The Century Farm
We would be greeted with my relatives at the kitchen door with smells of different aromas of fresh bread baking - buns - homemade sweet rolls that were oven baked and not baked in oil. Later the smells would be Turkey, chicken or beef in the oven with the smells of potatoes and vegetables and the homemade apple pies from the apple tree not too far away from the house - which I loved since they were green apples and did eat too many once - for I learned my lesson well. My great cooking comes from my grandparents, who taught me well, besides my Mom. They had food enough for all at the kitchen table - that we ate in the livingroom.
Our chores were as many as we wanted to do - which was alot for we loved the chance to help my Uncle who had a humorous side to him that made us giggle and laugh outloud. One example of many was - I was in the barn milking the cows at the time the long way until he got equipment to milk his cows. I was on the stool and my Uncle nearby on his - he showed me how and I proceeded to do the milking. It was a hot summer day and the cow was swishing his tail back and forth and it hit my face - my Uncle broke out in a laugh and said the cow was protecting me from the flies also - I started laughing and we just laughed so hard we almost fell off our stools. We continued on - and in the end got to taste the milk right from the cow. It was warm - didn't taste too good. Would have loved it better if it would have had a ice cube in it.
Loved to get the ice cold well water - it was the job that I loved the best for it tasted sooooooo good - and feel that because I drank so much well water - I'm healthy today for it is the exeter of life. And for only getting ill once a year that isn't bad. Well water is great for the soul. We used to use one ladle for all of us to drink out of the water urn.
Another great thing was the outhouse - now I know some of you are wondering why I'm saying this - it is because that outhouse was unique. It had a antique mirror & a old fur coat in it and was a 3 seater.
My Uncle's and the rest were known to have wild parties back when and one party a woman friend brought a fur coat, which she used when using the outhouse - she had drank too much or was having alot of fun and forgot it - it was there everytime we went to see them. She never came back - was too embarrassed I quess. But it stayed inside of there as a grand joke and every time someone would have to use the outhouse you could hear giggles and laughter inside there.
Many great memories and love of Nature grew there as well as the animals in it as well - of all the times we went through the woods and fields of hundreds of animals. They didn't bother us as long as we didn't bother them - my Uncle had a chipmunk for a friend, besides a new dog every month of so that came by for a pet or hug or food. The chipmunk would come up to my Uncle and go into his pocket where my Uncle would feed him when the chipmunks head would peek up from his pocket.
In today's society they would get upset and bother by such actions - that is why I feel that as a kid and now kid-at-heart I'm blessed for such a beautiful and wonderful life I had there. The lessons learned and love of faith and family - it was the greatest gift God gave me.
My ancestors came to the United States many moons ago from Norway and built that farm by hand and sweat. They were coming from terrible things just about to happen overseas and found here freedom - happiness and a lifetime of memories, which they gave to me and my brother.
Hard work, play and relaxation of just enjoying life - survival and perseverance gave us a good start in our lives - that have lasted a lifetime. And in that I thank my grandparents big time - they are smiling I'm sure up above, for upon leaving the farm afew years later passed away.
