{"id":23355,"date":"2023-02-13T13:12:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T18:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=23355"},"modified":"2023-02-13T13:14:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T18:14:47","slug":"episode-739-car-story-1-snowbound-at-skeoch-home-farm-circa-december-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=23355","title":{"rendered":"EPISODE 739 CAR STORY #1: SNOWBOUND AT SKEOCH HOME FARM CIRCA DECEMBER 1960"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Note:  No time to edit this down to a shorter episode.  For those of you not amused or offended by<\/div>\n
our extended familY, I apologize.  The memories kept coming as I wrote and may be enjoyed by<\/div>\n
those who were there that winter celebration.  The farm is now gone.  Cousin Roy Skeoch\u2019s daughter,<\/div>\n
Roberta, born and living in New Zealand will enjoy Roy\u2019s horse radish devilry delivered personally by our grand<\/div>\n
daughter Molly who is now touring New Zealand and will no doubt find Roy\u2019s grave. Tourists must <\/div>\n
think that Skeoch is a Maouri word when they see that grave.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
EPISODE 739   CAR STORY #1: SNOWBOUND AT SKEOCH HOME FARM CIRCA  DECEMBER1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
alan skeoch<\/div>\n
Feb. 13, 2023<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Skeoch Home Farmhouse, circa 1960\u2026Imagine two feet of snow<\/div>\n
and a raging snowstorm on a winter night.  That is the back house on<\/div>\n
far left.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
SKEOCH HOME FARM BARN\u2026\u201dRed, park the car on the south side, away  from the wind and snow\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cI was raised here and will park the car wherever I want.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOh Red, you fathead”<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
1)  One bitter winter night we drove from Toronto to the Fergus home farm of<\/div>\n
the Skeochs.  Temperature was at the brass monkey stage.  Dad was driving<\/div>\n
which we tried to avoid but failed.  We made it to the farm with ease.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cRed, park the car out of the wind on the east side of the barn.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cNo.  Parking it here, close to the drivewau.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cSnowstorm coming\u2026wind\u2026.drifting snow on North side of the barn.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat do you know about this farm?  I was born here.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOh Red, you fathead.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
So we left the car and made our through the wind driven snow<\/div>\n
to the farmhouse where dad\u2019s brothers were arguing as usual and his sisters<\/div>\n
were rolling their eyes as usual.  After gorging on heaps of food a poker game<\/div>\n
was started.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cRed, we should get home. The storm is bad.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cNot until I get a few dollars back.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Beer was present but in limited quantity thanks to aunt Greta and \u2018Lid\u2019  who were not present<\/div>\n
but still had influence.    Eric and I had no<\/div>\n
idea why aunt Elizabeth was cailed \u2018Lid\u2019. perhaps because of her hat or more likely from<\/div>\n
the expression \u201cput a LID on it!   She had strong opinions on life and  tried to keep<\/div>\n
her brothers in line.  Failed.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Lots of yelling\u2026laughing, arguing\u2026kidding around.  Eric, my brother, was a rather picky<\/div>\n
eater and Mom said \u201cNow Eric, you eat up your dinner tonight.  It\u2019s Christmas, ant Mabel has<\/div>\n
been cooking and baking  all week.\u201d  Which was true.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Eric and I were rather shy.  City kids.  Not used to the hustle and bustle of farm life in<\/div>\n
big families    Cousin Roy saw this as an opportunity for some devilry when it came<\/div>\n
time for the apple sauce.  Eric took one bite and made a face.  Mom saw that and<\/div>\n
said, \u201cNow Eric, eat up you dessert.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Cousin Roy hung around.  Watching Eric like an eagle watching a trout.  Straight face with<\/div>\n
a slight upward curl to his lips.  Eric took a couple bites\u2026and stopped dead.<\/div>\n
Roy let out a hoop of laughter.    Eric\u2019s desert was raw horse radish not apple sauce. <\/div>\n
Laughter exploded .  Seemed out knew the horse radish joke\u2026even Eric now.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
(Note:  Non Skeoch readers might find these names a burden so just skip along)<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
WHO WAS PRESENT THAT NIGHT?  SOME OF THE EXTENDED FAMILY BELOW<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Norman, Arche, Elsie, Arthur, Arnold (Red) Skeoch<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were 10 children born on he Skeoch home farm (James Skeoch family) most of<\/div>\n
whom filled the local schoolhouse when they were smaller . In Dec. 1960 they were grown<\/div>\n
up and most were present the day we got snowbound<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
When Red\u2019s sisters were present the family was less explosive.  Aunts Greta, Lena<\/div>\n
and Elizabeth in from row,  John, Norman and Red (Arnold) in back row.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
A WHOPPING BIG FAMILY\u2026AND UNPREDICTSBLE AT TIMES<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Aunts Greta, Lena, Elizabeth, Mabel…Cousins Margie, Sandy, Patti and <\/div>\n
the twins Joan and Jeannette.  Uncles Norman and Archie and I think Uncle Ernest and his<\/div>\n
wife Ayleen were there.  Along with the Toronto delegations \u2026Uncle Art nd aunt Mary and<\/div>\n
their kids Kenny, Jean and Big John\u2026mom, dad, Eric and me.   Lid and her<\/div>\n
brood were not present (Uncle Frank and Lid with kids Eleanor, mary, Jim and Owen).  Nor were<\/div>\n
the Metcalfes,  (aunt Greta and Uncle Irvine with Harvey and Gordon).. nor Jim and Ruth Skeoch<\/div>\n
with Lloyd and Vernon and his brother Bruce and Jean and their kids.  some of the Tosh family Lena and Wellington Tosh<\/div>\n
with Helen, Lorne. Donald. Audrey.  Ernest was always present. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Figure there were between 17 and 20 people present\u2026and about another 20 or 30 who<\/div>\n
were absent but talked about.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s all the yelling about?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cSkeoch men having a conversation.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The family was bewildering in numbers\u2026.aggressive to passive in behaviour\u2026shy and bold… mostly<\/div>\n
bold\u2026. although Eric and I would be called shy.  Most were Loud\u2026very loud.  The house smelled of ensilage<\/div>\n
and manure in the mud room… then roasted turkey and chocolate cake in the kitchen …then the smell<\/div>\n
of beer, cigars and cigarettes  where the men played poker and occasionally threw a punch.  Catch as catch can seating<\/div>\n
with the unlucky braced against the stone walls of the fieldstone house.  Out door toilet (back house)<\/div>\n
was a long run from the house,,,very social two seater<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The beer was under loose hay in the barn\u2026a safe place that was unlikely to be found by<\/div>\n
the side of the family that considered empty beer bottles marked the trail to damnation.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Horse radish.  All hooting snd yelling at Eric\u2019s expense.  Mom  had been suckered into playing  a role.<\/div>\n
Dad, too.  Not sure dad thought it was funny.  Dad was always ready to fight if he felt we needed help.<\/div>\n
 Eric was more than a little non plussed<\/div>\n
but did not cry.  I was lucky.  Forgotten snd ignored which was fine by  me.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The worst wasywt to come.  Norman went out  to check the cattle in  the barn and reported that<\/div>\n
the snow storm was still severe at which point mom suggested it was time to leave and head<\/div>\n
forToronto.   We wrapped ourselves and stepped into the storm.   The barn was just a dark shadow<\/div>\n
as the wind drove the show at almost right angles.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Dad was cold sober.  He never drank much.  Perhaps a bottle of beer now and then.  His addiction was <\/div>\n
horses  not alcohol.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cOh Red, what will we do now?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cpull the snow away from the doors and get in\u2026start the bastard and head home\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cThere, you can squeeze in now Methuselum.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
(Methusela was the oldest person in the Bible.  Mom was a year older than dad so<\/div>\n
he called her Methuselum as a pet name.    He tacked on the \u2018um\u2019 because it sounded<\/div>\n
better\u2026shortened to \u2018Method\u2019 sometimes.  Mystified many people.)<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Mom Squeezed in as did Eric and I.  Dad took the wheel. Mom did not offer criticism<\/div>\n
but we all knew she was right about parking debate long hours earlier.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cGoddamn thing won\u2019t turn over.  Dead as a skunk on the highway.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cLift the hood.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
We managed to lift the hood with wind blasting us with snow.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhere is he motor?\u201d <\/div>\n
\u201cPacked with snow\u2026.invisible\u201d  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
the wind had driven the snow up under the hood then packed it tight<\/div>\n
like a snowball.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cGet Norman, Red\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Norman argued clad in buffalo cot and at with ear protecters\u2026.grinning.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat can we do, Norman, snow has made car into a  goddamn snowman.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cHave to haul you to Fergus with the tractor.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat good will that do\u2026it\u2019s near midnight.<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get Drew Elgie to open his service garage and we<\/div>\n
can set the car in  there until the snow melts\u2026then jump<\/div>\n
the battery.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cWill that work?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cHow he hell would I know\u2026Drew Elgie will figure something out\u201d’<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat about Methooz and the kids?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cEnough talk.  I\u2019ll get a chain and the tractor.  You can all sit in<\/div>\n
the car was I tow it to Fergus. \u201c<\/div>\n
\u201cBloody cold job for you  Norman.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cBitch of a job\u2026so let\u2019s get at it.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
And so we were hauled to Fergus.  Storm still raging.  Four of us in the car, freezing cold<\/div>\n
as Uncle Norman drove the tractor with a long chain attached under our bumper.  Slowly<\/div>\n
moving down the lane and along the sideroad to Fergus where Drew Elgie had opened<\/div>\n
up one of the service bays where Uncle Norman wedged our car.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
And we sat there.  The snow melted.  The battery was boosted and miracle of miracles the car started.<\/div>\n
No money changed hands.  This was a rescue not a profit making enterprise.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
As a matter of fact this was not even the 53 Meteor.  It was our next used car, a Dodge I think.  A used<\/div>\n
car though and therefore not always dependable. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Back in the Skeoch home farm the poker game continued and a few beers were slipped into the<\/div>\n
farm house from the manger in the barn.  Cigarettes and cigars were lit.  Laughter and arguments<\/div>\n
\u2026a remarkable extended Skeoch family at ease.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I wonder if all this could happen today?   Our extended family has drifted apart and many have died.<\/div>\n
Perhaps only this memory remains now that the big barn has been taken apart by Mennonites and the stone<\/div>\n
farm house has been remodelled by people we no longer know.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Methuselum (Elsie) Skeoch and her husband  Red (Arnold) Skeoch will never be<\/div>\n
forgotten as long as memory serves.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
alaln<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Eric and I Have always fowler lucky ro have been fragment of the Skeoch family.   I do not know if Eric<\/div>\n
ever adopted a taste for horse radish.   I know we miss Roy.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note:  No time to edit this down to a shorter episode.  For those of you not amused or offended by our extended familY, I apologize.  The memories kept coming as I wrote and may be enjoyed by those who were there that winter celebration.  The farm is now gone.  Cousin Roy Skeoch\u2019s daughter, Roberta, born […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23355\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}