why they really have hammocks on their porches

This week, Ali and I are talking to the confirmation students about the virtue of Chastity. We mentioned this to one of the ladies we eat with, Ms. Sandra, who said that was good, because things have changed a lot in San Pedro since she was younger. She continued to tell us how when her husband was courting her, he and his friends would stand outside her window and sing songs he had written (he's a local talent now, sings at the restaurants and church). She said how he used to come over after partying and he'd fall asleep outside her window sometime. Ms. Sandra said her grandmother would pull her over to the window and say, "look at that man, is that the man you want?" as he slept off his drink. We all thought that was a riot. Ms. Sandra continued on how her grandmother would regulate their courting. She explained that ladies were expected to take their guests on the porch ("not in their rooms like they do now!) and when she sat outside with her male visitors, her grandmother would come and put her hammock up in between them. She's set herself down and swing back and forth while they visited! "You could barely hold their hand!" Ms. Sandra explained. Ms. Sandra and her husband have had a long and happy marriage ("he even helps with the dishes!" she brags).

Today, we ate with Ms. Martha and asked her about this hammock practice. "Oh yes," Martha said. "why, my mother's head used to hit Abel's knees as she swung back and forth" she said. We asked about people singing outside her window. "Oh, yes, they used to sing. And if mothers didn't like the boys, they'd throw a bucket of water out the window!" She paused. "Abel used to get wet a lot!" She continued, "yes, it's different now. They never let you in a dance alone then, your mothers would come and sit along the wall. They'd be nodding their heads, falling asleep, but you knew you couldn't get away with anything." Abel and Martha have also had a long and happy marriage ("he cooks and does the dishes" she brags.)

Just a little something to think about...