Hark Back! Issue #15

Today is my Maternal Grandmother's birthday.  She was born September 26, 1911.

 My Grandma D's fridge was always full. It held a wondrous assortment of food. Your senses were immediately assaulted by what was inside. Jars of pickles (several kinds) candied crab apples, pickled beets, rhubarb sauce, or cherry sauce. Jars with brilliant mouthwatering contents. Then there were the glass covered "refrigerator dishes" .. I always looked for the jello! Then the "hats" no one but Grandma knew what lurked under them. Do you remember the elastic edged plastic washable hats in pink, blue, green that stretched to cover leftovers? They were like shower caps..but for food. I am not sure how well they worked, but they made for a fine fridge adventure, covering delicious foods with their puffiness. "What's under here Grandma?" She always knew. I always looked for the sauerkraut.

I would set the lunch table for three, Grandpa, Grandma and me. I loved visiting them all by myself. Grandpa would take his place at his end of the red and white checked oilcloth, Grandma sat on one side of him, me on the other. Their plastic cool whip bowl filled with their pills sat in the center of the table. As I went about setting the table I would pause and give Grandpa a quick hug and a kiss on the head. He loved me unconditionally, I was perfect. I would sometimes say "You think I am perfect..right Grandpa?" He would always say 'Ya, Ya and smile." During lunch they would talk about their visitors and how fishing had been, they loved going fishing. Sometimes Grandpa would talk about the old days, then he would dab at his eyes with the red handkerchief that he kept in his pocket. I wish I could remember all of the old stories he told me. We would enjoy our lunch together, have coffee and raid the pantry for some bars, Lemon Bars were my favorite, I think they were Grandmas too because she baked them a lot.

After lunch Grandpa would get out his papers and his tobacco and roll a cigarette. After he had smoked his cigarette he would doze in his chair. I would clean up the kitchen and do the dishes and then sit a bit with Grandma talking about whatever was on her mind. Her favorite subjects were food and recipes. She would always ask "When are you coming again?" I would answer "When I can Grandma." She would reply "I know you are busy..why don't you come on Sunday?" My reply was always the same, "Cause the house is full every Sunday and I love having you and Grandpa all to myself! "

I was lucky, I was their first Grandchild, in fact they became parents to twins two months after I was born. So I have an Uncle and Aunt that are younger than me. When my Mother came home from the hospital with me, my Father was in Korea, so it was my Grandparents home that was my first home for a little while. I was pretty spoiled. Their house was full of children, all of whom took their turns with the spoiling.

I visited with my Grandparents a lot when we lived at the lake. It was only a twenty minute drive to their house. I am thankful for every time I was able to visit with them and to explore their fridge for lunch, and to feel their unconditional love wrap around me like a warm quilt on a cold day:)

Far Side