Early morning saints are bundled up near six o’clock to go to the tabernacle which is heated only by a large wood burning stove on this July day in the 1940’s. Each of my family are just beginning to stir at that early hour. Nine year old brother asleep in the loft; Daddy just put the baby in his nice warm place beside mom; outside by the cabin Lil Gram is in the tent with me. She stirs because she wanted to get up for that early service. I roll over to catch some of her warmth but don’t plan to get out of bed yet. I hesitate to get up but I know it will get too cold in the pallet when she goes.
Inside daddy has a fire going in the small wood stove. He has the coffee percolator on one of the two stove lids. The lid lever is in the indented hole in the other lid so he can lift that lid to add more kindling. The percolator is small since he and Lil Gram are the only coffee drinkers.
My body signals a call for me to climb out of bed, don a robe and go to the women’s outhouse. A miserable way to start the day. But water, cool and refreshing, from the tin cup in the family’s water bucket sends an inviting signal to run into the cabin. I quickly choose clothes for the day. But hold on a bit, I’m not anxious to come out of the warmed robe. We drape cold clothes over a chair by the fire to make them more accommodating.
The seven o’clock bell peals three rings signaling that breakfast is ready. We hurry but find the line has already reached to the outside. Not too bad though as we find neighbors and friends to chat with. The Bible says the first shall be last and I consider that must be true, but not very fair, as I see the early morning worshipers coming to stand last in line! If God were fair wouldn’t he reward them by making them first in line! So percolates thoughts in my eleven year old head. I find even grown ups sometimes judge God by such measures!
(The Daily Post prompt by Krista – percolate, Tag: daily prompts, Post Ideas)
I can feel the warmth and the chills as I read. Great flashback post, Oneta.
Thanks, Roo. I appreciate your comment. Did you experience the Colorado Rockies?
Living on the Western Slope was one of my favourite experiences. I’m very glad to have friends there to visit.
Yes slightly different but I too remember. Thank you Oneta.
Linda, I loved the Maxwell House perk again. How do you remember such things! If I had remembered the perk, I couldn’t have remembered Maxwell House. I loved listening to the ad again. Thanks.
I take it that you also had those family campmeetings, Faye. Great times, huh?
Lots of good memories here, Oneta — including warming clothes by the fire. But one of the best is this one, which I had to go and find after reading your post. It’s amazing how enduring the sound from a commercial can remain after 60+ years. Hearing the percolator in the ad brought back the smell of that coffee when you opened the vacuum-sealed can (remember the “keys” that opened them?) And now, I want a cup of coffee!
Nice images!
Thank you. And thanks for reading.
🙂
One, this is lovely!!! What a beautiful web of faith you weave with only one word given to inspire you. I cherish the thought of a world who would push such ‘inconveniences’ aside to be with with Him! Their desire to be with Him must have been the warmth necessary to plow threw to draw close to Him! Please know, I am grateful to your shared creative wisdom! Hugs!!
You are so kind, my dear. Thanks for reading my stuff. I’m glad I have a blog when anything goes. Hate to try to put myself into one genre. 😀