Set the way back machine (if you do not know this cultural reference you could always Google it) for circa mid 20th century.
I come from a relatively large family. Nearly all of my aunties and uncles married either during or right after WWII. This resulted in the glorious presence of COUSINS. Occasionally we would have to ride to some house for the folks to visit. We would ask plaintively if there were any kids to play with? If the answer was no we knew the chances were 5050 that we could even be allowed to some inside the house depending on how well behaved we were. Behaving well was pretty much chancy as well.
However if we drove to Boise we got to play with the Boise cousins. If we drove to either the Cow camp or Prairie City we got to play with the Oregon cousins. We had Mormon cousins in other Southern Idaho homes but visits to those homes were where we had to behave and pretend we were well schooled little Christians, and there was always a bit of a social strain. But we sucked what fun we could out of every occasion. One time it was decided that we would drive to Brush, Colorado to visit with the Kast cousins. They lived on farm and the sun came up in the summer at 4 am. They had pigs. Some of the better times was when out of town cousins came to visit.
Some of the better gatherings were for the big seasonal events; Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had two sets of grandparents in the Emmett valley so would visit them either the day before, the evening of or the day after Christmas. This ensured guarantee of more presents. This was so much fun. Some of my most treasured presents were books. I received a greatmany Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twin books.
The other occasions were funerals. This involved people coming to visit. There would be a huge dinner, a big table for the adults and a smaller table for the cousins. It was unbelievably noisy. After wards the table got cleaned off and a large puzzle might get put together or even better we begin playing endless game of Monopoly, it went on all day. Like some people we changed the rules a little bit. Everytime someone landed in jail that fine was placed on Go. The next person to land on Go would collect that money. I do not remember exactly if that was the modification made but I have siblings who may remember better than I.
The adults did not watch the football games. There would be huge gab fest and a couple card tables would go up and they would play Pinocle. I swore I would never play that game, but 30 year later I did so and learned to appreciate a good partner. Dad taught me to play five card and at one times I played Double Pinochle with some folks in California. I hate double, too many cards and outrageous bidding.
I remembe a huge discussion about whether or not wine should be served at a Thanksgiving dinner. The wine being considered was Mogen David. Pleae remember that this was way WAY before anyone ever planted a vine in Idaho.
Now the gatherings are for the next generation as far as I can tell the fun still continues. God bless cousins.
I come from a relatively large family. Nearly all of my aunties and uncles married either during or right after WWII. This resulted in the glorious presence of COUSINS. Occasionally we would have to ride to some house for the folks to visit. We would ask plaintively if there were any kids to play with? If the answer was no we knew the chances were 5050 that we could even be allowed to some inside the house depending on how well behaved we were. Behaving well was pretty much chancy as well.
However if we drove to Boise we got to play with the Boise cousins. If we drove to either the Cow camp or Prairie City we got to play with the Oregon cousins. We had Mormon cousins in other Southern Idaho homes but visits to those homes were where we had to behave and pretend we were well schooled little Christians, and there was always a bit of a social strain. But we sucked what fun we could out of every occasion. One time it was decided that we would drive to Brush, Colorado to visit with the Kast cousins. They lived on farm and the sun came up in the summer at 4 am. They had pigs. Some of the better times was when out of town cousins came to visit.
Some of the better gatherings were for the big seasonal events; Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had two sets of grandparents in the Emmett valley so would visit them either the day before, the evening of or the day after Christmas. This ensured guarantee of more presents. This was so much fun. Some of my most treasured presents were books. I received a greatmany Nancy Drew and Bobbsey Twin books.
The other occasions were funerals. This involved people coming to visit. There would be a huge dinner, a big table for the adults and a smaller table for the cousins. It was unbelievably noisy. After wards the table got cleaned off and a large puzzle might get put together or even better we begin playing endless game of Monopoly, it went on all day. Like some people we changed the rules a little bit. Everytime someone landed in jail that fine was placed on Go. The next person to land on Go would collect that money. I do not remember exactly if that was the modification made but I have siblings who may remember better than I.
The adults did not watch the football games. There would be huge gab fest and a couple card tables would go up and they would play Pinocle. I swore I would never play that game, but 30 year later I did so and learned to appreciate a good partner. Dad taught me to play five card and at one times I played Double Pinochle with some folks in California. I hate double, too many cards and outrageous bidding.
I remembe a huge discussion about whether or not wine should be served at a Thanksgiving dinner. The wine being considered was Mogen David. Pleae remember that this was way WAY before anyone ever planted a vine in Idaho.
Now the gatherings are for the next generation as far as I can tell the fun still continues. God bless cousins.
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