Small Town News

Country Roads

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When the grade school students at Oak Creek School all raced into the school house following recess, they often shouted "Last one in is a rotten

egg!"

I hadn't thought about that saying until eggs made the headlines after health scare related to eggs produced in Iowa.

The eggs are being blamed for bacteria making people ill all across the United States. I am thankful the eggs eaten in the Schlaefli home come from neighbors who still keep hens on their farm. Unlike many who were investigating where their eggs came following the Iowa egg scare, I didn't have to investigate to see where my eggs had came from. For I knew they came just two miles from our farm.

When our neighbors began their chicken flock, I was surprised they had the time to care of the hens and gather the eggs but they really took an interest in the chickens. We are certainly glad they decided to share eggs with us.

We like knowing where our "farm fresh" products come from. The "free range" eggs are appreciated and another plus to living in a rural community.

At Oak Creek School we played a game called "Rotten Egg."As I remember, two older students would ask the younger students, one at a time as they stood in line, if they were a good egg or a bad egg. The younger student bravely had to assess their capabilities before they replied. No matter which answer was given, the student was subject to a test. The two older students would grasp each other's arms. The younger student who answered their question, would be loaded into their arms and swung back and forth and shaken. If the student could not take the shaking or swinging and jumped out of the older students' arms, the' student were considered to be a "bad or rotten egg." If the younger student withstood the shaking and swinging he was considered to be a "good egg."

The results of the "egg testing" had to match their answer. If it did they were in winning status.

I'm certain this game is no longer allowed in schools, but in our country school, it was one of several rowdy games allowed.

Eggs are a needed staple in my book.

There are egg substitutes but it's hard to replace the original thing. Eggs can be fried, boiled, steamed, mixed into delicious baked products. They help make up the best potato salads, omelets, egg nogs, pies and homemade ice creams. There is nothing like pancakes and eggs for breakfasts or even for a winter supper at the Schlaefli house.

Eggs are also used in making great sandwiches. Where would be Easter Bunny be without eggs'?

Good eggs are appreciated as cracking open a rotten egg is an experience no one appreciates. The smell of opening an egg that is rotten is unmatched.

It's hard to believe that people could be compared to an egg but as in the childhood game played long ago at Oak Creek School, here's hoping that you're a "good egg..



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© 2011 The Superior Express Superior, Nebraska. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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