Gadding About on the Marlann in the 50s

The Marlann on Lake James ca. 1950

I was in Shelby recently and looking through some old photos, and I ran across photos of our houseboat, the Marlann.  It took my father about two years to build this boat in his spare time.  My father a machinist by trade had worked in a shipyard during his younger years so he knew exactly what he was doing. I still have this book that Daddy must have referenced as well.

The boat was built in a spare lot between our house and our grandmother's house out in the country in Cleveland County.  Many of our neighbors believed that the boat would never float. I was about eleven or twelve at the time, and I can remember helping caulk the seams in the part of the boat that would be underwater. We would get under the boat and stuff strips of cotton in the seams and then the bottom was painted with creosote to make it waterproof.  I can still smell the creosote! So I BELIEVED it would float.

The four of us.  I think I was 11 and Martha 8, so this must have been 1948 (Photo courtesy of my sister, Martha Cabaniss). 

Daddy would be out on Sundays sawing and hammering and making lots of noise while most neighbors were going by on their way to church.  Looking back, I imagine this was very embarrassing to my grandmother (his mother) who was a devout Baptist like most of the family and neighbors. This was back when many believed one should not work on Sunday, but I'm certain Daddy did not see it as work. To him it was FUN!

It was built in the vacant lot between our house and Grandma Greene's (that's my sister's doll).

He named the boat the Marlann, after my sister Martha (the Mar), my mother Roslyn (the l) and me (the Ann from Patricia Ann).  I always thought it was a nice name for a boat.

When it was time to launch, it was a school day, and my parents wouldn't let me go to the lake and see it launched.  I wanted to go see that it floated and did not sink like some of our neighbors were predicting. My mother's brothers and some of Daddy's friends went along to help with the launching.  The boat was hauled on a lowboy trailer pulled by a semi-cab that belonged to a neighbor.  At Benefield's Landing at Lake James up near Morganton in the western part of North Carolina was where it was launched.  It slid into the water along two dollies that my Dad had built just for that purpose.  It went into the water to exactly the water level that was blackened with creosote.  I suppose his shipyard days helped with that.

The launching. 

This was the first houseboat on Lake James, and motorboats would ride around when we were out on the lake to just take a look at it.  Usually, we would spend weekends in the summer there.  It stayed anchored in the cove at Benfield's under the watchful eye of Mr. Benfield.   This was back in the 50s when there weren't many boats on the lake. During the day we would cruise around on the lake and at night we would anchor near one of the islands.

Anchored near one of the islands. At the left, you can see the back of a small motorboat that we used to get out to the boat. 

Out on the lake. 

Daddy fishing on the deck. 

Mama fishing on the deck. 

Daddy had installed a 39 Chevrolet motor to run the boat and he had hooked up water so that it was drawn up out of the lake and run through the motor in some way so that we had hot water for washing dishes.  There was a toilet but no shower.  We had to bath in the lake which as a child I didn't mind at all.  The motor was enclosed in such a way so that if you stood on top of it you were in the wheelhouse or at least you could see out of the wheelhouse.  There were large paddle wheels on either side of the boat that propelled it.  The room at the aft of the boat had four beds.  The two lower ones served as seats during the day, and at night the two canvasbacks of the lower beds pulled up to make top bunks.

Daddy looking out of the wheelhouse. Notice the outside light.  Lights were run by batteries. 

Inside taken from the aft looking toward the engine room/kitchen. (Photo courtesy of my sister, Martha Cabaniss).

Mama at the wheelhouse, and me on the deck.  

I didn't realize how talented my Dad was when I was young.  Guess I though just anybody could build a boat.  Now I realize this was quite a work, and I'm sorry that Daddy sold the boat.  I think the new owner did not maintain it and perhaps eventually it sank to the bottom of Lake James.  If divers were able to find the Titanic, maybe I could find some who might find the remains of the Marlann.  Shall I add this to my bucket list?

Gadding About in my Butterbean Patch

A "mess" of butter beans ready to cook.  Enough for two people. 

My younger son is very fond of lima beans, so I thought I would plant butter beans (that's what we call lima beans in the south) in the raised bed in my garden.  I knew I could have enough to get a mess or two. (A mess in the south is at least one serving.  A mess depends on how many people you plan to feed actually.)

Why are these beans called butter beans?  Apparently, because they become rather creamy and buttery when cooked.  The term butter beans is used in England as well as here in the South. But not in the North. 

It was fun watching the beans sprout and come pushing through the soil.  Unfortunately,  although all the beans sprouted some hungry rabbit or perhaps deer feasted off half of them.  Thankfully the varmint did not return to finish off the crop. 

My butter bean patch where about half of the plants provided food for some hungry animal. 

Bean are mature enough to pick. 

Today I decided enough of the beans were mature enough to pick.  Patrick has been following these beans since I planted them and I showed him how to pick and shell them.  I can remember when I was growing up my folks had a large row or two of butter beans every summer and we had a lot to pick and shell.  Some of them would have been canned and others might have been mixed in with corn and tomatoes and canned to make succotash.

The pods usually contain three or four beans. 

The beans vary in size depending upon their maturity.  The smallest one could have grown a bit more, and the one on the far right is almost too big.  It could have been left to pick as a dried bean.  Notice the most mature ones turn somewhat beige. 

Enough beans to make a 'mess" (serving) for two people. 

It had been so long since I have cooked butter beans that I had to google to see how long to cook them.  I covered them with water and let them simmer for about an hour until they seemed done.
So for dinner tonight one of our side dishes will be butter beans. 

Ready to simmer covered in water for about an hour. 

A pat of butter on the butter beans is a must in this household.  Ready to eat as a nice side dish. 

Now I have to check to see what I can plan in the raised bed for the fall.  Maybe I'll try mixed greens--turnip, mustard, and kale. 

Gadding About at A Place at the Table in downtown Raleigh

A Place at the Table is a nonprofit community restaurant where everyone can eat regardless of your ability to pay.  The food is quite delicious and there's a nice variety of breakfast and lunch items from which to choose.  This was the first time that I and my granddaughter Grace had been to this place, but today we decided to have brunch there.  It was a nice choice.  We both thought it was a good way to start our Sunday.

Josh, the manager of the cafe.

Grace ready to enjoy her waffle and latte. 

Grace's Belgian waffle. 

My waffle with bacon and two perfectly cooked poached eggs. 

The nonprofit restaurant was opened in early 2018 as Raleigh's first pay-what-you-can restaurant.  Prices are comparable to other downtown places, and those who can afford to pay full price can do so and even if they choose they can buy a token for a $10 donation or leave a tip that goes into the operating fund of the restaurant. Those who may not be able to afford full price can come in and choose a token and get a meal.  The person who uses a token must then volunteer their time in the restaurant in return.  Maggie Kane, the young Raleigh native, who opened the restaurant says this is a hand up rather than a handout.  I was also pleased to learn that the folks who work there are paid a living wage!

Outside tables as well as inside (Photo by Walter magazine.)

It was nice to be enjoying a good meal with people from all walks of life.  This is going to be one of my places to eat on a regular basis now, and I might even sign up to volunteer. It is such a wonderful way to help those who may otherwise go hungry, and it makes me proud to live in a city such as Raleigh.

Check out this article about Maggie Kane and APATT in Walter Magazine.