Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Let’s continue with the greatest generation’s way of life at that period of time. They were survivors, to say the least.
Before electric lines graced the mountains, valleys, pastures, and meadows, homes were lit up with kerosene lanterns. Kerosene was an expensive commodity and not very easy to get since stores were few and far between. That explains why everyone went to bed early, shortly after dark, and rose with the morning’s sunrise in order to conserve kerosene.
Once electricity arrived, each room in the house had one bare light bulb in the very center of the ceiling. There was a string hanging down to turn the light off and on. Were one to need the light during the night, all one had to do was to stick out the hand and walk towards the center of the room, hoping to grab on to the string to turn on the light.
Most of the light strings were too short for children to reach. So, there was no fear with them having fun by turning the light on and off continuously. Should the child need the light, an adult would have to assist in pulling the string.
In order to use the chamber pot during the night, a string would be attached to a nail hammered into the wall just above the headboard of the bed. A simple wave of the hand during the night resulted in locating the string very quickly, and there would be light to see the path to get to the pot.
Those were the days!
Life’s little lessons include the following:
- Be grateful.
- Inspire.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Smile.
- Think positive.
The heat has been quite exhaustive everywhere. Most persons are making the best of staying cool. Friday afternoon rains were well received. So far, they have been gentle rains which is a good thing.
Queen Anne’s Lace has been busy waving its beauty to the motorists. The “happy face” stays in the shadows of the tree branches where it seems a little cooler.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” — Dolly Parton
“Being lost is worth the being found.” — Neil Diamond
“The love you take is equal to the love you make.” — Paul McCartney
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — Babe Ruth
“The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.” — Prince Charles
Sitting under an umbrella is the best place to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Phil Downs enjoyed the visits of Eric Tichenor, K.D. Puffenbarger, and Kathy Rexrode.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Chicago is known as “The Windy City.”
- A fortnight is the name given to two weeks.
- Brazil’s official language is Portuguese.
- There are 24 time zones in the world.
- The Cherry Blossom is Japan’s national flower.
Concerns are for the following: Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Liz and Mick Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Phil Downs, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Sharon Harr, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Henry Hodges, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Julia Homan, Keith Hoover, Delbert Olin Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Tom and Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Jim Moats, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Daniel and Debbie Propst, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Virginia Propst, the Charlsey Puffenbarger family, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle and Don Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Amby Waybright, Jr., Mike Waybright, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer and flood victims making every effort in their recovery efforts in Texas, North Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
