My Aunt Ethel

I have so many memories of Ethel, mostly in the early years before she and Joe moved to southern Ohio.

I guess the memory that sticks in my mind more than any is a good/bad memory. Joe and Ethel were living in Columbus on I believe it was West Park. Maw was staying with them then. Bonnie had a date with Jim and Bob and Rodney chose not to take me with them to Green Gables that night (which was okay I guess since we always ended up in trouble when we went). Joe was on the road driving that big 'ole truck and that left Maw, Ethel and me there for the weekend. We had been stringing half runners all day. Ethel said her mom could eat more green beans than anyone she ever knew. Well, me being the hard headed little girl that I was decided to make history and try to eat more half runners than Maw. So Ethel cooked up a big old pressure cooker of half runners and the eating contest was on.

First bowl for Maw and first bowl for me......second bowl for Maw and second bowl for me. We were up to our fifth bowl.....I could see it in her eyes....Maw was starting to buckle....but I was determined to eat more, I wanted to make Ethel proud. I could feel my stomach churn and ache from the pressure....Ethel was cracking up in the kitchen and looking for a big brown paper bag yelling hold on hold on. She knew I was ready to blow and blow I did! I remember Ethel holding my head up by my ponytail so I wouldn't fall head first into the bag. Right then I knew she was not only the greatest person in the world but also at that moment my savior.

I loved spending the weekends at Joe and Ethel's. I'll never forget those times as long as I live. I'll forever love my Aunt Ethel and half runner beans as well. Thanks for all the memories.