I don't watch a whole lot of television, I just don't have time. But when I was sick last January, I discovered reruns of The Waltons, and I have been taping them and watching a couple episodes a week.
These shows were filmed during the 70s, when I was in junior high and high school, and into 1980 and 81, but I don't remember watching very many of them back then. But now, for some reason, these shows are golden to me. I guess because they remind me a lot of my childhood, even though the shows were set in the 30s and 40s. No matter what my husband says (I did not really go to school with Fred and Wilma!), my childhood was set in the late 50s and 60s, but I still see many similarities between my family and the Waltons.
The Waltons was set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, on a small farm with a stay-at-home mom, a big old house and barn and an in-residence set of grandparents. And lots of kids. My childhood took place here in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas on a small farm with a stay-at-home mom, a big old house and barn. My grandparents lived a mile or so up the road then, after grandpa passed, grandma stayed with us. And although by the time I came along, my brothers and sisters had all grown up and moved on, I had several nieces and nephews who were my constant companions, so there were still lots of kids!
The Walton's had Ike Godsey's store/post office not far down the road, and we had Ruth Wasson's store/post office just a couple of miles down the road. We often walked to and from this store, just like John Boy, Jim-Bob and Mary Ellen walked to and from Ike's. John Walton, Sr., was a hard worker, just like my dad, and neither of them attended church services even though the invitation was often extended. John ran a sawmill, while my dad farmed. But the values imparted by the Walton parents were the same values I learned from my parents. You worked hard for what you had, you didn't take what wasn't yours, and you were always ready and willing to help those less fortunate.
I remember watching Grandma make butter, in much the same way Grandma Walton did on the show. And home-canned goods were a staple on the Walton's table, as they were on ours. My mom and grandma were always canning vegetables from the garden, with pressure cookers that I know dated from the Walton's era. My sister still uses these same pressure cookers, which must be about 75 or 80 years old but still work great. Things were made to last back then. Olivia and Grandma Walton always wore dresses, as did my mom and grandmom. Mom eventually wore slacks, but I never saw my Grandma Bessie in anything other than a dress.
The Waltons listened to the radio in the evening, and my family did too, until daddy brought home the TV. I don't remember what year that was, but I do remember that it was black and white with a pretty small screen.
And, I've heard that my grandpa made something called "bathtub gin," which I suppose could be compared to the Baldwin sisters' "recipe."
Looking back, I know that we didn't have much money, and neither did the Waltons, but the Walton family had an indoor bathroom, which was something my family didn't get until I was several years old. And although there wasn't much money, both families had an abundance of love, and neither we nor the Waltons ever went without the necessities of life.
The Waltons was the creation of Earl Hamner, Jr., who wrote Spencer's Mountain and The Homecoming. The TV series was based on The Homecoming and Hamner's real-life family. Spencer's Mountain was made into a movie in 1963, starring Henry Fonda. I tried to find the book in our local library but was unsuccessful. If anyone out there has it, I would love to borrow it!
You can visit the Hamner Homestead and Walton's Mountain Museum in Schuyler, Va., and I would love to do this someday. I have been through the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee but haven't seen the Shenandoah Valley, where Schuyler is located.
There are also several websites available that have some great pictures and a lot of information, if you are interested.
Another thing I like about watching the Waltons? You don't have to worry about hearing any foul language, off-color jokes or sexual innuendo. After watching an episode or two, and then switching back to regular TV, I am always surprised at what you hear on prime-time. John and Olivia (and Ruth and Ely) would be shocked!
Tamela Weeks is a freelance writer in the Gentry area. She may be reached by email at tamela.weeks@ gmail.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 07/02/2014