The Voice of Southwest Louisiana December 2017 Issue

and a tub of lard. All the roads towards
Cameron were dirt roads. Leaving at two
or three in the morning we each had
our fishing poles in the old car and we
children slept all the way there
Daddy and Grandpa knew all the best
places to catch fish. As soon as we
caught enough for our meal the men
cleaned them. Mama and Grandma
cooked them and we ate outdoors. Once
when we were fishing from the rocks at
the jetties, my little brother was taken by
the tide into the deep water. Grandma
was the fastest. She grabbed his arm and
pulled him back to shore.”
For as long as I can remember Daddy
took us children to the woods near
Evangeline to find a Christmas tree.
In those days everybody cut down a
pine tree growing on vacant land. We
made green and red paper chains from
construction paper. Mama got silver
foil icicles in a box. She helped us string
popcorn using a needle and thread.
When the Sears Catalog [the Wish Book,
we called it] came in the mail mama
ordered a large tin of Christmas Candy.
The hard candies were different flavors
and shapes. I especially liked the striped
ones that looked like ribbons. We each
got a few pieces and the rest was put
away for Christmas Day. On Christmas
Morning our stockings were filled with
fruit, nuts and small gifts. Grandma came
over with her homemade divinity”
Until that memorable Christmas Liz
remembers so well, she had only
a cane pole to fish with. She was as
excited about her first rod and reel as she
was with the new record player. While
at home her family enjoyed the record
player too. Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra
and Bing Crosby were some of their
favorites.
Liz married Frank Eastman in January
1953. “While Frank was in the United
States Marines we lived out of state.
It was hard leaving my family. Our first
home away from here was made of
railroad cross-ties and cement. When
we lived in the Mohave Desert, a tribe of
Indians lived across the street. There were
also three marine and one air force base
surrounding the town.”
Liz Eastman, at 83years young
each Christmas becomes the best
ever.
Liz lost her husband in the year 2000.
Their children, Scott, Mari, Dietz, Jan
and Kristi all live in Southwest La. The
Liz today.
At age 83 Liz still enjoys fishing at Toledo Bend
L-R front row: Scott Eastman, Mari Rieth, Dietz Eastman
L-R back row: Liz Eastman, Kristi Raca, Jan Eastman
stocking tradition of Liz’s childhood has
been carried on throughout the years. At
8:00 a.m. Christmas morning the whole
family, dressed in pajamas gather for
breakfast and the gift exchange, then
return home. At 2:00 p.m. they return
for Christmas Dinner which include Liz’s
cornbread dressing, ham, and turkey
and, of course wild game; compliments
of the hunters in the Eastman Family.
To Liz Eastman, at 83 years young each
Christmas becomes the best ever.
Volume 5 • Number 5 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM December 2017 15