WHAT IS GRIT

 

I have been blogging for GRIT magazine’s online edition since August 13, 2013. However, my roots with this publication and what it has meant in my life go way beyond this span of nearly nine years.

GRIT is a bi-monthly magazine which is distributed throughout the United States and Canada. By its own website’s definition, GRIT is rural American know-how that celebrates “country lifestyles of all kinds, while emphasizing the importance of community and stewardship. GRIT publishes feature-length articles on a broad range of topics that appeal to those already living in the country and those who aspire to get there. Our readers are well-educated, successful and choose to live on the land for many reasons. Most do not depend on their soil for significant income – some choose not to work their land (in the conventional sense) at all. But all share an appreciation for life out where the pavement ends.

GRIT offers practical advice, product reviews, livestock guides, gardening, cooking and other do-it-yourself information, humor and the inspirational stories of folks who moved to the country and love it. Each issue covers topics related to country living, land management, wildlife, gardening, livestock or pets, skills and techniques, seasonal food, community, machinery or tools, and lifestyle events.”

With that said, it is definitely a magazine that is “up my alley” which is why I enjoy writing for them. However, my fascination with the publication goes way back to when I was a kid visiting my grandparents’ farm. I would anxiously await the weekly edition of the then GRIT newspaper to arrive. I loved getting lost in the fiction in the GRIT story section.

  

HISTORY.

The fiction that they published was always as colorful as the history of the newspaper itself. GRIT was founded in 1882 by the Reverend Henry Wolf, Jr. who published a weekly paper titled the Daily Sun and Banner in Williamsport, PA. It was only four pages long and a one-color publication. The Saturday edition of the paper was called GRIT. The infant paper only lasted two years, closing its doors in 1884.

However, it was saved by a 25-year old German immigrant named Dietrick Lamade who had started working for Wolf. In 1885, along with two other investors, he purchased the GRIT name and the printing equipment for $1000. That first year he published the first issue of GRIT as an independent newspaper for “plain people” and he had a circulation of 4000. It was the first of its kind to feature color and fictional supplements.

Lamade had the unique philosophy that readers were more important than advertisers…imagine that! He also believed that, if he provided the latest and best machines to its workers, it would be the most efficient newspaper in the country. He also focused on positive news, which not only made it popular, but also a leader in its day.

He expanded the content to include not only news, but also human interest stories, puzzles, serials in fiction supplements and comic strips which themselves sometimes filled ten pages.

Many readers received GRIT by mail but other folks, like my grandparents, got their copies from door-to-door salesmen and vendors on street corners. Many of these “news boys” were recruited from ads in the back of comic books and they made a whopping seven cents for each subscription delivered. By 1932, GRIT had a circulation of 425,000 in 48 states and 83 percent of its circulation was in towns of less than 10,000 population.

Commercial printing was added to GRIT Publishing Company in the early 1900’s. The company continued to thrive and in 1906 a second building was added to house the job department and other mechanical needs. Lamade’s family continued to manage GRIT for nearly 100 years, having created “America’s Greatest Family Newspaper.”

In the early 1990’s, the newspaper GRIT and GRIT Publishing were both purchased by Stauffer Communications. However, they were later doomed to be split. After calling Williamsport, PA, their home for 111 years, Grit Commercial Printing was purchased by a local partnership and is still family owned and operated in Montoursville, PA while the GRIT newspaper was purchased by Ogden Communications and moved to Topeka, KS.

The September, 2006 issue of GRIT was the demise of the newspaper and GRIT became the modern all-glossy, bound magazine that we know today as well as the contemporary online presentation.

 

A LIFE WITH GRIT.

GRIT and I were destined to become friends. Its roots in the small town in Pennsylvania was not far from my deceased husband’s hometown, which we visited frequently. I still have friends and family back there that are dear to my heart.

As they say, life happens and I had gotten away from reading the weekly newspaper after my grandparents passed. Then, in July of 2013, while surfing the web, I ran across a website calling for bloggers for various magazines. GRIT naturally caught my eye and I filled out the bio form.

Jean Teller was the blogging coordinator at the time and thought I would be a good fit. She asked for a sample blog so I sent her one about scarecrows since the fall season was approaching, which became my first published blog post. At that time, they asked that we post once a week. Little did I know that this venture would become my saving grace.

My husband fell ill in late 2013. My world literally turned upside down as he went through cancer treatments. The one thing that didn’t change was my weekly blog. I was so thankful for this diversion. For a couple hours each week after he went to bed, I researched and wrote my blog, I was transported outside the grim world of cancer and became engrossed in whatever subject I was writing about. This was enough to restore my soul and push on for another week.

There have been many changes along the way but I still get to write about those things dear to my heart; gardening, preserving, farming and basically all things country. Kale Roberts is the current blog coordinator who patiently supports our input, helps us navigate technical issues and encourages not only me, but all the other GRIT bloggers, to share what we love with the readers.

 

MYSTERY NAME.

The one thing that is still a mystery is where the GRIT name came from. No one seems to know. The definition of grit is twofold; “passion, based on a sense of purpose, and perseverance, which means sticking with one’s mission even when the going is tough. Many often focus on the perseverance part of grit, as though being gritty means never changing course.”

It seems to be a fitting name for this publication, especially in the early years. After the first year, Lamade had seven partners and a mountain of debt even though circulation continued to grow. It definitely took grit for GRIT to not only survive but to also thrive to this very day.

For all of us whom GRIT has touched in one way or another, both readers and contributors, we have learned new things to live a simpler, more fulfilling life. GRIT has in its own way, instilled grit in us…and that’s a good thing. 

 

POSTSCRIPT:   Irony seems to run in my life. I started working on this blog nearly a month ago. I wanted to dig into the history of this publication that has been such an integral part of my life and also to pay tribute to it. When I started this writing, I never dreamed it would be my last blog for GRIT. Sadly, they have decided to discontinue the GRIT blogging program.

Needless to say, this saddens me, the end of an era. However, as they say, where one door closes, another opens. I will be forever grateful to GRIT for giving me this opportunity for the past nine years to share my experiences and to connect with their readers. I have grown in so many ways, largely in part to their support. As we go our separate ways, I sincerely hope they will continue to grow and continue to support country lifestyles for many more generations.

 

 

 

 

WHY GARDEN

 

We diehard farmers and gardeners are different sorts of creatures. At the first sign of spring, we get itchy to get out and dig in the dirt. Sure, it’s nice to have a little break in the winter but then that deep primal need to grow something returns year after year. That’s just us seasoned ones.

For those of you that haven’t grown up with this way of life, you may not understand. To you it may just seem like a lot of work and misery. After all, it’s a constant battle with bugs, slugs, weeds, too much rain, not enough rain, too hot, too cold…the list goes on. So, why do we do it? There are so many good reasons that outweigh the bad ones of why to garden, at least for me.

 

MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. There is absolutely something magical about getting out in the fresh air and digging in the dirt. It’s like it brings life full circle. There is something to do just about every day, so it forces you outside. Just the mere fact of being out in nature does wonders for a soul and the spirits.

Gardening is so different from walking, biking, golfing and any other outside activity. It’s a solitary task that gives one time to reflect and get in touch with yourself again, to unplug from the highly technical world that we all live in and sometimes to just be, giving the brain a rest to actually do nothing while your hands keep busy.

 

 

THE NEED TO GROW. There is something about watching a plant grow from one tiny seed and then to produce abundantly. This miracle of life is amazing, but it goes deeper than that for me. It’s the comforting feeling that I can sustain myself and those I love. There will always be something to eat, even if the shelves in stores are bare, we will have food.

 

It’s also a nurturing thing and a feeling of accomplishment when you see a beautiful flower or a mature tomato and know that you beat the odds of weeds and pests to nurture this plant to maturity.

 

 

 

HEALTH BENEFITS. Wow! Where do I begin, there are so many of them! First of all, gardening is exercise. It uses every major muscle group in the body. Think of it, you push, pull, dig, pound, bend, stoop, carry and so much more.

Besides the physical aspects of health, gardening is a mood booster. Anxiety levels drop and it helps those who suffer from depression. It also helps people rejuvenate after periods of stress. A study was done way back in 2011 where researchers exposed participants to stressful events and then measured their cortisol levels. Not surprising, those that engaged in some form of gardening after the stressful event had lower cortisol levels than those who didn’t.

Many folks don’t realize it, but people are like plants in that the body is capable of photosynthesis, the process of making food from sunlight. Our bodies do the same, especially with vitamin D levels. Just 30 minutes in the sun can produce between 8000 and 50,000 IU of vitamin D.

People in the Netherlands and Norway who suffered from some degree of dementia spent large parts of their days on farms or gardens by participating in the Greencare program. After doing so, their memory showed improvement.

Family and community gardens are fast becoming a “thing,” especially in urban areas. This unites people who may otherwise be disconnected and feel lonely by doing something that brings them together.

Those who plant gardens tend to eat more fresh produce. It is convenient to walk out the back door and grab what you want when you want it.

 

FOOD TASTES BETTER. It makes no difference how fresh produce is when it is picked by large suppliers to supermarkets, it still has to be packaged and travel. It is never as fresh as when you raise your own. Let’s face it, when food is fresher, it just tastes better and you eat more. There is also less waste since food tends to spoil the longer it is on the shelf.

Grabbing it from your garden not only assures peak freshness, but it can stay on the vine or in the ground until you are ready to use it. You can have fresh carrots every day instead of buying a huge bag all at once.

 

YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN IT. You are in control of what fertilizers and pesticides to use. Everyone knows that pesticide residue is a big issue lately. Some penetrates our food and we ingest it. Going organic is not just a fad, it truly is better for you but many big producers either financially can’t or are unwilling to do what it takes to go organic.

These chemicals build up in our bodies over time and cause so much havoc. Raising your own produce gives you some control over what you put in your body…and that is powerful.

You can also grow exactly what you like. Instead of buying just a tomato at the store, you can plant an heirloom variety, or one that is meatier, juicier or sweeter. Planting your own lets you cater to your individual tastes.

 

SAVE MONEY. Less trips to the store mean less hassle and also more money in your pocket. The more people who are involved from production to consumer means more people need a cut of the profit. In your garden, you only have expenses for the initial seed, fertilizer and chemicals…the rest is your own elbow grease which is actually good for you! Saving pennies on the dollar adds up in the long run.

 

LEARNING EXPERIENCE. If you make this a family affair, what a great learning experience, not only for the kids, but also for the entire family. Plant cycles, different kinds of seeds, learning where food comes from, and just the act of watching something grow is a great hands-on learning experience that no classroom can provide.

 

LEAD TO NEW HOBBIES. Gardening offers so many possibilities to try new hobbies and crafts. Growing your own flowers lets you dry them, make arrangements, sell fresh bouquets and so much more. Plant birdhouse goards, dry them and paint them.

 

GO LITTLE OR GO BIG. Don’t think that just because you may not have a lot of space for a garden that you can’t have one. Container gardens are becoming big news and even a few plants on your windowsill qualifies. So, big or small, anyone can enjoy the benefits of gardening regardless of where you live.

Farmers’ markets are becoming popular both in rural and urban areas. Everyone knows how many zucchini just one plant produces. It is the same with many garden crops. Why not take the extra to the farmers’ market and share. You can make a little extra money and also a few new friends along the way.

These are just a few of the reasons why gardening is a great new venture if you have never tried your hand at it before. There is even a little secret among us seasoned gardeners…every spring when the weather warms, we feel the same excitement over and over, no matter how long we have been doing it. So, fair warning, if you try gardening even once, it just may get under your skin for a lifetime!

 

 

LIGHTNING, FACTS AND LORE

 

 

Lightning has fascinated man since the beginning of time. It can be beautiful, intriguing, frightening…and deadly all at the same time.

Perhaps the most famous person who was fascinated by this random act of nature that can strike at anytime and anywhere was Benjamin Franklin. We remember him as the curious one who flew a kite during an electrical storm to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity. Contrary to popular belief, the kite was probably not struck by lightning or he would have been electrocuted. Rather, the kite picked up ambient electrical charge from the storm.

The mystery of lightning started long before Ben’s years. In early times, lightning was considered the “magic fire in the sky.” It was thought that men captured it to keep warm at night and to keep savage animals away.

Early Greeks believed that lightning was a weapon of Zeus and thunderbolts were invented by Athena, goddess of wisdom. Since lightning was a manifestation of the gods, any spot that was struck by it was considered sacred. They built their temples there where gods were worshipped to appease them.

The Navajo Indians hold that lightning has great power in healing rituals. Thus, lightning became part of myths, superstitions and early religion.

 

WHAT LIGHTNING IS. Lightning is a powerful electrical charge made during a thunderstorm. Electric current makes air really hot and the suddenly heated air expands quickly which causes thunder.

 

There are three kinds; cloud to cloud, cloud to air and cloud to ground. Obviously, the cloud to ground is the most concerning to us and the most dangerous.

 

DANGERS OF LIGHTNING. It is a force of nature not to be reckoned with. It can strike when a storm is still 15 to 25 miles away from where it is actually storming. Since light travels faster than sound, lightning can be present even if you don’t hear thunder. You can actually calculate how far away a storm is by counting the time lapse between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Every five-second lapse equals a mile to the storm. As soon as you count a 30-second lapse, it’s time to head inside and stay there until you hear the last clap of thunder.

 

LIGHTNING FACTS AND MYTHS. The National Weather Service estimates that lightning kills an average of 70 people each year in the United States and injures at least 300. Although only ten percent of those struck die, others have long term injuries. So, it pays to separate lightning facts from myths.

*Although many believe that lightning only strikes a place once, it can strike the same place many times. It is estimated that the Empire State building in New York is hit 100 times each year.

*If you can’t get to a building during a storm, a vehicle is a safe place to go if it has a metal top and sides and the windows and doors are closed. Say what, we always thought that it was the rubber tires that offered protection! Nope, instead it is the metal frame that conducts the current away from the surface of the vehicle to the ground. Just be sure and don’t touch any metal parts.

*If outside do not lie flat on the ground since electrical current runs along the ground. Get low and make as little of contact with the ground as possible. This means squat low, try to touch the ground with only your toes, tuck your head between your knees and wrap your hands around your knees.

*Open structures like bleachers, picnic shelters, carports, gazebos and golf carts are not safe at all. Lightning strikes tall structures like trees, towers and utility poles. Large trees are one of the worst places to take shelter under, not only for their height which attracts lightning, but also because when lightning strikes a tree there is a ground charge that will spread from the tree in all directions. Being under a tree is the second leading cause of lightning deaths.

 

*Heat lightning that occurs on hot summer nights is still real lightning. It is just too far away for thunder to be heard.

 

*It bears repeating to stay away from all metal, including poles, fences and golf clubs. When lightning strikes a fence even a long distance away, the metal can conduct electricity and still electrocute you.

 

*Stay away from other people since current can travel from person to person. This is the same principle why you don’t touch someone who is in contact with a live electrical wire. However, it is safe to touch and help a person who has been struck by lightning because the human body does not store electricity. Many lightning victims have perished because bystanders were afraid to touch them.

*Wearing metal like jewelry does not attract lightning. Instead, it is height, pointy shapes and isolation that are attracting factors.

*Power lines, telephone lines and metal pipes are conductors for electrical currents caused by lightning. Do not talk on the phone or take a bath or shower during electrical storms. Be sure to unplug computers, televisions and other appliances.

*Surge protectors protect appliances and utility lines from power surges, not appliances against lightning. To protect against lightning, surge protectors must be combined with a total system of lightning rods and proper grounding.

*On the subject of lightning rods, they are not lightning magnets, but rather they provide a path for lightning to safely reach the ground and discharge. They help reduce the buildup of opposing charges by bleeding off the buildup of stationary energy. It is like putting a hole in a balloon to release the pressure before it pops. Many homes don’t have lightning rods any longer but I insisted on putting mine back up after I had my roof redone for this very reason.

Lightning is one of the more intriguing aspects of our weather. There is such a thing as dark lightning. You don’t feel it but passengers on aircraft are bombarded with gamma rays from it all the time.

Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela receives the most lightning strikes of anywhere on earth. Big thunderstorms occur between 140 to 160 nights out of the year with up to 28 strikes per minute and storms lasting up to 10 hours at a time.

Closer to home, Florida records the most deaths from lightning. The National Weather Service has dubbed the area between Tampa Bay and Titusville as “lightning alley.”

Lightning has a mystique to it that elicits our wonder and curiosity. Many folks love to watch a storm, it “electrifies” them in some way…pardon the pun. Just remember, it is best to watch from afar and under cover.