Mon's Family

My mother's family lived on their farm. 

Grandpa and my uncles worked the farm. They raised corn and wheat. They cut hay and baled it for later use. They raised a variety of animals including cows, pigs, donkeys, chickens, geese, and ducks to name a few. And of course there were always horses and a dog. 

Grandma and her daughters cooked and cleaned. They cared for the poultry. They gardened. Their homemade pickles were the best. They canned fruits and vegetables to have in the winter. They made jams and jellies as well as fruit butters. And watched after us.

My youngest uncle is only three years older than me. The twins were not much older. I had a lot of aunts and uncles. We spent a lot of time together so I knew them very well.

At the same time I knew very little about the larger family. Before he married Grandpa was a real honest-to-goodness cowboy. He lived on the range with cattle for months at a time.

Grandpa and Grandma used to play for barn dances. Grandma played the piano. Grandpa could play about five different stringed instruments.

Grandma lost her mother when she was young. That is when she took over household duties.

Still I know little about the extended family.

When I was little I sat so quietly and absorbed the stories the grown-ups told about family. I wish I knew more.