Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Teaching Mater



"Most mothers are instinctive philosophers."
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

My supply of tea expired yesterday morning- the special, imported-by-my-mother sort of tea. It was raining heavily and the morning was grey so I was particularly in need of a fresh batch.
Shortly after lunch I walked to the mailbox and to my delight and astonishment found a carefully wrapped package. One who knows mothers need not dwell too much on the mystery of the contents.
I spent one hour last evening struggling in vain- as my neglected dinner congealed- to show Mater, via telephone, how to e-mail a picture. With all due respect, she did not understand a single word I said. She still does not know how to attach a file. That is perfectly acceptable.
You see, she possesses instead an innate knowledge of my tea rations and knows more than I do about what I need. Or perhaps she simply knew that I would require a strong, sweet cup of hot tea immediately following the computer lesson.
Thank you for the tea, Mater.

7 comments:

mouse (aka kimy) said...

sweet.

I have to chuckle over your story of you trying to instruct your ma how to attach a file - I am the first call my mother makes anytime the computer frustrates her or she forgets on how to do something. although I am always very happy to help (after all it helps her maintain this myth that her daughter is brilliant and can do anything)sometimes I require much more than a strong cup of sweet tea after some of the phone support lessons!

great harriet beecher stowe quote - I'm thinking you live in new england.... if that is the case, if you find yourself in hartford, ct with time on your hands, take a tour the harriet beecher stowe (and mark twain) homes...fascinating people and fascinating times they lived in (but are all people and times fascinating?)

Beth said...

I always enjoy when you write about your mother and often forward your posts to my 21 year old daughter who writes very much like you and often about me. I always sense the affection in characterization of me and i sense the same thing when you write about your mother. We are all very fortunate in that.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

kimy- the Great Mouse Detective! Yes I do live in New England :) and one port of call we have in mind for when the weather gets better is Hartford, for Mark Twain's house in particular. We're making lists and trying to establish what we can see given the rising cost of gas :( Thanks for your thoughts.

Beth, your compliments are always a great boost to my spirits! I'm glad we found each other's blogs. You're absolutely right, of course, I would never make a mock of my mother without her consent- you know what I mean. She was quite pleased with today's post- it started off a little rough and then she saw I redeemed her :) I always, always appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Pappy said...

Would that everyone had their priorities in order as your mother has. It would be a kinder and gentler world.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Texican,
Absolutely. My mother will be happy to see your kind words. Thank you.

mouse (aka kimy) said...

I too am much charmed by your mother! I'm happy that she delights in your posts.

it is a shame that one does have to depend so much on cars to get around, opposed to buses and trains in most of the country. hopefully you have a vehicle that gets good mileage!

the twain house is marvelous - and of the two definitely the one not to miss. hopefully when you go you'll get a docent with personality and a huge repertoire of twain stories. he was one interesting character - and what a life!

another wonderful place to visit in new england is hancock shaker village in western massachusetts - I have a slide show posted with a wee description on the mouse easy enough to find through the blogger search mechanism if you haven't stumbled on it already.

I think I recall a children's story entitled the great mouse detective. love it!

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Texican, my mother did read those words aloud to me over the phone. Then she read them again. And then a third time. She's revelling in the nice image of her. Thank you again.

Kimy- you're right, I was referring to one of the first movies I ever saw in the cinema, 'Basil: the Great Mouse Detective.'

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