My maternal grandmother was the cook for a large logging crew in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My grandfather was head of the logging camp with the title of a "boomer" - one who directed logs down a boom into the water.
My paternal grandfather owned a family restaurant in Tennessee. My grandmother worked in the restaurant and, very sadly, went blind from unknowingly handling a diseased rabbit. She had eight children of school age. I have a very intricate crochet-edged handkerchief she made. Amazing what the human spirit can accomplish.