Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2012-10

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Dixie Augusteijn concludes her essay on farm life
• Jean Sterling comments on items in last week´s issue
• Jean writes about an unusual combination
• Lyle Meeres begins a story of a Caribbean cruise
• Gerrit deLeeuw sends some idle thoughts of a retired mind
• Pat Moore forwards a chuckle from a librarian
• Here is a very short history of medicine
• Sites are recommended by Bruce Galway, Carol Hansen, Irene Harvalias, and Pat Moore

Kate Brookfield pointed out that I had published this article last year on the occasion of Dixie Augusteijn´s 100th birthday. Her memory is better than mine, which is growing shorter every day! However, it is good to read about the "olden days", when everyone worked hard and there were few luxuries, but people were more sociable: more hospitable and trusting than they are today. Some things actually were better back then:

FARMHOUSE LIFE - WAS IT BETTER?

Tomatoes were the big canning operation, but we also had our own strawberries and raspberries, and black and red currants, which were preserved. For years we got cherries from a cousin who had a fruit farm where the town of Burlington now stands; these also were put into jars. We had our own grapevine, pear tree and sugar plums, and lived quite near the peach orchards. As if this was not enough, frequently we would go out picking wild berries, thimble berries, elderberries, and raspberries. These were sort of picnic expeditions, as we would take a lunch, and with the horse and buggy set out for a likely patch.

In this first house there was no basement, but in the pantry there was a lift-up door in the floor which let us down to the dirt floor, part of which had been covered with boards, and it was there that all the jars of tomatoes, fruits, pickles and jams were kept. As the foundation of the house was banked up for winter, things there were kept at quite an even cool temperature.

We had little variation in vegetables in the winter. We always had a large stone crock of home-made sauerkraut. In the root cellar at the barn there were turnips. In the garden each fall my dad dug a pit, lined with straw, and there were kept cabbages, carrots and apples. Covered over with more straw, a few boards and then manure, they kept well. Mother was afraid of canning peas or corn in case of botulism, so those were the only canned vegetables that ever came into the house.

Each fall my dad would make a trip with the wagon to an apple butter factory some miles to the north, and there our apples were transformed into several gallons of apple butter. If you have never had apple butter, with thick cream poured over it, you don´t know what you are missing. Then we would have pails of honey, and quite often a couple of large rounds of cheese to see us through the winter.

In the late fall my dad would always butcher a pig, and for days we feasted on fresh pork, while my mother got busy preparing the hams. She had her special mixture for rubbing into the meat, and they were kept on racks in a cool place. I don´t remember just how often this mixture was rubbed in, but after a certain time, the hams were considered ready for smoking.

Outside my dad had a large hollow tree trunk. An iron bar was stretched across the top, and the hams on cords hung down from this. Then a fire was lit below, and kept smouldering with either corn cobs or apple wood. The top was well covered to keep in the smoke. The hams were kept there for quite some time until considered sufficiently smoked, and when done were put into cloth bags, and again hung up until ready for use. The taste of those hams was unforgettable. I well remember a cousin from the city saying if anyone could incorporate that flavour into a chocolate bar he would make a fortune! (A strange combination of flavours!)

Meat was never a problem. Starting in the spring in our community there was what was called a beef ring consisting of several members. Each one, or couple, was supposed to give a young, healthy beef one week in the season. This was butchered, cut up into the same number of servings as members, and then people took turns collecting and delivering the meat. It was arranged in such a manner that you would have a different part of the animal each week. Weight was carefully kept. At the end of the season, if you had received more meat than the dressed weight of the animal contributed, you paid the difference, and if you received less, then you were paid the difference. Before refrigeration was common, it worked very well, and we were assured of excellent beef. In addition, of course, we had our own chickens and turkeys for special occasions.

Friday and Saturday were the big baking days for the week. A dozen loaves of bread, a chocolate layer cake - mother had tried other recipes on occasion, but always the boys wanted chocolate - cookies, muffins, scones and pies would complete the baking for the family and any people who might unexpectedly drop in, and of course were always asked to stay for a meal, or perhaps overnight. Does such hospitality still exist?

Sunday was really a day of rest. Cows had to be milked and animals fed, but my dad never did any field work. Saturday had been bath night and clean clothes had been laid out for the week, the bed linen had been changed, and the house given a good weekly cleaning, including scrubbing of kitchen and privy floors. Everything that could be done ahead of time was done, so that Sunday we could really relax. Church and Sunday school was as much of a social occasion as spiritual. We got to wear our Sunday clothes, had a chance to meet up with the neighbours, and perhaps invited any newcomers back for Sunday supper, although we often had our mother´s sister and family over for the afternoon and supper. My aunt would probably bring along some extra food to help out, so there was always plenty. In summer we often ate out on the lawn, and often made home-made ice cream as a special treat, especially if the strawberries were ripe.

Yes, those were other days. I suppose it is expected for older people to think times were better then. In fact, someone said that "Anyone who talks of the ´good old days´ has a faulty memory." But do we really, with all our modern conveniences, have it so much better? Everyone is in such a rush. The majority of people are not able to take Sunday off as a real day of relaxation and catching up with friendships. If they have a summer cottage, they spend Friday driving up through heavy traffic. When they get there they must tidy up the place. Come Sunday, they drive back again through heavy traffic. Is this our idea of relaxation?

People don´t drop in for a quick visit any more; they must be invited. An old friend used to say that her friends would drop in, acquaintances she must invite. So although we may have a large circle of acquaintances, are we losing friends in our everyday rush to get things done? I guess it boils down to what are our values in life. No, I wouldn´t want to have to scrub the floor on my hands and knees - although there was a satisfaction in seeing how clean it looked after - but I would like to have that community feeling back, with people free to drop in, to have time to sit out in the darkness of a summer evening, and hear nothing but the crickets, and perhaps the tiny triple hoot of a barn owl disturbing a stillness we seem to have lost.

CORRESPONDENCE

Jean Sterling comments on items in last week´s issue:

About Dixie Augustjein´s story of farm life: WOW! What wonderful memories she has! I noticed the main meal of the day was the noon meal. That is supposed to be healthier than loading up at the end of the day.

On Carol Shoemaker´s brief history of the world: "1920 - The 18th Amendment to the Constitution makes drinking illegal in the U.S., so everyone stops. Except for the 40 million who don´t stop!" What´s interesting about the 18th amendment is that there were people who actually took up drinking in protest. My mother said her father never drank anything alcoholic, but had a glass of wine with his dinner every night after the 18th amendment passed.

About women understanding cats´ facial expressions: I somehow felt that my cat´s facial expression gave her opinion about the service - I always felt as if she was saying that the service could be a lot better in her not-so-humble opinion.

About the need for the same style of shoes in different colours: My mother wasn´t Imelda Marcos, but she did have an extensive collection of shoes of varying colours.

Why bean sprouts aren´t just weeds: My husband says that bean sprouts are grass. He will give me the bean sprouts from his salad, saying that he doesn´t eat grass.

On the difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell: This is important. Years ago I painted the living room, which is a shade of white. When I got all done, I found that the ceiling was a different shade of white, so I had to paint the ceiling. Painting a ceiling is very painful indeed.

On the advice never to give yourself a haircut after three margaritas: Many years ago John got the bright idea that I should cut his hair, as it would be cheaper than going to the barber. It was quite annoying as he had no faith in my ability. He was full of all sorts of advice, like, "Careful there!" and "Watch it!", and I don´t remember what all. But it was annoying. I remember he was reading a magazine, and when he turned the page I said, "Wait a minute. I wasn´t finished reading that page." He never asked me to cut his hair again.

Jean tells about an unusual relationship between much different animals:

THE KITTEN AND THE CHICKENS

Last September a small kitten moved in with my son´s chickens. The kitten seemed to think that the chickens were mom and dad. After a few days, son David decided that kitty had come to stay, so he bought some cat food. At first the kitten was very shy, and would only come out to eat its food when David had gone back in the house. Eventually the kitten would come out of the coop to eat his food while David was still there, and in due course grew trusting enough to let Dave pick it up.

Kitty and the chickens (Click for full picture)

The kitten has grown into a beautiful cat and lost its feral shyness. In January, Coop (they named it Coop when they found out it was a boy) sat in my lap and purred.

It was interesting to see how well the kitten and the chickens got along. One thing that helped was that the kitten seemed to obey the pecking order. The chickens like cut-up apples, and the kitten would always let the chickens have first dibs on them. The kitten was very playful, which chickens are not, but the chickens put up with their young companion´s antics with grace.

I have attached a picture of the young kitten with the chickens:

Lyle Meeres begins his description of a

SOUTH CARIBBEAN CRUISE

My wife, Pat, and friends Donna and Paulette and I flew from Calgary to Ft. Lauderdale, where we boarded the Celebrity Constellation for a 14-night cruise that would stop at eight locations that we knew would be warmer than Alberta in January and February.

The check-in, customs, and security were extremely well organized. The room on Deck 6 seemed relatively small but pleasant, with a balcony. We toured the ship and went through the mandatory safety muster before dinner. After dinner we saw the live entertainment, which was a good sampler.

The next morning we ate breakfast at the healthy eating spot on Deck 10 before taking in the talk on excursions, which got us wondering about choosing something for Antigua. Since the best scenery was 11 miles away, across the island, we chose to buy a tour. It was 2C out, with one- foot waves, but the ship was rocking. It was too windy and chilly to use our balcony.

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St. Maarten´s Market (Click to enlarge image)

We enjoyed lunch, read, and played cards, had dinner, and saw the evening show, "I Hollywood," which was entertaining - lots of high-energy dance and song.

The morning of January 31 we enjoyed the breakfast buffet. While Pat, Donna and Paulette went to a talk on the stars, I went to the library to write and read. I met a lady from Ottawa and another from Florida. At 4:00 we listened to an excellent a cappella group composed of four males. The evening show was a singer from Vancouver, B.C., and she was talented, plus she included some pleasing familiar songs.

After two days at sea, we arrived at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which we toured on an air-conditioned bus. We learned that salt had been the economic mainstay on this island, which has a French side and a Dutch side. The border is simply marked with two flags side by side. We walked through a market, which was interesting, especially for crafts, but we just looked. We walked some of Front Street and some of Back Street in Philipsburg, where we bought lunch.

Marinas at Antigua (Click to enlarge image)

Nelson´s Dockyard at Antigua (Click to enlarge image)

On February 2, the Antigua tour drove from urban to rural areas. The island used to depend on sugar, but now the economy is nearly all based on tourism. We had views from the blockhouse ruins and some pretty views of various marinas from above. We had too little time at Nelson´s Dockyard but did get a free, potent rum punch drink. The driver-guide was a bit of a character so we enjoyed his talk. We were back on board for lunch and we had a lobster dinner in a specialty restaurant. It was a treat.

Part of the fun on board is meeting exceptional people. In the library I met an 85-year-old lady who said that her "significant other" had just celebrated his 91st birthday. By coincidence, they sat at a table beside ours at dinner.

We learned that the lady and Sam, her "other", take part in musical productions at home in Florida. Each remarked on being blessed with their relationship. Donna said something about being partners, and the lady said, "Oh, much more." In the library she was reading "Death, Sex, and Other Distractions". Draw your own conclusions. They seemed so active mentally and so happy with each other that we were delighted to have met them.

Not everyone was so delightful. In the entrance to the market´s public washroom in St. Maarten, there was a line going out and one coming in. The man ahead of me was faced with a man coming in, who said something like, "Well, if it isn´t the guy who blocks up all the traffic." At first I assumed he must be teasing, but the comments got nastier and nastier so I half expected a fight. I wondered if they´d transferred the rush-rush of the working world to their holiday. Thank goodness these exceptional people were exceptional; we´ve never seen the like on previous holidays.

On February 3, the port was Castries, St. Lucia. We had chosen an all-day tour, starting at 9:00 a.m. With the guide, there were 21 on our bus, and there were other buses doing the same tour. The day was mixed sun and cloud, mostly sun. Hurricane damage from October was visible and we passed one mudslide area where a family of five died and three bodies are still missing.

The Pitons at St. Lucia (Click to enlarge image)

St. Lucia is steeply hilly. The economy relies on tourism and bananas. Plant growth is so lush it is hard to imagine walking through some areas. We had good views of the Pitons, the twin peaks that form a World Heritage site, plus two fishing villages. Our bus driver earned his money as the road was extremely twisty. People drive on the left there. Some views of the water were appealing. The place name "Soufriere" comes from the word meaning sulphur in the atmosphere, and indeed we visited what is called "The Drive-Through Volcano".

We enjoyed the peaceful break provided by a walk through the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall. However, lunch at the Morne Coubaril Plantation was disappointing. It was supposed to be Creole, but it came through as mass-produced chicken, fish, and veggies, plus a tasteless dessert cake. The best feature was a small glass of island juice. Oh well, our tour guide was lively and entertaining.

On February 4 we arrived at Barbados. Pat and Paulette have a cough, and then I got it. At the pier we caught a glimpse of the world´s tenth most expensive yacht. It was enough to make a person wonder what the top nine looked like.

Subarine at Barbados (click to enlarge image)

At Barbados, we headed for the Atlantis submarine, which we learned was one of a series of subs run by a Canadian company. Watching the sub rise and the previous tour group get out raised a bit of trepidation for most of us. After our ferry arrived at the sub, we went down narrow steps backwards, probably thinking of war movies and sinking submarines that were running out of fresh air. What we found was much better. The portholes were a good size: two feet across, with thirteen per side.

Hawkssbill Turtle seen from submarine (Click to enlarge image)

We dove to forty feet and saw coral and small- to medium-sized fish - and then Pat spotted a turtle swimming toward us. The guide was excited enough that she took a picture too. It was a hawksbill turtle and a good size. Some of the coral was colourful and we learned that the most beautiful things in the sea are often the most dangerous - in this case, the orange coral. We saw Horse-Eyed Jack, Blue Chromis, Parrot Fish, Pillar Coral, Brain Coral, and more.

We went down to 141 feet and the bottom became mostly sand. Colours inside the sub changed. My red t-shirt became purple. We saw a wreck, the Lord Willoughby, that had been placed after it had been made safe for divers to explore. Doors, for example, were removed. Finally it was our turn to go up and board the ferry. Part of the pleasure of this submarine tour was that it was different, and in our case, good for those who are essentially non-swimmers, since it gave views underwater. A significant part of the fun, though, is overcoming the bit of fear that is created as the experience progresses. The viewing holes open up the area and passengers see 48 others going through the same experience, so the excitement is manageable. No war, and a happy ending....

We chose to go back to our ship. After lunch my cough had me tired enough that I had a nap; the others made their way into Bridgetown. I also deleted some pictures, but kept two of the turtle.

The bars had two for one drinks on sale, so we drank at a bar with a view. Dinner was not the best, but meals varied considerably. I skipped the evening program, hoping to feel better by getting some extra sleep.

To be continued.

Pictures of this instalment can also be seen at http://members.shaw.ca/ vjjsansum/

Gerrit deLeeuw reminds us of

THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF A RETIREE´S WANDERING MIND

I had amnesia once - or twice.

Protons have mass? I didn´t even know they were Catholic.

All I ask is a chance to prove that money can´t make me happy.

If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.

What is a "free" gift? Aren´t all gifts free?

They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.

Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.

One nice thing about egotists: they don´t talk about other people.

My weight is perfect for my height - which varies.

I used to be indecisive. Now I´m not so sure.

The cost of living hasn´t affected its popularity.

How can there be self-help "groups"?

Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I´ll show you a man who can´t get his pants on.

Is it my imagination, or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?

Pat Moore forwards this

LIBRARY CHUCKLE

The college football player knew his way around the locker room better than he did the library, so when the librarian saw the gridiron star roaming the stacks of books, looking confused, she asked how she could help.

"I have to read a play by Shakespeare," he said.

"Which one?" she asked.

He scanned the shelves and answered, "William."

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE<

I have an earache....

2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root.

1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.

1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.

1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.

1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.

2000 A.D. - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

Bruce Galway recommends this video of beautiful Friesian horses:

Bruce also sends this link to a video of model planes: big boys and their big toys:

Carol Hansen forwards the URL to a video of a bald eagle which flew into the windshield of a truck travelling 65 miles per hour. The local Department of Fish and game sent the bird to a nearby non- profit organization that focused on birds of prey in Wilson, Wyoming. After a month of recovery at the centre, the eagle had sufficiently recovered to be released into the wild:

Irene Harvalias sends this link to a video of a brave little dog that does not realize it is severely handicapped:

Pat Moore sends a link to pictures of ice caves:

Pat also suggests this site for an informative comparison of objects, from the very large to the infinitesimally small. Click on the oval on the bottom bar to change sizes and subjects:

The Stop Online Spying petition just hit 100,000 signatures. This places the petition in historic territory; it is now one of Canada´s largest online petitions and grassroots campaigns ever. If you are concerned about the online spying bill proposed by the Canadian government, click on this site:

Here are two TED talks with diametrically opposite views of the state of the world:

Have we used up all our resources? Have we filled up all the livable space on Earth? Paul Gilding suggests we have, and the possibility of devastating consequences, in a talk that´s equal parts terrifying and, oddly, hopeful.

Peter Diamandis makes a case for optimism -- that we´ll invent, innovate and create ways to solve the challenges that loom over us. "I´m not saying we don´t have our set of problems; we surely do. But ultimately, we knock them down."

Peter Diamandis runs the X Prize Foundation, which gives rich cash awards to the inventors and engineers who´ll get us back to the moon, build a better car and explore the genome.

To check out the features of the "freedictionary", which changes daily, go to