52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Week 30
Prompt – Colorful
Tea rose bushes, huge purple lilac
trees, peonies, tiger lilies, and gladioli were just some of the
colorful flowers my grandmother, Mary McLaughlin had in her back
garden. Every time I smell a tea rose it transports me back to her
yard and all of her memories that come from being there.
Her garden was not just flowers. In
her earlier years the garden was mainly a vegetable garden which was
necessary for her and the family. My sister, Betty remembers that
grandma even used the empty lot across from her home as additional
garden space during the war years when rationing was in place.
Grandma's lifelong border, Fred Ready
grew and created new glads for the Saskatoon Gladioli Show in the
1960's and 70's. I know grandma must have had a hand in helping this
process. Their glads were award winning. They were gorgeous, rich
in newly created colors. Apparently Fred named one variety after my
grandmother. It was called “Mrs Mac”. Unfortunately I do not
know what color it was. Any of my siblings know?
Grandma's small home was full of her
cut garden flowers in the summertime. She even contributed to the church altar flowers on occasion.
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| Grandma McLaughlin |
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| Mary McLaughlin and Award Winning Glads |
It was beautiful and colorful; maybe this is where my love for flowers in the home come from.
Wendy
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