Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Coffee's Ready



After our oldest daughter Heather was born, and because my husband was working out of town, and because my mother couldn't stand to be parted from her first grandbaby, Heather and I stayed at the ranch for almost 4 weeks after she was born. In those days, new mothers actually recuperated after having a baby, and I had some unexpected complications.

We were over an hour's drive from the nearest town and nothing creates a better cocoon for healing and bonding than distance, isolation, and your mother at hand.

Our routine started in the evening ,when after washing the supper dishes, we made a fresh batch of bottles, sterilized them, and stored them in the refrigerator. The Corning Wear coffeepot was fixed, and the timer was set.

In the early morning hours, I grew accustomed to the sight of a tall man in a cowboy hat, standing over Heather's crib silently watching her before he left the house.
My father, later called Papa by our girls, found all sorts of reasons to stop by the house, and he didn't even make excuses.

And then Nonnie (my mother) swept in .
Heather was bathed , dressed, her hair brushed into a curl, and she was rocked all in the span of a minute it seemed. Mother then turned her attention to me. I was doctored and nurtured, lunch and supper were planned ,and in the afternoon, if the time seemed right, she would ask her friend Marie over for coffee .

The Corning Wear coffeepot was fixed and we freshened up , waiting for the little red light to glow, signaling that the coffee was ready. I loved the coffee from that coffeepot. It took forever to brew by today's impatient standards, and it wasn't any special blend- it was probably Folger's- but it was good because my mother knew how to make it that way.

Apparently impressions form easily in me. I still love Corning Wear, even in its stubbornness about cleanliness. At flea markets I gravitate to tables of tall, white, ageless towers of casserole dishes, pans, tea kettles, and above all coffeepots.

I can still hear my mother calling down the hall,

"Laura Ellen, coffee's ready."

4 comments:

Meg said...

Wow, the more I read, the more I think we really are related. After my grandmother passed away, I made my mom store all of her Corning ware for me. I had to have it because she always used it and it was an important part of her. I too, always gravitate towards it and continue to add to my collection too.

Bonnie said...

Your story was touching and struck a cord with me. I remember the nurturing I received from my dear mother when my children were born. That is such a special memory. Thanks for bringing it back.

I still have all my cornflower blue corningware having married in the 70"s. I look all the time for two more loaf pans in all the antique shops. We make whole wheat bread and they bake bread wonderfully.

I read your blog all the time and enjoy your posts. I haven't posted a single blog since early April. Life has been so busy and I can barely keep up just reading all the wonderful blogs. One of these days I am going to get back to posting. I have so many pictures that I could share.

Anonymous said...

Funny stumbled here enjoyed your blog..just saying I live in a very small town and was surprised one day to discover corning ware pattern you have there..in the hardware store and many other things from the 70's lol it was awesome! If you ever visit a small town that has a hardware store doesn't hurt to see if they have inventory from days gone by..prob with the same price it had back in the day.

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