We stepped back in time last week when we visited my 96-year-old aunt, Flo. Well, she’s not really my aunt…she’s my aunt’s friend but they lived together since 1937 so she’s a part of the family. My very special Auntie Ag died in 2004 but we try to stay connected with her friend, Flo. My aunt and Flo met at a munitions plant in the 1930’s where they both were working at the time. They became lifelong friends.
Flo still lives in the same house that these two women bought in 1968. It was only a year or two old when they bought it and it was very high-quality construction and workmanship. However, Flo told us the gold living room carpet and draperies were the first on their list to change out. Forty-eight years later the gold, wool carpeting is still there –in remarkably good shape – and the gold, full-length heavy, lined draperies, which cover a wall of windows overlooking a creek running through the backyard, are still hanging.
She recently replaced the original refrigerator because it was making a noise, although it was still working. The original built-in, avocado-green oven and stovetop works and the original vinyl is still covers the kitchen floor.
The living room furniture is mostly original too. My favorites are the two tall gold, glass lamps that adorn each side of the sofa (which I remember the sofa being covered in clear plastic for many years.)
I have always loved going to their home…it holds many happy memories for me.
As we sat in her comfortable living room we asked Flo about the jobs she’s had over the years and for the next hour she told us some very interesting stories. I’d suggest to anyone with a relative or friend over ninety to ask about their work history. It’s revealing. What a delightful afternoon.
As we walk through the door of this wonderful home it seems we take a step back in time for a little while and it feels good. Then awhile later we walk back into the real world again.
The sun was shining and the sky was blue the day we went on a three hour boat cruise through the Fjord-du-Saguenay. Hills with lush shades of greens and rocky cliffs met the Saguenay River forming the lovely fjord.
On our recent trip to Canada we camped one night in a city park on our way home to Minnesota. We enjoyed a campfire then crawled into our sleeping bags about 10ish, but since it was the 4th of July weekend fireworks sounded late into the night and we didn’t fall asleep right away. So when we woke up in the morning we were surprised to see a tent in the site next to us. The owner must have pulled in late and set up the little tent. When I came back from the bathroom a tall, young man crawled out of the tent. We nodded at each other and I wondered if he’s traveling with anyone. As I was getting breakfast ready another young man crawled out of this tent. I thought that’s nice, he is traveling with someone but I thought the tent must have been cozy. Then to my surprise a third man crawled out of this two man tent and I started to giggle. They rolled up their sleeping bags, lifted the little tent right off the ground, took apart the two poles, folded the tent and put it all into the trunk of their car without saying a word, then drove off. It was comical to think we used our big family tent for the two of us and they had a small two person tent for three of them! What a fun way to start the day.
We have a brown spot on our lawn these days. Burned by the fire pit we used the other night to have our backyard campfire (the grass grows back). Our son and daughter-in-love came to visit so we started the weekend off with a campfire in our back yard fire pit. We sat around and visited while the stars came out and the sky grew dark. It was a lovely evening. I love sitting around a campfire.
Our B&B was lovely place and the location great. The proprietor was a petite woman with a wonderful accent who wore beautiful dresses. The breakfasts were European: meats and cheeses, breads & croissants, jelly, fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs (with slightly soft yolks) and some cereal available for those who really wanted it. Breakfasts with our friends were leisurely, filled with lively conversation.
