Two Sides of Interviewing

For the years I spent writing articles for magazines, I ended up doing many interviews. I went to Toccoa, Georgia to do an article on Doc Tommy Scott's Last Real Medicine Show for Good Old Days. I received a scholarship to attend the Folk Festival in Washington, D. C., stayed at Georgetown University, and inteviewed Viola Canady who became a quilter after sewing to keep up the dress uniforms of the soldiers at Fort Myer. Her article was published in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. In McDowell County, NC, I talked with 

 the docent at the Carson House about the quilts in their collection and wrote an article for Quilt World. I interviewed Ruth Smith and wrote about her family's heirloom eyelet dress for Threads Magazine. In Charleston, SC, I talked with sweet grass basket weavers for The Antique Trader. I interviewed a pocket watch collector in Monroe, NC, for an article commissioned by Collectors News. And, I met with Whit Canon of Albermarle, NC, who, at age 72, had ridden his bicycle 640 miles to his 50th class reunion at Mississippi State University for Mature Living.

Recently, however, I sat on the other side of the interview as Cal Bryant ask me questions about my newly released historical novel, Cleared for Planting. I met Mr. Bryant thinking that the interview would likely last for about half an hour, but we talked for over two hours. It was a comfortable interview, for he was very easy to talk with. His article probably emphasized my country roots and mountain heritage a bit more than I would have, but that's okay. I'm not ashamed of that early part of my life, because it helped make me who I am today, and it grounded me in a firm foundation of faith. The article spans five pages in the current issue of Front Porch Living (vol. 5, no, 1). Copies are free if you can find one, and the article, "The Storyteller," begins on page 24.

_________________________________________

The Miller

Photo of Mabry Mill by Ken Christison

Grist milling was a highly specialized craft, and every community did their best to lure one to their area. The ideal miller had a combination of skills, such as carpenter, joiner, cooper, mason, and a little of the blacksmith. Some millers also opened up small stores as part of their operation.

With the exception of shipbuilding, no other colonial business required as large an initial capital investment as that of a grist mill. The heavy stones to grind the grain were first imported from Europe, and then they had to be transported from the docks to the mill location. Even later on, the stones had to be moved to the mill. There they had to be assembled and dressed by someone who knew what he was doing.

Bost Grist Mill

By looking and feeling, the miller needed to be able to judge the quality, age, and moisture content of the grain and factor in the temperature and humidity to determine the proper speed to rotate the stones for that particular batch. Although some people seemed to resent his monopoly, he needed to be highly skilled.

A grist mill of some sort was almost a necessity. It could make the difference in a meager, hand-to-mouth existence and the road to a more prosperous life. Without one, all grain would have to be ground by hand, which was slow, tedious, and time consuming. If a grist mill came to an area, a town often grew up around it or the town that was there became larger. Early grist mills contributed to the growth of America.

______________________________________

From the Fondue Pot

Back in the 60's and 70's, fondue cooking became a huge fad in the United States. It's faded some since then, but it's never vanished. Fondue is a Swiss, Italian, or French dish that's usually considered to have originated in Switzerland. Bread, fruit, or other food item is put on a long fork or stick and dipped in a melted sauce. The first known fondue recipe, a cheese dip, comes in a 1699 book. Now, chocolate seems to be the favorite, but there's many different kinds of dipping sauces. An upscale version is in the fountains used at receptions.

Today is actually Chocolate Fondue Day. It would be a great idea for upcoming Valentine's Day.To celebrate here's a recipe:

Chocolate Fondue Sauce

1/2 cup half and half milk product
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped fine

Mix together cocoa and sugar in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in half and half, blending well. Heat on low until mixture simmers, constantly stirring. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and dark chocolate until chocolate has melted in. Transfer to a fondue pot to keep warm. Add a little more half and half along and stir if sauce becomes too thick. Dip with pieces of fruit, cake, or sweet bread.

______________________________________________________________

Kitty Hawk Camps

After considering several locations, Wilbur and Orville Wright decided Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, would be the most advantageous place to test their flying machine. They came in the fall of 1900 and stayed for several days.

They returned in 1901, pitched a tent, and built a rough shed to use as a workshop. When they came back in 1902, they had to rebuild much of the shed, so they added 10 feet to it.

Their most famous camp came in 1903, the year they began their powered flight experiments. Prior to this they had done other experiments and tests but used gliders without engines. This time they added a second shed 44 feet long and 16 feet wide to house their flyer.

They didn't return again until 1908, when they found the buildings heavily damaged, so they hired two men to help rebuild. They did more experiments to improve their plane.

Today you can tour the National Wright Brothers' Memorial at Kitty Hawk. Much of the history has been rebuilt and displayed. I found the museum and grounds interesting and the staff helpful. For more information call 252-475-9401 or go to the website at:  http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm

Actual archived photos from the camp

_______________________________________

Sweet Potatoes

Have you noticed that more and more restaurants are offering baked sweet potatoes as a menu choice. Recent health reports have spotlighted some of their benefits. They have twice the fiber and calcium of white potatoes and 1,300 times more vitamin A. All of this comes with fewer calories.

Sweet potatoes originated in either Central or South America, unlike the yam, which came from Africa. There are two main types of sweet potatoes, and the darker one is often mistakenly called yams. It is unlikely that you'd find true yams in a grocery store, unless you're shopping in an international market.

Sweet potatoes also have vitamin B6, which can help in preventing heart attacks. Their natural sugars go into the blood stream more slowly, making them better for diabetics than some other sweet foods. Choline in them helps sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. It also helps reduce inflammation.

They are rich in carotenoids, like beta carotene, which helps prevent certain cancer and slows down the effects of aging. Studies show it helps prevent prostrate and colon cancer, and there's some indication it may also help with lung and breast cancer.

The information and evidence shows that adding sweet potatoes to the diet now and then may prove to be beneficial. I like plain baked sweet potatoes without anything on them, which is the healthier way to eat them. However, there's many great recipes out there when you want something special.

______________________________________

Groundhog's Day

Photo by Ken Christison

February 2 is Groundhog's Day, and it came to this country via immigrants from Great Britain and Germany. These European countries had beliefs about the hedgehog (some reports also name other European animals), but there were no hedgehogs in America.  Therefore the legends and superstitions were transferred to the groundhog. For example, in Germany, farmers planted their crops in the spring according to the hedgehog and its shadow.

February 2nd is actually a "cross-quarter" day, meaning it is about halfway between the winter solstice in December and the vernal equinox to begin spring in March. Some cultures celebrate this time as the mid point of winter. Americans like to celebrate it as Groundhog's Day and base the coming weather on the groundhog's shadow. If the groundhog comes out and sees its shadow, there's supposed to be 6 more weeks of cold weather. If it doesn't, then warmer weather should be on its way.

Punxsutawney Phil

One of the most famous groundhogs to help make weather predictions is Punxsutawney Phil in northeastern Pennsylvania. This long line of groundhogs has been helping celebrate Groundhog's Day since 1886. Groundhog enthusiasts vow that groundhogs, like Punxsutawney Phil, are better at forecasting the weather than almanacs or the National Weather Service.

Groundhog's Day Celebration 2005

________________________________________

Which Should Come First?

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1).

I think the majority of people feel they need to get their life straighten out before they come to Christ. They figure they need to clean themselves up and then ask Christ into their lives. Therefore, they put it off. I don't agree.

"The key to the Christian life is not effort. It is union" [with the Lord] (Derek Prince, Declaring God's Word).

I think anytime we try to take care of things on our own we set ourselves up for failure. We need Christ in our lives first, and He'll help clean us up. The Holy Spirit takes up residence inside us, and becomes our guide. Christ becomes the strength we didn't have before. As we experience the joy of having Him in our lives, our wants and desires begin to shift from worldly things to spiritual things. As my husband sometimes says, "When you become a Christian, you can do anything you want to. God just changes your want-to's." 

"If we but yield ourselves entirely to the Spirit and let Him have His way with us, He will manifest the life of Christ within us" (Andrew Murray, Power in Prayer (kindle loc. 1948).

If you haven't accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day. If you have but haven't shared him with others, today is the day. I don't think the world would be in the mess it is today if we Christians had done our jobs of sharing Christ. Too often, we've selfishly kept Him to ourselves, and those of the world don't realize what they're missing.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans: 1:16a).

_______________________________________________________________