Viewpoint: Rummaging through a closet full of memories

Most of the people my age learned thrift from our parents, who endured the Great Depression.

Spending money on oneself, or being frivolous was almost looked upon as a sin. The same went for bragging about yourself. Modesty was the style then.

I remember Mama telling me that when she and Daddy were first married he once came home from town with cigars and tobacco costing 35 cents. She said she cried when he told her how much it cost.

“He could have bought 2 yards of material for curtains with that money,” she said.


I don’t remember anything ever being changed at our home unless it was broken, and Daddy would first do his best to fix everything before a replacement was purchased.

Daddy and Mama were both very handy, and practical, a word my kids aren’t fond of. Daddy had shoe repair equipment and replaced the soles of our shoes. We went barefoot all summer and took good care of our one pair of shoes. When I was about 12 I went to town with Daddy one day. As we walked by the shoe store, owned by Mr. Verdugo, I asked if I could take a look inside. There was a pair of blue canvas shoes with open toes, and wedge heels. I fell in love. Mama wasn’t pleased when I walked into the house with those shoes. I am surprised she didn’t make me take them back, but then that wasn’t something people did in those days either.

Mama made all our clothes, often using flour sack material. All the socks my Dad wore were knit by her. She also knit panties for me and my sisters. I was so happy to finally be able to wear cotton briefs. Mama’s wardrobe was very limited. She always wore aprons to protect whatever she was wearing. Now my girls make fun of me for wearing aprons.

One year a salesman representing a clothing company made the rounds in Holtville, and probably the rest of Imperial Valley, seeking those who didn’t have access to large department stores. He must have been a slick talker because many of the people at our church ordered suits from him. He took the measurements of the adults, and had them pick out fabric from a book of wool samples. That sample book intrigued me with its page after page of tiny swatches. A month or so later my parents both received tailor-made suits. They wore them to church for years and years. When Mama’s started to show wear she cut up the fabric and made skirts for me and my sisters.

Growing up no one ever deliberately showed any part of their under garments. If a girlfriend told you that your slip was showing you quickly remedied the situation. Lingerie was never deliberately revealed.

Today lots of men and women, young and not so young, could take some tips from their parents. I see nothing vaguely attractive about viewing a young man’s boxer shorts.

Opening day at the Del Mar Race Track was a shocker for me. Many of the beautiful young women there should never have been allowed to leave their homes in their skimpy clothing. Unfortunately, modesty isn’t even valued in many workplaces.

My parents would be dumbfounded to hear that 10-year-old children have their own telephones. We got a phone when I was in my early teens. Fortunately it was a party line so no one even thought of talking for more than a few minutes at a time, or gossiping.

Nowadays everyone in the family has their own cell phone. They are always texting, checking their e-mails and taking photos. At this time I only know two or three functions on my cell phone. I guess I have a DUMB phone, instead of a SMART phone, but hoping to improve.