Moved some papers aside and found my copy of Bootstraps and Biscuits: 300 wonderful wild food recipes from the hills of West Virginia by Anna Lee Robe-Terry. From a brochure which came with my copy: "Set in the hills of West Virginia on her family lands, Anna Lee Robe-Terry forages for wild foods and describes their preparation and uses. In her own colorful language, Anna Lee shares a rural family heritage in a narrative generously laced with anecdotes about life in the mountains. The result is a rich compilation of hundreds of delicious recipes the ingredients available and free for the picking. From pawpaw pudding to mincemeat pie using wild meat, a reader will find fulfillment for the soul, palate and pocket book." I called Ms. Robe-Terry and she informed me the first volume has sold so well, she is working on a second. The first one is still available from her for $17.98 plus $1.50 shipping at ALT PRESS, Route 6, Box 309I, Fairmont, WV 26554. Now, how can you not like a cookbook with a recipe for skunk grease along with an amusing story to boot?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 21, 2001

Answers

Wow , what will be next skunk grease soap? LOL I like books like that, you can learn more than you ever dream up.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), February 21, 2001.

KEN ugg.skunk grease. my mother was famous for rubbing me down with skunk grease in the winter time. funny story one day my friend Bud a city boy came to visit and wanted to go hunting,so we took the dog and shotgun and went to the woods. while we were gone several hours my mother killed a skunk and fried it up for the grease and since the dog was with us she covered the meat up with a teatowel and in we came hungry as all get out. heck it was pretty good till mom came in and told us what it was. no i dont need eny skunk oil.Bob se.ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), February 21, 2001.

She notes bear grease was most favored for a base for medicine ointments, but the time her parents got to WV (probably about 1900), few bears were to be found, so skunk was the next best choice. The grease was also used to waterproof leather.

She tells a very similar story about two cousins really liking the meat until they found out what it was.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 22, 2001.