Dear Group, In Susan's message today, she mentioned Grandma's apron and, well you know me, it reminded me of a story I wrote several years ago on the very same subject. During an ordinary day, neither Grandma nor Mother were without their aprons. I hope you enjoy the story. vee from youngstown GRANDMA'S ALL-PURPOSE APRON Do you remember the apron that Grandma wore? You know, the one that wrapped half way around her, tied in the back in a bow and had a big bib to it? Oh, the many uses she had for that apron! First, of course, it was to protect her house dress from getting dirty. But, that was only the beginning. Aprons always had a least one pocket. She may have had a hankie stuffed into it but more than likely she used the pocket for a place to put little odds and ends she picked up around the house--hair pins, toy parts, buttons, maybe a clothes pin or two--any little thing that needed to be put back in its place. Aprons were rarely spotlessly clean. Over time they got stained at the belly from leaning up against the sink or the countertop. And they were always handy when she needed to wipe her hands on something. They were also handy when listening to soap operas--they could wipe away tears in a jiffy. Of course, children's tears got wiped away with aprons also. And children's faces were spot-cleaned with a tip of the apron. When Grandma would see one of the kids with a smudge on his face, she would moisten the tip of the apron with her tongue and then scrub off the smudge. Aprons made good baskets. They've been known to carry a virtual harvest from the vegetable garden and into the house. A flapping apron was good for shooing the chickens or herding the cows back to the barn. They made good fans on a sweltering day over a steaming canning kettle and a warm muff on a chilly evening. But, you could bet the farm that when someone came to the door, Grandma wouldn't answer it until she took off her apron and hung it up on a hook or the door knob. Laws-a-Mercy if someone were to see her in her apron!

Sure miss that sweet woman and her soft English accent. Thanks for the memories ladies.