Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Grandma's Place

 
In the comments Dusty Duck asked if I would do a quick sketch of grandma's place... with the garden on the side. So I've played around a little just to give a visual idea of what it looked like.

In the garage was where Fred's work shop was... lots of tools and things. They also stored the lawnmower, rototiller, saws, ladders, etc. Early on the agitating ringer washer stood by the door. The deep utility sink was close by. Wires draped overhead to dry the clothes in the winter. A folding wooden rack stayed in the house for use there. Not too much later came a bright automatic washer and dryer.

It was dark in there. The back of the garage was too dark to see any details, but looming shadows filled every corner. I just stood near the door.

I remember a couple of remodels. I can only imagine how small the original house must have been. So tiny. But when around five or so I remember a long living room and a semi large kitchen area with the bathroom at the back. Next, the 'large kitchen area' became a dining room (with large picture window looking out to the side yard), the bathroom became the small "efficiency kitchen"... with just a smidgeon of space added at the rear for an eating area. It was cramped! That's where Fred and I sat waiting for the next batch of homemade bread to come out of the oven.

Fred died many years before grandma. He fought several bouts of cancer, but the last one got him. About 15 or 20 yrs later grandma lost her mental capacity... not sure of diagnosis. She ended up in a nursing home. She wasn't there long before she checked out, if you will.
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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Crusty for the visual and taking the time to draw it out and explain it. I loved seeing the illustration, great job...and reading about the renovations and such. Did you live with them or just visit a lot....

dd/s

Anonymous said...

and...what state was this in...and did you use watercolor on the drawing..it's kind of small so I can't tell for sure...I'm guessing maybe watercolor colored pencil...

The Crusty Crone said...

To anonymous and anonymous...
Grandma and Fred lived in Milwaukie, Oregon. Its grown a lot over the decades. Last time I checked there were still no sidewalks. Ya can't tell where Portland ends and Milwaukie begins, if you miss seeing the signs. I did a ink sketch and then tried filling it in with watercolors.

Anonymous said...

I love the visual and the story also. Good job of illustrating!

Laura

sandy said...

Just curious..has drawing this, inspired you to do more.

Cat's momma did a whole series once on all the houses she had lived in. It was fun...

TopChamp said...

Nice picture - I like that you help me get a visual idea of your life as well as reading about it.