NEBRHeritage-L Archives

Archiver > NEBRHeritage > 2004-02 > 1075758967


From: glory bee <>
Subject: [NEBRHeritage-L] Bill Oliver's article on aprons..
Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004 14:56:10 -0700


I recall many types of aprons that my grandmother wore, as well as
a few of my mothers and relatives. I recall grandma had one that was
a pale pink, a pinafore style--lots of ruffles around the edges.
But the one that I remember most of all was a particular work
apron used when rendering lard during butchering time. It was
rather heavy, plain, off white and regardless of how many times
it was washed...it smelled of rancid oils.

I guess I remember it more than the flour sack ones, the embroidered,
the floral printed and the lacy ones.. because I am a bleeder. And
during one very messy episode, My great aunt, had me go out to
the wood shed, wrap a given type of cobwebs around this stick..
She grabbed grams smelly apron, placed it on my head, ignited
the cobweb covered stick and had me inhale very deeply. I mean
she held my head down and when the smoke was very acrid smelly
and thick under this smelly dirty apron... I was to inhale --take deep
breaths! It burned & seared my nostrils, lungs, eyes.. At any rate,
the nose bleeds stopped! Apparently quite cauterized! It worked.
Years later, when in nursing school, we students and instructor,
analyzed the cobwebs and found that those cob webs that snapped
crackled and popped... were very high in sulfur!

Glory Bee





This thread: