Memories: Granny “B”: I was fortunate enough to live with my great-grandmother, Granny Beatty, or as we said, “B.” She came to stay with us when I was probably six years old. She stayed in our tiny home on Comey Avenue in West Los Angeles, on the corner of La Cienega Boulevard and Venice Blvd.
I don’t remember how long she stayed, but I do recall sitting next to her by our Zenith transoceanic radio and listening to the afternoon “soaps.” She would be wrapped in a blanket in her rocking chair, and we would listen to the programs. Granny “B” lived a long time and eventually went to stay with her daughter, my grandmother, in Tracy, California, in the late 1950s.
She was born around 1850 and had some memories of the Civil War and remembered coming to California with her daughter in the 1930s, during the Great Depression! She lived most of her life in Oklahoma, where she married a Cherokee Indian.
I had a great time with her, and her stories and her frail condition are burnt into my memories like it was yesterday!
She had her own room, but it was very small, just enough room for a single bed and a chest of drawers, but she was always happy.
She reminded me of Czak, a lady who lived across the street from my family in the 1950s. She was Hungarian and escaped from the Russian takeover of her country. She lived with the Bowers, George, and Rose, who also lived across the street from my parents on Comey Avenue.
We had great times together. I wish kids today would spend more time with older folks to get to know them and learn from the past. Today, kids are interested in their damned iPhones and instant gratification.
The day began with me surprising Mary by cleaning the kitchen. I started the dishwasher and washed and put away serving trays, along with a heavy crystal punch bowl.
I took Mary to her gym class at 9:00 AM and picked her up at 11:15 AM. In the meantime, I did some laundry and other necessary chores at home.
When I went to pick her up, we decided to go to El Torito as I was craving Mexican food.
I love their spinach enchiladas which are Sautéed fresh spinach, pasilla chiles, onions, pico de gallo, melted jack cheese, and fire-roasted tomatillo sauce. Served with frijoles de la olla and rice.
It was as good as I remembered from several months ago!
Mary enjoyed the grilled filet of salmon, which was topped with a lemon butter sauce, and served on a bed of sautéed vegetables. The dish was served with special rice.
Delicious!
We of course had a margarita to wash everything down! I did their “EL DUEÑO MARGARITA” called “The Owner” served in a 21oz. Schooner is the Top Shelf of Top Shelves! Maestro Dobel Silver, triple sec, sweet & sour, and a 50ml bottle of Grand Marnier.
Mary did the Cadillac Margarita.
We stopped at Walgreens and a specialty shop, but the latter was closed. Finally, we picked up Mary’s updated coats at the fur facility.
After coming home, we cooked Irish corned beef and watched ‘1883’ until midnight. We took an hour-long break to soak in the hot tub, which Mary needed after her morning workout.
We binged on eight episodes of 1883.
At last, we managed to fall asleep at midnight!
