Mom and the basement

Late this fall we had a company come to spray insulation on the rim joists of the farm house. This helps with heating and keeping pests at bay. In the process of insulating, a path was cleared around the periphery of the basement. So most everything was moved.

This week we spent some time at the farm house, and cleaning and organizing was a priority. We tried out the washer and dryer- they both worked beautifully after at least 6 years of non- use. Monday was wash day, all the sheets, towels, clothes from the week were washed. In the spring, summer, and fall everything ended up on the clothes line in the yard, north of the house. Often the winter clothes line would be in the basement, with some of the heavier denim 'freeze drying' on the clothes line outside. The shirts, pillowcases, skirts, etc were sprinkled and ironed. Mom always had a hobbie or a magazine ( Good housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Cappers Weekly) close by for entertainment while the clothes were washing. 

But what has been on my mind lately was Gramma. As I took things out of dressers and out of cubbies I saw a glimpse of the 65 some years my parents lived in the same house. It was a well built mid-century home. Just big enough for a small family. Although Mom didn't much care for cooking, she always made nutritious meals when I was growing up. Her first cabinets from the 1940's are in the basement. 

I can imagine how excited she was when these metal cabinets were moved to the basement to be replaced with cabinets made on site and of Maple. I am amused to see these child proof drawers. These white metal 'cupboards' now store towels, supplies, tools, etc. they are showing wear but continue to be functional. Gramma and Grandpa were never ones to waste anything.

As I moved through he basement stuff I remembered Mom taking Oil painting classes, her canvases and oil painting supplies. She dabbled I water colors, too. So water color paper and water colors were neatly stored away for when the grandchildren would come over and she would have someone to share her hobbie with. And of course, the painted rocks around the wood stove.

Mom was an EMT, so I looked through first aid books and EMT training Manuels from the 1970's. 

Mom cont.

Mom loved to sew, she could spend hours in the basement in her 'sewing room' the iron, ironing board, magic sizing, and 2 treadle sewing machines are still there. Lots and lots of fabric, buttons, trim, and patterns. She sewed all of my skirts and dresses through out high school. Everything was well done, and I never complained about wearing homemade clothes. She, of course, updated to electric sewing machines and a surger when they became popular. I remember the finished products as I found colorful remnants left behind.

Mom loved to knit and crochet. Display boards were evidence of the many times she showed her skill at the local fair, and would eargely await for Judging of all the items she brought in for display. Mom always got a blue ribbon, and sometimes a 'grand'.  The judges marveled at the bed spreads, table clothes and doilies she would bring in. 

The basement was also a toy room. Oh my, a farm set, house set, Barbie dolls, farm animals, exotic animals, stuffed toys, a buggy, and a doll crib. Oh yes, and dress up clothes. These were neatly put away some years ago when all of the granddaughters, one by one moved out of the play stage. Oh - how these grandparents enjoyed spending time 'playing' with the kids. Yes, Dwight, Dorrie, Mel, and Kipton also spent hours in imaginary play there. Of course at 3:30 or so, who ever was there had to have "lunch". So even though they had one child they certainly enjoyed kids.

Mom, through the years

I saw reminders of the time Mom was a 4-H leader, a part of the hospital guild ( they sewed curtains for the new hospital). She also had embroidered the names of all the birthday club members on a table cloth. I found the evidence of years of canning, apples picked from their apple trees, tomatoes, and jars and jars of chokecherry, grape, and plum jams and jellies.

                         

   Not only did the basement serve as a cool place to be in the summer, and a warm place to be in the winter, there also was an important place for gloves, overalls, boots and the like, because Mom worked many hours in the field. She plowed, raked hay, fenced, and could drive any of the farm machinery. 

There was a 'last time' that the sewing machine was used, the overalls and boots were worn, and the canning jars were neatly stacked in the pantry. A last time the toys were put away. It is all a very precious memory that I am so grateful for, this life on the farm. 

Gramma didn't remember we were gone, Sheri was here to help get her meals, medicine, and keep her company as she read the paper and did word searches. She is very happy and content, reminiscing over pictures from time to time. I will always be grateful for her even temperment and work ethic. What a wonderful legacy.