Cape Breton's Magazine

(Were you doing all the laundry?) Oh yes. (No) washing machine in those days! Haul? ing the water, making it hot on the stove, and "a-rub-a-dub-dub, three men in the tub." You were doing it by hand. It would be maybe once a week and maybe I'd have to do it twice a week. Especially house- cleaning time. You were probably cleaning a little each day. You know, the bed? clothes and your curtains and things like that. You did that every day. But ordinar? ily it would be a week's wash. Monday was wash day; Tuesday was ironing. (And Wednesday?) Wednesday you were probably baking or churning. But Monday and Tuesday was always kept aside for washing and ironing. 'Cause you had to do everything on the stove. There wasn't electricity, they didn't know what it was or what it meant. It was quite the chores. (So from 16 you were in charge of the home.) Everything. I was 24 when I left, the first time I left (and went to Sydney). After Un? cle Dan, that I always called him, died. My nerves started getting bad because I had too much responsibility. Like, when I'd go out to the barn or go out to milk the cows and that I'd think, "Oh, what if something would happen." Dr. MacMillan, he was the doctor in Baddeck then, and he told me, "No," he said, "you can't continue." He said. "You have to give it up." He said. "Even for awhile. Go away for awhile and get something else on your mind other than the farm." (Were you depressed?) At times I would be. And then I was, of course, I was always a worrywart. I was always worrying. You know, they had the old-fashioned stoves then-- that sparks would fly out of if you'd leave a fire on. And I'd be thinking, "Well, if a fire would start, how would I ever get the old lady out?" And her crippled, and weighed about three hundred pounds. You know, she wasn't the easiest person to handle. So then I left and she went with A.J. Mac? Leod and his wife. They took her for awhile. Then I had to come home. I had gone to Sydney and I was there for a Here are 4 pages of Cape Breton Craftspeople • you can meet them face-to-face. ??O HAMMOCKS • DUSTERS • MATTS • MONKEY FISTS Use indoor, outdoor, inshore, offshore Fashioned for strength & durability Traditional knotting & splicing INDIAN BROOK • CAPE BRETON ISLAND • (902) 929-2432 The CrcLfty Sisters '' Crafts for All Occasions ''P m Vilma's . . . 'Pillowcases '''Ij ' + Handmade Tablecloths ''Hj'Jv ' Dresser Scarves 4: Baby Quilts '''''HL Karen*s ... ' Placemats ' Aprons ''''B'' i Pillows ' Homemade Jam Visit our table at the Christmas Craft Show, Nov. 25-27 ~ OR CALL - Vilma 562-5713 ~ or ~ Karen 736-7346 SocitkujoodCf'a't' Wood Crafts for Home 6o vjr' JMBJ Hand Painted Wood Plaques ' 'k-3i' Novelty Gift Items '''1'' ? ALSO FEATURING "I'OO''ie'" DRESSED FASHION DOLLS & DOLL CLOTHES Victorian Floral Crafts Cape Breton Chain Saws • Wood Patterns CUSTOM ORDER CUT-OUTS FOR TOLERS 109 South St. (P.O. Box 403) Glace Bay NS BIA 5V4 • 849-8647 • ONE STREET BEFORE THE MINERS' MUSEUM • COLLISHAW'S WOODWORKING offers... • Finest Custom Woodworking & Crafts • Cabinets • Benches ' • Candles Holders ALL IN RAW PINE ' A LARGE SELECTION OF • Tole Painted Ornaments • Stuffed Dolls WE ACCEPT ORDERS 665 PRINCE ST. SYDNEY, N.S. BIP SMS We're proud of Cape Breton Craftspeople. You can locate them all across Cape Breton.... O