Aunt Sally and Outhouses

Yes, I have used an outhouse for its intended purpose.  I was very young but I still remember it because I had no choice.  My parents took me to me to visit my Great Aunt Sally.  She was old even then but she had a house that never had a restroom until right before she died.  She had some running water in the house (one of those pumps like you see in Little House on the Prairie) but did not want a real restroom because she did not need it.  Aunt Sally was from a time long ago and I often remember visiting her and that she might or might not have her teeth in.  She always dressed well for church and she always pinched my cheeks, I think.  She was so unique a character that I still have memories of her and can still smell her house.  

I have learned more about outhouses since then.  My aunts and uncles share laughingly about the wonderful two seater which sped up the visits if you had a big family.  The Sears & Roebuck catalog was a popular item not just for reading but as a substitute for toilet paper.  I also understand that old corn cobs were also used.  And you think you got it bad!  

My uncle tells stories of running fast to the outhouse at night not only because it was scary but also because it was often cold and if you were in a hurry you wouldn't take time for coat or shoes.  I recently saw a video where one of my grandmother's was shown walking out of an outhouse with another woman.  One of the first color videos of our family.  We all laughed hard at how normal it all seemed!