Stories by James E. Greet.
We went to Grandma’s for Christmas one winter. I was probably three or four years old. It was about nine miles up the mountain to Grandma’s. Mom drove the team and buggy. The buggy didn’t have a top, but mom wrapped us kids in plenty of quilts, and I don’t remember being a bit cold. Mom drove, so she had a lap robe and a good pair of mittens. When we arrived, Grandpa Pyle took care of the team for us. Marjorie and I slept on the floor. We each got an orange in our stocking Christmas morning, among other things – a rare treat.
Grandpa Pyle had a nice table lamp, a two mantle gasoline affair that gave off a nice white light. That was so much better than the ordinary kerosene lamps that we had at home. Later, we did have the Aladdin lamp that had a mantle and burned kerosene.
A home with a radio in it was a rare thing in those days. One evening, the Pyle family planned to go to the Grace Mills’ home to listen to the radio. The days were very short, which was OK because radio reception was much better after dark.
Grandpa Pyle hitched old Mutt and Jeff to the sled, put timothy hay in while Grandma supplied the warm quilts.
Old Stub, the dog, would be on his mark out in front of the team where he would jump up high when the team started up until Uncle Jim would holler at him. Uncle Jim always drove.
It was a crystal clear evening with a brilliant full moon. The big flakes of hoarfrost sparkled as we rode along and we could see along the landscape for miles. Amid lots of squeals and squeaks, (from the radio), we were entertained at the Mills’ home. I must have slept on the return trip, for I don’t remember any part of it.
It must have been the summer that we spent on the mountain claim, that one day I was staying with Grace Mills and she said “I wish that I had a tin can”. Promptly, I told Grace that we had “lots of hin hans on the hame”. (Lots of tin cans on the claim). I remember how hard I tried and Grace listened without success.
Grace had running water in her kitchen – a cold water pipe from the spring above the house to the sink, and then a drain pipe to carry the water out. That was real efficiency, I thought.
Of course, Grandma Pyle had a pitcher pump in her kitchen as the spring was below the house a little ways and that saved carrying the water.
A little note of interest about Grandad’s team, Mutt and Jeff. One hot summer day, a violent electric storm came through. When it was over, Mutt lay dead out in the pasture, a victim of lightning. That was pretty hard on Grandad.
Another great read. The words transport us into the story. Wonderful.
It’s like we are sitting in the cabin listening to yarns like my great uncles did . Thanks SO much Carol
Life was so different in those days. I remember my mom telling me that one of her jobs at home was to clean the chimneys on the kerosene lamps. I’ve never heard of a lamp that burned gasoline. I wonder what it smelled like.
The different ways to supply water in the kitchen was most interesting.
Such fun to read these wonderful stories, on bitterly cold winter days! Thanks so much Carol. Stay warm
So happy to find another James story and your accompanying photo this morning. My goodness, that green lamp is so pretty. 🙂
What an accomplished writer James was! It is such a pleasure to read about his life. Is “Grace” Dutch’s mother, the lady we all called “Gramma Grace”?
So look forward to these! Thanks for the entertainment.
Another great story filled with fascinating reminiscences. I liked the first part a lot, about being bundled up for a winter buggy ride. And the picture of the green lamp is interesting because of it’s very tall, slender chimney!
Also, the part about the radio reception being better at night – never knew that.
Ah poor Mutt! Aren’t you glad your family has this historical account of the generations before you! What a blessing for your kiddos and grand kids. What a history and what a life!