Webs, Weeds and Wisdom with Ann Holmes | January 25

She was Welsh but had been raised in Scotland by very particular parents and she was also VERY PARTICULAR.

She took care of us for two years after our mother departed.

As an example of what a stickler Granny was, check out her rules for meal times.

We, my three brothers and I, were not allowed to place our elbows on the table, raise our cutlery for any reason other than to reach our mouths, forget that we had napkins, talk with food in our mouths, open our mouths when chewing food, lean back in our chairs, read at the meal table, talk rubbish (to be defined by Granny) or leave the table before everyone had finished eating and we had asked permission to do so.

And this was only what happened at meal times!!

The rest of our lives were also governed by strict Granny rules which were not to be disputed.

My Dad was, of course, exempt from these rules and read at mealtimes with his elbows placed firmly on the table whilst committing any other table crimes he wished.

I longed for the day when I had my own table.

How things have changed. These days, over sixty-five years later, I still relish reading whilst I eat with my elbows on my table.

But dear Granny taught us lessons for life; at least we did know how to behave when we were out.

I never heard her speak ill of anyone and she hit the mark one day when I had said something disparaging about someone I knew.

Granny looked me in the eye and said very quietly, “Ann, my dear, you add nothing to your height by standing on someone else’s dignity.” 

I have never forgotten this and the fact that my little Granny stood taller than most.

This very small person was full of aphorisms for living a good life.

I always loved the stage and acting and Granny encouraged this, but in everyday life if I was being less than industrious she would remind me, “This is not a rehearsal for living you know – it is the real thing, and there is only one performance so make it a good one, my dear.”

I wonder how many of us have been influenced by powerful and influential wisdom condensed into a few words.