What have you picked up from your husband, your family members growing up? What kind of character traits do you inhabit like warm chocolate holding tight to cold whirled ice cream? Thinking of my parent’s custard stand in the Catskills, like Dairy Queen, I remember my mom’s propensity for drama which maybe came with Irish territory, throw in some French and Voila…you have theatrics. No one could tell a story like my mom. When she shared stories with us of growing up in New York City in the Village during the Depression, a father who was Head of the Labor Union of Dock Workers, and going to 8 different schools. Then he owned a candy store, lots of monies, no monies….no one could tell a story like my Irish mamma, the daughter of a very tough Irish man.
So, I may have inherited a bit of her theatrics as I love to add drama to the mix as those who know me, know me well. There is also a bit of the Swedish reserve, my father who kept a great Poker face. Between the two, they were a pair well matched. I enjoy theatrics but it appears that playing ‘poker face’ gets me through successfully some challenging times when I don’t always agree with the cards being played or the people being played. And in a pinch, I know I can change character.
From my husband, I have picked up on his order, organization and logic as an analyst with the military….he is very methodical and pragmatic which followed him in many of his trade jobs and habits. I am not. I am more trusting of my intuition and value my insight…kind of like my mom, “I have a feeling” is something I will cry aloud when something comes true about a person or situation. In other words, I have good instincts. My husband will not always chose to believe his intuition stating that more is following numbers, statistics, facts, etc. But I have lived life in a few different arenas from overseas to small towns, big cities and I know that my people smarts kept me intact. Something I inherited from my mom and something my dad also rolled his eyes at just like when she would say, “I wish we lived again in Manhattan, so I wouldn’t have to drive a car and could walk or take the subway.”
She never did get her license but she sure made certain I did at 16. Although you could not catch me watching sports besides basketball which I have always enjoyed because I think of ballet, for some reason. I had lots of fun telling past classes of students that some of the best and most gifted football players studied ballet to be quick on their feet. My husband is a big sports fan, so I have learned to appreciate sports, expressions like “Hail Mary” when you are behind and need a touchdown to tie or win and it is your last play. Hoping someone catches it sounds like something I have easily identified with, especially when beginning a new enterprise.
Appreciating the game of football and realizing it is no game for dummies helps me with understanding other strategies in life and dealing with things, so it is no surprise when I find an analogy under sports idioms: political football an issue that politicians argue about and try to use for their advantage.” the earliest citation for this comes from the beginning of the 19th Century. (Merriam Webster Dictionary). But my favorite habit I picked up from my husband is : it is easier to get forgiveness than permission. This has helped me immensely when I struggle to find information, not forthcoming this past year with paperwork and people. For that, I am grateful to know and if the paperwork catches up to me, ah well. “Let the drama begin.” Like the football player, I have listened well, anticipated the game, and worked with the items at hand. Sounds like a win to me. Now, if I can learn a few rules of football, maybe not. Hmmmm. Like I said recently, “I like writing fiction.”
How about you? What are some traits or characteristics have you inherited or adapted lately? Enjoy the weekend!
Cupcakecacheblog 
“How about you? What are some traits or characteristics have you inherited or adapted lately?”
Hmmm. My relationship with my mother was never smooth. We navigated rocky paths for nearly all of her 86 years of earthly life. So you should not be surprised that I always told myself: “I’ll never do that. I’ll never be like her.” Guess who I catch myself acting like more and more as I age? Hmmm. Lessons to learn and miles to go.
Hmm, thanks for sharing! I am just like my mom with a bit of Swedish reserve like my dad. I imagine your resourcefulness and adaptability are great traits in your new life on the islands.
I too had a rocky relationship with my mother and said the same thing, that I’d never be like her. For the whole of my 30’s and 40’s I actively tried NOT to be like her. She was a hard woman to deal with, not just with me but everyone in her life. But I did pick up one thing that I am very grateful for, her ability to be a great cook. She showed me (at times by force) how to prepare food growing up. She owned a restaurant for about 8 years and she was very successful. I will always remember her food, the stories that went along with them and the fact that because I was blessed with a mom who could cook, that I too can be just a great a cook as she was. She’s turning 81 this year and can’t cook like she use to. She’s mellowed a lot since my dad passed away last year and I actually enjoy spending time with her. I’m putting together a cookbook of her recipes to pass onto my boys, who learned how to cook from me. Something that started with my mom that I can pass onto them and hopefully the will pass onto their kids.
I would love to read the cookbook! Let me know when it comes out!
I love this! I’d enjoy reading the cookbook, too!
The cook book is a wonderful idea. Not only will you be passing on your mother’s recipes but any stories that go with them will help your boys gain a better understanding of their heritage. 👏👏👏👏
Hi Brizzy! Yes, that is my intention. Even though my boys hav had a relationship with mom all their lives, they will have her food, stories and background on her life.
I inherited my Dad’s really bad jokes and I also have a bad Toenail just like he did, too.
I continue to hone my organization skills…
Did you ever notice it is what we are not taught that we try to excel in? I find this true of me often, perhaps not the same for you.
👍
From my mother, the need for tableclothes at every meal. From my father, not to put holes in walls ( to hang pictures), not to touch walls or leave fingerprints on walls and windows because they require painting/cleaning. And from both, much to my detriment sadly, honesty and integrity, neither of which are quite so palatable in a woman. Happy week, cupcake.☺️
That is right. Honesty and integrity in some jobs gets run down as in life ..it seems the politically savvy do better but the luck is often on the side of those doing what is right. Thanks for sharing.
Karma.
My dad’s hokiness, my mother’s stinkeye, and the ability to follow their example in love.
I took ballet classes in college at the University of Washington and we did have football players in class. I picked up golf from my dad, a love of swimming from my kids and cooking from my mom. My great grandmother published a series of cook books that I’ve collected. I’m planning on publishing them some day. I was surprised to find a few recipes I learned from my mom in them like oxtail soup. Mom learned the recipes from her mom and grandmother.
That is a nice tradition to pass down.
Hey! I absolutely love some of your posts. You’ve got a great blog. I’m new to blogging and would appreciate it if you could check out my blog sometime and give me a few pointers! Much appreciated! 🙏 ☺️ 🙌 😌 ❤️
Thank you. Your comment made me smile. I will check out your blog.
Great Post! I’v learned to have. a greet deal of patience like my husband and learning to let things go that I can’t change.