There were things my mother did when I was growing up that I swore I’d never do. For one, I never wanted to brush a daughter’s hair out of her eyes. I don’t think I ever did that, though Lise or Kate might contradict me. There are other things that didn’t matter, and I found I wiggle my fingers to turn a ring around just like my mom. I presume her rings were a little too large, as are mine half the year. In the summer, mine fit. You find yourself saying things she said such as, “We’ll see.” I’m guilty there, and Lise hated it. Do fellows do that? Do you avoid doing something your dad did or said and find yourself following in his footsteps?
I laughed at myself when I realized I was turning into John’s dad! I was reading the AARP Bulletin, which has slippery pages with a pinked edge. It is almost impossible to turn those pages that tend to stick together and hang up on the ragged edge. Though written for retirees, it is NOT old-age friendly. Dad is the only person I ever saw who blew on papers to separate them. At my young age, having had no problem turning pages, I told myself I’d never do that. Guess what. It is quite effective! When you can’t get a grip on two pages, blow on them at right angles, and they will magically separate. I’m ready to thank you for that, Dad (now in heaven), but I hope no one ever sees me do it.
This photo from 1984 shows my father-in-law, Mom, and ALL their children, spouses, and grandchildren. We were celebrating his 70th birthday. I’m hiding behind the pink dress, probably standing on something to appear taller.
Mehrling Muse 
Lovely reminiscing and beautiful family photo Anne. It is nice to recall those moments we used to do or those things we used to say.
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My dad always blew on pages, too. Mom said it was better than licking a finger in order to turn a page.
No matter how you try, you can’t help becoming them HAHA
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It took me years to come to the same conclusion your mother did.
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Lovely post! Aaah, blowing on the pages at right angles…thanks for the tip. 😀
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You won’t need that tip for AGES, Michelle. Hope you have a good memory.
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You’re too kind, my friend. ❤
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I love that family photo. The older folks had plenty of simple remedies back then which still work well today. We should remember😊
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I wonder if more suggestions for daily living will come to my mind as I get older. Maybe it’s only when your present memory begins to fail that your older memories float to the top.
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I get so crazy sometimes! I’ll say something and then turn around because it couldn’t possibly come from me. My mother (long gone) had to be standing behind me! I wish she was here for just enough time for me to tell her how smart she was. I didn’t do that enough.
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That is both amusing and sweet. I admire my mother, also long gone, more with every year that passes.
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Yes, they were right about so many things. Wish I could tell her that.
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What a wonderful family picture and fun to see you a few years back in your pretty dress!
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Please don’t look at the picture a second time, because I’m not the one in the pretty dress. I’m almost totally hidden, and let’s keep it that way. Thanks for reading, though.
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Pete teases me about being just like Birger. He liked order, and even the boxes in their basement had neat labels on them listing the contents. I was envious of his system and have tried to duplicate it with somewhat less success. I think it was Mark Twain who said, “The older you get, the smarter your parents get.” It’s true!
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Neatness is certainly in order. Our boxes are labeled. The only problem is that they have been labeled several times, and you never know which line is correct.
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I’m more like my father in mannerisms, though often see my mother staring right back at me when I look in the mirror 🙂
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I have my dad’s impatience and am not proud of it. That’s something that you see your mother in yourself. I don’t think I look a bit like mine. However I have one photograph taken at the house where I grew up, and I cannot decide whether it was my mom or me. It was taken years ago. The smock looks like something she would wear, but I might have borrowed it. I would have flown to visit and not brought a lot of clothes with me. It will remain a mystery.
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I love your family photograph Anne. I do the same thing with my left hand to move my ring around, even though it is a solid band…I seem to do this the most while I’m driving for some reason.
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I’m glad my mom and I aren’t the only ones who moved rings. It’s such a mindless little action.
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I blow on the pages too. So many things that made life easier that the older folks new. Now I am learning them.
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I wonder what else I need to know. Maybe I’m not ready for old age!
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Very lovely, evocative post, Anne! And the picture is so precious! 33 years ago, can u believe it?!
I find myself imitating my mother’s optimistic outlook, so I’m glad about that. On the other hand, I still am rather impatient – thanks Dad! 😀
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I always felt I got the worst of all the family traits. It’s a marvel I learned to feed myself.
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LOLOL!!
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Yes I am turning into my mom….which means eventually I will turn into my grandma as my mom is doing that!
I am going to have to try the page blowing trick.
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Going to have to try the page blowing trick!! Never heard of that one.
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Aha, it’s so true. As much as I don’t wish to admit, I am too turning into my own mother. 🙂
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