Memoirs: My Birth -Part 2

The upstairs bedroom with two double beds and a cot were filled with seven kids. Dad and mom slept in the living room. The house was crowded with nine squeezed into such a limited space. Dad’s income was less than adequate as he picked up odd jobs to keep hunger from knocking on their door.

Mom felt burdened with the responsibility of sewing, cooking and doing all the other things that go with keeping a large family alive. She managed without any conveniences. There was no running water or adequate heat. The only bathroom was at the end of a muddy path behind the summer kitchen. The refrigerator was a shelf at the cold end of the kitchen. The food she cooked had been planted and harvested by her and any child old enough to help. She held hunger at bay during the winter months by canning fruits and vegetables, jellies and jams, meats of all kinds.

Nuts were hulled and put into jars and hid behind canned spinach. Sweet potatoes did well under the upstairs beds while the Irish variety stayed in the damp outdoor cellar. Life was more than difficult for Mom; she felt it was almost unbearable. It was at this time that a fresh cry came from the bed in the living room on a bitter cold January night. I became another mouth to feed.


There were no provisions for another child such as a bassinette or crib. Charlie was using the only one they had. At eighteen months old, he was still a baby himself. Mom was never short on ingenuity. She had dad pull out the bottom drawer of the dresser and use it for my bed. They went to the barn and gathered enough hay to fill it. A pillowcase was the perfect answer for an infant sheet. When I was laid in this make-shift bassinette, they pulled it over near the fireplace to keep me warm. This was where I slept until I grew big enough to kick Charlie out of his crib.

A Young Artist At Work

Sawyer had fun this week making things out of clay in my basement studio. If you came to our house earlier, and you could not envision the basement becoming anything but a dark storage area, well, come again.....it is painted, carpeted and ready for business! Sawyer is breaking it in, and as his shirt says, "Life is Good."

Kay Marble With Her Daughters

When I was twelve, Mom and Dad took in a fourteen-year-old welfare girl (Wanda Kay McClure). She and I hit it off and have been friends ever since. She lived on the farm with us for a year and a half. I drove to Coshocton, OH yesterday and visited with her and her daughters. I returned this evening. We enjoy taking a yearly trip down "Memory Lane". She is pictured here with her two daughters. Bev in the plaid and Tracy in red.

Our Neighbor's rose

The roses are unusually beautiful this year. Our neighbors, Gillian and Ralf, planted this bush last year. It is lovely viewed from our porch.

Roadside Market

This roadside market was located on Route 16 west of Coshocton, OH. I purchased some flowers for our window boxes as well as getting a homemade sandwich from their cooler. It was a refreshing break after three hours of driving.

An Apple A Day.....

If you ate an apple from this Longaberger basket, it would take longer than a day....maybe a week! I drove off route 16 and into the Longaberger Homestead this afternoon on my way home from Coshocton. You can buy baskets in every shape, size and price. (www.longabergerhomestead.com)

Longaberger Basket Company

This is not your ordinary basket. It is the office building for the Longaberger Basket Company. It is located on route 16 near Coshocton, OH. It is an amazing sight!

Old Union Church At Alfordsville, IN

A few years ago a group of local folks decided to bring the Old Union Church, located a few miles south of Alfordsville, back to its original glory. My dad, Howard Gabhart, was one of those who devoted a great portion of time to get the plan in motion. Dad loved Old Union. He passed away before it was completed.

This was the first time in many years that a Memorial Day reunion was held on the grounds. There were 115 who had returned to pay their respects to Old Union, the people who brought it back to life and the relatives and loved ones buried there.

Mom and Dad brought us here every year when we were kids. A huge pitch-in dinner (our noon meal) was enjoyed by all. Mom filled buckets with flowers to lay on the graves of our relatives while we listened to her and Dad tell stories about each one.

It was a treat to go back this year; however, it wasn't the same. There was no food and the old generation was gone. Well... the "old generation" wasn't gone....we were it!

Six Siblings

Six of us Gabhart "kids" were in attendance. We are from left to right...Charlie, Martha, Phillip, Amy, Lorna and Annie.

My Brother Charlie

My brother Charlie lives in Jasper, IN. I stayed with his daughter Lydia and her husband Jason who live near him. Charlie brought me a rose from his yard. It was one of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen. He borrowed my camera and took the two following photos of it. Lydia is holding it in one of the shots.

Clifton Memorial Day Parade

Three hundred or so Cliftonites walked to Mt. Storm today for the annual Memorial Day parade. Some folks brought picnic baskets while others grilled in the park. There was food for sale if anyone wanted to purchase it there. It was a nice way to meet new friends and see our neighbors.

Volunteer Band

What is a parade without a band? This volunteer band played patriotic numbers from this flat-bed truck as the crowd gathered under giant shade trees. The band was small; however, the music was big enough to fill the park.

Picnicking In The Park

It was a beautiful day to picnic. The young ones enjoyed romping down the hillside as well as climbing on the monument.

Ellie 'n Jack

Ellie Jackson (Troy and Amanda's daughter) lives around the corner. She loves Jack, our grandkid's dog. He was feeling neglected by the crowd, so a hug from Ellie made his day.

Writing My Memoirs

Craig called last night to remind me that nothing has been added to my blog lately. I told him I have been writing my memoirs rather than writing on the blog.

The writing class meets each Thursday at my house. There are five of us. Each one is expected to have a manuscript to read. After all, that's the purpose of the class! I am surprised at the amount of time it takes to write; however, I manage to have something each week.

My purpose in writing is to give our sons and grandchildren a glimpse of what life was like back on the farm.

Craig suggested I share some of the writing with you. He came over tonight to help me get set up. He thought I should post small portions at a time. The following is what we decided to sent. All the chapters will not be included. I hope you enjoy visiting the Baker farm and meeting my twelve brothers and sisters plus the parents who reared us.

Memoirs: My Birth -Part 1

Mother’s memory had no trouble bringing up events of the past. She added colorful details which made every story interesting. As a young child, I loved hearing her narratives describing each of our births. I was shy about asking her to describe mine for fear I would appear preoccupied with my own self importance; a trait she would not tolerate in any of her children.

Each sibling owned their own history. Mine was nothing outstanding except that it belonged to me. It was my personal beginning and how things were when I entered the world.

Mom and Dad lived in a small one-bedroom farmhouse northwest of Alfordsville. This small hamlet is located in the lower left-hand section of the state of Indiana. Three larger towns make up a triangle. Washington is at the northwest corner with Loogootee at the northeast and Jasper on the south. Alfordsville was located in the center of the three unnoticed by almost everyone.

My parent’s home consisted of one bedroom upstairs with a tiny living room and kitchen on the ground floor. A stone fireplace provided heat for the living room while a cook stove did double duty in the kitchen; providing warmth while cooking the family’s meals. The fireplace and stove were both fed on wood gathered from the underbrush and fallen trees off the farm.

The house faced South with a large stone step at the front door. Two windows starred across the front yard toward the gravel road which ran past, but was seldom used. When fresh water fell from the sky and ran across the tin roof, a rain barrel was waiting at the northeast corner to collect it for washday. A summer kitchen stood facing the backdoor. It housed mom’s washing machine.

When the clotheslines, which were stretched across the backyard, became laden with soggy clothes, a maze was formed for kids to run through. Fresh air and sunshine was the method for drying; not the method of choice, but the only one offered.

Dad and mom moved the family into these small quarters in the late fall of 1942. World War II was raging in Europe. Food was rationed. People used food stamps as money. Some folks suffered dreadfully, but since Mom and Dad had already been living below the poverty line, they considered food stamps to be a gift from God the same way the Israelites looked at manna. You can only go so far down until you have to grab hold of hope and simply hang on to life.

This and That

I have not been out with my camera this week. It has been raining cats 'n dogs. Tonight the water is running across the laundry room floor toward the drain in our basement. This only happens when we have a downpour. We had one today!

Howard and I are making plans to lead a tour to Israel and Germany in June 2010. The tour will include the passion play at Oberammergau as well as all the sights in and around Jerusalem. We are meeting in Indianapolis Saturday morning at the Traders Point Christian Church @ 10:00 for anyone who is interested in going or wants information concerning the trip.

I'll give you a little update on the Brammers. Howard is still working with the Beaver Creek Christian church near Dayton. He is enjoying his time there. The people are delightful and seem appreciative of him being there. They are in the process of locating a new minister. Howard is helping them in this endeavor.

He spends a day and a half working with the Cincinnati Christian University as special assistant to the president. He enjoys working with David Faust who has been a friend for many years. He is also working with her old college roommate, Wally Rendel. He and Wally have come full circle.

I have been volunteering with the Clifton Cultural Art Center in helping set up their Open House which will be the 25th of this month. I posted photos of the building recently. It is beautiful and will be the perfect home for the arts.

Since writing has always intrigued me, I have wanted to join a writing group for a long time. When we moved to Cincinnati, I was introduced to the perfect one. Each person is serious about writing. We show up weekly with our manuscript in hand. Lisa McKenzie is a great teacher. I am having the time of my life learning from her. I never knew writing would be so fulfilling.

I have been teaching preschool kids at the Beaver Creek Church on a part-time basis. Howard and I will soon be co-teaching on marriage. I hope ours holds together until the class is over! We are looking forward to it. It has been a long time since we have taught on the subject.

I will close with the hopes you all are doing well. It is always a delight to get your emails.

Love,
Martha

Hello....Could I Help You?

Taylor, our grandson, was at the Brutopia Coffee Shop ready to wait on us when we arrived early this morning.

How Do You Want Your Latte?

Taylor is sixteen now. He gets up (on his own) and opens the coffee shop each Saturday morning. He has learned the trade and can make a latte as good (or better) than anyone!

European Breads

Brutopia has a European lady who makes these breads. I used all the willpower I had to pass them up this morning.

Father 'n Son Chat

Howard and Craig enjoyed a cup of coffee at Brutopia this morning. This coffee is the REAL stuff!!! The coffee shop is owned by Craig, Carol and some friends.

Clean-Up Day

"Clean-Up Day" at the old Clifton School started at nine this morning. We are preparing it for the Open House which will be held the last of the month. When this building was built, no detail was omitted. Today was the first time I noticed this door. It was tucked around the corner and out of view.

Stepping Up In Beauty

These stairs make you wonder if they are made of lace or iron. The open design gives the sun an opportunity to shine through and make the stairwells glisten.

Another Water Fountain

I posted one Rookwood Pottery water fountain, but today I discovered another one on the second floor. The other one had flowers where this one has a boat.

More Treasures

I saw this large ceramic relief hanging on one of the classroom walls. More than likely, it is another Rookwood piece. Priceless.

Spring On Sherlock

The elderly lady who owned our house and who passed away in the front yard, left these irises beside the front porch. I picked enough for the dining room table last night, and this morning more were opened.

Italian Notebook

Have you ever seen Rome upside down? It is possible after a rainfall. Go to http://www.italiannotebook.com/ Then click the tab that says TODAY'S NOTE. Enjoy!

Welcome To LaGrange

LaGrange, Ky is a small town nestled in the hills just north of Louisville. It is a quaint place to spend an afternoon meandering in and out of the interesting shops.

Resting On Main

Susan Toadvine and Judy Russell are taking a break on Main St. in LaGrange. The paintings in the window are by a local artist. Susan lives in Louisville and takes art lessons in LaGrange. (If your name was "Toadvine", what kind of pin would you wear?)

A Train Runs Through It

I have heard of a train "crossing" Main, but never before saw one actually going in the same direction. This train chugs right through the heart of town.

Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY

This is the lobby of the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. It has new carpet as well as a renovated balcony. What was once open on the second level is now closed in and looks like store fronts.

Coffee And Lounge

This area is next to the lobby. It is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee and visit a friend.

Lunch With An Author

Judy introduced me to her friend, Christine Davis, who wrote a book entitled Ocean star. It is her life's story. She recently wrote a women's Bible study which will be available soon. I enjoyed reading Christine's book and was delighted to meet her. Click here to visit her website.

Madeline's Recital

Yesterday afternoon was Madeline's piano recital. She is taught by Carl Payne who retired a few years ago from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife, Susan, live two doors from Madeline and five doors from us.

The Old Clifton School

The Cincinnati Public School system recently donated this old Clifton school to the Clifton Cultural Arts Council. I have joined this group in planning for an OPEN HOUSE the last of May 25 12:00-3:00. The next photos will show you how beautiful it is inside. It is the perfect place for young and old to experience the arts.

Chandelier Left Behind

This incredible chandelier was left in the school. Cincinnati architects who designed schools in days gone by, put art as an intrigal part of the buildings. Can you imagine a school today hanging this light fixture from the assembly room ceiling?

Valuable Art

This is another piece of art that was left in the building.

Rookwood Pottery

This drinking fountain was made by the world-renowned Rookwood Pottery Co. Art has always been important to Cincinnati. The old schools, libraries and court houses are filled with these one-of-a-kind priceless treasures.

Gaslight B & B

Yesterday I took a walk through the neighborhood. I passed this B & B on my way home.

Last Night's Art Tour

Craig and I attended the Essex Art Show last night. We stood in the sprinkling rain while the parking attendant took our picture. The letters on the building are filled in with broken pieces of glass, pottery and tiles which is called shadware.

Remember When....

Remember when you could spot these huge figures standing outside a restaurant or a car dealership? They are now being collected and preserved for another generation to gawk at just like we did as kids!

SIGNS...SIGNS....and more SIGNS

The entire first floor of the old Essex building is filled to the brim with signs of all kinds. This one was made of copper.

Cincinnati's Own Sign Museum

The sign collector and lots of artists share the same building on the corner of Essex and McMillan. (Woops! I just noticed the "donations of $5. We went right by that last night!)

More Signs!

Crosley Goes With Cincinnati

The name Crosley includes Crosley Broadcasting, Crosley Appliances and Crosley Field; however, the most important one is our granddaughter Crosley Brammer!!!

Interactive Art

Believe it or not....this is called "Art". It is Interactive Art. The viewer becomes a part of the art piece. Needless to say, we didn't see anyone taking it home with them!!!

One Of My Favorites

This artist was one of my favorites. I loved her use of color.

Am I My Brother's Keeper........

..........I think he has actually done more for me than I have him. My brother, Charlie Gabhart, and I have worked on many projects together. He designs buildings and often incorporates my art work in them. He has had me painting murals as well as making tiles for several of his clients. It is fun working with him. We grew up together on a farm in southern Indiana along with eleven other siblings. He is eighteen months older than I. He lives in Jasper, Indiana. I thought you would enjoy going to his website and seeing his work. http://www.charliegabhart.com/.