Bells ,whistles and my City Cousin

remmettn · #1 03/07/10, 06:37 PM

When I was a kid back on the farm the youngest of a big family, mother had a few bells when someone was sick she would put a bell by your bed so you could call for help. When I was in the Army Sergeants and officers got whistles, the sound frequencyis different then battle sounds “mostly” so used for command and control. Also police use them too.
And you say SO;

the other day as I was buying a brass candle holders at a thrift stores and I got one that was a Bell, just like mother had. It made me think how important simple sound devices were before Walkie-talkies, Cell Phones ETC. Now we want it cheap so look for them at thrift stores and garage sales.
I know I am talking to the chorus but cheap goods for our use and trade too, Bells, whistles, compass, some tool s, really big pots “to heat up water” and knife or any (handgun /12ga/22 Rifle under $100.)
And again you say SO we know this too;

We all have” City Cousins” relatives or old friends that live in big cities these “cheap goods” are more plentiful in big cities. I live in Spokane Washington the thrift stores and garage sales in Seattle have a lot more of these goods, my ” City Cousins” look for them they think it is for my cabin and my hobby of “old time goods” .

soulsurvivor · #2 03/07/10, 09:44 PM

Part of my childhood was spent being the cook of the noon meal that fed my family and all the farmhands and when the meal was ready I went outside and rang the dinner bell. It was a heavy black cast iron bell on a tall pole with a big rope tied to it. It made the best sound and could be heard for miles. It worked and everyone always made it to the table in time to eat. I wish I still had it.

whiterock · #3 03/07/10, 10:44 PM

my back "doorbell" is a cast iron bell about 6" in diameter. Works really well, sometimes too well when the redheaded grandson is here.
Ed

NCLee · #4 03/08/10, 06:05 AM

Growing up almost every farm had a big dinner bell. Because the sound is usually unique, we could tell the difference between farm A and farm B.

Those bells were also used for emergency signals. If heard other than at dinner time (lunch) it meant that something was wrong and help was needed. Fire, someone hurt, etc.

IMHO, a good whistle should be on every keyring. Or worn as a neckless under kids clothing. Recently bought a good metal one for myself, when I'm working in my shop.

I like the dinner bell door bell idea. Have one of those 6" bells that I was going to put on the back porch. The front porch is a better idea. Thanks!!

Lee

beaglebiz · #5 03/08/10, 06:07 AM

I have an old and beautiful patina-ed brass ship's bell for a doorbell. One of my favorite things.

freegal · #6 03/08/10, 07:08 AM

I picked up a small wall-mount bell on my travels in Greece long ago that ended up being stuck on a nail outside the back door on this old farmhouse. I don't know if the neighbors can hear it but it works for calling for meals or whatever. If we hear it, we come to the house.

I also whistle a certain way that my kids know to come to. We had visiting friends one time and wanted all the kids up to the house so I stepped out the door & whistled for them. Friend laughed and said they'll never hear that, but the kids came running. They had been up in the hayloft playing and heard me. But they don't like it when I whistle in a store anymore - they'd rather I text them. But then, they are 17 & 21 now.

secretcreek · #7 03/08/10, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freegal

...(snipped to here)...

I also whistle a certain way that my kids know to come to. We had visiting friends one time and wanted all the kids up to the house so I stepped out the door & whistled for them. Friend laughed and said they'll never hear that, but the kids came running. They had been up in the hayloft playing and heard me. But they don't like it when I whistle in a store anymore - they'd rather I text them. But then, they are 17 & 21 now.

ME TOO! I had to look to make sure I wasn't agreeing with something ~I~ had written! I am the only one in my home that can whistle loud and clear. My Dad could cut you in two with his whistle it was so clear and loud. I always wanted to do that so I have perfected my whistle over the years- it's not epic- but it works. I have a certain "attention!" whistle that I have always used as a "heads up" and my children always knew to look for me in a store,etc... Once they were teens, I would have fun with it...and whistle it at Wal-Mart or heaven forbid at a school function, and of course they were compelled to immed. turn and look for me- used to make them so aggrivated at my "power" over them

Parental revenge for all their kid-antics!!!

Now if I am at home and use that whistle: the dogs, cat, and four goats come thundering up to me. Power thru conditioning. w00t!!!

Thing is...if Dad whistles, I still swing around and look for him!

-secrtcrk

ACountryMomma · #8 03/08/10, 09:10 AM

My Dad had a whistle that he used to get our attention, too. It was loud but not like a wolf whistle - more like "you-hoo!" I have taken to using it for my kids when we're at functions where there are a lot of children & I need them to pay attention to me. But in stores they don't leave my side so I never use it there.

I have another whistle I use for our dogs and goats and it usually works for horses, too. But it is loud - not an indoor sound

I do love the idea of having a big dinner bell outside. Our neighbor has one from the wife's grandparents' farm - but it's in their garage and not in use. Kept in good condition though. I would love to have one.

unregistered29228 · #9 03/08/10, 09:10 AM

I used a whistle for years, to call my kids home when they were playing in the woods. My inlaws live next to Amish farms, and the Amish use the old fashioned triangle to call everyone in for meals.

soulsurvivor · #10 03/08/10, 09:11 AM

It is probably a really good idea to have an alternate communication/signaling plan to enact for those times when technical based communication might not be fully functional. I like this idea of using bells and whistles and I also think that I might buy me some kites.

mnn2501 · #11 03/08/10, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freegal

But they don't like it when I whistle in a store anymore - they'd rather I text them. But then, they are 17 & 21 now.

Yeah, my wife hates it when I whistle for her in a store - but she always comes.

whiterock · #12 03/08/10, 10:30 AM

When I was a kid, Momma would call me for supper when i was way bck on the place. She would yell my full name in a high pitched voice that cut like a knife. If I didn't show up in a few minutes she would do it again. Next would be Daddy. My voice wouldn't carry as far as theirs, so I learned to reply with a whistle that let them know I was on the way to the house.

Before cell phones, my ex and I located each other in Walmart or other large stores/malls with a whistle. Sounded like a covey of quail trying to relocate after a flush.
Ed

Blu3duk · #13 03/08/10, 11:23 AM

hmmm spokane has GREAT deals compared to here.... and Spokane is a METROPOLIS compared to the outlaying regions around it!!!! If i didnt have kinfolk there i probably would never check out craigs lists, though it shows up on Idaho since CDA and Spokane are nearly one city now...... well close enough for the list....

And being frugal is not like being cheap..... there is a difference!

William
Idaho

remmettn · #14 03/08/10, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu3duk

hmmm spokane has GREAT deals compared to here.... and Spokane is a METROPOLIS compared to the outlaying regions around it!!!! If i didnt have kinfolk there i probably would never check out craigs lists, though it shows up on Idaho since CDA and Spokane are nearly one city now...... well close enough for the list....

And being frugal is not like being cheap..... there is a difference!

William
Idaho

“Yes every mans view of the big city is relative”

Freeholder · #15 03/08/10, 09:46 PM

My ex-husband had a whistled signal to get my attention in a crowded place, too, and I have to say I was thankful for it a few times when we'd gotten separated.

When I was in my teens, we lived near one of my mother's cousins on the Oregon Coast, and they had a triangle on the back porch that they used for a dinner bell or to call us kids (their four and my brothers and sisters and me) when we were out playing. But if that didn't get it, the cousin's wife would yell for us -- we could hear her a lot farther than we could hear the triangle, LOL! And we knew we'd better get a moving if she'd had to yell for us! We could hear her a mile away through thick forest and on the other side of a hill!!

Kathleen

oceantoad · #16 03/09/10, 10:35 AM

As a kid in Kentucky we had a huge dinner bell on a post. Wish we had taken it when we moved to Virginia.

I attached a small bell outside the place I used to have in Texas. Good for getting your attention when you were up at the stables.

I have an antique hand held bell that came from my great uncle. It is suppose to be a bell for calling the slave. I guess that slave would now be me.

I have various whistles (Storm & Fox) that I have given to people or that I have my self in vehicles, packs, etc.

A friend in Oklahoma had a special whistle that he would do to have his wife fix on his position.

rightathome · #17 03/09/10, 09:41 PM

Ah, memories of the sound of the big cast iron triangle on the front porch, ringing us kids in for dinner. Hadn't thought of that in a while.

I too have a whistle the kids know is for them. I learned it from a turkey. LOL it's an imitation of that quick "wheet!" they make when you toss them some grub.