I think it’s pretty amazing that somehow in the late 90’s, it became cool to go Granny. Maybe it was always there and I’m just late in noticing, but all of a sudden things like baking (especially cupcakes which aren’t fully Granny, but kinda), crocheting, decorating with doilies (see Anthopology.com) and knitting spiked in popularity among the young female adult crowd. Granny glasses are now hip (and annoying at that), old ugly granny shoes and furs go for $50-$200 at 69Vintage and dare I say, I read a fashion article the other day titled “Granny Chic”.My Granny Westman was the best. She lived well over 90 years and still regularly sent feisty political letters to city council. She wrote a children’s book, painted in oil and had her own a kiln in her wee downtown Peterborough apartment.
When I visited, she would play creepy organ music for me as I explored
her home like a museum and begged her to remove her wig and/or falsies. She never did, she was a lady. She always smelled of musty moth balls and flowery perfume which was comforting in an unusual, non-threatening way. Her collection of home-made dried apple dolls however did cause quite a threat to my tender eyes and mind. She had this hobby of drying out old apples, molding faces in them, adding bodies and clothes and then display them as her dearest treasures. Seriously - the weirdest shit ever. Google image “dried apple dolls”, but don’t sleep alone that night.
her home like a museum and begged her to remove her wig and/or falsies. She never did, she was a lady. She always smelled of musty moth balls and flowery perfume which was comforting in an unusual, non-threatening way. Her collection of home-made dried apple dolls however did cause quite a threat to my tender eyes and mind. She had this hobby of drying out old apples, molding faces in them, adding bodies and clothes and then display them as her dearest treasures. Seriously - the weirdest shit ever. Google image “dried apple dolls”, but don’t sleep alone that night. 
Anyway, my Granny Westman was far from typical. In fact, I never saw her rock in a chair or knit a stitch - two very quintessential Granny traits. So, when I completed my First scarf ever (yes, on this first day of spring during the mildest winter of my life…how fitting) I thought of my Granny and wished I could give it to her. She would of course snicker and say that I'd knit a shawl, not a scarf, but she's dance around in it for a bit just to be sure I were entertained.
In closing, I'd like to point out that with my last name, if I’m ever fortunate enough to have Great-Grandkids, I will forever be referred to as Granny “Power”!
In closing, I'd like to point out that with my last name, if I’m ever fortunate enough to have Great-Grandkids, I will forever be referred to as Granny “Power”!
1 comment:
Creepy dolls...and funny enough they were in my family too. Amazing!
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