Published: November 02, 2007 09:52 am            

The Bookworm Sez: Country woman shares laughs with farm experiences

Originally published in the November 2, 2007, print edition.

The silos have long been filled.

The fields are clear, or nearly so. Crops are in the barn, the shed, the corn crib. Pens have been cleaned, new straw has been laid where needed, and it’ll soon be time to bring the stock in for the winter.

But for you, the season is just starting. The very last of the garden is waiting to be frozen or canned. There’s one late-born orphaned pig or lamb behind the stove in a box, and last winter’s warm barn clothes need washing.

You’re a country woman and you’ve seen it all. You probably don’t need to read “How to Shovel Manure and Other Life Lessons for the Country Woman” by Gwen Petersen, but you’re going to want it. Sometimes, a country woman needs a good laugh.

Although winter will pounce on us soon, Petersen starts her book out with life in the country in springtime. Spring means calving season, and you might be called upon to pull a calf. Laying hens want to lay a little longer on their eggs. And you’ve already chosen a handful of magazines to take down to the farrowing house because it’s up to you to do an all-nighter when the sows have their piglets.

Four-legged critters aren’t your only concern in the spring. Your country man can’t do everything, and although he has you as an IHH (Instant Hired Hand), he needs more hands than the four between you. A hired man — or two, or three — might show up to help with fencing, plowing, planting and other spring chores. And don’t forget to beg/plead/bribe someone to plow your garden area so you can beg/plead/bribe the kids to help plant.

So you made it through spring, but life for a country woman never slows down. You’ll have to help with haying in the summer. The stock might have to be moved to different pastures, you’ve got garden maintenance (see kids, above). You’ll want to start thinking of fall and harvesting your vegetables.

And the title of this book? Most useful when you’re getting ready for winter and you’ll need to know how to use the business end of a pitchfork.

“How to Shovel Manure” is an enjoyable little book, perfect for leaving in the truck or tractor to read while waiting, and packed with loads of information sprinkled with wry humor. Throughout the book are cute little limericks and poems, old-time ads for farm products, and recipes that every country woman will want to try.

My only complaint is that Petersen repeatedly refers to the presence of a farm husband in this book. An awful lot of country women run their farms or ranches all by themselves, thankyouverymuch. A nod to them might have been much appreciated.

Still, if you’re a country woman who’s proud of the differences between you and your city friends, then you have to have this book. For you, “How to Shovel Manure” is a shovel full of fun.

        

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