DUSTY'S THEN AND NOW

            It was time for fall cleaning. There was a break in the canning, since the pears were not ready yet and to say the least, everyone could use the break. The cellar�s in everyone�s homes were filling or were filled up and space was at a premium. Pop was already bringing in the root vegetables and putting them in soil in the front cellar where the bucket a day stove was.This was my favorite time. I got to crawl up into the space under the side porch and dig away to my hearts content. A child�s dreams come true.

            Pop hollered it was time to go outside and dig more vegetables to put down that is when I saw it! A line of Grammy�s lace curtains. They looked like earth bound clouds billowing in the breeze! I told pop I wanted to play in my willow tree so I was relieved of digging duty.

            As I walked to the tree with Pal, I also walked through the curtains. What child wouldn�t? I tried to play with Fritz and Pal but my heart wasn�t in it.I kept watching those beautiful lace curtains. The more I looked the more they changed shape in my mind.

            Well that was it! I ran out of the tree house and over to the clothesline and pulled one of the curtains down. I giggled as I ran back to the tree. I held the curtain and looked at it as if I was seeing it for the first time. It smelled so fresh and clean and I couldn�t get enough of the joy it was giving me.

            Then, keplunk! On my head it went. I remembered the brides at all the weddings I had seen at the hall across the street. Beautiful lace veils of all kinds and shape. Some with pearls, and rhinestones or flowers. Now I was going to be a bride. I put the curtain down, ran out to pop, and asked him for a rubber band. �A rubber band? Why do you want a rubber band?� � I have to fix something together.� Well pop didn�t have a rubber band but he did have some string,�Will this help?� �Yes.� I took the string and ran back to the house hollering thank you.�

            Oh I twisted that curtain top this way and that and made all different tops. How I wished I could see myself now, but there was no mirror in the willow tree house. I played for what seemed a long time . I danced, twisted, and did my version of the �brides walk�. And I never noticed that Pal was gone. Then I heard it! �Where is my curtain? That dog took it I know!� Fritz looked at me and said, �At least this time she isn�t blaming me!� There was Grammy hollering at poor pal. I came out of the tree house and she spotted me! I was wearing the missing curtain. Fritz tried to warn me but I paid no attention to him. �What�s wrong Grammy?� She whirled around and spotted me, wearing her missing curtain.

            She was more that angry! �You!� I swear she was bright bright red by this. Time. �How many times have I told you,no playing with the wash?� �A lot� I was almost in tears.� How many years I have these curtains and now you think they are for you to play with?� �No� �Well then why did you take it off the line?� Grammy they looked so pretty and then I made a veil and played bride. I�m sorry� It cut no ice with her. I soon felt the palm of her hand on my sitdown. 1,2,3, smacks�The limit. I usually only got 1. She was mad. By this time pop was up from the garden just staring at the two of us. Grammy disheveled from cleaning and me with a curtain on my head with Pal sitting at my side. I could see him holding back a laugh.

            Grammy just glared at me. Finally, she said, �alright, now you come with me�. I followed her into the house with Pal on my heels. � Now you curtain thief, you can wash the curtain in that wash tub. When it is clean I will hang it on the line� She was gone as fast as she appeared. Sometimes I wondered if she were two people.

            I put the curtain in the was tub and pushed it up and down and hoped I was doing it right when she appeared again. �Alright I will finish it now. You go play with Pal and Fritz, and no more curtains!� �Yes Grammy � and I was out the door and running to my tree house. I buried my face in Pals side and cried until I fell asleep.

            I woke up and saw Grammy standing there and the first words out of my mouth were� I didn�t take any curtains!� I started to cry. She sat beside me on the ground, and held me. �I know you didn�t take anymore curtains. I came out here to give you this.� She handed me a real bride�s veil. �For me?� I was so surprised, �Yes, for you my little one� Grammy put it on my head and Pop appeared through the branches and handed me a bouquet of flowers and just smiled.

            I never knew until years and years later where the veil came from. The �Alley� neighbor came over to help Grammy starch and pin the curtains on the stretchers, and she told her about what I did. When the curtains were done the neighbor went home and returned with the veil. It was one she had sewn for a girl who never came for it.