Life in the Bristolwood

Mark and the kids wanted to take a quick trip to Sam’s Club, so my brother Randy went along too, and I visited with my parents. Oh, and little Fritzie!   Fritz was as congenial as a little Dachshund can be, washing my face and just anxious to show me all around the house!

This is my parents’ yard out back. As you can see, there is a lot of snow!

Visiting my parents’ home at Christmas is so much fun, as there are Christmas decorations everywhere! I feel like a Grinch because I spend so little time decorating,  but growing up, my parents always decorated elaborately!  And, many of the ornaments and decorations have been around almost as long as I have!

While a big tree was set up in the living room,  there was also a small tree located in the sunroom. It was so pretty!

My brother, Randy, makes a spectacular miniature Christmas village every year.  He adds to it as he finds miniature components that would fit in…..

The tiny little houses are lit by fibre optic lights.

This is Fritzie’s toybox.

My parents tell me that Fritz actually roots through the box from time to time, looking for a specific toy. They said it is so funny to watch him as he digs through the box until he locates just the right toy!

When Mark, the kids, and Randy returned, we sat down to a meal fit for a king.  I couldn’t believe all the offerings Mom had on the spread!  There was beef rib roast, mashed potatoes, gravy,  green bean casserole, a fantastic cranberry jello mold, cheeses, olives, salad, jello, and more!  I ate just a small portion of many things and left the table before anyone else as I thought I was going to explode!  There were desserts….pumpkin pie, lemon bars and cheesecake!  I did have some dessert later!  

As everyone was digesting their meal, I went out in the kitchen and began washing the dishes.  My mom balked, but I needed to keep moving!  She and my father both came out and helped me and when I finished,  I decided to take a little walk downtown.  Since we usually do “whirlwind” visits,  I wanted to be able to park the truck and walk around the streets a little.  Whenever we have gone through the city,  I was always amazed that little looked as it did when I lived there.  Now, I could get a better look on foot!

Lucy’s presence is everywhere downtown!  I love the random artwork on the side of a building…..

and I totally missed this piece as I did my walkabout.  Michelle took this photo from the truck as I drove down the street……

That artwork was on the side of a parking ramp.  I read somewhere that there are two (?) Lucy festivals in Jamestown each year.  I need to look the information up, as it would be fun to attend one.  By the way, do you remember the episode with Lucy selling Vitameatavegamin?  It was hysterical…so typical of her slapstick humor!

There is a Lucy museum and gift shop located downtown.

The gift shop has a large sign warning that no photography nor video equipment may be used inside the store.  Well, I was on the outside looking in!

I was trying to think what store formerly occupied this corner and I do think it was a Murphy’s 5 and 10.  Wow, I remember years ago when I was attending high school, I would sometimes go with friends into the store and order up a coke and fries after school at their soda fountain.  Even as a little girl, I remember walking up and down the aisles of that store…it is long gone now.

For those who ever watched I  Love Lucy, you might just remember her saying that she shopped at Bigelow’s when she was in Jamestown.  Well, anyone who lived in Jamestown must have shopped at Bigelow’s at one point or another! It was a huge department store that sold very nice clothing, furrniture, and anything you might need for house and home!

Bigelow’s is long gone. But this is the building where it was located….

I see it is now named “The Chadakoin Center”. I have no idea what this is, but I do know it must be named after the Chadakoin River, which runs through Jamestown.  I see that the facade of the building has been redone and when I walked along the side of the building,  I counted the floors….yup….six stories tall.  I bought so many things at Bigelow’s and the memories of many of those things flooded my mind!

Since this little tour has taken a while to write up,  I will add yet one more walking tour of Jamestown in another entry.  I left Jamestown and the area in 1984 and so much has  changed. So very much.  It is interesting just how much you miss something only after it has changed!  Ah well, that is progress, as they say!