sam says

Grandpa , I've heard that houseflies were a problem back in the old days ? Yes, they did present a problem somewhat. Teatowels were used to drive out the flies. Many of the old houses did not have screens. Some did though flies found a way in.

   To drive flies out, first prop open the front door. Each person in the house would hold a teatowel in each hand making actions somewhat resembling present day cheerleaders, starting at the back of the house and herding the flies toward the open front door. It would look like blackbirds going south for the winter.

      Thanks Grandpa, I'm learning a lot about old times while talking with you. Yes little lady, things were quite a bit different then. After the crash of Wall Street in October 1929 our family moved from a nice modern house in Tulsa to Chouteau, about 35 miles east,  a nice little town though few modern conveniences.

     Drinking water was drawn from an outside well. Hard water it was called. Contained minerals we could taste. Took a few days to be accustomed to the odd taste. People used 'rainbarrels' to catch soft water compatible with soap, unlike the hard water. There was no 'detergent' as we know it now.

  The 'outhouse' was that which we now call the bathroom except no-one ever took a bath out there. The more sophisticated outhouses had two seats. The smaller seat to accomodate a child while visiting there with the mother. Within reach was hanging an outdated Sears and Roebuck catalouge and a bag of 'nubbin' corncobs, providing choice.

        Once in a while some City Cousins would visit us for the weekend. Once one complained of the flies bothering him so much while using the outhouse. I said, you are going at the wrong time. The flies never bother me. You City boys are so Dumb. I'll admit being dumb if you will just tell me the best time to go to the outhouse.

   It is simple. Go at mealtime, the flies are all at the house.     sam

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