The Porch
Paul and I went for a "Sunday drive" today and we had a nice day. We went with our friends Dave and Diane up to Mattagamon Lake so that Paul and Dave could do some work on a friends camp up there. It's where they go ice fishing each winter and usually a couple of other times during the year. It's a nice camp, though you can tell it's a "guy place," and a work in progress. There is a nice little beach out front and a great view of water, trees, and mountains. We went though places like Stacyville, and Sherman, and Patten, and by Shin Pond along the way and had great views of Mt. Katahdin with snow on top. Dave is a gadget guy and has XM radio, so we were listening to music on the way up. He likes the old country and western stuff, but, I think for me, he played some 60's music for awhile (until they played too many Beatle songs - who ever heard of such a thing - and then we went to 50's) and quite a few of the songs brought back memories of places and the past. I don't always know why a certain song reminds me of a certain place but one today transported me to the porch at Grammy's. Thinking of the porch always makes me happy anyway, and this was another good memory. The song was Neil Diamond's "Girl, you'll be a woman soon" and I remember being on the far end of the porch, away from where the adults usually sat. I don't remember what we were listening to, but I think it was a record player, rather than a radio. Uncle Archie and gang must have been here, because I remember Dale being there, and we listened to that song, and other Neil Diamond songs too, I think. I must have been 12 or 13. That's it, just a flash, but hearing that song put me right back there for just a few seconds. The porch was my favorite place at Grammy's. I loved it in the summertime when all the adults would sit there talking and we kids would be running around playing in the yard until well after dark. I can remember Mom and Grammy speaking French while sitting out there. They must have done so in the house, too - but I don't remember it. I liked it when people walking by would stop and talk for a few minutes. When I would walk or ride my bike down to visit Grammy and Aunt Phoebe, we would sit on the porch and have tea and I would feel quite adult. It was a great porch. I don't know if John and Duffy use it, but I hope so. Ok, I'm getting too sappy for my own good. Hope to hear from some of the rest of you. Come on, now, don't be shy.
Betsy
Betsy
posted by Betsy at 8:09 PM
10 Comments:
Wow!!!!
You gave me the chills just thinking about the porch! What memories!
You are right though, it holds many of my happiest memories as well.
Wayne and I were on the porch in 1999 at the time of the reunion and it was exactly the same as it was in the sixties, even the furniture was the same.
The only exception was that old deer's head. That is on the wall in my father's faamily room in Atco.
Dana
I had forgotten about the deer head. I'm glad your Dad got that. What is the story about that anyway? I think I knew once, but have forgotten. (I seem to have forgotten alot of things, lately :-)
Betsy
About the deer's head... my father told me it was sot by his uncle,one of pupa Sirois' brothers,I don"t know who.
I too remember the porch had a distinctive smell and no I don't paint anymore. (no time)That particular painting, in 2002, was in the bathroom of my grandparents camp, you remember, the woodshed.
I also love crossword puzzles and I know that came from grammy as well.
Dana
I knew as soon as I mentioned walking/biking to Grammy's that my "visits" at 409 Main would be mentioned by someone, most likely Peter. At least you didn't also mention that I usually had to stop at the A&P or Grant's as well to "visit". What can I say, I had a small bladder :-)
Man..."the porch". You know how many people I've told stories about "the porch" over the last 42 years? I feel like I grew up on that porch. I was just sharing w/ a patient the other day how when we would have the whole gang there for Thanksgiving or Christmas night...remember all the deaf people carrying on 15 different conversations at once. It about scared Michelle to death the first time she came home to Maine. Actually, I remember her saying how awesome it was that the whole family got together like that. Of course, we didn't know any better so I figured everyone did that. What I was sharing the other day was how we couldn't go see Grammy for a couple days after, because she would be so wiped out from everyone visiting. I didn't understand that as a kid, but sure do now. In fact, my in-laws live less than a 1/4 mile down the road and when we get all 14 of the grandkids together, they are the same way pooped out and ready for everyone to go back home. This was odd though, because we wanted to see Gram every day. Man I was spoiled by that. In fact, I remind my kids of that all the time, how fortunate they are to have 3 grandparents living in the same town with them that can attend their ball games and make their favorite cake or pie or meat loaf or shephard's pie, etc. etc. They know they won't be here forever and need to enjoy them while they are still here. The memories are great, but can't compare to the real thing as, of course, most of us are old enough to know. I think every one should try and remember as many porch stories and lessons as you can a put them on hear. I think we could fill a book. Anyone remember the Depression stories about the tops of cereal boxes put in the bottom of the shoes when they'd wear a hole in them, because no one could afford new shoes - I bet I heard that story over a hundred times growing up on "the porch" Bye for now.
Hi everyone. Now you all know that this is going to take most of the day to type so Merry Christmas,this is your Christmas gift.When dad closed in the porch I must have been about around 10 years old.That was a big thing,dad on his day off would sit with mother all day and watch the cars go by.Dad had a radio on the north end of the porch,and I would listen to the red sox and keep
score of every inning.When it was late at night I could sometimes get the Brooklyn and New York Giants game,that was a great treat.Bernie, your going to hear it one more time about the shoes.Years ago they used cardboard in the shredded wheat boxes to separate the large biscuits,so when it was not our turn for shoes and they were getting old, we used the cardboard in our shoes to go to school. When we got home for dinner it was time to move the cardboard to fill the hole in our shoes.When we got new shoes that was a great feeling, keep away from my shoes. Bye Uncle Frank
How about the roller piano that was out there. It was so much fun to pretend that you were actually playing the notes while pumping as fast as you could go. I can almost remember the tunes, but not quite. Side by side, maybe? Anyone else?
Betsy
Man! "The Porch"! Bernie, we DID grow up on that porch. And Peter, I remember the couch and cover, but I can't remember the smell.
Dana, I'm glad to hear the deer head is still on display.
I'd have to agree that that porch was probably a favorite place. But, so was the kitchen! Grammy and Aunt Phoebe use to sit us at the table and we made banana split sundaes. I have the banana boat dishes we use to use. I'm saving them for when I have grandkids that visit. Does anyone else remember the scrambles we use to have to get to the metal and vinyl rocking chair? What ever happenend to that chair?
Great memories.
Rick
Hey Rick, It's great that you mentioned the chair. It really connects the porch and the kitchen since it would be brought out to the porch and set in front of the door - The seat of honor, I guess. I'm not sure what happened to it. If it didn't go to your mothers barn, perhaps Uncle Kenny took it. I don't remember getting banana splits - that must have come later - but I do remember having a "lunch" with tea and cookies and, my personal favorite, Velveeta and Waverly crackers. Yum!
Betsy
I loved reading everyones memories of the porch. When I think of Grammy thats where I always picture her. I don't remember any banana splits, you must have been the favorite Rick. I remember Ritz crackers with peanut butter and marshmellow mixed together, I thought that was such a treat because they were mixed.To this day I still mix my peanut butter & marshmellow together& I always think of Grammy as I do it.Karen
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