The
cold in Ina’s world was gradually giving way to warmer temperatures, though the
high today would still be in the mid-20s. Even so, warmer temperatures were
anticipated and both Ina and Jack were relieved. The question now was: Would it
snow?
It
was time to start packing boxes for the mail. The gifts to Pearl’s family had
the farthest to go and therefore must be the first to be mailed. In considering
a nice gift for Pearl, Ina decided to send a “W. Mason” bag that she had on
hand. Ina thought the bag was pretty and useful but she just didn’t use it –
and you know, Ina just doesn’t keep things she doesn’t use. Besides, she knew Pearl
would make good use of it. She also sent a pretty pincushion for Pearl and two
linen hankies to her husband Al. For grandson Stan, now 14, she included a book
from the shelf and a pencil sharpener. On a whim, she also put in the little ceramic
toy dog for Pearl, a relic of old reservation days. The dog had survived a
house burning and Pearl’s family would enjoy the story.
Ina
never bought new wrapping paper. Instead, they carefully unwrapped their gifts
so as to salvage the paper for re-use the next year. She also saved common
green string which she thought was so pretty for tying gifts. Wrapping paper
often made several exchanges before becoming so worn that it had to be
discarded. This year she had the lovely new tags that Shirley had sent her from
Idaho Falls.
When
the gifts were wrapped, Ina found a box that was just right. Nothing was
fragile, so she didn’t need to use a lot of packing, but she carefully tucked a
recent issue of the Clearwater Tribune around the gifts in the box. She knew
both Pearl and Al would enjoy reading it.
It
was a morning’s work – a labor of love which she thoroughly enjoyed. Once the
box was addressed and ready, Jack carried it to the mailbox with a dollar bill
attached. Their rural route carrier would pick up the box and the next day
leave their change.
[I
honestly don’t know how they paid to mail packages, but I know Jack carried them
to the mailbox for pick-up by their rural route carrier. Into the ‘50s – even the
‘60s – the rural route carrier was a life line for the country folk, carrying
not only the mail but medications and groceries.
The first picture is of Al and Pearl Sanders and their son Stanley. The second is of Al and Stan taken on the porch at the Dobson farmhouse.] KW
6 comments:
I'm curious. What is a W. Mason bag? A purse? A tote bag?
You're doing a fabulous job of bringing your grandmother to life.
Sheesh that guy looks TALL! Did he have that pituatary glad disorder?
Yes, Al was tall -- probably 6'4". But remember -- the rest of the family was short. Al was my other grandmother's (Grandma Nina Portfors) brother. She was probably 5'6" but her sister, Bessie, was also tall for a woman. She must have been at least 5'10". And their mother was tall. I never heard that he had a disorder.
Hi Chris! I got sidetracked on your question about the W. Mason bag. I meant to provide a link when I published this post and have now corrected that so that you can see pictures.
http://www.museumofusefulthings.com/products/18-canvas-mason-bag
We went to the link and couldn't find "18-canvas-mason-bag"
Hmmmm. Thank you for telling me about the link. I de-activated it and didn't find another. I recommend interested parties just google "mason bag" and look at the pictures that come up.
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