Grandma Pitcher Celebrates 102nd Birthday

On February 1st, 1911 this is what happened:

Thirty people were killed in an explosion in New Jersey.  Employees of the Central Railroad of New Jersey had been unloading cases of black powder from the freighter "Katherine W", when the accident happened at one minute past noon. The blast was felt 50 miles away, rocking office buildings and breaking windows in Manhattan, on the other side of the Hudson River. Eight officials of the railroad and the Du Pont Powder Company were indicted for the disaster.

The Governor of the Isfahan provience of Persia (now Iran) was shot. Mutemidi Khan and his nephew were murdered by a Russian national who had formerly been the chief of police in Isfahan. Ziebach, South Dakota, was established.  Admiral Charles Sperry, 62, commander of the Great White Fleet expedition of 1907-09 had died.

Who was born 102 years ago....  Margaret  Brainard was born.  I know her as Grandma Pitcher.  She was born February 1st 1911 and is still going strong today.  She had 5 kids including 1 boy, my Dad.  She was born in West Warren, Pa.  She still lives at the house, she was born.

There are many things about my Grandma that I love about her.  She has a wonderful laugh, that makes you laugh when you hear it.  She gave me my love of Life cereal, especially Cinnamon Life.  It's my favorite still today.  One of her favorite pastimes is America's pastime.  She loves to watch baseball on TV.  She was bumming a little bit because there isn't any baseball now.  I told her that the MLB  Network and the YES network show classic games all the time, even in the winter.  I also told her that the Yankees always win when they show them now......Bonus.

When you went to Grandma's, you had to remember that she didn't have a modern indoor bathroom, unless you count a large bucket. I remember telling Dawn that she might want to use the bathroom before visiting Grandma. She has a outhouse, which works great in the summer but not so much now.  She says she likes things just the way they are.  Great news if you want to visit her now, she has been talked into getting a modern toilet, so no more large bucket......Hurray.

Last week, we had a big old party for her at her house. She got over 102 birthday cards.  My daughter, Tara, made her a personal card.  She drew a boat and called it "S S Grate Grandma."  She also drew a flag and made a picture of her in the middle with the words "Captain."  She also wrote that she was "Sweeter than Candy" with drawings of candy.

So Happy 102nd Birthday Grandma and thanks for everything you've done for me and all of the lives you've touched.  You are a great woman and inspiration to all with your humility.