Intro to the Granny Project

So here's the overview of the project:

All of you who know me know, some only vicariously, my granny.  She is, almost exclusively, the topic of all my stories.  She is amazing, inspiring, endearing, sassy, and she's turning 95 in September. 

A few fun facts (story clif notes): 

-Granny is one of eight children, raised among ten children in her family in central Illinois in very small town called Norris, IL. 

-Granny is a twin. She and her sister Hazel were born in 1913, and put on the stove door in a shoebox as their incubator. Really. 

-Twins were so rare in her time, that people used to travel to gawk at her and Hazel playing in their yard. 

-Granny married her husband, my grandfather, Louie and they lived in Canton, raising their only child, my mom, Nancy. My mom and dad (Jim McMillan) had Erin and I, Granny's only grandkids. 

-Granny graduated from nursing school in 1938. She worked as a surgical nurse at Graham Hospital in Canton, IL. 

-Granny loves to cook, especially red meat, lots of onions and potatoes.  She also enjoys a glass of beer which she often splits with Pete. 

-Granny's music tastes include Frank Sinatra and Kate Smith. 

-Granny is a frequent contributor to the Daily Herald (her local paper's) Op-Ed Letters, often detailing her political opinions, her general editorials and general wisdom of her years

-Granny cooked morel mushrooms that my Papa Louie foraged for many years, spawning my family's obsession with morels! 

-She watches the Food Network often, and says she's "in Cooking School"

-She loves bird watching and has a few bird feeders outside her window. Especially, she loves cardinals which remind her of Louie

-Granny is a fierce democrat, who wears a "Bush is a moron!" button to spark conversation.

So here's the details of the project: 

For her birthday, I was looking for something she'd appreciate and that would reflect the sparkle she emanates. 

Before September 15, I invite you to share something.  Perhaps a story reflecting a family of yours, or how her stories have touched you, or a story about you and your family...anything that reflects the sparkle and connection of family. We define family in the grander sense, meaning those who endear themselves to you, regardless of distance or bloodlines, or happenstance. 

If stories aren't your gig, send a picture, a video, anything that you want. Also, please feel free, in fact, we invite you to forward this onto people you think would be into the spirit of The Granny Project. 

Also, if there's graphically-minded people, feel free to submit a design, a photo, or anything that inspires you that reflects this spirit. 

Please take note, do NOT censor yourselves, do what you think is in the spirit of the project. In her own words, she is a modern granny. Despite many valiant attempts, Peter (yes, Peter Larson) has never shocked her. 

Here it is: she is amazing. Peter and I carry her stories and her spirit with us each day, and are inextricably connected to her passion and her person.  We really hope you'll submit something that inspires you. We'll then compile all of your submissions and give them to her!

Submit via the following mediums:

• Email: katemlarson@gmail.com
• Home: Kate & Peter Larson, 827 6th St., Hudson, WI 54016
  
• Comments to this blog

*** With all submissions, please submit your age in parentheses, (example: Kate Larson, 30). Since before I could hold a pencil, she has signed everything with her name and her current age. It's too weird and too funny not to emulate***. 

Our sincere wish is that everyone that receives this message will age as beautifully and as gracefully as dear Granny. 

Also, stay tuned for links to Granny's articles, videos, and invitations to be her Facebook friend. Really, she's got a profile. (No, I didn't create it!). 

xoxoxoxo, 

kate+pete