Friday, January 19, 2018
Japan Story Earaches
Japan Story
I was a pretty healthy kid, although I remember coming down with measles and chicken pox while in Ju Ichi Ban .
There were however, recurring ear infections which required a doctor's attention. The pediatrician was a western doctor, a woman, and I loved her office because it was decorated with hundreds of origami birds.
Having no idea how to treat an ear infection in those days before antibiotics, 'Antiphlogistine' was recommended. It was smeared on my neck, I recall. I was fascinated by the name. Years later I came across a definition of
" 'phlogiston': noun, a substance supposed by 18th century chemists to exist in all combustible bodies and to be released on combustion. "
Apparently the pharma people of the 1930's had made up an impressive sounding name for what was, essentially, a placebo.
My bedroom had to be heated also. They brought in a cylindrical device about three feet hight which cast spots of light on the ceiling. What produced the heat I have no idea. It might have been a coal burner, but more likely was electric. In either case not something one would leave unattended in a small child's room today.
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I love your stories! I loved the visits of your mother, my granny. I have memories of her needlework and how cozy she made her house. You taught Wendy and I how to knit when were were young, under age 10. It didn't take with me, but Bri enjoys knitting today! She taught me how to crochet in high school. Then left for a year. I'd reversed her instructions as I am left handed. She taught me how to make granny squares using pretty bright colors. I put away the crocheting and tried to figure it out again. Fortunately, she came out the next year. She laughed at how badly I had done... I laughed too, not offended at all! She then required that I, a very stubborn leftie, learn to crochet right handed. This time it took. I loved how evenly I could crochet compared to knitting. I made cranny square and baby blankets, and my poor friends later received little newborn sets of socks, cap or bonnet, and little jacket and/or baby blankets. I made a poncho and cape and a number of other projects. After she died, I inherited some baby granny squares that she had crocheted, but not put together. When I was 16 on a visit, she talked about a school for young ladies that she had attended. The particular subject was ironing. In what order to iron a button down shirt with long sleeves and collar. Also sheets. So glad that most items are "wrinkle free" now! I loved her humor, warm and loving. As Mum has said, she loved nonsense poems. I'd watch my mom and Wendy quickly memorize. Not my forte.
ReplyDeleteI forgot a sentence. The knitted items were a present for our granny.
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