Grandma Goes Hunting

Grandma's Hunting Stories

As my sister and I were growing up, my Grandma, Stella Ethel Marie Holland Smith would tell us what her life had been like in Mountain Home, Arkansas when she was a girl.

Grandma loved Mountain Home and missed it. She was one of the older children and I know Grandma took care of her younger siblings also.  Her mother, Minnie Bell Kirkland Holland was sick much of the time.

Anyway, Grandma would tell us about how she would wear her hair in two braids and go hunting with a slingshot.  Sometimes she would go with her brother. If she got a squirrel, she would take it home, and they would have a nice squirrel stew.  I would wonder what squirrel stew tasted like and wonder what Grandma looked like as a young girl hunting for squirrel and rabbit or whatever with her slingshot. 

I know Grandma could be quite fierce in the chicken pen when we were going to have chicken for dinner.  She would go in there with the chickens, grab one in each hand and wring their necks.  After they stopped flopping around, we would take them in, pluck their feathers, cut them up, fry them up, and eat them.  Nothing like raising your own food.

I have been wanting to go to Mountain Home ever since I was little because I know that is where my Grandma was born and how much she loved it.  My 2nd Great Grandpa, Martin Holland is something of a legend there with all of his shenanigans. He is called Uncle Mart in those parts. My dream will come true very soon.  I am so excited.