Grandma's Apron

Not just the part of the floor of a boxing ring that is outside the ropes.

This article published at www.partialobserver.com on July 10, 2006

I actually love my aprons. Presently, I have three. One is especially for cooking and it has comics featured on it. I was presented it when I was featured as "Cook of the Month" by a local newspaper.

Another is rather dressy; it is a neat red color and has pockets. This one I use while working on my stained glass projects. My third one is a simple blue denim one and I have used it for a multitude of projects. It is marked with some leftover caulk from a long forgotten project.

All too often, I forget to don my aprons when I begin work and invariably soil my clothes.

Aprons are defined as a protective garment tied over clothes: a garment worn over the front of clothes to keep them clean during working, especially cooking. However, who can forget the village smithy wearing a leather apron that protected his clothes from burns. Welders and other crafters also wear leather aprons. Many other tradesmen are known for wearing aprons.

I did not live close enough to spend much time with my grandmothers. My paternal grandmother died before I was old enough to know her. I do have a picture of her when my dad was a child and she was wearing that big ole "Grandma's Apron." My maternal grandmother lived in Mississippi while I was growing up in North Carolina. I do remember her sweet demeanor and her apron. I have an aunt that lives in the Appalachians that I remember her wearing an apron most all day.

Grandma's apron was absolutely one of the most useful garments in her wardrobe. The grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, and to wipe her hands before there were paper towels. Other uses were not limited to the following: it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion for cleaning out dirty ears. Aprons were used for carrying eggs, hiding places for shy kids when company came. Aprons wiped many a perspiring brow bent over the hot wood stove and the apron carried chips and kindling wood for starting fires in that wood stove of long ago. When the garden was ready for harvest, it carried all sorts of produce, and after the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls; it carried the apples, pears, and other fruit that had fallen from the tree; it could dust much of the furniture when unexpected company arrived.

This apron can never be replaced. Grandma's apron was always homemade from a flour sack and bias tape. Now on special occasions like the holidays and dinner on the grounds at the church, she had a very special apron that complimented her Sunday dress. Through the years, these homemade aprons have had their special place in craft bazaars. The skill is being carried on. At the website Tie One On there is a great collection of homemade aprons.

Now get out your apron and wear it with pride! Remember how well it served Grandma.



Mark Twain told us to, Write without pay until somebody offers to pay, and thanks, Ken.