The Rural Voice, 1998-03, Page 40• •
Living with Grace
Grace is a lady who can bring great warmth
to even the coldest winter day
By Anne
We moved Grace into our home in August,
and life has changed because of her
presence. Our house is not large, so the first
demand we had to accommodate was space
for Grace and her accompaniments. Her
needs are not more outrageous than the rest of the
residents; even the two Huskies have their own
bed, meal dishes and stash of food. For Grace
we needed extra arrangements, not only in our
living space, but in the attic and outdoors as
well.
Grace came from Elmira. Expressed in
numbers her age is relatively young, but she
has some old-fashioned ways: prefers to be in
the kitchen, can stay still and silent for long
periods, likes to be fed on time (meaning five
o'clock breakfast).
When she first arrived, Grace was in need
of personal care and grooming. A weekend of
brushing and rubbing spiffed her appearance,
making her not only presentable but (am I
imagining this?) proud. Something about her
reminded me of a childhood neighbour, and
since she came to us unnamed, I began calling
her Grace. With her quiet dignity, she soon
asserted a control that many schoolmarms
would envy; days with Grace must fit a routine
that includes her regular care and feeding. Her
appetite is definitely sharper in the cold
weather, and for her size, her consumption is
significant. But we have land from which to
harvest and store as needed.
We have become used to her now -familiar
shape dominating the kitchen, her occasionally
creaking joints, her woodsy — if sometimes
strong — fragrance. If only she did not
generate so much for the sweeper to clean up!
At the same time, Grace is a great help
with cooking. Her specialties are slow -cooked
chile and stew, simmering turnips and oh!
those baked potatoes. I could eat them every
day. Johnny cake, apple crisp, even morning
toast seems to have a certain extra flavour
when Grace has helped make it.
She kindly keeps water hot and ready for
any wash-up need, and as long as I remember
to ask in time, she will have my bed -warming
Duke Judd
iron skillet ready each night.
We plan to have Grace with us a long time. We're
prepared to care for her needs and enjoy the warmth
with which she responds. For Grace — as you may
have guessed — is an Oval from the Elmira Stove
Works, the heat and the heart of our home.0
Anne Duke Judd lives near Port Elgin, Ontario.
36 THE RURAL VOICE