The poorest of peasants in France in the 17th century did not have horses, mules, carts, and carriages. They traveled on foot and, by necessity, carried whatever they could–but only what they needed. They used baskets, wooded frames, cross-body satchels, fardes (like a hobo’s bindle,) and sac à dos — literally, ‘bag for the back.’ … Continue reading Time Travel Tuesday
Tag: 17th century
Throwback Thursday – Bees
They are both beekeepers and care about what’s happening to bees. They know how important bees are to farmers and the future of our food supply. The man on the left is a re-enactor at Isle La Cache in Romeoville, IL representing a 17th century French settler who “farmed” honey and beeswax to create candle … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Bees
Share this:
Wonders of Wonders – Time Travel Tuesday
The Wild Grape Jelly Worked ! I am happy to report that traveling back in time to harvest wild grapes like the peasants did in France in 1650, worked out for my jelly. Actually, peasants didn't make jelly because they lacked sugar. Even so, I got a feel for what they'd go through to use … Continue reading Wonders of Wonders – Time Travel Tuesday
Share this:
Mystery Monday – Harvesting Wild Grapes
It’s a mystery to me how I’ve gotten through life so far and why I sometimes do stupid things. After finding wild grapes along the trail, I imagined being like my peasant character while I picked them. I spent an hour harvesting the grapes and another two hours de-stemming them, my fingers hurt as if … Continue reading Mystery Monday – Harvesting Wild Grapes
Share this:
Thursday Throwback
French peasants in 1650 played a game similar to modern bowling. Skittles or nine-pin (quilles in French) was played outside a tavern or in a barn on hard-packed earth. The nine skittles were set up in a diamond or square pattern. The wooden ball and skittles were carved from hardwood – oak or beech. My … Continue reading Thursday Throwback
Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 