P.S. When I Was Three

 Dear Joanie,

    Just one more thing that I thought of. This is my world when I was three years old. I was born in October, 1939, so I turned 3 in 1942.

    In 1942, we were a family of four: Curt and Amy, my parents; Patsy (Patricia) my sister, born in 1936 and three years older than me; and me. Karol would be born in 1944. Curt worked at Stanolind Oil Company in Houston, and Amy stayed home to care for us.

    In 1942, we lived in Spring Branch, which, at that time, was on the outskirts of Houston. Spring Branch was the countryside. We lived in a house on Rollingwood Drive, such a good, descriptive name. We had chickens, turkeys, horses, and cows. Your Great Aunt Patsy and I would stand on top of the car, so that we could get on the horse named Danny. We would ride everywhere, bareback.

    The picture in my mind is of a really comfortable house and yard, lots of cool grass to play in, and shady oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from them. I remember that Mother used to milk the cow, then churn the milk into butter by hand. There was a butter paddle used for two things: one, to shape the butter and make it firm and two, to give us spankings when we misbehaved. 

    The world in 1942 was at war, including the United States. We had blackout curtains, and ration stamps for food and gas, and we grew a Victory Garden. My parents made sure that we felt safe and secure, so I know something bigger than my little family was happening, but I wasn't sure what it was. I wasn't scared. 

Love,

GG Katie