1. REMEMBERING HARD TIMES

I mean to take you through my life over a period of years, retracing the journey that took me many a mile. We couldn't hurry, and I won't hurry with my story. This country rushes too much. I want you to take a deep breath and slow down. A little of your time is all that's required, and at the end of it, you'll thank your lucky stars you live in modern times. I'll get on with it in a minute, but first, I have to prepare a meal for a husband, two hired hands, four children, two hound dogs and well, me.

Follow me out to the yard. That big fat yellow one! Got..it! All right. Now I wring it's neck, throw it under that bucket for a minute. Got hot water to dunk it in, then pull the feathers. Finally we have these pin feathers, and we singe those off. There you go. Clean bird. Now we'll cut it up, and roll it in a handful of flour, I am so glad we have flour now, add salt and pepper Sizzle in hot lard until it is a golden brown, and you have your dinner.

Our first journey began in Maryland, two years after I was born in 1798. I was a little thing
when my Papa died. He was a Wilkinson, Captain Wilkinson, in the Revolutionary War, from
a fine family. But an old wound killed him, and Mama, my nine older brothers and sisters,
went South, some of us to join General James Wilkinson, who is famous for certain things.
We'll save that until later.

[To be continued]