This is at the orchard up north....when we passed through there the way the tree loomed over it caught my eye.
Then I isolated the outhouse with the tree, and it seemed even more massive. Or maybe it is just that the outhouse seems so insignificant. Notice how the tree, outhouse, and light pole all lean one way while the house and the young trees in the background don't lean at all. If I remember correctly the trees are staked so they can't lean.**************
I remember our grade school had an outhouse for boys on one corner of the school ground and the girls was on the other corner. I always remembered the teachers waited till recess was over before they went to the bathroom, and to the best of my memories, that happened very few times. Can you imagine walking down a dirt path in dress shoes and dress clothes? I think the two that lived there close by would sometimes run home.
My brother and I were talking about our teachers, and wondering if getting assigned to our school was looked forward to or if it was almost a disgrace, or some sort of punishment. At least two of the teachers lived within a mile or two of school, so it might have really been an appealing position for them. Also, even with each teacher teaching two grades, our classes were small...very small. I think, with the exception maybe of a time or two when a student came and left, our class always had the same 10 students in it. I should have ask my other friends before writing this, maybe I am forgetting someone.
In our 7th & 8th grade, we had the principal as our teacher. I never felt like he enjoyed us at all. And I really don't think he had a clue about what went on in class. When we had to read out loud, some of the boys in the grade above us would reach over and cover the page of one of my friends till she could not see what she was reading. He would tell her such words as 'the' and 'this' or 'her' and 'him'....and never look up. And this for an A student! Everyone in class could read those words....not once did he look up to see what was going on.
We had a basketball court, but could only take one basketball out. Or one softball, or one volleyball. But there was a big metal locker that was full of basketballs, footballs, and I don't know what else. The principal would not let us have a football...I think my friend and I ask for one one time. His reply was no touch ball.
Yet we used the volleyball in what we called 'keep-away,' and sometimes the whole gang of us would end up in a big pile fighting for the ball. We could not have played any rougher if we had had a football.
We played all games unsupervised...yet very seldom was there an argument. And I don't ever remember there being a serious argument. We might fuss a bit over whether someone was out or safe, but went on and played. When we were young, my best friend and I played ball with the older boys. We had to get permission from that same principal mentioned above...his words were 'no crying.'
We had times when we played jump rope, red rover, tag, Mother may I, hide and seek, etc...or swung on the swings. When they were up...I think part of the time they were taken down for some reason. We would swing in those swings just as high as we could and bale out...I don't know how we didn't end up crippled as much as we jumped out of those swings. But as far as I know, it never hurt any of us.
These are just a few of my thoughts when I see an outhouse...who would ever think that an old outhouse could evoke such memories?
I've heard smells can bring up memories as well. I enjoyed reading yours. My husband grew up going to school with only about 27 kids in his class. They would come and go through the years and he talks about a few teachers like your Principal/Teacher.
ReplyDeleteOh, and my husband loved seeing the knives in the previous post.
Interesting post Rose. Made me think back to my school days.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrific post...I like the photos very much...that tree is rather large and magnificent.
ReplyDeleteBut your school/outhouse stories are just plain fun.
My grandmother had an outhouse on her farm in northern Minnesota...all I can remember was how cold it was, and using old Sears & Roebuck catalogs for toilet paper!
Why are so many principals such doofuses? In my experience as a teacher, administrators by and large were those who couldn't teach very well and/or didn't like kids!
Rose: So much fun to look back at older times. I lived in the city so the only time I dealt with outhouses was when camping in the mountains. They are really cold in the winter.
ReplyDeleteA fine house and outhouse under the huge tree...nice one to find and shoot. Very interesting recollections of your grade school days. On the farm our outhouse was bullt on sled runners so dad could hook on the horses to drag it to a new pit when needed. An outhouse in the winter was so bad I've blocked out all the memories of that experience! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 6 years old the house that we lived in had an outhouse. I can't recall, though, if we ever used it. Dad knocked it down; can't remember when. I have used an outhouse, though, at my Dad's camp.
ReplyDeleteThese photos really did bring back some memories for you! What an interesting look at your childhood and schooling. You would think that in a small school like that everyone would get lots of individual attention. I remember outhouses at the farms of a couple of my relatives. I never liked using them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post very much, Rose. The only outhouses I have ever used were at campgrounds. So I am familiar but they do not bring back school memories. Instead I think of pines, tents, walking trails, the great outdoors....
ReplyDeleteThis was a very good recollection. It does sound like the principal had issues, doesn't it? I will admit for two little girls wanting to play what sounds a bit like rugby, I can hear me saying the same thing: no crying!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cute post with lots of memories... Bet most of us had at least one 'nutty' teacher!!!! ha....
ReplyDeleteWish kids today would get out and play games together like we used to... Today all they do is video games, TV, cellphones, etc....
They had outhouses at the summer camp I used to go to.. I was afraid to go to the potty during the night... They told us that a snake would jump out of the potty and bite us!!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy