Saturday, January 17, 2009

City Living #2

Before we moved from Berg Road to Mona Avenue in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, my uncle had decided to ad two rooms on the back of the house, one a kitchen and the other a laundry room. This meant we could cook and eat in the same room and in the laundry room we could hang clothes when the weather was bad. It was not easy living without running water, no bathroom, only outside. The water we used came from a small pump at the end of the sink, this same house now has all modern conveniences, is remodeled inside and the outside is painted. I might ad that the water was so clear and tasted good that came from our well, today it has city water. Mount Garfield (Berg Road) today dead ends into the expressway, something we never visioned in our days, I loved to ride my bike for a few miles on the road, but today you would come to the fence that runs along the expressway (US 31).

We moved in town the summer of 1950, I had just finished the 9th grade, at first we did not want to move away from our friends and neighbors. We were new in town, we had all summer to get acquainted with the neighbors, Aunt Margaret never visited only one neighbor. My sisters and myself liked our new place in no time and soon was getting acquainted and playing with the kids. Our bedroom was bigger and boy did we take a good bath the first thing after getting settled. I have to tell you it beat trying to fit in a washtub, with your feet hanging out.

This house has two bedrooms, bathroom (running city water), front room, dinning room, large kitchen, basement and a garage for Uncle Floyds car, the yard was very small compared to the two acres we are use to. We live in a neighborhood where the houses are close together and it is easy to know your next door neighbors business.

I started babysitting for Mary, who had six children, she was such a nice person and we played all kind of games with them. At that time kick the can, hide and seek and baseball. Mary had a field out behind them and at least three times a week we had a neighbor ball game, all the kids and parents that wanted to play did. My aunt thought we should not associate with Mary's family any more because she might influence us to be Catholic, so we were not allowed to go there. I was very upset, we liked them very much and my aunt went and had a talk with Mary, I never knew what it was about.

I answered a babysitting notice on the board at school, she had two boys and a girl. Her name was Marge and she was a court stenographer, so I watched the kids after school and on weekends. She had me proof read her transcripts for spelling errors, I was honored. I fell in love with this family and I started sitting in 10th grade through graduation. Marge bought my dress for dress up day at school and they came to my commencement, which made me so happy. Right after I graduated she ask if they went on vacation would I sit for the week with the kids. I said yes, she told me her neighbor two houses away would help me if I needed it, which I did not. I would like to say that Marge's family fell in love with me and wanted to adopt me, well guess what, Aunt Margaret paid her a visit and even had our minister talk to Marge, I never knew what they talked about. Marge just hugged me and told me if I ever needed anything or things could change just come to them and they would help me, and any time I needed a place to stay that their house was my home.

While Marge was on vacation I received a call to come for a job interview. I went down to the neighbor lady and she came up to watch the kids while I went to see what it was about. I was hired on the spot, the company's name was Universal Camshaft Company in Muskegon Heights, I was so happy and nervous. Marge came home the next day and was so happy, she knew she would have to replace me. which made both of us sad. My life was moving into a new phase and I knew I would have to leave some of my former life behind, I guess this is called growing up, my childhood days was fast coming to an end. New doors to the future were opening and what lies ahead of them is unknown.

I will be posting more soon, I am glad you like it so far, thank you friends.

32 comments:

Patty said...

Sounds like Marge and her family were super people. Shame your Aunt couldn't take a lesson from her. Your Aunt sounds like she was one unhappy person and made everyone else unhappy in the process. I'll be waiting to read more of your story.

Merle said...

Dear Margaret~~ Another great story of your early years and things have changed for the better with the kind people you met and baby sat for. I am so enjoying your story my friend and look forward to reading more. Many thanks to you for saying a prayer for my niece Vicki. I do hope she gets well
Glad you liked the True Meaning of Life and the jokes. Alsoo the little boy's shoes. Thank you so much for your visit and I will be back here. Take good care Margaret. Love, Merle.

Anonymous said...

Your Marge sounds like someone who treated me well when I was a child and wanted to help us kids...You sure remember a kind soul if you had a difficult childhood....

ancient one said...

I finally got back here and caught up. You have an interesting story and I'm enjoying reading it. Reminds me of my mom's life.

Gigi Ann said...

Good Morning, Margaret, I enjoy reading your stories and I don't always leave a comment, but will try to correct that bad habit. It's always an encouragement when we receive comments, isn't it?

Margaret, there is an award waiting for you at my blog: http://annsreadingcorner.blogspot.com

Judy said...

I think your Aunt might have been jealous of the great person you were and the great relationships you made with other people. Sounds like she was not that kind of person. Loved reading this and looking forward to more.

My Littel Island said...

Judy u sad it all Margaret Thank you for your storry y dont u right a book about your live I wate for a long tim to read your blog just so i dont have to wate so long ahahah I can see y the Marge fell in love with you u ar One in a mill Thanks and god bless ps tipe it all and send it to me lol

momsbusy said...

i am really enjoying your story. i am looking forward to reading more.

i am not sure what to make of your aunt. i am guessing that maybe she was very protective of you. trying to look at what she has done in a positive light.

Katiez Furry Mewz said...

Thanks for the story! Reminds me of my mother's stories and my grandparent's, too!

Right now I'm living in an old farmhouse that our city enveloped about 50 years ago. There is a leak in the pipes just past the water meter, so I'm living without running water! I take buckets of water from Mom's house next door. (my kitty babies granmawmee). And the house needs re-wiring - so the only electricity I have is borrowed from a construction grade line also from Mom's house.

I am interested in learning about your very first job at Universal Camshaft. What did you do? Thanks again for helping my babies and I should be getting some furry warm shoes purrtee soon again.

Luv n hugs,
Katie n Katie Too

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Thank-you for your sweet comment. It did help!! ...Blessings...m.

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Thanks for posting such interesting not-so-long-ago daily life tit-bits that are quite foreign to us nowadays.

Thankyou also for visiting me from time to time although I have not been very active in the visiting department myself due to wrist injury.

Lilly said...

I read somewhere that only hurt people hurt other people so your Aunt was clearly troubled although I cannot imagine the pain that would have caused a young person. I am so glad that you then found the job and I look forward to finding out the next part of your story. Its really important we share our stories I think so we can learn. Thanks Margaret.

Kathleen said...

I loved reading about this part of your growing up, just as I loved reading the last one. I hope you will write many more!

We're not so hot today, but the weatherman says that Peru's summer this year will be a scorcher. Wah. I need to go back to Wyoming and the Wind Festival. I think Celeste would enjoy the cool weather and the high plains crispness, too.

Merle said...

Hi again Dear Margaret `` Thank you so very much for your very kind comments. I don't write any of the things I post, but find them and post them.
I am so glad you enjoy them and the Navigator guys
They were not too bright. Take care dear friend,
Love, Merle.

tea time and roses said...

Thank you so much for your story, I must catch up on what I have missed. Such a sweet place to visit here.

Smiles...

Beverly

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

Margaret, this is Momma Jan here, not the kitties! I want to thank you so much for telling me that the gadget the kitties had on their blog was a tomato slicer, I went to Ebay and found it, and it is good to see what the actual use is ... ha ha! It had been driving my husband and I crazy (mostly me) trying to guess what it was since we got it! Thanks again!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jan

Anonymous said...

I like this a lot Margaret. I am really enjoying reading it.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Margaret,
It's good that you are writing down your life story/remembrances. I should have my Mom do that. It might be good for her and keep her busy. Glad you like the valentines. How is Logan and Dusty doing?? I hope that's their names. :)
Warmly,
Deb

Midlife Mom said...

Really enjoying your stories of your youth. We had the pump in the kitchen sink too, a black cast iron sink. Keep the installments coming!

momsbusy said...

i finally got a chance to catch up and read earlier posts. gosh, your aunt was certainly unlike anyone i have ever known. although she made your life rough growing up she didn't turn you into a miniature of herself. you learned how not to treat children and you used that lesson(s) to raise your sons with love and caring. you are a special woman miss margaret.

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ Just a quick note to let you know that I have left an award for you at my blog.
Hope all is well with you. Love, Merle.

Ms. Tee said...

How nice it must've been when you got the big bathtub! I've really enjoyed reading your stories, Margaret~ can't wait to see what's next. :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Renie Burghardt said...

Margaret,

I so enjoyed this story about your early life. I look forward to reading the next installment.

Hugs and blessings,

Renie

Becky said...

Another wonderful recount of your life. I so enjoy reading these Margaret. I'll be looking forward to more of your stories.
B.

Mickey's Musings said...

It is not hard to like your story. You are a good writer :)
Thanks for sharing,Nancy

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ I am glad you were pleased with the award. Glad you enjoyed the joke about Jack - after 9 months, we all thought she'd be pregnant
but it turned out well for him. Take care, my friend. Love, Merle.

Ms. Tee said...

Hi Margaret - I'm so glad you liked the candle - I hope it smells good & gingerbread-y~ :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Margaret,

This is another good post, I really love reading your struggles and glad that it has paid off, rewarding you with a loving hub and 2 kind sons.

BTW, I am passing you a Butterfly award. It's in the last part of my recent post, although, I knew you already received one from Peggy, just the same am still passing that award to you to let you know that your blog is one of the coolest blog I know :)

Hugz,

Juliet

Sherry said...

I can't wait to hear what happens next. Thank you for writing your memories.

My Littel Island said...

I WANT MORE IWANT MORE storry hurry i am going nuts wating i look so forwart to you next one thank you

Kathleen said...

I love how you are keeping memores alive on your blog. It is wonderful!

I am having trouble finding your new blog. Where is your "About Me" link?

Margaret Cloud said...

Thank you dear friend's for coming by, I was worried about putting my life notes up for everyone to read, but it seems you all like them, thanks.

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