My Grandmother Hazel taught me how to survive anything. Number one, was putting in a garden of vegetables, that would see her through the year. Every spring, out came the tractor, and in went the garden. After every non-rainy day supper, we weeded the garden, instead of watching TV. The days went by feeding chickens in the hen house and mornings were for gathering eggs. Apple pie came from the orchard and soap for washing, came from the fat of a butchered hog, mixed with a little lye. If we wanted fish, we went fishing. If we wanted cooking ingredients, we went down to the ‘Root cellar”, dug into the ground. Makeshift steps in the dirt led to shelves all covered over by an old shed door. Carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, apples and anything Grandma Hazel decided to stuff under the door, was our treasure! What didn’t reach the root cellar, went into Mason jars. Tomatoes,cabbage, pickles, even pigs feet! The forest was for finding berries and honey. The lawn was for gathering dandelion greens.
One day Grandma Hazel even taught me how to sew! It was difficult at first but finally, I had sewn a straight line. Stitch by stitch, quilts were made. “Crazy Quilts”, she called them! Afternoon naps, under those hand made quilts were the best!
Sunday was for big chicken dinners. I felt sorry for the unfortunate chicken, but I sure liked sitting at the table with the chicken all dressed and fried! I’d pray with the others but I mostly prayed for the poor old chicken. Once I had the first mouthful,however, I’d forgotten all about Grandma catching the chicken and then chopping off the head! She then put the body in a huge pot of boiling water and off with the feathers! Ugh! Grandma always said, “Do not kill an animal unless you intend to eat it!”
Castor oil could cure just about anything according to Grandma, and a good mustard pack was always at the ready. Doc came and took out all her children’s tonsils, right on the dinning room table!
I sometimes feel sorry for the children that always had store bought things. They seemed bored many times and I had only one friend that could bait a hook! How in the world they ever survived, I’ll never know!
Sounds like you had a tremendous Grandmother. Your story made me miss my own, thanks for sharing that.
Score it an 8
If more people were raised like that or raising their children like that we would be in such a better world. What a great story! Thanks for sharing!
Oh and I score it a 10!
I miss the old days my self! Thanks for sharing. I score you a 10!
With a score of 10, I want to thank you for asking me to share such a wonderful part of your life. It reminds of stories that my mom and my twin aunts would share with us, while sitting in the kitchen enjoying a fresh cup of Seattle coffee. Love ya, Linda!
Lovely story! Thanks for sharing. 9
Thank for sharing. 10:)
What a memory. Crazy quilts huh. Love it! I’ll give you a 10 as well.
Im happy that you had the opportunity to learn how to live, the right way.
Today, all those good things are being lost, I guess Im a lucky one, I have a wonderfull mom and grandparents, who tought me and my sibilings how to survive and live happly with very little, and most importantly, with out hurting mother earth.
Thank you for sharing your story, it made me remember were I come from, the beautiful family I have, and how lucky and blessed we are, Thank you, I give you a 10!!
8.5