Friday’s Shining Floors and Poker Nights

Every second Wednesday of the month was Mom’s club day. Alice Atchison told me when the card club ladies were younger they called it the P.W. Club (the Pregnant Women’s Club.) As they got older, they just called it The Hot Flash Club. Mom would join a group of other lady friends to play 500 and have their group therapy. These ladies talked about everything. Mom was a “wiff”—always kept the ladies laughing. But they also took the card playing very seriously. It always amazed me how they could keep track of every card played. There were eight players, and each month they took turns having Club at each other’s house. When it was Mom’s turn, she would clean the house from top to bottom. She would go as far as to put clean sheets on the beds and straighten the cupboards. She would even clean the stove and the refrigerator. That house was spotless, top to bottom. You could have taken a white glove to it. Did Mom really think the ladies were going to go through the cupboards? Mom was just very particular about her image, and being a perfectionist, she probably didn’t feel completely comfortable until every last detail was done. Mom also had to make a dessert when Club was at her house. The ladies were always competing to see who could make the best dessert. Then, there were the door prizes. First prize was a one- dollar gift—usually a really beautiful hankie. Second prize was a twenty- five-cent item and called the “Booby Prize”. We were always excited to see if Mom had won a prize. This club started in 1945, and the same still- living ladies are still together 55 years later. All of the card club members had a “Secret Pal.” Each member kept their secret pal for the year. On special occasions, each member would send their Secret Pal a card or gift on special occasions such as holidays, anniversaries or birthdays, signed only: “From your Secret Pal.” After Daddy had his stroke, Mom told me the story of the time Daddy thought Mom had a secret lover. Mom had received a card from her Secret Pal and Daddy found it. He really got all bent out of shape about this. He was absolutely positive Mom had a secret lover. Mom had a chuckle in her voice when she was telling me this after Daddy died. After we kids were all grown, and Daddy had passed away, Ruth and John Reichenberg and Florence Britz, Mom’s neighbors, would get together, often during the week, to play cards. They would take turns going to each other’s house. They’d have supper and play cards until midnight—always midnight. Then they would have a midnight snack and go home. What wonderful friends! Mom belonged to “Friend’s Circle” and the Community Center, too. She would have lunch and play Euchre all afternoon. She always said she liked playing cards at the Circle Club better because the ladies at the Community Center were too “hoity toity.” Playing cards was Mom’s social life and a real blessing for her in her later years. Mom made sure us kids new how to play cards. She taught us how to play 500 and Hearts. I used to go down the street and play Canasta with Mrs. Nicholson. I remember Barb, Diana and some of the neighborhood kids would go down and play too. We use to play 500 Rummy in the basement and I remember Mom enjoyed playing Scrabble with us kids too. Later on, as adults, when we would come to visit Mom, we would always make it a point to play 500. It was a great way to come together, to talk and remember. She passed her love of cards and games onto her grandchildren as well. Susy remembers playing Kings Corners, Cribbage and Bunko with her grandma, and Ruth and Florence in their later night card sessions. It is like a big sin in this family if you cannot play cards.

FRIDAYS—

Friday was cleaning day. Everything was dusted and scrubbed shiny clean ending up with waxing the kitchen floor. Mom used to put chairs in the kitchen to keep us kids off of her freshly waxed floor while it was drying. After the house was done, Mom would take a quickie bath, change her clothes, put rouge on her cheeks and color on her lips. Now she was ready to do the weekly grocery shopping when Daddy got home. We would all pile into the car and head for the A&P Store in downtown Moline. Mom would go do the shopping and Daddy would stay in the car and take a nap with his finger on his nose. Us kids could either go in shopping with Mom or go to the library. Mom never made a shopping list, but she always knew exactly what she needed. We would hurry home and put all the groceries away (everything had its place) and Mom would start making supper. Friday nights, Mom always made pancakes and bacon and eggs for supper. It was quick and easy to make. We would eat, and hurry to do the dishes because company was coming. After a long hard week of work, this was Mom and Dad’s poker night; Dad’s turn to get in on the card playing. I remember the Cordinglys usually came over to play. They would play with poker chips, never money. I remember sitting at the corner of the table and watching them. Mom was a pretty shrewd card player. The couples drank beer and highballs. Mom, I believe, liked to drink whisky and 7-Up. Mom and Dad would play until midnight and then they would have their snacks. How did Mom ever survive all of this? I do not think sleep was an option for Mom.

SATURDAYS—