Author Archives: Deborah Drucker

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About Deborah Drucker

I am a native of California who lives in Southern California. I have a background in healthcare and Special Education. Writing is a new adventure for me.

Mormor Names for Grandma

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I have recently found out that I am going to be a Grandmother for the first time. A new adventure opening up on the horizon with a new person coming into the world. I have not got my head around the idea just yet. My daughter in law had asked me what I wanted to be called, for Grandmother. I told her I wasn’t sure. I am not sure I will have a choice either because I think the grandchild can be the one who picks the name.

I called my maternal Grandmother and my husband’s Grandmother, Nana. I do not like the name Nana so much. I am not crazy about Grandma either.  I was inspired by a website by the Norwegian photographer Karoline Hjorth called Mormor Chronicles. Mormor is the Norwegian name for Grandmother. On the home page it says: ” Wise Words and Waffles from Nanas of Norway.” She photographed and interviewed several older women for the website. She wanted to give a voice to older women and show that Mormors don’t always match the stereotypes of Grandmother.

I know that Grandmothers in America today are not like the stereotypes of those in the past either. Some young women may say, when describing themselves, ” I am such a Grandma,” meaning the sterotype image of staying at home, knitting, and baking cookies. While I might appreciate these activities in others it does not describe me. I like to eat cookies but do not bake.

I did a little research with Google Translate to see what Grandmother is in a few other languages. I found there are several Pinterest boards and other websites that cover grandparent names. It’s kind of like those baby name sites.

A few names from the long list:

  • Amma (Icelandic)
  • Oma (German)
  • Babushka (Russian)
  • Nonna ( Italian)
  • Yiayiá (Greek)
  • Mèmè (French)

I am leaning toward the last one. Kinda sweet, don’t you think? What did/do you call your Grandmother?

Featured Image is “Lady with the Veil” ( the artist’s wife) by Alexander Roslin on Wikipedia.

Hold Onto Your Hats

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This expression makes me think of the first automobiles that were open, no roof, and ladies riding along with their hats tied on to their heads. The gentlemen probably did need to hold on to their hats unless they were snug fitting caps. It must have been fun but you probably needed googles to keep the dust out of your eyes. The expression, “Hold onto your hats,” can mean you’re in for a suprise or something exciting.

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Automobilists coats 1908-1910 via Wikipedia

 

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Family in driving googles via Simpleinsomnia on Flickr

This is my post for Stream of Consciousness Saturday hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt today was, “your, you’re, yore.” Featured image Franklin Auto 1909 via Wikipedia.

In My Garden

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Will this be me in winter? I kind of like the headdress. Mine would have to include Woolly Thyme, sage, and assorted cacti.

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Photo: “Eyes as Big as Plates # Agnes Haugstad” (2011) © Karoline Hjorth & Riitta Ikonen

This photo is from a Senior Planet post The Mythical World of Eyes as Big as Plates a project of photographer Karoline Hjorth. Woolly Thyme image by Patrick Standish on Flickr.

Structure

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For most of my life I have operated within an external structure that was created by society. For many years there was school, then work, then parenthood. My roles and functions were defined, student, employee, wife and mother. In these roles I knew what was expected. Then, as I got older, I found the ground shifting with changing and decreased opportunities for work. My job as a parent was changing a lot as my kids moved into adulthood. They did not need me in their lives as much. So I found myself not needed for the working world and not needed so much as a mother. This has left quite a void. So much of how we define outselves is through our work or adult roles. I have to create my own structure and role now and I am not sure how to do that, what it will look like, and what I want it to be. My earlier life did not prepare me for this very well. I think that having structure created from the outside handicaps people from being able to function without it. It makes it hard to create structure from inside.

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Stones image by Pixabay.com

 

Harder to find your direction.

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Path of Biotope of Fiave via dega 180 Wikimedia

 

My husband and I have started landscaping the front and back yard with the help of good workers. I have never been a garderner but now I have been shopping for plants and ground cover that are drought tolerant and low maintenance. I discovered Wooly Thyme.

 

Featured Image Stone Structure Ruins via Public Domain Pictures.net

The Sex Life Of The Date

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In Indio, California just off Highway 111 is Shields Date Garden. They are all about dates and the Coachella Valley grows 90% of the world’s dates according to a post in Conde Naste Traveler. If you happen to visit Shields, you can purchase dates and other date products and watch a short film about the sex life of the date. One thing I would recommend you try, especially if you are there on a hot day, is their date shake. A delicious milk shake made with their special ingredient, date crystals, and the usual vanilla ice cream and milk. Or if you like it in a more solid form, date ice cream. And, according to the previous mentioned post in Conde Naste Traveler, the date shake is the unofficial drink of Palm Springs.

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Shields Date Garden

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This little post of travel trivia is for Stream of Consciousness Saturday hosted by Linda G Hill. Today’s prompt is “date.” Images of Shields Date Garden by Ken Lund on Flickr, image of DVD via Shields.

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Cachet

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brand

That which defines you. Your signature quality. Your mark. What you are known for. What sets you apart and indicates the approval of your peers or your society. Good Houskeeping Seal of Approval. Having lots of cash does not give you cachet. Well maybe it does with some people. Wealth is a hollow cachet if there is no character or integrity to go along with it.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday is hosted by Linda G Hill. Prompt word for today is “cash.” Featured image is Brand by The Blue Diamond Gallery.

 

Stream of Consciousness Badgering 2

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Fooling around with new image I found on Pixabay. Like what the artist did with this image.  At first I thought the image was too feminine but I think it has a bit of sci-fi or fantasy look. And then I messed up on the rules for this badge contest and needed to alter the image more. I hope this works. What do you think? Stream of Consciousness Saturday is hosted by Linda G Hill.

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Badge by: Deborah Drucker @ Notes Tied on the Sagebrush

Exit Stage Left

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There was a cartoon character when I was a kid called Snagglepuss. A pink lion who was known to say, “Exit, stage left!” when he got in trouble and wanted to make a quick getaway.  He would also exclaim, “Heavens to Murgatroyd!” in exasperation.  I feel like saying it now when I read about all the crazy stuff in the news about a certain Presidential candidate and how Russia and Wikileaks may be trying to interfere in our elections. It is so scary  but I have faith that the US and her people will be all right in the end. But I would like to tell those who want to poke their noses in our business, please get lost, scram, and exit stage left or stage right,even.

This post is for Stream of Consciousness Saturday hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt letters are “ex.” Featured image of Snagglepuss via Mark Anderson on Flickr.

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