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Barefoot In The Sand: Remembering the Waning Days of the Hopewell Community (1998) Bruce C. Gragg 38/123

WE ENJOYED MAMAS SIBLINGS VISITS

In the late 1930'S and early 40’s Curtis and Carroll were in the
CCC's. It was always a special time when they would come for a visit.
At this time we were living in the kitchen, dining room and back
porch while the main house, a colonial style, was being built by
Edwin. We had a large front yard inside the fence with many trees,
between the front fence and the road was another large grass area we
used for playing quite often. Cows mostly kept the grass outside the
yard cut. After I get big enough I had to cut the grass inside the
yard. We didn't have a gas mower so I had to cut it with a sling
blade. Now I can admit at times I did accidentally cut more than the
grass, like trimming the wisteria, magnolia or some tree or shrub too
closely with a swipe of the sling blade. I guess most kids when they
grow up can finally admit to such happenings while doing various
chores around the house. I actually cut a mimosa completely down
once, I quickly put a stake by it and tied it up real good. It never
wilted, I didn't know at the time, it is almost impossible to kill
the darn things.

In building the new house Uncle Edwin used lumber cut from trees
there on the farm. Uncle Edwin was a very meticulous worker □f wood,
to the point of being a perfectionist. I would loved to lave seen the
house finished, including the kitchen that would have been built at
the back of the house where the old kitchen was. They bought the
finishing material, and Edwin would be extremely careful when
building any part of the house. He would measure, double :heck his
planned space, then remeasure before finally cutting. It lad to fit
just right and look like he thought it should. He could really do
some beautiful finishing carpentry. In most of his work he figured if
two nails would hold four would hold better, results ;hat he built
was rock steady. I was too young to remember living _n the old main
living quarters of the old house. I cannot claim fame for being born
in a log house, although we had a log house on :he farm, our first
house was a unpainted frame house.

Curtis and Carroll would take time to play with us and tease is.
They, usually Curtis, would trick us to go outside then he would
latch the doors so we couldn’t get in, then throw a dipper full of
water on us. It was summer time and we loved this. Kid like we would
scream and carry on because they did it, then make a fuss for them to
do it again. We liked having them come so much, we loved them and
appreciated what they did for us. Often times we ail to express this
feeling of appreciation and thank-you in written or even verbal form
in time for those providing it to enjoy t. Thanks to all of you,
Juanita, Curtis, Edwin and Carroll, your presence meant so much to a
couple kids growing up without a dad

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