The Chair by the Door

Van Gogh's Chair by Vincent van Gogh

Just inside Nanny's Kitchen there was a chair by the door, it was right next to the daybed and it was just inside the backdoor.

There would be no knock at the door nor shout of "Hello" but suddenly the kitchen door opened and in walked  "someone", who quickly sat down in the chair. This someone would be anyone who had been walking down the road and needed to take a break, to rest their legs or warm themselves by the wood burning stove. This someone might sit quietly or share news of the day from their family or from the town. Nanny would continue with whatever she would be doing but listened and responded to the visitor. When the visitor was ready, off they went, on their way.

As a young girl, I was always surprised by this abrupt entrance of this unannounced visitor into Nanny's Kitchen.  I remember wondering and asking, "Why didn't they knock before they entered?"  As an adult, I think this custom is really rather nice,  an open door for your neighbors and friends. But this was a simpler time, place and this was Newfoundland. My cousin Wayne once told me, "Newfoundlanders are the friendliest people in the world".

I think you might agree if you were to ever meet a Newfoundlander.