She sounds wonderful. We should all have grandmothers like that. Mine taught me to make preserves including watermelon pickle, how to test eggs, deal with rattlesnakes, make candy (she worked for the very first Sees, in 1920), tell naughty jokes, cook okra, catch fish, roll ravioli, make people feel welcome, embroider, drive with confide…
She sounds wonderful. We should all have grandmothers like that. Mine taught me to make preserves including watermelon pickle, how to test eggs, deal with rattlesnakes, make candy (she worked for the very first Sees, in 1920), tell naughty jokes, cook okra, catch fish, roll ravioli, make people feel welcome, embroider, drive with confidence over 70 mph, how to whistle up a wind, how to recognize fossils, learn a couple of centuries worth of Scottish and Irish folk ballads, and partake of the pride and sorrow of our family history.
"The Frugal American Housewife" is back in print, and not hard to find. Used copies are five bucks. I used it for a Living History program I was part of. It's a lovely little book.
It's very pretty to look at, but definitely not something most children would go for, more like a relish or chutney for a roast. Back then I pretended to like it for her sake. And now, you see, I've grown into it, and love it. There was a book of poetry that came out in 1966, a soulful collection by both well-known and obscure poets. Required reading in middle school and high school for the next several years; the title was "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle". Who else knows this book? Off you go, people.
I remember my grandma's watermelon pickles as well. She would use just the white rind part and add a lot of spices. They turned out a refreshing pale green hue. I remember the distinctive taste, maybe mostly from the juniper berries. I have not heard of that book but it sounds intriguing. You know a lot of interesting sounding reading materials!
Thank you, Luelle. I've been reading none stop since the age of four, more than sixty years, and I have enjoyed a very good memory, which, like all things, must pass. Going, going, gone!
A little old lady neighbor taught me how to read at 4, using the grocery ads from the news paper. She was so sweet to sit on her porch, on the swing, and talk to a little 4 year old kid, let alone teach me how to read words from the ads. God bless her. 🙏
She sounds wonderful. We should all have grandmothers like that. Mine taught me to make preserves including watermelon pickle, how to test eggs, deal with rattlesnakes, make candy (she worked for the very first Sees, in 1920), tell naughty jokes, cook okra, catch fish, roll ravioli, make people feel welcome, embroider, drive with confidence over 70 mph, how to whistle up a wind, how to recognize fossils, learn a couple of centuries worth of Scottish and Irish folk ballads, and partake of the pride and sorrow of our family history.
"The Frugal American Housewife" is back in print, and not hard to find. Used copies are five bucks. I used it for a Living History program I was part of. It's a lovely little book.
She sounds absolutely lovely.
Watermelon pickle! Now that sounds awesome.
It's very pretty to look at, but definitely not something most children would go for, more like a relish or chutney for a roast. Back then I pretended to like it for her sake. And now, you see, I've grown into it, and love it. There was a book of poetry that came out in 1966, a soulful collection by both well-known and obscure poets. Required reading in middle school and high school for the next several years; the title was "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle". Who else knows this book? Off you go, people.
I remember my grandma's watermelon pickles as well. She would use just the white rind part and add a lot of spices. They turned out a refreshing pale green hue. I remember the distinctive taste, maybe mostly from the juniper berries. I have not heard of that book but it sounds intriguing. You know a lot of interesting sounding reading materials!
Thank you, Luelle. I've been reading none stop since the age of four, more than sixty years, and I have enjoyed a very good memory, which, like all things, must pass. Going, going, gone!
A little old lady neighbor taught me how to read at 4, using the grocery ads from the news paper. She was so sweet to sit on her porch, on the swing, and talk to a little 4 year old kid, let alone teach me how to read words from the ads. God bless her. 🙏