When I was a youngster, we went on a picnic every July 4, regardless of anything short of a cloudburst. While Mom fried three large chickens in two black skillets and put them in the oven to bake, I peeled and sliced potatoes to fill a large casserole for scalloped potatoes made with our heavy cream and butter.
We packed three rhubarb pies, scalloped corn, homemade buns, lemonade, plates, glasses, and silverware. We also brought along old blankets to sit on, towels for swimming, and a tablecloth.
Around 10:00, the whole Hansel clan gathered on the picnic grounds by Ten Mile Lake, staking a claim in the shade by moving wooden picnic tables to the area. Grandma Galena and her sister, Alma; their brothers Roy, Clarence, and Hilmer; and all of their children and grandchildren were the picnic guests. As the families arrived, they set casseroles and roasters, wrapped in newspaper and white flour sack dishtowels, on long wooden picnic tables. Our mouths watered at the aroma of fried chicken, meatballs, ham, baked beans, and scalloped potatoes, while our eyes feasted on potato salads, Jell-O salads in the latest Tupperware containers, watermelon, buttered buns, pickles, and homemade pies. Uncle Roy brought a five-gallon bucket of ice cream wrapped in a green canvas casing. Lillian brought a lemon roll, and Marjorie brought peach pie.
The women wore casual floral dresses that featured a small waist and a full, swinging skirt falling below the knee. The men wore slacks and dress hats, a few boys dared to wear shorts, and we girls received new pedal pusher outfits or we came in a dress.
Horseshoes
After dinner, the men pitched horseshoes as we kids watched. They competed more to outwit each other than to make a ringer, and no one could outdo Dad and his brother Donnie when it came to telling stories, pulling pranks, and kidding each other. Dad said they must first review the rules for Donnie, and he joked that he didn’t want Donnie as a partner because he did not release the horseshoe. Donnie said he couldn’t have Dad as partner because he was blind.
“I think we should let Donnie stand a few feet closer to the pole so he can compete with us more experienced players,” Dad said as he marked a spot a foot away from the post. “Hey, Donnie,” Dad teased, “this sport is more fun if you release the horseshoe rather than hold it.”
Flailing his arms and shooing us kids away, Donnie said, “Move back, kids. Move way back. In fact, you may want to hide behind a tree. It’s Milton’s turn to throw, and he doesn’t have good aim.”
“The point of the game is to get your horseshoe around the post for three points—not to throw it over the post,” Dad taunted Donnie.
Meanwhile, the women sat on blankets and took care of babies and toddlers as they exchanged recipes, talked about weddings and showers, and caught up on Days of Our Lives and As the World Turns. Grandma would tell a funny story from her past and get everyone laughing.
Swimming
An hour after eating, the adults moved to the lake to lifeguard as we kids swam for a couple of hours. Everyone had a wonderful time there. The children splashed and swam, while the teenagers just hung out.
About 5:00 we cleaned the picnic area, leaving no trace of our visit behind, and packed to leave for home. We had barn chores to do, and we looked forward to the sparklers we knew our parents would have for us after it got dark.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
–Job 8:21(NIV)