Family Memories

I mostly write about life experiences and how they impact me...either negatively or positively. I merely want to become a conduit, through which flows warmth.
I recently came into possession of a journal that was written by my Great Aunt in the late 1800's. It speaks of sleigh rides, wood burning kitchen stoves, handbraiding rugs, etc.
My family tree begins in the early 1800's in Prussia. If I may, I'd like to share a short passage. The year is around 1870, and the setting is in the Village of Mishicot, Wisconsin."Some Sunday afternoons, with the sun shining brightly, our family would be treated with a horse drawn sleigh ride. I remember one Saturday in January, when we took a horse drawn sleigh ride to Two Rivers to visit Aunt Meta and Uncle Bill..I was about 9.

These rides took considerable preparation due to the bitter cold. Beginning with layers of straw and hay in the bottom of the sleigh. Then rugs were placed on the top of the hay. Bricks, which were heated in the oven part of the wood burning kitchen stove were placed at our feet. We were bundled up with scarves, mittens and tassel caps, and then covered with heavy horse blankets. Dad usually wore a fur coat, cap and long leather furlined gloves. Just before taking off, Dad would tell us to sit still to preserve the warmth."Reading this, I got a clear vision as though I right there...how about you?