By: Robert, Tavares, U.S.
I remember the war, it was 1942, Mother was a single mom, we lived in Partick, in a single end, four of us. A lot of days we didn’t eat, we were always hungry. We ate what we could find in the middins. One day I found a loaf of bread, it was mouldy and hard as a rock. Mother put it in milk and cooked it in the oven. It turned out to be delicious, that and a big dollop of lard.
My brother and I would catch rats (I was 4 yrs old) I remember how proud we were when we got 8-9 rats. Mom would dress them and put them in the pot and make a big stew. All the children knew of mother’s stew and would line up with their bowls….
PS: None of us ever died.
I could on and on about poverty and how we survived.
The winters were harsh, cold, no money fur gas, we would hudddle together in the dark. I would hug my wee sister for warmth. My brother and I would follow the coal merchant with a wee bucket and pick up the droppings. That night was a blessing. I looked at the flames, its warmth. I was so happy.
I could go on and on. Today I live in Florida, it was a long journey. I didn’t get here by my own efforts. I got here by the Grace of God and my sponsor Pres John F Kennedy (1963)
My Scottish Heritage
By James Douglas, Southern Ohio, USA.
Hello, my names is James Edward Douglas, as you can guess I’m of Scottish heritage..and PROUD of it! I was reading your humour pages and noticed a lot of the things the Scots do we also do here in Southern Ohio where in the old days was settled mostly by Scottish people – no one else in their right mind would want to live here!
I know from looking at pics Scotland has a lot more beautiful scenery. Keep up the cool website! Alba gu bra!!! For the folks in the old country, my mother still says “ye” for you and other words I have learned to “interpret” through the years.
Sometimes I find myself sounding Scottish, I’ll say “aboot” instead of about and other things. It just doesn’t go away, my heritage I mean. I’ve been on this site for over a hour and still reading. Love it!!
Aye, I am of Scottish heritage.
I would love to visit the old country and see where the Douglas clan lived. Me great grandpa was John Douglas and great-great was James B. Douglas, I believe he was first of my family to come over. Love to hear from any of the Douglas clan in Scotland.