October 2009 Host: Emily
Little Heathens Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
Summary
This is Mildred Kalish’s memoir of her childhood on an Iowan farm during the Great depression. Although her lifestyle was frugal and she and her family had to endure severe conditions (e.g. Iowan blizzards), the author doesn’t dwell on the negatives. She shares happy memories of her childhood such as making head cheese and the adventures she shared with her siblings. Her days as a preteen were filled with work made harder since they lacked electricity and running water. These chores included doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and caring for the farm animals, but she also regales us with stories of outhouse tipping and domesticating raccoons that she slept with (they did help to keep her feet warm). The thriftiness and independence the author learned as a child continued to be part of her adult life. Like a piece of good fiction, this book is rich in detail yet maintains historical truthfulness.
Discussion
-We all enjoyed the book - for some it brought back memories. The author’s simple and straightforward telling of her childhood in Iowa made for an easy and engaging read. She also drew us into her story with her frank sense of humor. This is probably one of the best and honest descriptions of 1930s farm life in Iowa.
-This book included a number of recipes from the era which some of us made - they were quite tasty - and made us feel an appreciation for their cooking skills when they had so little to work with. Some of us also brought dishes passed down within our own families - again very good food. This further underscored the importance of handing down recipes and memories to future generations as each generation changes in different ways.
Menu
Hot Apple Cider
Rolls
Porcupines
Green Bean Casserole
Scalloped Corn
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Hickory Nut Cake
Applesauce Cake
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