In these parts, the money tree is just a small branch that someone painted white and stuck in a flower pot. They usually tie clips on it so you can attach money to it. Saves a lot on cards.
Aunt Kathryn died last October. She was 94 and was living in a nursing home due to her heart condition. One night after supper, she told her aide she was thirsty and was tired. The aide said she would get her a drink of water. Aunt Kathryn went back, laid down in her bed, and died. No pain, just a pleasant passing.
There was no viewing, as she was cremated. The memorial service was held at the church. It was sort of a homecoming for me. It was the church my grand father built, where I went as a teen ager, where my wife and I were married, where many other family weddings and funerals were held. I saw people I haven't seen for nearly 30 years. I even met one of Aunt Kathryn's first students in school. She was in her 70s.
Aunt Kathryn had tons of recipes. Most were written on a piece of scrap paper without a title, so my cousin has to go through evrything to try to make some sort of recipe book. Eatin' that potato salad is as close as anyone will get to meeting her. She's probably cooking in the Pearly Kitchen with her mother, right now.
