I
think the reason my Grandma, an early Idaho pioneer
homesteader, wore
the long cotton apron with big pockets and ties around the neck and
waist was to protect one of the two dresses she owned. She probably
thought she would just put it on to do chores and then her dress and
demeanor would be fresh for visitors. Only problem is Grandma's chores
were never done. She was first one up and last one down every day. She
worked hard and so did her various aprons in small patterned print,
brightened by ric-rac or primary colored bias tape around the edges.
There
were many uses for the apron besides protecting the dress underneath:
-
Pot
holder to get hot pans of cookies or chicken from the oven
-
Tear
dryer for children who had hit by a tree branch or brother
-
Face
wiper, after a bit of spit on the finger had washed the dirt off
-
Hiding
place for little kids
-
Carrying
eggs to the house, baby chickens back to the coop
-
Carrying
kindling, logs and twigs to the house for the wood stove
-
Carrying
garden seed in the pockets, produce in the upturned material and
strips of ancient ones were used to tie tomato plants up to stakes
in the garden.
-
After
the peas had been shelled or the corn shucked for dinner, the
remains were gathered in the apron and carried out to the
"pile" She didn't know the word compost then. But she did
it.
-
In
the fall, the apron held apples, peaches, apricots and cherries into
the house to be "preserved" for the winter enjoyment.
-
The
apron corner was used to tighten every jar of fruit and jam. It gave
just the right leverage to the hand.
-
It
provided warmth on chilly night by wrapping the edges upward over
Grandma's arms or downward over a small child.
Ahh,
But The Pockets held the treasures
-
Clothes
pins to hold the wash on the clothes line.
-
A
tiny tin of aspirin in case the arthritis acted up.
-
Safety
pins
-
A
hankie to wipe the eyes or blow the nose
-
Peppermint
candies
-
Unusual
small rocks with lines in them, good for a teaching moment on how
the earth was formed.
-
Small
feathers, buttons, driftwood to be used someday for an art project.
-
Anything
that her grandchildren had brought to show her and she vowed to keep
forever.
Nothing Lasts Forever Not
sweet, warm, loving Grandma who died of cancer, while everyone else was
instructed not to talk about it. We were to "play like"
Grandma would get better soon.
Not
Grandma's aprons which were divided among her daughters after her death
and ultimately ended up in the rag bag.
Not
the little things that she treasured and was going to make art projects
with. Not the candies, clothes pins or rocks.
Not
the fruit, jam, jellies. They were all consumed that year.
Except
For Memories and Stories
Only
the memories of Grandma in her pretty apron with her busy hands but open
arms remain. Only the stories that we tell of her strength, wisdom and
sweet spirit remain to remind us of who we came from. Only the stories
and memories remind us of the time in our childhood when all problems
could seemingly be solved with a yard of cotton and a beautiful woman.
How blessed we were to have a grandma who wore an apron and taught us
about life.
If
you enjoy reading stories of pioneers, family life, and strong
women you should check out my book The MC's
- Life Stories of
Early Idaho Pioneers Manford Cleveland and Sarah Elizabeth
Turman and Their Families.
