Hissy Fit

I am feeling antsy today. So antsy I almost had a hissy fit this morning. I am intelligent enough to know that I am tired and overwhelmed. Usually I could call mother and she had the words to calm me down. Once she told me to go clean every toilet in my house and be greatful to have them to clean. She thought this act gave one time to think and accomplished something useful at the same time. I know there was wisdom in that but sometimes I just don't want to clean a toilet. I want to scream, holler and cry. Not very ladylike and unacceptable to most. Most of the women of mother's generation did not allow their husband's to do one thing. Every household task was women's work.

Even the women who worked outside the home were left to do the mundane household tasks at night or on the weekends. My mother-in-law, Kathryn, was like that. She was a house-a-fire, constantly moving; cooking, washing, cleaning and then working sometimes a ten hour day. She was intelligent, amazing and I had great respect for her. I have watched her mow the lawn, paint the exterior and interior of her house, catch and clean fish. She had a green thumb (I think Katy inherited that). She had the most beautiful flower garden. She could plant a bare stick and it would become the most beautiful plant. She was kind to everyone and I never remember her having one hissy fit. She also was a fine seamstress. She designed many a garment for me that I still admire and wear. I am worn out just typing the list of accomplishments that were hers. She wrote elegantly. I loved receiving bread and butter notes from her. She always had uplifting words of love.

Kathryn never forgot a birthday or and anniversary. The men she worked for at her work place and home were so lucky to have her. I wish I could be more like her. I am a woman of the strange generation. To be accomplished had not so much to do with home and family. Success was to be found outside the home. I am still working on that. Kathryn had that covered too. She was most efficient at her job and every person she worked with had great respect for her. Had she been of my generation or a man of her generation there is no telling what she would have accomplished and all without a hissy fit.

I am feeling calm now. I did not clean a toilet but the feeling is the same. Had my mother or Kathryn been living during the computer age I think they would have written their feelings on a blog and we would have all been better off for having read their wise words.

I miss these two wonderful women who loved me so much.

Antidote: Spell check keeps trying to correct hissy fit. If there is someone out there who doesn't know what a hissy fit is please ask.