Most of Mammaw Ruby’s customers lived in Victoria and Luxora. She even sold Avon to the gypsies living on the edge of Osceola. On Saturday, I helped her with deliveries. Her car was crammed with white sacks filled with lipsticks and lotions and rose-scented perfume. She said while we were out, we needed to see how high the Mississippi River had risen with all the recent rain, in case Papa Homer needed to build an ark.
morgueFile
Mammaw Ruby wasn’t known for her driving abilities.
Driving to the top of the levee, she hogged the entire road. I held my breath and prayed no one was speeding up the other side.
As her car straddled the levee, the river roiled only inches away lapping against the asphalt.
A tree floated by.
“I’ll swanee! We’re stuck!” Mammaw said in a panic. “I can’t turn around.”
“Let me out. I’ll walk.” There was no way I was going to drown in Mammaw’s car when she plunged over the edge. Even though I was a good swimmer, the current was dangerous. Daddy said if we EVER swam in the Mississippi River, we would surely drown.
Before I could escape, Mammaw reversed the car and backed down the levee the way we had come. The motor moaned. My knuckles cramped and clutched the door handle as I prepared to jump.
Later that night, I relayed the story to Momma at the supper table. Momma promised we would never again ride with Mammaw Ruby. Momma forgot all about that promise the next time she needed a free babysitter.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Musical Pairing:
Johnny Cash – Five Feet High and Rising
Loved it! Another coincidence????…My grandma’s name was Ruby and she lived in Osceola, IA.
How crazy is that Colene!
Another coincidence..My grandpa (married to Ruby) sold Raliegh’s and McNess products to the folks all around the countryside near Osceola. As a child I would go with him and since he had bad arthritis in his feet I would sit close to him and feed the gas pedal. That was surely an accident on the way to happen. Somehow we survived each summer pedaling our wares.
Delightful! And I so identify with the fear you must have felt!
Thank you Dot!
When I was very young, I would ride with my grandmother to takes lunches to the farm laborers. She, too, was a less than eager driver. Whenever we approached an old wooden bridge (mostly replaced today by concrete bridges or large culverts) she would get out and insist that I drive across the bridges. The wooden bridge that crossed Ditch 40 south of Dyess was especially long and dilapidated. I asked Mam (my grandmother) why she wouldn’t drive across the bridges. She said she was afraid she would drive off the edge. I never understood her confidence in a 6 year old driving a 1970 Chevy Caprice! Thanks for the memory!
That’s hilarious, Mark!
Never knew a grandma who could drive. So, how did you get home? I,too, would have said “Let me out!” Another great story.
Great story. You made me feel your panic. I wanted out of that car too! Glad she found reverse.
Tayla, you brought back memories of my Grandma Prusch driving us in her big, long-finned pink Cadillac parallel parking on a California street-side. She made it between two closely parked cars, bang, she backs into the car behind us and then bang she hits the car in front with her bumper, I got scared we were going to be arrested!
Wow a pink Cadillac!! You paint a picture.
Thanks Tayla! My Grandma was quite picturesque in her life.
Mam-ma Ruby was the dearest, sweetest Great Grandma ever! Miss her and dear Grandaddy Homer so so so much! <3 "Those were the days my friend. We thought they'd never end!…"
HAHA Never heard that story before! How did I miss this trip? I so remember many Avon trips – they were a hoot! Loved this story – can’t believe I traveled all over the state with Mam-ma Ruby driving – never the wiser about her poor driving reputation. 🙂
Cool story. I’m glad everyone was okay.
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Perfect song! And you just can’t beat free babysitting 😉
Sorry I misspelled your name Talya!
Oh goodness! I know that feeling. Some of those levies used to scare me to death! After moving to the mountains of Tennessee, I have to laugh now. And those wooden bridges?? I can remember riding my bike and learning to drive over them. Don’t know how in the world they held up.
I’m a new reader and can’t wait to browse through your blog. What memories you’ve brought up this morning.