By Lula Anderson
Chilly mornings, sunny afternoons. Perfect fall weather. Several areas have seen their first frost, luckily I still haven't been hit. I covered my tomatoes last night, brought in my houseplants, and prepped. My tomatoes are coming in nicely. Everyday I pick and cook down. Don't want to take any chances on losing them now. The leaves at the top on Jewett Mountain are starting to change. The maple in front of the Presbyterian Church is beautiful. Hope everything slows down for a month. It's not uncommon to have frost this early. When I had a huge garden, the first frost was always predicted around September 9th. We've just been spoiled the past few years.
Decorated the Senior Hall yesterday for the fall season. Mixed feelings about that. Many came to the meeting dressed in their fall colors, while some still are trying to hang on to summer. The Orrens brought the cutest cookies. The refreshments are starting to take on a cold weather theme. Our next meeting will be on September 22. Come join us. The Department of Aging and Human Services will be having a Senior Autumn Outing at the CD Lane Park on September 19 from 10 until 3. There will be food, games, music and corn hole. Call 518-263-4392 by September 18th to reserve. Suggested meal contribution is $4. We don't want to lose our food services during this rough patch. Please help support them.
Last week was Labor Day and I wonder when it became "just another weekend." I remember when my sister and I used to plan months in advance to set up our booth at the Masonic Lodge. We had so many friends surrounding us. We sold handmade dolls, aprons, baked goods. Now it costs a small fortune to reserve a spot, plus insurance—the last time I went I didn't even make enough to cover the costs. Even that has become commercialized.
We've lamented the loss of handmade items, and the danger of losing "old fashioned" skills. The number of women who get together to sew and quilt has dwindled, and sometimes I feel that it's a lost art. Do you know that there is still a group that meets weekly to quilt? They are the Patchworkers, and they have been around since 1973 , They welcome anyone who wants to learn to quilt or who has an unfinished project. On Saturday, October 11 they will be having a quilt show at the Senior Center/Ambulance Building from 10 - 4. There will be a show, sale and raffle quilts, dream baskets and more . $3.00 admission with proceeds going to Greene County Wonen's League. I'll remind you again closer to the date.
Prayers and get well wishes to Eric Towse, Greg Beckmann and so many of our friends who are suffering from tick borne illness this year. Every time I go someplace, I hear of someone else who has tested positive for one of the many strains of tick bites.
AS I REMEMBER IT
I was speaking to someone the other day, and she said she was trying to get her daughter ready for school. She said it was a burden on her daily schedule as she had to walk her to the bus stop in the morning, then pick her up in the afternoon. No, this daughter isn't in elementary school, she's 14 and still can't get on and off the bus by herself. When I was 14, my father got a call from Milton Brandow saying his wife Ruth was sick and they needed someone to help out around the house. That included taking care of the children, making sure they got to school and do light housework. I went to live with the Brandow family during the week, went to school myself, and made sure that the house ran smoothly. I got to go home on weekends when Milton was home from work. From that time on, it was one job after another until I got work with the telephone company.
I didn't know anyone who didn't work someplace from the time they were 14 and could get working papers. Girls worked as waitresses, or chambermaids, kitchen help or babysitting. Boys generally did farm work, whether at home or for a local farmer. When the ski slopes opened, everyone got a job whether making snow, manning the lifts for working inside bussing tables.
We all grew up learning to cook and take care of a house. Not so much the boys, but they knew enough to get by. First one home started supper, then cleared the table and washed the dishes after. Chores were done.
Now it's hard to find anyone young who is given any responsibility. Cooking is becoming a rare art with takeout dinners gaining popularity. We never had a place to buy dinner, I read where dishwashers are becoming a luxury, many opting not to get one. The few forks needed to eat take out doesn't pay to put in the washer. Gone are the hours of meal planning, and cooking together. It's grab and go in many households. No family time, no communication except through text messages.
I never felt my youth was taken from me when I had to go to work. I learned how to care for others, I learned to appreciate my family. I do hope things change back.
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