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The jar on the left was my parents. The other I bought at an auction .
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My parents always had a jar of "Indian Salve" in the medicine cabinet. It was the go to for cuts, burns, rashes and slivers. I always and still do think of it as magic. I inherited the little jar which was down to a couple teaspoons in the bottom when I got it.
Hard to believe but it did last through my 3 kids and 3 of my grandchildren. They all would come a running saying they need some "magic". I have no idea how much was just imagination that it worked or how much it really did. I swear by it just from experience and it did stop the kids from crying. It is the best to get out a stubborn sliver, just put a tiny dab on top of the sliver, cover it with a band aid and in a day or two it is ready to pull out. That is a lifesaver for little kids. The salve has the dominant smell of crude oil with a wild herb scent. I would always tell the kids and grands the only way the magic works is to smell it first. It was a ritual that seemed to make everyone expect that smell. This is the last I will ever have of the H.F. Freeman salve made in Salamanca, NY (now you see why it is called Indian Salve). Made in the heart of the Seneca Indian Nation Territory. We would travel through on our way to a cousin's farm in Forestville, NY. a couple times a year. My dad would say get down on the floor and be quiet, Indians like little girls with blue eyes and blond hair...Good grief it took me years to realize it was his way to have a quiet ride for the rest of the trip. I would be all huddled on the floor board of the car and every few minutes dad or mom would say, "stay down there's an Indian.".
A few years ago there was an estate auction at Helen Goodspeeds on the Eleven Mile Rd. I have always loved that house and knew I would be at the auction. Amber, Dick and I got there early to check all the little treasures and some big ones. There in the middle of the junk stuff was..........a jar of "Indian Salve" the same kind I had only full, jackpot! It was going home with me. I was worried there might be someone eyeballing it and wanting it as bad as I did. That could be a problem, what if they were willing to pay way above what I thought it was worth? I couldn't think of anything else but that jar of Indian Salve! Finally after hours the auctioneer held it up and the bidding started. It was up to $15.00 and still going. I'm trying to rationalize in my mind what my cut off point was going to be and walk away. I couldn't be rational and something about bidding was raising the excitement level. Bam! Sold $16.00 and it was mine.. That was a close one knowing Dick was standing next to me thinking she better stop soon. I have no idea how far I would have kept going, scary! What's it worth? I'm sure we all have a "what's it worth" tucked away and without a doubt more than one.
Of course I can not end the post without a cooking tip. I started cooking bacon two years ago like this. Thank you very much to "the guy" that gave me the tip. No more nasty stove top spatters to clean up. I do it in the oven at 375 degrees on a baking rack set inside an old Texas sheet cake pan. Perfect flat bacon every time and it does not spatter and pop while cooking in the oven..
