The Cold Truth

I hope that we will not have too many more extremely cold days.

Early day travel during cold weather must have been lots of fun, even in the early days of the automobile. Heaters in vehicles were a luxury, and far from efficient. I think that almost everyone in this area had a sheepskin coat, gloves and caps.

I have listened to stories about foot stones used to keep your feet warm. Some of these were about an inch thick and 6-8 inches in length and width. I think that they were slate or some similar type of stone.

My husband thinks that they were about the same thickness of slate used in pool tables, but then that is another topic. These foot stones were heated (probably in or over the wood stove) for who knows how long , then wrapped and placed under your feet when traveling.

I think that some of our forefathers even had little portable items that a fire or coals could be used for this purpose. Wow, you had to prepare to go anyplace.

What a luxury we have now – those little heat packs for hands and feet, let alone battery operated socks. I remember friends and neighbors wrapping their feet in newspaper and then putting on overshoes Nothing like our present day Muck boots. Count your blessings.

Gwen welcomes your memories at 367-5582.