mastering life's bargains

an homage to big nanny dee

What happens if you pay ‘retail price’ for something?

In my life word, that’s akin to treason.

I’ve not written much about my other nanny - my dad’s mom. Now, it’s time to start.

Big Nanny Dee grew up in rural Prince Edward Island. She passed away a few years ago at the ripe old age of ninety four. Though not the oldest, she was near the top of eighteen children.

Yes.

You read that correctly.

Eighteen.

She didn’t have a childhood. Her job from about the age of six was to help her mother and sisters help out with the growing mob that was their family. She was ‘dirt poor’ as she described it. As such they had to do whatever they could to make ends meet.

On top of that?

Before marriage, she was a McCormick.

I’m cheap Jimmy. I can’t help it. I’m Scottish. It’s how we are.

Though the McCormicks had been in PEI for a hundred and thirty years before she came along, they all still identified as Scotts. The was proud of how cheap she was. Cheap and generous.

Only shop on Boxing day Jimmy. That’s what …