Depression Era Folks & Tools

For some reason old things just seem to find me.

It doesn't really matter if it's things or folks actually.

My friend Shirley used to say we were both born in the wrong century.
I told her we weren't, because if all those who said that
were born in whichever century they desired,
there would be nobody to appreciate that era today.
She just laughed and said she hadn't thought of that.
She passed away last March, and I still miss her dearly.

Though she, having lived through the depression,
appreciated even older and usually more decorative items (which I do as well,)
I appreciate the resourcefulness of those who lived, worked, 
and even found moments of joy during the depression.
Shown above: at top is a potato peeler, middle a pear corer, and at bottom a cherry pitter. 
I am particularly anxious to see if the cherry pitter works.
That chore is such a pain.
Weather it was farm implements or kitchen gadgets,
items seemed to be made to last from a construction standpoint,
they were user friendly, and served a valid purpose.

The other half of the Bob and Shirley duo was Bob.
He was born in 1920 and is the friend who shared some 
Depression Era Sustainable Ways with us which to date
is still my most popular post.
Bob passed away this month.
I feel like there is a huge hole within me and about me where they once were.
I don't mourn for them.
They each had a long and mostly happy life together~
married 72+ years!
I know he was ready to go join her in heaven. 
He said many times he thought God put him on this earth
 to take care of Shirley.
I do mourn my own selfish heart - wanting to keep them here with me.
Yes, I recognize my foolishness.
I know there was so much more knowledge they each had to share
if only I knew the questions to ask.
That's how it's supposed to be right?  
One generation passing their smarts on to the next in line.
I used to tell Shirley she was my wealth of knowledge and my most valuable resource.  She would tell me I was in trouble.
In so many ways they always will be with me, and my hope is
that someday I am able to be to someone else all that they have been to me.
(I am looking at some big shoes to fill.)
I have been pretty quiet in bloggerville as of late and
felt you all deserved to know why.
They had no living heirs so another long time friend and I
are trying to take care of things.
If you are new to this blog or if you just happened to miss them,
both of the links above share some wonderful wisdom you might enjoy.

I am beginning to sleep nights again, getting my feet back under me
and my head attached at top so hopefully I'll be back 
to posting a bit more regularly.
After all spring is almost upon us and
with it comes rebirth.
Let us see, appreciate, and make the most of it.

Depression Era Sustainable Ways

Sometimes there are people

who impact our lives in unforeseen ways.

A dear friend will be 95 next weekend.

As you can imagine,

he has seen quite a few changes 

over the course of his life.

I thought I would share just a few of the tid-bits

that I've gained just by "swappin' stories."

When he was about 4-6 years old,

his bed was really a frame with a short lip around the edge.

This shallow 'box' held a mattress

filled with cedar bows.

To me it doesn't sound that comfy,

but he said though he was a child,

he remembers it as being pretty cozy.

There was no refrigeration growing up. 

To keep their butter and cream cool,

they had a wire cage that they wrapped well with gunny sacks.

They would set that in a large pan or tub

with a couple inches of fresh cool water in it.

As the water wicked up into the burlap,

evaporation kept the contents cool.

And lastly,

When they butchered something in summer,

they would hang the pieces (like a quarter of critter)

at least 30 feet high, up in a tree.

He said that is above the fly level.

It will "skin up" and have a skin on it as thick as the hide.

You cut that off and the meat inside is good.

He said he's eaten meat that has hung in a tree for a month,

and it is tender and delicious.

Okay, maybe if I had no other option,

but that one might worry me just a little.

I think the gunny sack cooler is brilliant,

and I bet that cedar smelled fabulous as he fell into slumber.

These are the kinds of things

I consider gems of knowledge.

Maybe that's part of the reason I love talking 

with elderly folks.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches