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MISCELLANEOUS
 Writing box or
slope and a locking metal deed box -
This
is the place to keep important papers, information, and the basic
equipment for writing. In my writing slope, I always keep the following
supplies:
Plain white paper - I use
plain printer paper
Pens, pencils, markers, and
a bottle of ink
Envelops - Standard
letter sized, business sized, and some big manila envelops and folders
Penknife, pencil sharpener,
and a rubber eraser
Ruler
Box of paperclips, a sack
of rubber bands, and spring clips
Scissors
Blank composition books - Lined
and unlined. I use one as a Household Diary and another as an
Account Book where I keep a record of every penny spent on the Homestead.
Stamps
Scotch tape, masking tape,
and string
Roll of heavy brown paper - It
won't fit in the writing box, but you will
find this handy in many ways: shelf lining, pattern making,
wrapping parcels.
A Clock - Either an old
fashioned key wind clock or a battery operated clock
with extra batteries. If it chimes the hour, even better. It may seem
extreme, but a nice clock can be your sole ornament in your little
home. And it’s very comforting to hear that tick-tock-tick in the middle of
the night.
A Sewing Machine - I’m
a big advocate of the old treadle machines on a Homestead,
as you don’t need power to sew. If you can’t find one, consider
bringing at least a portable sewing machine. They can always be bought
cheaply at yard sales or the local Goodwill or Salvation Army.
A Sewing Box - I know
it sounds very old-fashioned, but you will be surprised how
often you will need to make some small repair. Include the
following items:
Assorted thread in basic
colors, lots of black and white.
Book of needles -
Assorted sizes, including an over-sized needle with a big eye for
upholstery and rough sewing.
Straight pins - Old
fashioned ones with big bead heads
Safety pins
Shears and pinking shears -
Make sure you don’t use these scissors for anything but sewing.
Tape measures
Elastic, bias tape, ribbon, lace, and other notions
Buttons - All sizes
Hooks and eyes, skirt/pant
hooks, snaps, and some Velcro
Embroidery hoop and
assorted floss
Darning egg
Knitting needles and yarn - You
can learn how on long winter nights.
Bolt of plain white or unbleached muslin, middle weight or plain cotton
gingham - For curtains and
other quick sewing needs. Plenty of clip on or sew on curtain rings
and a couple of plain telescoping café rods. Please NO SHEETS at the
window. Start off life with style.
Rugs - One for each
bedside and one for under the table or in front of the hearth.
Medicine box and first aid kit -
Make it a big one, easy to find and keep it well supplied at all times.
Books and Amusements
I wouldn’t presume
to suggest specific reading material of any sort so I will keep this as
generic as possible. Choose your own authors and titles, but the
following types of books are I think essential to the Homestead bookshelf.
Homesteading
Book/Encyclopedia
Home Medical Book/Herbal
Cookbook with sections on canning and preserving
Almanac
How-to-build a House Book
Gardening book with plant identification
Bird/snake/wildlife identification handbook
Dictionary
Religious book of your choice
(absolutely optional)
Standard book of verse and other light reading
Amusements are up to
you. Yes I have a television, a radio and an old fashioned record
player. I also like board games and play cards and unless you violently
object to them, I urge you all to bring along any and all of the
following. The Hopewells are going to make due with:
Radio - AM/FM.
Absolutely necessary for emergency announcements, if nothing else.
Chess/checker board and playing pieces
Backgammon board
Playing cards and dice
Dominos
Musical instruments - I
can’t think of anything finer than the sound of real hand made music
coming from a Homestead on a summer night. Even the clinkers sound good,
and as the psalmist says “even the little hills rejoice on every side.”
That would seem to
about cover it. To some it may seem a scant list that suggests a life of
toil and unceasing drudgery. To others it will be a list filled with
fripperies and furbelows. I, for one, would be hard pressed to start
Homesteading without most of the equipment I have discussed. No doubt,
the Hopewells and my readers will discover things I have completely
forgotten. By all means add them to the list.
“The
wise man carries his possessions with him.”
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