Childhood memories of visits to Cousin Bessie’s House
Have you ever gone to someone’s home and a smell, a sound or an object reminded you of a good childhood memory? The other day I delivered an Avon order to Miss. Christine, a good friend of my grandmother’s from the MOT Senior Center. In all the years that they were friends and before my grandmother passed, I had never gone to her house. The moment I pulled into the driveway memories of going to Cousin Bessie’s house in Port Chester, NYcame flooding back.
My grandmother raised my sister and me in the projects in New Rochelle, NY, I wouldn’t call it a concrete jungle but it wasn’t a grassy knoll either. Entering Miss. Christine’s house reminded me of visiting and going through Cousin Bessie’s house, looking at all the nick nacks, sneaking candy from the jar and shaking the snow-globe then holding it still until all the flakes fell back into place.
Growing up in the 60’s/70’s life was simpler but the small things meant a great deal. You weren’t supposed to be in grown folks business and if you fell or got hurt you were told to just get up and next time don’t be so clumsy!
Entering the back yard through the metal gate, there sits an old red wagon
Miss. Christine’s house was built in the 50’s and decorated in the 60’s and would now be considered retro in 2012. From the paneled walls, metal hand rails to the big spoon and fork on the kitchen wall, it all just took me back to Port Chester, NY and the happy family times we had when visiting that home.
Miss. Christine - remembering the chair/step ladder
We always entered the house from the back or laundry room
The paneled walls, metal stair rails, retro kitchen table and chairs
Back TV room for the "men folk"
Wallpapered powder room with wall mounted Dixie Cup dispenser.
Upstairs living room for the grown folks - "stay outta grown folks business, now get your candy and git!"
)
)
)
Love these stools and kitchen chairs - never replaced or worn out
I think every kitchen had the large spoon and fork hanging on the wall
ceiling mounted glass cabinet
Fluorescent lights mounted to the side of the cabinets
There were always some gardening tool around and parents weren't concerned - if you got hurt it's because you shouldn't have been touching it! Kids today are too protected from every day disappointments and mishaps!
)
)
)