Take a good look at this painting. It was painted by my great aunt Laura Jackson and it has the date 1927 on it. It was given to my folks as a present several years after they were married by Aunt Laura probably around 1950. She was my father's older half sister. Here is the story.
Mom did not like the painting. It was relegated to the closet. When I was five years old (1956) we lived on Hilyard Street in Eugene. My best friend was Jimmy. Jimmy knocked on the front door. "hello Mrs. Olsen can Eric come out and play?" Mom replied, "I'm sorry Jimmy, Eric is just sitting down to dinner." Jimmy, "Boy Mrs. Olsen, that sure smells good." Well Mom invited Jimmy to sit down for dinner at our dining table with the family and Aunt Laura who had arrived that afternoon for a visit. Jimmy, "Wow Mrs. Olsen I sure like that new painting." Jimmy said pointing to Aunt Laura's painting that had been pulled from the closet that am and placed above the dining room table in the alcove. "Oh Jimmy." mom choked, "that painting isn't new that's always been there." "Oh no, Mrs. Olsen, I'm sure, that painting is new, I've never seen that here before." Mom and Dad immediately shouted him down and changed the subject. Well as soon as we were done eating, Mom quickly told us why don't don't we go outside and play. As we left Jimmy says "I sure like that new painting Mrs. Olsen." My mom always wondered why a five year old would take such an interest in art and at that most inoportune time. She always laughed about Jimmy and how she just couldn't get him to keep quiet. Whenever I asked her what Aunt Laura said, mom would shake her head and just laugh.
P.S. This watercolor hangs in the landing at the beach house in Gleneden Beach. When I got older I told mom that I thought it was quite beautiful.(I still do) It depicts a moonlit scene with a stream, swans (geese perhaps?) a bridge and cottages with light coming out of the windows. It is painted in soft blue and gray tones. I guess because I liked it I ended up with it.
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4 comments:
Dad- I sure love this story. I actually like the painting too. I remember you telling the story while we were at the beach a couple of years ago and I've thought of it ever since. I would've been quite embarrassed if I were Grandma!
I mean I've thought of it every time I've seen it since. I don't go around thinking of the story all day long . . . now that would be silly.
Ok, I know this story, but it actually does get worse...I can remember Dad's words exactly. He said that after Jimmy left, Dad told Aunt Laura that Jimmy was "retarded" and not "right in the head," and that there was always something wrong with him. So poor Jimmy told the truth and got impugned by Grandpa Olsen.
I know this story, I've heard it about 100 times over and counting. I think it has great hidden advice that has worked for me, but let's just say there's been no "Jimmy's" to ruin the guise.
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