Had a wonderful time swapping stories at the New London Meeting House. All the local characters were present and full of of tales and pithy remarks. Sue Anne Bottomley was reminded of "Uncle Bob's story about Pa," which she e-mailed. Here it is:
My Uncle Bob told this story about his father, Pa, my grandfather. Our family’s house was on Beacon Street in Concord. There were small grocery stores at the intersection of most streets. Pa would walk a block on most days to do the shopping. At this time during the Depression, in the 30’s, there were a lot of shortages. Pa never knew what he would find at the store and what he would bring home, but it usually wasn’t much. Enough for the day’s dinner.
One day, Bob was amazed to see Pa carrying home two armloads of provisions — bags of flour, sugar, lard, meat. Bob asked, “Pa, how did you manage to buy all this?” Pa, in all seriousness, answered, “I got there before the hoarders.” We still use this expression in our family if we come home from the grocery store with some unexpected goodies.
Sue Anne is an artist who does extraordinary line drawings — many of familiar New Hampshire places. Check her website. I think you’ll be impressed.
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