Influences series: Grandma Warner

My Grandmother Warner was not a needlewoman to my knowledge, but she loved reading and books and greatly valued learning. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse before her children were born and always asked us about "our studies" when we came to visit. She was a very quiet person, probably because she wore a hearing aid, but she was a very active listener which was good for the motor-mouthed little kid I was! Her barrister's bookcase in the front parlor was the place I always made a beeline for when we visited. It now sits in my studio. You can see a picture of it in this post. The photo above is from spring 1959, probably Easter Sunday.

Grandma Warner was also the kindest person I've ever known. I never heard her raise her voice or say an unkind thing about anyone. She made fantastic oven-fried chicken with white gravy and fried mush (not together--those were just my favorites). She was a very good Gin Rummy player who often threw the game so the grandchildren could win.



This photo is of Grandma and Grandpa at my dad's 1949 Purdue graduation. Mostly I remember Grandma wearing house dresses, but she obviously liked to get all dressed up, too. She and Grandpa were so proud of their children's accomplishments.



This is another church picture. Grandpa sold cars at one point in my Dad's youth and was always very proud of his car. Consequently, lots of the pictures I have of them show their cars. Dad says this is probably from 1950 because he knows what year the car was!

My Grandma was a strong character model as well as sharing with me her love of reading and books. She would love the fact that I am a librarian and a teacher.