Winter at Nichols Cut
It's winter now and our thoughts turn to what life was like
at Nichols Cut in winters past. Kids looked forward to occasional snows back then as they do now. Snows meant unexpected
school holidays, snowball fights, snow cream and sled rides (even the adults got into the fun.)
Winter also brought hog killing time. Kids had their chores, such as keeping the water and firewood supplied but, for the
most part, it was a time for playing with family and neighboring children. Of course there was a chance of getting fried
tenderloin, hot biscuits, sorghum molasses, cracklin cornbread, etc. for supper. Not many wanted to try the souse meat,
liver and lights nor scrambled eggs and brains thought.
Other things to look forward to in the winter included a fire in the fireplace for warmth, popping popcorn, parching peanuts,
baking sweet potatoes, etc. Also, sleeping in a soft warm “featherbed” was special. It sure was hard to get out of it in
the morning!
Not all things about winter were positive. Limited daylight hours and the cold wet weather made tending to the farm animals,
as well as most other chores, difficult and unpleasant. Firewood for the fireplaces had to be cut and split and ashes
remove. Washday could also be unpleasant. Before indoor plumbing washdays meant getting out the cast iron wash pot, building
a fire under it, drawing water from the well or bringing it from the spring, washing the cloths by hand on a rub board and
then, maybe, having them freeze before you could hang them on the clothesline. Remember this was all done outside – rain,
sleet, snow or shine.
Before indoor plumbing there was one more unpleasant winter experience for children and adults alike. This was the trip to
the “little house out back”. For the most part the “little house” is gone today but not forgotten.
Send us your comments and, don't be a stranger,
come back and visit us often.
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