Teddy Bears and Chamber Pots
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189793)
Boise, Idaho
September 11, 2016 10:15am CST
My father was stationed on the Naval Base in Bremerton, Washington. I was born at the hospital there November, 6, 1951. I was just a few years old when we moved to Boise where both mom's and dad's families lived. My dad was a shy, quiet man and mom was the opposite. It didn't take long before they separated and mom and I came to live at my maternal grandparent's place. Mom bought a little trailer that was placed on the other side of the drive way just down a ways from the garage.
The trailer had a bed at one end and the kitchen sink and burners at the other. Closet and such in between. We had a chamber pot that went under the bed incase we needed to relieve ourselves after going to bed. That was dumped each morning and I don't recall ever having issue with it. I still can see, in my mind's eye, that old pot we used.
I had a collection of three old teddy bears. The ones with the joints, that bent at elbow and knee. I think the neck moved too. That was early 1950s. One evening mom was making something on one of the burners and a bear got too close and it caught fire. Quick excitement and it was taken care of but my one teddy bear didn't fare very well and was sadly discarded.
Funny what brings such things to mind. That was probably 60+ years ago.
7 people like this
6 responses
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Sep 16
We had the outhouse @jaboUK and it was utilized year round. No chamber pot. In Iowa during the winter you had to literally get dressed to go outside and in the summer, you never knew what was also going to be inside the outhouse in the middle of the night; like a snake.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
11 Sep 16
@nanette64 That doesn't sound like a lot of fun, especially the possible snakes.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Sep 16
@jaboUK Yeah, it happened a couple of times. Good thing I was already sitting (as it were). 
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Sep 16
I'm 6 months older than you @celticeagle . I remember at age 11 we moved to the country and for the next 7 years, we had an outdoor potty, took bathes outside in a big, round tub and the water was from a hand-pump well.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
13 Sep 16
my grandparents house had an outhouse at the back of the house. you had to go to the kitchen, down the steps then walk towards it. chamber pots were also useful for those who were sick and the elderly. i've read a magazine article about people restoring old and damaged teddy bears and people willing to spend for these services because of its significance in their lives.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Sep 16
Oh, yes the chamber pots and outdoor out houses. I never had to go to that length. But the pot was okay.
As far as the teddy bears are concerned, this one was burned and so I couldn't have gotten it repaired if I had wanted to. I have heard of the repairs on these as well.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Sep 16
I dont remember jointed teddy bears, but it sounds neat they could move
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 16
They were the old ones. Back before the regular ones like you see today.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Sep 16
@Jessicalynnt .....The one I had back then was sort of a grey color and looked nothing like a bear except the head.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Sep 16
@celticeagle yeah you dont see too many non brown bears today
1 person likes this
@The_Bong_Woman (850)
•
11 Sep 16
You sure do have a good memory to have retained so much of your childhood past and that too in such detail.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 16
I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember helping my grandpa with chores too. So many things. I was probably about five.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Sep 16
@The_Bong_Woman .....But, those occurrences will continue to come up until your work through and get to the other side of them. They are coming back to you for a reason. You need closure.
@The_Bong_Woman (850)
•
12 Sep 16
@celticeagle Wow, your memory is really good then. I too have a good enough memory but at times I wish I didn't have it. At times, a good memory brings back the terrible details of horrid incidents, that better remain forgotten.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
What a great memory. You described it so well and with so much detail. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Sep 16
I remember it like it was yesterday. A few things are hazy but most I recall.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Sep 16
@Happy2BeMe .....Yes, they do. I enjoy my memory. Am trying to get a lot written down when I think of them though, because I know there will come a day I will forget.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
12 Sep 16
@celticeagle Some memories just stay etched in your mind while others seem to fade over time.
1 person likes this
