Pat Sloan’s Grandma’s Kitchen Challenge block #3 is called Key Holder. We are supposed to post our blocks and write about a memory that the block’s name inspires. I have no memories of keys associated with either set of grandparents. Neither my dad’s parents nor my mother’s grandparents (they raised my mother after her mother died when she was 11 months old) had keys. Neither drove a car or locked their houses.
My great-grandpa Neal worked in the coal mines and he would walk to the railroad track and catch what was called a ‘man car’ to take him to the mines each day to work. He was paid in ‘script’ that could only be spent at the Company Commissary (store) or the Company Doctor. The Commissary had a large box truck that would run a regular route (their day was Thursdays) that was stocked with supplies from the store. The miner’s families could buy supplies from what was called the Rolling Store with script. The doctor made house calls when needed.
My Pappaw on my dad’s side worked at the rock quarry and he walked to work each day. One of my earliest memories of him was that I could hear him walking home from work because he would be singing at the top of his voice. I couldn’t wait for him to come in sight so I could run out and meet him.
I came from a long line of God fearing, hard working people and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Thanks for reading.
the days are sadly long gone, when you didn’t need to lock your front door!
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So true Claire. My grandparents did not even have locks installed on the doors, but they did have nice watch dogs but they knew everyone. 🙂
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Your key holder block is very pretty. I really enjoy reading the memories that you share. Have you thought about writing them down in a family memoir book to share with future generations? Your memories are priceless.
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Thank you so much Bella. I struggle with writing as I am more of a numbers person instead of a words person. I’m not sure my family would be interested, as I am the older generation now. Most young people today cannot relate to the struggles, and joys, older people have experienced.
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I understand, and I find it very sad. At this point in time my boys (ages 23 & 26) have no interest in their family history. I am hoping that will change as they get older, because I really don’t want the stories to vanish when I pass away.
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I was the same way when I was young. I remember my grandpa telling me about some of his relatives being on the Trail of Tears and never heard from again. I so wish I found out more from him.
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I love the fabric you are using for this project! Great memories that you have shared!
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Thank you.
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The block is grand! I love the colors AND your stories…this is a great QAL!
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Thank you so much Kathy. I am not good with words but love revisiting the memories.
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When you write from your heart, the words are always right!
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Hi Peggy,
Aww, that is so sweet about you and Pappaw. I love this block – probably most of all. I like the introduction of the beige. This is going to be a beautiful quilt when it grows up. I never knew my grandparents – I was a late-in-life baby – my mom was 46 when she had me. I myself have a key holder that houses dog leashes. ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thank you Roseanne. Mine also has dog leashes. 🙂
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Peggy – come post your blocks on my Facebook page . . . please?!! Pretty please??!! I want to see them all come together and how can I oh and ah over them properly ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thank you. I will.
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Thanks Peggy! I appreciate it ~smile~
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Such wonderful memories of the generations gone by. I agree with the writer who suggest that the next generation would enjoy the memories. Your blog is the perfect place for sharing the stories and I do hope your family knows about your writing efforts. The block is terrific. I just pulled my collection of fabrics together for the Pat Sloan project. I think this is my afternoon to get blocks #1, #2 and # 3 started. I am going to use 1930’s reproduction fabrics for this project. I love your blues and yellow
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Thank you for reading my story. You will get caught up on the blocks quickly. I love the 30s reproduction fabrics. I am using earth tones for the Moda Blockheads BOW and wanted this one in blues/white/and a touch of yellow. Still not too sure about the colors together but I do like the main fabric.
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Love it!!! 🙂
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Thank you Tonya.
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