AUTUMN AT THE FARMHOUSE, 1935

Evening shadows at the farm

We returned to the farmhouse Sunday (Oct. 27), and in my imagination, Grandma Ina was watching for me at the kitchen window, just wishing that I would come today. She wanted to make elderberry jelly, she said, and was wishing for company.

In the imaginary autumn of 1935, Grandpa Jack had long since put the garden to bed, removing the vegetation and working fresh compost into the soil. (How I wish this were true in real time.) The orchard had provided a lot of work for both of Grandpa and Grandma. Jack had picked pears, apples, and plums, and Ina had canned many jars of fruit and also made jellies. Jack had helped her pick elderberries and today she was making another batch of jelly, a family favorite. Ina was reminded of the years when the children were young. They picked the berries and helped make the jelly in anticipation of the tasty treat. She smiled in remembering how much Vance especially loved elderberry jelly. In real time, I made the jelly while Ina kept me company. And yes, Vance would have loved it.

Speaking of the family, Ina continued, what would Christmas bring this year?  Would her children be home for Christmas, or would it be another quiet holiday? Of course, Pearl and Earle never came, and Vance preferred not to come for reasons he would not share. Ethel would come if she could, and that would be wonderful. Ina's face brightened at the thought that Ethel's daughter Sadie might be there for Christmas. And of course, Ina's youngest daughter Shirley, now working at a doctor's office in Orofino, would be here this year. Hopefully Myrtle would be able to get away from her job as a photographer's assistant for a few days. Myrtle was a good organizer, one who took over and got things done. Yes, Ina could always use Myrtle's able assistance.

One thing was certain -- with little cash on hand, it would be another skimpy Christmas. She would have to put on her thinking cap to find "affordable" gifts for her family. Ina really didn't mind, though -- not much. She was frugal through and through.

A beautiful volunteer maple in town

For sure, there would be a pageant at the schoolhouse and presentations at the church, but it was too soon to know whether she would take part in all that. Oh! She did hope so. She had enjoyed it last year.

Speaking of last year, just where did she leave off? Oh yes, there was that gingerbread pageant at the schoolhouse and Sadie was here and had a nice part in it. But -- some of the costumes went unfinished -- in fact, most of them. Oh, ALL RIGHT! None of the costumes were finished, but it was no problem in the imaginary world. With that, Ina dove headfirst into her "Christmas box" in the cubby hole under the stairway and pulled out her "idea" packet. And there they were -- books, fabric, patterns, recipes -- everything at the ready for another gingerbread Christmas.

It was no use to tell Ina that it was too soon to plan for Christmas. You have to start early when Christmas is a skimpy affair. KW