The summer before I started my high school days, I was sent from my home in Nickerson, Kansas to Plevna, Kansas, to live with my great grandmother and my grandmother, both on my mother's side. My dear grandmother had suffered a stroke at some point and since great grandmother was over 100 years old, the family thought she should have some help and I was a likely looking candidate since the only girl cousins I had were of marrying age and I was barely into puberty. So off I went.
The grandmothers had a two story frame house. Two bedrooms upstairs, one down, a large living room, a dining room, kitchen and located in the hallway under the stairwell, a commode. That is to say a bathroom stool and that was it. No sink, no nothing and I was not allowed to use it. I might either break it or wear it out. It was for grandma Haas only. Great grandma and I could just trot on out back and use the "outhouse". And so we did. Rain, sleet, heat, or snow could not stay us from our several times daily rounds. Had a "chamber pot" for night time needs cause God only knew what was out at night.
I was not allowed to sleep upstairs in one of the beds because Lord only knows what was up there. So I slept on the couch right outside of thier bedroom. My clothes were kept in a box inside the stair way on the second step. I took a "bath" once a week by setting an enamel bowl on grandmothers stool and using a wash cloth. I missed the big zinc tub we had at home.
Great grandmother was a very regal lady. She was small boned, but tall. She always held herself in a very formal and staid position. At least I thought she had regal bearing, but as I think back, the woman was over 100 years old! She probably couldn't have bent if she had to. I am not near that old and I am beginning to get a little formal bearing about my own self! She was very hard of hearing (again the age thing no doubt). The high school was only one block from home, so I ran home for lunch every day. When I would come out the door and start home I could hear great grandmother's old stand up radio broadcasting the market prices for wheat and corn. The only time the radio was turned on was at straight up noon and that was to hear the market report. She did not always have it tuned in exactly and the news would bleed in also, but she was happy as she sat in her rocker and nodded her head to the man giving the report. No doubt she was lost in another time and place. Farming runs in our blood.
Every evening we set up the kitchen for breakfast. 3 plates on the table each with 1/2 an orange and silverware. A dripolater was filled with water, coffee grounds were put in the basket, and it was set on a pilot light. The egg poacher was filled with water and set on the other pilot light. 3 eggs were placed in a bowl on the table near the stove along with the bread. Jelly was in the center of the table and the table was covered with a cloth. Next morning the coffee was pulled to the burner and the fire started under it. Same with the poacher. Eggs were broken and placed in the poacher tins. Bread was placed in the toaster and it was plugged in. The toaster toasted the bread on one side and that side was opened and the toast slid into place so when I closed it the untoasted side would be next to the bare wires and it could be toasted. In the meantime the dripolater magically sucked the boiling water up into the top of the pot. I then turned it off and it magically let it come back down through the grounds again. Time elapsed making breakfast...5 minutes.
I was allowed to put the dishes in a dishpan and set them under the sink to wait for evening. Great grandmother had a sandwich for me at noon and I could add those dishes to the pan. When I came home from school I immediately put the kettle on to heat the water to do the dishes. Those being done and put away in the cupboard, I then went outside to water the plants. Sometimes I stole a leaf of mint off the big mint plant and chewed it.
You should know that the 85 year difference in great grandmother and myself was most evident in my schooling. She was very strict and very set in her ways. I was not allowed to read books for enjoyment. If I had time to read, I must read the Bible. Every evening I read to them for at least an hour. What we read was never discussed. It was the holy gospel and that was that. Never question and interpret the way she said. Needless to say, I got a goose egg for a book report. Mother explained that one to the principal and while he understood, a book report was required. So I gave him a synopsis of the Holy Bible. Kept me from flunking.
For fun she taught me to crochet. She gave me a hook and a ball of thread and I started the world's longest chain. Every night after supper, we would set in our chairs and "take up" our needle work. I will say this...I made some beautiful doilies under her watchful eye. If it wasn't correct, it was ripped out and the mistake corrected and done over. Guess that was where I got this perfectionist attitude I deal with today. Damn!
My introduction and education into matters of sex education took place one afternoon when great grandmother was at the outhouse. Grandma said, "Have you started your woman thing yet?" Since I had no idea what she was talking about I said, "No" and she replied, "When I did, mama let me stay in bed all day." I decided I sure wanted that to happen to me!
When they needed groceries great grandmother would ring up Mr. or Mrs. Hinshaw at the store and she would tell them what she needed. They would deliver it to the house. Some times if it was just a loaf of bread or something small, she would tie the money in the corner of a handkerchief and I was sent to the store which was a block away, being trusted to remember what I wanted. I really felt like a big girl then!
Grandma used a walker and the only time she got to get out of the house was to go to the doctor. But she was so sweet. Her smile would melt the heart of the devil himself. I am so glad I got to spend the little time with her that I did.
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This is the novel I have for sale on Amazon. Do not be confused by the title. Chapter One simply means this is my first book. There may never be another, or there may be many more. I am very proud of this endeavor and guarantee you will enjoy the book in it's enirety. Lou Mercer
The grandmothers had a two story frame house. Two bedrooms upstairs, one down, a large living room, a dining room, kitchen and located in the hallway under the stairwell, a commode. That is to say a bathroom stool and that was it. No sink, no nothing and I was not allowed to use it. I might either break it or wear it out. It was for grandma Haas only. Great grandma and I could just trot on out back and use the "outhouse". And so we did. Rain, sleet, heat, or snow could not stay us from our several times daily rounds. Had a "chamber pot" for night time needs cause God only knew what was out at night.
I was not allowed to sleep upstairs in one of the beds because Lord only knows what was up there. So I slept on the couch right outside of thier bedroom. My clothes were kept in a box inside the stair way on the second step. I took a "bath" once a week by setting an enamel bowl on grandmothers stool and using a wash cloth. I missed the big zinc tub we had at home.
Great grandmother was a very regal lady. She was small boned, but tall. She always held herself in a very formal and staid position. At least I thought she had regal bearing, but as I think back, the woman was over 100 years old! She probably couldn't have bent if she had to. I am not near that old and I am beginning to get a little formal bearing about my own self! She was very hard of hearing (again the age thing no doubt). The high school was only one block from home, so I ran home for lunch every day. When I would come out the door and start home I could hear great grandmother's old stand up radio broadcasting the market prices for wheat and corn. The only time the radio was turned on was at straight up noon and that was to hear the market report. She did not always have it tuned in exactly and the news would bleed in also, but she was happy as she sat in her rocker and nodded her head to the man giving the report. No doubt she was lost in another time and place. Farming runs in our blood.
Every evening we set up the kitchen for breakfast. 3 plates on the table each with 1/2 an orange and silverware. A dripolater was filled with water, coffee grounds were put in the basket, and it was set on a pilot light. The egg poacher was filled with water and set on the other pilot light. 3 eggs were placed in a bowl on the table near the stove along with the bread. Jelly was in the center of the table and the table was covered with a cloth. Next morning the coffee was pulled to the burner and the fire started under it. Same with the poacher. Eggs were broken and placed in the poacher tins. Bread was placed in the toaster and it was plugged in. The toaster toasted the bread on one side and that side was opened and the toast slid into place so when I closed it the untoasted side would be next to the bare wires and it could be toasted. In the meantime the dripolater magically sucked the boiling water up into the top of the pot. I then turned it off and it magically let it come back down through the grounds again. Time elapsed making breakfast...5 minutes.
I was allowed to put the dishes in a dishpan and set them under the sink to wait for evening. Great grandmother had a sandwich for me at noon and I could add those dishes to the pan. When I came home from school I immediately put the kettle on to heat the water to do the dishes. Those being done and put away in the cupboard, I then went outside to water the plants. Sometimes I stole a leaf of mint off the big mint plant and chewed it.
You should know that the 85 year difference in great grandmother and myself was most evident in my schooling. She was very strict and very set in her ways. I was not allowed to read books for enjoyment. If I had time to read, I must read the Bible. Every evening I read to them for at least an hour. What we read was never discussed. It was the holy gospel and that was that. Never question and interpret the way she said. Needless to say, I got a goose egg for a book report. Mother explained that one to the principal and while he understood, a book report was required. So I gave him a synopsis of the Holy Bible. Kept me from flunking.
For fun she taught me to crochet. She gave me a hook and a ball of thread and I started the world's longest chain. Every night after supper, we would set in our chairs and "take up" our needle work. I will say this...I made some beautiful doilies under her watchful eye. If it wasn't correct, it was ripped out and the mistake corrected and done over. Guess that was where I got this perfectionist attitude I deal with today. Damn!
My introduction and education into matters of sex education took place one afternoon when great grandmother was at the outhouse. Grandma said, "Have you started your woman thing yet?" Since I had no idea what she was talking about I said, "No" and she replied, "When I did, mama let me stay in bed all day." I decided I sure wanted that to happen to me!
When they needed groceries great grandmother would ring up Mr. or Mrs. Hinshaw at the store and she would tell them what she needed. They would deliver it to the house. Some times if it was just a loaf of bread or something small, she would tie the money in the corner of a handkerchief and I was sent to the store which was a block away, being trusted to remember what I wanted. I really felt like a big girl then!
Grandma used a walker and the only time she got to get out of the house was to go to the doctor. But she was so sweet. Her smile would melt the heart of the devil himself. I am so glad I got to spend the little time with her that I did.
Next time I pop in here I am going to tell you how this chapter of my life played out. So stay tuned.
1 comment:
I've been reading some of your blog this morning. Fascinated by the stories of your family - very different to my own upbringing. Will have to find the time to work through the rest of your posts!
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