I moved to Blythewood in October 1977, and as you may have surmised by my last name, so did my helpful friend, Bill Smith, who had sworn he would never marry again. I had scarcely been there a week before he asked me to marry him, so he could join me in my woodland home and help with the pioneering. I will always wonder if I would have made it without him. We were married on Nov. 5, and I officially became the stepmother to seven children and the Lab, Sir Timothy, who liked to camp. My cat, Bo Peak, came too and lived under the bed for several years. As a city cat who had always been an “only child,” she was slow to adjust.
It took a lawyer, which Bill was, to get West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company to give permission for electric lines to go through their property to provide us with electricity.
Christmas came and the good food and the novelty of it all carried the day. After a number of big weekends where there were a lot of boys to feed and more food preparation than I had ever experienced, I told Bill it was time for a dishwasher! Most husbands don’t come with that many children. I lost a cabinet, but I gained a dishwasher and an improved view of life.
The road became more of a problem than we expected. When the trees were removed to make way, the big were roots also, were dug up and removed. So there remained four feet or so of soft red mud in many places, which made the hardening of the road slow. Bill made the necessary rule that when it rained, we parked at the top of the hill and walked in. He had to repair the ruts with a shovel and keep the ditches open. Amazingly few complaints and we now look back with fond memories of the hardship we all shared. I learned to walk in at night even when I forgot my flashlight. Just look up!
There was no I-77 at the time, so we went to work down into Columbia on Highway 21 or Highway 321 every day. Instead of paying rent, we were buying gas. There was only a filling station and a country store in Blythewood. We soon learned to shop before coming home, as we could not live on homemade sausage and friendliness. We did buy ourselves overalls at the Ridgeway Country store and wore them in pride to prove successful country living.
Bill insisted on putting in a wood-burning stove. He doubted that electricity could always make it through all the trees, especially in stormy weather. With the stove we would have warmth and could cook on its flat top. So, without fire department or the insurance company approval, we put a wood burning stove in the extendo room of the mobile home. We had lots of wood to burn, but it did have to be chopped. Another reason I was glad I wasn’t alone.
Speaking of the mobile home, it was quite ugly! It looked like a big tin can from the outside but was pretty nice inside. To give it a little more class, it was designed with a step-down sunken living room. Just enough to kill a body! But, I don’t remember anyone ever stumbling. Now I can trip over a throw rug!
I am so glad I moved to Blythewood and can’t imagine a different life. I have lived through Blythewood’s growth and changes and always felt welcomed by the longtime residents. I think they were ready for some new faces and help in the little country town. More changes to come.
Watch for Part Three next week.
Jeanette Smith, 95, a Blythewood resident, has been active in the community’s civic affairs for over 50 years.