It was started! The big dig. Time to turn the soil and prepare the beds for planting. There would be no time for anything now, except to plant. And plant we did. You name it we grew it. Tomatoes, onions, cabbages, scallions, carrots, potatoes, peppers, parsley, turnips, celery, cucumbers, radishes, celery, and more. After the beds were prepared and the fertilizer was in, it was time to go to Third St. What ever wasn’t started in the cellar was bought. While pop made the trip down town, Grammy would burn the branches that had fallen during the winter and what ever was left from trimming the fruit trees and berries. Oh yes we had berries too. Raspberrys, gooseberrys, blackberrys and on and on and many brambles for my dresses to get caught on while running and “helping”.
These were the days of “one pot dinners” simmering on the stove. A beef or chicken or “mystery” soup. Grammy would get the bones from the local family store for free and believe me any bone was fair game for her soup pot. Soup was for lunch and the meat and vegetables became a platter for dinner. She still continued to keep the house clean, bake, cook, make noodles and help in the garden.
Pop had just finished putting the lettuce and onions in one day and came in for “dinner” We heard an awful silence outside and we all ran out. I followed because I didn’t know what was going on. Well it didn’t take long to find out! The chickens had gotten loose and were feasting on the lettuce seedlings. ! Such screaming and hollering from Grammy and pop! I thought the looked funny! Grammy I wouldn’t think it was funny when there was none of my favorite lettuce salad! They chased the chickens around and gathered them all up and my job was to open and close the doors to the coop as they brought them over. After close inspection. Pop discovered the hook had come out of the wood. New piece of wood needed. Grammy just shook her head. I went back in to my soup and bread. When they finally came in and sat down to eat they were both exhausted.
They finally decided to make a new chicken coop and put up a stronger pen for the ducks that were coming again. Yes we got a few ducks every year and Grammy would feed them till they were so fat they couldn’t walk or even get into the tub she kept filled with water for them. But, the pen had to be strong enough for the geese that would come in the fall. She thought ahead. Christmas dinner this year would be a goose all went well with the construction. All was secure. Pop could plant his garden in peace! Back to Third St. he went to replace what was eaten.
Things went along well for a few weeks and things were growing. We were all proud of the garden. And it would provide us with food during the winter months also. The Cherry, pear and apricot trees were blooming. This was my favorite time. The smell was wonderful. I could pick a few branches but not too many as it would cut down on the production of fruit. Well I liked the fruit too so I was careful. Things were blooming all over the place. Lilly of the Valley, Violets, Hyacinths, tulips and some late daffodils.
I came home from school one day to hear my grandparents talking in the garden. They were both tired and dirty so I knew they had been working. As I came closer they stopped talking. They said hello and let’s go eat. Strange very strange. We went into the house I changed my clothes, and we ate. Pop disappeared soon after the meal was over. I wanted to go out side but Grammy said no! Ok so I went into the cellar and found something to get into. Usually digging holes near the furnace. Well it was Fritz fault!
All of a sudden I heard a scream! It was my mother. Then an argument ensued. Mother and Pop were screaming at each other. I heard the kitchen door slam and I ran out the cellar door. There it was right in front of mea-beheaded rooster. OH BOY. Mother was crying and chasing the rooster all around. Pop just stood there with the hatchet in his hand and the roosters head laying on the ground.”Pop, how could you kill my rooster? He was my pet. We have other chickens to eat!” Grammy came out and watched the gory chase. I just stood there. I had seen this before. Chickens killed that is. That’s how we got them on the table.
Pop tried to tell Mother that her “rooster” was eating everything that was growing and pulling things up out of the ground like the potatoes! He had built a coop for him alone and he kept finding ways to get out. Mother was buying none of this. I spoke up. “Mother, last Sunday we ate my chicken that I fed and played with. That’s the way it goes.” Needless to say I got a quick smack on the mouth and told to be quiet. Naturally the fight was on between her and the grandparents.
Well Mother didn’t speak to any of us . She went inside changed her clothes and went out.
The next day when she came home from school (Beauticians Academy) she still didn’t talk to us. We sat down for dinner and there were no potatoes on her plate. “Why didn’t I get potatoes?” Pop just looked at her and said.” Consider it the share your rooster ate! And if he continued to live and eat, no one would get potatoes or carrots or anything!” Mother had tears in her eyes. It was rough but it was the truth.
Years later when mother bought a house in the foothills, she had her new husband build 2 enormous chicken coops. You guessed it..chickens..of all kinds.