Toe Jam Days
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Once the chickens were old enough to begin laying, Louise and I had the job of daily gathering the eggs which Mom sold at the farm or gave away to our neighbors. A certain number of the chickens were roosters and one particular rooster made Louise's and my life miserable. He would get behind us and when we were not looking he would fly up and peck us on the back of the head. He wouldn't do it every time, but whenever we went out to the coop, we were afraid that we would be attacked by that rooster. If we ran directly at him, he would run away, but then he would sneak back among the other chickens and get behind us and all at once there he would be, flying at us and pecking again. One day Louise and I were playing in the yard when we saw Pa coming in from hoeing weeds in the cornfield. We both started running toward him and suddenly the rooster was in the air, pecking Louise on the head. Whenever Pa hoed weeds, he always sharpened the hoe to a fine edge to cut through the weed stalk just below ground level. That day, I watched Pa in one quick instant slap at the rooster with his hand to get it away from Louise, and then swing that hoe like a golf club, slicing off the head of the rooster. The head went flying through the air like a nine iron shot. Needless to say, we had chicken for dinner that night.
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About the Book
A refreshing, realistic view of rural Americana in the mid-20th century, Toe Jam Days provides a wonderfully-written account of growing up in a simpler time. This autobiographical work highlights the events of childhood, adolescence and early-adulthood, providing a glimpse of the heartaches and triumphs of the author and his extended family. The reader will definitely identify with many of the true-to-life situations and relationships described in this book.
About the Author
M. DAVID MYERHOLTZ M. David Myerholtz attended night school at Stautzenburger College and the University of Toledo. For thirty-nine years he was employed by a Toledo based engineering firm specializing in the design of steam-power generating facilities. He worked as design draftsman, a project manager and attained the position of company vice-president. He and his wife Nancy moved to Waterville, Ohio in 1966 where they raised their three sons, Alan, Eric, and Matthew. He has been active in the Waterville Community since then, serving as Cub Master for Troop 101, Little League Baseball Coach, Village Councilman, and Village Mayor. Currently he is a member of the Waterville Rotary and the First Presbyterian Church of Waterville. In 2005 he retired and took up watercolor painting. He is a member of the Toledo Artist Club and especially enjoys painting every week with the Monday Morning Painters. He and Nancy are life-long campers, and currently travel all over the continental United States and Alaska in their small motor home. They also enjoy their craftsman style bungalow home, gardening, and adventures with their five incredible grandchildren.