We had a new refrigerator delivered today, and it has me thinking of change and remembering stuff from a long time ago. It's interesting how a new refrigerator has brought scenes from a long-ago past to mind. I'm only seventy, not yet completely OLD, but no longer young either.
The first refrigerator I can remember was in my Aunt Jennie's house. It was a while, rounded box with a large round compressor on top. I can't recall its brand, but I do know it was not a Frigidaire because I can remember being confused when I asked why they called their refrigerator a Frigidaire, the answer was that most of them were and they had just become accustomed to using the brand name for all such appliances.
We lived with my Aunt Jennie for most of the mid-1940's, so that had to have been along that time. Aunt Jennie wasn't my aunt but my mother's. My mother's mother had died when Mom was less than six months old, and Mom had been raised by Aunt Virginia.
For some strange reason, I also remember being allowed to help mold margarine. I suppose butter was scarce during the war, and they would buy margarine. It was white and came with small coloring packets. They would mix the coloring into the margarine and press the mix into a round mold that was, I suspect, a butter mold. I was used to press the mix into the mold. When the mold was removed after refrigerating, it looked very pretty with a floral design on top.
Aunt Jennie lived less than two blocks from downtown Florence, SC. Where her house was is now a large motel and there is nothing small town about Florence. But it definitely was then. Aunt Jennie had a large back yard where she kept chickens. I vaguely remember helping collect the eggs.
I remember that even though they had a refrigerator the ice man still delivered ice to the house. I always thought he had to be among the strongest men in the world because with a tong he could carry a large block of ice in each hand. I also remember Jewel Tea delivery trucks delivering some things, and the milk was left on the front porch by a delivery person who I can not remember seeing. I think he made his rounds before I got up in the mornings.
There was a crabapple tree in the side yard. Aunt Jennie would pick the crabapples and make jelly. I can't bite into a crabapple without scrunching my face up from its sourness, but her jelly was wonderful. I've never met any one else who makes crabapple jelly, though I am sure there must be someone who still does.
Aunt Jennie had an old feather mattress that I loved to sleep on. It seemed the most luxurious thing in the world when the mattress would conform itself to my little frame, as if there was nothing that could ever get to me. If I went to visit someone today and they offered me a feather bed, I would hesitate because I know they aren't so comfortable, and I seem to be much more sensitive or allergic. But it sure was nice then.
I've some good memories of that house. Not much else in that time period brings such good ones. I'm glad we have a new regrigerator today, and that some things have changed so much. Though I have no good idea how its delivery started me on such a memory path, I am glad that it did.
Totally engrossing – I, too, am glad that you have a new refrigerator to start you on a memory path :-)
Posted by: Felix Grant | July 07, 2009 at 03:39 AM