Saturday 14 August 2010

Memories of Norfolk - Earliest Memories

Inspired by reading Jane of Marigold Jam's wonderful memories of her childhood I thought I would start recording my memories of many summer holidays spent with my Norfolk grandparents. It is something I have wanted to do for many years, so now is a good time to start. When chatting to my sister we always end up having at least one conversation about our times there so I have decided to keep my memories in a journal which I shall illustrate with drawing and photographs. I will share my first chapter with you, and see how it goes, there is a lot more in there.


19 comments:

ju-north said...

I can see this as a book! Lovely artwork and text

menopausalmusing said...

Jill, do you have ANY idea how wonderful that post was???? The illustrations were just fantastic as was the memory of snuggling up to your daddy....... daddy's SHOULD be heroes........ I also loved the bit about cigarettes glowing in the dark..........

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely Jill and how I wish I could illustrate my story like you have! You reminded me of my uncle's car also a Woolsey and how my cousin and I used to sit on the running board and chat when it was parked in the street. Lucky lucky you to have had a daddy to cuddle up to even if he might have singed your hair with his ciggie!!

I am happy that my story has inspired you - if I get nothing else from it that will be reward enough for me.

Keep the stories coming I think there are a lot of bloggers who love this sort of thing and with your drawings added it's going to be fabulous.

Jane x

menopausalmusing said...

sigh........ there shouldn't be an apostrophe in the word "daddy's"......... whatever is the world coming to? Oops! :O) Daddies SHOULD be heroes.....

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,

This is absolutely brilliant! Do you want an agent? You really should try and find someone to agree to publish this. I shall look forward to every instalment here but just know it would make a fabulous book. Made me think of my Dad and brought a lump to my throat. This is a rich seam. You and Jane are both so good at painting word pictures and you both bring back memories for me too. Thank you. Lelsey x

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,

In my excitement I signed myself with my Dad's pet name for me. No-one has called me Lelsey girl for a long time! See what effect these stories have on your gentle readers! Lesley x

Jane said...

This is super, Jill. My Dad never learnt to drive so we were carless until my brother took to the road, but being taken somewhere as a small child in someone else's car was the height of excitement. Reminds me also of going places on my Dad's bike crossbar! We all seem to be going down memory lane at the moment, don't we. (H has just reminded me about those orange indicators that stuck out of cars to signal in the 1950's - his father was in the motor trade so he didn't have a car free period of childhood)

Lizzie said...

Lovely story Jill - more please! The illustrations make it extra-special too.
I remember long trips to my grandparents' near Bristol. Also, the same images of ghostly trees out of the car window and the knowledge that I was safe inside the car...

Ticking stripes said...

Thisis wonderful Jill. Thank you so much for sharing - the illustrations are an absolute delight!

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Beautiful!

Leenie said...

A treasure for you and your family. Interesting to learn how different our lives were and yet still so much the same.

Sandra Hall said...

Jill I get so excited when I see you have posted on your blog because I LOVE seeing what you have been up to...you're inspirational!
This journal is going to be pure TREASURE! Your illustrations are wonderful and the story keeping those memories alive is wonderful too.
I'm a big believer in telling our stories, there are too many stories left untold and lost forever...
I do hope you post more of this journal!
x x x

flutterbycrafter said...

This is beautiful and the illustration is amazing. I think it's a good idea to put our memories down on paper because I regret not asking my parents (who are now long gone) about their childhood etc.

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Just lovely Jill, I've really enjoyed reading your first chapter, super illustrations, and it's brought back memories of my own :)

Emma said...

Lovely memories & great illustrations. Thanks for your kind commment!

Karen said...

my maternal grandparents were from Suffolk and we would visit in the summer and spend time on the Norfolk Broads, wonderful!

webb said...

Go on and write your story/memoir. It's so important to pass the history down to our families. This is a wonderful start.

Package arrived yesterday - I'm thrilled. Thanks SO MUCH.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Fascinating reading Jill - like the accompanying artwork too. x

Joy said...

I was just wondering, your grandparent's must have lived through the war--WWII, so did they ever mention it or the difficulties? Would like to read about that, if you would happen to have the information.