My maternal grandmother, Ruth Francis Lewis Kirby was born on December 14, 1901 in Paris, Kentucky. For as long as I can remember, she left a fragrant trail of Tuvache's Jungle Gardenia perfume wherever she went. Her beautiful white-gray hair was piled on top of her head in a sweet and grandmotherly way. Her fingernails and toes were neatly painted and manicured in her signature fire engine red polish. Her blue eyes shone through her glasses like aquamarine gemstones. She was a lively and feisty girl with a great sense of humor and a quick wit! I loved her dearly.
She lived with her parents until her father's death in 1911 - which meant, at the approximate age of ten, she and most of her siblings were shuffled off to an orphanage. I understand these things happened in families where there was not sufficient income to care properly for children. I get that. I know very little about my great grandmother and I wouldn't want to judge her unfairly. But the fact remains - she gave my grandmother and her siblings away to strangers - and that breaks my heart.
As far as I know, Ruth was never adopted or fostered and left the orphanage when she became of age. She married my grandfather - Harris Breck Kirby, III. He was a railroad man-tall and handsome with blue eyes like her own. The one story I remember about Gram and Grampy as a couple, was when they made a long trip to the home they would both share after they were married. At the end of the day she was tired, and lay down on a sofa to rest. She awoke to a goat licking her face... I remember her telling this story laughing. I'm fairly certain farm life was relatively new to her. But being the girl she was, she made the best of every situation with what she had...and with a smile on her face.
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Gram & Grampy's 2nd wedding day-nearly 30 years after their first!
Oh, that's my sweet brother trying to stay out of the shot <3 |
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My sweet Grampy reading to me.
I'm pretty sure I thought I was a Winnie the Pooh character...
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But while she was apart from her Harris, she lived in Chicago. One day, while riding the bus to work in the downtown area in the 1940's, the bus driver called out "Clark" as in Clark Street. Above the conversation in the crowded bus, my grandmother shouted out "If it's Gable, I'll take him!" I'm sure those morning bus riders had a good laugh. I know I did, and I wasn't even there! Ruth had such a great sense of humor, fun and adventure!
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Here is Ruth with my mom and her brothers, Harris Jr. and Frank.
There were four children all together. Elvira (not in this photo) passed away as a child. |
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| My two grandmothers! They really liked each other and included Ruth at family events |
Ruth wasn't a girl with whom one would trifle... She was kind and funny, but we pitied anyone who crossed her. A fast forward to a few years later, she was watching my two older brothers- who were then, just little people. Gram asked them to do something- get ready for bed, finish their dinner, etc. Now... I don't know which one said it - I can only guess. But the reply was "I'll do it when I'm good and ready!" Gram walked in the room and gave them that look - "What did you say?" To which he replied... "I'm ready, I'm ready!" I laugh to myself when I replay that scene in my head as I have done for many years. It never gets old.
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| These are the sweet little monkeys who challenged my grandmother! |
I rarely saw my grandmother seated, without some manner of needle work in her hands. She was talented in so many ways. Ruth was also an accomplished seamstress. She worked sewing car upholstery for a time while living in Chicago. She certainly used her love of fiber arts to her full advantage! She made my mom's simple and elegant wedding gown!
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| Mom & Dad - Aren't they beautiful... |
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| Chicago - January 17, 1948 |
Gram knitted, crocheted, tatted, embroidered and cross-stitched, sewed, and probably more things than I will ever be aware. I have many cherished items she made during her lifetime and am absolutely certain; this is where my love of fiber art and needlework was borne.
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| This is just one of Gram's sweet handmade items. I love this little apron... |
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| That's me! |
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Sam and Mable were a pair of House Sparrows who nested in the eaves our our home in Chicago. Gram visited often and we talked about these little birds. All these years later, I see in this apron, just how much my Gram loved me.
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To date, I have learned many different fiber arts. Primarily, I spin, knit, weave, felt, dabble in natural dyeing, crochet and sew. I teach most of these skills to other like-minded souls who, almost always, become life long friends.
I also write, draw, paint in oils, acrylic and now watercolor. My right brain is apparently developed to a much greater degree than the left... Many years ago, a friend told me it was simply a natural progression for creatives to "try" everything. Some things just seem to stick with us longer. She was definitely right. However, I can with great certainty, say - everything I have learned and continue to practice, will be with me as long as I'm around. I can be a flaky artist or a focused program director. I just always hope the days are appropriately distributed.
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Beautiful hand-dyed yarn purchased in Georgetown, Colorado at The Quilted Purl
It started out as toe-up socks...(this was before I learned to knit two socks at the same time!) It was taking way too long to finish even the first sock. I frogged this sock (knitter terminology for take-apart. Rip it, rip it..) and decided to make this lovely "Roller Coaster" scarf! Life is too short to be frustrated by socks.
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| The Roller Coaster Scarf! |
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| Look at all those tiny little cables! Need to finish this little baby vest! |
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| Essential beach vacation supplies! |
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| A warm pair of alpaca socks for my son |
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| Twill table runner |
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"Orange Peel" overshot table runner
My sister has two of them! :) |
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| Knitting on a hot day, in my booth at a local festival. |
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A cheeseball photo of me at a Willow Oak painting party. I was truly enjoying the evening!
I like very few photos of myself - My friend and coworker Lacie took this one. I would probably only smile like this for her... |
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| My little writing nook is a beautiful and usually sunny spot. It sure feels good here! |
There's so much to do, see and learn in the future. I don't want to miss any of it.
Thanks Gram
and
Thank you to anyone who ever helped me along the way to fulfil a goal or dream.
💗💗💗
