The Red Flannel Rag

When it was time to dig sweet potatoes, Mom and Dad checked the almanac to

avoid the sign of the water boy. Otherwise, they made sure to not dig them in the “old”

moon or the sweet potatoes would rot in storage. Cabbage was processed into

sauerkraut in August during the “down” sign of the moon which kept the brine down in

the crock and not spilling over the sides. Sauerkraut was never made in the sign of the

fish, because it would turn to slime.

The produce from the garden was canned, dried, and, in later years, frozen for

use in the winter. Green beans or snap beans and corn were processed in a community

effort under the supervision of Grandma Molly. These gatherings were called bean

stringings and corn huskings. Some of the beans were canned and some were threaded

onto a string then placed in a warm dry place such as the attic. In a month or two they

turned into “hay” beans, or dried beans. They had to be boiled long and hard to get

them tender, but the flavor was unique and tasted nothing like the original bean flavor.

During the gardening months my sister and I were warned not to go in or near

the garden if we were having a period. Also, we could not help with the processing or

canning of fruits and vegetables. These warnings came from Mom and were always

attached to stories of how gardens were killed and produce spoiled by a menstruating

woman walking into the garden or helping with the canning. Mom told us about our

neighbor coming to visit while she was picking cucumbers. The neighbor walked into

the garden and stood near the cucumber vines. One day later, the cucumber patch was

dead.

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