Fish Fries And Garden Tomatoes In 1904
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week! Of all D.R. Wagner’s six children, Kalista seems to be the most fun-loving and playful. She is enthusiastic, loves life and jokes whenever she gets a chance. She married a fairly renowned psychology professor named Frazer Hood who had a long academic career at Davidson College in North Carolina.
Kalista’s disturbing view on the value of a kitten’s life aside, I definitely relate to her enthusiasm over a good summer tomato with homemade mayo!
Locust Hill, July 24, 1904
Dearest Jesse,
We had a splendid time all last week. Two days we spent up Springdale at a fish fry – John, Fraser, Mr. Carter and sons all went and several of the country customers came up and we got plenty of fine fish both days. Evelyn came at the second day and brought John Henry. Then Lizzie Cowan and a cousin of hers from Byhalia spent two days with us and Gene came Friday night and will be with us till tonight.
We have had light showers and fine cool weather nearly every day this month. Last night we had to sleep under a sheet, a blanket, and a counterpane and we were not at all too warm. The flowers and grass look fine and today we had butter beans (the largest and tenderest I ever ate!), potatoes, onions, splendid big tomatoes and corn out of the garden. The string beans have about played out — but we had fine ones. I make awfully good mayonnaise dressing for the tomatoes and they are our favorites!
Peggy has mended her ways and digs up no more flowers. She is a pretty respectable dog now. Smith is flourishing. All the kittens are either dead or else have been lost. So, we are not bothered that way.
You never before told me about your plans. I was glad to know them. It was all news to me about your intending to stop by and visit all those places. If you don’t come home till sometime in October I won’t get to see you again because I won’t be here then.
Tell Emma I got my hand in on housekeeping too long ago to even recall. I give all of them my love.
John, Evelyn and John Henry took dinner up here today and we had a fine one for them, too.
I read in the Philadelphia paper several weeks ago that one of the pelicans at the zoo had lost his wing. Didn’t Dudley go out there? How about it? Tell him to own up if he took the wing.
I’m much obliged to you for that postal picture of father. I think it is fine of him, don’t you?
As yet our vacation trip is not fully realized — either Monteagle or Michigan. We will wait till later to decide which place to go to. If we had the money I wouldn’t shop this side of Canada but as long as we are not backed by father I reckon a modest trip will have to do. That is my only reason for even thinking of Monteagle!
Well, I will have to close. Love to Dudley, father and all to you from us both. We will answer soon.
Your caring sister,
Kalista
