Grandma’s Porch By Aunt CB

For any of us fortunate enough to have been familiar with this scene, no explanations are needed. That includes any of Ethel’s kids, Lil’s kids and assorted grandkids.

To others—this is a 1930's shot of the front porch of 1183 Caldwell Hill, Center Lisle, NY, home then of Kate Youngs Baker and her son Adin. Today it is home to Joyce Henderson, widow of Wendell, who was Lil’s grandson, Kate’s great grandson. Just to look at the picture evokes all kinds of memories!

The hollyhocks to the right of the steps that we made dolls with, and just behind them, on the porch, sitting on a series of wooden bench “steps” were Grandma’s plants, mostly geraniums, that she’d grown from slips begged from friends. Beautiful brilliant red ones, salmon pink, frosty pink and white. All lovingly planted and cared for in tin cans! ( I seldom saw any clay pots there.)

To the left can be seen one rocking chair, usually there were two or three and even some straight back chairs if needed. These were all in use every evening after supper dishes were done and kitchen work was suspended.. Picture a hot summer evening, dusk falling, the drone of “Katydids” in the background cut occasionally by a “click” as a moth drew too close to the porch light, small kids lined up on those steps, quietly picking at the scabs on their bare feet caused by walking on hot Macadam roads or running around in the front yard with a jam jar and cover, trying to catch fireflies—Oh, how I wish I could go back for an evening.

Neighborhood news, family items, Center Lisle Gossip, all were mulled over here. Family excursions were planned and days set aside for the “youngens” to go “help” Adin in the woodlot across the road.

Yes, there was another step to reach the porch— drive in the driveway to the left of this picture, and find an inverted gravestone base, a discard from the cemetery. That’s the one we hopped on when we came from the milk house.

And note the screen door! Always a bit ajar, every fly in Christendom met there and entered, hopefully to be glued to one of Grandma’s fly tapes. Farms with animals breed flies endlessly.

Absent from the picture is the wooden barrel to the left of the steps positioned to catch rain water, especially good for washing hair.

I’m not sure Grandma and Adin ever knew how much they gave us in those visits. A place to retreat to in our minds whenever life became too hectic, a “Quiet Place” for a lifetime. I’m sure we stirred up their lives while we were there—but I’ll never forget that porch!

Picture One:Grandma's Porch on Caldwell Rd., Center Lisle,NY

Picture Two: Grandma Baker taken March 2, 1952, her 88th birthday. She is holding a cake made by her granddaughter, Sylva Howland Emhof