NEWS FROM THE HILLS
Winter has loosened its grip on our hills long enough to let the rain come down and melt off some of the snow. Icicles soften and crumble in sodden piles underneath the rock cliffs and overhanging ledges. They will freeze and re-freeze again before winter is over.
February has always been a dismal month. Although it is the shortest one, it seems to last longer. Snow is piled along the highways in dirty, gray masses, and the woods look bleak and forlorn. This kind of weather makes home seem more inviting, and evenings around the fire are pleasant.
Now is the time to pop some popcorn, put another log on the fire, and enjoy family time. Card and board games are almost a thing of the past, but it is amazing to watch children who have cut their teeth on TV and electronic games really get into these. They are not only fun, but the interaction between members of the family have a bonding effect.
The highlight of February when I was a young’en was Valentine’s Day. We spent hours poring over the cards we sent, and many of these were handmade. One of the older girls would make a fancy Valentine box, decorated with crepe paper and ribbons, and all of our cards were placed in it.
It was a thrill to have your name called out and walk to the front of the classroom to receive your Valentine card. There was no thrill to compare with receiving a “special” one from a secret admirer. And by the way, I want to thank Larry “Mad Max?” Maxwell, English teacher at Parkersburg South High, for the Valentine he sent me. (Can you really dance?)
We have had a lot of reader response this week, and I am grateful for each letter and e-mail. It seems that many folks are familiar with the “black salve” mentioned in a past week’s column. Marilene Bibb of Ansted remembers her mother using a poultice of black salve called “Curet” on boils and other infections.
William Butts of Jackson County recalls a black salve called “Raleigh’s Veterinary Ointment.” It was used on farm animals as well as people—most farm families kept it on hand. It was listed as “won’t turn rancid” on the lid, and they still have some in a small jar.
He also added that blackberry juice was a good remedy for stomach problems. I know that it will check a diarrhea. Dollie Townsend of Pinch says that a neighbor of theirs once treated a boil on her husband with a heated coke bottle. It was placed over the boil, and drew out the infection. I have heard of the method of “cupping” and this sounds similar.
Several folks identified the black salve as “Ichthammol” ointment, and I remember now that was what we used.
Jim Shank says his mother recalls the Ichthammol salve, a black emollient ointment, and his research states that it was used for horses—not humans. I reckon we didn’t know that—we sure used it—and it worked.
Glenna Miller of Normantown and Judy Hanger of Hinton both agree that the salve was called Ichthammol and June Staats of Belle goes on to say that it was made by McKessons. She adds that it is good for bad infections, and she once used it on a cat scratch.
A voice of experience comes from Josephine Wriston of Elkview, who was one of 11 children. She remembers that the salve stunk, and they hated it—but they used it extensively. They had one bicycle between them, and whoever got up first got it, but woe if two got up at the same time. Their dad used a lot of the salve.
We only had one response to the “Almost Heaven” deli sandwich that was requested recently. Gordon Parker of Charleston writes, “I’ve never heard of the “Almost Heaven” sandwich, but here is my version, West Virginia style.
“Take a thick slice of bologna, fry in lard until almost burnt—don’t forget to cut the edges to prevent curling while frying. Place on white bread with a slathering of mustard. (Side order of fried potatoes and pinto beans with chopped onion is optional.)
“When you bite into that sandwich, that’s ‘Almost Heaven.’ Then it makes you feel ‘Wild and Wonderful.’ You can leave the top slice of bread off the sandwich, and then it is ‘Open for Business.’ Finally, after eating this, sit back and relax before an open fire, and you will feel as if you live in a ‘Manchin.'”
I think Gordie ought to get a patent on that!
Marilene Bibb of Ansted is looking for the words to a poem, and she thinks it may be titled “The Sculptor.” She read it in an old hymnal many years ago when she was at the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen. She said she used it as a musical reading while her friend played the old hymn, “Have Thine Own Way.”
The first two lines began, “Chisel in hand, stood the sculptor boy, With his marble block before him . . .” The last verse began, “Sculptors in life are we as we stand . . .”
I hope someone has this, as it sounds like a wonderful poem.
I am thankful for February, even if it seems a dismal month. There is still stark beauty in the bleakness of the landscape, the penciled trees along the skyline, the cold moon shining in a star-filled night.
This poem is from “Snowbound” by John Greenleaf Whittier
The moon above the eastern wood
Shone at its full; the hill range stood
Transfigured in the silver flood,
Its blown snows flashing cold and keen,
Dead white, save where some sharp ravine
Took shadow, or the somber green
Of hemlocks turned to pitchy black
Against the whiteness at their back.
For such a world and such a night
Most fitting that unwarming light,
Which only seemed wherever it fell
To make the coldness visible.
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