<Begin Segment 13>

TI: Earlier you talked about after you and your mom were there and pretty soon other Japanese Americans start coming to the ranch. And I think you mentioned some relatives?

JG: Yeah, my Aunt Mary came and then my Aunt Ruth came she told me. I didn't even know my aunt Ruth came, I later learned that two families who were friends of my parents came after, the Yatabes and the Fujitas. And I didn't know that.

TI: So it was almost like through your mother's connection that others were able to come to the ranch, the Duveneck ranch?

JG: Well, I don't know but I know they were friends of my mothers and I learned that later. And I don't know how I learned that because she didn't tell me.

TI: And what did your mother do at the ranch and the other Japanese Americans? Was there like jobs that they did?

JG: My mother worked helping clean the house, cook, and my mother was -- excuse me -- not a good cook. I mean, she cooked but it wasn't like my grandmother.

TI: And how about the others? When they started coming, your aunts, do what they did?

JG: I think my aunt probably helped with the cooking and the cleaning. I really don't know 'cause I was out playing or at school.

SF: So it seemed like it was kind of community of people kind of took up jobs that had to be done and pitched in.

JG: That's right. She just let them, "We need to do this, would you do this?" Like she said, "Would you sweep the porch?" and I said no. [Laughs]

TI: You swept it but you didn't take the nickel, right? Or you just didn't sweep it?

JG: I didn't sweep it.

TI: Oh, I thought you swept it but didn't take the money, but you didn't do it.

JG: No, I was somewhat of a brat.

TI: I see, okay.

JG: Well, at least looking back on it I think I was a brat not doing it, you know. I mean, if I were really a nice little girl I would've swept the porch and not taken the nickel. But I just said no.

TI: So when you didn't sweep the porch, did she say anything to you?

JG: No, she didn't.

TI: Did she discipline you or anything?

JG: No, she just accepted the fact that I said no. This is so vivid in my mind. I'm really embarrassed to say this.

TI: So that's why her... when you talked with her son, he said, "You have a very different perspective or impression of my mom"?

JG: Grandmother.

TI: Or grandmother.

JG: Yeah, because he lived there at sixteen.

TI: Okay, 'cause she was probably harder on him.

JG: Well, he tells this story about the family. I love this story. They left their things downstairs, their shoes and scarves and whatever... and they were missing. And they said, "Mom, where are they?" She said, "Well, I guess I donated them. I didn't think you needed them." [Laughs] You had to pick up or else they'd be donated.

TI: But those kind of things didn't happen with you though. It was more just the family or were there rules on the ranch?

JG: I am not aware of any rules that were ... it was a smooth thing. I played, I can remember playing and going to school and I hope I was dutiful. I hope, I don't know. [Laughs]

TI: That's good.

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.