Reminiscing: That one time in the Car

When I was pretty small, we went for a visit to Gangie, Bee and Charlie’s house. It was Daddy, Mama and me. I was wearing a beige wool winter coat. Ok, you may think that is insignificant but it does play into the story. First let me give you a peek into our favorite place to go. Going to Gangie’s house (both G’s in her name have the hard G sound) was ALWAYS welcomed. We loved her. We loved Bee and we loved and were entertained by Charlie. He was a wealth of information. He knew how to do just about anything.

They lived in a brick two-bedroom home off Northwest Highway in Dallas. Thornberry Lane – sounded so idyllic. There were about 6 steps into the house, a single attached garage but you had to go outside to enter house. It was charming. Nice living room and dining room. Good size for the eat-in kitchen that hosted a window to the backyard which went deep to the end of the lot. No en suite but a nice tiled bathroom that had its own personality. The home was welcoming. No toys save a small wooden bowl with two or three wooden alphabet blocks.

You could always count on Gangie for Movie magazines under the large square table in her bedroom: Photoplay and Mirror were particular favorites. Also, McCall magazine with the Betsy McCall paper dolls in the back. Sometimes we played dominoes or Canasta. Television was in the living room. Doors were fixed on the cabinet for when it was not in use. We watched Golf – especially Arnold Palmer. Gangie was convinced we were related. Our grandfather was an avid golfer as were Bee and Charlie. If you were there on a week day you might watch Tennessee Ernie Ford featuring Molly Bee. The television was off more than on and no one had withdrawal.

The back yard was home to great cook out. Usually they made hamburgers. In the summer we often topped the meal off with homemade peach ice cream. You got to have a turn stirring it. In the winter we made candy, especially divinity and Bee’s $100 Fudge.

Brookhaven Country Club was their home away from Thornberry Lane. It boasted of Professional Golf courses. There was a men’s course, a women’s course and one for both. Four swimming pools graced the property. One was Olympic-size and Charlie taught me how to improve my diving there. Danny was an ace diver who could jack-knife and swan dive with the best of them. As we got older, I enjoyed the Adults only pool which kept away the cannonball kids etc. They were one of the first members and their membership number was very low. They introduced us as their kids. Bee and Charlie were unable to have children of their own. Sad for them, they wanted them so much. It was a boon for us since they treated us like their kids. Hours with them are cherished memories for all six of us.