Painting of Virginia, by her daughter Phyllis.

 That is the question I ask Banjo Man whenever he stomps to the phone to give his adult children advice.  It brings him to a screeching halt, then he flashes me a sheepish look and says, “All right.”

Our children will never know how many times their paternal grandmother’s example has spared them a lecture from their father.

Virginia was Banjo Man’s mother.  And today is her birthday.  She died at age 94 and her large, wonderful family miss her terribly.   As do I.  She set a fine example for a mother-in-law by never meddling or gossiping.  I never heard her speak an unkind word.  Her children were brilliant, her grandchildren beautiful and smart, and thankfully she never flinched at the sight of a messy kitchen.

She taught me how to can, how to make apple butter, told me where pickles came from, and how to make chili.  When she came to visit, she brought her apron and her own paring knife.

I will forever be awed by her good nature.

[please excuse the glare of the flash on the painting]