Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Today, we are flooded with sources of entertainment. Our only problem is selecting how we most want to amuse ourselves. In my childhood, watching television was limited to three channels, maybe more if the clouds were cooperating with the antenna that was hanging high upon the pole outside of our living room. Like most families, our pole was set so that we could turn it as needed to get the best reception. My stepdad was a little more ingenious, having attached an electric motor to his pole so that he could rotate the antenna from his recliner. Aside from our three channels, we relied on sandlot ball games and bicycle rides to fill our free time.
Back in the 1800s, there were no televisions, computers or satellites to flood our minds and time. So, entertainment was often centered around home, school and church activities. Kids would often plan on spending days with friends. Many would participate in simple activities, such as berry picking and candy pulls, which were favorites among the old timers. Candy pulls were social gatherings where folks got together to make taffy or molasses candy. In the berry patch, plums and whortleberries were always a source of tasty entertainment. Whortleberries are similar to blueberries and are common to this area.
The young men of the day set about courting the ladies by often showing up at their front door, which they referred to as "calling" on them. Others also referred to courtship in these days as "sparking." There may be more than one reason for this term, as the gentlemen callers were sometimes sparked to anger when they found that another suitor had arrived at a lovely damsel's home before they did.
In order to appropriately sway the sentiments of a young lady, some men took to poetry to sway the affections of fair maidens. Elizabeth Sims obtained such a poem for her book, "The History of Madison County, Florida." William Gaines penned this acrostic poem for Elizabeth Wills Cobb in 1850. While we have no indication whether his kind words endeared her to his heart, it was certainly a noble effort.
Endearing to all, wherever she is
Looks like a queen, a charming miss
Innocent in all the actions of life
Zealously she is opposed to strife
Amiable, pink, O she's great
Benevolent and good as any in the state
Eminent blossom, I say she is sweet
The picture of beauty, she is complete
Honorable girl, I tell you she's neat
Willing to obey her father and mother
In her ways as good as any other
Lives in peace with every friend
Loves her relations unto the end
Speaks with candor and tells the truth
Calm and nice, a beautiful youth
Often she strives to do what's right
Born honorably, with character bright
Beneficent jewel, day and night