I rarely watch television, but tonight after Jeopardy! was over I found myself watching one of those mindless sitcoms. I do not remember what it was and I am sure it had nothing to do with my mind wandering back to Plevna, Kansas. I went to live with my grandma Haas and Great Grandma Hatfield when I was 15 years old. Grandma Haas had suffered a stroke at some point in time and was not able to get around very well. She was only 72 at the time (as I recall). Great Grandma was 99 and taking care of her. It was getting to be a strain on her and I was young so I could be of some use to them. It was a learning experience for the three of us.
First thing I learned was that Great Grandma had been married 3 times or almost 3 times. The first husband was Frank Miller. He was father to her three children; Louis, Mabel and Josie. Josie was my Grandma. After he passed she married a man whose last name was Hatfield. He had a son named Steven who had a wife named Bertie and a stepson and step daughter. When he died Steven remained devoted to Great Grandma who he called mother. When Great Grandma was 75 years old she became engaged to another man whose name I do not recall. Sadly , he croaked before they could get the knot tied and Great Grandma just gave it up. Said she had buried enough men and would not bury another one. She then sold her house on the Main Street of Plevna, Kansas and moved in with Grandma. Grandma had been widowed several years before.
In typical fashion they became quite adept at surviving alone. By the time I arrived on the scene they were very ensconced in routine. The table was set at night before bed. We each had a plate, fork, knife, coffee cup, and half an orange. This was covered with a cloth. The coffee pot was a drip-a-lator which was filled with water , coffee grounds placed in the middle part, and the unit set on a pilot light on the stove. The egg poacher was filled with water and set on the other pilot light. The toaster was set on a back burner. I should note here that toasters in that time period were used over a burner, not like today when they pop right up. Had to be careful or you could char the bread very easily. The next morning the coffee pot was pulled forward and the burner lit. Same with the egg poacher. Bread was put in the toaster and that burner lit. In less than 7 minutes, during which time we ate our half an orange, breakfast was ready. One slice of toast, one poached egg, and a cup of coffee with heavy cream. Course there was home made jelly or jam and bread and butter pickles. And don't forget the freshly churned butter.
After breakfast I was allowed to pile the dishes in the dish pan and cover them with a tea towel because I had to hurry off to school. The way the dishes were done was this; When I got home from school, I would put the tea kettle on and heat water which I poured in the dish pan. Then I refilled the tea kettle to heat the water to rinse them. No hot water heater in this house. Oh, and yes, we had an "out house" for our personal use. Uncle Ray had installed a "commode" for Grandma's use, but we did not want to take the chance of wearing it out so we did our business outside. Kind of nice one with a concrete floor and all. When I came home at noon for lunch Great Grandma always had a sandwich waiting for me. She also had the market report on the radio. Not that we farmed, but old habits die hard. Those dishes went in the pan with the breakfast dishes.
After dishes were done it was time to water plants and such. We did not listen to the radio at night. One of us would read from the Bible while the other 2 crocheted. I learned the fine art of handiwork from my Great Grandmother. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. I mean inside. She was a very regal woman and she seemed very tall to me, but course I was only 5 feet so every body seemed tall. Grandma and Aunt Mabel had married brothers. Josie married Frank Haas and he was my Grandpa. Aunt Mabel married his brother Gottlieb Haas. Uncle Louis had cast eyes on the sister, Lena Haas, but Great Grandma put her foot down on that one. So Uncle Lou married Aunt Eva and Aunt Lena was a spinster her whole life. But she was a fun old gal. She was the one that kept a horse tank full of water for us to play in on hot days and took us to the stock pond seining for minnows with our skirts. She died when she was 100 years old. Haas and Gagnebein blood is strong genes. My Grandma was 73 when she died and that was so sad because she was so young. Great Grandma Hatfield was 104. Uncle Goll was 98. Uncle Ray was 96. I am not sure, but there may be some of them still alive. They just seem to live forever.
But what I was thinking of tonight was the piece of furniture that was behind the stove. It was not a couch. It was like a couch except it was oak and very dark brown leather. It was not for comfort. It was functional. So was the library table. And the Hoosier in the kitchen. It held sugar, flour, had a top that pulled out and you could stand right there in one place and make a pie. Now I have oak cupboards and shelves that slide out. I have two freezers. I have hot and cold running water. I have all the conveniences that these two women did not even know existed. It was a two story house. The 2 Grandma's slept in the front bedroom. I slept on the couch. There were two bedrooms upstairs, but they were afraid to have me away from them. Some times I resented that cause that was one lumpy damn couch. But looking back, and believe me, hindsight is always clearer then fore sight, I was the most blessed 15 year old girl on the face of this earth, because those two women loved me. They taught me needlework that has won me many ribbons at the State Fairs. And they taught me that life goes on without a television, or radio, or trash novels. The one book we do need is the Bible and I never touch my Bible without thinking of the two women in my life who instilled in me my love for the Book. One was the Matriarch and the other the sweetest little lady I have ever known. And in the picture there Great Grandma is holding Grandma up to have her picture taken. that is something the women in my family have always done, been there to hold each other up. I sure hope I do not disappoint my kids and sisters. I am going to try not to.
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