We hope everyone will join us this week for another delicious
Pathfinder Produce market, this Thursday, February 5th, from 2 to 5
p.m. It’s a great way to beat the winter blahs!******
Many
families in the region, including my own, are coping with a cold-stomach bug
with all its unpleasantness. At my house, we’re pumping vitamins, using
the vaporizer, drinking hot herbal teas, trying to sleep more, and breaking out
the lotion-enhanced tissues. (How did we ever get along without
those? For a brief history of tissues, visit this New
York Times link.)
Of
course, a big pot of homemade soup is always a welcome remedy, and I love soups
with lots of vegetables. I will have to get busy this weekend and make
some (that is if I can continue avoiding the bug). Soup is a comfort food
in more ways than one, and according to internet
sources there is some truth to the old wives tale on chicken
soup. If I do happen to succumb, I’ll lose myself in a good history
book … I know it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I really do believe that “what is past is
prologue.”
Speaking
of history, the other day, Carl from the Pathfinder Bakery Morning Coffee
Klatch shared an article about an Edmeston resident from the November Reminisce Magazine. (The magazine is
published by Readers’ Digest and features memories and photos from when our
parents and grandparents were young). Edward A. Jones of Santa Fe, NM
remembered his childhood, spent in Edmeston, and how his maternal grandfather,
William Smith “Doc” Pine, served as an herbalist and healer in the first half
of the 20th century. Doc Pine learned his art from his own father
and Native healers, and although he didn’t have a medical degree, he was
considered knowledgeable in both assessing illnesses and providing herbal
salves and tonics that provided relief.
Mr.
Jones writes, “…he became somewhat of a legend throughout upstate New York,
parts of New England and southern Ontario. He practiced from his home,
seeing as many as 50 patients a day and traveling by horse-drawn sleigh to
nearby farmhouses, villages and logging camps during winter months….
“Our
pantry was always overflowing with the multitude of ingredients and I was in
awe of the power they seemed to possess ….. These days Doc Pine would likely be
labeled a quack. To his patients, though, he was anything but. I
have met people over the years whose families he helped ….”
More
Dr. Pine stories are included in “Grandpa’s
Book” by local author Raymond Fuller.
Until
next time, avoid the bug and be well,
Lori
