Two worlds and a new knit
It’s been a quiet time – my mind is quiet, my environment is quiet. I don’t know whether to attribute that to having spent a lot less time online, but I suspect that’s a large part of it. I’m not as distracted. I see more.
Last night while we were watching a movie with the kids, I started something I could knit in the semi-dark. I’ve re-purposed the yarn I was using for the Garter Stitch Prairie Shawl – a dark green Cascade 220 worsted – to knit the Turtleneck Tube Vest in Fitted Knits (Stefanie Japel). The heat and the yarn have me anticipating cooler weather and autumn.
And . . . I happened upon something yesterday that I feel explains who I am. Two grandfathers, two lives and two desperately different men. On this continent was a man who worked in a West Virginia coal mine. Across the ocean, there’s another man who wasn’t a laborer – he worked in the insurance industry. Both of these men are where I’m from. And until yesterday I had never seen a photo of my paternal grandfather and it was completely by accident that I found it in my Dad’s things:
John, 1945:
I can’t describe how these photos answer questions for me, but they do. Pieces suddenly fit and I understand everything.
Ryokichi:
Comments
Wow Janet, what a special discovery. And Cascade 220 is the most multi-purpose yarn ever!
Posted by: Heather | August 10, 2007 10:56 AM
What great photos. Sometimes it's nice to take some time out for yourself.
Posted by: kim | August 10, 2007 11:17 AM
I love older pictures. I think they speak SO much, but especially if you were connected to them, I would think. I am glad you have answers for yourself. Those are so important.
The turtleneck tube vest is lovely!
Posted by: Stacey | August 10, 2007 11:18 AM
I echo what Heather said- a truly amazing discovery.
Posted by: Annie | August 10, 2007 11:18 AM
Thank you so much for sharing these details with us!
Posted by: Becky | August 10, 2007 11:30 AM
What wonderful photos! I love seeing what relatives and ancestors looked like. Mine are mostly German and French immigrants from the mid-19th century, and there are some grim, determined countenances in the old photos!
I just swatched for a sweater last night in Cascade 220 in a light navy. I got gauge, so I'm pleased.
Posted by: Brenda | August 10, 2007 11:33 AM
Wow, great photos. I truely love to see old photos from my family, so much so that I ended up the keeper of a ton of family photos. Thanks for sharing your family with us!
Posted by: Lisa | August 10, 2007 12:16 PM
Cool photos. I love looking at old pictures of my relatives. Your maternal grandfather looks so inscrutable in his photo.
Posted by: connie | August 10, 2007 02:30 PM
When two worlds collide... An amazing discovery. I truly smiled when your page uploaded. Truly. x
Posted by: Nora | August 10, 2007 04:53 PM
Love the photos, Janet. It's fun to see the different cultures.
Posted by: Sallie | August 10, 2007 05:57 PM
Great post. I'm really glad you have both photos.
Posted by: pr | August 11, 2007 02:12 PM
That's interesting...although I don't know about your roots. So...Ryokichi is also your Grandfather? (Or am I being totally ignorant here?)
Posted by: Elemmacitlur | August 12, 2007 04:20 AM
What a great find. Thanks for sharing such great photos. It's always interesting to know where we came from and how they've carved a path for us.
Posted by: Jennie | August 12, 2007 02:55 PM
I'm sooo happy for you! What a wonderful coincidence!
And hello? That tank/vest/sweater? Gorgeous!
Posted by: Vanessa | August 12, 2007 09:16 PM
What a great discovery!
Posted by: Chris | August 14, 2007 09:19 AM
What a great find. There's such a simplistic beauty in the old photos.
Posted by: eyeleen | August 15, 2007 10:57 PM
Both those photos are treasures.
Posted by: Felicia | August 16, 2007 07:31 AM
that's pretty cool - those pictures. i'm finally at a point in my life where i would really appreciate some find like that. it's priceless.
Posted by: tana | August 16, 2007 03:12 PM
those are fantastic photos. I wish I had photos of both my grandfathers--but they are fairly tough to track down.
Posted by: Juls | August 21, 2007 04:13 PM
Oh! those are two beautiful photos! What a treasure!
Posted by: Lauri | September 4, 2007 10:34 PM
That second picture is beautiful. He looks like a very stately man.
Posted by: Debra | September 8, 2007 03:38 AM
A handful of W@H ladies are meeting this weekend. The first wave started last night, and we talked about a number of people we hadn't seen on the boards in a very long time, and whom we missed. You were one of them, and I thought I'd let you know. I rarely comment on your blog because I'm knit-clueless, but I love seeing all the pieces/pictures. I am hunting my family heritage as well. You found a great treasure and I'm so happy for you.
Posted by: Jamie | October 6, 2007 02:34 PM