The big, smooth cement porch and high tin roof still stand. The roof and beams erected from a kit ordered through the Sears and Roebuck Company catalog in the 40’s or 50’s by the grandfather I never knew. The large round fire pit, built into the middle of the slab, full of a blazing and crackling fire built by the 3rd generation of kids to grow up at its edges; fueled by “eye ball” oak and mesquite wood collected on the ranch that day.
Headlights break the dark, dark night; truck doors slam, and voices emerge and spill cousins and friends onto the big wide porch. Shadows and silhouettes and multiple generations of descendants gather to warm, reminisce and drink by the family fire. Voices, laughter, love and belonging mingle with the smoke and past to fly heavenward on a clear, cold and starry Texas night.
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Sarah, love your words and you! My great-grandmother purchased her home from the Sears and Robuck catalog too and built it in Kingsville and it is still standing and occupied. Believe my Mom still has the “blue-prints” from the order!
Nothing like a South Texas story about history, family & friends and mesquite trees!
Zoe, thanks for your sweet words. I mentioned you to one of my brothers this weekend and what a small world it is when a friend you meet far from home has direct ties with your family — our dads!