Stepping through the jungle of miniature, flowering goal posts and into Uncle Jack's home in Benwood was like stepping back in time. Opening the door, you could look straight through to the end of the house. The living room and dining rooms were paneled with 4x8 sheets of dark wood paneling with two foot pieces added to the top of each panel to reach the 10 foot ceilings. The house looked worn, but everything was neat, clean and well maintained. It had that smell of old furniture, and years of home cooked meals.
The kitchen had a chrome dinette table with red, shiny vinyl chairs. The sink had a curtain hiding the pipes underneath, and white metal cabinets hung above a worn kitchen counter. The walls were painted a pale blue. The window above the sink looked out over the backyard's field of miniature, flowering goal posts into the alley and an old garage with ladders hanging from its side. Uncle Jack loved showing me around.
The real beauty of the place was the way it showed Uncle Jack's deep love for Aunt Clarice. In the living and dining room of their home, nailed to the wall just below the ceiling were heart shaped candy boxes. And going up the steps I could see more. I assume they were in every room. It was amazing!
I asked Uncle Jack what the deal was with the candy boxes? He said, "Those are Clarice's Valentine Candy Boxes. Every Valentine's Day I give Clarice a heart shaped box of candy. Been doing it for as long as I have known her. Once she finishes off the candy, the box gets put on the wall. It makes a nice decoration."
You know, that was a pretty nice way to decorate.
If you have a story or two, I'd like to hear them. I don't have much else to do.
That's my two cents worth. What's yours?
The Old Curmudgeon
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