The lamp on the table was lit every night
So folks could see to get around in the fading light
The stove was full of wood to keep the house nice
As no one wished for the water pail to be solid ice
Father sat down with a paper in his big chair
To read the news and happenings around there
And mother sat in her rocker and knitted away
It was the only time she could sit every day
The children done homework there at the table
And they done it all even if they weren’t able
All chores the children had were done before dark
Getting wood water and for kindling a little bark
The dog slept by the stove as all day it was outside
And felt like getting warm there by the stove fireside
Outside the cat wandered and looked around
To see if a mouse or squirrel could be found
The cattle were fed and bedded in the barn
Where they knew there wouldn’t be any harm
All the harvest was put away it was well into the fall
So they had lots of food if someone did call
There were pickles, berries and jams galore
And others would say you have more here than a store
The store was four miles away and there was no car
Food was prepared for winter as the store was too far
Next morning father said goodbye as he left to cut wood
Cutting wood kept us fit others should do it if they could
There he sat on a tree while he ate his lunch
And remarked that morning he had cut a big bunch
Coming home at night he stamped his feet at the door
The said “Lord willing” tomorrow I’ll cut a little more.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ont.
[Vilma (Moretti) Ens]
I can hardly remember a time that I didn’t hear the name “Mac”. My sister Dolores being five years ahead of me told me stories every day of her teacher and principal.
R.D. MacArthur, “Mac” of course to everyone she always seemed to be reciting some poem or another. “Mac”, she said had to have a million lines of memory work(maybe 100 lines written, and 250 lines said) that had to be just perfect- as both my sister and “Mac”were perfectionists. By the time I reached grade 8 and had “Mac” for my teacher, I didn’t have to learn any memory work because I know more than enough from Dolores continual recitation.
I had also heard of the discipline that was meted out. Mr. MacArthur and I had it pounded into my head that I had to be good or I would be sent to the office to “Mac” and then I would really be in trouble. Imagine my surprise when I had him as my teacher in grade 8 and found him to be wonderful. He helped me so much during the most tramatic year of my young life when my father was sick and after his death “Mac” gave me so much encouragement, guidance and help and those positive words that told me I would be O.K. and I would make it.
My father had instilled in me the love of sports and Mr. MacArthur gave it the credibility that it was the right thing to do- even for a girl. Through him baseball became #1 for me. I’ll always remember the world series of 1956-Brooklyn Dodgers vs New York Yankees. The Yankees probably won – we (Mac and I) pulled for the Dodgers. The best part was that he turned the radio on and allowed, us to listen to the game for the afternoon. Of course we had to be quiet and stay in our seats. Even at recess. The only time we could implode was when a team scored.
I never got to thank him for everything because as a kid of 12 i didn’t realize how important all of this was, but I think he must have known the influence he had and how much our lives were made richer by him.
[The Stevensville painting was done in circa 1924 by B's ather Harold Fox, aged 10.]
The weather is nasty its cold outside
So we all will spend more time inside
We will turn up the heat to take off the chill
And our stomachs with food we will fill
The highways are snowy and slippery once again
If we fall a broken bone will cause us some pain
The gardens are finished for another year
If we look at them we shed no tears
Folks will be out on snowmobiles just cruising around
While others on snowshoes or skating will be found
The good weather will be back in a little while
So I hope your face always has a big smile
Some days we may feel tough and a little sick
But the good weather will make you better real quick
Christmas is gone were starting a new year
Will it be a good one or stormy I do fear
We are eating food that was put away last fall
And with the spring we’ll say we ate it all
There will be storms and the wind will blow
Yes the power may go out this we all know
We’re told if you don’t have to travel then stay at home
Where you’ll be safe even if you are all alone
As the weather warms up we’ll think about seeds
So they can be planted and we’ll have food to supply our needs
Some may wish for Florida and then go on down
Where there they’ll be happy without any frown
Yes there in Florida or some other warm place
They should always have a big smile on their face
But most others will stay here and shovel snow
Because for any place else we just can’t go.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
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