A MESSAGE FROM MOM.
Scott:
I don’t have any pictures of the inside of the cottage because when I packed to
spend time in Nantasket a camera was at the bottom of the list. Playpens,
carriages, beach toys, sheets and pillowcases took precedence at that time. My
memory is my camera and I can say that the house was perfect at that time for a
family as big as ours to enjoy without having to worry about fancy furniture or
décor.
The two bedrooms on the first floor were convenient for napping babies (you and
John) and we didn’t have to climb the stairs every time to check on you or find
a change of clothing. The dining room with its big ugly chairs served its
purpose when seating everyone after a tedious day at the beach. The living room
fireplace served us well when the cottage was damp and chilly on rainy days.
The floors were easily swept (no carpeting) when we brought home part of the
beach on our feet and bathing suits. The huge claw foot tub in the bathroom
allowed us moms to bathe three kids at a time although for the adults it meant a long wait for a turn in the shower. The porch was a great place
to store the carriages, dry the bathing suits and beach towels for the next
day’s beach excursion. The kitchen saw its share of use when the “chef of the
day” left the beach earlier than everyone else to prepare a meal for all. Nana
did not cook at the cottage
because she said she was only used to an electric stove and we girls all had
gas stoves. I think she was tired of cooking and was happy to turn that chore
over to her adult children.
We even borrowed some large pots from Anastos corner restaurant to cook lobsters
in when Bill was able to get them , and were ridiculed by Nana for bringing
electric mixers to the cottage in case we wanted to bake a cake.
The lack of laundry equipment in the cottage provided the moms with a night out
at the Laundromat (great fun) when you were still in diapers and Pampers were
non -existent.
There was no TV in the cottage so Nana used to bring her own and claimed
priority on which shows to watch. Not being big fans of Lawrence Welk, you kids entertained yourselves by
playing “red light”, “Simon Says” or “Statues” outside in the street in front of
the cottage. Nana compensated for her TV monopoly by packing board games that
she played with you and your cousins when Lawrence Welk was not on TV or the
weather was not good enough for a beach trip. As payment for amusing you, she
got first choice of your candy purchased at the Penny Candy Shoppe.
The upstairs unfinished bedrooms became a dormitory when Uncle Tommy and Aunt
Carol arrived with their five children, or when friends and neighbors visited.
With two double beds in each side bedroom, double mattresses in each bed
provided floor sleeping for everyone. The middle bedroom upstairs was the
“official guest” bedroom providing some privacy from the horde. “Good Nights”
from the upstairs sleepers resemble those of the old TV series “The Waltons”.
The cottage at 4 Hillside Road is a place for fond memories for all who spent
time there despite the lack of parking space for more than two cars at a time. Nana’s old 8 mm
camera recorded some of the pictures and a VHS tape is all that I have of those
days.
Love Mom
