Stepping away for a day, especially for Labor Day, is good for our souls. My Great-Grandparents immigrated to this country around the turn of the last century. My Grandmother’s Dad was a tailor, and he and her Mother worked at first, sewing in factories, before they were able to leave New York City for upstate. We have always been a pro-Labor family.
Thank you for the reminder of Triangle Shirtwaist. PBS had a terrific documentary a few years back that is worth streaming—the description of the sounds of the women jumping to their deaths has haunted me.
All good things for workers in this country have occurred due to the hard work of unions and union organizers. We wouldn’t have Labor Day or a 5 day work week or 8 hour day if not for unions!
Thanks for all you do—and for the pictures of your beautiful family of animals! 💕
The synchronicity of Joyce's choice to post that photo that was needed by you today. Sometimes we never know what impact a gesture might make. My heart goes out to you. Might I suggest a book that could offer some solace: Saying Goodbye to Our Mothers for the Last Time.
Lost my mom at 98 2 years ago - 2:00 10/10/2020. She loved numbers and I think she planned it. It gets easier when the funny and dear memories percolate up through the darkness to slowly take over. Give it time, sit with the pain and talk to it. Talk to her. Tell her stories to anyone who wants to listen. What was her best advice to you? What made you most proud of her? When did you both laugh the most together? I'd love to hear.
A lot of us Caucasians came in the big immigration rush of the early 1900s. Both sides of my grandparents came over on boats to be processed at Ellis Island. I have copies of the ship manifests. My Lithuanian grandfather was a shoe maker that originally settled in the small town of Winsted, CT. He quickly figured out Hartford had more people needing shoes and so moved. Max kept his Ukrainian wife Ester pregnant all through her fertile days with 13 surviving children and an unknown still births. (I only know and am friends with one of those cousins.) My mother’s side came from Sicily and landed in Hartford on the same small side street as the Katz clan. So naturally dad needed to hook up with someone and that dark skinned Italian girl up the street named Rose was easy pickings. I would have preferred she had picked someone else (as she ruminated later on) but I had no say in the matter. They all now sleep.
My maternal great grandmother came from Lithuania. Not sure about my great-grandfather. My paternal grandfather came from Zhitomir (southwest of Kyiv) and my grandmother from Poland. My grandfather's family first went to Winnipeg before coming to Boston. My grandmother was in NYC before coming to Boston.
Because they left for FL in the middle of my project, I sent them a list of questions, and still have their hand-written replies. This was in the mid-70s.
Oops, forgot to mention that at least one of my great-grandfathers was a tailor, but I can't remember which one. Probably my grandmother's father. I don't know of any union involvement, though.
So very glad you're taking a day to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate heritage, history, family, and the simple pleasures of yarn moving through your fingers, chickens going about their busy-ness, and Bella doing what her innate self tells her she must: guard the family from predations and predators. Stay well, stay safe, and we'll see you the next time!
NYU’s Brown Building is the site of the Triangle Shirtwaist company. It was a somewhat creepy place, partly because the floors don’t line up with the adjoining buildings. I got lost on there once trying to cut through to Waverly, and vowed I would never go there again unless I had to.
Your students are so lucky. Precious babies. I love the photo of Bella - she guards the chicks from baby Tofu too I've noticed. Happy Labor Day, and many thanks for all the labor you do for us. We shall repay you by being good students as well:))
We are all so fortunate to have the benefit of Professor Vance. The tuition rate is even lower than the cost of my annual tuition/room & board at the University of Minnesota back in the day. I was able to pay for the whole thing working 12 hour shifts during the summer at the canning factory in the valley of the jolly green giant. Minnesota had a strong tradition of unionization with the Democratic farmer labor (DFL) party. A large part of that tradition came from the miners working in the iron range in northern Minnesota. With regard to labor and injustice, allow me to recommend the documentary Harlan County, USA. You can find that documentary on YouTube. Work in the West Virginia coal mines, like that in the triangle shirtwaist factory, was brutal and (spoiler alert) you’ll find that it was the women - the mothers and wives - who turned the tide for their brutalized men.
When visiting my husbands family, I’ve driven by that green giant silo many, many times. Never passed it once without belting out, “in the valley of the jolly green giant, Ho, Ho, Ho!” Thanks for the smile.
😂. As workers we had to listen to KRBI AM radio to find out if the shift would be working that day during inclement weather. The little blurb always started with that jingle, followed by the big announcement “the A shift WILL be working. Repeat, the A shift WILL be working.” Best regards to your husband.
I just watched Harlan County, USA, yesterday. Heartbreaking but a good reminder of Kentucky. Made me think of McConnell and the hold the right has on Kentucky politics, which reminded be how much better that state could be (and all of America) if the citizens had all the information needed to vote for protection of their rights. Now I'm sleepy...
Love you, Joyce Vance. I wish I had the opportunity to have chickens. I’ve watched you on MSNBC for years and you’re looking pretty cute these days. It must be those cosmetics you advertise on Sister’s in Law. I am a first generation American in my family. I really wish that many other Americans could experience the way that immigrants appreciate living in this country and appreciate democracy and a vote. Keep up the good work!
my grandfather was involved in the effort to bring the union to where he worked. my mom remembered.seeing him bring in the papers hidden in his coat. funny, in spite of how important he believed it to be, as far as she knew, he never joined.
btw if you ever offer audit courses i'd be interested. thanks for all you do - love hearing from you on MSNBC
I am up reading you now and totally immersed in your thoughts and pics. Monday nights i normally join a family rosary call for my ex and friend who is dying of blood cancer. I could not join tonight because the discussion and prayer was all about abortion. Anti abortion. I just can't remain silent when any person, any where wants to control another persons bodily choice. Most of the participants wouldn't be here if legal abortion didn't exist including my own child. Rant over. Thanks Joyce for chickens knitting and all things legal and relevant.
Very true point that most of us are here because of reproductive healthcare. Somebody tell Tommy Tuberville. My sister who is beyond clever. At her 10-yr high school reunion (early 1980s) she was slow dancing with a guy who commented on her weight gain. She paused and said “You know, it’s too bad that abortion isn’t retroactive.” I want to say that to Mr Tuberville.
Thanks again for a post with your "trademarks:" pertinent information and also enjoyable relaxing anecdotes. I hope you had a very enjoyable weekend and send best wishes for a successful school year.
We had family visiting for the weekend. That was relaxing and rejuvenating! Niece brought her 18 month old puppy! He was adorable, but spirited, as a puppy should be. Our 5 year old female was not impressed. I am behind on my reading now, but need to catch up on my sleep.
So important to memorialize the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist company. Their spirits stand with the workers who have died and continue to perish on the job through the years, every day. My grandfather was killed falling from a bridge working when an unscheduled train flew by, my grandmothers brother fell to his death in a steel mill, his molecules mixed in a furnace and I sometimes wonder what building in the 1930s holds pieces of our family. We must continue to put laws in place that save the lives of every hero who puts their lives on the line in dangerous professions.
I always love it, Joyce, when you take a little time for yourself during these tumultuous days.
In fact, I'm so pleased with the latest chicken news that I am nominating you for a Pullet Surprise.
Awesome pun. You win.
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
I second the nomination. Long may she be hen pecked.
I also love the Pullet Surprise. Best post for a while. I agree with Ann—you win!
haha! But it fits either way!
You just made my day and it's only 7 a.m. here!
LOL
GROAN! David! Hahaha!
Thank you for the reminder of Triangle Shirtwaist. PBS had a terrific documentary a few years back that is worth streaming—the description of the sounds of the women jumping to their deaths has haunted me.
All good things for workers in this country have occurred due to the hard work of unions and union organizers. We wouldn’t have Labor Day or a 5 day work week or 8 hour day if not for unions!
Thanks for all you do—and for the pictures of your beautiful family of animals! 💕
As the old bumper sticker said: " The Labor Movement - The Folks Who Brought You The Weekend."
Such an absolutely beautiful and balanced report of life as it is.
Refreshing. Sobering but ending on a bright note. I lost my mom yesterday (she was 97!) and I needed that pink anemone in my life!
Thank you!
So sorry about the loss of your mother, Mary.
So sorry for your loss Mary. Sending prayers to you and your family.
My very best to you, Mary. Always hard losing our parents, not matter how old we are.
The synchronicity of Joyce's choice to post that photo that was needed by you today. Sometimes we never know what impact a gesture might make. My heart goes out to you. Might I suggest a book that could offer some solace: Saying Goodbye to Our Mothers for the Last Time.
Thanks for the book tip!
Always a hard goodbye. Big hug
My condolences to you and family.
So sorry to hear about your mom. She lived a long life to 97!
Lost my mom at 98 2 years ago - 2:00 10/10/2020. She loved numbers and I think she planned it. It gets easier when the funny and dear memories percolate up through the darkness to slowly take over. Give it time, sit with the pain and talk to it. Talk to her. Tell her stories to anyone who wants to listen. What was her best advice to you? What made you most proud of her? When did you both laugh the most together? I'd love to hear.
A lot of us Caucasians came in the big immigration rush of the early 1900s. Both sides of my grandparents came over on boats to be processed at Ellis Island. I have copies of the ship manifests. My Lithuanian grandfather was a shoe maker that originally settled in the small town of Winsted, CT. He quickly figured out Hartford had more people needing shoes and so moved. Max kept his Ukrainian wife Ester pregnant all through her fertile days with 13 surviving children and an unknown still births. (I only know and am friends with one of those cousins.) My mother’s side came from Sicily and landed in Hartford on the same small side street as the Katz clan. So naturally dad needed to hook up with someone and that dark skinned Italian girl up the street named Rose was easy pickings. I would have preferred she had picked someone else (as she ruminated later on) but I had no say in the matter. They all now sleep.
Nice story; thank you for sharing.
My maternal great grandmother came from Lithuania. Not sure about my great-grandfather. My paternal grandfather came from Zhitomir (southwest of Kyiv) and my grandmother from Poland. My grandfather's family first went to Winnipeg before coming to Boston. My grandmother was in NYC before coming to Boston.
They, too, along with my mother, now sleep.
That’s a nice story, too. It will be in my memoirs one day. It’s important to write.
I am grateful to a high school teacher's immigration project. That's how I know the stories of my paternal grandparents.
Because they left for FL in the middle of my project, I sent them a list of questions, and still have their hand-written replies. This was in the mid-70s.
Oops, forgot to mention that at least one of my great-grandfathers was a tailor, but I can't remember which one. Probably my grandmother's father. I don't know of any union involvement, though.
Hi. I am also Lithuanian. My grandfather fled the start of communism at 16. He made his way from New York to San Francisco. Sveikas!
One day I would like to visit Vilnius and surrounding area.
My husband’s family is from Lithuania. They are the nicest people you could ever want to know. ❤️
You indicate your mom wished she had chosen someone else. I have often had that thought about my parents. However, I then wonder would I be here?
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
You are a delight to follow.
The Anemones are beautiful, and I love the colors on that scarf. Thank you for checking in. It's been a very pleasant weekend.
Peace
So very glad you're taking a day to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate heritage, history, family, and the simple pleasures of yarn moving through your fingers, chickens going about their busy-ness, and Bella doing what her innate self tells her she must: guard the family from predations and predators. Stay well, stay safe, and we'll see you the next time!
NYU’s Brown Building is the site of the Triangle Shirtwaist company. It was a somewhat creepy place, partly because the floors don’t line up with the adjoining buildings. I got lost on there once trying to cut through to Waverly, and vowed I would never go there again unless I had to.
Your students are so lucky. Precious babies. I love the photo of Bella - she guards the chicks from baby Tofu too I've noticed. Happy Labor Day, and many thanks for all the labor you do for us. We shall repay you by being good students as well:))
We are all so fortunate to have the benefit of Professor Vance. The tuition rate is even lower than the cost of my annual tuition/room & board at the University of Minnesota back in the day. I was able to pay for the whole thing working 12 hour shifts during the summer at the canning factory in the valley of the jolly green giant. Minnesota had a strong tradition of unionization with the Democratic farmer labor (DFL) party. A large part of that tradition came from the miners working in the iron range in northern Minnesota. With regard to labor and injustice, allow me to recommend the documentary Harlan County, USA. You can find that documentary on YouTube. Work in the West Virginia coal mines, like that in the triangle shirtwaist factory, was brutal and (spoiler alert) you’ll find that it was the women - the mothers and wives - who turned the tide for their brutalized men.
When visiting my husbands family, I’ve driven by that green giant silo many, many times. Never passed it once without belting out, “in the valley of the jolly green giant, Ho, Ho, Ho!” Thanks for the smile.
😂. As workers we had to listen to KRBI AM radio to find out if the shift would be working that day during inclement weather. The little blurb always started with that jingle, followed by the big announcement “the A shift WILL be working. Repeat, the A shift WILL be working.” Best regards to your husband.
I just watched Harlan County, USA, yesterday. Heartbreaking but a good reminder of Kentucky. Made me think of McConnell and the hold the right has on Kentucky politics, which reminded be how much better that state could be (and all of America) if the citizens had all the information needed to vote for protection of their rights. Now I'm sleepy...
Love you, Joyce Vance. I wish I had the opportunity to have chickens. I’ve watched you on MSNBC for years and you’re looking pretty cute these days. It must be those cosmetics you advertise on Sister’s in Law. I am a first generation American in my family. I really wish that many other Americans could experience the way that immigrants appreciate living in this country and appreciate democracy and a vote. Keep up the good work!
I agree. Joyce looks fabulous these days. And I too believe it’s the cosmetics and healthcare products she and her cohorts promote on sisters-in-law 🎉
OK thank you, this will send me to Sisters in Law to find out the brands 😁 😂.
Stay for the podcast, too. It’s fantastic!
my grandfather was involved in the effort to bring the union to where he worked. my mom remembered.seeing him bring in the papers hidden in his coat. funny, in spite of how important he believed it to be, as far as she knew, he never joined.
btw if you ever offer audit courses i'd be interested. thanks for all you do - love hearing from you on MSNBC
I am up reading you now and totally immersed in your thoughts and pics. Monday nights i normally join a family rosary call for my ex and friend who is dying of blood cancer. I could not join tonight because the discussion and prayer was all about abortion. Anti abortion. I just can't remain silent when any person, any where wants to control another persons bodily choice. Most of the participants wouldn't be here if legal abortion didn't exist including my own child. Rant over. Thanks Joyce for chickens knitting and all things legal and relevant.
Very true point that most of us are here because of reproductive healthcare. Somebody tell Tommy Tuberville. My sister who is beyond clever. At her 10-yr high school reunion (early 1980s) she was slow dancing with a guy who commented on her weight gain. She paused and said “You know, it’s too bad that abortion isn’t retroactive.” I want to say that to Mr Tuberville.
Thanks again for a post with your "trademarks:" pertinent information and also enjoyable relaxing anecdotes. I hope you had a very enjoyable weekend and send best wishes for a successful school year.
We had family visiting for the weekend. That was relaxing and rejuvenating! Niece brought her 18 month old puppy! He was adorable, but spirited, as a puppy should be. Our 5 year old female was not impressed. I am behind on my reading now, but need to catch up on my sleep.
So important to memorialize the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist company. Their spirits stand with the workers who have died and continue to perish on the job through the years, every day. My grandfather was killed falling from a bridge working when an unscheduled train flew by, my grandmothers brother fell to his death in a steel mill, his molecules mixed in a furnace and I sometimes wonder what building in the 1930s holds pieces of our family. We must continue to put laws in place that save the lives of every hero who puts their lives on the line in dangerous professions.