A Special Tribute to a Unique and Free Spirit... Daisy Bell Lee

  Today we said  a bittersweet goodbye to a legend in our family.

Well, she was not related to me at all, but still - I loved Daisy Lee. She was the nearest I had ever had to a mother-in- law. She was Angie's MIL and a wonderful one at that. I borrowed her now and again.

I always remember she came to visit me in hospital after I had had my third (in a row) son.

"Now don't be worrying...I did not have  my girl until I had six sons first!" said she. .....Ah sufferin' heart Daisy!

She is unique in this world as the only person who ever has typed The Bible in both Latin and Gaelge (our native Irish Language) 

(this is the actual Celtic carriage with the Irish typeface that she used) Isn't it beautiful?

She gave this typewriter to Angie and Ed as she knew they would treasure it. She also typed this up and left it in the typewriter.

She had special carriages  she could change on her manual typewriter to do this.  Her vintage typewriter was brought into the church today for her service. Angie and Ed keep this special momento at home where it has pride of place.  This is a picture of it in the "Wildflower Window" (as imortalised by  prize winning Irish writer John McGahern in his  bestseller: "Memoir") How appropriate it should come to rest here.

She also typed up the theses of many of our bishops and cardinals and literary talents of Ireland ie: Benedict Kiely ("a perfect gentleman"...according to Daisy) and the wonderful Brendan Behan (Ah...hem!) 

When our great writer (but rough diamond) Brendan Behan came into the office, her boss used to send her on an errand 'cos Brendan used profane language and her boss did not want Daisy to hear it!  Well, she was just a young lady at the time...

 Above: Daisy and her fiance (and future husband): Joe Lee. They got engaged that day.

 

Well, today I saw - not just her children, but her four DIL's and one SIL in floods of tears at her passing.  'Nuff said?

Daisy was also a talented crafter, cook and a wise old woman who could and did relate to all generations. 

A fiesty old bird  too......Two years ago she was driving home and was going through green traffic lights when she was side blasted by a getaway car after a bank robbery. The Gardaí (Irish police) were shocked to see that such a "frail" old lady of 85 was the victim in this incident. But sure, Daisy comforted them all of course!

Last year she got a letter in the post from the Gardaí stating "Daisy Bell Lee....You have been awarded two penalty points on your driver's licence for speeding...")

She was delighted!  She could not wait to tell all her friends! Done for speeding at 86!  She got 2 for doing 70 in a 50  at 86!  A Red Hatter if ever there was one.

Well, Daisy love ....your nimble fingers have come to rest and I'm sure the author of The Book is looking after you now.

Bye bye Daisy...Slán abhaile.  Grá ...Pam

********************************************************************

 

 

 

Speaking of Pearls....

 

I can't resist a nice string of pearls especially when they have a beautiful clasp. These were found in my local charity shop.

Below the lovely front of the clasp with its baguette diamonte stone...

 

...and the lovely back of the clasp.

 

Box Makeover

On the crafting front I have done a complete makeover on the shoe boxes that I was using to store my ribbon. They were so ugly sitting in full view on  my shelves. Here is the Before pic: Ugly? Right?

 

...taadaaaa! After:

 

Fingers Flynn on the Job!

I found the wallpaper when I was investigating a derelict cottage near me. It is by Kildare Wallpapers and dates from about the 1950's. Little sprays of roses with lace and trellis pattern. It goes really well with the old lace I added to the lids. (Kimme, it was the two story house you were looking at - do you remember it?)

I can just hear Angie saying ..."You found it while investigating...?" "Nicked it while breaking and entering....Fingers Flynn you were at it again!"

Guilty as charged, I am known as "Fingers Flynn" for not being able to pass a derelict house that has an open door. I must do a post about all the little treasures I have filch...er, nick..er stol....eh..."rescued" from oblivion during my undercover missions.

Now admit it....wouldn't it have been a shame not to bring that piece of vintage wallpaper home? It is so beautifully faded and dusty and look at the box on top. Its paper was on the outside of the roll exposed to the light and the trellis part of itsdesign has faded away to nothing. My fingers were all dusty after working on this...Dusty Fingers Flynn! LOL!

Back to the boxes. There was a seam on the lid of the larger one so I used some of my brocade trim to cover it and then added some of the vintage lace that Kimme got me earlier this year. Pretty?

Free CK?

More freecycle treasure this week. On my favourite sites for giving and taking this week www.jumbletown.ie  I managed to give away all the junk from my garden shed and made room for my new bicycle in there. It feels good to have a clear out (and makes room for more "stuff" that you just got to have)

 It worked the other way too for me. I answered an ad that said " Large bag of fabric cut offs, suitable for quilting /crafting"

 MMMMmmmm... sounded good to me and so I answered it. I was not the first requester and did not expect it but the giver chose me and I picked it up the next day. There was no photo with the ad so I did not know what to expect but I sure did not expect it to have any YOU KNOW WHO in there ...yes, CK was among the lovely fabrics in it. (Paul is reading over my shoulder and saying "Calvin Klien does fabric?")

Now there's an unexpected treat for lil' ol' me! Well they say ...what goes around comes around. So I will be crafting for Ireland all next week. See you then...Pam

Comments

[Josie]

wow! brilliant makeover, well done! I never think of recovering shoeboxes.
Josie x

[sharie]

Those covered boxes are so pretty. You did a good job liberating that wallpaper from the skip. Good for you. MY Dh is embarrassed at me as I peer into everyones skip but I rarely see anything any good - just building rubble. Once I spotted a plantpot in a neighbours skip and got the dh to hook it out for me. ;-)

Love the string of pearls shhh, I bought similar this week and have yet to blog about it. You can tell they are true vintage with that type of clasp.

[Lorraine]

Gorgeous pearls, they are a lovely addition to your collection.

You have done a brilliant job of covering those boxes, they look so pretty now, who would have guessed?!

As to the fabric, I look forward to seeing your new creations. :-)

[Twiggy]

Ahh what a lovely lady, I'm sure you'll miss her dreadfully but what a fantastic life she had!!
I love the idea of you being Fingers Flynn :) your fabric is fab, your jumbletown the same idea as freecycle over here, well it's just fab isn't it? I'm going to clear out the cupobards over the next few weeks to keep me busy and get rid of loads of stuff!! As my dear departed and cheeky Dad used to quote the vicar telling his female parishioners to throw open their drawers and look up their old things - sorry, that is VERY rude for a Thursday morning , I must go and do some ironing as penance.
Twiggy x

[kimme]

Daisy Bell Lee sounds like such a remarkable woman.
I loved the stories that you told us about her. What a lovely lady! I know you all will miss her terribly. She will always be with you... in your hearts, in your minds and in the ways she touched your lives. An now an Angel to always watch over you.

Much hugs and love
to you and your family ~ Kimme

[Lorraine]

What a beautiful post about Daisy, and how lovely for Angie & Ed to have her typewriter. A well written tribute.

I hope one day we get to meet up!

[Margie]

Hi Pam, Daisy sounded like a real trooper, I loved reading about her life, you presented it so well. Her typewriter is a gem. You did an amazing job on the boxes, and the story of Fingers Flynn will have every detective within the pale on the look out. The Pearls are fantastic as was the fabric. Happy crafting. Hugs, Margie.

[Val]

Daisy looked like a lovely lady. I'm sure she will be missed.

[Office 2010]

Voila, I can now use 2007 as if it was 2002,