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By Mary Ellen (Fellows) Cosgrove Our Old Homestead 321 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA, PO Box 151 Tel. HI (Hilltop) 3-2026 (Before that, we had a “party” line!) Introduction Mum’s intelligence earned her a degree in nursing, among other things. Even though she had a degree of independence (a family trait), she was, at the same time, very disciplined. Her demeanor was kind, caring, loving, supportive, and very sacrificial. She was religious to her Christian beliefs, supported by His Word , which she shared with me, for which I am thankful. I don’t remember her complaining or getting angry. She always found a way to make ends meet and I was never aware, as a child, of having less materially than some other families. Our needs were met and we had plenty of room to roam on our five acres. I probably didn’t realize how special the land was at the time, but in retrospect, in this day and age, it was really something. Sewing The old Singer sewing machine never failed service that I know of...Mum put it to great use, altering hand-me-down clothes to fit us. When a seam needed tearing out, I believe she used a razor blade, not a ripper, and I remember having to hold one side of the seam taut while she let it rip, time and time again. Home Beauty When I needed a haircut, Mum was the barber (I had short hair in Jr. and Sr. High). She always asked “do you think I should go into the beauty shop business?” I would say “yes”. Berry Patch and Gardens Mum picked blackberries every summer in our wild patch which grew larger every year. Every once in awhile, one might hear a shriek... that meant a snake drove her out! (her worst fear). Sometimes she would pick enough for more than our pie. She would take them to a fruit and vegetable stand down the street and wholesale them to the keeper who got the best deal I’m sure. After an hour or two of picking in the hot and humid conditions, she’d return to the kitchen with a red face and immediately dunk her whole head under the faucet to cool down. We used to pick along with her sometimes, traversing through the maze of thorns, but I knew there was a snake in there somewhere! When she would say “what was THAT?”, I was gone! I actually axed a snake once, from an elevated height..the stone wall. I then found out the demise of a few frogs..did that make me a farm girl? Then there was the vegetable garden, halfway down the driveway on the less swampy side. The critters enjoyed her harvest and a few different methods of barriers were tested. I don’t remember what worked, unless it was chicken wire. Of course, I can’t forget the flower and rock garden which was a great effort, to the back of the house, next to the steps, below the kitchen window. That was a great idea and it looked pretty. Appliance Antiquity/Cooking/Treats The old kerosene kitchen stove must have been a huge challenge (compared to today), but Mum worked it like a master, producing some great food – healthy and delicious. She supported Dad’s dietary needs like an unfailing champ, which was good fare for us all! Of course, everything was from scratch. When it came to her famous fruit or berry pies, she would make one special pie for Dad, and another special one, including some sugar for us girls. Besides the blackberry pies, she made an occasional rhubarb pie, the source of which was “over the fence” in our neighbors field. There was more than one risk at hand there. They owned sheep and had a rambunctious ram. Mum must have been quick for more than one reason. (To this day, we all prefer home-baked pies to a cake! We’ve been known to eat them for breakfast in more than one place..Pris? I also offered one to my company for breakfast (from Japan) in Oregon. And when family was about to arrive in OR for Matt’s (my son) wedding , I borrowed a kitchen, picked blackberries on the side of the road and snuck the pie into their hotel room. Donna and Joy are great pie makers as well. That’s a nice tradition to pass on.) I’ll never forget the pork roast dinners, and the gingerbread which we always ate as soon as it came “steaming” out of the oven. I believe we put whip cream on it (after pouring off the cream from the top of the milk and whipping it). I don’t remember candy being available very often, but I caught Mum once sneaking a piece from a private stash! At the time I had to climb up on something to look that high for it later. Dad used to say ”you have big eyes, Reddo”. Since we amazingly received an allowance, we would sometimes buy candy at Mrs. VanTesslers (otherwise known as Vantasslebottom’s) store at the end of the driveway across the Boston Post Road. We had child prankish fun with her. Pris and I would check the candy out for moldiness before consuming and return to the homestead for yet ANOTHER game of rummy. Outings On Friday nights, we all went shopping in Framingham. Since Mum didn’t drive a car for years, she waited to do most of her grocery shopping until then when Dad would drive us. We’d split up upon arrival and off I went (with my allowance) to J. C. Penney’s for material to make skirts. I was intrigued when they put the money in the cup which traveled via a moving cable to an office where change was made and returned. Sometimes we went to the dairy for delicious ice cream cones. Between the windows down and the ice cream, we were cooled nicely. I remember Mum’s “right arm tan”. Riding in the rumble-seat of one of our cars with goggles was the best adventure. It may have been a toss-up, however, with the limousine car that had roll-up windows between the front and back seat, with an intercom, and pull up extra seats, AND, it backfired every time we went down a hill! Occasionally, Mum would want to venture to Filene’s Basement in Boston. That meant the B&W (Boston/Worcester) bus. I am not sure if we ever made it all the way without stopping and getting off from bus sickness! We recovered quickly and hopped back on. Filene’s was a different scene that we were used to, people pushing, trying on clothes right there, grabby, etc. Rubbing Off - Actually, Mum is probably responsible for all of us kids loving bargains and garage sale-ing. It’s all part of the fun and games that we enjoy today, sharing experiences with one another. Pris finally got the itch to join the fun. My daughter, Andrea, is keeping the tradition going and usually competes to beat. Choice of Schools Mum actually gave me a choice (it was my decision) of which elementary school to attend. It was either the regular public one OR the original Mary Had a Lamb Schoolhouse where they had an opening. Although considered public, it held about 16 students, one teacher located at the Wayside Inn, Martha Mary Chapel, and the Gristmill location. I chose the latter and have MANY special memories. Photo Shoots While Dad was preparing for a photo shoot of his daughters, Mum dressed us appropriately in dresses if it were summer, and usually we all had neatly braided hair for the pictures. And if it were winter, my goodness, we all had a warm coat that fit us!. She would have even outfitted the woodchuck if he had held still (the one we tamed, Dad built a cage for, who talked to us by whistling to us when we went down cellar, until we let him go..but guess what, he wouldn’t let US go, he visited regularly for awhile for a visit and a snack). Precious Moments When I was in high school, I remember riding my bike to the dentist in Framingham after school, about a seven mile route one way. It seemed much longer than that by the time I got home! After passing a driving test, I discovered that I’d better get my OWN car. I found a 1950 Chevrolet for $50, but I still had to complete the necessary related paperwork in order to drive the thing. I returned home from school another day, and again, ready to take that seven mile trek via leg power turning wheels, when my mother surprised me! She said “you can drive yourself to the dentist”, and she handed me the keys. Wow! She had taken care of everything for me that day when she took the bus to wherever and back (and probably had to walk a distance from the bus stop) to accomplish what I needed. Upon return visits home, later in life, Mum always went to so much effort to make my stay special. Fixing up a room, etc. And those welcoming words “you’re home now”. She even let us borrow her car to go to Maine. She made several trips west to CA which I always appreciated, once on the bus! She’s amazing! I remember when I brought my young children back home, the pictures I took of them carrying produce up the driveway, from Mum’s garden, so cute. So it must have been a span of considerable years that she continued this garden. All the times that Mum traveled west to CA to visit were special. Can you believe that she even made the trip on the bus once? I should have never let her do that. She said she got psyched up for it. God bless you, my mother, the best! Love you always. Mary included this article with an Email message to the Muse editors, July 24, 2004. |
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