women that inspire…

"women that inspire"

This is a picture of my Grandmother, Lucile.  She inspired me in more ways than even I knew until now.  Educated, independent, strong and sophisticated.  A mother of 4, a wife, librarian, gardner, antique and jewelry enthusiast and the curator of her own, in-house museum.

The rooms in her house were so organized.  They were more like “vignette’s” .   A music room, darkroom, laundry room, jewelry room, an office flanked with built-in bookshelves that were home to her inkwell collection. A silver & glassware closet that when opened, was like visiting a boutique.  One of my favorites was her dress up room with an armoire full of  prom dresses worn by my mother and my aunts.  Her books arranged by subject, sheet music filed by genre, a large pantry and a wrap area that had Martha Stewert like qualities before its time.  There was a large roll of butcher paper, perfectly sharpened pencils (stored “lead side up”), twine that was housed in an artsy container, plastic bins that were labeled and filled with ribbons, bows and supplies. 

When I was little she was partly intimidating and partly intriguing.  I was more interested in “playing” with all of her antiquities than learning about them.  Later, I realized how much I actually did retain from her words.  I can’t believe how sophisticated she was living in one of the smallest towns in Oregon.  (How did the Tiffany catalog even reach her there?)

It’s never too late to appreciate someone.  Thank you Grandma for inspiring me!

Who inspired you?  I’d love to hear your story.