By Paula Mitchell
Daisies have been blooming along the roadsides. These daisies are indispensable to the summer’s fun. Most country girls most likely played the “he loves me; he loves me not” game by pulling off the petals from a daisy. Daisy chains were made to be worn in the hair, and used extensively in play. Those were the days.
The blessings of modern conveniences are not taken too lightly. Remember back when water was carried from a pitcher pump in zinc buckets for household use. Sometimes the pump handle would be so cold that hands would stick to the metal. The trip back to the house, through the snow, carrying the icy water that would invariably slop over onto the legs, making it a hated chore.
Sometimes one would let the bailer down into a well by rope or chain, then wind the rope back up on the windlass. It was almost impossible to keep from getting splashed when the water was released from the bucket.
Washday was a horror during the winter months. Water had to be carried in from the pump or well, and heated over the fire or stove in a washtub. Fires were started early in the morning, with water filling up the tubs. Once the water was warmed and the clothes washed, there was a tub of “bluing” to brighten for the clothes to be immersed. They were then hung outside on a clothesline to freeze stiff. Clothes had their own way of being hung. Ironing with an iron heated from the stove top took place the next day.
Women ironed using heavy, solid cast-iron blocks called “flatirons” or “sadirons,” They heated these irons on a hot woodstove or over an open fire. Because the iron and handle got extremely hot, women used thick, padded pot holders to protect their hands. This oldfashioned ironing process required careful steps.
Clothes were often taken off the clothesline while still slightly wet. If the clothes were completely dry, they were sprinkled with water and rolled into tight bundles for a few hours. This dampness created steam when the hot iron touched the fabric, which released the wrinkles.
Because a single iron cooled down quickly, they usually kept a set of two or three irons. While one iron was being used to press the clothes, the others were heating up on the stove.
The joys of an outdoor privy were known as sheer agony as trips were made in the snow. Night time visits were made easier by the use of a lantern. To ease that, chamber pots were introduced for the family to use at night. Pioneers used chamber pots, or thunder busters, as portable indoor toilets. They were especially useful at night or during the winter. This saved them from walking outside to a freezing, dark, or dangerous outhouse.
The family kept the pot in the bedroom, often pushing them under a bed, out of sight. These pots were deep ceramic or metal bowls that had a lid to trap smells.
Every morning, the chore of emptying the pots fell to the children or women of the house. They took the pots to the outdoor privy to dump the waste. After emptying, they rinsed the pot with water and a bit of lye or soap before bringing it back inside for the next night.
Although there is a younger generation that has probably never been exposed to this lifestyle, there are many who have lived in that time period. Having lived during this era, the latter, no doubt, are very thankful for all the modern conveniences.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Sing in the shower
2. Find old photos in the attic.
3. Wipe the bathroom sink every morning.
4. Say “bless you” when someone sneezes.
5. Keep noise down.
The mountains deflect rain and storms in so many ways. While everyone around Sugar Grove received much needed rain, it wasn’t until Monday afternoon that they received an inch. Everyone is hoping to see the pastures green up fast.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia, let them walk to school.” — Yogi Berra
“If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.” — Katherine Hepburn
“Know your lines and don’t bump into the furniture.” — Spencer Tracy
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” — Harry S. Truman
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” — Nelson Mandela
Sitting inside to avoid thunderstorms is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Wesley, Becky, Emma, and Nathaniel Puffenbarger dropped Ben off at West Virginia University Tech for a week of governor’s school for computer science.
William and Donna Arrington went to Nixa, Missouri, and had a very nice visit with William’s brother and family.
St. Luke Lutheran Church in Dry Run received a good grooming. The parking lot is quite visible now, and so is the church.
Sunday, Reya Millie Ronek was baptized at Calvary Lutheran Church. She is the daughter of Quinn and Jordan Hevener Ronek, and granddaughter of Cary and George Hevener and Nancy and Al Ronek of Bradenton, Florida.
Phil Downs has reported that he had received seven scammer calls in reference to Medicare. So, be aware!
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Greyhounds are the world’s fastest dogs with the ability to reach up to 45 mph.
•Cat whiskers are so sensitive they can detect the slightest change in air currents.
•In 1957, Sydney’s Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon.
•The United Kingdom is home to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument believed to have been constructed around 3000 B.C.
•Papua, New Guinea, hosts 2,000 different types of orchids.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, Sheila Armstrong, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Stanley Kile, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, the family and friends of Thelma Moats, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites and Edwin Wimer.
