My maternal grandmother lived with us till she died when I was 14. I remember her as a prim and proper lady with an impeccable hairstyle and carefully applied makeup who could bake and cook like no other. My mouth still waters when I remember her "johnny cake" (cornbread) and homemade syrup, her stewed venison and baked beans, her hot chocolate pudding made from scratch! And she made most of the clothes my 5 siblings and I wore by hand, too.

A few years ago I came across an old photo of her at age 16. There was my "prim and proper" Grandma riding bareback through the forest, rifle on her back and a dead deer slung over the neck of the horse in front of her!

She had a bit a Metis blood (although this was a taboo subject in the family at the time) and was raised in rural Saskatchewan. Even though she had only a Gr 8 education she was thoroughly schooled in all the "old ways". She gardened and hunted, even knew how to make mukluks (boots), moccasins, and fur-lined winter parkas from the hides. I have pictures of my mom at age 6 playing in the northern Alberta snow - wearing the hooded parka, boots and mitts she'd made.

ANd all I can say now is ... WOW. Whatever skills I've learned in this lifetime just pale in comparison with hers. What's more valuable, more practical, more awe-inspiring - being able to play a Beethoven sonata or spout off the latest in psychological theorizing ...or being totally self-sufficient in an environment like the forests of northern Alberta?

My grandma knew how to live. Not many people do anymore.

daylia