Peanut Butter and Jelly in Paradise

Peanut Butter and Jelly in Paradise

“A lot of hard work and sweat went into this meal.”

Mike MacLean

Ahh… it’s the kids’ lunchtime up at the cabin, in the summer of 1961. And there’s not a grown-up in sight, as there’s no need for grown-ups when Pat Sweet, my aunt and uncle’s cook, is in charge. She had a formidable presence and easily apprehended the full attention of every kid in the room, as seen in this photo, engaging my oldest cousin Mike, author of the quip about her cooking above.

I love this picture, as it captures so much for me, my love of family, and being at the cabin with all my cousins around.

Notice the efficiency: a single paper towel, serving as both plate and napkin, a halved PB&J, a Dixie cup of milk, a single Oreo, and no utensils. Why take any chances?

Pat Sweet was the majordomo of the kitchen and the kids. There was no getting out of line with Pat.

I’m guessing none of us were indoors fifteen minutes before, or after, this photo was taken. But we were all there the moment lunch was served, as the lunch bell was a huge Swiss cowbell hanging on an extruding log at the front entrance to the cabin.

Hanging from the bell was an iron bar, and it was great fun, and a great privilege, to bang that bar on the bell ten or twenty times to call the rest of the kids to lunch. And they came in a hurry, as there was only one seating for the kids’ lunch, and they weren’t going to miss it.

You could easily hear the bell a mile away, high in the mountain air, which was handy, since most of us were usually down at the lake fishing, skipping rocks, catching lizards, or just larking about.

Oh, that I could joyously ring that cabin bell again, and have all my cousins gather ‘round.

-Hank

Photo Credit: Janice MacLean

Seated clockwise from the left:

Jimmy Butler
Paula Sweet
Mike MacLean
Mary Ellen Frazee
A family friend
Lynne MacLean
Hank Frazee
Linda Butler
Rory MacLean
Stephen MacLean
Wayne Butler