Why do a blog? Was I inspired by Tracey Ullman's take on Ariana Huffington's blogging the "State of the Union" series on Showtime? Don't think so. I like to write. And I've noticed in my dotage that a passion for certain issues, relationships, objets, locales are becoming more prevalent in my thoughts. Enough to move me to write about them. So, I'm trying the blog.
About the title... My mother had a distinct shorthand in her communications at times. Probably because she was using most of her breath smoking; words in the air might have been considered a waste of breath. When discussing things with her, or merely talking, her assent was a passionate: "You got that right, Josie!". No parsing of thoughts or semantic debate or dangling participles. Straight and to the point with a sprinkle of humor and a nod to the ancestors.
Who was Josie? Perhaps a cousin to my grandmother (Nana-- there'll be a lot of reference to her in the future) and her 10 other siblings in a house on Gates Street in South Boston. In a 1910 census, this "Josie" was listed as a "servant". However, my cousin has found in her extensive genealogical research, oftentimes in the early 20th century any resident household member who was not directly related to the family was listed as a servant. But God knows with 11 children and an Irish work ethic, my great grandparents would not have entertained the idea of a servant from the old sod or elsewhere.
So, the title of this blog is a nod to passionate views and my maternal ancestry: roots in Boston, my mother and Josie--- whoever she is.
Big+Little Helen, Dancing Queens
Who the heck is Josie, anyway?
9 comments:
~~~Well, Curl you did it both with a flair and your ever present, unique sense of humor. Write on...
Great blog Carla, I love that your mom used to say that. Maybe we'll find Josie one of these days and solve this minor but intriguing family mystery.
I look forward to reading future posts!
The "Wisdom of Nana" will finally get the air time it deserves. We should all live by the words: "The things you see when you don't have a gun." Give us 'em all, Curl. As well as Marco's take on life. Wish Emma were here to see this.
Kudos to you Carla for stirring up old memories. Wish the Helens were here to witness our fascination with all things McCabe and their ancestory. Good Job!!!
I honestly hate to be the one to simply crack the case of "Josie" but...living at home until I was 27 I knew a lot of the "every" day things going on with Ted and Helen. so here goes. Mum got up every day around 7ish, made coffee and had the Today show on in the background as she got ready for work. The weather man Willard Scott would travel from place to place and when he did a gentleman whose first name was JOE (can't remember his last name) would fill in for Willard at the studio. Willard would deliver the weather and send it back to Joe who would in turn make a comment..Cameras would go back to Willard who would say...."you got that right Josie"..Mum liked the quick glib..She'd love to say it to Dad who'd be making a comment from downstairs while eating his morning bagel and mumbling how she and I weren't paying attention to him as he was "reading" us the news from the paper...He'd say you women aren't listening and she'd reply "you got that right Josie!"
No hidden past family secrets but an enjoyable memory of the quick humor mum and dad had with each other.
Thanks for the tweak in favor of historical accuracy. I still like the tie to the folks on Gates Street. Maybe Willard knew the McCabes and Josie, too?!
~~~Thanks benzmum, love your story about early AM at the B's household. I so clearly remember your Mom saying "You got...,Josie! She had this delicious irreverent way of knowing when and how to say it. As for me I think that there are no accidents and somewhere our Josie ought to figure in this fascinating twist.
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