Christmas at Barry

Grandmother and Grandfather Watson's house was full of wonderful old things because they didn't have any money to replace anything. I didn't notice it as a kid. I noticed other things–like the bag of toys they kept in the downstairs closet just for us and that we could play with anything on the marble-top coffee table in the living room, including the cut glass matches box and the silver cigarette case, and that only 2 channels came in on their TV–both of them ABC.

 My memories of Christmas at Barry include watching Amahl and the Night Visitors and loving it. Grandmother Bess gave me a wonderful wicker handkerchief box and I went all around the house singing "This is My Box" over and over and over.

After Grandmother died Mom gave me the few ornaments that survived from the Watson Christmas tree. Clearly the were once very nice, but over the years their caps had fallen off and wire fastened in whatever way allowed them to be hung. The Santa face is an old burned out Christmas light bulb. I remember the mirrors; there used to be many more. They always fascinated me because they reflected light onto the wall. The plastic Santa Claus is an aberration. Probably someone gave it to them.

Ornaments that hung on Bret and Bess Watson's Christmas Tree at Barry

Three Generations of Watsons

I just love this photo of three generations of Watson men. William Walcott Watson, grandson William Walcott Watson (my father) and Bret Bonnell Watson.

Bret Bonnell Watson Photo Archive

Welcome to the Bret Bonnell Watson Photo Archive. I've inherited many Watson and Bonnell photos and am glad to have a means of sharing them. He married Bess Mona Palmer, and you can find photos of the Palmer and Stearns families at Bess Mona Palmer Photo Archive.

Here's my favorite photo of my grandfather as a young man.

In coming weeks, after the holidays, I'll add more pictures and improve this blog.