Jordholmen’s public bath
Back in the days of yore, few people had a shower unit they might have had bathtub that was used once a week when the whole family bathed and the loser was the dad usually with daughters by then the water in the tank was tepid
I friend of mine told of a public bathhouse, near the docks, where one could have shower in cubicle, get a towel and a bar of soap
We ran never walked back then to the bath house called Jordholmen, I didn’t have money for cuibcle, but the lady said I could share a shower with my friend, but she only gave us on towel and one bar of soap; well as a capitalist his used the towel first, but that is nothing new
I came quite attached to this bath house, it was a great change to have wash in a bucket of warm water in the living room by the fire, or in the kitchen in the days of May; we have lost hot water in our house in Cascais, my wife despairs for me it is like the old days warming water cleaning bits and pieces in front of the fire
In the deep bowels of winter
coldness shocks the system
all fauna and floral devoid
of any warmth to survive
in deep freeze weather
Cold allows nothing to melt
throwing hot water in air
will turn it into air crystals
before hitting the ground
In the deep bowels of winter.
Your breath becomes short
In the bowels of winter
and nostrils feel pinched
cheeks have a rosy glow
frostbite looms in a minute or so.
Sounds of footsteps crunch
upon the white frozen snow
you seek warmth instead of frostbite
in the bowels of winter
you have nowhere to go.
Dreaming of spring
white beaches in the sand
in the bowels of winter
thoughts of warmth
are always on the mind.
Creatures scratching at my door
Ripping sheets off my bed
Imagining shards of my soul being ripped
Minutes passing being unable to breathe
Silent whispers pass through my head
Ongoing loud scratches outside of my door
No whispers have escaped my mind
Killing creatures in my dreams
Identifying my horrors becoming true
Sizzling boiling hot water in my bathroom sink
Scary noises of decaying death
Hot water crisis
Suddenly no hot water
We didn’t have hot water in my childhood
We had to boil water on a kettle
Pour it into a bowl, add cold water and wash
The vital parts.
It was when it was a communal bath, I discovered
Hot water in a shower and clean towels.
I wonderful moment.
Talking about water, there is not so much of it now
The summer lake near the houses is a hole covered with
Thistles and the river are a stony track.
Where I live now the water from the faucet is not potable
We have to buy it at the local shop, and it adds to
The household expensive.
I drink about two litres per day, and it cost more than cheap wine.
I refuse to drink the nasty, the residue of an empty, wine sold inboxes.
A cold glass of water in the morning is aa
Nectar, no one should be denied.
her mother
yelled it's
time the
time i
told
you
would happen
eventually so
prepare
your
self
with
hot water in a
pail and a pair
of scissors
for to cut
when the
end time
which will come but
now listen to me i
will tell you
what you
wil
do
and after a time bells
chimed giving the
time of birth
on such and
such a
baby
when her mother
comforted the
new and knew
that her twelve
year old had
helped to
give
birth's
gotten
new born
sister as they
all smiled she was
Saving memories about Mom
(Rub Boards, Bluing & Homemade Lye Soap)
By: Tom Wright
1/2/02
My half century old recollections
of a #2 galvanized tub,
When in use
it covered all four burners on the fire.
With homemade lye soap and a brass ridged board,
the household's clothes she'd scrub.
Doing laundry most every day
sure must have made Mom tire.
We lacked hot water in the house
for use by day or night,
So from this tub's steaming water,
boys bathed, and dad shaved.
A bluing bottle on a shelf nearby,
kept things smelling fresh, and color, white;
so with bleached white "punching stick" in hand,
Mom slaved.
Then, as for the time for ironing
she seemed to find no halt,
Always accomplished with a low tech iron,
referred to as "sad".
It too, was heated on the fire,
and she would periodically rub with salt.
Making this chore time consuming,
and for mom, equally bad.
If you're a woman who don't understand this,
chances are you didn't experience this.
For this, thank God.
a Minnesotan
tosses hot water in air —
the wind-driven steam
1/30/2019
Irma 9/9/2017
By Franklin Price
Since my last inscription
Irma's moved on quite a lot
Today's the day she's moving north
To show us what she's got
She now is over Cuba
Deciding what to do
With her eye on lower Florida
She's coming after you
She's been to many islands
Destroyed them one and more
Hit them with her Cat 5 winds
Deaths are moving towards a score
Soon she's departing Cuba
Moving up across the keys
To tear up lots of buildings
And blow down many trees
With winds around 150
she's a category 4
Hot water in the Florida Straits
May make her five once more
She has no feeling for you
If you're there, please hunker down
If you're ordered to evacuate
You best get out of town
Don't risk your lives and families
By keeping them in place
Irma's out to get you
To destroy your home and base.
Things are not worth dying for
Not worth the thought to stay
May not be here tomorrow
For not leaving home today
I pray for all Floridians
Who are waiting for the beast
We still don't know direction
She could be moving West or East
2
He complained that he had no hot water in his home because the water tank was broken.
She told him that her water came from a slough, which was five miles from her home.
He complained that his car had broken down and he had to take the bus to work.
She told him that she had to walk ten miles every day to market, where she sold a dozen eggs for fifty cents.
He complained that he had to buy his clothes from a second-hand store.
She picked her rags out of a garbage dump.
He complained that he ate leftovers twice a week.
She was lucky if she ate twice a week.
He complained that his bed was starting to sag in the middle.
She slept on a dirt floor.
He complained that his family was a burden and prevented him from enjoying life.
She had no family.
He complained that fear of losing what he had, was causing him stress and anxiety.
She had nothing.
He complained.
She survived.
A Couple Sharing a Special Time
Hibiscus herbal tea with honey
Served with homemade sugar cookies
The woman anticipated her special friend.
Putting on the kettle with filtered water
Setting the cookies in oven.
She timed it perfectly.
As he came through the door way.
He offered to help and collected the teabags, cups, spoons and honey
From the cabinet.
Placing them on the small dining table.
The kettle's whistle made a low sound.
The ovens timer went off.
Everything was done.
He had placed the Hibiscus teabags into each cup.
She gracefully poured the hot water in them.
Placing two small saucers over each cup to
Let the tea seep.
After a few mins he took the honey placing
Removing each saucer putting some honey
Into each cup.
The man and woman stirring, slowly sipping a delicious brew.
Looking intently in each other's eyes.
Placing one of their hands on the table.
As he slowly touched her hand.
Cookies munched on.
Hot calming Hibiscus tea in them.
A time of intimacy
Where silence hits the hearts.
When hearts meet no words have to be shared.
Just a mutual understanding and emotions that are set on the same page.
Clock ticking
Time for tea
Opening the tea box
Fingers sink into the peach flavor
The light on the electric kettle flickers
Pouring the hot water in a crystal cup
The tea bag ready to dive
Time to infuse the aroma
Sigh
Waiting for the tea to brew
The cup is taken
Blissful unity to be sipped
The drip into the mouth
Awakens the senses
Back to another day of finances
Hello.
Today I will be your server!
Welcome to the world of eat whatever is set before you.
The first breath of crying after the doctor awakens your
two beginning and the end parts. First soup and salad,
variety garden of vegetables, jello, milk, juices and raw
emotional changes within the womb. Time to suckle for yourself
bottle or breast milk. Oh, know you and daddy are on the same
food chain for a month or so. Time for the table delights food that is
to keep you healthy, wealthy and wise. No junk food. You are what you eat.
Ah, now I am simmering down listening for the tea pot to whistle.
Looking out at the new neighbors moving in with their children.
As you pour the hot water in the cup, carefully missing the skin that gravity has
stolen from your arms. Pushing the walker into the dining room to eat soft eggs and toast.
Falling asleep as the angels call you home prepared for you eternal sleep.
Paradise found lessons learned, many meals less desirable, but eaten and digested.
Rest well in His eternal arms in the peace of health without times interferance.
I had an Ananas
Served by a Barefooted waiter
Around a Bonfire
When the Boats came in
Through the clear waters
The Cameras went Click Click
As the Crabs ran into the sea
We dried our towels on the Dwarf palms
The Excitement made the Fishermen drink Safari Cane
And Goody joined the Giriama dance.
And the German swung in the green Hammock
There was Hot water in the showers at midnight
Children of the Island don’t like to fish
She taught me the value of the Mangrove
As we sunk the seeds in the Mud
The New age walls are something
And Omari loved Riding in the boat
Forgot all about the Rusted shower heads
Sleeping under nets in the Sand
Alerted us to Sunrise
And Seashells tattooed our faces
The Salty water and Smoke
Soaking in the Sun and building Sandcastles
With Sea weed from sparkling sea water
Telling Tales under a star studded sky
Terse smiles from in-laws who were shy
The Watermelon was super.
I love you in the morning hours,
When your hair is all a mes.
I love you when you take a shower,
And use all the hot water in your forgetfullness.
I love you at nootime break,
When I stop to eat my lunch.
I love you when you made a mistake,
And put tea in my thermos instead of punch.
I love you in the evening time,
When you want to be in my company,
I love you when you confess your crime,
Taping over my football with those soaps you see.
I love you despite all your little mistakes,
Since the day those wedding bells chime.
And admist all of these headaches,
I'll still love you till the end of time.