The Crayon Bowl

When I was little, my Grandma Smith had this handmade bowl that she kept our crayons in. It looked like it had been homemade clay that had been formed into the shape of a bowl (the clay had speckles and grit in it) and then glazed or fired so it was shiny. The top edges of the bowl were rough and uneven. It was pretty ugly to be completely honest. However, I do remember that bowl as being something I could always find at Grandma Smith's house. I also remember the smell of their home. It was a wonderful aroma and when I catch a whiff of it now, no matter where I am, I think of the many meals and gatherings we shared there. I don't know whatever happened to the bowl, but I'll always remember it.

I decided that Gabe should have a crayon bowl like I had. One that's handmade, kinda ugly (don't look to closely at mine please!!), and one that will hold a lot of crayons. So, I knew when we went to paint pottery last night that this is what I'd be making. My niece, Katie showed me the area with the stencils and as soon as I saw the one with all the farm animals, I knew I had to use that one. I'll post some pics when I pick it up... It should be ready in a week or so.

I really wish Gabe would've had the opportunity to meet my Grandma Smith. I was only in the 3rd grade when she passed away, but her life has had a continuous impact on mine. She's the person I most want to be like. Now, I don't know if that's due to my memories of her, or due to my parents speaking so highly of her, but from what I gather from all who knew her, she was the kind of woman that I want to be. Since Gabe didn't have the opportunity to meet her or my Grandpa Smith, I want to pass some things on to him, from them to me, and from me to him:

• Always turn the handles on pans to the back of the stove so little hands don't reach up to the pots. (she told me this one time when I reached for a hot pan)
• Always work hard
• Up, Up, Up We Go, In a Pan of Baking Dough...
• Pete & Repeat
• I love you, a bushel & a peck...
• Say Say oh playmate, come out and play with me...
• Always read the Nativity story at Christmastime
• Mix saltines with ice cream (so good)
• If you don't like mashed potatoes, mix your corn in (YUMMY) - I can't believe I didn't like mashed potatoes when I was little)
• Mr. Bubble is THE best bubble bath - no ifs, ands, or buts.
• Gotta see a man about a dog (Grandpa would say)
• Are you eating too many mashed potatoes? (while tickling a child)
• Splashing in puddles
• Plant a tree when someone you love dies
• Water that tree with dedication and love (Grandpa did this when Grandma died)
• Never give up on your children
• Go to church
• Love the Lord without ceasing
• Sweet Violets

I wonder if she ever knew what an impact she had on me. I will end with this:

There once was a farmer who took a young miss
In back of the barn where he gave her a
Lecture on horses and chickens and eggs,
And told her that she had such beautiful
Manners that suited a girl of her charms,
A girl that he wanted to take in his
Washing and ironing and then, if she did,
They could get married and raise lots of

(CHORUS)

Sweet violets, sweeter than the roses,
Covered all over from head to toe,
Covered all over with sweet violets.

The girl told the farmer that he'd better stop
And she called her father and he called a
Taxi and got there before very long,
'Cause someone was doing his little girl
Right for a change and so that's why he said,
"If you marry her, son, you're better off
Single because it has been my belief,
That marriage will bring a man nothing but

(CHORUS)

The farmer decided he'd wed anyway,
And started in planning for his wedding
Suit, which he purchased for only one buck,
But then he found out he was just out of
Money and so he got left in the lurch,
Standing and waiting in front of the
End of this story which just goes to show,
All a girl wants from a man is his

(CHORUS)