livin' in the kitchin'

  I was just thinking about when we did our living in the kitchen. Years ago, the kitchen was always the largest room in the house and the center of activity. Those homes had dining rooms, you know, where you ate dinner. Some homes had sitting rooms, rooms were you simply sat and read a book or had a conversation. Today most people call that space the living room or family room, with family room being the latest moniker. Bedrooms were usually smaller spaces and may or may not have a closet depending upon the age of the home. My grandmothers house had no closets, just wardrobes and a dresser. Our homes have changed with the way we live our lives. Front porches have become the rear deck, private and isolated from the world. 

 My mother's kitchen was the largest room in our house. Yes, the kitchen belonged to Mom. That was her domain and she ruled from there. She cooked our meals in there, obviously, but it is where she ironed the clothes and did her sewing as well. We did our homework at the kitchen table after dinner every night. Mom would be washing the dishes and watching what we were doing. In the kitchen we helped snap the beans, shuck the corn and open the clams or cleaned the fish. We helped with the baking, mostly by licking the beaters, we turned the crank on the grinder and listened to the stories mom told. We colored in our coloring books at that table and made book covers from paper bags. 

 My grandmother's kitchen was much the same with a few exceptions. She had a wood burning/coal stove for cooking. It sat in the far corner of the room and beside it was a box of kindling and some wood. The coal scuttle sat close by, filled with coal at all times. When it became low, I was sent to the coal box to refill that. Her sink was a stand-alone porcelain monstrosity with a curtain around its' base. On the opposite wall was the sole cabinet. Dishes and cups and saucers were on shelves in the top portion and the bottom portion had drawers in it for the tablecloths and silverware. Her refrigerator was an old green thing with the motor sitting on the top. But that was her domain, she ruled the roost from that command center! 

 Those are my memories of my childhood. I do believe it was a much better time in America when we all lived in the kitchen. Families were definitely closer and shared more than what I see today. How many conversations took place in those kitchens is immeasurable. As we helped in the kitchen we were learning. We talked about most everything, some of it gossip and some instruction. We heard the stories of our parents and how things were better back then. But I think what was being learned was responsibility. We learned to be industrious. My grandmother and mother were always busy doing something constructive. It was rare indeed to find either one just doing nothing. There was always something that needed doing. I learned quickly to never say, I'm bored. That would be met with a list of chores that needed doing! 

 Now, neither at my house or my grandmother's house did we have a front porch. That was simply because we didn't live in town, on regular streets. We just sat in the front yard or back yard depending. If we were just sitting, we would be out front. Lighting the barbecue and eating at the picnic table was done out back. We didn't get a lot of visitors, mostly the aunts or uncles would show up occasionally. Our neighborhood only contained five other homes. Only one of those other homes had children. Yes, on my dirt road it was quiet. Most activity was centered around the kitchen or emanated from there. That is where plans were made.

 I think at first it was radio that drew the family into the sitting room. Everyone sitting around quietly listening to their show. That was followed by television. Today we have family rooms that rival movie theaters, in fact, some have home theaters! Add in all the social media platforms to provide additional entertainment and the kitchen grows smaller. Todays' kitchens may have an island and there is no separation from the dining area or family room. The kitchen is no longer a place where people gather. It is simply a utilitarian space. Food preparation consists of unwrapping or thawing. Homework is done on a computer. No one makes book covers out of paper bags anymore and you aren't allowed to lick the beaters! Today its' unlikely you would find Mom in the kitchen at all. She is probably at work. 

 It's ironic if you think about it. We don't do much living in the living room; the family room is for watching television and the deck is for grilling. Not much happening in the kitchen these days. But it's my feeling that is where life begins and where it should be lived most of the time. I can see ancient man huddled around the fire cooking some meat on a stick, in their kitchen, talking about the hunt and survival. An awful lot can be learned in the kitchen, it is the best classroom of all.