THE FIRST PERIOD OF TRAINING FOR THE JESUITS IS CALLED
THE "NOVITIATE." THE "FIRST PROBATION" IS HELD DURING THE
FIRST WEEK OF THE NOVITIATE. THE NEW MEN ARE ENTIRELY
EXCLUDED FROM ANY CONTACT WITH THE REGULAR JESUITS. THEY
EAT AT SEPARATE TABLES IN THE DINING ROOM, HAVE SEPARATE
PLACES IN CHAPEL, ETC. ONLY THREE JESUITS (CALLED
"GUARDIAN ANGELS") HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH THEM, ALONG WITH
THE MASTER OF NOVICES. AFTER THIS FIRST WEEK OF INTENSIVE
TRAINING IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE SOCIETY AND THE
PARTICULARS OF LIFE IN THE JESUIT ORDER AND THE HOUSE,
AND INTENSIVE SPIRITUAL TRAINING, THE MEN ARE ALLOWED
"FUSION"--CONTACT WITH OTHER JESUITS. THE LAST DAY
OF THIS FIRST PROBATION IS "CASSOCK DAY"--THE DAY WHEN
THE NEW MEN RECEIVE THEIR CASSOCKS. THIS DAY IS A
SURPRISE FOR THE NEW MEN, ALTHOUGH ALL OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY ARE AWARE OF IT. DURING ONE OF THE
REGULAR CLASSES THAT THE NEW MEN ARE ENGAGED IN (USUALLY
AT NIGHT), MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY STORM INTO THE
CLASSROOM CARRYING THE NEW CASSOCKS. USUALLY THERE IS
MUCH YELLING AND GENERALLY A PARTY-LIKE ATMOSPHERE.
EACH NEW MAN IS SHOWN HOW TO PUT ON THE CASSOCK, HOW IT
IS TO BE WORN, ETC. AFTER THIS, THERE IS A MASS IN
WHICH THE CASSOCKS ARE BLESSED. THIS IS USUALLY
FOLLOWED BY A LARGE PARTY, WHICH OFFICIALLY WELCOMES
THE NEW MEN INTO THE JESUIT ORDER. THE CASSOCKS ARE
NEW TO THE MEN RECEIVING THEM. ACTUALLY, THEY ARE
GENERALLY QUITE OLD, SOMETIMES BELONGING TO JESUITS
WHO HAVE DIED. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY USUALLY
WRITE "CASSOCK-DAY NOTES" TO EACH OF THE NEW MEN,
WELCOMING HIM INTO THE COMMUNITY AND THE ORDER. THESE
NOTES ARE OFTEN QUITE FUNNY, AND SOMETIMES INCLUDE SOME
HUMOROUS REMARKS ABOUT THE LIFE OF CELIBACY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLARKSTON

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KING KAHMAI MAI

IN HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF PAUI, THERE IS AN UPSIDE DOWN WATERFALL,
AND THIS IS CAUSED BY THE TRADEWINDS, WHICH PUSH THE FALLING WATERS
UPWARD. THE LEGEND BEHIND THIS DEALS WITH KING KAHMAI MAI, WHO WAS
KING OF THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO. IT IS SAID THAT HE DROVE ALL THE
PAGANS OFF THE ISLAND, AND THOSE THAT DID NOT LEAVE WERE SACRIFICED
TO THE GODS BY BEING PUSHED OFF THIS WATERFALL. WHEN ALL OF THE
PAGANS HAD LEFT THE ISLAND, THE KING VOWED THAT NO OTHER MAN WOULD
BE ABLE TO DIE BY JUMPING OFF THIS WATERFALL. UP TO THIS DAY THERE
HAS BEEN NOBODY KILLED FROM JUMPING OFF THE WATERFALL BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG TRADEWINDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THE TRADEWIND IS ACTUALLY
KING KAHMAI MAI FULFILLING HIS PROMISE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14120 E 7 MILE RD ; A&P FOOD STORE

Keyword(s): DEAD KING RETURNS AS WIND TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM WATERFALL.

Date learned: 04-03-1970

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HICCOUGH CURE

WHEN YOU HAVE THE HICCOUGHS, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT A
TEASPOON OF HONEY. IT WILL MAKE THEM DISAPPEAR IMMEDIATELY.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME THIS CURE ONCE WHEN I HAD THE HICCOUGHS.
THE CURE WORKED ON ME, BUT DID NOT WORK ON ONE OF MY COUSINS.

Where learned: IOWA ; ESTHERVILLE

Date learned: 07-00-1980

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PENCIL TEST

THIS TEST IS TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN A WOMAN WILL
BEAR, AND WHAT SEX THEY WILL BE. HOLD A PENCIL WITH A NEEDLE IN
THE ERASER, SUSPENDED BY A THREAD, OVER HER LEFT ARM. THE
ARM IS HELD WITH THE PALM UP, THE HAND IN A FIST. THE PENCIL
WILL CIRCLE OVER THE WOMAN'S ARM BETWEEN CHILDREN, SWING VER-
TICALLY TO INDICATE A GIRL, AND HORIZONTALLY TO INDICATE A BOY.
A DIAGONAL SWING INDICATES TWINS. A STRONG SWING INDICATES A
HEALTHY CHILD WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY.

Submitter comment: THIS TEST HAS BEEN USED ON ALL THE WOMEN ON MY FATHER'S SIDE
OF THE FAMILY AND HAS WORKED WITH 90 PERCENT ACCURACY. CK[ IRONY

Where learned: IOWA ; ESTHERVILLE

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

James Callow Keyword(s): IRONY

Date learned: 07-00-1983 ; 00001900CA

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MARRIAGE PREDICTION

TWIST THE STEM OF AN APPLE WHILE RECITING THE ALPHABET--SAYING
ONE LETTER FOR EACH TWIST. THE LETTER ON WHICH THE STEM BREAKS
WILL BE THE FIRST LETTER OF THE NAME OF THE MAN YOU WILL MARRY.

Where learned: IOWA ; ESTHERVILLE

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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CHING,CHANG CHINAMAN./ SITTING ON A FENCE./ TRYING TO MAKE A DOLLAR
OUT OF 99 CENTS./ HE MISSED, /HE MISSED,/ HE MISSED LIKE THIS.
THIS IS DONE WHILE JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND CROSSING FEET.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; EAST 201

Keyword(s): ACTION-RHYME ; CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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IN THE WORLD SERIES (BASEBALL) IT IS THE HONOR OF SOMEONE
FAMOUS IN BASEBALL TO THROW THE FIRST PITCH OF THE GAME
OR GIVE THE GAME BALL TO THE CATCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TIGER STADIUM

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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RECIPE--(PASSED DOWN VERBALLY) : "FRIED PIES"

COOK FRUIT UNTIL TENDER, MASH UP, AND SWEETEN TO TASTE. I MAKE
CRUST WITH SWEET MILK, PLAIN FLOUR, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF LARD.
ROLL OUT THEN AND CUT OUT IN ROUNDS, THE SIZE YOU PLEASE; SPREAD
FRUITS ON ONE-HALF OF CRUST THEN BRING OTHER HALF OVER TO COVER.
FASTEN EDGES THEN PRICK WITH A FORK ON TOP. FRY IN LARD AT MEDIUM
HEAT. TURN AND FRY ON OTHER SIDE. DRAIN ON PAPER TOWELS TO GET
OFF EXCESS FAT."

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; BELFAST

Date learned: 06-24-1972

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Faerie: Elves and Time Travellers

There is no such thing as "a fairy," but rather "Faerie" is a place - a half-remembered world perhaps existing in another dimension. "Faerie" was inhabited not by faeries but by elves. These Elves were not diminutive, but tall, pale, thin and fair. They were especially noted for their grey eyes. They are unable to touch iron: suggesting that these were early time-travellers unable to come in contact with magnetic sources without "grounding out" of the earthly dimension.

Data entry tech comment:

Collector stamped a home address stamp onto the card in the place of "collector data."

Stamp reads: Mrs.W.E. Givens, Jr.

They then crossed out the Prefix and first initials [Mrs. W.E.] of the name, and wrote an indecipherable scrawl over the suffix [Jr.]. This scrawl may possibly be Rev. or Esq.

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Boggs number P400 was crossed out and P423 was substituted.

Where learned: WALES ; Givens, T S ; 4/72 ; ABERYSTWYTH

Keyword(s): Attributes ; Dimension ; Elf ; Elves ; Faerie ; Fairy ; IRON ; Legend ; Lore ; METAL ; MYTH ; Physics ; Time-Traveler

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THERE WAS A PROMINENT FAMILY IN DEARBORN WHO HIRED THIS
GIRL TO BABYSIT FOR THEIR TWO CHILDREN. WHEN THE COUPLE
LEFT, THE PHONE RANG AND A MAN SAID, "I KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE AND AM GOING TO KILL YOU." THE GIRL GETS REALLY
SCARED, SO SHE CALLS HER MOTHER AND HER MOTHER TELLS
HER TO CALL THE POLICE IF SHE GETS THE CALL AGAIN AND
THEN LET HER (THE MOTHER) KNOW WHAT THEY SAID.
A LITTLE WHILE LATER, THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND THE MAN
SAYS "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU AND THE TWO KIDS." THE GIRL
IS REALLY SCARED NOW BECAUSE THE GUY KNOWS SO MUCH, SO
SHE CALLS THE POLICE. THE POLICE COME AND LOOK AROUND,
DON'T FIND ANYTHING; BUT TELL HER THEY WILL PUT A TRACER
ON THE PHONE. THEN THEY LEAVE.
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND SAYS, "I'M COMING TO GET YOU."
THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND TELLS THE GIRL TO KEEP HIM ON
THE PHONE LONGER, SO SHE CAN TRACE IT. 5 MINUTES LATER
THE PHONE RINGS AND THE GUY STARTS TO LAUGH AND SAYS,
"I'VE KILLED THE 2 KIDS, NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
AT THIS THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND SAYS, "RUN OUT THE
FRONT DOOR, HE'S UPSTAIRS." IT SEEMS THE FAMILY HAD A
BUSINESS PHONE UPSTAIRS WHICH THE MAN WAS USING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SHE BELIEVED IT UNTIL SHE HEARD
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT FROM DIFFERNT PEOPLE, EACH
CLAIMING TO HAVE READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.

Where learned: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Date learned: 10-29-1970

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FATAL HAIRDO

THERE WAS A LADY WHO USED TO WEAR HER HAIR IN A
BOUFFANT HAIRDO. ONE DAY SHE GOT SICK AND WAS RUSHED
TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS
MAKING HER SICK. ONE DAY A NURSE SAW A SPIDER IN
HER HAIR--THEY THEN DISCOVERED A SPIDER NEST IN HER
HAIR. BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, AND SHE DIED OF THE
SPIDER BITES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT THINKS SHE REMEMBERS SEEING THIS IN A
NEWSPAPER ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SECURITY BANK AND TRUST MORTGAGE ; LINCOLN PARK

Date learned: 10-09-1970

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RECIPE--(PASSED DOWN VERBALLY) : "POLK SALLET"

"POLK IS BEST PICKED AS SOON AS IT COMES THROUGH THE GROUND. WASH
AND PARBOIL IN GOOD AMOUNT OF WATER UNTIL REAL TENDER, THEN PUT
IN SKILLET WITH SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER AND LARD OR BACON DRIPPINGS
AND SALT. COOK SLOWLY UNTIL ALMOST DRY. THEN ADD AS MANY EGGS AS
YOU WANT AND COOK UNTIL THE EGGS ARE DONE. SOME LIKE LOTS OF EGGS,
SOME LIKE A FEW."

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; BELFAST

Date learned: 06-24-1972

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THE LEGEND OF MCCULLOCH'S LEAP

A BAND OF INDIANS WERE CHASING A FRONTIERSMAN NAMED MCCULLOCH WHO
WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE WITH HIS LIFE. DURNG THE CHASE HE FOUND HIM-
SELF ON THE RIDGE OF A STEEP HILL WHICH WAS ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED
FEET HIGH, AND THERE WAS NO PATH OF ESCAPE OPEN TO HIM. AS THE
INDIANS CLOSED IN, HE AND HIS HORSE JUMPED FROM THE RIDGE, AND
BOTH LANDED SAFELY AT THE BOTTOM AND ESCAPED. THE INDIANS WERE
SO ASTONISHED THAT THEY LEFT HIM ALONE FROM THEN ON. TODAY A
BRONZE STATUE OF AN INDIAN STANDS POINTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
HILL WHERE MCCULLOCH JUMPED, AND THIS HILL IS KNOWN AS MCCULLOCH'S
LEAP.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS LEGEND FROM HER FATHER IN WHEELING, WEST
VIRGINIA, WHERE THE STATUE OF THE INDIAN IS LOCATED. SHE AND HER
FAMILY LIVE JUST ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WHEELING IN MARTIN'S FERRY,
OHIO. SHE SAID THAT THE STORY WAS TOLD TO HER WHEN SHE WAS "VERY
YOUNG."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA ; INSTITUTE OF ARTS ; WHEELING

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SUPERSTITION

LOSE A PERSON'S PICTURE AND THEY'LL LOSE THEIR SOUL.

Submitter comment: AN IMAGE OF SOMEONE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CAPTURING OF THE PERSON'S
SOUL. THEREFORE, THE LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF THE PICTURE IS
VIEWED AS THE LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF THE SOUL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE

Date learned: 02-13-1979

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SUPERSTITION

BREAK A MIRROR AND YOU'LL HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: ALTHOUGH THIS BELIEF HAS BEEN PREVALENT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS,
INFORMANTS LACKED AN EXPLANATION FOR THE BELIEF BEYOND THE FACT
THAT THERE IS THE DANGER OF CUTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE

Date learned: 02-20-1979

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{ FAMILY SAGA }

MY GRANDPARENTS CAME FROM GERMANY, FROM WESTFALEN
AND HANOVER, MIGRATED TO THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN
PART OF MINNESOTA TO FIND A BETTER LIFE FOR THEM-
SELVES. THE LIFE IN EUROPE WAS UNBEARABLE SINCE
THE LOWER CLASS WAS HELD DOWN WITH NO CHANCE TO
IMPROVE THEIR STATUS IN LIFE. MANY OTHERS HAD
ALREADY SETTLED IN NORTH CENTRAL U.S. UNDER THE
"HOMESTEAD ACT," WHERE A FAMILY COULD CULTIVATE AN
AREA OF LAND, 160 ACRES OR LESS, WITHOUT COST, LIVE
ON THE LAND AND CLAIM OWNERSHIP TO IT.
THESE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA CAME FROM THE SAME GENERAL
AREA IN EUROPE, SPOKE THE SAME LANGUAGE AND THE SAME
CULTURAL BACKGROUND TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFE WITH
LITTLE MONETARY CAPITAL TO START WITH. THEY DID NOT
TRAVEL FIRST CLASS. THEY HAD A LITTLE MORE THAN THE
CLOTHES ON THEIR BACK. ONCE THEY ARRIVED IN MINNESOTA
THE NEIGHBORS ALL WORKED TOGETHER BUILDING A LOG CABIN
AND SHARING WHAT THEY HAD.
INDIANS FREQUENTLY STRAYED THROUGH THE FARM AREA
LOOKING IN THE WINDOW OF THE LOG CABIN. WILD ANIMALS
WERE IN EVIDENCE AND WOULD FREQUENTLY ATTACK SMALLER
FARM ANIMALS. WITH EACH YEAR AS THEY EARNED A LITTLE
MONEY, THEY IMPROVED THEIR LIVING STANDARDS BY BUILDING
A BETTER AND OBTAINING MACHINERY TO HELP MAKE A
LIVING AND LATER ON SOME NEW BUILDINGS WERE ADDED.
MY MOTHER WAS THE OLDEST OF SEVEN CHILDREN. SHE WAS
NINE YEARS OLD WHEN MY GRANDPARENTS MIGRATED TO
AMERICA. MY FATHER WAS BORN IN MINNESOTA THE ONLY
SURVIVING CHILD, A TWIN. HIS YOUNGER DAYS WERE SPENT
IN A ONE ROOM LOG CABIN, WHICH LATER BECAME A SEVEN
ROOM HOUSE WITH BASEMENT AND ATTIC AS TIMES IMPROVED
ECONOMICALLY FOR THEM.
TRANSPORTATION WAS BY HORSE AND BUGGY OR ON FOOT.
THEREFORE, PEOPLE COMMUNICATED ONLY WITH OTHERS LIVING
WITHIN THE RADIUS OF A FEW MILES. MY MOTHER MARRIED
MY FATHER AT THE AGE OF 18. BEING NEIGHBORS, IT WAS
EASY FOR THEM TO BECOME ACQUAINTED.
THE BEGINNING WAS DIFFICULT, HAVING NO MODERN CONVEN-
IENCES. THE DAY BEGAN WITH RISING AT 5 A.M. DOING
CHORES, WHICH CONSISTED OF MILKING ABOUT 30 COWS,
POURING THE MILK IN 10 GALLON CANS, HAULING THE MILK TO
THE MILK HOUSE, RUNNING IT THROUGH THE SEPARATOR TO
SEPARATE THE CREAM FROM THE MILK AND STORING IT IN COLD
WATER UNTIL THE CREAM WAS HAULED TO THE CREAMERY TO BE
MADE INTO BUTTER. THE SKIM MILK WAS FED TO THE HOGS
TOGETHER WITH OTHER CEREALS AND CORN. THEN BREAKFAST
WAS SERVED. AFTER BREAKFAST THE MEN WOULD FEED THE
CATTLE, CLEAN THE BARN, DO WHATEVER FIELD WORK WAS
REQUIRED FOR THE DAY. PLOWING, CULTIVATING, SEEDING,
MAKING HAY BY CUTTING GRASS AND DRYING IT, OR HARVEST-
ING. MOTHER WOULD HAVE CLEAN UP WORK, LIKE WASHING THE
SEPARATOR, FEEDING THE CHICKENS, COLLECTING EGGS, WASHING
IRONING AND MENDING CLOTHES AND GENERAL CARE OF THE
HOUSE, FOOD, AND CHILDREN. IT WAS ALSO HER JOB TO SEED
THE GARDEN AND KEEP IT WEED FREE. CAN ENOUGH FOOD TO
LAST THROUGH THE WINTER. GENERALLY CARE FOR ALL FOOD
PREPARATION AND STORAGE.
BECAUSE OF NECESSITY TO SURVIVE IN REMOTE AREAS, MY
PARENTS HAD TO BE RESOURCEFUL, GROW THEIR OWN VEGETABLES,
FRUITS AND GRAINS, RAISE THEIR OWN MEAT AND PROCESS
IT THE BEST WAY THAT THEY KNEW HOW. MY GRANDPARENTS
STARTED A LARGE APPLE, PLUM AND CHERRY ORCHARD WHICH
SERVED OUR FAMILY WELL AND LEFT SOME TO SELL. THE
APPLES WERE PICKED OFF THE TREES IN THE FALL, WRAPPED
IN PIECES OF NEWSPAPER AND STORED IN BARRELS OR BOXES
IN THE BASEMENT TO BE USED IN THE WINTER MONTHS. APPLE
SLICES WERE DRIED ON STRINGS, APPLE SAUCE, APPLE BUTTER
AND APPLE CIDER WAS ALSO MADE AND STORED. THE CHILDREN
WOULD SIT IN THE APPLE ORCHARD ON OCCASION AND SELL
APPLES TO ROAD WORKERS GOING BY, TWO APPLES FOR 5 CENTS.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ORCHARD, WE ALSO CONTAINED A BEE
HIVE TO GIVE US A LITTLE HONEY EVERY FALL. AT TIMES,
DAD WOULD GO LOOK FOR BEE HIVES IN THE WOODED AREAS.
WHEN HE WOULD FIND ONE, HE WOULD SMOKE THE BEES OUT WITH
SULPHUR AND BRING SEVERAL GALLONS OF HONEY FOR THE
FAMILY.
THE POTATOES WERE PLANTED ON THE FIELDS, DUG WITH PITCH
FORKS BY HAND, PICKED AND THROWN ON TO A WAGON, HAULED
INTO THE BASEMENT AND STORED FOR WINTER USE. THE WHEAT
OATS, AND BARLEY WERE HAULED TO THE LOCAL GRAINERY TO
BE PROCESSED INTO FLOUR AND CEREALS. HOWEVER, ENOUGH
GRAINS WERE HELD BACK TO FEED CATTLE AND CHICKENS. MOTHER
ALWAYS USED GRAHAM OR WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR IN THE BREAD
FLOUR WHEN BAKING BREAD. ALL FOODS THAT HAD TO BE
PURCHASED FROM THE LOCAL STORE, WAS PURCHASED IN LARGE
QUANTITIES IN ORDER TO MAKE IT LESS EXPENSIVE. FLOUR
BY THE 100 LB. SACK, OATMEAL BY THE 100 LB. SACK, 5
GALLON CANS OF SYRUP TO BE USED ON BREAD, INSTEAD OF
BUTTER, BECAUSE BUTTER HAD TO BE SOLD, IT WAS TOO
EXPENSIVE. BEEF AND HOGS WERE SLAUGHTERED AS THE NEED
EXISTED TO SUPPLY US WITH FOOD. THIS WAS DONE COOPERA-
TIVELY WITH OTHER NEIGHBORS IN ORDER TO MAKE IT EASIER.
VEGETABLES, SUCH AS CARROTS, TURNIPS, BEETS, RUTEBAGAS,
PUMPKIN MELONS, WERE STORED IN THE BASEMENT. THE ROOT
VEGETABLES WERE PACKED IN SAND TO KEEP THEM AIRTIGHT.
ALL TYPES OF BERRIES AND NUTS WERE PICKED IN THE WOODS
AND CANNED.
SOMETIMES, WE WOULD HAVE A LITTLE VARIETY AFTER THE BOYS
RETURNED FROM A HUNTING VENTURE IN THE NEAR WOODED AREA.
PHEASANT, VENISON, QUAIL, YOUNG PIGEONS, WILD TURKEY,
GEESE OR DUCK, JACKRABBIT WERE ALL USED AND MADE PART OF
OUR DIET WHEN AVAILABLE.
THERE WERE OTHER AREAS WHERE THRIFT AND SELF HELP WAS
OUR WAY OF LIFE. IN THE WINTER TIME, JANUARY AND
FEBRUARY, THE MEN WOULD CUT BLOCKS OF ICE, SEVERAL
FEET SQUARE, FROM THE NEARBY FROZEN LAKES, HAUL
IT HOME AND PACK IT IN SAWDUST IN OUR SMALL ICEHOUSE,
TO BE USED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. HOWEVER, IT ONLY
LASTED ABOUT HALF OF THE SUMMER. A BLOCK OF ICE WAS
PLACED IN AN ICEBOX, WHICH WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SMALL
REFRIGERATOR, IN THE HOUSE. IT WOULD COOL THE INSIDE
AND THE MELTED ICE WATER WAS COLLECTED AT THE BOTTOM.
THE ICEBOX WATER PAN HAD TO BE EMPTIED EVERY FEW HOURS,
IF YOU WANTED TO AVOID MOPPING UP THE FLOOR.
DOING THE FAMILY LAUNDRY WAS AN ALL DAY CHORE. THE
ONLY LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT WAS A LARGE WATER BOILER, WHICH
WAS PLACED ON TOP OF A COOKSTOVE FILLED WITH RAIN WATER
AND BROUGHT TO A BOIL. ONE LARGE CAKE OF SOAP 3 X 5
INCHES WAS SHAVED AND ADDED TO THE WATER. THE SOILED
CLOTHING WAS RUBBED ON A CORRUGATED WASHBOARD THEN PLACED
IN THIS WASH BOILER AND BOILED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
WHILE IT WAS BOILING, A CLOTHES STOMPER, WHICH LOOKED
LIKE AN OVERSIZED PLUNGER WITH LONG HANDLE, WAS USED
TO STOMP THE CLOTHES AND MOVE THE CLOTHES AROUND IN A
SIMILAR MANNER AS THE MODERN WASHING MACHINE DOES.
AFTER 30 MINUTES OF THIS ACTIVITY, THE CLOTHES WERE
PLACED IN TWO RINSE WATERS IN TWO LARGE GALVANIZED TUBS,
THEN RAN THROUGH A HAND WRINGER AND HUNG ON THE LINE OUT-
DOORS.
THE SOFT WATER WHICH WAS USED FOR WASHING CLOTHES WAS
COLLECTED FROM THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE THROUGH EAVES
WHICH LED THE WATER INTO A LARGE CISTERN WHICH WAS
LOCATED UNDER THE KITCHEN FLOOR. AN OLD HAND PUMP
PLACED OVER AN ALL-PURPOSE KITCHEN SINK WAS USED TO
PUMP THE WATER OUT OF THE CISTERN.
THE DRINKING WATER WAS OBTAINED FROM A WELL OUTSIDE
WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE PUMPED BY HAND. WHEN A BELT WAS
ATTACHED TO THIS PUMP, {IT} COULD BE MADE TO OPERATE BY
USING THE WINDMILL. THE WIND WOULD MOVE A LARGE WHEEL,
WHICH WAS ABOUT 100 FT. IN THE AIR AND THE POWER WOULD
PUMP THE WATER AUTOMATICALLY, WHICH WAS VERY HANDY FOR
FILLING A LARGE TANK OF WATER FOR THE CATTLE.
WHEN GEESE WERE KILLED FOR FOOD, THE FEATHERS WERE USED
FOR MAKING PILLOWS, ALSO SOME CHICKEN FEATHERS WERE
USED.
THE CORN SHUCKS WERE DRIED AND USED IN MAKING
MATTRESSES FOR THE BEDS.
WOOL FROM THE SHEEP WAS GATHERED, CLEANED AND CARDED
AND SPUN ON THE SPINNING WHEEL, THEN USED FOR MAKING
HOSE, MITTENS AND SWEATHERS, AND SCARFS AND MENDING
YARN.
THE NEIGHBORS OFTEN HAD QUILTING PARTIES. A LARGE
PIECE OF CLOTH WAS STRETCHED ON A FRAME ABOUT THE SIZE
OF A DOUBLE BED. A LAYER OF CLEAN AND CARDED WOOL WAS
PLACED ON THIS CLOTH. ANOTHER PIECE OF CLOTH WAS
PLACED OVER THIS AND THEN THE LADIES WOULD STITCH THE
LAYERS TOGETHER, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A WARM QUILT
FOR THE BED.
THE ROOMS IN THE HOUSE WERE KEPT WARM WITH SEVERAL
STOVES. A LARGE WOODSTOVE IN THE KITCHEN SERVED FOR
PREPARING MEALS AND KEPT THE KITCHEN WARM. A FURNACE
IN THE BASEMENT WHICH DIRECTED THE HEAT THROUGH A
FAIRLY LARGE OPENING, 3 FEET BY 3 FEET IN THE FLOOR OF
THE DINING ROOM, KEPT THE OTHER AREAS OF THE HOUSE
FAIRLY WARM. AN AIR VENT IN THE CEILING OF THE DINING
ROOM WOULD ALLOW SOME HEAT TO GET TO THE UPSTAIRS
SLEEPING ROOMS. THE LIVING ROOM HAD A POT-BELLIED
STOVE TO KEEP THE ROOM COSY AND WARM. ASHES WERE OFTEN
USED TO CLEAN AND SCOUR BURNT KETTLES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; 3017 ST PHILOMENA CT ; PEORIA

Keyword(s): America ; BUILDING ; Chores ; Cloth ; Discovery ; Domestic ; Domesticity ; FAMILY ; Farm ; FARMING ; FOOD ; Machinery ; Migration ; Minnesota ; New World ; Quilt ; Survival

Date learned: 11-01-1971

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SUPERSTITION

DROPPED SILVERWARE MEANS SOMEONE WANTS TO COME OVER. IF IT IS A
FORK, IT IS A MAN WHO WANTS TO COME OVER. IF IT IS A SPOON,
IT IS A WOMAN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LACKED AN EXPLANATION BUT NOTES THAT AS A CHILD,
SHE CAN REMEMBER, IN FAIRY TALES, THE SPOON BEING SYMBOLIC OF
A FEMALE, AND A FORK BEING SYMBOLIC OF A MALE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE

Date learned: 02-20-1979

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BUBBLE GUM BUBBLE GUM IN A DISH
HOW MANY PIECES DO YOU WISH? 1, 2, 3,

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; EAST 201

Keyword(s): ENDURANCE ; Jump

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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WHAT DO YOU THINK-MY HEAD'S A YOYO?

Submitter comment: USED WHEN A PERSON FEELS THAT SOMEONE ELSE THINKS HE IS
COMPLETELY STUPID.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; WEST QUAD

Keyword(s): COMEBACK

Date learned: 03-05-1971

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LEONARD QUICKBEAR

WHEN I WAS COACHING THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE ST.
FRANCIS MISSION ON THE SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA,
OUR STAR PLAYER WAS AN INDIAN BY THE NAME OF LEONARD QUICKBEAR.
HE WAS ONLY ABOUT 5' 7", BUT HE COULD TOUCH THE RIM OF THE BASKET.
EVERYONE ON THE TEAM WAS EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK, SO I USED TO GIVE
THEM A REAL PASSING WORKOUT. WHEN THEY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND
AS FAST AS I'D EVER SEEN A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM MOVE IT, I TOLD THEM
THEY LOOKED LIKE TIRED 8TH GRADERS. I KEPT YELLING AT THEM, AND
THEY FINALLY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND TEN TIMES AS FAST AS
BEFORE.
LEONARD'S BEST SHOT WAS FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BENCH. HE'D
TURN WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET, STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE
BENCH, AND FLIP THE BALL BACKWARDS OVER HIS HEAD. IT WENT IN
ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME.
WELL, WE WON THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT THAT YEAR, AND THEN
WE CHALLENGED THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO A GAME. YOU KNOW HOW
THEY ALWAYS FOOL AROUND AND PLAY TRICKS DURING A GAME. WELL, THEY
BEAT US BY THREE OR FIVE POINTS, AND THEY NEVER GOT FAR ENOUGH
AHEAD TO TRY ANY TRICKS.
AFTER LEONARD GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, HE FORMED A TEAM SIMILAR TO
THE GLOBETROTTERS. THEY WERE PLAYING AT OLYMPIA ONE NIGHT. BY
THIS TIME, MY WIFE AND I HAD MOVED TO DETROIT, SO WE DECIDED TO GO
DOWN AND SEE THEM PLAY. THE SIGN OUT IN FRONT OF OLYMPIA READ,
"LEONARD QUICKBEAR & HIS SIOUX INDIANS." WELL, THAT WAS IN THE
DAYS WHEN, DURING HOCKEY SEASON, THEY'D PUT THE BASKETBALL FLOOR
RIGHT OVER THE ICE. AS THE TEAMS CAME OUT, I DIDN'T SEE LEONARD.
SO FINALLY I JUMPED RIGHT UP, RAN DOWN, JUMPED OVER THE RETAINING
WALL, AND THEN I SLIPPED ON THE ICE. FINALLY I GOT UP AND RAN
OVER TO ONE OF THE INDIANS AND ASKED HIM WHERE LEONARD WAS.
"OH," HE SAID, "WE LEFT HIM IN CHICAGO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

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