Ответы: 3
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Grandmother
Elaine
Interviewer:
My grandmother grew up on a farm in Nebraska. I
wanted to interview her not only because she has
a great story, but also to learn more about her
past. I will try to make it a real interview, not
just a chat with a grandma. So, my first question:
What is your name and birthplace?
Grandmother:
I go by Elaine, but my real name is Helen Elaine.
I was born April 8, 1933 in Guide Rock, Nebraska
on a farm. I had an older sister and two younger
brothers.
Interviewer:
Why do you go by your middle name?
Grandmother:
My mother, my dad’s sister, and my uncle’s wife
were all named Helen. Can you imagine the chaos!
I chose to be called Elaine so that I wouldn’t be
confused during family get-togethers.
Interviewer:
What was your school like?
Grandmother:
Well, the stories you hear your parents tell were
actually true... we walked three miles to school
and three miles back! During the summer the walk
wasn’t bad, but in winter our feet would freeze!
When we got to the one-room schoolhouse, I remember
my teacher would always bring me a bucket of warm
water to soak my feet. Boy, was I lucky! Since it
only had one room, we interacted with the older
kids, which was nice because we got to hear them
recite.
Interviewer:
When you got home, did you have chores to do?
Grandmother:
Of course! We all had specific tasks. My sister
and I cleaned the dining room, which had hardwood
floors like every room in the house. I was always
upset because I had to wax the floors on my hands
and knees and dust the furniture! My sister, since
she was older, only had to dust the shelves. After
our chores were done, we sat down as a family to
eat. Then, I had to dry the dishes. My father always
sent me to my room for bed at 6:30. I was never
able to figure out what you would call my room.
I guess you could call it a closet!
Interviewer:
What was high school like?
Grandmother:
Well, we finally had a bus to ride that I caught
every morning at seven a.m. In high school there
were no athletics for girls. Boys had football,
basketball and track. There were school dances,
but not quite as fancy as the ones you have. I never
really had enough rhythm to dance, but I tried!
Interviewer:
Did you ever get to go to college?
Grandmother:
My parents never mentioned college to me because
we had no money. After high school I worked at the
Farmers Union Creamery as a secretary. One day my
boss came to see me and told me that I was going
to college. I was confused and said, “No, I’m not,
we can’t afford it.”
He made the arrangements and drove me to a college
150 miles away. I still do not know where the money
came from. My major was home economics education.
As a student, I worked at the creamery, and also
at the cafeteria at the school.
Interviewer:
Did you follow through with your teaching career?
Grandmother:
Yes, I was a home economics teacher for 30 years.
Interviewer:
After all your struggles, did you build a family?
Grandmother:
Yes, I married a nice man and had five lovely kids
and I now have nine beautiful grandchildren. I am
very proud of my family. There were many funny times
when my children were growing up. Once your Uncle
Danny told your Aunt Cathy that the cigarette lighter
in the car smelled like cherries and she burnt her
nose. At the time those moments weren’t as funny
as they are now when we look back on them. All of
this was worth the problems I struggled with growing
up.