After many, many years of building Evenrude boats, being an electrician; wiring most all of Plainview's older industrial buildings, my grandparents, Lucy & Hugh Etter, worked for the government distributing commodities to those in need in Hale County . Texas.
Since we spent the summer and holidays with our grandparents because our parents worked, we played at helping a lot. We ate quite a bit of refused food, as well. I can understand why the potted meet was refused. ;o)
I spent a lot of time walking the streets of Broadway Street from 11th Street down to the Sear's Store just past 5th Street a couple of blocks.
I was up and down the blocks and in and out of the stores almost daily.
I loved Casey's Bakery. I could get a Bear Claw or a Long-john with the money I had been entrusted with. Mostly I bought Bear Claws. They were so good; thick, fluffy, and sweet,
There was an art store too. In that store there was just one older man who worked in there. I did not like going in the store. One time when I had been sent to get something for family the man actually touched me in a way that was not appropriate. I left and never went back. I never bothered my family with the information because it would have upset their already busy schedule.
I loved the car shops and the smell of oil and metal. I, too, loved the Yardstick Fabric Store. My mother worked at the Dixie Shop and it was the upper end of fashion shopping. Fashion that was tailored to fit you as if you bought it in New York or Los Angeles. Even the traveling prostitutes who did business at the Hilton Hotel bought clothing from the Dixie Shop while there for their shift...they were brought in for their business deals. But we bought fabric at the fabric store. My mother was the most amazing seamstress with the determination for the inside of the garment to be made well enough that it could be worn on either side...inside or out. Amazing!!!
I remember finally fitting into Dixie Shop clothes. How nice they were. Marse & Son is where we bought our shoes and gifts. It was a great store. I remember one time wearing my rollers into the store. The clerks were shocked! I needed my hair to stay curled until the last minute so curlers it was...and I needed hose so I stepped through the alley way from The Dixie Shop to Marse & Son and made history! First young lady wearing rollers in her hair into their store. Then I would check the dumpster to see all of the thrown away items/treasures that I might could use. I remember a poerfume bottle and a pair of green mismatched shoes. Funny to think that I would still look for "treasures" today if I had time.
We all loved Woolworth. We could buy anything from sea monkeys to alligators, sit at the soda fountain, spin on the stool, look for hat forms to make our Easter bonnet, or even by the best toys.
West Pharmacy was where we stopped for a sandwich and a soda and listened to the adults tell stories on everyone in town...if you listened. Kristi's came along and we loved their clothes. There were pharmacies, gift shops, shoe stores, and Blasingames...oh we loved their food.
We loved the Old Mexico over on Ash and would go there to eat a lot. Then, we made our way back down to the commodity house to move big 50 pound bags of flour, meal, rice, etc. to prepare for a new day. The cheese was wonderful. We rarely got cheese. Almost everyone kept their portion. When we did it was a treat.
Being a kid and being free to walk for hours, in and out of shops, on your own, was a big deal.
Then, we would go to the house on Nassau Street. Our grandparents would give us money and we would walk to Mrs. Brelands and get candy. Next we would go to Highland School and slide down the two storied fire escapes!
Then back home at dark for dinner, baths, and bed.
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Fresh Find: I like this denim halter dress...with a little and bright tee underneath.
