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floors, the kitchen floor in particular, annually received a new layer of linoleum. If the family could afford it, a new oilcloth for the table was added during the spring house- cleaning. The lady of the house often obtained the new square of linoleum by trading several home-hooked rugs with the “mat man.” The chief source of heat, and the means by which all the family cooking and baking was done, was the kitchen wood stove. Even during the hot days of summer, the stove would have to be lit to bake homemade bread and rolls and to supply the hot water for Monday’s laundry. Often, our Mother would say, “Children, go out to the wood-pile and get me some chips to light the fire. The Yankees are coming and l have to bake

something.”