Some of my fondest memories as a youngster was growing up in a house, two adults and five siblings, where the only source of heat was a ‘trash’ heater, not sure why it was called that, but if my memory is correct, we could use wood or coal. Remember coal? Purchased it in a …25 or 50 pound bag. Purchased mostly from Bridger Corp, (Bladenboro) as I recall, they had everything for sale….groceries, wearing apparel, cloth and patterns for those who made their own clothing…fertilizer and other supplies for the farmers, and for years sold and traded horses and mules.
But back to the coal, it was not always available, was difficult to get from store to home….wood was our backup….less expensive, just go into the woods, cut down a tree with crosscut saw or an ax if it was a small tree. One huge problem, green wood was not good burning material, but better than nothing…Trash heater would be in the living room….Back up, warm up as much as possible and run to the bedroom and get under a home made quilt, along with one or two siblings..
Not sure why I thought of that this morning, guess a cold snap reminds me how fortunate I am, a warm home, dependable heat….all over the house….and sometimes I complain…too hot or too cold….but so much better than a ‘trash’ heater….at a sharecropper’s home…in the 40s and 50s.
I am among men, most richly blessed….and sometimes I forget…
Over and over I marvel at the blessing of my life: Each year has grown better that the last. Lawrence Welk
When I started counting my blessings my whole life turned around. Willie Nelson
I’m just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that’s the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective. Tim Tebow
Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all livings things. author unknown
robert g hester
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