Cousin Bobo was footloose and fancy-free, unperturbed by the economic responsibilities of four children in three years. He doted on his child-bride, Inez, living quite happily with her and their family in an old unpainted, farm house on her mama’s place. Despite his aversion to a regular work schedule, he and Inez managed fine. There was no power to the house, so no bills, the wood stove and fireplace sufficing for heat and cooking. The house was abandoned when they moved in, so he tacked wire over the open windows to keep varmints out, shuttering the windows for bad weather. Mama was real proud he did the right thing and married Inez, so she wasn’t about to stir up trouble, especially after the young’uns started coming. Bobo plowed and planted Mama’s garden, later helping get the peas picked and corn cut. Except for the few days he spent plowing, and cutting firewood, he fished and hunted every day. He happily peddled watermelons and turnip greens out of his old ’49 Ford Truck. They never ran short of game or fish. Sometimes he’d help a neighbor butcher a beef or hog, bringing in extra meat. He wasn’t averse to helping family with a little painting or carpentry work from time to time, as long as it was understood that his labor included a few days’s hospitality for his family. He kept Mama’s freezer full. That along with Mama’s chickens and eggs, the cow’s milk and butter kept them going just fine. Getting clothes for the kids wasn’t a challenge. Inez was the youngest of six spectacularly fertile sisters. Their cousin’s hand-me-downs were plentiful. All those little blonde tykes lined up in overalls year round was awe-inspiring. Most of the time, they wore shirts under their overalls in winter. Plenty of old tennis shoes lay casually around, should any of the kids decide they needed footwear. Some even had mates. Size wasn’t an issue. Should a shoe be too big, it worked fine to slide-style and let it flop. The kids weren’t partial to shoes anyway, unless they were picking around in a trash dump with old cans or broken glass. Strings were scarce, but I never noticed anybody complaining.
I loved it when Bobo, Inez, and the kids showed up. Mother wasn’t always so enthusiastic, figuring they had run out of groceries and needed a place to roost for a few days. They did seem more likely to show up in bad weather, when a warm house was helpful. Sometimes they’d stay a few days with this relative, a few with that one, moving one before the tension got too thick. Mother complained about relatives giving them gas money to help them down the road to their next hosts. I know I saw her slip Inez a little of her grocery money once, after Daddy went to work. They moved on. We ate gravy and biscuits till Daddy got paid the next Thursday.
to be continued
Lovely story, this is so important to record. Thanks.
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More to come
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This is awesome storytelling…
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More to come. Thanks.
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I`m waiting for tomorrow.. I’d like your family is all rigth now. Your stories are vey nice.
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Glad you enjoy.
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Your stories, your family, your way of weaving a story keeps me coming back when I can. I always end up smiling before I leave. ❤ ❤ ❤
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More about Bobo tomorrow.
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I look forward to it. 😀 😛
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More on Bobo tomorrow.
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I would bet they grew up to be responsible, successful adults given their lives as children. They would know the results of irresponsibility and thus probably worked extra hard to avoid them.
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Hope they are ok.
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Sacrifice to help those in need. A simple lifestyle and a sweet story. Very nice. Look forward to more. ☺
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Thanks. I always look forward to your posts,too.
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I love your stories and a perfect picture to go with them.
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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You never saw those kids when they grew up? How sad!
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I hope their lives didn’t fall apart from such an irresponsible, though loving father. They were such cuties. I loved them.
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I think the love would have overcome the irresponsibility. Nothing sours a family faster than a lack of love. My mum was one of nine and very poor, but her mother was one of the most loving and lovable women on the planet. Even though her father wasn’t kind to her, the love she received made up for much. My nana was amazing.
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She probably saved her.
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Biscuits and gravy sounds delish.
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I know that now. Back then, four days of them got old. Do you know how to make them?
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I don’t cook much but nope..
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I absolutely love your stories. You paint such an amazing, funny world with your words.
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Josh I wish you lived next door! We’d have such a good time!
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Sounds like they led a happy, uncomplicated life! How lovely that everyone helped them out though when they really needed it. 🙂
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Not always voluntarily. Never saw kids as adults. Wonder how they turned out?
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