The Cabin - Part 3

A Few Questions and Answers

(1) How many uses did the clothesline have besides for hanging wet bathing suits, beach towels, wet rags and laundry? (Once there were two lines, until the rear tree had to be cut down.)

A. Some are: It once displayed a spray can painted sheet I made as an anniversary banner for a gathering in 1994. It also stored bead and plastic canvas home made "twirlies" I made to be given away to each couple attending the anniversary celebration.

It has shown off a pair of crocheted blankets I designed and made in 1977, using 32 different colored skeins, for my two youngest children after first receiving a blue ribbon award at the regional fair. It is still, and always has been a landing spot for assorted types of birds to rest between flights. Old line is always reused for tying down "things."

(2) How many logs have been split over 37 years as firewood for the original fireplace, and then later for the firebox barrel insert? (ash, oak, beech, birch, hickory, maple, apple, cherry)

1962

A. Tons of logs were made into an exceeding number of cords, all then stacked neatly, of course.

(3) How many bare babies' butts were placed in the old porcelain sink or on its built in porcelain corrugated drain board for bathing the little ones?

A. Six that I have personally placed there. Several others who I can think of were also subjected.

(4) What other uses does the bathroom ceiling (covered with random tongue and groove knotty pine planks) provide?

A. It provides a loft floor. Sleeping up by the rafters was a place for friends when there were too many visiting overnight for the overflow of beds such as the sofas, porch swing, and floor cots. Once it held four fold up cots for my kids when they were young; they loved to all go up there, but only the older four were permitted to sleep there. It has always been a source of storage space.

1968

1969

(5) Why do I live here?

A. Just because. (Re-read all of the above.)

Shoulder Dislocator

After almost three years my right shoulder is feeling a bit better. I unknowingly dislocated (put out of joint, according to chiropractor) it while using this utensil; AKA "The GEM." 1899 Gem Food Chopper #20.

It came from the family treasures that were passed down - grandparents, parents, me!

Vintage Meat Grinder

Gem Food Chopper 20

Sargent & Co.

Patented Apr.25 1899

comes with 5 cutters

Made by Sargent & Co. (on Handle)

What wonderful ham snips, beef chunks, chicken pickins, and bread crumbs have been ground through this handy dandy clamp-on-the-table-edge gem! All have been made into salads, hash, spreads and more.

Well, I had a great idea one day after the pound of bacon I bought on sale was not very tasty and was also tough. I would make it in to salad toppings - you know - like "Bacon Bits."

I fried it all first, and after it cooled I proceeded to make my crunchy accents. It was hard work!

The old chopper tried its best to accommodate my efforts as my old shoulder pushed and pushed the crank around and around and around. And hard work it was!

There! I did it! I had a completed project.

The next day my shoulder ached and I had to resort to doubling my arthritis helper tablets.

This went on for about three weeks until I went to the local chiropractor. He just plain didn't know the extent of damage. After three unsuccessful visits I decided I had to live with it.

When at the beach place, I went again to my southern chiropractor. Even the pool and hot spa were not helping the pain as I had expected. He determined it was "out of joint" and put it back. What a jab that was! Then the healing began.

After returning North, I saw an orthopedic surgeon who, to this date, has injected the area four times and now it's better! (NOT good enough to vacuum, but at least I can hook my own bra - when I wear one.)

Tongs

Yes, I said tongs. A VERY important kitchen utensil. Let me regress a bit.

"When Things Look Black" - Orange, NJ

I have OLD advertising tongs with the motto & name "Imperial Laundry Co."

They were probably given out around 1907 when the company was in Orange NJ.

My grandparents lived in the area and my mother was born there in 1914. The tongs have traveled with the family.

Here is a photograph of the old building with the name and motto still visible.

The building was in place in 2006!

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The tongs have a place in my old cabin kitchen drawer and are used almost daily!

We don't EVER wash them with detergent. A hot rinse and air drying keeps them from rusting.

They will be here long after I'm gone. Would you believe I love my old tongs? I treasure my old tongs! When in my hand I feel hands of past years using them and it makes me feel warm.