Back in the early days of my blogging life I ask my followers to guess what this contraption
was. And if you remember this post, you've been a faithful follower for a long time! Thank
you! For my newbies who weren't around then, it's a corn sheller. You put the whole cob
in and turn the crank, and out comes your corn kernel.
I sure wish my grandpa had had one of these on his little homestead. I remember helping
him shell corn, and let me tell you, it made for some pretty sore thumbs afterwards.
My grand father was one of those men who could do anything. I suppose with nine mouths
to feed during the depression, one had to take work where ever one could find it, and either
raise ones own food or hunt for it. He was a fisherman, a hunter, a gardener, a butcher,
a wood carver, artist, and musician. But what stands out the most in my memory is that
he was a 'piano' man.
Yes, before Billy Joel appeared on the scene, my grandpa was playing piano in the bars of
rural Missouri. When my dad and his brothers were at home they, along with Grandpa
and my great uncle, had a singing group. They were tailored after 'The Sons of the Pioneers'.
They sang on local radio stations and traveled around the communities to the fairs and
auditoriums performing. But when the boys left home, grandpa was on his own, so that's
when he became a 'piano' man. He had never had any lessons, he played by ear only.
Which is really a blessing when it comes to songs requested by folks.
I don't really know how I got off on that whole story! Oh yeah, the corn husking memories.
You know how one memory leads to another, than another.
Well anyway, I'm joining Lisa at Two Bears Farm for Rural Thursday. Please pop over
and see what her other rural friends are sharing today.
Have a good one-Kimberly
