it was jelly makin' day in dallas texas in the late 1940's on livingston street in highland park, a city within a city, surrounded by dallas texas. the maid, capitola bishop, arrived early in her starched white uniform and old black ford. mrs. latimer was up early as well. breakfast would quickly be out of the way in the little breakfast room between the kitchen and the large grand dining room. mr. latimer would be going to work, and little gerry, wide awake as usual, would not be going to school today.
a very large white enameled pot sat simmering on the stove in the ample kitchen. it was full of welch's grape juice. tons of sugar and lots of pectin would be added and stirred and cooked. i am not sure of all the detailss, but the jelly makin' was well underway. eventually the rich liquid would be decanted into empty jelly jars which had once contained commercial jelly and were ornamented with animated cartoon etchings. once the jelly was in the jars a thin disc of melted parafin was poured on each to seal the freshness. it wasn't really all that complicated, but it took time and diligence, and mrs. latimer and capitola labored carefully as little jerry watched from a nearby stool.
these were good times. the latimers were gerry's grand parents. his family lived in fort worth, but he was living in dallas to get an early start on public school. he mostly went home on the weekends. it was a wonderful life. all were happy at the time. life ran well and made good sense. you won't find much of that today.
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