[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Parents ] [ Defining ] [ Billie Winberg ] [ Wilma Crump ] [ Mary Lou ]

Memories of a Granddaughter

By Wilma Block Crump

The next memoirs are of a Will Block granddaughter, Wilma Block Crump, who as a child lived only a couple blocks from the Will Block home. Her reminiscences, entitled "Memories of a Granddaughter," are as follows:

"Having had a grandfather to only age ten, those years are remembered by one, who always saw life as ‘the glass half full,’ never half empty. Knowing that some have said - ‘take only half of what is said as true and take that with a grain of salt’ - will keep one oriented as to whether this is indeed a true memory or only a child’s idealism in blossom."

"Living approximately two blocks from his home, Will Block had to pass in front along Block Street every time he went to town. I would watch for his Model-T truck to go by the house, hoping maybe to be asked to go along with him. A few times he did let us go, but with full knowledge there would be no getting out of the truck, no loud talking or laughter, but nevertheless, it was a great honor to be able to go with him. He was truly ‘King of the Hill’ to me."

"We looked forward to having dinner at his big table with the two long benches along the side, always room for one more child. I can still smell the good food and feel the love abiding there. Having a producing truck farm, there was always much food, even though the depression was in ‘full bloom.’ The pomegranates, the kumquats, the pecans, but most of all, the watermelons! On a hot summer day, we would put a melon in the bayou to get it cool, later would go back after swimming (in the bayou), retrieve it, eat just the heart (did not know you were supposed to eat past the seeds). Often wondered if Grandpa knew we were stealing his watermelons!"

"During harvest time, whenever the potatoes were dug, he would let us little ones help with picking them up and sacking them for the sled, drawn by a patient and trusty horse, to be carried to the barn. These would be placed in a shed with a dirt floor and covered with straw for winter storage. When some were needed later, we would drag a stick around the outside of the building, making a racket to scare away the snakes and rats, that lived in the potato house. Being on the edge of Block’s Bayou and the Neches River, we were always on guard for alligators, water moccasin snakes, turtles, and many other creepy, crawly things. We often hunted for their (snake, turtle?) nest to find the eggs - what a dangerous past-time, but what fun!"

"Since children were to be seen and not heard, I don’t remember having a conversation with my Grandfather, but I do know he was our strength and our faith. I remember where he sat every Sunday, the same pew, always knew he would be there, one glance from him kept all of us in a proper state of behavior. (As the wording on the Will Block tombstone reads), he truly ‘fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith.’"