Skating on the Pond

Cold Cold Cold

Like we are having now. 

It is time to check the pond and go ICE SKATING! 

Before we were allowed on the ice the old farmer would

sweep snow off the edge to see how thick it was.

If 3" or more he would edge out farther into the ice

and check again. 

And he would show us how to check. 4-5" was good to go.
It was amazing how clear the ice might

be so you could see how thick it was. 

Then let the fun begin! 

Someone would start with the snow shovel

and make paths until there was a large clear area. 

We were warned to stay away from the left side

along which there were muskrat holes and thinner places in the ice. 

At the far end a spring ran into the pond so that was thinner too. 

So when deemed safe we spent many a winter day
down on the pond. Just skating back and forth.
The neighbor boys would play hockey. 

Occassionally the top of the ice would get wet with snow on it

then the ice would refreeze all tiny bumpy and be unusuable,
pretty much for the rest of the winter :   ( 

Play safe everyone!~ 

The Old Farmer's Memories

 

The Old Farmer lived a long life and loved to share his stories.
He and his brothers grew up in Niagara Falls, NY. 

They ran wild around the gorge below the falls.

They would climb up and down the steep cliffs and found Milky Cave,

I think this cave was filled in for some reason, there are many other caves that are still there.

 

 

On hot summer days they would hang onto rocks in the river below the whirlpool! 
 

In the winter they would ice skate on Love Canal,
do you all remember that from the news!? Look it up, worth the read.

The Old Farmer said it would freeze, then the water level might drop

and the ice would become "hilly".
I wouldn't be surprised if he fell through a time or two.

I suspect he got in trouble more than once for leading his younger
brothers on these dangerous escapades!

 

Their mother died while they were young and a neighbor lady
who lived across the road would come in to take care of the cleaning
and cooking and take care of the boys when they got home from school.
When the father got home from work he would go in the back door
with his lunch pail and she would go out the front door and walk home.

It was all very proper. 

 

 

One day the boys were told to get on their Sunday clothes,

then a preacher came in and married their father and the lady
across the street became their stepmother!

The were not consulted or advised about this and it came as a total surprise.

 

We have strayed from the farm a bit, but I hope this
glimpse of life long ago was interesting.