For those of you already looking at snow on the ground, or envious of those who have the white stuff, this one’s for you.
Folks in the 19th century had a lot of fun sledding, and doing other winter sports, too. (Click here for last year’s post on 19thc Ice-Skating in Central Park).
Here’s an excerpt from a January 12, 1896 article in The New York Times that expounds upon the delights of “coasting”:
Love that “manly joy.” But just in case “blood and vital spirits” aren’t enough to sustain you after a prolonged day of sledding, here’s a remedy:
Considering it contained “10 percent pure grain alcohol,” you wouldn’t care if you had a cough anymore.
But maybe you’d prefer an indoor activity? If so, I have the perfect one for you! Today, in a continuation of our Holiday Yum recipe series, writer Jenny Hansen is posting about her legendary Almond Roca recipe. She has a fun story to go along with it, too, so check it out!
Do you have a favorite winter activity? I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Kathy
My dad grew up in New York and he always talks about his days sledding. We never really had this opportunity in West Texas. Maybe one day… it seems like it would be so much fun!
Oh, definitely, if you ever get a chance – so much fun!
The first sentence of that article is a doozy! Staring off with “This has been” and wandering around for several months. Then, “It has been said that there is nothing…” Finally the third paragraph gets to the meat of the thing. My, but times do change!
Maybe they got paid by the word, Jane! I agree, the style is so different these days!
You sly girl you. My favorite indoor activity? Seriously? Do I have to spell it out for you?
Obviously that would be – reading. (Get your mind out of the gutter.)
Those are some really cute news clippings. Manly joy indeed. How simple the times were. If I had know I’d have gotten my husband a sled a long time ago.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
LOL, Patricia! Who knew sledding was so “manly”?
In Canada, we call it tobogganing rather than sledding. (That really confused my husband at first 🙂 ) It’s interesting to hear that they used to call it coasting. Regardless of what we call it, I haven’t gone in years. If we get enough snow this year, I think I’m going to have to drag out the toboggan and go 🙂
If you go tobogganing, take pics! We want to see! (and wear a toque – always wondered about that Canadian thing). 😉
Oh, to live in the North again. Or, at least have a second home there. I truly miss the seasons. Yep. I will never stop loving my home state of Pennsylvania.
Winter never stopped us. Bobsledding, sleds, saucers. You name it. Snow forts and snowball fights. The main winter sport at which I
suckeddid not excel was ice skating. I blame that on a family budget too tight to support anything more frequent than once monthly (at best) trips to the ice skating rink.Sticking out ones butt to balance on ice doth not a polished skater make. [Forsooth]
The text of this newspaper article was a hoot, KB. I guess editors were short on red pens to slash extraneous words back-in-the-day.
I grew up in PA, too, Gloria! I loved the saucers – you’d always end up going down the hill backwards! Sounds like you have some terrific memories, Gloria. 😀