Stories from Home

The following was shared in an Eaton's group on Facebook -

In Moncton, New Brunswick, I worked for Eaton's on Foundry Street and then later at the store in Highfield Square. As a teenager, my first job with Eaton's was in 1953. I returned full-time from 1955-1959, and worked part-time over the years. I was delighted to become a part of the personnel department with Mrs. Setchell and then Mrs. Rose Goguen. I eventually went to work as the personnel manager for another department store on Main Street. I was with Woolworth | Woolco turned Walmart, located in Dieppe, until retirement.

- Mom

Stories from Home

Travelling by car to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia took a long time. Taking the Princess Helene from Saint John to Digby helped with the journey.

In the dining room, they would have the table and chairs roped to the wall. I was scared sometimes. Some kids would get really sea sick. There was a very tall nurse who was very kind.

After Cedric's first visit to the farm, Dad took him and Otis Hicks to the boat to head back to Bethany. And they just missed it. There was a Bethany crew on the deck laughing and waving at them. 

After Ron and Kay Morehouse were married, some of us came to Moncton with them by car. Ron was a mechanic. We made friends for life.

- Mom

Stories from Home

One day in high school, we wanted to get outside to play croquet.

We changed the clock in the classroom and it worked!

Mr. Green, a favorite teacher, didn't notice and let us out early! 

- Mom

Stories from Home

What chores did you have growing up?

I split kindling and filled the wood box. 

I tiered the wood up in the barn and basement.

- Dad

I had to go get the cows. I would be scared going through the woods.

I had to fill the wood box. I didn't think I would ever get that done every night.

- Mom

Stories from Home

In A Father's Legacy journal that I gave Dad in 1997,  one page asks for a favorite poem.

Dad wrote the following -

   "Don't worry in vain if an error you make

   If you run you most oft get a fall

   For the mortal who never makes any mistakes

      is the one that does nothing at all."

Stories from Home

Mother and Dad bought their first home in 1912 for $500.

It was a typical story and a half with a sun porch.

It was heated by a wood stove in the kitchen and a base burner coal stove in the next room. 

There were windows in the door of the coal stove and you could see the coal burning. It was beautiful.

There was a floor model radio in the same room. 

It was my favorite room until 1947 when Dad built a new house next to Donald and Muriel.

- Dad

Stories from Home

As a child, a nice summer day would be meeting school friends at the mill pond for a swim. 

In the evening, I would play on the old hay wagon out back of the the machine shed. I would sing and pretend I was a singing cowgirl. 

My dad was quite a singer and yodeled. You could hear him for miles. 

I got so I could yodel as well. What a noise!

- Mom

Stories from Home

The highlight of my day was getting home from school. 

I would lean my bike against the sun porch and smell bread or cookies.

If the boats were in, I'd go to the shore first.

I'd check Dad's lunch pail. There was usually a piece of war cake.

Then I'd throw my bicycle in the back of the truck and go home with him. 

- Dad