Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Mud Pies and Mothers At Home

Whenever Dorri and I visit on the phone, we can’t help but reminisce about our childhood days in Malta, Mont. Life was simple yet joy filled – in the Depression Days.

There was an abundance of cottonwood trees to be climbed – oh what fun for us. After all, weren’t we tomboys? Dorri was the youngest in her big family, and I was the youngest of four – the two oldest were my brothers, then my sister, Hazel, then I at the tail end. With a six year age difference between Hazel and me, there was no playing together; but luckily, Dorri lived next door on the other side of the row of tall cottonwoods. She was one year younger than me. What a sweet, giggly little redhead – such joy she brought to my life.

Elementary school was a block northwest which we attended all six years. Kindergarten was never heard of in those days. Mothers were home caring for their families. Children used their imaginations at playtime. For example – our mothers gave us Karo syrup lids for our mud pies. When alfalfa and clover were blooming, the supply of pie decorations was taken care of. For baking it was always solar power – no money spent on ingredients either!

On summer days, Dorri and I would traipse over to the nearby schoolyard to climb up the school fire escape which is still, after all these years, on the westside of the old school. We were allowed to have our fun with the help of wax paper bread wrappers supplied by Dorri’s mom. That wax paper sped up our descent down the fire escape.

My mama made all of our bread – delicious. Her stews and soups were unforgettable – what a way she had with herbs and spices. Perhaps that knowledge came from our native country of Austria. I could never duplicate her tasty cooking; it definitely was unique.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/18/2024 14:20