MEMOIRS OF SCHOOL STREET VILLAGE

                                                     Rosalina Semas, wife of Mr, Semas
                                                                        44 Floral St.
                                       Mr. Semas who brought his cows coming home in the evening.
                                             and here below is a photo of Mr. and  Mrs. Semas
                                                         and their late son, Charley Semas.
                                                              from their grandson, David.

In the Portuguese culture upon meeting a grandparent or elder relative, it was the custom ,when I was growing up, for a child to address them thusly: " Avo, su bencao."
Grandmother, give me your blessing.

The elder would place a loving hand on their head
and answer, "Deus te bencao." God bless you.

David Semas, grandson of Rosalee sent this wonderful precious photograph of his grandmother

making bread in her cellar kitchen. You can see her kneading the bread

 with strong capable hands.

The hands of our mothers and grandmothers were worn and often reddened. I can still see my mother's hands; sewing, baking, canning, creating and weaving her home.  I remember my grandmother's hands as they performed the miracle of Madeira embroidery. 

She also washed and ironed all of the alter linen

for St. Anthony's Church.

Hands were reddened and rough, too, from hanging wet laundry on outside clotheslines in cold weather, later picking them stiff as boards after being frozen dry on a winter day.

Bless you, David, in turn, for sharing with us.

                                                                       .........

Many memories are starting to be shared in this blog, thank you in behalf of all of us who were so fortunate to be brought up in that time and in that place.  In the next post, I will be sharing more of
the comments that have been coming in as well as more that have come my way.  I am trying to put together a rough map of the shops in the Village.