Last evening at an Olli Institute session of "The Military on the Western Frontier," the instructor displayed a large collection of period firearms, bayonets, uniform clothing, and other equipment. I found it interesting when he compared the different firearms, their effective ranges, who used them, etc. One piece of equipment he brought was a cloth-covered canteen that kept water cool when he soaked its covering.
I used to drink out of a container like that, too. A gallon crock jug wrapped in burlap and tied on with twine acted much the same way, especially when placed in the shade of a swath. Quite large and heavy, a person could either put it to his mouth by placing it between his two hands and hoisting it up, or by hooking a finger in its handle and rolling it over to the crook of his uplifted arm. I preferred that way myself, maybe it was more macho.
Speaking of water, the Missouri flows freely again. I didn't see any ice on it this morning when I crossed it. We drove four miles west to a truckstop for breakfast last Saturday morning and saw absolutely no snow on the hills. Any run-off just won't be there this year; therefore no floods are expected.
I used to drink out of a container like that, too. A gallon crock jug wrapped in burlap and tied on with twine acted much the same way, especially when placed in the shade of a swath. Quite large and heavy, a person could either put it to his mouth by placing it between his two hands and hoisting it up, or by hooking a finger in its handle and rolling it over to the crook of his uplifted arm. I preferred that way myself, maybe it was more macho.
Speaking of water, the Missouri flows freely again. I didn't see any ice on it this morning when I crossed it. We drove four miles west to a truckstop for breakfast last Saturday morning and saw absolutely no snow on the hills. Any run-off just won't be there this year; therefore no floods are expected.
