There’s a “Meat and Three” restaurant in town called Southland, where they also have a salad bar, and the salad bar has cheese. LOTS of cheese. See that big orange block on the left? That’s cheese. I always get such a kick out of eating here, beccause that huge cheese reminds me of my grandmother, who, in her later years in the 1970’s and 80’s, was one of the recipient of “the government cheese.” I don’t think they do this anymore, but back in the day, senior citizens who met a certain financial criteria (meaning: they didn’t have much in the way of finances) were given free cheese. And it came in a huge block—though not as huge as the block of cheese pictured above!
I remember Babcie getting very excited about getting the free government cheese. I think it was probably the idea of getting something of value for nothing. And it had to be “of value” because even though it was not the best quality cheese, it had to be worth something, if only because there was so much of it.
I think this is one of the ways that I most closely identify with Babcie, enjoying the thrill of getting a “bargain.” Also, the yen to relocate often, though now that I’m part owner of a house, that urge is slowing dow. Though I do often think about and plan for where our retirement home might be…
It’s good to remember our “elders,” those who have gone before us, and stay connected with our past, our family history. There are a lot of stories I could tell about Babcie, but for today, I’m just mentioning “the government cheese.”
