This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Monday, November 14, 2011

A Solid Place To Chew The Fat Is Important

Since I exposed my country self in the last entry I decided to write about what we did have growing up. Our Daddy didn't think an indoor bathroom or hot running water was that important. After all we did have a wash tub to bathe in and a cook stove to heat water on. More work, yes but that wasn't important either. What was important was a roof that didn't leak and a good solid porch to chew the fat on (sit and talk to neighbors). Plenty of good food to invite any one who happened to stop by to stay for supper. We always had clothes that were in style because our Mama was a good seamstress. She could look at something and make it without a pattern. Our house needed painting as long as I can remember but that wasn't inportant either. I know it sounds odd to go out the front door dressed in style and go out the back door to use an outhouse but that was the way it was at our house growing up.

11 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love the way you phrased that last sentence!

Donna. W said...

My clothes weren't in style, but I didn't know it because in my small town, nobody was in style. Everybody I knew had an outhouse back then, so I didn't feel underprivileged. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.

jack69 said...

I have learned that some folk know what is important. Of Course a FRONT porch is the most important, or was.
When I built houses, there was seldom a request for a porch. Times changed. Folks stayed inside to watch TV.
Back when you are talking, folks walked down the street. They would stop and talk (visit) with folks on the front porch. How wonderful that honestly was.
We are less blessed because the front porch is no longer a necessity. The games the steps provided,the rocker, the swing the glider, Great memories and a very good entry.

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this entry Paula...My mom was a good seamstress too and it was a fancy occasion when I would wear a storebought shirt. Our kids think those times must have been unbearable but we had what we needed and didn't know any other way.

Jill said...

There is much love in the post. Your last line was perfection.

Lucy said...

Paula, we lived the same way only maybe poorer in some ways. I always had a clean dress but not many. We were so poor that mom used to wash my 2 dresses by hand if need be. We had a crummy kitchen porch in the first house I remember, then moved to a house about 15 miles from Lincoln and we had a big front porch, plus one on each side of the house upstairs. If we got a pretty pattern on a flour sack, it was my new dress. Good memories, Paula, you brought back.

Amelia said...

I would take nice clothes over plumbing any day!

No joke.

Missy

Anonymous said...

Good memories Paula,a lot like the way things were when I was growing up. Thanks for sharing. Jean

Kath said...

I could have wrote this myself Paula.Sounds exactly like we lived too,it didn't do us any harm did it? One of my Fathers sayings was always.Chew the fat LOL!!Havn't heard it said for years.Thanx for the memories.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

Lori said...

I think that's pretty neat. I didn't grow up with an outhouse, but used one at my grandmother's house and at church. My mother was like yours -- could look at a picture, draw a pattern, and then cut out and sew it up to look just like the picture! I think our house needed painting more often than not also, but it never leaked!

Missie said...

More people should grow up that way. Perhaps they would appreciate what they have a lot more. Have a good rest of your week.