Inspiration Thursday: Hard Headed Women, My Grandmother

I just got finished reading the book, “Half Broke Horses” by Jeanette Wells, and I will have to say, it sure reminded me of my grandmother. Jeannette Wells’ new novel is a “true life fiction”, as Ms. Wells puts it. It is a story of her grandmother and her life growing up in the range of Arizona. To us comfortable 21st century women, she led an extremely difficult, foreign life. But to hear her story told in her voice, yes, it was a hardship to grow in the rugged land of Arizona in the early 20th century, but it was also very fulfilling. She was quite a formidable character who took no nonsense and tried to live life to the fullest.
Reading this book, reminded me of my grandmother, Mary Martinson. At least from what little I remember of her, I was 10 when she died, 2 years older than Ms. Wells was when her grandmother passed. But there were stories, and yes, my grandmother was a hard headed woman who took no nonsense and tried to live life to the fullest.

She was born September 16, 1877 in Minnesota and her family moved to North Dakota when she was young. I heard stories that she told of blinding snowstorms, so blinding that they had to put up rope from the barn to the house before the snow came so they could find their way back to the house after milking the cows. When Mary was 12, they moved back to Minnesota. Being captured by the local American Indian tribes was a real treat, so my great grandfather put Mary in charge of sitting in front of the covered wagon with him with his rifle so she could be on the look out. 12 years old, can you imagine? Her parents were recent immigrants from Norway, what they must have thought of the vast dangerous land of the US. She ended up marrying and living with her husband on a farm in Frontenac, Minnesota. Rough times were ahead for this couple, living through the depression on land that was barely able to grow crops of any kind. But I never remember her complaining, she held her head high, made all her family’s clothes, large meals everyday for the farm crew with homemade bread, pies, preserves, had time to crochet entire tablecloths, and raised 4 sons.
These type of women had it rough, enjoyed few material things, but had an appreciation of the land, family, and whatever was given to them that I can only strive for.
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