AT GRAMMA'S HOUSE -ADAMS, MA
by blogger June Estelle Cash
MOUNT GREYLOCK - VIEW OF NORTH ADAMS, ADAMS, MA.
HERE ARE MY AUNT RUTH AND AUNT PAT ON EASTER MORNING
1940. I REMEMBER IT WELL.
HERE ALTHEA AND VIDA are on the steps.
I am not sure who the gentleman is.
This is the home my Grandfather built.
Moving as much as I did in my childhood, this home
was dear to my memory. For it was here
as the FIRST GRANDCHILD
I received much loving care
from my
Grandmother, Lillias May (Brewer) Carpenter.
Born in the Memorial Hospital of North Adams, MA
I was linked to this town from 1933.
HERE I WAS AT AGE 5 - IN 1939 -
WITH A FRIEND
I AM ON THE RIGHT.
HERE AT ABOUT 18 MONTHS, I WAS AT MY GRAMMA'S HOUSE.
A SWEET MEMORY.
It was a day I remember. Gramma had spent time with me inside before we went out in the garden. I recall that she set two chairs together and put a clothesline by putting a little rope between the two chairs. Then she set out little things, including boxes and items representing "pretend food". She brought out her tea set, which she had saved from her childhood, a tiny set of cups and saucers with a little tea pot for the set. Then showing me what they were for, she made me "CAMERICK TEA" which was nothing more than hot water with a little milk and a bit of sugar.
I played with this and the little "kitchen" for some while.
I remember the oak kitchen dining table close by, and the chairs were taller than I. I remember the large book cases with glass doors on each shelf that protected dust from collecting on the books. I remember Gramma's soft voice, and encouraging words.
Never was she cross at me.
Her floors and rooms were immaculate.
She stuffed "everything" into cupboards and shelves away from anyone's sight. It was "no one's business" what she had, she sniffed.
We went outside. Gramma's garden was our next focus. She showed me how to get beans off the plants. She
visited with me. I have the picture of that day - Grandfather took the photos. I was not to see this photo until long after I got married and lived far away - but I received the photo along with others from my Grandmother who sent the photos along with some other things she no longer needed. There was a big box that came with clothes in it, and shoes, that I KNEW SHE HAD WORN. I remember especially a polka dot dress that she liked. It was in the box. Then down in the bottom of the box was all the PHOTOS she wanted me to have. Ohhhh ! I remember crying, I was so touched that she wanted me to have them.
In 1987 When I visited Aunt Althea, she still had a few pieces of the tea set that my grandmother shared with me as her VERY FIRST GRAND-CHILD. It was a precious memory.
I did not see Grandmother very much in my years of growing up, but had about two years to get to know her again in 1954 - 1955 when we moved to Sacramento from North Adam, MA. We lived in a house right next door to her and Grandfather for that time until they moved to Arizona.
Here was Grampa with Stevie my cousin, Aunt Pat's son.
It was taken in the park at Sacramento Ca. This was how I
remember him. Then here is a photo of Gramma about that time also.
This was grandmother with me. This was how I remember Gramma. Those shoes were sent to me in that very BOX I got with all the clothes and the photos. I think Aunt Pat and others are on the porch. So it must have been when all of us were together that day. I remember Grampa's brother Uncle Bert being there. And the Lambs, dear friends, distant cousins. Frank Lamb and his wife were dear to all of us.
Frankie Lamb as a baby
He was much loved by all who knew him.
Cousin Wesley Carpenter's daughter with her baby.
Relatives - Shawn Noel Carpenter Gertie (Carpenter) Noel.
Althea Haynes Susan Whitener
Althea Maynard Julie Pavia
John Carpenter
Paul Maynard
I WAS THREE YEARS OLD and living in Boston
at the time this photo was taken of the family. Mother and Daddy and I were waiting for a BABY to come - which was my brother Harry Hunter Donato Jr. born in 1937.
This was Harry Jr when we went to visit Gramma and Grampa the summer of 1938. I was five and he was just born the previous November 26th. So he was a Thanksgiving Day baby.
HERE WE ARE IN BOSTON, MA
MOTHER AND I WITH BABY .
1938 He looks like about 5 months old.
So this was March or April.
PROVERBS 16.9
A MAN'S HEART DEVISETH HIS WAY,
BUT THE LORD DIRECTETH HIS STEPS.
PROVERBS 21.6
TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO;
AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.
PSALM 139. 1 - 3
O LORD, THOU HAST SEARCHED ME, AND KNOWN ME,
THOU KNOWEST MY DOWNSITTING,
AND MINE UPRISING,
THOU UNDERSTANDEST MY THOUGHT AFAR OFF.
THOU COMPASSEST MY PATH,
AND MY LYING DOWN,
AND ART
ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS.
PSALM 139. 17,18
HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE THY THOUGHTS UNTO ME, O GOD!
HOW GREAT IS THE SUM OF THEM!
IF I SHOULD COUNT THEM, THEY ARE MORE IN
NUMBER THAN THE SAND.
WHEN I AWAKE, I AM STILL WITH THE.
AS I REFLECT ON THESE MEMORIES
MAY GOD GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HIS PLACE IN YOUR LIFE, EVEN AS HE HAS IN MINE.
AS A LAST PHOTO OF THE FAMILY
HERE WAS VI ROWING, ESTHER
WITH PAT AND COUSIN GERTIE
I THINK THIS WAS ABOUT 1944.
NOT SURE.
THE ROW BOAT AND CHESHIRE LAKE
WAS ALWAYS A PLACE WE LOVED TO SEE.
HAPPY MEMORIES ON THIS FOURTH OF JULY COMING UP.
