Our pets were owned in common, meaning they were family pets, except for the white calf. We all took turns feeding the calf and staking it to fresh grass areas, but we always referred to it as Jerry's calf. We all knew it would be sold one day, which didn't seem to bother Jerry or the rest of us, but until then, it was called, 'Jerry's calf'.
Dogs dominated our list of pets, but we also had a piglet. It had been brought into the house and kept in a cardboard box near the cast iron range so it would be warm and given special care. We petted and played with it. While it was small, we played with it outdoors and when we came inside, it came in too and stayed in a corner of the kitchen near the stove. As it got bigger it was barred from the kitchen and would squeal to be let in. It was very smart and learned how to jiggle the screen door so that the latch would pop open and crack the door just enough so it's snout could push it open and come inside. Eventually it joined the other pigs at the barn.
Everyone helped with the chores as they were able, even the youngest. Some chores were more fun than others; we liked helping Dad work with the bees. Once, when the bees were swarming, Charles caught a swarm on his arm by throwing a clod of dirt into the air as they began leaving the hive. He was able to put the swarm into an empty hive without getting stung.
Those days seems quite idyllic as we recall them now. As children, we were unaware of the hard work and long hours Mom and Dad put in every day to keep the family fed and healthy. Dad's job with the telephone company lasted thru the great depression and until he retired from the company years later.
We always had large vegetable gardens and canned and preserved the extra harvest. The asparagus and the surplus of honey from the bee hives, chickens, eggs, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries were sold. We had our own milk and raised some of our own meat which helped too.
[Editor's note: This is part 2 of 3 parts]
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| Beehive Swarm |
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