Page 46 - The Early Life and Times of Bob Card

A Cottage of Many Rooms

he cottage, situated just off the train tracks, was a labyrinth of functional charm. Entering through the front door, there
Twas a spacious kitchen to the right, complete with fold-down wooden windows that had screens stapled into place.
Despite the screens, tiny bugs always found a way in. On the left was what used to be an icehouse but later became our
back kitchen. This area hosted a dartboard, where missing the target wasn’t a problem—darts simply stuck into the wood
behind it. The main living area was expansive, measuring 28 by 20 feet. At its center was a massive table, still standing
today, surrounded by an assortment of chairs. Shelves nailed into the walls by my dad held books and knick-knacks. A
narrow staircase led to the upstairs, where the front part of the house had four bedrooms. My room was in the front corner,
with Mary’s next to mine and my parents’ room nearby. Later, my mother opted for a separate room for more comfort.
Beyond the front area and above the kitchen and back kitchen was another section. This area had a bedroom where Helen
and I stayed after we got married. Further down the hall was a room with a record player, a tub and a crib, and beyond
that, there was a washroom with a sink, and finally a separate toilet room. The cottage layout was spacious yet cozy, with
an eclectic mix of practical features and quirks.

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