Six word Saturday

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 5 photos, 5 stories- Day 4

Sisters Theresa, Irena and Grazyna with cousin Adam

Sisters Theresa, Irena and Grazyna, with cousin Adam

Today I’m having to combine my Six word Saturday with the 5 photos, 5 stories challenge, which takes place on consecutive days.  It just so happens that ‘5 photos, 5 stories- Day 4’ makes six.

Before I continue with my Polish stories, I must thank Minerva, Nin, Elaine and Viveka for nominating me for this challenge.  I know you’ll enjoy their company and the stories they have to share.

Today it’s the turn of my aunt Otylia’s family.  Lusia, as she is fondly known, is another octogenarian.  The only surviving sister of 4, I’m glad that she can still find so much to smile about.  The photo above includes her 3 daughters, Theresa, Irena and Grażyna.

Theresa still lives at home with her mum, works full-time and helps control their enormous garden.  Her daughter Edyta also lives with them, but is hoping soon to go to university at Wrocław, a couple of hours away.  Sitting on a garden swing seat, I had a long conversation with Edyta (practising for her English oral exam).  Grandma now needs a walking frame, to get around the house and garden she once tended so faithfully.  Aunt Lusia’s potatoes are legendary!

Enter Grażyna and Marek!  For a number of years they have been building a house on half of Lusia’s land, whilst working full-time and living in a high-rise flat in Bełchatów.  It is finally nearing completion, and not before time.  It will be so much easier for them to help Lusia, and Theresa, living here at close quarters.

An occasion with Grażyna and Marek is always one to relish.  A born joker, Marek also loves to sing, often accompanying himself on guitar.  One sunny afternoon, Dad and me arrived at Lusia’s to be met with a lovely surprise.  A family gathering, with Marek firing up the barbecue.

Let me describe the house.  2 stories, with a staircase but nothing upstairs.  A roaring wood burning fire in the lounge.  Bare cement floor, and a sea of trestle table and chairs.  Small fitted kitchen (in full swing as Grażyna and Theresa prepared salads- Irena arrived later with hers, straight from a busy day at work).  The most popular room in the house?  The downstairs shower/loo, with a curtain pulled across the doorway.  Singing on the loo is advisable. Doors are the next job.  And did we have fun?  Didn’t we just!  Aunt Lusia on one side of me, Dad on the other, both in their element, surrounded by smiling faces.

So many stories still to tell but well aware that I have exceeded my ‘six words’ for today, I’ll have to ask you to come back tomorrow.  I’ll just tell you that lovely Irena lives on the other side of Bełchatów.  She and husband Arek have a large home/market garden and a small shop in the open market, selling seeds and ‘all things garden’. (and she has a day job in a sweet factory too) Busy?  Non-stop!

Hard to believe that Debbie from Travel with Intent hasn’t been nominated for the 5 photos, 5 stories challenge yet. Lucky me!  It is my privilege to present her.  Please do say hello before you drop in on Cate with your six words (or 500 +, as in this case).  But most of all, thanks for reading and have a happy weekend!

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74 comments

  2. Another delightful family story, Jo. Somehow, living and entertaining in unfinished houses contains some of the best memories. We went through a period of doing that when Ron built our log house in North Carolina and bathroom doors didn’t exist for awhile. 😊

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  4. I love hearing about multi-generational families living with or very near each other, and appreciating the many gifts each provide. My grandmother used to rotate through our homes for a few months when we were young, and I’m sure all my cousins enjoyed her stays as much as I did. At that time many if us still lived in Grandma’s hometown; everyone is scattered now.

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      1. Yes, i hate to see Europe lose its charm in any way altho’ I’m sure some natives feel differently; and of course history and cultures affect each if our nations differently. I’m always appreciative when one of you shares your culture, family and background.

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  5. You are so creative, two challenges in one – just love it! The opening photograph – wonderful smiling eyes of the sisters, now cousin Adam I wonder what he is up too, lol!

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  8. What I find so interesting is the fact that most of the family have stayed living close to each other. That is quite rare in the UK now I would imagine, or is that just that I have a family with wanderlust in their genes?

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    1. I think that having the land available made a big difference in that respect, Jude. Some of the younger ones have gone abroad, and some are nomads too 🙂 (my boat building family in Norfolk would love to sail the world)

      I got the book, thanks, and yes, it opens. Family crisis in Nottingham so I may be disappearing at short notice. Not sure yet.

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  12. You paint a fun picture Jo. Reminds me of the raucous get togethers in our ancestral homes. I wonder now how we managed with one loo and bath for so many people!! 🙂

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    1. I wondered where you’d be spending this Bank Hol, Debs. Forgot to ask 🙂 Thanks a lot! No time frame on the challenge. It’s been running for ages. 🙂

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  16. You are quite the multi-tasker, Jo, putting two challenges together! It looks like you had a fun family gathering, and that house sounds a bit like some of the Chinese houses I’ve seen: the cement floors and the shower pulled across the loo! Funny. Glad you got to speak some English so your head wasn’t swimming with Polish all during your visit. 🙂

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    1. Edyta reported back that after chatting to me she found the oral very easy. Reckons she should get 90% 🙂 Yes, it was a relief, Cathy 🙂 This was the only way I could find to fit the 5 day challenge in between my walks 🙂 Bit cheeky, but still… 🙂

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  17. Lovely story and a fine take on the challenge. I saw it all so vividly through your words, better than any photos, Jo! 🙂
    Have a great weekend, all the best coming your way,
    Dina

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