My Daughter on the other end in the sleeved shirt is 66 - funny in itself is that none of us think we are old and getting together always includes sharing a good laugh. 

 

Since this photo I turned 90 and moved the end of last year from my home of 56 years in Austin, Texas to a house that I'm making into my home located near my son and daughter-in-law in Magnolia, Texas. Nothing to keep me in Austin, my friends had all passed and over the years family moved on. I will miss the wildlife that Magnolia does not equal, like every year there was at least one fawn born in my backyard and a few times a mother fox settled in the back corner to have and raise her kits. These later years a family of owls swooped in. The owls did not chase away the other song birds nor the many possum, squirrels or coons that came by. Folks new to Austin are surprised by how much wildlife remained on their home territory.  

Cory, I've so enjoyed your posts. You are a wonderful gifted photographer and I love following the happenings with your family. Especially enjoy the times you share with us when you are with Gabriel. Those postings make me smile and remind me of my Grandboys when they were that age - they are in their 30s now except for one who is 28 - They are scattered, two Grands still in Lubbock, one in Denver, another in Seattle and the youngest who graduates from UPenn Law this Spring plans on staying in Philly, Daughter and Son-in-law in North Carolina along with my Sister and Cousins.

 

Having aged, everything is taking me longer and so I'm still in the middle of paper piles and boxes. When the house finally is remodeled and painted I've a lovely half acre that can use a few more blossoming trees and bushes along with my favorites, Herbs, Iris, Lavender and Lantana. I've baskets and boxes of needlework waiting for me - only retired in 2018 and my work (Real Estate Broker for 40 years) left little time to keep up with all the things I love to do, like making jams and jellies, soups and stews, knit (mostly socks), needlework (used to teach needlework before Real Estate and was fortunate enough to attend classes in both France and Britain) and my first passion, read, read, read - donated 100s of books before the move but still boxed 100s so that the movers teased they were moving a Bookstore - I've always had several books going at the same time since I learned to read before I started school and Mom dropped me off at the Library while she shopped the local market.

 

I've fond memories of my Grandmother when she was my age and I have to step back to take in the long history we represent - stories heard first hand from her added to my own with Mom squeezed between us. Both my Grandmothers were born the same day in 1879 however I was closest to my Mother's Mother and I really need to jot down some of her stories along with my Mother's and Mine - And so, next on the agenda, I've a desk set up and as soon as this house is a bit more functional with my things in place photos must be labeled and stories must be told.  Your sharing the little events in your life Cory has helped me realize it is just those little happenings that tell the story rather than the big events, although you did a superb job bringing us into your daughter's wedding - My head is buzzing with how to put this history together but then I've so many things buzzing each day between choosing paint colors and deciding where to store what... life at times is harsh and painful but then, like now for me, life is fun and games. 

 

Thanks for sharing your gift of family story telling - Barbara St. Aubrey  

 

The Real and the UnReal