Pea Pickin'

In the fall of the year, our uncle had fields full of what we called "stock peas." They were small brown peas with speckles. I later learned to call them whipporwill peas. He let us pick what he called "shares." We could have two tow sacks full and give him one if we did the picking.

We would pack a lunch and go to the "river-bottom land" and pick all day. Some days it was cold and windy, but we still picked. When everyone had all they needed for winter, we would go to each house at night and have a "pea shelling."

Sheets were put on the floor and all of the young folks sat on the floor around a high pile of peas. When all the peas were shelled, we were allowed to play games and have refreshments. We would shell fast to have more fun time.

We were not allowed to go to dances. Once I was in charge of my two cousins and the younger children from our house. We were at a house where they decided to take out the furniture and have a square dance. I told the kids, "When our folks find out about this, we won't be permitted to come here any more." So, we decided to stay and watch. We did - and that was the end of our parties.