WWII Memories - Bedspread

In 1943/1944 food was severely rationed in the Netherlands - and there wasn't enough to go around. There was always the black market, of course - and the bartering system. Transportation was also restricted. A good place to go bartering for food was boating across the river Maas, and visiting the farmers - but you needed a legitimate reason to go there. My cousin Jan worked for the police department in Vlaardingen, and he somehow managed to get a permit for my aunt - stating she was a midwife.

Tante Jaan

She now could safely cross the river, carrying a small suitcase. By smiling sweetly at the german soldiers she managed to look like a real midwife, and so was able to get past the checking station.

She had a plan all worked out. Unraveling her prized cotton bedspread, she used the yarn to make socks -

which she then managed to trade for bread. Every week she would bring home two loaves of bread - traded for a pair of socks. This went on for quite a few weeks - keeping the hunger wolves away from our door. Finally, however, the time came when she took her last pair of socks. The bedspread was all used up. Telling the farmer's wife that this was probably the last time she could bring socks, the "boerderin" exclaimed: Oh, you know, this is working out so well - I've been making a bedspread by unraveling the socks you brought, and I'm just about done!