Feisty to Say the Least

Aunt Bert with my son Steven 1987

As long as we were only an hour and a half  from Waterloo this weekend being in Iowa City, we decided to return home via a different route in order to make the stop in Waterloo to visit Aunt Bert.

Aunt Bert is the last living sister of the 5 Siegel gals, one of which was Esther, my Mother-in-law. Believe you me when I tell you they were all strong women (battle axes one might say) who grew up on the outskirts of town on a dirt poor farm. From the stories I remember even the chickens didn't like it.  

At a family wedding in Milwaukee  Front row L to R: Aunt Rosie, Aunt Ann, Aunt Bert, my mother in law Esther
Back row: Cousin Hirsh, Aunt Mary, Aunt Frieda, Cousin Charlotte

Esther and Aunt Bert 1990

Aunt Mary was the eldest, followed by Frieda, Ann, Esther, Bertha and Rosie.  Aunt Bert shared the same birthdate as Esther and this October 26th she will turn 100. Amazing. 

Natureman refers to her as feisty but in the South we'd say she's still full of piss and vinegar. Macular degeneration has slowed her down somewhat but she still lives on her own and does her own cleaning. When I complimented how nice her home of 66 years looked, she retorted, "Well, how dirty can it get with just one person living here?"  Aunt Bert is quite a character. 

We should only be so with it when we reach our 80's much less 99. She complains ( she always complained, just about other things, wink, wink)... but now about not being able to just get up and go/ having the freedom of driving and she misses not being able to cook anymore. Besides, she added she's not enjoying her food too much with her new dentures and for some reason doesn't drink enough liquids. But you know what?  At 99 I guess you've earned the right to put whatever you want in your mouth.

She also refuses to use her cane in the house and admitted to some falls. I noticed how quickly she maneuvers but far be it from any of us to get her to use that cane for more balance. This woman has her mind made up that she's not using it in the house, so there...

Our visit went quickly as we caught up on the family and upcoming high school graduations of her great grand-children. Her son Arthur also stopped in and before we knew it, two hours had passed and we needed to be on our way.

Natureman was sooooo right, this visit couldn't wait until another time. Heck when someone's  99, you've got to visit when you can. 
Bis ein und zwanzig  Aunt Bert (until 120).