[jeezeweeze]

> BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT
>
>
>
> IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
> WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
> WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
> AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
> AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
> A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.
>
> PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
> STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
>
>
>
> THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
> THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
> THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
> THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.
>
> THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
> FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
> IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
> OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
> IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
> THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.
>
> BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
> AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
> IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
> AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
> SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
> FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!
>
> AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
> TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
> AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
> TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
> AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
> WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!
>
> AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
> THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
> TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
> AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
> THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
> THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
>
> WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
> SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
> WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
> MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
> AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
> FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!
>
> SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
> AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
> 'BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
> AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?'
> TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
> 'GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!'
>
>
>
> Most all these girls' dresses were made from flour sacks...