Boarding house for G.I.'s served hot, homemade food

I was 14 years old when World War 2 ended, we were living in Fort Scott and that fall I began my freshman year. Many of the returning veterans were going to school on the G.I. bill. Our high school and junior college (combined) was about two blocks from our house. My mama decided to open a board and rooming house to the returning G.I.'s. We had a big old two story house and several bedrooms, since we were so close to school, she filled up almost immediately. She would serve breakfast and supper, breakfast 35 cents, supper 50 cents. (All you could eat) We had a big dining room table with several leafs, so there was room for everyone. It wasn't long before the word spread about mama's fabulous meals, served family style, all you could eat until it was gone. So besides her regular boarders, she had several extra Vets' for meals.

She asked if I would like to earn a dollar a week to do the supper dishes every night. I was delighted; it gave me some spending money. I have very fond memories of those high school years. All of the Vet's treated me like their kid sister. We had great times around the supper table every night, some very lively conversations and jokes. They had to watch their P's and Q's around my mama. No dirty jokes or swearing. They all loved her and called her mom. She served the most wonderful meals, an example; a huge platter of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and white chicken gravy, a big jello salad, hot homemade rolls (to die for) sliced tomatoes, a huge bowl of steaming green beans. For dessert a big two layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Or she might have spaghetti and meatballs, more homemade rolls, a salad, apple sauce and pickled beets. For dessert, apple pie (made with lard pie crust) she would always make at least three. For breakfast she might have homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs, juice and coffee. No one went away hungry. Mama never had any trouble renting rooms, 'cause they all loved her cooking. If I was lucky, one of them might offer to dry dishes for me, or better yet help me with my homework.

I loved to play tennis, so after the dishes were done; sometimes we would go down to the tennis court (at the high school) and play until dark. It always seemed so quiet during the summer when they all went home. I really missed them. Come fall, they would all be back, and another school year of fun.