Monday, November 18, 2019

A Moment In Time. . .

As "Mr. Ed" and I age. . .
we find our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park
has taken on a more relaxed style.

Ah~h~h, yes. . .
there's still the early morning trips to the Spring
for the limit of the day's catch of Rainbow and Brown Trout.

As well as , the usual marathon shopping
at Boomland Square in Ozark, Missouri.

But, this trip, there was something even m o r e special
in this year's excursion for both, "Mr. Ed" and I.

You see, "Mr. Ed" had been on Google Maps
researching the address of his maternal grandmother's house
and found that it was now a catering business.

So~o~o. . .
of course, we had to make a special "drive ~ by" the property.



"Mr. Ed" and I parked in the gravel driveway
that was in its original place, on a level part of the lot,
just to the side of his Grandmother Ida Kerby's Home.



Grandmother's original mailbox was located on the opposite side of the street.




Although the Happy Chef Catering Company had given the home
a fresh coat of paint added flower boxes and shutters to the windows,
repaired and painted the porch floor;
I was thrilled to see that the brick columns and the concrete step remained !


Also,
the sidewalk leading around to the side of the house was in its original condition!

Grandmother Kerby never opened her front door.
You always entered at the side door that opened to her back porch.


While I was taking photos of "Mr. Ed"
standing on the porch of his Grandmother Kerby's home,
he commented that a van bearing the same name had just gone down the street.


Sensing we had over stayed our 'welcome'
and that the neighbors had possibly called
to report us taking photos and walking the property,
the van turned around and pulled up in front of the home.

The man inside the Happy Chef Catering Company van
rolled down his window and asked if we had once lived in the house.

"Mr. Ed" was over taken with emotion. . .so, I answered.

"My husband's Grandmother lived her for many years.
We are Trout Fishing at Bennett Spring State Park and drove down for the day.
Having seen your business on Google Maps, we wanted to stop by for a moment."

Can you even imagine how thrilled we were
when he asked if we'd like to take a look inside?

For a moment in time,
both "Mr. Ed" and I were transformed to the precious memories
of the early years of our marriage and our many visits to see his Grandmother!





Once, "Mr. Ed's" Grandmother Ida Kerby's living room,
Happy Catering Company uses this room for 'tasting' .

"Mr. Ed" remarked how exceptionally small
the rooms appeared to him. . .and they, truly were!

The kitchen and bedroom were just as we both remembered.


Ida Kerby Home, October 1980. . .


"Mr. Ed" @ Happy Chef Catering Company, October 2019.


Grandmother Ida Kerby Home ~ Living Room, October 1978.


Grandmother Ida Kerby Home ~ Kitchen, May 1974.


Grandmother Ida Kerby Home, February 1975
her daughter, and "Mr. Ed's" Mother, Mary Kerby Cantwell.

"Mr. Ed" and I will cherish our time in Ozark, Missouri
and the kindness of Chef Phil of Happy Catering Company
for allowing us a moment in time that warmed our hearts
and will give us precious memories, once again, of Grandmother Kerby's Home.




Until next time. . .



Special thanks to :
Happy Chef Catering Co.
408 North 4th Avenue
Ozark, Missouri  65721
417- 860-7734
www.happychefcatering.com

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Oh, this is amazing and how special to get to come back to this little house. Thank you so much for popping in to see me.

Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)