1.0The News Journalhttps://qa.thenewsjournal.netrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="IrfBDpbdk5"><a href="https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/curtain-stretchers/">Curtain stretchers</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/curtain-stretchers/embed/#?secret=IrfBDpbdk5" width="600" height="338" title="“Curtain stretchers” — The News Journal" data-secret="IrfBDpbdk5" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://qa.thenewsjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Bena-Mae-mug166.jpg200300Curtain stretchers When my mind turned to the spring cleaning that we observed in the early months of April or May in the days before modern household appliances, I automatically thought of curtain stretchers. I’m sure many of my readers never laid eyes on them, but people nearer my age will surely remember them. I’ll try to describe them as best as I can so you can get a visual image of what I’m talking about. They were made of wood and unfolded to form a big rectangle the size of a curtain. They stood up (wobbly) or were leaned against a wall. There were pins on all four sides. When the curtains (usually lace) were washed and starched, they were attached to the pins and put outside to dry. I still remember how fresh and pretty they looked when we hung them back up to windows that had been cleaned until they sparkled. Back then there was no Windex for easy cleaning. Instead we used water and vinegar and dried them with wads of newspaper. This was only a small part of spring cleaning and it took everyone in the household to carry out this annual ritual. There was always a flurry of moving mattresses and springs and rugs and anything that absorbed the grime of winter to the front yard to be cleaned and dusted. Most homes were heated with coal and the soot and dirt had left their marks over the long winter months. But it was a labor of love and a feeling of renewal when we were through, exhausted though we usually were. Today, I wish that I could relive those days when the sight of lace curtains at an open window billowing from a cool breeze could be enjoyed. But alas, all my windows are painted shut. And air conditioning is no substitute. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My favorite Mashed Potato recipe. SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES MASHED POTATOES Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled, cut in 2-inch chunks 4 tablespoons butter 2 to 3 tablespoons sour cream 1 heaping tablespoon snipped fresh chives 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper milk, as needed salt, to taste Preparation Put potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking until tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Mash or beat the hot potatoes with the butter and sour cream. Add milk as needed to thin the mixture. Blend in the chives, pepper, and salt. Serves 4.