This week we lost the matriarch of my husband’s family, his Mammaw. We’re all sad, but we also feel some relief that she’s at peace. This weekend we’ll travel to Virginia to honor and celebrate her life. It was only a few years ago that we all gathered for a party on Mammaw’s ninetieth birthday. She allowed me to interview her for that occassion and I wrote a post for this blog. I ‘d like to share it again for all of you, to honor Mammaw. I feel blessed to have known her.

Ninety Years Country Strong

The year 1923 was not short on exciting events.  The first transcontinental airmail service had begun.  Time magazine published its first issue.  Firestone first put inflatable tires into production.  The US Attorney General actually stated that it was legal for woman to wear trousers – anywhere (yes you read that right).  Yankee Stadium first opened (although Fenway had it beat by eleven years).  The first ever country music hit was recorded.  Vice President Calvin Coolidge became president, after the death of President Harding.  The first nonstop transcontinental US air flight was successfully completed.  Lou Gehrig hit his first Major League home run.  Disney Cartoon Studios was formed.  Ethyl gasoline was first marketed to the public.  The traffic light was invented.  Radio waves were transmitted for the first time, which lead to the first presidential address made by radio.  It was also the year that brought the world Bob Barker, Peter Lawford, Charlton Heston, Estelle Getty, Ann Miller, Ted Knight, Aaron Spelling, Allan Sheppard, Rocky Marciano, Roy Lichtenstein, Hank Williams, Jean Stapleton, Ed McMahon and Margaret Elizabeth McConnell Garrett. Continue reading The Blessing of 93 Years →