Love - The Odessa Record "By Your Relative"

Hi, here I am again.

Continued from last week – the Kiesz Children….. Joyce remembers the following about living in the L-B-D: (30.) There was usually no room in the kitchen’s “cool box” for pies and other bakery goods so goods were kept on the kitchen counter. I’m sure today a person would keep them in the refrigerator. In the old days, no one got sick …. after all, when the items came out of the oven it didn’t take long for them to be eaten, like within two seconds. (31.) That during harvest time, the Kiesz family would go into Odessa on Saturday nights, get supplies if needed, and socialize. The town was “wall to wall” with towns people and other farmer families. It was exciting compared to living on the farm where it is chores from morning to night and dirt, dirt, dirt. (32.) Never having “spending” money or money of any type until moving to Odessa in 1949 when she started to baby sit. The going rate was 25 cents per hour. (33.) While on the farm from age 3-4, she would play with the kittens, would wrap one with a blanket, place it in her doll buggy and push the buggy around When she was older, she learned to play rummy and tiddly winks. (34.) On Sundays the year around, would go to Sunday School & Church in Odessa, and when church was over, would go to the basement and eat the packed lunch that her mother prepared. Would also socialize with others who were doing the same. (35.) Only had a few “outfits” for clothing - store purchased types. Skirts had pleats. Sometimes used “hand-me-downs” from Marian.

The last question I asked Joyce was, “What was it like that first day in the new “modern” house in Odessa?” Answer: I remember saying to myself, “O!! .. how boring.” CAN YOU IMAGINE SAYING THIS? It sure didn’t take long to start enjoying brand new furniture, drapes, carpet, radios, indoor plumbing, two bathrooms, electricity, indoor basement with a furnace, automatic washer/dryer, freezer. ping-pong table.

Until next time.

Your Relative, Spokane