Blast from the Past

I'm posting this early - I've been sick, plus I have Randy's kids staying for 6 days (and 5 nights!) and I'm not getting on the computer much. For those of you who don't know, Randy has a 4 1/2 year-old son, Wyatt, and 2 1/2 year old twins, Grace and Garett. I am 46. Today was day one. Not a great start since I have the tummy virus they had last week. I feel much older than 46 tonight.Oy.

Anyway, this photo is said to be of Jessie Mae, our paternal great grandmother. I understand Grandpa didn't talk about her much. I have some stories, but want to hear what you guys know before I write anything.

Anybody know?

Patty sent me this photo today, wondering who they were? I think it looks like Grandma Gifford... Anyone have an idea? I've never seen a photo of Grandpa Gifford, but I think the man looks like a version of Grandma Elsie's brothers...

Edited 2/22/07:
Aunt Sherry has confirmed this is a photo of Henry and Lura Gifford, our Great-Grandparents, circa 1942. Thanks Sherry!

Cherry tobacco pipe smoke

This is the only photo I have of our great grandfather as I knew him. At our house we called him "Grandpa Bradshaw" because he lived in Bradshaw. Many of the rest of you called him "Peanut Grandpa", because he seemed to always have peanuts in his pockets. Barbie has a wonderful post about him in her blog (June 12, 06 in her archives).

When I emailed this photo to Debbie, she sent a reply to thank me, and in it she mentioned associating him with the scent of his pipe smoke. I remember it so clearly - cherry tobacco - and I loved it.

In years following, sometimes my dad would get out his pipe (usually around the holidays) and one sniff would remind me of Grandpa Bradshaw. Mom had gotten him the tobacco and when I mentioned that it reminded me of my great grandfather, she said that's why she bought it...