THE SMALLEST APPLES: When I was about three years old, my parents and I lived in a rented farmhouse in West Texas, between Levelland and Whiteface, Texas. I’ve written in My Stories...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

When I was about three years old, my parents and I lived in a rented farmhouse in West Texas, between Levelland and Whiteface, Texas. I’ve written in My Stories about the dust bowl days and how when a dust storm arrived it would turn the day into night. My mother would wet rags and place them around the closed window edges, and dust would still seep through. I could still play on the linoleum floor and have enough dirt to create roads for my toys.

One of my fond memories of this time was when either Dad or Uncle Claude had brought home a basket of apples. Now I don’t remember seeing a basket of this type in a long time, perhaps it was a “peck” basket, rather than a bushel. The shape of this basket was taller but tapered from larger at the top and narrower at the bottom.

My favorite thing about this basket of apples was to rummage through and pick out all the very small apples. I would then announce to all that these small apples were mine! Another favorite thing was to get dressed up and go to town, which was either Whiteface, or Levelland TX.

I can recall that the automobiles in the late 1930’s had unusual radiator caps, which had some sort of thermometer to tell the driver if his car’s radiator was getting too hot. I can also remember watching boys, teenagers, fixing a flat on the driveway of a station. They were using a sheet of tin to place the tire and rim upon. I asked them why they were using this tin? They replied that it kept any gravel from getting between the rim and tire.

Another thing I remember was I loved to buy salted peanuts. At the time, there would be a display of a number of small cylinders filled with peanuts located by the cash register, and it would also have a placard announcing that one of the various cylinders would also have a coin; a penny, nickel, or dime, maybe even a quarter in one of the various cylinders. I suspect the store clerk probably weighted all the packages and took those with any money. Sort of like a punch board game. If you ever saw the movie, The Flim Flam Man, even as a 3 and 4-year-old, I suspected such tricks were being played. I never got any money as I can remember. I didn’t care, I loved the Spanish peanuts!

One time, I was allowed to go with my dad and Uncle Claude to haul a trailer full of cotton to the gin. I was standing the the back of this old four door car, looking out the back window. I suddenly saw the trailer tongue come loose and the trailer was going too fast and simply vaulted over the tongue. I yelled for dad to stop. They had to remove the tongue to get it out from under the bed to the trailer. I suppose the time we go to the gin, I had fallen asleep because I don't remember anything about the rest of the trip.

I can also remember that on at least one occasion I was dressed up on the promise we were going to town. It turned out to be a ruse, as all was to happen was my mother and aunt wanted to take some pictures with a Kodak camera. I was really upset at being told one thing and it not to be true. I think I would have not minded getting dressed for a photo shoot, but I was mad for some time at being deceived. Just Sayin…RJS

RJFCO

Enjoy your stories! My dad was born in 1900, heard a lot of good stories from him that I still remember!

FrenchieQ Loc: Manchester TWP., Ocean County, NJ

RJFCO wrote:

Enjoy your stories! My dad was born in 1900, heard a lot of good stories from him that I still remember!

My dad was born in Canada in 1915, one of 18 children. Talk about stories! The trip to school, uphill both ways in snow up to their chests! My grandma lived into her 90's after having all 18 kids.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

RJFCO: Hoss, have you recorded, or written those stories down? If not, time is running short, and when you go, they are gone! I have noticed that many folks, after their parents, or grandparents have gone, then wished they had asked more questions, and talked to them more. I only had one grandparent I got to know, and wish every day I had spent more time with him. Just sayin...RJS

Arizona Loc: Roy, Washington

I was born in '35, been there done that.

teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

Robert J Samples wrote:

When I was about three years old, my parents and I lived in a rented farmhouse in West Texas, between Levelland and Whiteface, Texas. I’ve written in My Stories about the dust bowl days and how when a dust storm arrived it would turn the day into night. My mother would wet rags and place them around the closed window edges, and dust would still seep through. I could still play on the linoleum floor and have enough dirt to create roads for my toys.

One of my fond memories of this time was when either Dad or Uncle Claude had brought home a basket of apples. Now I don’t remember seeing a basket of this type in a long time, perhaps it was a “peck” basket, rather than a bushel. The shape of this basket was taller but tapered from larger at the top and narrower at the bottom.

My favorite thing about this basket of apples was to rummage through and pick out all the very small apples. I would then announce to all that these small apples were mine! Another favorite thing was to get dressed up and go to town, which was either Whiteface, or Levelland TX.

I can recall that the automobiles in the late 1930’s had unusual radiator caps, which had some sort of thermometer to tell the driver if his car’s radiator was getting too hot. I can also remember watching boys, teenagers, fixing a flat on the driveway of a station. They were using a sheet of tin to place the tire and rim upon. I asked them why they were using this tin? They replied that it kept any gravel from getting between the rim and tire.

Another thing I remember was I loved to buy salted peanuts. At the time, there would be a display of a number of small cylinders filled with peanuts located by the cash register, and it would also have a placard announcing that one of the various cylinders would also have a coin; a penny, nickel, or dime, maybe even a quarter in one of the various cylinders. I suspect the store clerk probably weighted all the packages and took those with any money. Sort of like a punch board game. If you ever saw the movie, The Flim Flam Man, even as a 3 and 4-year-old, I suspected such tricks were being played. I never got any money as I can remember. I didn’t care, I loved the Spanish peanuts!

One time, I was allowed to go with my dad and Uncle Claude to haul a trailer full of cotton to the gin. I was standing the the back of this old four door car, looking out the back window. I suddenly saw the trailer tongue come loose and the trailer was going too fast and simply vaulted over the tongue. I yelled for dad to stop. They had to remove the tongue to get it out from under the bed to the trailer. I suppose the time we go to the gin, I had fallen asleep because I don't remember anything about the rest of the trip.

I can also remember that on at least one occasion I was dressed up on the promise we were going to town. It turned out to be a ruse, as all was to happen was my mother and aunt wanted to take some pictures with a Kodak camera. I was really upset at being told one thing and it not to be true. I think I would have not minded getting dressed for a photo shoot, but I was mad for some time at being deceived. Just Sayin…RJS

When I was about three years old, my parents and I... (show quote)

Thanks RJS. Good health and a much longer life I wish for you. God bless. Mike

teabag09 Loc: Chesapeake, Virginia

FrenchieQ wrote:

My dad was born in Canada in 1915, one of 18 children. Talk about stories! The trip to school, uphill both ways in snow up to their chests! My grandma lived into her 90's after having all 18 kids.

That's one tough woman to put up with 19 kids. I bet she made good use of them all including the 19th. Mike

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Arizona wrote:

I was born in '35, been there done that.

Hey Arizona, this is off topic but I was thinking if you DO get to come to the get together next year, you might want to contact other members living up there in the PNW about car pooling .
Just a thot....😉

Arizona Loc: Roy, Washington

I don't know how many there are here, but I'll put the word out when it gets determined where and when