With the recent winter storm still fresh on our mind, perhaps many of you can identify with me as we remember those winters when we were young and how it affected life on the farm. We were sharecroppers and our clan of ten crowded in a small house that had cracks in the floor, drafts in the wall and tin top roofs that had many nail holes. ‘Air-conditioned’ country style, all seasons! Farm life, when weather is at its’ best, is still difficult. But in the winter, the North wind is always blowing. These are some things that crossed my mind during the recent storms with the freezing cold and wind howling around the corner of our house.
Monday was usually ‘wash day’ unless it was raining too hard or too cold. We had 55-gallon barrels under the eaves of the tin-topped hay barns to catch rainwater for this weekly project. Early in the morning the ‘bucket-brigade’ was put into action. A sheet of ice on the water didn’t stop the process; just a few taps removed this hazard. When the pot was filled, the fire was lighted and soon the bed sheets and clothes were in the hot water. Add a little bluing and lye soap – the wash was on. There would be several loads to run through the hot water; then on to the rinse water. Grandma and Mama worked all day long washing, rinsing and hanging the clothes out to dry. They would use the clothes line and every available fence nearby. Yes, all our clothes were on display for the community to see each week.
Another winter event that drew community attention was the hog killing. This always took place on some of the coldest days so the meat could be “processed.” And everything was processed except the “squell”. There was a job for everyone, even the neighbors. Next cold spell, the ‘crew’ gathered at their house and the ‘event’ would be repeated. Country folks were true neighbors!
No indoor plumbing or bathrooms made those winter days and nights even more dreaded. Those 40 steps to the outhouse seemed more like two miles when you made a fast dash early in the morning or after dark. Too, this meant all bath, drinking and cooking water was pumped by hand and delivered into the house bucket by bucket. “Do you have running water, Mr. John?” My daddy would say ‘yes’. We grab the bucket and run out to the well/pump and fetch a bucket of water.
But the cows had to be milked first. Winter, frost, sleet or snow, those cows had to be milked daily. Each boy had a bucket and a designated cow. Off we would go with warm water to bathe the udder before we ‘got down to business.’ Of course, the cows, eating their daily ration of hay, gently ‘released the warm milk.’ Then for the mad dash to the house, knowing breakfast was ready: biscuits, syrup, sour cream, ham or sausage and eggs. What more could warm the heart and soul on a cold day? Soon we would hear the school bus making its’ way down the gravel road.
Riding the bus to school was definitely a ‘cool experience’. We lived several miles from school and the ride in freezing weather made it seem much longer. Boys mostly wore overalls and blue-jean jackets – all thin clothes. Probably every child had on some long johns under their jeans. There were wood heaters in certain areas of the school (auditorium, cafeteria, library and a few class rooms) where children clustered around before school and at recess time.
Coming home from basketball games on those cold nights meant facing a cold bed. But we had our own ‘cajun foot warmers.’ Mama would heat bricks for us and wrap them in old towels. She would place each in our bed where our cold feet could find them. (Oh, that sweet mama)!
One thing my daddy invested heavily in was this: plenty of wood for the fire place. We cut and split wood for the entire month of July (after the crops were ‘laid by’ till gathering time). The wood for the kitchen stove was split into small sticks on the back porch each night for early morning coffee and breakfast. Wood for the fire place was in a different rack, on the front porch. What a wonderful feeling it was to gather around the fire place and enjoy the cracking fire and warm glow. The kitchen stove served as our ‘warming place # 2’. Remember there were ten of us to keep warm!
Other memories of those days included: Corn-cob fights in and around the hay barns; tracking rabbits in the snow, home-made ice cream using fresh snow, making snow men and eating baked sweet potatoes and parched peanuts. How good can life get?
How did we survive? Just like everyone else – we did the best we could and depended on each other to pull their weight. The Lord blessed and led us through those hard times as He does today when we depend on Him for our needs. Proverbs 3: 5-6 and other such scriptures provided hope, determination and assurance that ‘it’s going to be better come spring time.’ That is what helped so much during our big winter storms. Depending on the Lord, determination, working together- checking on neighbors and friends. Country folks are survivors! The Apostle Paul was not a country boy, but he teaches us much about surviving. He overcame many hard times for his confidence was in the Lord. He coined this assurance: “I can do all things through Christ, my Lord, who supplies my needs.” (Phil 4:13). Let’s claim this thought: the best is yet to be…and move on down the calendar with the promise of SPRING! It will come. Signs are already visible around town!
Good News February 19,2025
Bill Crider Chaplain
Minden Medical Center