Great video, and I hope the two of you can do more of these. Some of the covered topics brings to mind an old saying my father used to quote...“Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught and the last stream been poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.”
How true is that, David, sad but, true! We have no intention of stopping our step back in time endevour. Although it is a wee bit of work to produce, it brings us peace of mind.
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Wonderful guest this week. Bob mentioned the lack of money and the value that is placed on it in the modern era. Modern currency is designed for control of a people. Barter was of necessity, but offers so much more freedom to the participants. If done correctly both parties are satisfied and conclude the transaction with a hand shake. I love the old ways. Thanks again and keep your powder dry.
Awww - the most important things in life. A good meal, a warm fire, and spending time with friends. Thank you again Mr. Pete for allowing us to be a part. Stay well!
Good morning Peter. Thanks for allowing us to join in with your friend Bob. What an interesting man and a good friend of yours. Always a pleasure my friend and thank you again. Hope all are well in your family and things are going well. Be safe.
Good form gentlemen! I am a diesel mechanic/cobbler in north central Montana. Truly appreciate your reverence for the old ways and mindset. Thank you so very much for making these videos, they are truly a rare pleasure. God bless
Two masters of their trades amazing conversation dinner and like one gentleman said before me what an honor it would be to sit at that table not to eat but to learn and to observe in the knowledge is priceless love always Freddie
What makes handmade things special is the Spirit, the Heart and Soul put into it. Could be a fine meal, a chair, a pouch, a guitar or a handmade screw. As a cabinetmaker and a restorer of period furniture I could often feel the spirit of the craftsman who made it. The Love and Experience that built the piece. And I often could tell what projects were assigned to the apprentice. I’ve know many folks who make things mostly with machines and that’s okay but doing it by hand gives a piece an energy that hand made only can. Like a factory made Windsor chair compared to one handmade. Can you even compare in the first place? Thank You So Much for a wonderful evening of stories of experience and Friendship! Many Blessings and Abundance of Mother Earth! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
Sounds like he was raised by my grand parents Made everything and used what the could not trade or sell. Same with food. They ate what they could not trade or sell. Enjoyed the info and banter.
Thank you,.iam 63 now and you are wright it seems people don't want to learn the old way.ive been doing this for about 38 years now I get some really miss understood commits from some of my friends and family... I moved to eastern oregon to live this way ....lam so happy to see someone show everyone this .how long have you been living in this way..... thanks again...
Enjoyed your talk. Some of my best memories were in the early 60s watching my older brother and sis carry buckets of water from the creek. (I was too little). There was the long trek to the outhouse, but it was exciting to get out of our little main house. And though I can't remember the taste of moms biscuits that were baked, so long ago, on the woodstove, I remember all through the years the family saying those homemade, woodstove baked biscuits were the best ever! In our modern era, we have moved from a slower more enjoyable time...although it was a lot more physical work. Moms memories of that time were not as sweet as mine as I was a youngster. She remembers all the hard work. So, I guess there is a trade off from those times till now. Still, I like the idea of the self-sufficiency of our forefathers....
That was lovely, thank you Peter for sharing your time with us. You may know this quote; "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Cheers the heart more than your tankard eh? I had the privilege of caring for a 103 yr. old woman in her home. Her parents were pioneers to the; Quill lakes area of SK. WHAT a wealth of stories. She had a amazing way of recalling the past as though she were watching it play out before her. Remarkable storyteller. How I learned from my 'living' history book, my dear Ina. I had not even thought about how they would have to come up with ways to preserve themselves in something simple like a sleigh ride. When you don't move, you freeze. Ina would recount how they would warm stones on the fire, then wrap them in blankets and place them at their feet as their father drove on. We have crippled ourselves with 'convenience' and when it leaves us? I would have to watch you eat a wonderful meal while fasting...ouch! (LOL) God Bless you n' yours!
Brutal, eating a fine meal I indeed while you fast. I have read that quote and I love it and true friends are hard to come by! Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. Wow, 103 … good on you for taking care of her!
G,day fellas The knowledge you both possess is irreplaceable. I hope this is being written down someware, as well as on the net. I use to talk to a lot of the old blokes, most of whome are gone now, and their skills with them. I do my best to impart my limited knowledge to the young ones ( I'm nearly 70) all they do is roll their eyes and moan!! I fear most of this will be lost. Thank you and your friend for sharing your skills with the world. All the best. Bluey
Well Trevor, you and I are about the same vintage. There is an old saying, “ Young people should get to know old people, old people know stuff”. Having said that, us old fellows can also learn from the youngsters.
Interesting to watch and to learn about the past. It gives you a different perspective on how easy obtaining food and tools is today. Not to mention, how much easier it is to keep warm! Philip and Glenys Bender
Even with lots of firewood, with a fireplace one is only warm on one side, lol. For those on the frontier, you grew it , you made it or you did without it!
I would think that the difference between us today and the men and women of yesteryear would be the mindset, living in a time where they knew/had other alternatives like being able to grab that one wool blanket and walk back to your soon to be warm cabin. It leads me to believe that some would have perished in the cold of the night. I can see that being able to make your own wood screw would be quite satisfying. Thank you all for a another wonderful video. By the way, that roast and vegetables smelt mighty fine.lol
Glad to hear you say you use the hemp rope for traction with your mocs. That's how I "tolerate" my shoepacs in the icier conditions. Char cloth was likely a luxury to the early frontiersmen. I agree that charred punk wood was probably most often used. This was a great episode, Peter. But, of course, they're all good!
Another awesome video, thank you for this , I'm working hard to homestead and get back living and reenacting the eastern longhunter your channel has been a treat to find.
Fantastic wisdom on money and great stories. I can relate -- my own dog gave up on me and left for the house when I slept in our winter woods as well. My first big lesson was "you'll need more firewood than you think!" 8^)
Another great episode!! Lots of wisdom by that fire. Would love to sit at that fire and take in some of that wisdom and a wee bit of ale. This is the next best thing though. Lots and lots of work went in to making that meal possible. Cutting the trees, building the cabin, growing the vegetables, hunting for the meat. Really enjoy being able to come along on your adventures. As always, thank you for sharing. Oh, we were practically neighbors. I grew up on the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Howdy neighbor, don’t forget that the door to the Cedar Hallow Tavern is always open. Always open to sharing a fire with new friends and an ale of course.
THANKS FOR A RELAXING VIDEO AND LETTING US ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR FRIEND BOB . 👍 I LAUGHED ABOUT HIS STORY ABOUT HIS DOG HIGH TAILING BACK HOME SO HE WOULDN'T FREEZE TO DEATH😅 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH AND THE SWEET LADY BEHIND THE CAMERA💕
What a fantastic video. A lot of the discussion really rang true. Particularly the 1 blanket myth. I think virtually every northern North American reenactor has succumbed to starting out that way. Boy, it sure doesn't take long to dispell that myth. If you look at the old accounts of winter travel, it was lways with a toboggan and snow shoes. That alone will give you an idea of the gear that was brought along in the winter.. I could go on and on with the conversation, but UA-cam probably isn't the place. GREAT VIDEO!
I grew up in my first five years in a family-owned tenant property with just the kind of kitchen and water supply you discuss. We had chamber pots and an outhouse. We also had powdered lime to 'sweeten' and sanitize the deposits in the outhouse. It is GREAT EXPERIENCE to 'sit' with you both and to gather your thoughts on this way of life.
The 2 room school house that I attended got running water and flush toilets the year I stared grade one (1959). I suspect as hard as your childhood was that you have no regrets.
Great video. Without char cloth, consider fuzzing the end of a strip of dry cedar bark and charring it (low ignition point) or making a velvet from a horse hoof tree fungus. Even if it has been raining for weeks, locate an old rotten birch stump and dig down into the roots. You will frequently find white coloured dry powder rot. This powder is incredible and will often take a spark without charring.
What great yarns!! Two blokes & their experiences living 'the life'. Fantastic! Sitting inside during our heatwave of plus high 30C to low 40C whilst you're talking about - 41C (C I think in Canada?) is almost inconceivable. As you'd know, minus 40 is at equal C & F. I hope Cathy got feed - it looked great.
I gotta say this was so interesting. Your guest Bob was great and your conversation about everything was also educational. It seems cold weather survival is most important. I'm in northern Minnesota and usually in January we get weeks of minus 20 to 30F and stragling into February as well with much colder windchill. With a beautiful cabin like yours set up with the Rumford fireplace you could survive any cold weather. I would have liked to have some of the meal you ate. Thanks for sharing a relaxing video.
I recall once when we were camped on the flats at the elbow of the Saugeen for sugar making season. We had a very cold night as the heavier cold air settled down where we were. Not wanting to spend another night like the first one many of us leant you our extra blankets of which you wrapped yourself within a buffalo robe while we sought warmer accommodation. Couldn't help but notice in the morning as you lay on your bed of cedar boughs all rolled up you sort of resembled a buffalo burrito lol,, a very warm and content burrito I might add 😉. All kidding aside, fur traders George Nelson and Alexander Henry mention their travelling beds as being three blankets inside an oil cloth envelope with another blanket on top or a combination of. Great video fellas, nice talk, it just goes to show you don't necessarily need to have a hard life or an easy life to have a " Good " life.
That was a couple of cold nights as I recall. I certainly was not going to turn those extra blankets down, given how cold the first night was. Been called a lot things in my lifetime but, Buffalo burrito is a first, lol.
Peter, another great video, one thing I don't hear much talk about when referencing fire starters is black powder cloth, just a little rubbed into a wet scrp piece of cloth and allowed to dry, will work when all else do to dampness won't. Speaking on the harth for warmth I find it interesting that when one refered to living in the 18th nd 19th centuries theywould refer to home and harth, as the two were quite litterly inseperable.
You are right, I have omitted to mention black powder and I’ve used it numerous times. I’ve also started fire by placing some tow in the flash pan with a sprinkle of powder and snapping the lock. That to has not been shown. Thanks for the feedback.
The running joke is that in the past folks had large families because they were bored, or no birth control. But, the 1 that actually makes sense, to me at least, is that they needed the extra labor to help with all of the chores just to survive. There truly are, just so many hours in a day, and only some of those have enough light for working. Good luck and God bless.
Very interesting conversation we didn't have a lot of money my grandfather was a Shoemaker very simple man he brought me up and told me how to live a good life his life was making things and trading off for things that you need that's what we did instead and having money I still do that today the old fashioned trades try to learn off the old-timers I could find but there's a very few of them left Christmas time we made our own gifts and give to each other in our family thank you for this video PS my name is Bob Miller
Reality trumps ideology. Nature sure doesn't care, so we take steps to survive. Wool is still the best blanket. The house I lived in in my teens still is not heated on the second floor. I l learned to be comfortable without heat. My great-grandmother's quilts were very useful. I was at my local museum and I realized I knew how to use all of the old farm tools they had on display. I am happy to know I can get by. Value depends on what you have more of, money or time. GOD Bless and Hold Fast! Do not just survive but thrive. Thanks for the living history lessons.
I grew up in upstate New York near the Adirondack Park it’s a biggest state park in the lower 48 states I hunted the Adirondacks most of my life I’m 75 years old I use a great plains rifle from Lyman I bought a kit and I put it together and I’ve been using that rifle ever since I love black powder a prescribed to the mountain did a muzzleloader magazine and I like what you do in your videos I wish I knew all the stuff that you do
Spent a lot of my youth rock and ice climbing down there … beautiful area. My wife and I also lived in the Finger Lakes Region for a few years. I agree Antony, once that black powder gets in your bones, it is there to stay.
I enjoyed that a-lot! Wondering what were you drinking? Was it home made? How about a video on making the various beverages. I was not aware of the tradition of bringing your own knife to the table, no doubt not a problem with the folk of the time. The seniors probably cut things for the children as I don't think there were a large quantity of knives for all? Maybe there was one knife that was passed around? Looked like your meal turned out quite good, unlike your burnt bread. Keep up the good work! JIM 💯
The meal was excellent. as to the ale, I use to make my own by starting by roasting my own hops. I found my self enjoying a tad too much, so gave it up. I still have my recipe book for ale, lagers and stout. Good suggestion, perhaps I should do a video on beverages.
Hey Peter! That was an interesting discussion. I particularly liked the "Roman Candle" firestarter idea! The dinner looked delicious... but I was a little disappointed that there was no Cajun Blackened Bread to go along with it! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Happy belated New Years to you and yours. I'm looking forward to seeing what projects are going to be undertaken this year!
Peter, i really liked the birch bark Fire starter. I would be interested in your learnings for managing rain while trekking particularly when temps drop below freezing at night. I find very little reference to the skills and techniques employed.
Having a metal tin, most commonly referred to as a tinder box helps in really inclement weather. I personally don’t carry one as it is simply an addition weight and bulk in my kit. Stripping bark from a birch tree is my go to in really wet conditions to use as a base. Sit and pull a wool blanket over your head and proceed to start fir under the blanket and between your legs. Practicing in really nasty weather is the key.
Thank you very much. you have some incredible videos i have been watching since the beginning of your cabin build .and just recently got myself a 54 Calibre Thompson Centre cap and ball Musket and joined the world of reenactment here in New Zealand . Spent mini of hours building my kit black powder hair in New Zealand is a small community but I am loving every minute of it. and because of your videos and others like them I have learnt so much just .a question would you please consider doing a tumpline weaving how to video. I'm really quite keen on learning how to make one and you explain things incredibly well. anyway thank you again all the best to you and your wife and family
Sometimes small is the best way to go in terms a special interest. Everyone learns together and shares. We will certainly consider your request at some point.
In the 1950’s(yes, I’m old) my mom’s aunt & uncle lived ‘off the grid before it was called ‘off grid’. North of Merrill Wisconsin, farm (90acre) no electricity, outhouse, well pump close to back door & small pump next to dry sink going to a rain cistern in the dirt crawl ‘basement’. We had some (actually one) pretty good thanksgiving dinners there. Amazing to see the women work in the kitchen with her kitchen wood stove. No, a modern person would not be able to use kitchen wood stove like aunt Elsie did. She looked like she wasn’t even busy maintaining it, using it, she was SO skillful it looked easy. Their farmhouse was small. They still had team of horses. Small dinning room but big table. Aunt Elsie had a table cloth. Food was enough, food was good, a lot of work women did
Yeh. One of uncle Jack’s ( my mom’s aunt & uncle, they were way older then in the 1950’s). Besides his saw mill and a few cows and farming 20 or 30 acres ( remaining 70 acres were woods and the Prairie River, he was hired by the county to ‘maintain’ roads. Most if not all the roads were dirt. They got very rutted especially in spring with truck, wagon and car traffic. Uncle Jack used his team of horses pulling a grader to ‘maintain’ the dirt roads. You may have seen old graders, basically an iron frame, operator stood at the back, horses pulling in front, adjustable grader blade. I think they were made by the Woods Grader Co. I’m sure the few dollars the county paid uncle Jack was very important to them. They lived VERY modestly. Even at my young age, I realized they were completely void of any un-noble thoughts or deeds. So honest, so naive of any scheming or deceit. I only saw uncle Jack’s team once (from the back end). Molly & Dolly. So the horses were gone by ‘55 or so. They lived about 3 miles west of Gleason Wisconsin (about 3 or 4 buildings / businesses), small town. I think in olden days, draft animals played a very big part in farming, industry, logging, etc. they were the tractors, trucks, transportation 18th 19th century. I’m so old I’m lucky to have seen these things and listened to to MANY people born in the 19th century. Peter& Cathy you are valuable examples and teachers of important skills and values people had in the past.
A side note: I once bought at auction a VERY old type road grader. Probably from mid 19th century; but, I’m sure was same as was likely used for the past 100 years. It was a huge oak beam with an iron blade bolted to it, hanging down about 3 or 4 inches below the beam. It was missing the two draw bars I’m sure it had long ago when it was used. Oblivious a team pulled and driver walked behind or to the side. Just wanted to tell the youngsters out there that iron equipment was rare if not nonexistent pre-1870. Iron farm equipment didn’t blossom into manufacturing starting after the U.S. Civil War.
I once camped in -26 degrees F at 1500ft. in 9" of snow. Windy, our backs froze and our fronts baked. The fire we kept at about 6' tall. I awoke around 3am froze in the back of my ford blazer, could not get warm, tried several things, my buddy was fine in his tent on the ground. The trucks radiator was frozen green ice. We blew a head gasket on our way out. It was BAD.
I believe in the 'Labor Theory of Value.' The idea was that Providence created land, minerals, and plant and animal life. It was the labor and understanding of individual workers that TRANSFORMED those created materials to make goods and services for our living. MONEY becomes a means of TRANSFERRING the value of labor from person to person to exchange for what we did not make for ourselves.
What needs to happen is that this community that actually knows how the real world works need to be put in charge of the whole education system! I home school with good teaching and the kids still don't understand the basics of survival, money and the real world skills to deal with what coming for sure.
Spot on Timothy. I always thought that at the grade 9 to 10 age there should be a daily class on Practical Stuff … change a tire, wire a switch and light etc.
What does “chaga”(sp) look like? You said it was some sort of resin? On our dying pecan trees, we get what looks like oysters or flat mushrooms on our trees. They have layer of what looks like resin. Hard as I rock. Is that chaga or is it specific to a particular tree? Why does resin make a good fire starter? I’m not quite understanding.
The medicinal chaga only grows on white and yellow birch. The fungi you refer to is not an edible one but, one can break it u and char it in fire and it will also hold a spare for fire starting.
Just before Dawn is the coldest time of the night. My outside thermometer will drop several degrees from 0500 to 0700.i kind of always thought 0200 would be the coldest time of the night but it is not. Just before Dawn is the coldest time of the night.
I love the comment of “A man made it, so another man can make it as well” I’m a former machinist and I now repair and maintain machine tools for a very large company. I’ve had people tell me as I’m working on a project some degree of “you can’t fix that or make that” I just tell them if a man made it a man can fix it. It seems to me even my generation has become far to accustomed to a disposable world. Few want to make things. I’d rather make something then buy it.
Wish I could help you out. We actually change the music depending on the scene and most of the tunes have no names. They are composed by two fellow musician friends. The rare one has a title and a favorite of ours is “The beauty of Wilburn” , by Al MacDonald of Nova Scotia.
Talking about any skill and making that skill your's is a lot different. I was a college instructor for a few years, I would tell my students to memorize something for a test does no good but, to find a use for knowledge means you own that knowledge.
I love your channel. But you are Absolutely wrong about gun owner ship in Canada. Canada is turning so far against gun ownership. Rt now they are leaving your flintlocks alone but soon they will come for them. I wish other Canadians would jump in on this topic
A conversation between friends, in front of a glowing fire. It doesn't get much better than that.
Indeed it does not, Geoff. Thanks for your interest.
Great video, and I hope the two of you can do more of these. Some of the covered topics brings to mind an old saying my father used to quote...“Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught and the last stream been poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.”
How true is that, David, sad but, true! We have no intention of stopping our step back in time endevour. Although it is a wee bit of work to produce, it brings us peace of mind.
The art & realism of true living history! It would be an honor to sit at the same fire with you two woodsmen......ATB
Thank you … there is always an extra chair to be found.
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Wonderful guest this week. Bob mentioned the lack of money and the value that is placed on it in the modern era. Modern currency is designed for control of a people. Barter was of necessity, but offers so much more freedom to the participants. If done correctly both parties are satisfied and conclude the transaction with a hand shake. I love the old ways. Thanks again and keep your powder dry.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Watch your top knot.
YES barter is normal/natural even some animals do it, but you never see a raven trade a piece of paper to a bear for a piece of root..
Now that's how you entertain. Stories by the fire and a hot meal to fill the belly. Well done guys!
Thanks Daniel.
It seems to be very cold and a lot of snow right now in Ontario! Saw it in the news over here in France!! Stay safe and warm!!
We are kinda buried right now and I’m loving it. I’m impressed that Ontario made the news in France, usually the other way around.
Enjoy!!
Awww - the most important things in life. A good meal, a warm fire, and spending time with friends. Thank you again Mr. Pete for allowing us to be a part. Stay well!
Good morning Peter. Thanks for allowing us to join in with your friend Bob. What an interesting man and a good friend of yours. Always a pleasure my friend and thank you again. Hope all are well in your family and things are going well. Be safe.
Thanks for your continued interest, Michael.
I can't understand why you don't at least have several hundred thousand subscribers.
I really like your conversation. it is like open window from past.
Good form gentlemen! I am a diesel mechanic/cobbler in north central Montana. Truly appreciate your reverence for the old ways and mindset. Thank you so very much for making these videos, they are truly a rare pleasure. God bless
Thanks Dustin, we appreciate your interest in our channel. You sir, live in a beautiful State.
👍 Danke fürs Hochladen!
👍 Thanks for uploading!
👍 Very good and beautiful, thank you!
👍 Sehr gut und schön, danke!
Thanks to all who share the knowledge of what works and what doesn't.
What a great time. Thanks for putting this on the historical record.
Two masters of their trades amazing conversation dinner and like one gentleman said before me what an honor it would be to sit at that table not to eat but to learn and to observe in the knowledge is priceless love always Freddie
Thanks , Freddie. However, if you sit at my table, you share my bread, lol. The door at the Cedar Hollow Tavern is always open.
Thanks for sharing with us your words of wisdom and knowledge blessings to all
What makes handmade things special is the Spirit, the Heart and Soul put into it. Could be a fine meal, a chair, a pouch, a guitar or a handmade screw. As a cabinetmaker and a restorer of period furniture I could often feel the spirit of the craftsman who made it. The Love and Experience that built the piece. And I often could tell what projects were assigned to the apprentice. I’ve know many folks who make things mostly with machines and that’s okay but doing it by hand gives a piece an energy that hand made only can. Like a factory made Windsor chair compared to one handmade. Can you even compare in the first place? Thank You So Much for a wonderful evening of stories of experience and Friendship! Many Blessings and Abundance of Mother Earth! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
Totally agree and gifted the hand made item makes it all the better.
Very very interesting! Keep teaching us! Love the old ways so I appreciate the present.
That was great sitting there listening while you guys visited. I felt like I was there. Thank you so much.
Thanks Daniel and should you ever be in our neck of the woods we’ll simply pull up an extra chair by the fire for you.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all 🙂 I always learn watching this channel.
Thanks Casey, we have a lot of fun producing this channel.
It was great to sit and listen to you two talk, it almost felt like i was there. That was a fine looking meal too!
Thanks Jeff, glad you’re enjoying.
Sounds like he was raised by my grand parents Made everything and used what the could not trade or sell. Same with food. They ate what they could not trade or sell. Enjoyed the info and banter.
Thank you,.iam 63 now and you are wright it seems people don't want to learn the old way.ive been doing this for about 38 years now I get some really miss understood commits from some of my friends and family... I moved to eastern oregon to live this way ....lam so happy to see someone show everyone this .how long have you been living in this way..... thanks again...
Thanks Larry. I grew upon a small dairy farm and have lived pretty close to the land all my life.
A very nice conversation between two knowledgeable people.
Thank you.
Enjoyed your talk. Some of my best memories were in the early 60s watching my older brother and sis carry buckets of water from the creek. (I was too little). There was the long trek to the outhouse, but it was exciting to get out of our little main house. And though I can't remember the taste of moms biscuits that were baked, so long ago, on the woodstove, I remember all through the years the family saying those homemade, woodstove baked biscuits were the best ever! In our modern era, we have moved from a slower more enjoyable time...although it was a lot more physical work. Moms memories of that time were not as sweet as mine as I was a youngster. She remembers all the hard work. So, I guess there is a trade off from those times till now. Still, I like the idea of the self-sufficiency of our forefathers....
Great story and you are spot on, nothing beats the satisfaction of being self sufficient.
That was lovely, thank you Peter for sharing your time with us. You may know this quote; "It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Cheers the heart more than your tankard eh? I had the privilege of caring for a 103 yr. old woman in her home. Her parents were pioneers to the; Quill lakes area of SK. WHAT a wealth of stories. She had a amazing way of recalling the past as though she were watching it play out before her. Remarkable storyteller. How I learned from my 'living' history book, my dear Ina. I had not even thought about how they would have to come up with ways to preserve themselves in something simple like a sleigh ride. When you don't move, you freeze. Ina would recount how they would warm stones on the fire, then wrap them in blankets and place them at their feet as their father drove on. We have crippled ourselves with 'convenience' and when it leaves us? I would have to watch you eat a wonderful meal while fasting...ouch! (LOL) God Bless you n' yours!
Brutal, eating a fine meal I indeed while you fast. I have read that quote and I love it and true friends are hard to come by! Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. Wow, 103 … good on you for taking care of her!
What a great fireside chat and meal. I love all the history you share.
Thanks Beverly. A highlight of my days is to simply listen to people relating their stories and history.
Great Company
Great Conversation
🤲💖
G,day fellas
The knowledge you both possess is irreplaceable. I hope this is being written down someware, as well as on the net. I use to talk to a lot of the old blokes, most of whome are gone now, and their skills with them. I do my best to impart my limited knowledge to the young ones ( I'm nearly 70) all they do is roll their eyes and moan!! I fear most of this will be lost. Thank you and your friend for sharing your skills with the world. All the best. Bluey
Well Trevor, you and I are about the same vintage. There is an old saying, “ Young people should get to know old people, old people know stuff”. Having said that, us old fellows can also learn from the youngsters.
A great conversation, very enjoyable. 👍
Interesting to watch and to learn about the past. It gives you a different perspective on how easy obtaining food and tools is today. Not to mention, how much easier it is to keep warm! Philip and Glenys Bender
Even with lots of firewood, with a fireplace one is only warm on one side, lol. For those on the frontier, you grew it , you made it or you did without it!
Nice interview with Bob. Yes, I think it is more about mindset than anything else!
The mind indeed, sets the stage for everything in life!
Thanks for sharing! Good conversation and good food!
Excellent talk! I'm still living off grid ( almost 30 years) with my wife and family. Can't wait for more video like this one!
Thanks very much, Ian. We appreciate your interest and support.
I would think that the difference between us today and the men and women of yesteryear would be the mindset, living in a time where they knew/had other alternatives like being able to grab that one wool blanket and walk back to your soon to be warm cabin. It leads me to believe that some would have perished in the cold of the night. I can see that being able to make your own wood screw would be quite satisfying.
Thank you all for a another wonderful video.
By the way, that roast and vegetables smelt mighty fine.lol
I’m sure more than one weary traveler on the frontier died from the cold. We truly appreciate your interest and comments.
You two get it. Thank you
Another great one Peter. Thanks for what you do.
Glad to hear you say you use the hemp rope for traction with your mocs. That's how I "tolerate" my shoepacs in the icier conditions. Char cloth was likely a luxury to the early frontiersmen. I agree that charred punk wood was probably most often used. This was a great episode, Peter. But, of course, they're all good!
Flattered James, thank you.
Enjoyed that Peter and could almost smell that roast from here!
Another awesome video, thank you for this , I'm working hard to homestead and get back living and reenacting the eastern longhunter your channel has been a treat to find.
There is a passion in your words, Robert. Best of luck in your endevours.
A nice escape for me thank you.
Fantastic wisdom on money and great stories. I can relate -- my own dog gave up on me and left for the house when I slept in our winter woods as well. My first big lesson was "you'll need more firewood than you think!" 8^)
My rule of thumb is get as much firewood as you think you’ll need, then double it.
Another great episode!! Lots of wisdom by that fire. Would love to sit at that fire and take in some of that wisdom and a wee bit of ale. This is the next best thing though. Lots and lots of work went in to making that meal possible. Cutting the trees, building the cabin, growing the vegetables, hunting for the meat. Really enjoy being able to come along on your adventures. As always, thank you for sharing. Oh, we were practically neighbors. I grew up on the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Howdy neighbor, don’t forget that the door to the Cedar Hallow Tavern is always open. Always open to sharing a fire with new friends and an ale of course.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Appreciate that. I am headed up to your place late May with my son. We’ll see you then. Looking forward to it!
Love to see some of Bill’s work some day. Thanks and stay well.
Thank you gentlemen for your wisdom and for being willing to share it with us God bless
THANKS FOR A RELAXING VIDEO AND LETTING US ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR FRIEND BOB . 👍 I LAUGHED ABOUT HIS STORY ABOUT HIS DOG HIGH TAILING BACK HOME SO HE WOULDN'T FREEZE TO DEATH😅
GOD BLESS YOU BOTH AND THE SWEET LADY BEHIND THE CAMERA💕
Smart did! Thanks Brenda for your kind words.
That auto correct… meant, dog!
Another great episode!
So then…it’s colder than a three dog night when even the dog goes looking for a better option! That was funny
Cold for sure, not sure of the funny part, lol.
What a fantastic video. A lot of the discussion really rang true. Particularly the 1 blanket myth. I think virtually every northern North American reenactor has succumbed to starting out that way. Boy, it sure doesn't take long to dispell that myth. If you look at the old accounts of winter travel, it was lways with a toboggan and snow shoes. That alone will give you an idea of the gear that was brought along in the winter.. I could go on and on with the conversation, but UA-cam probably isn't the place. GREAT VIDEO!
Thanks David.
I grew up in my first five years in a family-owned tenant property with just the kind of kitchen and water supply you discuss. We had chamber pots and an outhouse. We also had powdered lime to 'sweeten' and sanitize the deposits in the outhouse. It is GREAT EXPERIENCE to 'sit' with you both and to gather your thoughts on this way of life.
The 2 room school house that I attended got running water and flush toilets the year I stared grade one (1959). I suspect as hard as your childhood was that you have no regrets.
Adapt and overcome. The motto of the U.S. Marine Corps. Wisdom is the ability to use a tool in a manner in which it was not conceived.
Great video. Without char cloth, consider fuzzing the end of a strip of dry cedar bark and charring it (low ignition point) or making a velvet from a horse hoof tree fungus. Even if it has been raining for weeks, locate an old rotten birch stump and dig down into the roots. You will frequently find white coloured dry powder rot. This powder is incredible and will often take a spark without charring.
All great ideas, thank you for your feedback.
What great yarns!! Two blokes & their experiences living 'the life'. Fantastic!
Sitting inside during our heatwave of plus high 30C to low 40C whilst you're talking about - 41C (C I think in Canada?) is almost inconceivable.
As you'd know, minus 40 is at equal C & F.
I hope Cathy got feed - it looked great.
I gotta say this was so interesting. Your guest Bob was great and your conversation about everything was also educational. It seems cold weather survival is most important. I'm in northern Minnesota and usually in January we get weeks of minus 20 to 30F and stragling into February as well with much colder windchill. With a beautiful cabin like yours set up with the Rumford fireplace you could survive any cold weather. I would have liked to have some of the meal you ate. Thanks for sharing a relaxing video.
You do get some bitter cold winter in Northern Minnesota. Your a hardly lot, I’ve been told. Thanks for your interest, Dan.
Thank you for sharing your adventures!
I recall once when we were camped on the flats at the elbow of the Saugeen for sugar making season. We had a very cold night as the heavier cold air settled down where we were. Not wanting to spend another night like the first one many of us leant you our extra blankets of which you wrapped yourself within a buffalo robe while we sought warmer accommodation. Couldn't help but notice in the morning as you lay on your bed of cedar boughs all rolled up you sort of resembled a buffalo burrito lol,, a very warm and content burrito I might add 😉. All kidding aside, fur traders George Nelson and Alexander Henry mention their travelling beds as being three blankets inside an oil cloth envelope with another blanket on top or a combination of. Great video fellas, nice talk, it just goes to show you don't necessarily need to have a hard life or an easy life to have a " Good " life.
That was a couple of cold nights as I recall. I certainly was not going to turn those extra blankets down, given how cold the first night was. Been called a lot things in my lifetime but, Buffalo burrito is a first, lol.
Liked and shared
Thanks very much Kurt. It is pretty darn gratify when one thinks enough to share our endeavour.
Peter, another great video, one thing I don't hear much talk about when referencing fire starters is black powder cloth, just a little rubbed into a wet scrp piece of cloth and allowed to dry, will work when all else do to dampness won't. Speaking on the harth for warmth I find it interesting that when one refered to living in the 18th nd 19th centuries theywould refer to home and harth, as the two were quite litterly inseperable.
You are right, I have omitted to mention black powder and I’ve used it numerous times. I’ve also started fire by placing some tow in the flash pan with a sprinkle of powder and snapping the lock. That to has not been shown. Thanks for the feedback.
Excellent as usual
The running joke is that in the past folks had large families because they were bored, or no birth control. But, the 1 that actually makes sense, to me at least, is that they needed the extra labor to help with all of the chores just to survive. There truly are, just so many hours in a day, and only some of those have enough light for working. Good luck and God bless.
The original shelters of the land we now own had 13 kids. When you look at the huge stone fence, one begins to buy into your theory!
great times, almost feels like I am there. Wish I was.
Very interesting conversation we didn't have a lot of money my grandfather was a Shoemaker very simple man he brought me up and told me how to live a good life his life was making things and trading off for things that you need that's what we did instead and having money I still do that today the old fashioned trades try to learn off the old-timers I could find but there's a very few of them left Christmas time we made our own gifts and give to each other in our family thank you for this video PS my name is Bob Miller
Thanks Bob and to gifts, there is no gift I appreciate more than one created by another hand!
Made me hungry 😂 had to quit my doing and go cook something. Mm
Always enjoy your videos
I. With you, I could have just finished a huge meal, then I watch someone eating and I’m instantly hungry. Thanks for your interest in our channel.
Reality trumps ideology. Nature sure doesn't care, so we take steps to survive. Wool is still the best blanket. The house I lived in in my teens still is not heated on the second floor. I l learned to be comfortable without heat. My great-grandmother's quilts were very useful. I was at my local museum and I realized I knew how to use all of the old farm tools they had on display. I am happy to know I can get by. Value depends on what you have more of, money or time. GOD Bless and Hold Fast! Do not just survive but thrive. Thanks for the living history lessons.
The farm house I grew up in had no heat in the upstairs but, like you I had wool blankets and quilts a plenty.
I grew up in upstate New York near the Adirondack Park it’s a biggest state park in the lower 48 states I hunted the Adirondacks most of my life I’m 75 years old I use a great plains rifle from Lyman I bought a kit and I put it together and I’ve been using that rifle ever since I love black powder a prescribed to the mountain did a muzzleloader magazine and I like what you do in your videos I wish I knew all the stuff that you do
Spent a lot of my youth rock and ice climbing down there … beautiful area. My wife and I also lived in the Finger Lakes Region for a few years. I agree Antony, once that black powder gets in your bones, it is there to stay.
I enjoyed that a-lot! Wondering what were you drinking? Was it home made? How about a video on making the various beverages.
I was not aware of the tradition of bringing your own knife to the table, no doubt not a problem with the folk of the time. The seniors probably cut things for the children as I don't think there were a large quantity of knives for all? Maybe there was one knife that was passed around?
Looked like your meal turned out quite good, unlike your burnt bread.
Keep up the good work! JIM 💯
The meal was excellent. as to the ale, I use to make my own by starting by roasting my own hops. I found my self enjoying a tad too much, so gave it up. I still have my recipe book for ale, lagers and stout. Good suggestion, perhaps I should do a video on beverages.
Great channel love watching it 👍
Hey Peter! That was an interesting discussion. I particularly liked the "Roman Candle" firestarter idea! The dinner looked delicious... but I was a little disappointed that there was no Cajun Blackened Bread to go along with it! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Happy belated New Years to you and yours. I'm looking forward to seeing what projects are going to be undertaken this year!
Funny thing Martin, my guests never seem to ask for bread anymore!
@@TheWoodlandEscape One can only wonder why! Oh well, their loss. You keep on doing you!
goode show ladds,goode show. tyrell santee......on the brazos.
Thank you.
Peter, i really liked the birch bark Fire starter. I would be interested in your learnings for managing rain while trekking particularly when temps drop below freezing at night. I find very little reference to the skills and techniques employed.
Having a metal tin, most commonly referred to as a tinder box helps in really inclement weather. I personally don’t carry one as it is simply an addition weight and bulk in my kit. Stripping bark from a birch tree is my go to in really wet conditions to use as a base. Sit and pull a wool blanket over your head and proceed to start fir under the blanket and between your legs. Practicing in really nasty weather is the key.
Be Prepared. The motto of the Boy Scouts.
In the south, you can still see the iron furnaces back in the woods from whence came the pig iron.
Thank you very much. you have some incredible videos i have been watching since the beginning of your cabin build .and just recently got myself a 54 Calibre Thompson Centre cap and ball Musket and joined the world of reenactment here in New Zealand . Spent mini of hours building my kit black powder hair in New Zealand is a small community but I am loving every minute of it. and because of your videos and others like them I have learnt so much just .a question would you please consider doing a tumpline weaving how to video. I'm really quite keen on learning how to make one and you explain things incredibly well. anyway thank you again all the best to you and your wife and family
Sometimes small is the best way to go in terms a special interest. Everyone learns together and shares. We will certainly consider your request at some point.
Ever think about a video on how to make pine pitch? That meal looks delicious.
I love feedback like yours, Kevin … it is on our list.
In the 1950’s(yes, I’m old) my mom’s aunt & uncle lived ‘off the grid before it was called ‘off grid’. North of Merrill Wisconsin, farm (90acre) no electricity, outhouse, well pump close to back door & small pump next to dry sink going to a rain cistern in the dirt crawl ‘basement’. We had some (actually one) pretty good thanksgiving dinners there. Amazing to see the women work in the kitchen with her kitchen wood stove. No, a modern person would not be able to use kitchen wood stove like aunt Elsie did. She looked like she wasn’t even busy maintaining it, using it, she was SO skillful it looked easy. Their farmhouse was small. They still had team of horses. Small dinning room but big table. Aunt Elsie had a table cloth. Food was enough, food was good, a lot of work women did
Thank you for sharing a such wonderful family story.
Yeh. One of uncle Jack’s ( my mom’s aunt & uncle, they were way older then in the 1950’s). Besides his saw mill and a few cows and farming 20 or 30 acres ( remaining 70 acres were woods and the Prairie River, he was hired by the county to ‘maintain’ roads. Most if not all the roads were dirt. They got very rutted especially in spring with truck, wagon and car traffic. Uncle Jack used his team of horses pulling a grader to ‘maintain’ the dirt roads. You may have seen old graders, basically an iron frame, operator stood at the back, horses pulling in front, adjustable grader blade. I think they were made by the Woods Grader Co. I’m sure the few dollars the county paid uncle Jack was very important to them. They lived VERY modestly. Even at my young age, I realized they were completely void of any un-noble thoughts or deeds. So honest, so naive of any scheming or deceit. I only saw uncle Jack’s team once (from the back end). Molly & Dolly. So the horses were gone by ‘55 or so. They lived about 3 miles west of Gleason Wisconsin (about 3 or 4 buildings / businesses), small town. I think in olden days, draft animals played a very big part in farming, industry, logging, etc. they were the tractors, trucks, transportation 18th 19th century. I’m so old I’m lucky to have seen these things and listened to to MANY people born in the 19th century. Peter& Cathy you are valuable examples and teachers of important skills and values people had in the past.
A side note: I once bought at auction a VERY old type road grader. Probably from mid 19th century; but, I’m sure was same as was likely used for the past 100 years. It was a huge oak beam with an iron blade bolted to it, hanging down about 3 or 4 inches below the beam. It was missing the two draw bars I’m sure it had long ago when it was used. Oblivious a team pulled and driver walked behind or to the side. Just wanted to tell the youngsters out there that iron equipment was rare if not nonexistent pre-1870. Iron farm equipment didn’t blossom into manufacturing starting after the U.S. Civil War.
I once camped in -26 degrees F at 1500ft. in 9" of snow. Windy, our backs froze and our fronts baked. The fire we kept at about 6' tall. I awoke around 3am froze in the back of my ford blazer, could not get warm, tried several things, my buddy was fine in his tent on the ground. The trucks radiator was frozen green ice. We blew a head gasket on our way out. It was BAD.
Oh my, sounds like a nasty trip all around.
yup, moral of the story was never sleep in a metal car rather than a tent! When cold air moves under you you freeze faster!@@TheWoodlandEscape
I believe in the 'Labor Theory of Value.' The idea was that Providence created land, minerals, and plant and animal life. It was the labor and understanding of individual workers that TRANSFORMED those created materials to make goods and services for our living. MONEY becomes a means of TRANSFERRING the value of labor from person to person to exchange for what we did not make for ourselves.
Well Put James, we’ll put!
Hi from Syracuse NY USA everyone else
What needs to happen is that this community that actually knows how the real world works need to be put in charge of the whole education system! I home school with good teaching and the kids still don't understand the basics of survival, money and the real world skills to deal with what coming for sure.
Spot on Timothy. I always thought that at the grade 9 to 10 age there should be a daily class on Practical Stuff … change a tire, wire a switch and light etc.
One word bridges the chasm of today to yesteryear. That word is content. Today, people lack content. Content has been replaced by greed.
Well said, Marc.
Please tell Richard and AL their music was superb.
I ll tell them in person shortly. Heading to see them down east, soon. They are gracious enough to allow me to play with them.
What does “chaga”(sp) look like? You said it was some sort of resin? On our dying pecan trees, we get what looks like oysters or flat mushrooms on our trees. They have layer of what looks like resin. Hard as I rock. Is that chaga or is it specific to a particular tree? Why does resin make a good fire starter? I’m not quite understanding.
The medicinal chaga only grows on white and yellow birch. The fungi you refer to is not an edible one but, one can break it u and char it in fire and it will also hold a spare for fire starting.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you! Your depth of knowledge astounds me.
Just before Dawn is the coldest time of the night. My outside thermometer will drop several degrees from 0500 to 0700.i kind of always thought 0200 would be the coldest time of the night but it is not. Just before Dawn is the coldest time of the night.
Indeed and usually the time one runs out of firewood, lol.
I love the comment of “A man made it, so another man can make it as well”
I’m a former machinist and I now repair and maintain machine tools for a very large company.
I’ve had people tell me as I’m working on a project some degree of “you can’t fix that or make that”
I just tell them if a man made it a man can fix it.
It seems to me even my generation has become far to accustomed to a disposable world. Few want to make things.
I’d rather make something then buy it.
Well said! We certainly have become a throw away society.
My wife would like to know what song that is playing in the beginning and end of your videos? If you don't mind. Brian and Debi
Wish I could help you out. We actually change the music depending on the scene and most of the tunes have no names. They are composed by two fellow musician friends. The rare one has a title and a favorite of ours is “The beauty of Wilburn” , by Al MacDonald of Nova Scotia.
In the colonies, we use Fahrenheit. When you speak of temperature, is it the same or Centigrade?
Good feedback, given most of the viewer are American. I’ll make an effort to give the temperature in both F & C.
dinner looks fine
It was that … the venison roast was done to perfection.
@@TheWoodlandEscape I noticed that it disappeared rather fast..😆
What a meal! Damn, is this every night at the tavern? Do I need reservations?
Heck no Charles, if you show up you’ll not leave our table hungry.
We learn from our mistakes. Survivors learn from the mistakes of others. The second mouse gets the cheese.
Very true statements, indeed!
❤😊😊
Plus read different accounts of different people who live in the wild outdoors in 1754
I do on occasion quote those that are relevant. I appreciate the feedback.
First... love your show brother
What is the title of the intro song to this video?
Most of the tunes my two friends provide have no titles, simply original compositions. Appreciate your interest, Kerry.
Porcupine's are a great meal themselves.
I’ll have to take your word for it, I’ve never had it
Talking about any skill and making that skill your's is a lot different. I was a college instructor for a few years, I would tell my students to memorize something for a test does no good but, to find a use for knowledge means you own that knowledge.
You are spot on, Don. One needs to put new skills to practical use to truly master them.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery
Modern Kitchen (1750) ...
chaga, AKA fire fungus
Translated from some indigenous languages, that is indeed what they called it.
He needs to work on the indoor audio, still love the page
I agree Mike, this one was very difficult to edit. We are working on it and do appreciate your feedback.
I made fire in the rain because I had everything I needed to make a fire including tinder and kindling and fuel
Good for you Earl … it does take some practice.
I love your channel. But you are Absolutely wrong about gun owner ship in Canada. Canada is turning so far against gun ownership. Rt now they are leaving your flintlocks alone but soon they will come for them. I wish other Canadians would jump in on this topic