Before the advent of the modern hot water heater, preparing for a bath began with boiling a teakettle full of water on our McKay Street cook stove. After the water was poured into the white bathtub in the small bathroom next to the kitchen, cold water was added to a comfort level, and splashing with soap and washrag would begin. Since there was very little water in the bottom of that tub, a large amount of splashing. ensued.
Bathing at Aunt Theresa’s home was another matter. In the kitchen sat a huge washtub which she filled halfway up using heated water in a large kettle and pour method. There was more water for splashing but no bathroom walls to enclose a muddy body.
Lower on the totem pole of ritual cleansing was Grandfather Link’s residence on Crittenden Drive. The washtub was placed in the backyard.
I do not recall how the water was heated or for that matter how much was in the tub. Although hedges and his shop were obstacles that prevented neighbors from noticing my liberal use of soap and scrubbing, I was more concerned with whether squirrels and owls would witness my backyard tub encounter.