With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, me own dear departed mum has popped into my mind.  While our relationship had its ups and downs, like those of many other strong-willed women, she did the best she could to prepare me for the complexities of the world.   And some of the tidbits she passed along still hold up today:

"Want to know the character of a man?  See how he treats his mother.  Even if he's not crazy about her, make sure she's treated with due respect."

"If a man can maliciously hurt an animal, he can maliciously hurt you."

"Act like a lady on your dates.  But always have a dime (my note:  this was long ago) for a phone call so someone can pick you up.  Carry a nail file in your purse too."

"No one on earth is lesser than you are because of the color of their skin.  You are no less than they are because of the color of yours." 

"Take care of your looks, but don't rely on them.  Use your brain to back them up."

(isn't this similar to Judge Judy's beauty fades, dumb is forever admonition? )

"Always drive as if the other guy is nuts.  He probably is."

"I don't care if it's Frank Sinatra or Frank Schwarzkopf taking you out.  Your curfew is midnight.  When you're 18, have at it." 

 

Anything your mom told you...or may still tell you....that sticks with you? 

Happy Mother's Day to all past, present and future mums.

*raising a toast to the Dowager Empress*

 

;)

Queenie 

 

Hey Hetty,

Whats with the nail file?  Is this to manicure, to break out of jail, or to stab the fellow?

What would we do without our Maw?

Brian

My Mom's favorite joke from probably 40 years ago.  I still remember it but I'm not sure I got all the words right.......  Here goes........

When a doctor needs to go to the doctor. 

Should the doctor doing the doctoring doctor the doctor in the way the doctor wants to be doctored??

Or should the doctor doing the doctoring doctor the doctor in the way the doctor ought to be doctored??

Gordon

PS  I still don't know.  I'm an engineer.

Dear Hetty - My mom's cooking was awesome.  Our family is/was 100% Italian.  Her homemade pizza comming out of the oven was awesome.  She could do squid like i've never had since - 3 ways - in spaghetti sauce, fried , & boiled (i think) served in an oil & vingegar (?) sauce. 

I was in the military for 22 years.  While my mom was alive, i would get the BEST care packages when i was overseas - from Viet Nam to Okinawa to Iran to places i've probably forgotten.  We were never able to get any time for her to teach my (oriental) wife her teaching methods.  SHAME ON ME FOR NOT SENDING MOM MORE LETTERS & PRESENTS FROM OVERSEAS.

Bullwinkle

P.S. - Those care packages mom used to send me had everything from spicy pepporoni, a large variety of cheeses and even chocolate covered orange peels from Fannie Mae.         Bullwinkle

[quote user="hurleyhuckster"]

Hey Hetty,

Whats with the nail file?  Is this to manicure, to break out of jail, or to stab the fellow?

What would we do without our Maw?

Brian

[/quote]

 

Brian, thinking back, she probably meant all 3 three of the above!

A far more innocent time.

;)

Hetty 

Gordon, I think my mum told that one too!  Perhaps all of our maters had a jokebook they circulated amongst themselves?   SOLVING THE RIDDLES OF THE SPHINX by the Mothers Collective?

;)

Hetty 

 

Tony, I love squid/ calamari in any form, so your mom's recipes all sound wonderful. 

As far as not keeping up your correspondence and gifts, her spirit has long since forgiven you....her job was to keep her son well fed, like all Sicilian mamas do. :)

Happy Mom's Day to Mrs. Tony and to your daughter, too,

;)

Hetty