Kalissa is still in the middle of wedding planning. Lately the topic has moved on to D.J.’s for the wedding dance. One was selected and now it’s time to focus on what songs will be played. She’s debated about the father/daughter dance. One of the songs mentioned was “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn. The song would really be appropriate.
Well I was thinking about that song as I was chopping up an onion…only I started thinking of my mom..and was thinking of her hands as I looked at my own.
At the same time one of the childcare kids was watching as I was cutting up this onion. She commented and said, “How do you do that Jo?” I didn’t know what she was talking about and she said the onion-“How do you hold it and cut it? My mom can’t to that”.
Well cutting an onion in her hand without a cutting board is a real talent my mom had. Over the years I’ve practiced and practiced but I’ll never be able to do it like she could. Every piece would be uniform sized..I don’t even do the best getting it all uniform sized when I have a cutting board. I always marveled at how she could do that.
My mom was a good old fashion cook…meat, potatoes and gravy where always on tap. She was good at other things too. She laid the carpet and linoleum in my parents house. She reupholstered furniture. She worked on the farm. She was an excellent seamstress. She often altered clothing.
My mom was an amazing worker. She was always busy with many irons in the fire. I’m that way but don’t have near the talents that she had….
I sure appreciate the gift of memory as that’s all I have of my mom. She died in 1990 when I was 24…
As I look at that picture of my hands I can’t help but wonder what my kids will remember about me. I hope it’s something good.
I’ve always marveled at your hands! I never understood how you could cut things so fast. Or how they could sew such beautiful quilts or how they still had patience long after I lost mine.
It is wonderful to have memories of our moms. I was 44 when my mom passed away but I don’t think one is ever really ready if you have been close. As for your hands, when I look at my hands I see my mon’s hands. We both have had arthritis so the knobs and crooked fingers I see when I quilt and cook are her’s as well. Thanks for the sentimental moment!
That’s the way my mom (78) cuts an onion too, I’m too prone to cut myself, so I use a cutting board!
I think back to my Mom and wonder how she did all she did. Five kids and then had to go to work full time. My sister has hands like my Mom, when we play cards I look at them and think of her. Thirty years have passed, almost as many years without her as with her. But you see the genes in your children and theirs and know they live in them and in our hearts. And you pass on stories so that they have a sense though not a memory of her.
You must have the energy of your Mom, with all you do, she taught you well.
God bless you Joe. Memories are the best, I lost my Mom when I was 33. It’s always to soon. My mother could do anything with a needle and thread. Mama would see something already made go home cut a pattern out of newspaper and made it. Mama also had five kids. Was room Mother for all of us and worked full time. I don’t know how she did it all. I look just like her. Mama taught her daughter’s women could do anything we set our minds to. Oh the memories
Oh—My Mother cut onions like that too—and it was all so evenly cut…thanks for such a sweet story—I have been missing my Mom this week—-She always worked so hard too and went without things so often for herself.
I would lose a finger if I tried that! But Bill does potatoes and everything else. I think I’ll leave that skill to him. :-)
I was lucky to have my mother around for most of my life. I was 59 when she died. She was an artist – watercolors, pastels, oils. Just give her a piece of paper and a pencil and she would draw amazing pictures. I think my quilter friends and I can do almost anything with needle, thread and fabric. My favorite drawing is one day when we were staying at a motel with my parents and my 13 month old son. She picked up a sheet of Holiday Inn stationery and a pencil and sketched a picture of my son sleeping on the bed in the hotel.
Funny what we keep in our minds. She did teach me to sew on a Featherweight.
My mom would slice carrots and celery against her thumb and I do, too. I can’t remember if she showed me how or if I just imitated her. But thanks for reminding me of her.
I found this post again FINALLY. Jo, would you make a video of you cutting up an onion in your hand as pictured in this post, and post it? I would so love to see the movements of your hands as you cut the onion. I’ve never seen anyone cut up an onion like you do. Thank you!
My grandmother always cut onions in her hand like this. The key to doing it without cutting yourself was using a dull knife. That’s what I remember the most, her hands doing everyday work.