Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Indispensable Teakettle

We took for granted the old and dented teakettle that sat on a back corner of the wood burning cook stove in the kitchen on the home farm. From early morning until long after we crawled up the frigid stairway to our bedroom, a thread of steam poured from its spout. Without indoor plumbing, the teakettle was our source of hot water. I remember but once or twice when a persnickety city relative appeared and insisted on tea that the teakettle was used for that purpose.

True, the cook stove had a warm water reservoir attached to its right side, which provided warm water for hand and face washing. But the only hot water source was the teakettle, dull aluminum in color, holding about four quarts of water.

Hot water was especially important when winter illnesses came our way. Hot water mixed with salt for a sore throat. A glass of hot water mixed with a jigger of “medicinal” whiskey became a whiskey sling that would kill most any cold from the sniffles to much more. The standard cold remedy in our house, in addition to the whiskey sling, was a goodly amount of skunk grease (it is odorless) rubbed on your chest and covered with a piece of red flannel pinned to your long underwear. It worked, I’m still here.

For bruises, sprains and aches of assorted origin, Ma filled the rubber hot water bottle with hot water from the teakettle. She wrapped a towel around it and the hot water bottle became a cozy warm friend on a cold winter night.

I have many fond memories of that old teakettle and its source of hot water that we used for so many purposes, both outside and inside the house.

CHECK THIS OUT: Look for CAMPFIRES AND LOON CALLS, my newest book, available February 1. It is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Winter is a time for warm memories.

COMING EVENTS:

February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.

March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)

March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.

March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.

March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.

March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.

March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Seed Catalogs

On a cold, snowy, and dreary early January afternoon, I pick up my mail and my spirits soar. The first seed catalogs have arrived, one from Jungs in Randolph, one from Gurney’s in Indiana,another from Burpee’s in Pennsylvania and several more. A spot of spring on a winter day. Pictures of hope and expectancy.

Seed Catalogs reach near religious status for those of us who garden. On these quiet days of winter we gardeners plan and anticipate—and study like someone facing a major examination. The test, of course, is next summer’s garden. Will it equal gardens of the past? Can next year’s be better?

I first study the tomato varieties: Pink Wonder is a new one, reaching 1 pound each with a “sweet and tangy flavor,” excellent keepers, good disease resistance. I look further. Three more new varieties: Tough Boy: produces “very smooth, round, 8 ounce fruits with no blemishes or imperfections,” Country Taste: “Old fashioned flavor blends with modern vigor.” And Bella Rosa: “A pretty name for a serious performer.” I must try a couple of these, I say, realizing I will most likely plant varieties I have grown for years: Better Boy, Early Girl, and Wisconsin 55.
I do the same for the other vegetables. I plan, check on what’s new in sweet corn, green beans, squash, pumpkins, rutabagas, cabbage, beets, radishes, potatoes and more.

I have a great time, reflecting on last year’s garden and what varieties did well, and planning for the next season. But I know from years of experience, no matter how carefully I plan, how carefully I select vegetable varieties, Mother Nature always surprises me. It’s one of the reasons I garden— I never quite know what to expect.

CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, available about February 1 is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information. The title: Campfires and Loon calls.

THE OLD TIMER WONDERS: Why do the pictures of the vegetables in the seed catalogs seldom resemble the real thing he grows in his garden?

COMING EVENTS:

February 12, 2:00 p.m., Richland Center City Auditorium. Film: County Schools—One Room—One Nation, followed by panel discussion.

March 11-13. Canoecopia, Alliant Center, Madison. Campfires and Loon Calls (two presentations)

March 15, 10:30 a.m. Eager Free Library, Evansville, WI.

March 15, 7:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Madison West. Launch for Campfires and Loon Calls.

March 17, 2:00-4:00. Monroe Arts Center, Monroe. Memories into Memoirs—Writers Workshop.

March 17, 7:00 p.m. Monroe Arts Center. Our Rural Heritage.

March 20, 7:00 p.m. Lebanon Historical Society, Fire Station, New Lebanon. Horse Drawn Days,

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Old Timer Tips for the New Year

The Old Timer asked for a little more space this week, the first days of the New Year. He is not much for New Year’s resolutions, but does has some suggestions for the coming year.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS:

Take time to watch a sunset.

Read some poetry. Start with, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost, published in 1923. Here is the last verse:
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Travel away from the city on a cold, clear night, to a place where there is little light pollution, and look up. When was the last time you saw so many stars?

Hike into a woods on a below-zero morning and listen to the silence.

Vow once a week to set aside a few minutes to do nothing, to think about nothing, to worry about nothing.

Don’t take for granted those who love you.

Page through the seed catalogs that come this time of year. You don’t have to garden to enjoy them.

Write some stories about when you were a kid; your kids will appreciate it.

Call an old friend; somebody you knew when you were in high school.

It’s a New Year! Put a smile on your face, a spring in your step and forget last year’s mistakes.

CHECK THIS OUT: My newest book, available February 1, is about 25 years of canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Steve’s photos are throughout. Go to: www.fulcrum-books.com for more information. The title: Campfires and Loon calls.

UPCOMING EVENTS
January 6, 2011, 5:30 p.m. Lacrosse Library Friends dinner meeting.