People were happy then, even though most families had far fewer material things. And my mother worked very hard for her family of 7 children of hers.

Between knitting pullovers and jumpers for the boys and cardigans for the girls, I marvel at where she found the time to sew and knit too.

Old Singer treadle sewing machine
I had an old Singer sewing machine that sat on a wrought iron stand with a foot pedal. With this sewing machine she made simple summer dresses for my sisters and me.

I have often wondered where it disappeared. I would love to have it now. But my mom wasn’t one to hang on to things once they reached her expiration date, so to speak.

So I would trade the old one for a newer model and the same thing probably happened with that lovely old sewing machine.

hand washing machine
I well remember our hand washer, none of the automatic ones back then. It had a drainer made up of 2 heavy rolls with a handle. When all the Persil was hand rinsed under the tap, my mom ran them through this colander to squeeze out any excess water.

Since there were no tissues at the time, cloth tissues were the norm. However, a large iron basin was used for only one purpose: boiling handkerchiefs and cloth diapers, though not together.

And everything was ironed. As the girls got older, we had to help with this and other chores around the house. Having said how hard my mother worked, she also took some time for herself. She was quite emancipated actually.

Although my father had his photography club every Tuesday night, his hobby took up much of his spare time.

So most Saturdays Mom would go shopping in town, meet some of her single friends, they would all have tea and then go to the movies. Dad babysat for us kids during the day.

Maureen came to clean
On Wednesday afternoons, a cleaning lady named Maureen came to clean our house and take care of the kids while Mom went back to town.

Maureen always showed up like Mary Poppins with a big black bag from which she pulled a brown paper bag full of broken cookies. A great pleasure for us, she allowed us to eat as many as we wanted. She was so much fun and we loved her.

Swimming lessons in the baths
My older sister and I were sent to night swimming lessons in the winter. Known as “The Baths,” the heated indoor pool was a bus ride into town.

Another thing that I can barely imagine now is that we, two girls between 10 and 12 years old, took the bus to the city for afternoon lessons. I can still smell the chlorine.

I think the lessons were 30 minutes long and it was pretty dark before and after our class. Many times we decide to spend the bus fare on caramel candies and walk home. We could hardly wait for our treat after the swim.

Our walk home was about 30 minutes and we never had a problem because it was quicker than waiting for the bus, which also stopped at every bus stop.

We were not aware of any danger, and no one ever approached us. Was it a safer world then? I shudder to think of it now.

I don’t remember many birthday parties, but we certainly didn’t feel deprived. The treats were occasional and as good as any party.

Bewley’s Cherry Almond Scones
Before acquiring a phone, my sister and I, the same, were inseparable, many times we had to deliver messages from my mother to my father in his office in the city.

My memories are of a grand lobby, with a tall curved reception desk and 2 lovely ladies in charge. Sometimes we were treated to delicious sweets while we waited for Dad to show up.

When we were much older, we often wondered what was in those important messages. It must have been good news because then he was taking us to Bewley’s Oriental Cafe next door.

Sitting in this charming old fashioned restaurant, Dad ordered the most delicious cherry almond buns, baked only at Bewleys, hence they became known as ‘Bewley’s Buns’.

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