January 18, 2008


Friday Show & Tell
Vintage Opal Ring

I'm so glad you could join me for another show and tell sponsored by my friend Kelli.

Today I would like to tell a little bit about my Grammy because she is, without a doubt, the most interesting person I have ever known. Grammy was born in 1906 and raised in North Dakota where she came from very humble beginnings. She lived with her family in a tiny cabin that was far away from any town. As a child I always loved to hear Grammy's stories because they were just like the ones I would read about in the Little House books.

Grammy said that she would have to put rocks on her quilts to keep them from blowing off of her at night when the cold winter winds would whip through the cracks in the cabin. She only went to school during the Fall and Spring because of the high snows and bitter temperatures. In the late Fall she said that by the time she and her pony Snowball had arrived at the schoolhouse her bottle of ink would be frozen solid. When she would arrive the teacher would immediately take her hands and rub them with snow to keep them from getting frost bitten. As I child I loved to hear about the coyotes that lived around them. She tells a wonderful story about a time when she came face to face with one but I will save that for another post!. She would always make sure not drink very much before bed because she was afraid a coyote would get her on the way to their outhouse! I have a lifetime of my Grammy's stories that I love to revisit, it somehow makes me feel like she is right here beside me!

Grammy was a tiny little thing, but make no mistake, she was a real spitfire!! She had such a great sense of determination and she accomplished so much in her lifetime. In order to complete her high school education she moved to town where she lived in a boarding house. Because she wasn't a resident in town she had to pay tuition, so she worked at the boarding house to pay for her schooling, as well as her rent. She was a wonderful student and after graduation she made the big decision to move to Washington D.C. where she had training for secretarial work. When she finished her training she got a job with the government and when she got her first paycheck she could hardly believe that she had actually made that much money!! She had never seen money like that in her lifetime. With that first paycheck she bought a radio for her Mom & Dad in North Dakota and needless to say it brought her much happiness to do so.

While walking down the streets of DC one day she happened to spy a beautiful ring in the window of a jewelry store. Now, normally she would never even think of buying such an extravagant thing but she said she felt like she was drawn to this ring. She ventured inside the store and put the ring on her hand. That's all it took, she was sold!! After that, this ring hardly ever left her finger. It is technically called a precious opal but it is precious to me not because of it's beauty but because of it's owner! I was fortunate enough to be given this ring when Grammy passed away and I will surely treasure it always.



The ring was from the 1920's.....

20 comments:

Mrs. U said...

What a GORGEOUS ring!!! What a treasure that she gave you. Not only the ring, but with her life and the stories of her life.

I LOVE hearing about her and her growing up years (you should consider writing a book about her!!!) and I especially loved when you said "She would always make sure not drink very much before bed because she was afraid a coyote would get her on the way to their outhouse! " tee hee!!

His,
Mrs. U

ellen b. said...

That is beautiful. What a treasure to enjoy. My engagement ring was an opal.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

WOW! I loved hearing about your Grammy. I even got chills! I'm not sure which was better, the picture of the ring, or your story!

Thanks so much for sharing. Tonight is the first time I'd ever heard of Show and Tell Friday and I'm so glad I participated!

~ Jillian

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful ring and what lovely memories that go along with it! What a perfect show and tell. I think I would have enjoyed hearing stories of your Grammy's life!

Susan said...

Beautiful ring and I can only imagine what it means to you.
Susan

Paula said...

What a wonderful story to go along with such a precious heirloom. :)

Mimi said...

Beautiful ring... and even more beautiful memories... I know each time you put it on you immediately think of your grammy!!
blessings,
Mimi

nannykim said...

Very pretty ring--I love stories from the past--so touching and they have something to teach us!

Nora Lee said...

What a treasure. Not only the ring, but the stories and history that are passed down to us. I too have many memories and stories from my grandparents and relatives.

Thank you for sharing.

Sandra

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

My husband's Grandmother was born in 1898 and could tell beautiful stories. I am fortune to have a beautifulgold and slive ring that my husband grandfather gave her on their wedding day. It will be passed on to my Grandaughter when I go to be with our Lord.

Lana G! said...

Wow what a treasure indeed!

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan,
What a special treasure! I know you cherish this ring, and I really enjoyed hearing just a snippet of your Grammy's life! What a legacy of rich stories you have from her! I was especially close to my grandmothers, and I miss them so much! What a blessing for us to have such wonderful examples of godly womanhood when we were growing up!
Hope you are having a blessed weekend. I have three sick chickies, so I am home from church right now...doing a lot of rocking and hugging. But I did want to pop in quickly and tell you how much I enjoyed this post.
Hugs,
Amy

Sharon said...

A beautiful ring and a wonderful story. A memory that will last forever.

Cheryl said...

What darling stories your grandmother told you :-) The ring is "precious" :-)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful ring. I am sure the memories that it gives you every day are very precious.

Donna Kay said...

Susan - such a precious story - I love to hear stories like that - it could be a movie!! The ring is just gorgeous - so unusual - I know it is a tresure.

Lallee said...

How wonderful that you know the story behind the ring. It's a beauty. Your grammy must have been very special, and was definitely more brave than me.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story and beautiful ring. I love your stories.
I'd also love to know how you made your blog snow!
-Cookie

Susan P. said...

Cookie, thanks so much for your kind words! I wish I could tell you how my blog has the "snow" but unfortunately, I can't. Miss Bonnie does all the technical stuff on my blog, all I know how to do is write the posts;o)

teacupsandpoodles said...

Thanks for sharing such wonderful stories and showing us the pretty ring! I enjoyed reading this!