Adrienne,

 A friend of mine sent this to me today and it brought back a lot of memories...it struck me that it might possibly jog your memory too.  ....our younger daughter, Ann, was born August 31, 1950. Grandmother Goodwin (your Aunt Lizzie) was coming to help Gloria and we were all looking forward to that very much; but, as you know, Grandmother had a stroke and died that summer. For quite awhile before she was planning to come she saved flour sacks and made baby clothes for the child to come and from time to time she would send us these beautifully hand sewn garments. They are priceless now and Ann treasures them, as you can well imagine.

 Love you guys. Keep in touch,

 Ralph 

The Flour Sack

By Colleen B. Hubert

In that long-ago time when things were saved;

When roads were graveled and barrels were staved;

When worn-out clothing was used as rags;

And there were no plastic wraps or bags;

And the well and the pump were way out back;

A versatile item was the flour sack.

Pillsbury's Best, Mother's and Gold Medal, too,

Stamped their names proudly in purple and blue.

The string sewn on top was pulled and kept;

The flour emptied and spills were swept.

The bag was folded and stored in a sack --

That durable, practical flour sack.

The sack could be filled with feather and down    

For a pillow, or t'would make a sleeping gown.

It could carry a book and be a school bag,

Or become a mail sack slung over a nag.

It made a very convenient pack;

That adaptable cotton flour sack.

Bleached and sewn, it was dutifully worn

As bibs, diapers, or kerchief adorned.

It was made into skirts, blouses and slips,

And Mom braided rugs from one hundred strips.

She made ruffled curtains for the house or shack

From that humble but treasured flour sack!

As a strainer for milk or apple juice;

To wave men in was a very good use;

As a sling for a sprained wrist or a break;

To help Mother roll up a jelly cake;

As a window shade or to stuff a crack,

We used a sturdy, common flour sack!

As dish towels, embroidered or not,

They covered up dough, helped pass pans so hot,

Tied up dishes for neighbors in need;

And for men out in the field to seed.

They dried dishes from pan, not rack --     

That absorbent, handy flour sack!

We polished and cleaned stove and table;

Scoured and scrubbed from cellar to gable.

We dusted the bureau and oak bedpost;

Made costumes for October (a scary ghost)

From that lowly, useful old flour sack!    

So now, my friends, when they ask you,

As curious youngsters often do,

"Before plastic wrap, Elmer's glue

And paper towels, what did you do?"

Tell them loudly and with pride don't lack,

"Grandmother had that wonderful flour sack!"