MARY BRECKINRIDGE... a remarkable woman!

Mary Breckinridge was born in Kentucky in 1881 to a southern aristocratic family. The granddaughter of the Vice-President of the United States under President Buchanan and the daughter of a United States Ambassador to Russia, she spent her childhood traveling, being educated by private tutors and playing with the children of Czar Nicholas  (that means she played with Anastasia) 

At the age of 23, she married her soul mate but their happiness was short lived when he suddenly died from a ruptured appendix.

She married a second time. It proved to be a loveless marriage but gave her two children. A son they named Clifford Breckinridge Thompson... "Breckie" for short and a daughter she bore prematurely... little Polly only lived six hours. .

Breckie was bright and good natured with no end to his curiosity. Mary called him her "fair haired wonder. Being raised in a prominent family she watched first hand how those she admired made an impact on the world. She sincerely believed her son, true to his heritage, was destined to do great things.  She was absolutely certain that Breckie would CHANGE THE WORLD and she spent her days preening him for that future.

Then tragedy struck again.  Four year old Breckie suffered a burst appendix and died. Mary was shattered.

BRECKIE, THE FIRST FOUR YEARS
(Follow this link to read the book Mary wrote about her son)

Two years later, she did the unthinkable. She filed for divorce and asked the court to restore her maiden name. Having lost all that she loved and determined to never love again, Mary turned to nursing for comfort and strength.

Though raised in luxury, she was keenly aware of the want and neglect of the mountain people who lived in her beloved Kentucky. Babies were born with the help of "granny women" who were largely illiterate and had no nursing skills. This area had the highest birthrate as well as the highest infant mortality rate in the country. The pain she felt from the loss of her two children propelled her forward. She would do something to help.

At the age of 43, she left her home and sailed for Europe to study midwifery at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies. Upon her return she rode into the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky with the purpose of saving lives.

Going into that rugged area on horseback was not easy.  There were no roads, directions were given by landmarks..."through the holler, past the big rock and beyond the ridge." Besides the rugged terrain, the woods were filled with mountain lions, rattlesnakes and bear. Mary would not be deterred. Time after time she made the trip, gaining the friendship and finally the trust of the mountain people.

Eventually she recruited other women who were willing to serve. They became known as the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) Traveling on horseback they pushed beyond the danger and brought medical care to the people of remote Appalachia.

During the forty years of Mary's tenure the FNS registered over 64,000 patients, gave over a quarter million inoculations and delivered 17,053 babies. In all that time there were only 11 maternal deaths.

On her deathbed she said... 

 "The glorious thing about it is... that it has worked!"

Looking back... life is seldom what we expect, there are always surprises. A young Mary was certain her purpose was to raise a son that would make a difference.   But...

   "Breckie" didn't change the world ... MARY did!

MARY ON HORSEBACK 

Three Mountain Stories 

by Rosemary Wells 

THE "RED - EYE" TO NEW YORK CITY

One last story about Aundrea...



What do you do on a Friday night when you don't have any plans?  Well... if "the dad" is a commercial pilot, you grab an empty suitcase and catch the RED-EYE to New York City. More than once Aundrea and her girls did just that. Sleeping on the plane, they arrived early the next morning and, with their budget in mind, set out shopping for knock-off handbags, watches and jewelry. Of course they found something fun to eat... frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.  By 8:00 pm they were on a plane home.  What a whirlwind... its always a party with Aundrea!

Derby Pie...

A favorite recipe at Aundrea's house. 

Three things are synonymous with the Kentucky Derby...  big hats, mint juleps and a delicious slice of "Derby Pie"  This scrumptious pastry was developed in 1950 by George Kern and his parents as the specialty dessert of the Melrosee Inn, in Prospect, Kentucky. The original recipe used walnuts with chocolate and bourbon but other variations substitute pecans. No one knows the exact recipe, it is highly guarded to this day.

Ingredients...

• 1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup bourbon or water 
• 4 large eggs 
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 
• 2 teaspoons cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 
  
• Preparation
• Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
• Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.
• Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
• Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool on wire rack.

MAKE-UP FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION 

Pinterest

It's all about the bride... that's how it should be.  But... if she is lucky enough to have her mother and her grandmother at her wedding all three of them should "sparkle."  

Tricia, from LOOK FABULOUS FOREVER is the "go to" person for looking amazing on a special occasion. Her new YOU TUBE video takes you from prep to final result.  It's brilliant!

 I will re-post this under "MAKE-UP FOR OLDER WOMEN" so you can watch it again and again. For more information go to... 

www.lookfabulousforever.com

Tricia Cusden... founder and MD 

 Look Fabulous Forever

THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY....

In 33 years I had never once spent a night alone. The house was always filled with the noise and demands of a family. Whether cooking pans of lasagna and dozens of bread sticks or chauffeuring pre-teens to endless activities, it was just part of the job. The housework, the homework, the wash, the shopping, it was exhausting... but I loved being the hub of the wheel.

The laughter and activities of my children made me feel young. I was needed... in fact I was vital. What I didn't realize was that I was working myself out of a job.

One by one they departed for education and careers and families of their own. When my last son was the only one left I worried he would be a "lonely only."  As it turned out, watching him navigate his way through his last years of high school was a treasure.  We discussed everything from the literature in his AP English class to science (which I always pretended to understand) to religion. Sitting in a darkened school auditorium, I cried when he appeared singing the opening number from Les Miserables and when all 20 plus of his friends received scholarships to colleges I marveled at the company he kept.

Then it was his turn to go and simultaneously my husband left.

I had lost myself in my family and now I was suddenly single in a great big house that was way too quiet. Without them, I had no idea who I was. A ship without a rudder, the only companionship I had was the pleasure of my own company and I wasn't all that interesting.

Getting a job was one of the things that saved me. I was the school librarian but I also taught math for an hour each day.  I remembered... I love teaching.  I remembered... I love children's literature. And then serendipitously I discovered... I LOVE HISTORY.  Life got better.

Because I had been out of the schools for so many years I had to take a major test called THE PRAXIS. I was expected to know everything that was taught K-6. I studied and took practice tests and that same youngest son and his wife came weekly for three months to help me prepare for science and math. I was a wreck, keeping all those facts straight... it was hard.

Test day arrived. I sat in a college lecture hall with several hundred people and for two hours wrote as fast as I could. When I read the question... "What is the result of the earth tilting on an axis?"  I wanted to stand up and yell... "I know this one... it makes the seasons."  I refrained and filled in my answer.

I left the hall exhausted but exhilarated. I had no idea if I had passed the test but I KNEW I was smarter that I had been three months ago.  It was a light bulb moment. I could still learn, maybe I was even bright. I liked myself a little more.

I did pass the test and thanks to that experience I see myself and my potential in a whole new way. I try to learn something everyday. Just taught PRIME FACTORIZATION for the first time to a class of 5th graders. WOW... it was cool!

I'm NOT boring... who knew?  In fact I really do enjoy the pleasure of my company!

Introducing our "Women of a Certain Age" series

Meet AUNDREA...

Still fabulous at fifty and fearless in fashion, I would describe her as a grown up" FANCY NANCY." I sat down and asked her a few questions about her style... I was pretty surprised at some of her answers.

Aundrea learned early about accessorizing when she and her best friend Marci showed up in the same purple dress. Marci's mother had added a petticoat and a few embellishments. Aundrea was mesmerized. Never one to be jealous she simply took a page from her book. By her own admission she is all about the ACCESSORIES!

I was surprised to learn that Aundrea's closet is full of neutrals. When I took a serious look she was quite right. Within that palette there is lots of lace and ruffles and texture... things that make her wardrobe stand out. I photographed her in a cream eyelet dress with a ruffled bottom. She lifted the skirt and revealed a slip extension with more ruffles. Its a perfect way to add a little length. Her soft pink satin shirt and cardigan gave it a pop of color and multiple strand of pearls and gold chains added "bling."  Her large cameo necklace was a classy touch.

Living in a cold climate, Aundrea makes sure her coats are stylish. This beautiful jacquard is the perfect addition to her outfit. Where did she buy it? ... WALMART!  I was shocked! I'm going to have to take a second look next time I'm there.

She loves her costume jewelry. I laughed when she exposed the back of her bedroom door. Yep, she's all about the accessories. Here's another interesting fact about her style... SHE LIKES CHANGE. She does not want the perfect black coat that will last for twenty years. She wants pieces that are stylish and not so expensive that she can't move on to something new.  Careful with her purchases, she finds TARGET a great source for clothing and FOREVER 21... a "go to" for bling.

Aundrea admits she dresses like she decorates.  Her house is a showpiece.  Here is her delightful craft room.

Jayson, her lucky hubby, is a retired air force pilot and consequently their family, which includes four beautiful daughters, has lived all over the world. From multiple states in the US to Korea and England overseas, she made it a point to unpack everything and put down roots.  She created a HOME wherever they lived.

Now settled in Utah for the past ten years, she has two married daughters, a college student, a junior in high school and, to her delight, her first grandchild. Her one REGRET... not finishing college.  Maybe that will be yours in Chapter Two!  She's BEAUTIFUL inside and out and the first in our series... "WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE"

Join us Thursday for one of Aundrea's favorite recipes and how she and her girls take the "red eye" to New York City!

CONGRATULATIONS! 

The winner of a new pair of TOMS is...

Adrienne Shubin 

 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I hope you enjoy them!

Visit Adrienne's blog...

http://therichlifeonabudget.com

I am working on a new angle for my blog and I will post again on Monday. Here's wishing you a happy Valentines Day with the latest You Tube video to go viral.  These boys are members of a singing group called VOCAL POINT at Brigham Young Universtiy. Watch while they randomly serenade some very surprised girls.   

As seen on the Today Show

 DEJA` VU ...

The experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new situation previously.

I spent Fall Break in Florida with my four oldest grandchildren. Of course we did DisneyWorld, including the roller coaster ride to the top of Mt. Everest... NEVER AGAIN!

After a couple of exhausting days we took a little side trip completely outside the realm of theme parks. We visited the LDS Ranch in White Cloud where they run 44,000 head of premium Angus/Brahma cattle on 300,000 natural Florida acres, with enough orange groves to produce 50 million glasses of orange juice a year.

It was beyond beautiful... huge oak trees dripping with moss, murky water holes filled with "gators" and whooping cranes, raccoons, and armadillos. Everywhere I looked the land was pristine.

I knew that I had never been to Florida but I also knew that this was all strangely familiar. It was very deja` vu.

After a tour of the outlying areas we ended at the ranch house, a small white framed cottage with a full wrap around screened porch. There was a 6' Diamond Back Rattlesnake skin tacked to the wall and a 13' taxidermy alligator named Gus living in the parlor. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen this all before.

Our guide, a sweet little woman, filled us in on the history and workings of the ranch. She laughed when she told us that part of her job is to sweep the snakes off the back porch every morning and how she loves to feed a small group of white tail deer. Unlike the mule deer in the West they are tiny, about the size of a dog.




I made an audible gasp... I knew where I was...

I was watching a young boy named Jodi and a fawn named Flag run through the forests of central Florida with the freedom and naiveté that only comes with childhood. I was standing in my favorite children's book... THE YEARLING   by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize.)
 

I first read this book 35 years ago and was instantly drawn to the writing that is almost poetic and to the coming of age story that is touching and poignant. Now I was, quite literally, smelling it and seeing it and feeling it. Here are the beautifully written final few sentences from the book


"He did not believe he would ever again, love anything, man or woman or his own child like he had loved the yearling. He would be lonely all his life. But a man took if for his share and went on.

In the beginning of his sleep he cried out, "Flag"  It was not his own voice, it was a boy's voice. Somewhere beyond the sinkhole, past the magnolia, under the live oaks, a boy and a yearling ran side by side, and were gone forever.

Traveling is always a broadening experience. Some of us will do a lot of it and some won't venture too far from home. We all, however, can experience the world through books. "Faraway places, with strange sounding names" can become familiar haunts in the pages of a good book. 

To quote an English professor from my Alma Mater...

"Literature will illuminate your life"