Prologue
Mom made the following note on her rough draft for the short story I am going to share with you. She writes, "I was going to write about my grandparents (Olzon) in the village of Helvey."
To date, I have not found any more stories she may have written about her grandparents except for The Train Ride.
Mom Reminisces
This is her story about a visit to Helvey.
Grandpa Olzon was a natural weatherman. When an ominous black cloud appeared on the horizon, he kept watch. When lightening flashed and thunder rumbled, he would tell us to go to the cave. That was frightening but exciting. The wind would be blowing so hard, it was difficult to secure the cave door. As we sat on the cement steps and a plank bench, we listened to the pounding rain and the beat of hail on the wooden door. There was an eerie light from the kerosene lantern casting shadows on the fruit jars on the shelves. Spider webs made it all the more scary. It seemed like a long wait before the rain ceased and all was quiet. We were glad to leave the cramped quarters and the dampness. The breath of clean rain-refreshed air was welcome when we emerged from the cave.
Playtime
I also found these notes on a sheet of paper to share. It's about Playtime. The boys played mumble peg, marbles with "commies" and "shooters". A special "aggie" made a prize shooter. Baseball was played if enough kids gathered and someone had a bat and ball. We played "work up". You were the lucky one if you had a glove. The girls roller skated on the loading platform in front of the store. (Note: this would be my grandfather Holtgrewe's store in Daykin, Nebraska." An ice cream social was a church specialty. Dad's store supplied the ice."
This is where her notes ended. She was going to tell how the ice was stored in the winter and never got around to it. I do know there was no refrigeration like we have today.
Created October 3, 2012
