Blankets

It must be admitted, this is not an appealing baby. I keep laughing at how utterly grumpy I was.

Going through old photos, to see if I can add to the Now and Then project. Nothing terribly promising, but I will be working on it.

But I did find this list, in my mother's handwriting. Italics my notations.

(Zhoen)'s Gifts

Mom - Bath Blanket- bib 2 nightgowns
Maternal grandmother

Evelyn - White sweater Set - (Christening)
Mother's oldest sister, my dear aunt

Peggy - 2 nightgowns 2 receiving blankets.
Could be one of two aunts

Frances- Hat & booties. - white
cousin?

Grace - 1 dz diapers, White dress (blue buttons.
Mother's second oldest sister

Aunt Belle - $1. 00
A great aunt? vague memories

Mrs. Giblin 2 dresses & 2 slips white.
neighbor, one of my elderly ladies that I visited

Mrs. Oesdean - Blue Sweater set. 2 silver dollars
another elderly lady on my rounds

Thelma - Large Pink blanket.
no idea

Neighbor - Yellow pants (plastic)
even my mother apparently had no idea

Mrs. Du Pra - 3 pr pants 3 pr socks nightgown rattle Blue Dress
another Elderly Lady neighbor

Betty - 2 receiving blankets 2 nightgowns.
Father's brother's wife, not a favorite

Priscilla - Yellow bunting Kitten bottle holder
no idea

Milton & Alma - Car bed
Dear Aunt Alma, Uncle Milton the most prosperous of father's brothers, and most generous

Art & Mary $10.00
Father's 2nd oldest brother & wife, my godparents

Carol $5.00
Their daughter, only cousin on paternal side

Helen Silver Dollar.
Mother's friend?

Mr & Mrs. Salliotte - White receiving blanket.
Neighborhood couple

Evelyn - 1st doll 3 months.
My aunt again, I think I know which doll

Elizabeth - Musical bunny.
First cousin now in Massachusetts, how could I have forgotten a musical bunny? I'm sure I loved it to bits before I could remember having it.



Mary's -

Rene - Chocolate & African Violet wow
Art & Mary - Mums.


Nightgowns/dresses - 10

Blankets - 6 (ok, this was February in Michigan.)

Cash - $19.00, including $3 silver. (About $142.00 today.)


This was 1962, some of these were extraordinarily generous, that so many neighbors gave gifts is touching. But notice, my paternal grandmother is not listed. I was one of only two grandchildren on that side, Carol was a good 20 years older. Not all the aunts are on here. My father's gift to my mother is a bit strange - she was never much for chocolate, nor violets. And why did she even put that on the list, a gift from her husband? My sense today that I was not particularly wanted in the family - at least in some quarters - seems hinted at here. The ones who loved me later are here already. Just something odd and off about it, hard to describe clearly.

Or maybe 50 years ago really is a different country.