tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5814092043818296016..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: The Lost Occupations of the 18th Century: a gust blog by Eleanor KuhnsJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68919586345126344962019-08-23T08:48:22.433-04:002019-08-23T08:48:22.433-04:00Julia, I've seen farriers around but the only ...Julia, I've seen farriers around but the only ornamental blacksmiths I've seen are at Renaissance Fairs. I'm glad there are still some blacksmiths around to keep the craft alive.Cathy Akers-Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08291140883625021188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23461132185837664052019-08-22T22:52:11.800-04:002019-08-22T22:52:11.800-04:00This sound very fascinating. I love the way the o...This sound very fascinating. I love the way the old is being kept alive via mysteries.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31909108259679962212019-08-22T19:23:39.209-04:002019-08-22T19:23:39.209-04:00Eleanor is offline, somewhere in the wilds doing r...Eleanor is offline, somewhere in the wilds doing research for the next book this week. I know she'll be delighted to read all these comments when she gets back!PJ Nunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05968119284170006565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66267527437052973572019-08-22T17:54:28.725-04:002019-08-22T17:54:28.725-04:00Clerical work is not gone but going. I had over 2...Clerical work is not gone but going. I had over 25 years changing names and addresses at a bank before our jobs went in a merger. When I retired from the State, my job was just farmed out to people in my department or the remaining clericals. <br /><br />On another note, my grandmother made her own sauerkraut, which I hated so that wasn't a plus for me. I do remember the crock on the side porch. Sally from PAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649707016754971847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70779916031832167342019-08-22T16:39:24.365-04:002019-08-22T16:39:24.365-04:00I love to read about past professions, the ones ta...I love to read about past professions, the ones taking great skill. It sounds like you do a brilliant job of covering those, Eleanor. And, I love your book covers. You are definitely going on my TBR list. My father, who was in real estate, had another skill that he actually used, that of water witching or dowsing. In the boot/trunk of his car was always a forked branch or stick that he used. I had to include "boot" because it is something that not many people remember now either (although I guess that do in the UK). I grew up saying boot of the car, not trunk.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29192304626080043812019-08-22T15:50:06.556-04:002019-08-22T15:50:06.556-04:00Having milk delivered was great, until the heat sp...Having milk delivered was great, until the heat spoiled it, or it froze. I was only two or three, but I have a clear memory of when the milk bottles froze, the milk rose up out of the popped open lid, and the glass fractured. And my mother cried, the most shocking thing of all. Which is probably why I remember the visuals.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846039203123720312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64761812884265972602019-08-22T15:43:39.162-04:002019-08-22T15:43:39.162-04:00I loved this blog and the ensuing discussion. Than...I loved this blog and the ensuing discussion. Thank you. it is really fascinating to understand how things were made. Those of us who read ( and re-read) the Little House books remember some of those lost skills and if your parents took you to historic villages you saw more demonstrated. Fascinating to see glass blown, wool spun and butter churned. On the other hand, I doubt that anyone misses rugs beaten by hand to get them clean? Or taking the dirty clothes down to the creek? I remember the chapter where Ma Ingalls acquired a sewing machine, and she was quite happy about it!I have the greatest respect for crafts, but they're more fun as a hobby than when clothing your family depends on your skill with a needle.I do remember my mother hanging wet clothes on an outdoor line in winter (a chore) and getting fresh milk delivered daily (good)Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66309705617870723762019-08-22T15:04:59.762-04:002019-08-22T15:04:59.762-04:00When I think about how impatient I get at red ligh...When I think about how impatient I get at red lights, your post gives me pause to consider how we rush, rush, rush. I am a native New Englander and I love reading about the history of the area. As a crafter, I love that you keep their occupational history alive. Coincidentally, I've signed up to take a weaving class at my local yarn shop. What made you decide to give Will the occupation of traveling weaver? Looking forward to reading SIMPLY DEAD.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3024165289392169952019-08-22T14:32:43.021-04:002019-08-22T14:32:43.021-04:00I love Eleanor's Will Rees books, so atmospher...I love Eleanor's Will Rees books, so atmospheric, and good mysteries. I've toured several Shaker communities, and they were actually leaders in mechanization. Another religious sect the Amish still do a lot of work by hand (or foot) and consume the calories to match. One popular side dish combines noodles and mashed potatoes. But I think the average Amish housewife buys her butter and cheese. Most will make the family's clothes, but from fabric from the same looms that make the fabric the rest of us use. An Amish quilt shop will often still have the quilt frame set up, and hand quilting going on.Debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476407014245266410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71343277579672972692019-08-22T13:51:07.879-04:002019-08-22T13:51:07.879-04:00Eleanor, I am fascinated by your books! I don'...Eleanor, I am fascinated by your books! I don't know how I've missed them until now, but am going to remedy that immediately. And you've sent me down the research rabbit hole this morning. I had no idea that since the 70s, most commercial cheese has been made using a genetically modified enzyme that mimics rennet, so that it's no longer necessary to literally kill the calf to make cheese.<br /><br />I see from your website that your background is in library science, and I was wondering what sparked your interest in this historical period.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12507413133077524322019-08-22T13:36:46.044-04:002019-08-22T13:36:46.044-04:00Ann, our friend Gigi Norwood quilts by hand, and m...Ann, our friend Gigi Norwood quilts by hand, and makes gorgeous quilts, too. But she uses quilting software to design them!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65371934315351192292019-08-22T13:34:02.788-04:002019-08-22T13:34:02.788-04:00My husband still has his first tiny transistor rad...My husband still has his first tiny transistor radio from the 60s. He knows how to repair all those things, too, but I can't imagine the next generation having the same skills.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89892950136744261282019-08-22T13:25:50.157-04:002019-08-22T13:25:50.157-04:00Fascinating topic! Gone occupations? Milk man. Pop...Fascinating topic! Gone occupations? Milk man. Popsicle truck man. Too many communities banned them as being "dangerous." Watch repair people. I saw an article recently begging for young people to apply for a fully paid apprenticeship. Which reminds me. I had a wellness check up yesterday with certain things required by Medicare. One required me to draw a clock and make it show a certain time. First grade stuff. I laughed when the nurse said some of the twenty somethings couldn't do it. Do they still have door to door Fuller Brush salesmen? Both of my grandfathers were jack of all trades. One lived out in the country and farmed, raised animals, did some blacksmithing, small engine repair, you name it. The other lived in the city, after emigrating from Sweden. He attended medical school but did not finish; worked as a policeman in corrupt Kansas City, and no doubt had other professions. He wound up owning his own little grocery store. We still have shoe repair shops but they are not cheap! And there are small engine repair shops particularly where there are lawn mowers and boats. Trains got rid of cabooses so there's no one to wave at.Pat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732230586783432052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44039131740800268282019-08-22T12:48:43.641-04:002019-08-22T12:48:43.641-04:00Julia, thanks for reminding me. Now I remember th...Julia, thanks for reminding me. Now I remember that they use machines more in the USA, including Maine. Bibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3641711593297873672019-08-22T12:12:43.294-04:002019-08-22T12:12:43.294-04:00Wow, I never would have guessed living back then r...Wow, I never would have guessed living back then required so many calories, although it makes sense when I think about it. I am never going to take my store-bought butter for granted ever again!Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920956529695986188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43157224397160091332019-08-22T12:02:43.386-04:002019-08-22T12:02:43.386-04:00My father-in-law was a sign painter, too! Painted ...My father-in-law was a sign painter, too! Painted signs for movie theatres. Markets. A lost art.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9893596402177656322019-08-22T11:44:21.432-04:002019-08-22T11:44:21.432-04:00Diana, maybe we've gotten to a good place afte...Diana, maybe we've gotten to a good place after all - the fulfilling hand crafts are still practiced by a few well-paid artisans, but the majority of back-breaking, unpleasant labor has been mechanized. <br /><br />My daughter works for a manufacturer here in Maine that make specialty rope for mountain climbing, rescue work, and arborists. So there are still rope makers in Maine - they just have machines to help instead of having to walk miles every day twisting fibers by hand.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19371085910221737082019-08-22T11:39:54.942-04:002019-08-22T11:39:54.942-04:00Deana, I remain comfortable assured by the fact co...Deana, I remain comfortable assured by the fact computers haven't been able to write good novels - yet!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28436295299953208792019-08-22T11:38:39.609-04:002019-08-22T11:38:39.609-04:00And of course, back in the day quilts were made wi...And of course, back in the day quilts were made with cut-down pieces of cloth taken from old clothing, sheets, etc., not coordinated fabric bought specifically for quilt-making.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23999060051067327002019-08-22T11:37:01.034-04:002019-08-22T11:37:01.034-04:00Ann, you remind me of my experience during the Gre...Ann, you remind me of my experience during the Great ice Storm of '98, when I was stuck in a powerless house with two small children for nine days. Tending fires round the clock, cooking on iron skillets atop the wood stove, keeping the children safe from candles and vice versa, melting snow and ice for flushing water - I didn't have to hand-launder clothes or milk a cow, but the experience was enough to cure me of any desire to actually live in the olden days. Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4585123393573350652019-08-22T11:31:14.788-04:002019-08-22T11:31:14.788-04:00Karen, a traveling seamstress who takes up residen...Karen, a traveling seamstress who takes up residence at a different house every couple of months would make a terrific protagonist for an historical mystery series!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66769808791581894822019-08-22T11:28:25.940-04:002019-08-22T11:28:25.940-04:00Karen, I still have the clock radio I got when I w...Karen, I still have the clock radio I got when I was in college. Both the clock and the radio still work, although the manufacturer is long gone.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71465298296716532082019-08-22T11:26:54.420-04:002019-08-22T11:26:54.420-04:00Interestingly enough, a brand new cooperage opened...Interestingly enough, a brand new cooperage opened in my town a few years ago. The cooper started by making barrels from old-growth wood that had been preserved underwater (talk about a narrow niche!) His work gained popularity with distillers, and the new small-batch, regional distillery boom gave him enough business to build his own facility. He makes barrels by hand, charred and aged in different ways for the distillers specifications. I love how a change in consumer habits has brought about the return of an ancient profession in our area.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50553400342964483132019-08-22T11:23:56.644-04:002019-08-22T11:23:56.644-04:00Eleanor, welcome to Jungle Reds! Your books are n...Eleanor, welcome to Jungle Reds! Your books are new to me and I want to read them. I will look for them at my library.<br />Will you attend Left Coast Crime or Malice Domestic?<br /><br />Wonderful post today! I was reminded of when I visited Colonial Williamsburg. I remember when I was a kid that our teacher taught us how to make candles. A long time ago when I was a kid, I remember we had the milkman deliver milk daily! Yes, I remember the 24 hour photo developing service. And until recently, we had a video/ DVD rental shop. Now the only place you can get DVDs are when you borrow DVDs from the library.<br /><br />Although many careers are outdated now, I have seen some people continue the traditions of quilting, knitting, building furniture, and other crafts.<br /><br />We still have shoe repair places, thank goodness.<br /><br />Regarding cheese making, I think there are villages in Europe that continue that tradition. <br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-552882095130071212019-08-22T11:21:59.708-04:002019-08-22T11:21:59.708-04:00OMG, the 24 hour photo place. And the big debate -...OMG, the 24 hour photo place. And the big debate - one print or two? Matte or glossy? And did we really need them fast, or can we pay less for the place that takes a week or two to return the photos. This is one former business I can't say I miss.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.com