Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

 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!

6wsButton

74 comments

  2. Oh Jo, there’s nothing like having a conversation while sitting on a garden swing is there? Love how close the sisters are, lovely photo 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  6. Dear Jo I hope all is well with you and yours today. I keep wondering if you see yourself in your Polish family, I know you must, that sense of connection and belonging is so strong.

    Like

    Reply

  7. A sense of humor, patience and openly expressing love run in your amazing family. I think a children’S book with the loo, shower curtain and requiring singing in the shower would be fun and enjoyable. Although a different set of countries, I may have shared my grandparents on my Mom’s side were my Grandpa born in Sweden and Grandma born in Germany. They seemed.to.like joking and showed good worK ethic.
    Thanks for the great stories you shared. I would like seeing Irena and Areas

    Like

    Reply

    2. I was trying to get my phonE to ” allow ” the name, Arek, and it thought I was finished. Lol
      Anyway, I would like to see the farmers’ market with their shop. I like home grown family businesses.
      jo, better go to bed. So long for now.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Pingback: 5 photos, 5 stories- Day 5 | restlessjo

  9. I don’t want it to be Day 4. I want to hear lots more about your wonderful Polish family, and their world. It seems to me each person is a post of their own. I loved the house description and the image of you between your aunt and your dad “in his element” and the bustling kitchen.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Just bashing out the last of day 5, Meg 🙂 May not have time to visit you because I’m dashing off to Nottingham this afternoon. Might not be a Monday walk either. Hugs!

      Like

      Reply

    1. well i answered my own question (duh) it is a “long term building project” – I read the posts out of order and day 3 explained it 🙂 have a nice day Jo

      Like

      Reply

      2. well I was in the reader and so that was the order they came in – but I like your personal touch with the stories Jo – seems folks have so many different takes – and by the way – I just got nominated to do the 5 day challenge (and after seeing it around so much I was hoping someone would come my way – but now not sure what to start with – but I know it will come….
        anyhow, you havea lovely family. ❤

        Like

      4. and thx for saying that about the nom – and I was actually going to come and drop a hint to you – lol – but did not need to – oh these fun little blog challenges –
        anyhow – sending you a blog hug for strength with any/all probs – 🙂 – ❤

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to restlessjo Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.