Indian Corn’s Secret

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / Leave a comment

The secret is Revealed!

In my last blog, you read that wild turkeys used to have bright colorful feathers and some thought they were related to peacocks. In fact, I read that Christopher Columbus thought that. I have the answer for how those feathers were so colorful. They ate Indian corn!

There is no research to prove this, but I’m going with it. The settlers saw bright colored turkeys and the Native Americans introduced the settlers to corn. They go together! I think the bright corn kernels created the bright feathers. It’s possible!

Another fact about Indian corn is it can be used for wishing. Shell a handful, hold it in your hands and make a wish. Then toss it into the fire. The white kernels might pop because they can be used for popcorn, but that might enhance your wish! It’s worth a try and you’ll enjoy sitting by a cozy fire at the same time.

It’s Turkey Time!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 2 Comments

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving dinner if we didn’t have turkey!

Thanksgiving has been an American holiday since Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation in 1863. Much has been written about the first Thanksgiving and what was eaten. For sure they ate venison and turkeys were likely on the menu because they were in abundance during that time period. My brother has many wild turkeys on his farm and none of us would eat one. They look scrawny to me, but historically they were beautiful, magnificent birds.

Ben Franklin was so impressed by them he wanted to make the turkey America’s national bird. I read they had bright colors and some thought they were related to the peacock. Wild turkeys not only fly; they fly fast! They can fly up to 55 mph. I would have been impressed too, Ben!

I love reading picture books at every holiday and most of the Thanksgiving books involve Tom escaping the farmer’s ax. Our domesticated turkeys are so fat they can’t run and certainly can’t fly. They also have lost their previous thinking ability. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot of brain cells working for them any more. However, in children’s books they always outwit the farmer. I wouldn’t want it any other way!

My turkey is quite cute and no one would want to eat a turkey that looked that cute. To be honest, I like chicken better than turkey, but it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey!

All Hallow’s Eve

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

Soul Cakes anyone?

Don’t these look good? Soul cakes were given to children who went souling on All Hallow’s Eve. They were given in exchange for the promise of prayers for the deceased. It was believed that souls went to purgatory when a person died and prayers were needed to get them out. The Soulers carried hallowed out turnips with candles in them that supposedly represented a soul trapped in purgatory. It was also a good lantern!

The Irish immigrants brought this custom with them when they came to America in the mid 1800’s due to the potato famine. Like many customs, it changed to a night of song and treats. It took awhile for Americans to adopt the idea but they did. Trick or treating became popular throughout America in the 1950’s. Since costumes had been worn by the early Soulers to ward off spirits, that custom was borrowed too. Of course it was Americanized!

I don’t know why the veil between heaven and earth is thought to be thin during this time of year, but if you believe this, then it’s a good time for fortune telling. The early settlers celebrated the harvest with hard cider and fortune telling. My uncles told me stories of upsetting outhouses and buggies on Halloween. For these farm boys, it was a night of mischief which drove my grandmother crazy! I think they were letting off steam after working so hard to get the crops in.

I wish you all a Happy Halloween! Lots of candy will be given to children in costumes, but there will be no Soulers. There are recipes online for soul cakes for you bakers! But I’m sticking to raisin oatmeal.

Don’t text and Fly!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

She landed in my tree because of texting!

Witches and Halloween go together. A witch costume continues to be one of the most popular. Little witches in capes and pointy hats will be seen on Halloween and adult sexy witches will be at Halloween parties. I wonder what a modern witch would really wear? Yoga pants? Handwoven sweater? A cool hat of some kind?

Witches were originally considered wise women and healers. They did know how to use herbs and other organic materials for healing. Healings didn’t always work, so it is likely that was when they began to be blamed for all misfortune in the village. Witches also called upon the spirit world to help. Saul consulted the Witch of Endor according to the Bible. She accurately predicted the deaths of Saul’s sons and his. I’d say she was psychic!

I plan to wear my witch hat and enjoy hot cider this Halloween. I never learned to ride a broom, but it does sound like fun. If you do fly, watch out for the bats and don’t text while flying!

Apples Take Center Stage!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 1 Comment

Fall is not all about pumpkins!

The stores and restaurants are all touting pumpkins. Apples aren’t as big and showy but they have more uses. And as for pumpkin pie, I’ll take apple every time!

I did a little research and found that 2500 varieties are grown in the United States and 7500 are grown worldwide. The crabapple is the only apple tree native to North America. The Pilgrims brought the first apple trees and planted them in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Eve gave apples a bad rap in the Garden of Eden. Adam didn’t need to take it!

For me, apples are sheer delight. I love hot or cold cider and besides pie I make cake, crisp, and cobbler. Apples can also wear faces like pumpkins do, but pumpkins win in that category. I salute the apple for all it uses and great taste. Enjoy an apple or two and don’t forget ice cream for the pie!

Scarecrows Don’t Scare!

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Too Cute to Scare!

People have smiling scarecrows in their yards which I love to see. This one is in my yard and a big black crow actually landed on its head! I read to be effective, a scarecrow should have tin pans tied on it so the sound and shine will scare the birds away.

I wondered what the crow was saying to my scarecrow while sitting on its head. Maybe the crow would ask why the scarecrow was hanging around my yard. I like to think the answer would be because she enjoys the flowers that are still blooming, the bubbling fountain, and the birds that eat at the feeder. It is quite lovely and my scarecrow gets to enjoy it in the warmth of the sun!

October days are the best! The cold nights and warm days with the addition of the leaves changing color makes it a a perfect month. I hope you all make time to be outside and enjoy this season, and give a scarecrow a smile as you pass. They really aren’t scary!

It’s the Little Things!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 2 Comments

A Joyful Sight!

Many people keep gratitude or blessings journals. I think a good question to consider are the things that bring you happiness that don’t involve another person. Lots of us would say a cup of coffee!

I was doing my annual switching of summer clothes to winter and pulled out my sock drawer. I immediately smiled. I love my variety of socks. They make me happy. Since it’s gotten cooler, I can wear them, and I have a very nice fall selection!

I remember a fellow teacher saying that writing with a sharpened pencil made her happy. The first snowfall makes a lot of kids happy! I would love to hear from my readers where you find little pockets of joy!

Beware of the Grammar Witch!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 1 Comment

“Tis the Season for Spells!

I think this year I’ll be a Grammar Witch for Halloween. As you can see I have a beautiful hat to wear. I know teaching language arts for over twenty years has made my ears sensitive to improper grammar, but honestly, can’t the writers of Hallmark movies get their pronouns right?

It’s pretty simple. Me is never the subject of a sentence. Me doesn’t go to the store and giving me a friend doesn’t change anything. I go to the store, and Jill and I go to the store. Easy, right? Me receives. Give it to me. Give it to Jill and me (Not I). For football fans, think of me receiving a pass!

I’ll be a nice witch who gives lots of candy, and I’ll keep my evil cackling to a minimum. But if I hear bad grammar, I’m casting a correction spell! I will banish any trick or treater who I hear say, “Do you wanna go with?” This seems to be the new ‘hip’ expression. To me it’s an incomplete thought. Is it that difficult to say “with me”? Beware! I’ll be listening!

Why was Dracula Afraid of Garlic?

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

Garlic can be deadly!

Bram Stoker was the first to write about garlic as a way to ward off vampires. I think it was because garlic made this Irish author sick. Garlic can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It also can make one’s throat itch and constrict. That’s what happens to me because I’m allergic to it.

Garlic was used by the Greeks and Egyptians for medicinal purposes and to ward off evil spirits. Stoker would have drawn upon this information when he decided that it could be used against vampires. I like to think he had a more personal experience with the smelly herb. Hey! It’s possible!

To me, garlic is scary. I react even to the smell of it. I was buying fresh produce at an outdoor stand this summer and there was a small basket of garlic by the cash register. My throat started to itch and I began to cough. The stuff is deadly! I can understand Dracula fleeing from the smell.

I know most people love garlic. I’m aligning myself with Dracula and avoiding it!

Dolls are Scary?

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These dolls can’t be scary. Can they?

I grew up playing with dolls, and I still love dolls. I have eight granddaughters and only a few love dolls. They prefer stuffed animals. Three of the granddaughters were visiting and I was told my dolls were scary. I was shocked! How could they all of a sudden be frightening?

Apparently they had seen a movie about a possessed doll and the doll named Emily looked like the doll in the movie. (Doll in the middle) I was asked to put her in the closet so they didn’t have to see her. I think being put in a dark closet is scary. At least they didn’t want me to go in the closet with Emily.

My former students (eighth graders) asked me to read a book about a possessed doll. I read it and liked it. I didn’t remember the name, so I googled books about possessed dolls. I found the title Bad Girls Don’t Die and was amazed at the number of books with this theme. Goodreads listed 128.

No wonder children now find dolls scary. I hope writers don’t decide to write about possessed teddy bears or about bacteria ridden blankies! I slept with my dolls every night and spent hours playing teacher and doctor with them. They were my silent friends, and I’m glad I never encountered a book about a possessed doll.

The teacher in me says, Be glad kids are reading! but it makes me sad. On the upside, I doubt if the American Girl Dolls have lost any sales over the scary doll books. Everyone knows they wouldn’t be possessed!