A couple of weeks ago, I went to Sam’s Club with my son to do some shopping. Everything went swimmingly until we returned to the parking lot. I reached for my key in my purse, then my pockets. No key. A couple of men passed by, noticing my frenzied look. “The police can get you in,” one of them said. …
No doubt about it; cold winter is coming
This time of year, the news—and folklorists—are full of winter predictions. The forecast, in case you missed it, is for a cold, harsh winter. I sensed this myself about 10 days ago, when a cool spell broke the summer heat. I remarked how the air was different. Less humid. It smelled like fall. Through my years on this planet, I’ve …
Nothing says VBS like Popsicle crafts, cherry Kool-Aid
Nothing says VBS like Popsicle sticks, cherry Kool-Aid Recently, Southern Living Magazine ran an article about Vacation Bible School being a mark of growing up Southern. I disagree. Bible school was very much a part of my Midwestern upbringing, and I sense the same for other parts of the country. As today, Bible School was centered around a theme, such …
Bonjour, Jean. Comment vas-tu?
If you took French in the 1960s, chances are this dialog is burned into your memory: Bonjour Jean. Comment vas-tu? (Hello, John, How are you?) Tres bien, merci. Et toi? (Very well, thanks. And you?) Pas mal, merci. (Not bad, thanks). This well-worn dialog is from the A-LM French course used in the 1960s. I know like a radio jingle. …
Stars aligned to birth two music legends in June 1942
Apparently the stars were aligned in June 1942. As World War II blazed, two of the most legendary composers of our lifetime were born: Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson. You may have heard about McCartney turning 80 on June 18, but Wilson’s big day on June 20 slipped by essentially unnoticed by the media, and that’s too bad. Wilson’s might …
Air travel is for the birds
A lot of people are traveling this summer in spite of high prices and long lines. Recently, while I was checking in to a flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the security line stretched the length of the Departures lobby. After two years of COVID restrictions, folks are eager to get out of Dodge while the getting’s good. I expected …
Yoder map a window on early Catawba County
Few things intrigue me as much as old maps, and the 1886 chart of Catawba County is no exception. Recently I came upon the copy I purchased from the Museum of History in Newton. The poster-sized drawing was rendered by Rev. R. A. Yoder and sponsored by the county school board. They wanted a good visual of boundaries for new …
Strawberry fields, forever
Nothing says May quite like fresh strawberries. And no, I’m not talking about packages of berries in the produce section. I mean the ones you pick yourself. Last Thursday I took my young granddaughter to a pick-your-own field south of Newton and spent a short while stepping among the neat rows. White plastic surrounding the soil around each plant, unlike …
Life is short. Use the good dishes.
Most young adults aren’t into the stuff Baby Boomers have collected. What one generation treasures, the next one rejects. It’s true. The bone china and silver that you registered for when you got married may be relegated to Goodwill. When it comes to stuff, there are two kinds of people: keepers and shedders. I am of the former group mostly, …
Flagpole sitting, flappers, frivolity marked life in ‘20s
What did people do for fun 100 years ago? I researched 1920s entertainment for a program I gave recently to my DAR chapter. The John Hoyle chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is marking its 100th anniversary this year. Our main celebration is planned at the Hickory History Center. There will be 1920s décor, food and tours of Harper House, …