Thursday, January 2, 2014

Those Magical Days--By Charlene McCutcheon--United States

Those Magical Days

Dear Grandma made many treats on her old pot-bellied,
black stove, standing in the center of her quaint kitchen.
She was so kind and loving to me, a curious little child,
who delighted in observing what she could conjure up.
Carefully she stoked the stove with wood Grandpa split.
I watched expectantly as she mixed with a fork, a little
flour and water in a pan and sat it on the searing stove.
Stirring constantly it began to bubble, boil then thicken.
Grandma promised paste to an anxiously awaiting child.
"Get the old catalogs on the shelf over there Charlene.
You can cut out paper dolls; a mother, father and baby
brother, then paste them in that little scrap book I made."
With blunt nosed scissors, old catalogs and tied papers,
obliviously, I whiled away the day at her kitchen table.
Grandma, creating a miraculous concoction just for me
on her old stove so I could paste cut outs, was pure love.

Charlene McCutcheon is a 73 year old, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of thirty and great-grandmother of 14. She has just discovered her voice through poetry within the last few years. Her former ways of expression have been through the media of arts and crafts. Her desire to share herself with others for their benefit has been the motivating factor in all her endeavors. She loves life, work, play and most of all people.

33 comments:

  1. Charlene, what a wonderful poem, "Those Magical Days." You truly have a knack for storytelling in your poetry. Through this poem, I'm reminded of my grandmother who, among many other things, made some of the best homemade ice cream I have ever tasted. Very nice poem. Thank you for sharing. -MJ

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    1. Thank you so much Maurice for your kind comments. I also remember my grandmother's homemade ice cream. I used to sit on a doubled up gunny sack that was placed on top the old vintage hand cranked ice cream maker to put some weight on it so the family members could take turns churning it. It got so hard to churn because the ice cream was so thick and the only way the paddle inside the container would turn was if it was weighted down. My brother and I took turns sitting on it. We thought it great fun anticipating that homemade ice cream And oh my was it the yummiest treat because we helped, especially when fresh peaches or strawberries were added by grandma or mother. I liked the peaches best. :D

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    2. Hello Charlene. Great memories....fun times. It's a blessing that we both can have such fond memories of our grandmother's homemade ice cream.

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  2. Thank you, Robert Hinshaw, for the following comments--

    Dear Charlene: Your poem "The Magical Days" brought back so many fond memories of my childhood. My kind of poetry! Thanks for your kind comments re a couple of my recent posts on Whispers. Thank you (for you served as well) and your husband for the service you rendered in the Air Force. I was privileged and honored to do so for 30 years. The best to you as you continue your poetical journey and may you enjoy a Happy, Healthy New Year! Bob Hinshaw

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    1. Dear Bob, how lovely to come here and see your very kind and encouraging comments. How wonderful that you felt it an honor and privilege to serve in the Air Force.for 30 years as did my husband for the 20 he served. He kids me that I got a better honorable discharge certificate than he did when he retired.. LOL Not really!
      Charlene McCutcheon

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  3. I think I was born in the wrong time period, Charlene. Those old wood-burning stoves are used on one of my favorite TV Series, "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman." Of course, Quinn didn't know how to cook, so her adopted daughter taught her. I used to make a "paste" out of flour and water. It worked, but I never had to cook it. Your beautifully nostalgic poem took me back to a place where I'd rather be. Thank you for sharing and also for being so kind with your comments to others. You have a lot of talent, dear. Best wishes for 2014! Carolyn Devonshire

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    1. Carolyn, it means so much to me that you whom I view as so talented would write such a lovely encouraging note to me. I love that series "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman" too. Those days seemed so much simpler didn't they. I often find myself longing for those simpler days too.
      Love, Charlene

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  4. Dear Charlene,

    Thank you for all the encouraging comments you left for other writers. I just talked to a writer last night that mentioned you as being very talented and supportive as well. What a blessing you are to Whispers. I'm glad others are enjoying this poem as much as I did. Keep up the good writing my friend.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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    1. Karen, thank you so much for leaving such a kind comment for me. You know what, I find myself comparing myself with all other writers and feel so inadequate at times, that the comments. It is such a blessing being in this writing community because the very kind comments of others spurs me on to continued writing. Please tell the person you talked to it meant a lot to me that he/she thought I was talented and supportive.
      Love, Charlene

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  5. Thank you, Christine Tate, for the following comment--

    Hi Charlene, your heartwarming poem was delightful to read. I imagined myself there as you wove a lovely tapestry in words. You drew me into the scenario & I could feel the warmth of that old potbellied stove! We all have wonderful memories we cherish. Thanks for sharing yours. ~Chris

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    1. Dear Chris, thank you so much for your kind confirming remarks. How blessed I feel I am to be in this community of such affirming individuals. God bless you not only for your wonderful poetry but also your taking the time to comment on so many other's poems. God bless you.
      Love, Charlene

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  6. Hi Charlene,

    A well written poem about your Grandma and the happy time you spent with her. I could pictture you both there. Thank you for sharing this story with us all an enjoyable read. I would also would like to thank you for kind comments.

    Sandra stefanowich

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    1. Thank you so much Sandra, Your encouragement means a lot to me. Never had much growing up. Now that I am a great grandmother I have become wiser to the fact that nothing ventured nothing gained.

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  7. Thank you, Eleanor Michael, for the following comment--

    Your poem started me thinking about my mother's wood and kitchen range. That brings back memories of good things to eat. Pies, cookies and favorite dishes. Homemade bread.

    Eleanor

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    1. Eleanor my dear, thank you for your comment. Isn't nostalgia fun. Good memories bring joy to our hearts. That homemade hot bread with butter and honey hit the spot when I came home from school.
      Love, Charlene

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  8. Thank you, Gerald Heyder, for the following comments--

    Dear Charlene--I thank you so much for your kind comments. Your poem, "Those Magical Days," makes us kindred spirits. I know where you're coming from. My grandma baked bread on a cook stove, and I have the stove!

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    1. Gerald, what wonderful memories we can conjure up in our minds if we allow them. What a neat thing to own your grandma's cook stove. A visual that reminds you of the good ole days, bringing a smile to your soul and a remembrance of the love your grandmother had for you. Thank you so much for your comments.
      Charlene

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  9. Grandmas are very special people I do believe, I never knew mine, they passed away before I was born. I am a grandma now myself and it is the best job in the world. I adore my granddaughter! This was such a joy to read, I can feel the love captured in every word. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem Charlene. Blessings sent with love, Leokadia

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    1. Anielica, thank you so much for these welcomed comments. Yes indeed, Grandmas are very special people. They can love like no other, unconditionally. I am sorry you didn't get to know your grandmothers before they passed away. Do you have stories about them that you read?
      Love, Charlene

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    2. My mum's mother passed away before I was even born. My dear mum was a Prisoner of War in Germany, she was Polish and so was my dad. Their parents my grandparents passed away while they were in prison camps I know a little, I know more about what happened to my parents during war. I am in the process of writing my second book about their life story and mine. It would have been wonderful to know my grandparents, but it was not to be. Sending blessings always, Leokadia

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  10. Such a blessing have your writing in our midst. It is a very warm poem.

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    1. Thank you Ranu for your kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.
      Charlene

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  11. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following comment--

    lovely nostalgic piece

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    1. Thank you so much Jack for your kind comment on my poem. I can hardly wait to give my dear Grandmother a hug in the world to come.
      Charlene

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  12. Very well done Charlene. I love this kind of write.Those happy cherished memories are very magical. Love the visuals, almost feel I'm there. You paint such a wonderful cosy picture.for is to enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing.Leaves me feeling good inside, take good care. Warm best wishes. Pete.

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  13. Thank you so much Peter. I warms my soul to know my words can touch another's heart. You do the same for me with your poems.
    Charlene

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  14. Thank you, John Williams, for the following comments--

    This is a stirring poem which reminds me of my Grandma. (I lived with her.) She always did things to entertain me. I had no playmates, but she filled my days with adventure and fun. She was my playmate and her caring came from the heart. Love too. I enjoyed your work.

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  15. The wonderfully simple ways we used to spend our time on, thanks to creative and caring parents and grandparents. A beautiful story of a wonderful time of your life.

    Robert

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  16. Dear Charlene, These precious memories you recall in your beautiful poem are so special! Like you, I am so grateful for memories... our connection to our love ones who have gone ahead. Beautiful! Love, Audrey

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  17. Hi Charlene - wonderful memories! What a beautiful visual you gave to us to read. Brings back my own memories of my Great Grandmother and the lovely things she did for all of us children. Beautiful...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  18. Thank you, Richard Sponaugle, for the following comment--

    Nostalgic and well-written, makes me yearn for simpler, better times. Made me wish my grandparents didn't die before I was born.

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  19. Thank you, Barbara Siekierski, for the following comment--

    Good imaginative poem about memories of Grandma making paste for your cut outs Charlene. It seems like a good precious memory.

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  20. Charlene my grandmother wasn't a great cook according to my mother but when she visited from the United Kingdom when I was in my early teens we shared my bedroom. I on the floor and her in my bed; we stayed awake most of the night, giggling at her stories and the antics I got into. lol My mom and dad shouted through the wall; 'quiet you two or I will 'ground' both of you!' That only made us giggle more; imagine Charlene my dad 'grounding' his mother-in-law! Sheepishly we entered the kitchen in the morning and stared at the stern looks of my Mom and Dad and then they grabbed both of us and hugged us. We sat around a table filled with pancakes, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs and a mountain of buttered toast and grandma said that Mom took after her; an excellent cook. Mom just smiled and winked at me. I miss my grandma but I am glad that I have that memory to look back on and to share with my daughter and my grandsons. Thank you for that reminder Charlene, nostalgia rocks. Love Jane

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