3 Chapter 3- Ruby’s New Orleans Home
In New Orleans, Ruby’s family lived in a house on France Street in an all black neighborhood. Many families lived in one big house. The house was divided into separate apartments, similar to a duplex or triplex. Ruby’s family was in the front of the house. They had two bedrooms. Ruby shared a room with her brothers and sister.
The family had breakfast together. They had grits, bacon, eggs, and biscuits. For dinner, they ate New Orleans or Southern food like red beans and rice. Sometimes, they had fried catfish or shrimp for dinner. Ruby’s favorite desserts were banana pudding and sweet potato pie.
Breakfast, dinner, and dessert foods that Ruby enjoyed. |
It is not very cold in New Orleans, even in the winter. Ruby played outside a lot. She played games like jacks and jump rope. There was a big China Berry tree to play on.
Ruby’s parents did not go to university, but they worked hard and valued education. Her dad worked at a gas station. Her mom cleaned hotel rooms at night. For one job, her mom made caskets or coffins. Caskets or coffins are the wood boxes where people are placed after they die. Ruby’s mother told Ruby stories about the caskets. She told Ruby that on her breaks she and her coworkers took naps in the caskets.
Ruby’s mom believed in God. She said God protects us. She taught Ruby to pray anytime. They went to church every Sunday and said prayers before bedtime.
Ruby’s mom was also strict. Ruby and her siblings did chores. Chores include sweeping, cleaning, vacuuming, cooking, laundry, making beds, setting the table, etc…
Ruby’s house was busy. Later, there were eight children. They slept in bunk beds. Ruby liked her home. It was a place with good food and family.