The Outhouse

How many remember the beaten path from the house out into the backyard? To what? Every backyard had one. Traditionally large enough for just one person. Of course it was the outhouse.
Sometimes built with one, two or three holes, depending on the size of the family. The holes were carved in varied sizes on one bench. This building served both young and old, both night and day. The light was let into this building by way of a shape cut into the door, usually the shape of a moon. Although depending on how it was built there would be light filtering in through the cracks in between the boards. As they sat resting on the seat, thinking of the days chores or just letting the sounds of the forest ease them into tranquillity, it was a daily ritual.
Many of these outhouse were burnt to the ground. Ashes from the cook stove were dumped into the hole to eliminate the odour but occasionally there was still a burning ember. Often it was a waiting game to see who would be the first to race through the snow to that frost covered seat. Once the first person had warmed up the seat it was a steady stream of family members to ensure that the frost did not settle back down on the seat. Winter was always a trying season for if it wasn't the frost on the seat it could be a snow drift. Many a trip would be made in the dark with only a lantern to light the way. Never without reading material as most outhouses boasted a catalogue or newspaper to be inside. When Eatons put out their catalogue it was well used as the invention of toilet tissue was yet to come.
No farmyard or backyard of small towns were complete without an outhouse. Although almost extinct, the legend of its structure and use will remain forever.