I Want To Be Grand Central...

Picture this: A spacious but not fancy house sits at the end of a longish driveway in the midst of open land. Trees in the distance frame the horizon on each side. Fences run here and there, and an old barn pokes its head up behind the chimney.

Inside that house is a huge kitchen. The screen door bangs as two 6-year old boys dash through to the outdoors. They grab an apple each and run to their bikes, which they begin to ride in circles in the open space in front of the barn. The chickens squawk and take cover under the blackberry bushes.

Inside, a very large pot sits steaming on the stove. Something smells good, but what is it? A 10 year old girl and her 16 year old cousin lift the lid and peak inside. Then they see the loaf of bread, already cut, waiting next to the plate of butter, serve themselves thick slices, and sit at the table to talk about the doll clothes they want to make.

A pair of young men, probably in their late teens or early 20s, come in the door. They're sweating and grimy. They grab bowls, dish something out of the pot, make up their bread and butter, pour out glasses of milk, and sit down with the girls. They don't say a word, just dig into their stew and empty their glasses.

A woman of about 70 enters the room. She is carrying some knitting. She sits at the table, pokes her needle into a new row, and asks the young folks, what are you up to?

A young mom with a baby on her hip takes a look out at the cycling boys, giving one a 5 minute warning that they're going to be going home.

The sun is getting lower in the sky. The woman with the knitting sets it down and lifts bowls down from a shelf. One of the young men comes over to help her. They cover the table with bowls and spoons, cloth napkins of every shade of fabric, the bread and butter, and tall glasses. One of the girls brings the pitcher of milk from the fridge. A man of some years walks in...

Are you staying? says the woman to the girls. I don't know, I'll call mom, says the 16 year old. Ok, says the woman, because it's time to eat. Sit if you're sitting! Young lady, would you say the blessing?

This is Grammy's and Grampy's house, circa 2014. It is Grand Central Home Sweet Home.