Country CousinIssue Date: October 28, 2021 Hi Folks!
The weeks simply keep flying by. Halloween and the end of Daylight Savings Time for this year will be here on Sunday, Nov.7. Thanksgiving is only four weeks off. There are only 58 days - shopping and otherwise - until Christmas.
And this year, due to shortages of truck drivers and the log jam in New York and California harbors, we're warned to get our shopping done now - while there are still products on the shelves, and before prices take another jump.
LONGEST DAY
(Remember: Spring forward, Fall behind.)
According to old legend, ghouls and ghosties have one day a year - Halloween, otherwise known as All Souls Day - to walk the earth, starting when the clock chimes midnight on Oct. 30, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. Nov. 1, which is All Saints Day.
IT'S LEGAL NOW
Halloween is a great holiday. It offers endless possibilities for creative decorations, and a chance to let your hair down and act as silly as you please, as long as you're in costume.
Halloween haunting used to give kids a chance to be naughty without really getting into trouble. Now it's legal, permitted by board action, and done mostly in the daylight.
Seems kind of sad.
My Dad recalled, and even the days of my own trick or treating, there was just a bitsy element of naughtiness associated with it. The delightful feeling of being out after dark, maybe scaring someone; and maybe being dressed up like someone else so your alter ego could do things you normally wouldn't. There was even the possibility of some tricks instead of treats.
Nowadays, they've gone and legalized and in most cases regulated Trick or Treating until it's just another organized event. As to the thrill of being out after dark, in some communities, they set the hours during daylight only. What kind of Halloween is that? When we were kids an unwritten rule was you didn't even start until it was dark. One memorable Halloween the kids in our group each collected a large grocery bag full of treats. We stayed out until 10 o'clock. We were really big kids then. I think we were in 5th grade!
NO TREATS, TRICKS
For youngsters growing up in Middle Inlet in the early decades of the 20th Century there probably weren't a lot of fun things to do. No radios. No television. No video games. Not even many books. But there were practical jokes. Some harmless, some not so harmless. Dad used to tell lots of stories about the mischief they got into. Sometimes he admitted to being involved. Sometimes he didn't. This is one he didn't admit to. We'll never know.
It seems there was a neighbor who wasn't always nice to the kids. Probably for good reason. Anyway, it got to be something of a tradition on Halloween for pranksters to wait for him to go out to his good old two-holer. Once he was inside, they'd run up and tip it forward. He never got hurt, but since the privy came to rest on the door, there was no using that exit. Climbing out through one of the holes on the business end did his pride no good at all. After about 3 years, he got tired of the joke being on him. Somewhat prior to the big day he had helpers move the privy about a foot forward, then spread cut brush and grass over the resulting hole. When the pranksters came running out for the big push, the joke was on them big time! And that was the end of that particular "joke."
CLEAN UP PROBLEMS
For the bad boys, there was double punishment. No way could they go home in their condition, it would have meant instant exposure of their wrongdoing and probable subsequent exposure to a hickory stick, razor strap or open palm.
No, they had to bathe in the creek in icy late October water and try to dry off in frigid almost-November air. No nice hot shower when they got home, either. In those days water in most households came from a bucket and was heated on the stove. Baths were major Saturday night events.
And you didn't change clothes every day. Some families were lucky enough to have washing machines, some were not, but even if there was a washing machine the "spin cycle" was a wringer through which laundry had to be hand fed, and the dryer was a line either in the back yard or strung across the kitchen.
HALLOWEEN SPECIALS
Paris Nights Karaoke is sponsoring a free Halloween Dance for costumed youngsters and their parents - costumed or not - at Middle inlet Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, complete with food and prizes.
And the great cooks at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peshtigo are once again cooking for their 8th annual Chicken BOOyah sale, from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 31. Pre-order by e-mail or phone 715-582-3595.
IN THE FOG
Does anyone else get the "willies" when driving on foggy nights? Not the sensible fear of missing the road or colliding with some solid object like a deer or a tree, but the unreasonable goose-bumpy feeling that at any moment a carriage might come floating out of the mist, creepy crawlies could ooze out of the primal swamp or a monster might loom up on the road ahead? There! I've admitted it. At my age, sometimes I'm still sometimes afraid of the dark. Probably too many Dracula movies.
HAUNTED?
With Peshtigo's tragic fire history it's perhaps surprising there aren't more tales of ghostly fire survivors. Halloween seems the ideal time to trot out the only ghost story we managed to find in old Peshtigo Times files. Back in 1912 there were reports of ghostly visitors making several appearances near the railroad bridge. Considering the number of lives lost in and near the river on that fateful night of Oct. 8, 1871, it's not surprising that there would be ghost stories connected with it. What seems strange is that this appears to have been the only official haunt report. There may have been others before and since, but if so, nobody was talking.
At that time people, young men in particular, would walk to their homes in French Town by way of the Northwestern Railroad Bridge, generally in the wee hours after a hard night at the Mill or a hard night at the bar.
That shortcut was used for years, until several frightening visits from other worldly beings while they were walking home. Surmise at the time was that either jokesters were at work or victims drinks were working overtime. Could be the ghosts are still there, but lonely now, since folks didn't walk the bridge much after that, especially late at night. They gave up the shortcut and it was never resurrected.
Today of course, most folks have cars and very few of us walk anywhere, daylight or dark. And railroad officials do not take kindly to people hiking on their property. What haunts them are liability concerns.
SHINE THOSE WINDOWPANES
For many of us, washing windows is one of the rites of autumn. Okay. So it's possibly also the most hated rite of autumn, but that can't be helped. Washing windows goes along with replacing screens with storm windows and otherwise battening down the homestead for the onslaught of Old Man Winter.
With the high price of fuel predicted for the coming winter, adding a layer of plastic probably is also a good idea for all but the tightest windows. So is buying and installing old-fashioned pull-down window shades. Keep them down at night to keep the cold out, and up during the day to let the warming sunshine in.
Whatever type of weather protection you prefer, washing the windows first is a pretty good idea. Many of us put off the window washing until after the gardening chores are done, so that makes this do or die time.
An excellent window cleaning solution is made by mixing a half cup of ammonia, one cup white vinegar and two tablespoons cornstarch in a bucket of warm water. If the north winds blow while you're doing the windows, add a half cup of rubbing alcohol and ice won't form on the windows.
Washing outside windows with a brand new sponge mop works well provided you don't apply it with too much enthusiasm. In short, don't break the window you're trying to wash.
The best possible drying medium is absolutely free. Simply use crumpled up newspaper. And to help you tell which side has streaks, use up and down motions to polish and dry the insides of the windows and back and forth on the outside.
When you're finished, wipe down the surface of windowsills with rubbing alcohol to remove water spots. This works particularly well on aluminum frames as it also removes any remaining grime.
CAR CARE
With cold weather and icy roads coming on in the near future, do check your tires. Hate to admit this, but female drivers often are lax in vehicle maintenance.
Check the tire tread. If the wear indicators are down to 1/16" it's probably time for new tires. If you're not sure what to look for, ask someone. Strings showing are a dead giveaway that if you don't do something very soon you may be the one that's dead! Too much wear on the outer edges of the tire mean they've been under-inflated, while too much on the center of the tire means they've been over-inflated. Either condition can be fatal to your tires.
So be sure your tires are properly inflated. Saves precious fuel, saves wear and tear on the tires, and could save your life because improper inflation can lead to difficult handling. If you don't know how to use a tire gauge, find someone who does, and ask them to check the pressure when the tire is cool. Watch while they test and learn to do it yourself. It isn't hard. Then buy yourself one of those inexpensive tire gauges and keep it in the glove box.
Usually the correct amount of pressure is embossed on the side wall of your tires, or can be found in your owners' manual. That, by the way, should be kept in the glove box or a seat pocket if you have one.
Other tire problems can be caused by improper wheel alignment, worn shock absorbers, and driving over rusty nails.
Did you know your tire can pick up a nail and roll along merrily for many, many miles before it suddenly goes flat when you know you've been nowhere near a construction site?
What happens is the nail, when it first is driven (literally) into the tire, has a head that effectively prevents air from leaking out. As the miles whiz by that nail head wears off and suddenly you are left with a hole and a flat tire. Sometimes a can of fix-a-flat can reinflate the tire enough to get you where you are going. But do read the cautions on the can and follow instructions carefully. If you haven't driven too far too flat, a good tire repair place can sometimes save the tire by putting a plug where the nail used to be. If you have them do that, it's a good idea to be sure that tire gets installed on the back of the vehicle, not the front where the steering happens.
COOKIN' TIME
Found another creepy dish for Halloween. The flavor of this stew is excellent, but if you mention maggots, unless you're feeding a bunch of gross little boys you may not have any takers. So just don't talk about it if it isn't the right crowd. Power of suggestion, you know. Orzo (a type of pasta) does sort of have that look. I once made dilled green tomatoes, using very small green pear tomatoes. They tasted good until someone mentioned their resemblance to swollen wood ticks. We threw the rest out.
Today's second recipe isn't the least gross, and is a positively delicious and respectable treat, especially right now when apples are in season.
MAGGOT STEW
For an appropriate Halloween feast, this serves four to six real live people. If you happen to have a cast iron kettle that looks something like a witches cauldron, so much the better. You can also bake a hollowed out pumpkin until it starts to cook but isn't soft to the point of collapsing and serve it in that.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound beef stew meat
1 28-ounce can stewed tomatoes
1 can 10 1/2 ounce size beef broth
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
4 medium carrots
1 cup cut fresh or frozen green beans
3/4 cup Orzo pasta
Heat oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven or stew pot. Measure flour, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder into a large zipper bag or other plastic bag. Drop in the beef (buy a chuck roast and cut it up if you like). Seal the bag and shake until the beef is well coated. (This stew is also good made with half beef and half pork, or half pork and half venison, in which case you can call it roast beast.) Empty the bag into the Dutch oven. Turn the heat to medium and let the meat brown on all sides. Turn it every three to four minutes. When it begins to look crusty add the tomatoes, broth, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Turn heat to simmer and cook for one hour. Peel the carrots and cut them into small coins. Add to the stew along with the green beans. Cover and simmer another 45 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the Orzo in a saucepan of salted water according to package directions. When tender as you like it drain the orzo and butter lightly. Check it out. They do look a bit like fat maggots. Add to the stew when it's done, but save a few to sprinkle on top.
IDEA: To add an extra fillip to your Halloween salad or other foods, produce some baby maggots. Just cook a small amount of minute rice until it's light and fluffy. Keeping each grain separate, sprinkle some on top of roast meat, into a salad, or add to broccoli, green beans or chocolate pudding. You might have a lot of fun. Or the family may never eat any of these things again, including the rice. It's all in the power of suggestion.
GHOSTS IN THE GRAVEYARD
Makes a pretty centerpiece as well as a delectable dessert. Serves 16 if they're not very hungry. You need to let it stand at least an hour after assembling.
16 ounces chocolate sandwich cookies
3 1/2 cups milk
2 packages chocolate flavored instant pudding mix
12 ounces non-dairy whipped topping, divided
Assorted Halloween candies and other cookies
Crush the cookies in a food processor. Pour cold milk into a large bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with a wire whisk or electric mixer for 2 minutes. Gently fold in 3 cups of the whipped topping and half of the crushed cookies. Spoon into a 13x9-inch dish. Sprinkle with remaining crushed cookies. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator. To Decorate Graveyard: Decorate assorted cookies with decorating icings or gels to make "tombstones.' Stand "tombstones' on top of dessert with candy corn, candy pumpkins and tiny jelly beans arranged artfully here and there. Drop remaining whipped topping by spoonfuls onto dessert to create ghosts. Decorate with candies for eyes.
CARAMEL APPLE PUDDING CAKE
I believe this delicious and easy dessert came originally from the folks at Land O' Lakes butter. It's totally worthy of a spot on the Thanksgiving menu. Also excellent bait to lure gallivanting ghouls and goblins in off the streets. If you must use margarine instead of butter, go ahead, but it won't be nearly as good. Don't even try to use lite or light anything. Simply will not work. They do say you can substitute Land O' Lakes Soft Baking Butter with Canola Oil, but I haven't tried it.
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
(or if you have it, use 2 teaspoons apple pie spice instead of the other spices. Some people like to add 1/8 teaspoons cloves. I don't.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup water
2 cups apples, peeled and chopped into 1/4" pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/3 cup butter, melted
Sweetened whipped topping, real cream or vanilla ice cream
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, soda, salt and spices in a small bowl. Set that aside. In a larger mixing bowl, using mixer at medium speed, beat together the 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Using a rubber spatula to scrape downsides of the bowl, continue beating until it changes color and becomes creamy. Beat in the egg. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture gradually, alternating with the water and corn syrup. Beat well after each addition until the mixture is uniform before adding the next batch. Put the apples and pecans into an ungreased 13X9" baking pan. Pour the batter over the top and sprinkle on the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar. Now mix the 1 1/2 cups hot water and the 1/3 cup melted butter and carefully pour this over the top of the batter. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the cake is cracked on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
The Country Cousin
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If by turning the dial on a radio we can hear songs played thousands of miles away, and by switching on the television set we can watch actors on stages on other continents, or even astronauts on the moon, and rovers on mars, then why should we ever doubt that God can hear our prayers?
(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-291-9002 or by e-mail to shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)
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