Blacksmiths

A blacksmith creates items from iron or steel by heating the metal and using tools to hammer, bend, or cut it into shape. The blacksmith was a necessary part of a community in earlier times. He made such things as tools, nails, farm implements, weapons, kitchen items, rails, decorative objects, etc.

Blacksmiths were along on the first expeditions that came to America, and they helped in building the country. As western expansion pushed forward, changing the edge of the frontier, blacksmiths were there. In fact, the Cagle family needed a wheelwright or blacksmith as they journeyed up the mountain in my first historical novel set in 1804, Cleared for Planting, book 1 in the Appalachian Roots Series. Here is an excerpt:

            “This place is called ‘Tucker’s Barn,’” Papa said. “I guess the barn’s the biggest thing here, but the guy in the store said there was a blacksmith who might take a look at the wheel.”

            Papa pulled the wagon to the shop, which turned out to be a stable of sorts, too.

            “I broke a wheel on the trip here,” Papa told the brawny man who came up, “and I was wondering if it could be fixed or if I need a new one.”

            “Abel Bush, here,” the man put out his hand. “Where’re you headed?”

            “I’m Lester Cagle, and this here’s my family.” Papa shook the man’s hand. We’re going up the mountains to my brother’s place near the Linville River.”

            “Getting up the mountain will be hard,” Mr. Bush shook his head. “It’ll take a toll on your mules and your wagon. I’d get anything new I could, if I were you. Actually, I’d get a whole new wagon and team.” He grinned. “But, I’ll look over everything for you and tell you what I think. I won’t charge you for the advice.”

            “I’d appreciate that. Do you have any work I could do to pay for what we need?”

            “Well, I don’t know about that. Let me see what I think first.”

(As with all my novels, my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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Playing Cards

Playing cards were invented in China around the 9th century. The English-style of playing cards most of us are familiar with have been around since the 14th century. There was a time when many people looked on them as sinful, at least what some people chose to do with them.

Cards were made with many designs. At first the design varied according to the country where they were produced, and some were colorful and elaborate.  Not all decks even had 52 cards. A Swiss set might have 36, a German one 32, and French Tarot cards would have 78. In other parts of the world, aside from those with English and French influence, the suits have symbols other than hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.

As you might suspect, some people collect playing cards, and certain ones can be worth a lot of money. You can even find cards produced for special interests and themes. Celebrity cards have always been popular, and so have those with royalty or sports themes. Book characters would be a favorite of mine. What would you choose?

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Outhouses


As I was writing When Winter Is Past, I needed to know how common outhouses were in 1739. First I consulted English Through the Ages by William Brohaugh. I turn to this book time and time again  as I write my historical novels. I want to make sure the words I'm using was in use by this time period. "Outhouse" as a toilet was much older than I expected. It was in use by 1350.

Outhouses were an important part of American history, too. Many people today don't realize how long the little buildings were used. They were still being used by some families during my childhood in the Appalachian region. They were also used past the mid-20th century in other remote areas, especially in the West. Getting to them in bad weather could prove to be difficult, if not impossible, however.You might still find a few today along hiking trails, in rustic parks, etc. 

After my research, I determined that outhouses would have been used in my 1739 novel. Here is a brief excerpt from that novel:

Stanton got his horse and led him down the street. He tied him at a hitching post not directly in sight of the widow’s house and got his rifle. He eased around to the back of the house next door and looked around.

The widow had some high bushes planted in the back of her small lot, and Stanton made his way to those, being careful not to be seen. They would give him a good place to hide until the sheriff arrived.

He hadn’t been hidden long, when he heard the back door open. He peered through the bushes just enough to see Horace heading for the outhouse.

Wishing he had the materials to lock him in, Stanton stood to the side, where he would be largely hidden by the opening door. He held his rifle ready.

When Horace exited the tiny structure, Stanton raised his rifle and used the end of the stock to come down on Horace’s head. He crumbled to the ground.

Feeling for the fallen man’s pulse, Stanton determined it remained strong. He wanted to go check on Ida, but he knew he needed to make sure Horace didn’t get away. He wondered if he should try to find something to tie the man up with, when he heard the back door open and saw the sheriff walk out.

(As with all my novels, all my profits go to a scholarship fund.)

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In the Hands of the Master

A story is told of the great composer, Felix Mendelssohn. At the time, his music had become famous, but people still didn't recognize him. He had gone to visit a German cathedral to see their new organ and found a young man playing one of his pieces of music. Without introducing himself, Mendelssohn asked if he could try out the new instrument.

"I don't allow a strange pair of hands to touch this keyboard," the young man told him and continued playing. 

Mendelssohn watched for a moment and then looked around the sanctuary. Finally, he wandered back and asked a second time if he couldn't play just a little.

This angered the young man and he asked Mendelssohn to leave. This time Mendelssohn even left the sanctuary, but he felt drawn back, yearning to play the new organ.

Although frustrated with Mendelssohn's persistence, the young man finally said he could play. He started to leave the sanctuary, but when he heard Mendelssohn began to play, he recognized the talent and rushed back to ask, "Who are you, sir?" When Mendelssohn told him, the young man apologized. "Please forgive me. I didn't know who you were. And to think, I wouldn't let the master musician take control."

How like this young organist are we? Do we let our Master have control of our lives, or do we try to manage things ourselves? When we surrender to Him, we'll be amazed at how much better our lives will be orchestrated.   

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Hacked

I had an unusual situation come up this week. I have had a problem with people trying to hack my facebook account, probably because I have a large number of friends. I was somehow hacked this week. I posted it on facebook and some of my friends told me they would report the hacker. Apparently the person was posting some kind of "financial opportunity."

Well, someone accidentally reported me instead of the hacker, and facebook blocked me. I have remained blocked most of the week, and just got back on late yesterday. I had to send facebook two ID's -- at least one had to have a photo and one had to have my date of birth. It took a while to hear back from them.

I was still able to post my blogs each day and go on twitter, just not on facebook. When I was able to return to facebook, I had three friend requests from people I'm already friends with. This is usually a hacker's MO. Oh the trials of social media!

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Making Lye Soap

Making lye soap is a skill from history that has almost been forgotten as a home craft. Soap making is believed to have been accidentally discovered in Rome around 1100 BC, when grease from sacrifices hardened in the ashes around the altars. The skill proceeded through the Middle Ages and beyond. Even up through colonial times, men who made soap and candles professionally were known as chandlers.

For years in American history, soap making usually took place outside in a big black iron pot, where the fat and alkali solution from ashes were boiled down. The maker stirred the mixture slowly with a wooden paddle or large stick.

Some people mistakenly think lye soap is stronger than other soaps or is not as good. It doesn't normally lather much, but it does clean well. It's also as gentle as any regular soap.

Two ingredients are essential to making soap - fat or oil and an alkali. Homemakers first used ashes to obtain the alkali solution, and an ash hopper often stood near the back door to collect the

ashes. Later, beginning in 1836, lye would be manufactured for

soap making. Today, however, readily available lye has been taken

off the market. A few homemakers had continued to make lye soap into the 70's and 80's, but I don't know of anyone who still makes it today. Commercial soap production began much earlier, but the bars of soap didn't appear in many places, including North Carolina, until after the Civil War. 

Home soap making has almost died out. However, those interested in history, folk studies, and crafts still find it interesting, and some make soap as an experiment to experience the past. Of course, some also market it in craft and folk outlets.

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Country-style Venison

This is my mother’s recipe for country-style venison, and people have eaten it and thought it was beef. Mother was born and grew up in Watauga County, NC in the Appalachian Mountains. In my first novel, Cleared for Planting, I have Emma preparing venison this way.
                                                                       

(Photo by Ken Christison)

Place frozen pieces of venison in a bowl of water with lemon juice. Vinegar also works, but my family prefers the lemon or lime juice, and fresh is better than reconstituted, although the reconstituted will work. This will remove the wild taste. Put in the refrigerator for at least four hours, and it can be overnight. Rinse and place in fresh lemon water and set back in the refrigerator until it is completely thawed and soft. It is best when soaked for 8-12 hours. Rinse thoroughly. Use a washable cutting board (placing it on a folded towel will tone down the noise). You can sprinkle a little white meat tenderizer on both sides of each piece of meat and omit the salt, but we never do this. Beat in one direction and then the other with a meat mallet or the edge of a saucer that will not chip easily (I find the saucer works much better), until the meat thins some and tiny holes begin to appear.  Place in a skillet with heated oil and brown on both sides. Add water and steam turning at least once for over an hour or until fork tender. You may need to add more water along. Remove meat. Stir in flour to make gravy using either milk or water, whichever you prefer. I do this without measuring, but you can find a gravy recipe if needed. Your gravy won’t lump as much if your stock is not too hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place meat back into the gravy and simmer until ready to serve.

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