I never miss your column. Love it. Reminds me of my Grandfather Nicholas.
 A gentle hard working orderly person who never wasted a thing in
his life and could make me a whistle or a toy or a very useful item out of
something he knew the exact where-abouts-of. He went overseas during World
War I, and the only stories I remember him telling were in relation to the
kindly and appreciative people he met and the countryside. He raised a
wonderful family of 5 after his wife died in child-birth. Mom was the oldest
and had to quit school at the age of 13 to stay home with her siblings. You
are so right. It WAS a hard life, but those people will never be forgotten.
Thanks for keeping their memories alive.  Elva.
(Just read "It truly was a Family Tree")

Very much enjoyed. I read your column this morning and have been busy on Google ever since.

I believe that I enjoyed all the same experiences that you had. To add to yours,each fall we would spend Sunday afternoon,there were five children,

gathering beechnuts,hickory,walnuts. etc. Dad would tie a weight onto a light rope and fling it into a tree and then shake. We kids would be holding a tarp to catch the nuts.

Also,each spring we would do the watercress trip and also we gathered the buds from a tree. These buds were then boiled and a salve was made for cuts mostly as we were butchers and cuts were common.This salve had a very quick healing power.But, my problem is that I can not remember the kind of tree we gathered from. I have a feeling it was an Aspen but I am not certain.I am in my eighties so it was a long time ago.Any help would ease my mind.

There is a name that sticks in my mind,at least something like “babaygilan”.In the Bible it speaks of salve being used on the women of Babylon so there may be some connection. My Dad was a self-educated but a well-read man. Perhaps that was his name for it.

And so ,Mr Walters,thank you again for an interesting read.

Sincerely,,Ed

Hello George

You do not know me but I feel I know you.
The reason I feel I know you is due to the fact I have become a big fan of
your column in the Community Voices
Not sure how I started checking it out but I have been enjoying it for some
time now....I am guessing we are a generation apart and as such I did not
experience most of the experiences you describe but I have heard similar
ones from my father. (just this past thanksgiving we had our dinner at the
hunt camp and I watched my dad show my sons where his father had built him a
hobby horse between 2 trees some 60 years earlier...you could still see the
boards in the trees)
Their is something comforting in listening to stories of yesteryear
Anyhow, I know in life we often fail to recognize people who unknowingly
bring smiles into our lifes... I just wanted to let you know you have a fan
who certainly looks forward to your musings each week
PS: another great one this week about the horses.

Darryl

Good day

just wanted to say i am enjoying reading your columns

look forward to see where and what you are going to choose for a topic.

Chris

This was concerning a story I wrote awhile back called Grocery Shopping.

Greetings Mr. Walters:

My husband and I have discussed this issue at great length

over the holidays.

We are appalled at the rudeness you endured.

Having raised three beautiful daughters we are confident that neither one would ever treat a customer in this manner.

The clerk is wrong, she is paid to perform these small tasks in order for the establishment she is working for encourage customers to return and therefore secure more profit for the store. (the one who is paying her wages)

Since when is it part of any job description to be rude to a customer?

As for the accusation of stealing the bread, it was at the very least

unacceptable actions on the part of the young man who took you into the store.

He should have returned to the outside and apologized to you in front of the starring public.

As for the opening of doors, why on earth should anyone change their habit of politeness to a accommodate the new generation?

We personally are so tired of people using the phrase ( politically correct or the modern way) as an excuse for clearing the world of all that is decent.

My husband opens doors, pampers me and our family and says thank you to everyone who shows any act of kindness.

We all think he is wonderful and I do not want my husband or anyone else changing their lifestyle including you for I may be the next women that you open the door for and believe me I will say

Thank You.

Friends of the Polite Generation.