Under the Sun: Celebrating milestones

My grandmother recently celebrated her 92nd birthday.

She always tells me she was born too soon, what with all the marvels of modern technology.

She was born in 1916, during the middle of World War I, and she married my grandfather during the middle of World War II.

When her Yorkie, Rusty, barks a lot, she tells him “Zip a lip, save a ship.”

I’m guessing that was one of the war slogans to keep people from telling information to the wrong people.

Originally from Massachusetts, she told me that during the war, when she and Papa stayed at the beach, there were blackout rules in place — they had to cover the windows at night so the light couldn’t be seen from the outside.

I can’t imagine what that was like.

And she’s told me stories about the food rations.

She had a relative, I think one of her uncles, who wouldn’t eat margarine — just butter, which was a luxury at that time.

She said the margarine came with coloring that you could mix in, which made it look like butter.

Nana said they usually didn’t mix the coloring in, unless they wanted to trick her uncle into thinking he was using butter.

Turns out he couldn’t tell the difference between the two once the coloring was added.

Posted by on 09/02 at 09:18 PM

She’s a living history book. Soak it up.
Tell her Mr. Mookie said “Happy Birthday”

Posted by  on  09/04  at  09:43 AM

I’ll do that smile Thanks, Mr. Mookie!

She does tell some really good stories. I asked her for more details about the blackout yesterday. She said she and Papa went to the beach in Maine for their honeymoon, where they had to observe the blackout rules. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last summer, before Papa passed away.

Posted by  on  09/04  at  10:46 PM

I love the butter story! She sounds great, you’re lucky to have her around.

Posted by  on  09/05  at  08:35 AM

A history lesson that gives hugs…:)

You better cherish that one Jaime..they dont make em like her anymore..

Posted by  on  09/05  at  03:10 PM

Nana reminds me so much of my Grandma Sapola—sharp-minded and feisty! My grandma made it to 91, and if her body could have kept up with her mind, I betcha she’d've lived past 100.

Something else about Jaime’s Nana: she’s sewn two valances and a curtain for me, and she barely knows me.

I miss hearing stories about Jaime’s Papa, but I’m glad Nana’s still here with us, even if she’d never sewn anything for me. smile

Posted by  on  09/05  at  04:38 PM

Mr. Mookie, I just wanted to let you know I didn’t forget to tell Nana you said “happy birthday.“ I could tell she appreciated it.

Posted by  on  09/08  at  04:54 PM

I have a challenge for you. Just last night I was chatting with a friend. The usual BS about sports, politics and the world. The topic of 9-11 anniversary came up. It dawned on me that 9-11 would be the day that most defines my generation up until this point. (I’m 46)
It’s that day that you remember where you were at and whom you were talking to. I’d be curious to here Nana’s perspective, based on her 92 years, and everyone else’s as far as that goes. There’s a new topic for you.

Posted by  on  09/09  at  06:42 AM

Thanks, Mr. Mookie, that’s a good idea. I’ll ask her about it the next time I talk to her.

Posted by  on  09/09  at  03:19 PM

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