Good things come in small packages

No, this isn’t about my packages from Amazon because believe me, those are all very big boxes. The big chef’s skillet came along with the pasta pot set but that has a broken handle and will go back. This is about my grandparent’s house.

My father was born here:

I took this picture about 6 years ago, long after my grandparents had died Apparently the owners keep their Christmas decorations up for awhile since I think I took this in the spring on a visit to Pittsburgh. Not much has changed on the outside- the little fence used to be rose bushes that my grandpa took care of. I don’t remember the awning being there but maybe it was. Certainly there was not a baby gate. I do remember the brick road and loved hearing the occasional car drive over them.  Believe it or not, I was standing on the curb opposite the house to take this picture. The street is very narrow, barely enough room for two cars to travel up and down at the same time.

These are my grandparents, I am not sure what year this was.

Here is their garden behind them.

The garden had a path down the center of it so grandpa and grandma could tend to it. As a child, I would run up and down that path even though we kids were not allowed to. Grandpa didn’t want us ruining his plants! I totally get that now as I have some tomatoes and herbs growing and I am very protective of them.

The house also had a nice back porch that we could sit out on and rock in the metal chairs or old metal glider. The glider was your standard three-seater with vinyl cushions that were hot on bare legs in the summer and cool in the fall and spring. Grandpa was cheap, nowadays we call it “frugal” or “green” so he re-used many items around the house for other things. One thing I remember is the “flyswatters” he made. They were made from broken tomato steaks or furring strips and pieces of indoor/outdoor carpet. It was the kind of carpet that had a rubber back. I’ll say the carpet remnant was about 9 inches X 6 inches. And let me tell you something-those babies would sting if you were smacked with one. Grandpa had several of these laying around and with a few brothers and cousins, we would regularly have battles with those things. Pity the kids who didn’t grab one first and hold on to it until supper time or when it was time to leave.  Those old metal chairs would make a very soothing sound as I rocked in them. It was a nice place to just hang out as a kid because it was cool and you could smell the food from the kitchen.

Memories are wonderful because long after those we love are gone, they still live in our hearts and minds. My mind is full of memories of my grandparents home but that’s enough for today.

If you have living grandparents, take the time to enjoy them while they are still with you. My husband’s 90 year old grandmother is coming to town for a visit this week so I plan on taking some time to visit with her.