In December 1999, a newspaper reporter from Washington called. He was writing a review of the book “Seven Wonders: Everyday Things for a Healthier Planet” by John C. Ryan.
Michael Guilfoil of the Spokesman Review newspaper asked MaryJane if she had her own “seven wonders.” The story that ensued was headlined “Simple Solutions.” Here, then, is the continuation of that story. Each issue of MaryJanesFarm will feature in detail one of her seven solutions, and will give you all the information you need to make it your own.
Do you have a solution you would like to share?
E-mail:
iris@maryjanesfarm.org
OR write to:
MaryJanesFarm
Simple Solutions
PO Box 8691, Moscow, Idaho 83843
Farm Kitchen Solution:
- Mother of Invention
For rural women, necessity is the mother of invention. Being imaginative and making-do is just part of the job. Actually, it is the job. It comes with the territory. Not only are stores sometimes hours away, but frittering away money on things you can make yourself will most certainly run a farm short of money.
No Place Like Home Solution:
- Root Cellars
My root cellar was built around 1910. In it now are potatoes, beets, parsnips, sunchokes, carrots and cabbage. It’s an easy, “free” way to refrigerate food.
Handful Solution:
- Hand Pumps
Last summer, I contacted the original 1800s company that made hand water pumps. They were about to quit when Y2K brought them a surge of orders. If the eletricity goes out, I can walk to my pump and with 15 easy strokes, a stream of water from 400 feet underground spews out of the spout.
Plateful Solution:
- Sauerkraut and Kimchi
Sauerkraut and kimchi (pickled cabbage) are family staples. I make them in five-gallon crocks. I chop or shred vegetables, add a bit of dry salt and cover them for six weeks. Fermented vegetables aid in digestion, and they’re very tasty.
Shoulder to the Wheel Solution:
- Lawn Alternatives
As an adult, I’ve never had a lawn. Americans spend about a billion hours a year caring for lawns, and apply 67 million pounds of pesticides. When my grandpa moved to the city, he amused his neighbors by turning his front yard into a vegetable and flower garden. Early one morning, when he was around 85, he fell over while picking beans and died in his beloved patch of food and flowers. What a nicer way to go than behind a gas mower!
The Art of the Egg Issue Solution:
- Hand-Powered Kitchen
Duty
I use a hand vegetable mill to grate or slice all of our cheese, potatoes, carrots — even shelled walnuts. It’s permanently mounted in my kitchen and has four different attachments. It’s faster and easier than an electric grinder. And it’s a great way to involve kids in the kitchen.
Backcountry Food Issue Solution:
- Treadle Sewing Machines
I come from a family of seamstresses. When I left home, my mother purchased a new electric sewing machine for me. Within a year, I sold it and switched to a Singer treadle machine. I’ve reupholstered couches with my treadle, sewn sleeping bags, made car seat covers and, of course, clothes. You can’t beat the stitch and reliability of a treadle.
Premiére Issue Solution:
- Wooden Drying Racks
I’ve never owned an electric or gas clothes dryer. But I have a beautiful collection of wooden racks. Over the years I’ve found them in antique stores, or purchased them new from an Amish catalogue. Laundry is a religion for me. I love it when I’m all caught up. I love it when I have a bunch to do. I love the smell and repetitive reward of laundry.