Canning stuff

Sat., March 6, 1937 - Finished rendering out the lard.  Got all the meat canned except head cheese & liver sausage.  Absolutely hot outside all day.  Howard hauled the straw from Chris' old place.  I helped unload it.  Took Mom home tonite.
Sun., March 7, 1937 - Howard fixed a rack for the canner & partitions for silverware drawer.  I canned 8 half-pints of head cheese & 4 of liver sausage.  Leo, Nels, Raymond & Helen here this evening.  We played cards & popped popcorn.
Mon., March 8, 1937 - Howard's Uncle Nels from Colorado, his dad, & Raymond were here for dinner today.  I put the meat in brine this morning.  Howard to lodge with Mike & Art.

I've heard family members talk about head cheese but do not recall anyone mentioning home-canned liver sausage.  Sounds rather interesting, I must say.

I remember hearing of Uncle Nels of Colorado, but am short on details.  I will have to do a little research.  Is this him in the photo on the left with Grandpa Peter Iversen on the right?

We kids?

Sat., February 6, 1937 - I baked a cake and fried a chicken to take to Clara's tomorrow.
Sun., February 7, 1937 - We went to Jensen's this morning.  From there Mike, Jo, Helen, Raymond & we kids went in the bobsled to Clara's for her birthday.
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Fri., February 12, 1937 - Baked cakes today to serve at lodge tonite.  Helen, Raymond, & we kids went to lodge with Mike & Jo in their car.

Is Grandma referring to her and Grandpa as "we kids"?  If so, I'm loving it.

Birthday celebration, and what I hope was a lovely bobsled ride aside, I must share the "fun" I had this morning.

I should have been soundly sleeping at 4:00 a.m. but that was not the case because the one dog was barking incessantly starting at about that same time.  Normally I would go out and see what the problem was, but the smell of skunk spray was already in the house, so I knew what was making the hound bark.  Our closest neighbors are far enough away that the barking wouldn't be bothering them so I wasn't being inconsiderate.  I figured I would not have to go out and deal with the skunk at all as it certainly would soon tire of the noise and wander off.  Wrong. 

I opted to pass on my second hitting of the snooze button around 5:40 a.m. and instead wandered out in the dark with my headlamp for light.  Turns out the poor skunk got itself into the dog's pen and could not get itself out.  So, Roscoe had it in a corner of the pen, barking in its face.  Thankfully it was in a corner with a gate.  Unfortunately, the gate is rarely used and the grass has grown up around the bottom a bit, making it unclear to me if I can even get it open with the speed I am hoping for.

Here's a mental picture --- me, in my nightgown, light strapped to my forehead, at the corner of the fence.  I am trying to get the dog to stop being so excited about its treasure to let me grab his collar on one side of the corner while I'm stretched against the fence trying to keep myself as far from the skunk as possible while reaching for the latch just around the corner on the adjoining side of the pen so the stinky thing can find its way out. 

Remarkably, luck was on my side and the dog let me hold him, the gate did open somewhat, and the confused and likely tired skunk pushed itself right out and wandered off.  Instant silence, but the fog of skunk perfume was still in the air so I have no idea if the dog got himself sprayed or not. 

Don't let anyone tell you I don't live a fascinating life.  I should also mention the female dog was wisely hid inside the garage, as far away as she could get from the noise and smell.  Smart dog. 

Photo from abcwildlife.com

The winter that won't let up

Wed., February 3, 1937 - Snowing & windy today.  It's impossible to go after the car.
Thurs., February 4, 1937 - Jo & Mike brought our mail tonite.  About half on hour after they came Raymond, Helen & Bess came.  The girls had walked all the way from Rews.  The weather was too bad yesterday on my birthday so they came tonite.  Mike & Jo didn't know they (the girls) were going to come tonite.  So we were all surprised.
Fri., February 5, 1937 - Howard went over home to see about taking the tractor to get our car but decided it was too cold.

While it's not fun to swelter in summer heat, it surely doesn't sound like the extreme opposite in 1937 was any better.  Nice, though, that Grandma got a bit of a surprise, well two maybe, for her birthday.

And here's a photo of a birthday 68 years later, Grandma's last as it turned out.  Gosh, but I still miss her so much.

New one for me

Mon., January 25, 1937 - Mike over this a.m. to see if Howard would go to town with him tomorrow.  Raymond brought our mail this evening.  Howard feeling better today. Clear - quiet.
Tues., January 26, 1937 - August here to see Howard this a.m.  Howard went over to Jensen's when August left & went to town with Mike.  Clear -- wind in south.
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Tues., February 2, 1937 - We went to town today - second time for me this year.  Coming home our car stopped half way up Hagleman's hill.  Cold wind from the south.  They took us as far as Jensen's stubble field & we walked the rest of the way home.

I don't know that I've heard of Hagleman's hill.

I wonder if Grandma was getting a bit of cabin fever having not been to Winside hardly at all in 1937.  I think I would have.

For no particular reason, a nice photo of Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Raymond.

The Bunch

Sun., November 8, 1936 - Jo & Mike over this p.m.  Mike helped Howard saw wood so Howard could bale this week.  Warm all day.  "The bunch" went up to Alma's tonite and surprised her for her birthday which was Friday.  We played Hearts.
Mon., November 9, 1936 - Howard & I were in town this a.m.  I went up home tonite while Howard went to lodge.  Mom helped me cut out 2 everyday dresses.
Tues., November 10, 1936 - Strong wind all day.  Howard cut down 4 trees.  We were over at Andrew Andersens tonite for quilting.  Iversens, L. Hansens, & Mrs. Jens Andersen were there.

Not sure exactly who "the bunch" is, but that's okay.

I did not know her well, but I always thought that Johanna was one of the sweetest people around.  And she made great cookies!