The Farm Home

By Mrs. A.J. Wilder, Rocky Ridge Farm

Ships, ships, I will descry you

Amidst the main,

I will come and try you

What you are protects,

And projecting,

What’s your end and aim?

One gone abroad for merchandise and trading

Another stays to keep his country from invading

A third is coming home with rich and wealth lading.

Hallo! My fancie, whither wilt you go?

There would seem to be distinction enough between fact and fancy to prevent any confusing of the tow, but we often do mistake the one for the other, especially in our memories.

Scientist are convinced from a study of facts that wherever there is life there is possible memory.

When we peak carelessly of remembering we may not realize all that is comprised in the simple word.

Memory is composed of impressions made upon the senses, the movements of the muscles and structures of the body. If these muscles and body structures are alive and healthy the memory of events, objects and situations will be correct. If the individual is not perfectly healthy the memory may be inaccurate, false or exaggerated.

As few persons are absolutely healthy we can understand how unreliable our memories may be.

The elements of memory are impressiveness, retention, recollection and recall, and a very good memory depends generally upon perfect and complete health for the powers of attention and retention and the ability to recall at will.

One of the best tests therefore for one’s sanity, youth and health is one’s memory and understanding of the most recent and current events.

And so there has been organized, at Mansfield, Justamere Club for the study and discussion of current events. The membership is composed of both town and country women with their attached men folks as social members.

One afternoon of each month the club meets at the home of a member for reading of the papers prepared on topics assigned and a general discussion of them

Once every two months there is an evening social meeting for both regular and social members.

Justamere Club gave the first study program a few days ago and if there is anyone who has been deceived into thinking that women are not going to take an interest and an active part in affairs he should have heard those papers and the discussion following. Such a visitor might have observed a slight awkwardness in the discussion now and then but he never would deny that serious thought and study had been given to the topics.

Here is the program which is the same for each meeting during the year, each topic being assigned to a different person each month.

Roll Call….Current event

Secretary’s report

Business

Paper or talk by president on any subject she may choose

Present World Political Situation….(Something on)

Present Economic World Condition(Something on)

United States Politics and Legislation….(recent)

State Politics and Legislation….(recent)

Recent Invention or Discover, (Scientific, Geographical or Mechanical)

Review of Late Book, with Short Biography of Author

A Late Poem, (recited or read) Something of Interest About Author.

Review of a Late Play or Photo-play.

Music…(Instrumental or Vocal or Paper on)

Fashions (in anything from Dress to Architecture)

The Coming Person (Man or Woman)

The Next Thing Needed.

Each paper is followed by a discussion, the paper and discussion being limited to 10 minutes.

A unique feature is the rule in regard to refreshments. The hostess of the day is excused from the program and as her contribution to the study of current events must serve for refreshments one course consisting of her first trial of a new recipe with such accessories as belong with it. Members must eat their portions of this latest dish, regardless of how it has turned out, making all comments to the hostess.

Mrs. A.J. Wilder. "The Farm Home." Missouri Ruralist (July 5, 1919): 19.

CLICK HERE to return to the list of articles from the Missouri Ruralist.