Happy Wednesday and happy unexpected, unscheduled post!
It occurred to me that I still had a few Wisconsin things to share; however, I didn’t want to do four Mondays in a row on Wisconsin, so I figured I would just finish it all up with a midweek post.
I had shared this photo in my first Wisconsin post, showing a place I was fascinated by. (Randy always gives me great intel on places to explore.) When I first went in, I thought, “Well, they must have just opened for the day because they haven’t even turned the lights on yet.”
And then about five minutes later, I was, Oh. Yeah. This is owned by an Amish family; there are no lights!” (I’m a little slow sometimes.)
It was fine by the window but I image it would be pretty dark on a cloudy day.
The basic premise of the store was selling food that is just slightly out of date and marked way down. They had such an interesting variety of things and some very focused shoppers who were intent on finding bargains. My kind of people!
In the middle of my browsing I heard a woman say to the young shopkeeper, “Do you have a restroom or an outhouse?”
That stopped me dead in my tracks. I have to say that in all my years of shopping, I have never heard someone so casually ask for an outhouse.
Of course, at that point, I was curious to visit the outhouse myself so after waiting a decent interval, I casually asked the young woman if I could use the outhouse. I tried to say it nonchalantly like it was something I inquired about all the time.
Once I got in there, I sort of lost my nerve about using it. (And I’m not a outhouse newbie; we had them for a little while growing up.) But my bladder wasn’t terribly desperate so I just grabbed a photo and gave very fervent thanks for indoor plumbing.
a few of my favorite meandering photos I took. My family is so patient with me when I disappear for a couple of hours at a time. I got up early three different mornings and just wandered all sorts of backroads. Most definitely my happy place.
I was especially fascinated by this replica of a church; it provided such an interesting perspective because it was so small.
that I saw at a stop sign in Willard, WI. It advertised:
General repairs, well bar, athletic club, polka fest, soup and sandwiches, live music, country jamboree, Holy Family Catholic Church, the Christine Center and a Whispering Oaks concert.
It just seemed to sum up all the good stuff about rural Wisconsin. I also loved that it wasn’t fancy; just some words hung on some wood but it was all that was needed to get the messages across.
was a memorial to Native Americans who fought in our wars. So moving
As a lover of words, I appreciate the beauty and poignancy that went into this writing.
I’ll leave you with a video my sister-in-law, Carol, took of the hayride. I am so grateful she thought to film this because it is such a great encapsulation of the fun we had together.
As a little background, Arnold found a wide spot and did two or three “doughnuts.” The young folks up front were putting their arms up like they were on a roller coaster ride. The more we screamed, the more doughnuts Arn was inclined to do to there was fun all around.
So there you have it! Monday we will be back to non-Wisconsin things–even while I count down the days to the next trip.
What about you?
Have you ever used an outhouse?
Have you ever shopped at a store similar to the one in this post?
Yes, I have used several outhouses in my day. They were in the mountains where we camped. And they were not well maintained. Stinky is a kind word. But dad was adamant that we not leave our ‘mark’ outdoors. It was unsafe because of the animals around. Oh how I hated those outhouses!! I would hold it as long as I possibly could!
We actually had a store in the last town we lived in that was sort of like that store. They sold close-dated items at a greatly reduced price. You could find some really great deals!!
Your pictures are always so good and beautiful to look at. No wonder you love to wander! That tiny church is intriguing! Playhouse perhaps?
LeeAnne,
When stinky is a “kind” word, that’s not a good thing!
The church seemed to be solid with nothing inside. But a playhouse would be so fun. I was so intrigued by its size and getting to play with the perspective of it being so small. It didn’t hurt that it was a gorgeous Wisconsin morning and I was out meandering. The perfect day!
When I was a kid growing up in Pennsylvania, my parents took us to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon to go hiking. I had to go pretty badly after the drive to get there, but upon arriving we discovered they only had an outhouse (I would imagine this has been long since remedied). It was my first encounter with one. I, a child, took one look at what appeared to be a deep dark hole that I felt certain to fall into never to be seen again if I dared sit on it, and decided I would hold it. Which I did, all the way down to the bottom of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, at which point I was sweating with desperation and my mom gave me permission to find a private place to squat and “relieve myself.” Which I did. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to pee in my life!
Ellen,
I agree–those holes are very scary to look at, even as an adult. They just look like they go on forever!
I do not blame you at all for wanting to “hold it” as long as you could but I’m glad you eventually found a private place that did not involve an outhouse. 🙂
The picture(s) of you and your sisters almost made me weep. Our oldest sister passed away in 2022 of Sepsis and we live far apart from each other. One sis lives in Illinois and the other in Colorado – so we don’t get together very often. But actually going to thrift stores could be one of our things.
Several years ago our church had a group traveling to Wisconsin – eating in a restaurant and then traveling to an Amish farm to their store. It was not light in there even though it was the afternoon. Only a couple windows. Some were using their phone light to see what they were looking at. Don’t think I purchased anything that day. Had wanted to come back and get one of their chairs, but so far we have not done that. Interesting trip! Again, great pictures!
Sharyn,
Losing a sister would be so absolutely heartbreaking; I can’t imagine. I’m so sorry you and your sisters have had to go through that. Makes you treasure the people you have left; they are extra-precious, aren’t they?
That’s interesting people were using their flashlights to see things on the shelves in that store. I’m not sure if I could work in such a dim atmosphere unless maybe I had a headlamp on! Maybe someday you’ll go back and get that chair!
I have definitely used a few outhouses in my time. That one looks a little “fancy” with a stool and it appears those are labeled #1 – was there a #2? I think I would almost prefer an outhouse over a port-a-potty which I find so very claustrophobic.
I’ve never been in an amish shop (or any other non-electrified shop) but would want to if I were to see one.
I’ve had a crazy week, so I’m just getting a chance to go through my week’s email and was happy to find this bonus post, and look forward to reading Monday’s as well.
SueEllen,
If there IS such a thing as a fancy outhouse! Yes, I agree, that one was a little nicer than most. In the corner, it even had a candle for lighting.
Yes, I saw the #1 and #2; don’t know the exact meaning but I’m assuming it told you which hole you should use for which form of “business.” (Wasn’t that delicate?) 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the bonus post!
Occasionally while camping, we used to camp in the primitive campgrounds with the equivalent of an outhouse. I do like upgrading to modern campgrounds with modern comfort stations.
Jeff,
I’m right there with you. A modern “comfort station” is a blessing beyond words.
An outhouse in a “primitive campground” makes me shudder. I love indoor plumping!
Just saw this… very fun! Again!
We Campbell’s and (various patient in-laws) seem to laugh at the same silly things all in one accord ! Amazing to me but quite enjoyable! We truly have good fellowship one with another- as the bible tells us to. Amen and amen.
I don’t mind out -houses at all, even a handy cornfield will do when desperate …
Your pics were great. I like the one where the round bale looks as big as the silo! Nice perspective.
Ruth
Ruth,
I like your “patient in-laws” line. They all seem to have found their place in the family well and actually join right in with the humor. We are blessed!
I hadn’t noticed that perspective until you pointed it out; thanks for opening my eyes to that.
I loved this post!!! I love anything Amish and enjoyed the pictures. Thanks!! We had an outhouse when I was growing up for a few years. Not fun when you have a stomach bug in the dead of winter. Thank goodness for chamber pots. I hated the outhouse…scared to death of spiders and snakes. Thankfully we got indoor plumbing by the time I was 15 years old. I have to tell a funny story, even though it wasn’t funny then. I was only allowed to date at home at 15 years old. I had a feller over one night and he had to go to the bathroom!!! Gasp. We had the bathroom but didn’t have it plumbed yet. The commode sat there empty…awaiting to be hooked up. Well, I didn’t have the nerve to tell this feller so I let him go on and then later I had to don rubber gloves and go in and use clothes to “soak up” all the urine he deposited in the bowl. I bet he wondered why the commode didn’t have any water in it and I was just too embarrassed to tell him since this was our first date. Whenever I see this feller now out somewhere, I always wonder if he still wonders about that strange commode.. It was not a good memory for me…
Kaye,
Oh my, what a story about your boyfriend and unplumbed toilet! I think it would be funny, all these years later, to tell him the whole story. You’d probably both get a huge laugh. 🙂
You were definitely brave dealing with outhouses in the middle of winter. It makes a good story to tell to the younger generation who probably can’t even imagine such an experience.
Love the little church photo and the framed photo of the cemetery.
I have used outhouses many times. Can’t say I am a fan, but when need be… I actually used abandoned outhouses twice and thought afterward what would I have done if it gave way and I had to scream for help-ugh. I have heard of people who go and dig up old dry outhouse pits and find lots of old dishes and such that folks would throw into the pit and later fill up and move the outhouse to a new pit.
We have a few Amish stores near us, some use generator or solar lights, and a couple actually have indoor plumbing. I made friends with one Amish family when they sold baked goods next to me at the farmers market one summer. Such fun talking with them.
Patti,
Thanks; I loved the church photos, too.
Using an abandoned outhouse? Yikes! You are braver than I am. I wouldn’t so much be worried about it giving way but what would be lurking under the rim! But obviously you survived, so it’s all good. 🙂
As for throwing dishes into an outhouse, that was completely new to me; I just went and Googled it and found it quite fascinating. Always learn things from my readers!
I have often wanted to find an old outhouse dig, but never have.
Patti,
YOu’d have a real claim to fame since not many people have done an outhouse dig.
My husband’s family has a cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Not long after we started dating, his dad added a bathroom and a shower. I was so happy! Before then there was an outhouse and a creek for bathing. 🙂 The outhouse was a two-seater like what you saw. My mother-in-law and her sister apparently used to use it that way when they were up there together. 🙂
So happy that you had such a wonderful trip!
DeLynn,
I just have to say that having to use an outhouse is bad enough but to use it with someone sitting beside you? Not so much. I can only assume your mother-in-law and her sister were very close.
I wondewr if your father-in-law added the facilities just because of you, wanting to keep the new girlfriend happy. 🙂 Sounds like it worked out. And the UP is so beautiful; lucky to have a cabin up there!