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| My Grandmother Amy, about 1916 |
Amy Lucille Nichols Peck became a pharmacist in 1916, a difficult career move for a woman of that era. She had been preparing to be a doctor, but the money wasn't there. So she adjusted her plans. When Grandma died in 1972, she left me a number of her book collections. Most interesting were the books on science.
In Gray's School and Field Book of Botany by Asa Gray, she assiduously (!) made notes in the pages and pressed leaves. A rather vague comment was on the page for "Xanthium". Xanthium--such a lovely word! I thought.
The definition of this delightful Xanthium is:
A coarse and vile weed, with stout and low branching stems.
Grows in barnyards and waste manured ground, about 1 to 2 inches high
....hooked leaves and the fruit is a burr fully 1/2" long, with 2 beaks at the apex
....numerous prickles with sharp bristles.
What!! What?? The Xanthium is a burr plant? The kind that catches on socks, pants, every fabric, and resists removal?
I was severely disappointed by this. I am sure you are as well.
Please share your experiences and/or thoughts of the hated Xanthium. or any other hated plant that has been in your life.
This is Grandma's rocker. She read the Bible through every where. She maintained her pharmacist credential until her 80s. Her textbooks from 1919 were still on her bookcase when she passed. Grandma was brilliant.
 Grandma Amy Lucille Peck | |
Sadly your final picture is missing. How lucky you were to know your Grandmother - who sounds a truly impressive woman.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky.
Delete"vile weed"
ReplyDeleteThe definition of a weed is any undesirable plant. So a rose could be a weed if you don't like roses.
It apparently has some medicinal uses, but those burrs are a pain. I checked out: "A rose is a rose. A weed is a weed."
DeletePoison Ivy is my most hated weed! Your Grandma sounds like a fabulous woman ahead of her time. I'm sure she would have made a wonderful doctor too. I love that pic of her...so pretty! Don't you just want to make her take her hair down? Maybe it's just me but think how stunning she would look with long locks! Ha! The last pic didn't show up but this was a lovely tribute to her. You're lucky to have her books and good memories of her.
ReplyDeleteI just posted another photo. It better work, by golly.
DeleteGood for her. It sounds like she had a life-long love of learning.
ReplyDeleteShe was brilliant, loved learning.
DeleteThat's a fine tribute to your grandma! She looks like a modern young woman, perhaps brighter, and more skillful, interested in books and science.
ReplyDeleteShe was a bold person. As a pharmacist, she supported her family. When she met the future husband, they eloped.
DeleteI love this post and the first photo of your grandmother. She sounds like quite an amazing woman. The one of her rocking chair didn't show up here. What a role model to have in your life, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI took that one down, put up the 2nd photo. Me and photos don't get along.
DeleteI can see it! What a great woman.
DeleteVery sharp lady! We need more like her now.
ReplyDeleteWomen were not respected or treated with respect. She was one of the few women in a class of 103 men studying to be a pharmacist.
DeleteI'm so glad she didn't let not having enough money for medical school stop her from pursuing medicine in some form.
ReplyDeleteFew women made it through the Dr. studies world wide. My grandma was a bold woman.
DeleteThe pictures show a very attractive woman. Fortunately she also had a brain.
ReplyDeleteBeing given a good brain and thinking skills makes all the difference in one's life.
DeleteShe sounds like a "go-getter" becoming a pharmacist and reading, learning all about plants. I don't recall any of my ancestors having a "profession", the men worked and the women worked in the home. She looks a lovely woman too.
ReplyDeleteShe had a robust personality. In her family, she was the money maker after her father made some unwise investments.
DeleteHi Susan - what a brilliant woman - were you able to keep/have passed down some of her books. Xanthium is rather dangerous ... it kills animals - so a very challenging weed to have around. Gosh I do hope you've got lots of memorabilia about her ... a wonderful grandma - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI have some things. She was buried the day before my wedding, so I was not part of the distribution of her precious things.
DeleteAwe I fall in love with your grandma dear Susan!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome lady nurtured with love of learning ❤️ an ideal person to have in life.
My grandma unlike grandpa who was book lover. She was story teller. One of the best of her time though.
Thank you so for sharing beautiful memories
It sounds like they compliment each other with their talents. I imagine you have Grandma's gifts.
DeleteShe sounds so lovely. Mine complained at the sound of, "How are you?"
ReplyDeleteBoth grandmas were good people, loved me, and I really missed them when they passed away. Sorry yours didn't see what she could do.
DeleteXanthium has its place in the ecosytem. It is only by anthropogenic definition it becomes undesireable. Burrs were the inspiration for Velcro.
ReplyDelete