He's a good 'ole country boy, once wore a badge, retired to a farm where he took up the easy life of cattle and horses and various other farm critters. After he purchased his acreage he took two old double-wide mobile homes, had them attached, and converted the suckers into one huge gun and reloading factory. Much of the interior was devoted to book shelves. I think he still has a picture in the shop of me and my younger brother standing proud as he received his black belt in judo. When the photo was snapped I was skinny and tall, my grandfather called me a beanpole, but I was cute too.....
Anyway, it was one of those rare visits where I walked into his home to find a new book he'd just purchased titled, Foxfire. Shook my father's hand, went to a room and finished the book overnight. This was in the late 1960's or perhaps early 1970. Can't remember. The first three of the set of ten or so volumes birthed my survivalist library, a collection that exceeds my ability to catalog, much less count.
I haven't the time this morning (yes, I'm at work) to describe and praise the glory of these fine folklore volumes. So Google 'em, please. (Mudbug, notice my usage of the word, please) If you are a survivalist (or, for pete's sake, a prepper) you should own them.
A couple of days ago my friend John found this set at a garage sale for a buck. A boxed set of the first three volumes...darn good deal. Cannot understand why he refused my offer of a dollar and ten cents, greedy old coot.
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My friends, have a safe weekend. Keep your powder dry.
Stephen
Three Foxfire books for a buck? What a deal! I'd have offered your friend $10 for the set and still felt I was getting a deal.
ReplyDeleteHossBoss, I would have but I own a set. Still, you'd think he'd like a dimes worth of profit.
ReplyDeleteYes sir, I was hooked when I first picked up and read vol. 3
ReplyDeleteAfter that, I had to have the whole set. It took a while but I did end up getting them. I prefer the earlier volumes when they were just starting out apposed to the newer ones. Some of the stories they tell are amazing and it is sad that most of what was wrote about is a dying art if not already dead and gone.
Have a safe weekend.
I cannot remember where I was when I first read them but it was in the late 70's. The first 3 for a buck is one hell of a good find.
ReplyDeleteMDR, I agree the first few books were the best. It is a shame at the volume of knowledge we are and have lost since the original publication date. I truly believe those among us preparing for that day should study them.
ReplyDeletePioneerPreppy, it was a heck of a deal. My friend drives around town all day searching for deals on guns and antiques and books. Sometimes I benefit from his finds and occasionally I make a profit trading with him. Love the underground economy. Thanks.
Hate using this phone to post.
You should have offered him 1 dollar and 50 cents!Geez... I like all of them, but I'm still looking for volumes 3,5,and 6..oops, no I have them thanks to a dearest friend. Complete set is 10 volumes,right? Do you have a Salt Book? It is good also.
ReplyDeleteGood deal. Duke
ReplyDeleteStephen - excellent post and topic as usual! i read the first 3 foxfire series when i was a young'un and loved them! i have been looking for copies for years and think i will finally break down and order them from amazon or ebay. for anyone interested, google books has several of the foxfire series with previews - meaning you can read or print several chapters for free. those books are awesome and the way the stories are told are sooo heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteTeresaK - i have not heard of the Salt Book but am going to search for it right now!
anyway, Stephen, my friend, thanks for sharing and reminding me to get these books!!!
(p.s. - as an aside, in the early to late 70's here in Canada there was a big "back to the land" movement. a magazine, called Harrowsmith, was published back then which was all about homesteading and going back to the land. my hubby's parents had saved 11 years of the magazine - every single issue. they gave them to us about 3 years ago and we read every single issue and article 4 or 5 times each. when we moved here we took them with us and they saved our sanity during the worst winter here that anyone has seen in over 30 years. those magazines were filled with other people's successes and failures and we learned a ton of info. besides my encyclopedia collections ( i have 7 full sets and 9 incomplete - 3 sets were published before 1900!!! - besides those encyclopedia sets - the Harrowsmith magazines are our most prized possessions! just thought i would share as i feel sooo comfortable sharing things here!!!)
your friend,
stassja
Thank you, Stassja. You're a sweet lady.
ReplyDelete