In No Time at All

Those who grew up in rural Midwest America from 1910 to 1940 may remember and share the hundreds of recollections Carl Hamilton compiles in ‘IN NO TIME AT ALL. However, most of those folks who are still left, are well into their eighties and soon no one will remember first-hand. First writing for his children and grandchildren, Hamilton uses refreshing vignettes and profuse illustrations to create a humorous and honest piece of nostalgia. IN NO TIME AT ALL recalls the familiar trappings of country life between two world wars and, with a tinge of regret, commemorates their passing. Everything is here - the poetry of early mornings before the countryside awakens, the poverty of the Depression, the delights of the Fourth of July, and the drudgery of endless farm chores. Farmers "built the barn before the house," once-a-week bathing was considered adequate, the main parking problem was getting near the popular grocery store, the "wish books” (catalogs) created unfulfilled expectations, and foreclosure and sheriff's sales were death blows to Depression-weary farmers? During that era, on a midwest farm, the kitchen range was the heart of the home, necessities included carpet beaters, soapstones, curtain stretchers, and flatirons. Corn was planted when the oak leaves were as big as squirrels’ ears. If you didn’t grow vegetables, you didn’t have vegetables. Runaway Teams of horses terrified onlookers; and at least six hand operations were necessary to select and process open-pollinated corn. Phone service meant party lines and ringing central; The glamorous trains suffered from ”hot boxes” and “pulled couplings"; country kids came to school armed with a soggy sandwich, an apple, and a mashed-up cookie; The Model T rattled, vibrated, shook, shimmied, and occasionally kicked. Soap making called for ingredients at hand: lard, fat, and bacon grease. Read about a world gone by – It was as real as the world is today.