Great Grandfather Hale (Patreon)

For my special Patrons: here's the passage from my Grandpa Jack's essay that has inspired these past few pages. 

"Sometimes we would take the train from Rome, NY to Williamstown, NY where my Grandparents lived (Williamstown is approximately 60 miles Northeast of Syracuse, NY). I really enjoyed riding on the train and still do. In those days (1946) the trains were coal fired steam driven with coal dust streaming in the windows and the track click clacking and wheels screeching. When we arrived in Williamstown my Great Grandfather would meet the train and drive us up Maple Hill about 10 miles to the farm in his Ford Model T. His car was an original Ford Model T with a rain roof, open side curtains and spark adjustments on the steering column. The car's big cylinders made it sound like it was exploding and it would lurch and jump with a pop popping clamor with a smoke filled exhaust. We would go lurching and pop popping up the hill with the wind and country grass and manure smells from the fields blowing in our faces.

My Great Grandfather Hale lived by himself near the train station. I remember two things about him. One thing is how he kept his house. At 90+ he cooked his own meals and being a neat person. He would put fresh newspapers on the table after he was finished eating covering any spills. I don’t know how many days would go by before he would remove the pile of papers and start over. The second thing was his table manners at Sunday dinner on the farm. My Grandma always set the table with plenty of food. My favorite was stewed chicken and biscuits brought to the table in a huge bowl steaming and smelling so buttery and luscious. My Great Grandfather would often say 'I’ll take a few more potatoes' and when he got the bowl in his hands he would pile heaps of steaming potatoes on his plate like he had never had a meal before and wouldn’t be having another one soon. It seemed kind of funny to me for him to be saying 'I’ll have a few'."

I've never heard of people covering their tables with newsprint, have you guys? Also, have any of you ever ridden in a Model T? 

<3