CYBER MONDAY

Penney’s, Macy’s, Kmart, Shopko – All have closed their brick-and-mortar stores, at least in our community, leaving us with a dearth of merchandise. We all have plenty of online shopping, but I miss seeing and feeling the real thing before I buy. Some things just have to be seen and felt. And I miss the ability to find quality goods in my community.

That said, I can cyber-shop with the best of them, but things have changed in the retail world. I think to myself, “You want me to spend how much before you allow free shipping?” And when in enthusiastic tones they offer me 10% off as if it’s the best deal ever, I want to respond, “Are you kidding me? That’s no deal.” At the same time, I know it’s tough to be a retailer. I do have some sympathy for them.

A few years ago, the deals were generally better. At 50% off, I could be enticed to buy something that I really didn’t need. But I think that retailers got wise to the fact that shoppers were waiting for the big cuts, and they quit marketing that way. So, at my stage of life, where I really don’t need much, I don’t indulge in those lackluster offers. I just find the hype kinda surprising, as if they don't think I know that a 10% reduction is barely worth mentioning.

I say that, but those seemingly small percentages are noticeable as our groceries become more expensive. Groceries are going up and not by just a little bit! I buy whatever I want / need at the grocery store, but I’ll still find myself thinking, “I’m not going to pay that,” and leaving a desired item on the shelf.

As my grandmother Ina wrote in 1935:  Well, dearest, don’t worry over us. We’ll make it all right. I don’t intend to do without food and decent clothes and plenty of light such as it is. Ina was the master of a “skimpy Christmas,” and on Wednesday, December 1, I will begin my annual “Christmas with Ina” advent posts. It won’t be anything new – just a re-presentation of Ina’s Christmas letters to my dad in the Depression Era of the 1930s, illustrated by vintage Christmas cards, etc. I invite you to stop by every day in December for a good visit with Ina. Perhaps you’ll bring a hot drink and a Christmas cookie. KW

THANKSGIVING POTLUCK, 1937

Well, dearest, don’t worry over us. We’ll make it all right. I don’t intend to do without food and decent clothes and plenty of light such as it is. Ina Dickson Dobson from the Homestead, 1935

Ina sat in her rocking chair before the dining room window watching the long evening shadows and counting her blessings. It had been a good Thanksgiving. She felt her heart overflow with gratitude for her many blessings – for her home and family and especially for the love of her children.

Thanksgiving morning had been foggy and chilly, but the sun soon came out and melted what little snow remained from a recent storm. Ina had risen early to make a pot of “Dobson Baked Beans,” a special recipe she had developed when her husband Jack and his twin brother June began producing bean crops on their adjoining farms on Russell Ridge in remote north central Idaho. The crops had been successful for a while, and the twins became known as “the Idaho Bean Kings.” Those days had passed, but she still liked to fix a pot of beans for special occasions, baking them long hours in a “slow” oven in her stoneware bean pot.  

Ina’s baked beans were eagerly awaited by the assemblage of between forty and fifty at the old Dickson Schoolhouse where the annual community Thanksgiving potluck was held. Most all the farm wives were good cooks, but the baked beans were Ina’s specialty.

And of course, since it was Thanksgiving, those who could brought a little extra to share – a pumpkin pie or loaf of bread or can of olives, etc. For some families, the Thanksgiving potluck was the only way a grand Thanksgiving feast might be had, and Ina was pleased to be part of the effort. Turkey was the meat of choice for Thanksgiving, but the farm folk at Gilbert had no turkeys. Instead, they shared what they did have – beef and chicken. Truth be told, Ina had never tasted turkey. No one left hungry, that’s for sure, and if anything was leftover, it was provided to the widows and widowers and those known to be struggling.

After the meal, it was announced that a special Thanksgiving program would be presented at the “other” schoolhouse (the Russell Ridge Schoolhouse), so those who could adjourned there to be entertained by singing and a fine reading by Mrs. James Weeks, after which they all returned to their homes feeling that the day had been well spent, even though they heard no sermon.

And now, thought Ina drowsily, it was time to prepare for Christmas in earnest. Oh! She did so love that Thanksgiving was early, giving her more time to organize and enjoy her Christmas doings. KW

TIME SLIPS AWAY

Where does the time go? It’s no sooner Monday than it’s Friday and then it’s Monday again. And now we’re at Thanksgiving.

Recently, Mike and I have had meetings and appointments, and of course, he hunts birds twice a week or so. I’ve done nothing in the sewing room of late and not much crocheting. Instead, I’ve been reviewing my grandmother’s correspondence and preparing my annual advent blog story.

Mike and I look forward to spending a quiet Thanksgiving with three of our sons – Murray, Milo, and Clint – at Clint’s house. After that, it’s always better to say what we did than what we’re going to do.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

PLANTING SPRING BULBS

We have more seasonal chilly temps after a big wind Monday night. The low was 25 this morning. I’m seeing spiders in the house now.

Yesterday was a beautiful autumn day in the valley, and we enjoyed a nice ride up the Clearwater River. It was still sunny when we reached the farm, but a chilly day at 36-38 degrees.

As usual, we had things to carry back to the farm and a list of things to gather and take back – my sewing machine, some pinecones for fire starters, and the 4-wheeler, to name a few. Mike and Bess went hunting as soon as we got there, and spent several hours tramping the perimeter of the farm. He has been concerned about the “blue tongue” deaths in the white tail population of our area, but he did not find carcasses.

For my part, I planted daffodil bulbs. Last June, I ordered spring bulbs from one of the famous bulb companies, especially daffodils for naturalizing, and the order wasn’t delivered until last week. I would like to have planted several weeks ago when it was warmer, but on the other hand, I’m sure that recent rains have made the ground softer and more workable. Anyway, this is the last time I will order bulbs, but I expect I won’t need to. If these bulbs grow and divide, I will be richly rewarded.

Since Mike has let the “orchard” behind the house return to native plants and weeds, I decided to naturalize the daffodils throughout that area. I had no problem making holes six inches deep. The idea behind naturalizing is to toss the bulbs on the ground and plant where they land, but while that appeals to me, in practice I’m not that good. I planted 3-4 bulbs at a time.

I worked steadily for an hour and a half, and I don’t think I planted half the sack! They say you can plant them in January and even when there’s snow on the ground, so apparently my window of opportunity will continue for a while. Gives me something to do. Keeps me busy.

Oh! And while I was working, dark clouds began to gather, and we had intermittent wind and sleet, which continued for several hours, even as we drove home across the prairie. We left about 1:45, and it was difficult driving into the sun on this short day. KW

CHRISTMAS GNOMES?

What’s up with the gnome craze anyway? I was okay with it until they seemed to usurp the place of the Christmas elves. You can hardly find an elf today while gnomes abound. 

 Everyone knows that elves, not gnomes, are the toy-making employees in Santa’s workshop. Did the Christmas elves go on strike so that they had to be replaced by gnomes? Somehow I doubt it.

Online articles extol the history and characteristics of gnomes, presenting them as gentle, kindly creatures doing good. One writer opines that gnomes are popular at Christmas because Santa looks like a gnome. However, we have it on good authority of more than 150 years standing that Santa himself is a “right jolly old elf.” [See A Visit from St. Nick, also known as The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore.]

I am not anti-gnome. In fact, we have a garden gnome that was left at the old family home by a previous owner and subsequently came to live with me. I expect it dates to the 1920s, if not before. While we call it a gnome, it does have facial features. Most gnomes today sport a large nose sticking out through a beard that covers the whole face.

But still, I just resist the idea that gnomes should usurp the place of the elves at Christmas, and I wonder if the elf lost popularity because of that judgmental “Elf on the Shelf.” That’s a character and tradition that came along after my children were grown and gone, but it seems to me like that elf exhibits some questionable characteristics. He's a tattletale! 

I pondered this topic yesterday, and this morning I opened my paper to find that a judge in Georgia agrees that it’s time to restrain the Elf on the Shelf. I have a nice collection of elves, and they have always been happy, well-adjusted, fun-loving humanoids that mind their own business. KW

CLEANING OUT / MAKING ROOM

A beautiful sky on a cold autumn day

While I was helping with blankets for new grandson Silas and my sewing room was also in upheaval due to painting and carpeting, Hazel grew up. (Hazel is my great-grandniece’s American Girl doll who has been the focus of my doll clothes sewing project for the last four years.) As it was, Hazel had replaced Elizabeth, granddaughter Emmy’s doll, who grew up several years ago. And yes, I am feeling the loss, but it was not unexpected. It’s just the normal progression of things, and it must come.

Hazel -- ready for Halloween

You'd be right if you think I'm having trouble finding my next projects. I have a puff quilt, cloth books, and a Christmas stocking to finish for Silas. And there are quilts and aprons waiting to be made, and I’ll do that, but my heart is with the dolls. My own doll collection can use some work, but it’s somehow more satisfying to sew for a little girl's doll.

So – first things first. I’m doing a massive fabric clean-out. I can sit there in the middle of the floor and say to myself, “I could use this for xyz,” but if I don’t really like it, why keep it? I hope someone someplace can use it. The fabric market is constantly changing and showing us new colors and designs. It’s not inspirational to cling to the past when delectable things are available in the present. (Okay. Sometimes retro / vintage is inspirational. It just depends.) And somehow, after parting with what seems like a lot of fabric, my boxes are still mighty full. 

Well, it’s better to say what I did than what I’m going to do. Stay tuned. Thanksgiving is coming with Christmas close behind. Ina must prepare. KW

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

We’ve had such a mild autumn. The low was almost at freezing on recent morning, but the next day, it was 45. I wear long-sleeved shirts and put on a light jacket when I feel chilly. We need a fire in the little stove every other day or so. We still have flies and blue aphids, but this year I haven’t seen the spiders that are the harbingers of cold weather. It rained yesterday but the predicted windstorm didn’t happen.

Mike and I were watching the news the other night when the difficulties with the retail distribution chain were explained. We can expect a shortage of goods for holiday shopping, they said. If you see what you want, don’t delay. Buy it now.

“Tell you what,” I said to Mike, “you don’t have to get me anything for Christmas this year.” “Same here,” he rejoined. And we laughed because with some exceptions, we gave up trying to buy for each other years ago. And anyway, we treated ourselves to some big-ticket items this year, and we’re content with that.  

And what’s all this about early “Black Friday” deals? Not that long ago we anticipated deep discounts on the Friday after Thanksgiving, not before. Now retailers announce daily “Black Friday” deals at the usual 10-15% discount – in other words, not much of a bargain. What can we expect on the real “Black Friday?”

Things change. For many years, Rosauer’s, a regional grocery chain, sponsored a 3-day holiday baking sale after Halloween. It was well-attended, and we looked forward to it. Then Winco came in, a warehouse grocery retailer offering consistently lower prices, and that was a game changer for Rosauer’s. I’m sure they lost a lot of business to Winco. But – Rosauer’s is still there, and this week they’re running a sale on baking supplies, so Mike and I went. Of course, we never really needed Rosauer’s baking sale because sales happen everywhere all season long, but it was a festive event and something to do. KW

ON TO NEXT THINGS

October is history. Halloween is over. We had one trick-or-treater. Today I’m putting away our Halloween decorations and bringing out autumn and Thanksgiving.

Maple tree -- not such a lovely year

From March into October, I switched my projects from doll clothes to making baby blankets, towels, and burp cloths for “Little Guy.” He’s using those things now, and I don’t think he will need more. And now that I know his name is “Silas Fox” and that he likes a woodland animal theme, I’m totally on it!

Seems like in bygone years, the fox was not a reputable fellow. We spoke of the “sly fox,” and farmers were wary of “the fox in the henhouse.” The fox ate the gingerbread boy, and Foxy Loxy’s participation in the troop of animals in “Chicken Little” seemed questionable. Beatrix Potter presented “Mr. Tod” as quite a villain.

And I think of the famous sentence practiced by the beginning typist, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” which has more to do with the typewriter keyboard than the character of the fox.

Today, we endow the fox with better qualities: cleverness, independence, playfulness, mischievousness, beauty, protection, good luck, and even intelligence, to name a few compiled by someone else. The fox is timid and keeps to himself, perhaps another way of saying he minds his own business.

The fox is popular right now, and DIY projects for kids and adults are all over the internet – ornaments, hats and sweaters, scarves, boot cuffs, mittens, hooded towels, bootees, slippers, stuffed animals – you name it. I’ll incorporate the fox into Silas’ Christmas stocking. He must have a stocking so that he’s prepared for Santa’s visit. Of course, he doesn’t really need Santa because he has Grandma (me), and I’m not kidding about that. (He even has two Grandmas.) Nevertheless, he must hang a stocking for Santa to fill.

Speaking of Christmas, Silas must also have a Christmas tree ornament to celebrate the year of his birth, and because Nick and Hallie have collected lovely Christmas ornaments. I wanted to find something special -- just the right thing for their tree. First, I ordered a fox ornament from the National Wildlife Federation's catalog, but then I found a personalized ornament through Etsy seller "sarahsstickershop." Perfect! What fun! Grandma Claus at work.

Forty years ago, I asked my 3-year-old what he wanted to be for Halloween, and without hesitation, he said, “A fox.” I was surprised that he knew about foxes. I made him a reddish-brown jumpsuit and tied a white bib around his neck. Mike found a fox tail that we pinned onto the costume. It was a moment in time, a great memory. KW