This is a great read Susan. You have such a rich family history. A series here would be awesome to read. Maybe title it, The Life and Times of Susan Niemann jk 😂. It was wonderful to read this 💙.
LOL! Truth is I wasn’t sure about diving into this sort of thing but you’re right… I have a rich family history. They were such very cool people. Thank you for reading it! 💙💙
Unfortunately, I never knew any of my grandparents, but we were a close family, and Aunts and Uncles made up for them. My Uncle Jim, married to my mother’s sister Dot, owned a farm in Burlington Township, right on the major highway in NJ, Rt. 130. He grew tomatoes for Campbells Soup, and plenty for us too. He also grew peaches, corn, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, and beans.
When I was growing up, I spent lots of time on that farm. I loved to go out in the tomato fields, pick a tomato, warm from the sun, wipe it on my shirt, and take a big bite. Juice ran down my chin onto my shirt, but it tasted like heaven. That, and the bank of the Delaware River, two blocks from home were my happy places. Now I live on the riverbank not far from my childhood home, and it still is my happy place.
I think it is so awesome you’re back where you started! Of course you’ve made me a believer in New Jersey produce! There’s nothing like tomatoes right off the vine! I also remember my great grandmother (who I hope to write about) who had a huge, half acre garden…she saved her cabbage by going out every morning and pulling the worms off of them!
A wonderful story—you paint a photo of a treasured upbringing. What’s better than being a tomboy exploring the woods and streams? That’s my memory too. More of these articles! 👏💕🦋💕💙
Your memories sound just like mine. My grandparents and great grandmas were lifesavers for me; the nuclear family was an insane disaster. Anyway, I still pick up rocks and feathers, wade in streams, eat the landscape, and get muddy. I had a small farm for a few years and loved it. ❤️
They would spend what would feel like hours in a fabric store… I hated waiting on them! 😂😂 But they were all seamstresses… except me. I guess I was too busy splashing around in the muddy creek!
I have to try to write about things like this. I never feel very confident but the only way you learn is by trying…I have several ideas for more about the farm. Thanks, Charlie, BE CAREFUL in this heat! 💙✌️
Love this. I could feel and sense every word. (Could’ve done without the sow story; but then again, it did illustrate a very specific trauma you endured. Now I have to scrub it out of my head — so much for empathy, huh?!?🤣)
My safe space was also wrapped in grandmotherly love. The smell of her freshly baked pies waiting for us when we arrived after a long drive from Long Island to western PA. Cantaloupe ripening on her enclosed back porch table. Setting my hair in those damned pink rollers for Easter. Her laugh; half cackle, half guffaw. And the twinkle in her eye. She loved that I loved to read — that being my escape route from chaos. Books always around for me to scope out. I hated having to leave.
Well, I have tried to scrub that image out of my own head…and it’s still there! 😂😂😂
I smell that cantaloupe, Karen! And Pink Rollers! YES! Do you know I think I still have a bag of those in a closet at home? Thanks for reading this…I was unsure about it. 💙💙💙
Write a biographical essay about Grandma Nell. We have seen references to her since you started your Substack column. She was a big influence in the person you are today. Remarkable person obviously.
Beautiful essay Susan. Your childhood was so fun to read about. I grew up in a military family with a brutal history and not much fun. I left home at 17 and never looked back.
What, are you looking over my shoulder, David? I’m a paragraph into Nellie! 😂😂
You know, I’m lucky to have all these photos. Before I moved to Philadelphia I spent a week sorting and organizing all the photos we have, scanned them, and put every persons memories in museum boxes. Having them digitized is a real gift… it was worth all the time!
This is a great read Susan. You have such a rich family history. A series here would be awesome to read. Maybe title it, The Life and Times of Susan Niemann jk 😂. It was wonderful to read this 💙.
LOL! Truth is I wasn’t sure about diving into this sort of thing but you’re right… I have a rich family history. They were such very cool people. Thank you for reading it! 💙💙
Susan Niemann: Cute young girl, and the photo of a young man on the wagon (grandfather) shows depth of family heritage.
Thank you… my grandad was a handsome guy. And he was a kind and thoughtful person. Very quiet… but when he spoke, he had something to say!
Unfortunately, I never knew any of my grandparents, but we were a close family, and Aunts and Uncles made up for them. My Uncle Jim, married to my mother’s sister Dot, owned a farm in Burlington Township, right on the major highway in NJ, Rt. 130. He grew tomatoes for Campbells Soup, and plenty for us too. He also grew peaches, corn, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, and beans.
When I was growing up, I spent lots of time on that farm. I loved to go out in the tomato fields, pick a tomato, warm from the sun, wipe it on my shirt, and take a big bite. Juice ran down my chin onto my shirt, but it tasted like heaven. That, and the bank of the Delaware River, two blocks from home were my happy places. Now I live on the riverbank not far from my childhood home, and it still is my happy place.
I think it is so awesome you’re back where you started! Of course you’ve made me a believer in New Jersey produce! There’s nothing like tomatoes right off the vine! I also remember my great grandmother (who I hope to write about) who had a huge, half acre garden…she saved her cabbage by going out every morning and pulling the worms off of them!
A wonderful story—you paint a photo of a treasured upbringing. What’s better than being a tomboy exploring the woods and streams? That’s my memory too. More of these articles! 👏💕🦋💕💙
Whew! I’m glad you enjoyed it…I was unsure. I’ve got some ideas for more stuck in my head! Grateful to you! 💙💙
Great story Susan!
Many thanks, Anne. I remember it all like it was yesterday!! 🥰
Your memories sound just like mine. My grandparents and great grandmas were lifesavers for me; the nuclear family was an insane disaster. Anyway, I still pick up rocks and feathers, wade in streams, eat the landscape, and get muddy. I had a small farm for a few years and loved it. ❤️
Old habits are hard to break, right? Grandparents are lifesavers for sure. I owe mine such a debt of gratitude! Thanks for reading!!
Great memories… and the dress in the photo is beautiful…your mother and grandmother had good taste!!
They would spend what would feel like hours in a fabric store… I hated waiting on them! 😂😂 But they were all seamstresses… except me. I guess I was too busy splashing around in the muddy creek!
Thank you Tess!
You paint a beautiful picture in words. You brought me to that Missouri farm. I'd like to read more of your adventures on the farm.😀😘
I have to try to write about things like this. I never feel very confident but the only way you learn is by trying…I have several ideas for more about the farm. Thanks, Charlie, BE CAREFUL in this heat! 💙✌️
Wonderful, you were so lucky
I WAS! These were very good people! Thanks, Maggie.
Love this. I could feel and sense every word. (Could’ve done without the sow story; but then again, it did illustrate a very specific trauma you endured. Now I have to scrub it out of my head — so much for empathy, huh?!?🤣)
My safe space was also wrapped in grandmotherly love. The smell of her freshly baked pies waiting for us when we arrived after a long drive from Long Island to western PA. Cantaloupe ripening on her enclosed back porch table. Setting my hair in those damned pink rollers for Easter. Her laugh; half cackle, half guffaw. And the twinkle in her eye. She loved that I loved to read — that being my escape route from chaos. Books always around for me to scope out. I hated having to leave.
Well, I have tried to scrub that image out of my own head…and it’s still there! 😂😂😂
I smell that cantaloupe, Karen! And Pink Rollers! YES! Do you know I think I still have a bag of those in a closet at home? Thanks for reading this…I was unsure about it. 💙💙💙
You need not have been unsure. This is a beautiful piece.
😘
Write a biographical essay about Grandma Nell. We have seen references to her since you started your Substack column. She was a big influence in the person you are today. Remarkable person obviously.
Beautiful essay Susan. Your childhood was so fun to read about. I grew up in a military family with a brutal history and not much fun. I left home at 17 and never looked back.
I look forward to reading about her. We need more stories about ordinary people who were outstanding in a quiet way.
I agree!
What, are you looking over my shoulder, David? I’m a paragraph into Nellie! 😂😂
You know, I’m lucky to have all these photos. Before I moved to Philadelphia I spent a week sorting and organizing all the photos we have, scanned them, and put every persons memories in museum boxes. Having them digitized is a real gift… it was worth all the time!
Thanks for reading. 💙
My safe place was the small stream at the end of our street..there was always a pair of US Keds drying on the front porch railing..
FUN! Those are the places that feel reserved only for you. I see the dripping wet Keds on the railing now. 🥰
Thank you for being here, Jim.
This is awesome. I'm glad to see you dipping your toes into this kind of writing. :-)