Early Life for me was growing up in Florida in the sixties. I basically lived, went to school & church within 5 miles and we never owned a car, besides, my mom didn’t learn to drive. Moving forward, I was the number 5 child out of 7. Born in Alabama, but my mom found her way to Orlando when I was 6 months old. On occasion, I was able to follow my cousins back to Brewton, Alabama which is where my grandmother lived. Speaking of my granny (momma Kate), I thought she was special because when we walked to town all the people in the big houses would say how are you doing Miss Katie, even when she would snip clippings from there front yard, nobody ever said a word. Nonetheless, I was enjoying being there without competition from the younger twins.
It was always something happening around her place that warmed my heart. One of my satisfying memories was trying to see the biscuits rise through all the smut on her wooden stove. I couldn’t wait to smother them with butter and that good ole syrup in the gold can. Dem fat biscuits was so good and believe me, she even had smoked meat hanging in the back of the kitchen. HELP me now, that was the best meat ever. Some years later I tried numerous times to make those biscuits, but they didn’t come close. I think it was the lard that was missing, either way, I decided to give up as an adult.
By the way, my grandma eventually had a bathroom added to the back of the house, but the outhouse and the well still existed. Neither of which was being used. However, the fireplace was used often, especially early evening, she knew just when to put dem sweet potatoes in the fire. We ate good in the neighborhood. You know, I can’t forget how cold it would get in the back of her house, so at bedtime, we used a pee pot (slop jar) during the wintertime. Of course, when it got too cold, we had handmade quilts and coats on the bed as well.
From the kitchen to the garden: It was never a dull moment. I remember seeing her ring a chicken’s neck, it was awful, then she dipped it in hot water, and I had to help pluck the feathers. That part was fun. By the way, that was dinner (didn’t eat much). Not only did she grow up extremely poor but also had a not so nice marital experience yet was able to acquire property and own a home in the early fifties. Contrast that with this era and the opportunities that now exist.
Life never ceases to amaze me. In part, meaning we seldom know what’s next on this life journey and here I am realizing just how much my grandmother impressed me. I imagine her past environment and adversities motivated her enough to work extra hard to have the things we take for granted. Please understand, she wasn’t well off or wealthy by any means, but considering where she came from, she was happy and wholesome.
