Monday, February 19, 2007

Warren is....


Once upon a time: Many years ago in the windy city, Chicago there lived a dashing man. He was in his early forties, very street smart for a guy that had come off a horse farm in Iowa. He had left home at a very young age to get away from the hard work and very strict parents. Life in the city was not what he thought it would be, not much glamour in driving a cab, but that is what he did. Then he found the big money, bootlegging. He knew Al Capone personally, and he spent a lot of time in the speakeasies. (For any of you under 40 I might be loosing you here). He could "cut a rug" with the best of them.
There was a woman playing piano in one of these clubs and she had a baby sister, also straight off the farm in southern Illinois who came to stay with her. She was only eighteen and very naive. One night in the club she was asked to dance. The moment she looked into those mischievous blue eyes she was hooked. They danced the night away, and a romance began. Before she knew what had happened she found out she was going to be a mother. She wanted a little boy so bad and she had his name all picked out.... it was WARREN. Then the big surprise, the baby turned out to be a girl........and her name became Werna Gail . My father was twenty years older than my mother and I wish I could say they lived happily ever after but that was not the way it ended. He died at the age of fifty eight, I was only eighteen. Mother had a few good years after that but she left this earth at the age of sixty two, I was only forty two. I was an only child.
I did two drawings today, the first one I want to do over so you will see it later. This one I did in a bit of a hurry so I would have one to post.......not one of Warrens best poses.

7 comments:

Cat said...

I was wondering what the W stood for! Now I know. What a story. I'm sorry you had to loose your Dad when you were so young, and then your Mom too. My Dad passed when he was only 63, I was 36.

You have a blessed day!

Susie said...

Love your drawing. Great story too!
My husband's parents are from Chicago and most of his cousins still live in that area..
:)

Linda said...

That is a bitter-sweet story Gail. I love the drawing. It is just beautiful. I'm sorry you lost her so young. I know that is difficult.
You are such a talented artist. I enjoy coming to visit and seeing your exquisite work.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! I Love this too! And little Warren is there!
Beautiful story of your parents...sad and very touching. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Have a BEAUTIFUL day my friend!
:-)

Janet said...

We could have been Warren and David....best friends! Great story (but I knew most of it already!) and I like the drawing. I have many memories of your mom and dad and of your house, too. I especially remember the little play house we set up out back.

Betzie said...

Sweet story, but I'm sorry you lost your parents so early on...not easy I'm sure.
Enjoy the day!

Shop girl said...

I found you, I couldn't get into your blog for some reason...Anyway Hello. You said so many nice things on my blog, I couldn't wait to meet you. Your picture is beautiful and I see that you are so talented. I love your drawings, And the pictures. I will do as you ask and find a picture of our barn. It is a small barn, but it is ours and we love it. Come visit me. Mary (Idaho)