| It's summer time here in Maine; at least that's what | | | | Did you know that you can make your own olive oil |
| the calendar tells us. And just what do Mainers do in | | | | lamp? Here's what's needed: |
| the summer? They head to camp. | | | | - Grab couple of mason jars and/or a few old glass |
| So there you are at camp, playing cards after a day | | | | jelly jars that have a handle. |
| of swimming or hiking, telling family stories and | | | | - Flexible steel wire, cut about two times the height |
| suddenly the electricity goes down in the storm. You | | | | of each jar in length. |
| feel your way to the cupboard for the candles and | | | | - A wick for each jar. (Yes, every good Mainer has |
| light them up. | | | | wicks kicking around!) |
| After the initial shock of darkness, the kids giggle and | | | | - Olive oil. Instructions: |
| marvel at the candle glow. Of course, now is the | | | | |
| perfect time for someone to start the infamous | | | | 1. Shape one end of the wire into a long hook, a tiny |
| scary story. | | | | bit higher than the height of the jar. Hang the hook |
| As the story is told, Mom almost recites it in her | | | | over the side of the jar so it holds the wire on the |
| head as she's heard it a thousand times. A few | | | | jar and doubles as a handle to pull up the wick for |
| minutes in, she starts clearing her throat frequently | | | | lighting. |
| but as soon as the young girl decides to open the | | | | 2. Wrap the other end of the wire into a coil to |
| door to see what the noise was, she breaks out into | | | | create a wick stand about an inch or two in height |
| a coughing fit. This not only takes away the full | | | | that will rest on the bottom of the jar. |
| effect of the axe murderer grabbing the young girl, | | | | 3. Pinch the top of the metal coil onto about 2 inches |
| but also sends Mom to the kitchen for some water. | | | | in length of wick so that about a quarter inch or less |
| After a bit, she's better and returns to the scene. | | | | of the wick is sticking up above the wire coil. If it's |
| The children are huddled up to the nearest grown-up | | | | any longer the wick will smoke. The other end of the |
| and snuggled in their summer quilts. The girl is now | | | | wick soaks in the olive oil. |
| screaming and running for her life through the | | | | 4. Add enough olive oil to the jar so the level is just |
| midnight forest and is about to be captured by her | | | | under where the wick is pinched by the wire. If it's |
| assailant's well laid trap when Mom's coughing starts | | | | any higher, the lamp may go out. The oil is drawn up |
| up again. Geeesh! | | | | the wick where it vaporizes and gets burned by the |
| Off to the kitchen again and in a few minutes she | | | | flame, and just a few ounces of oil will burn for |
| gets to thinking that it might be the candles giving | | | | several hours. This is cheaper than most candles. |
| her a problem. They are old after all, and definitely | | | | It's also safer as the flame is inside the jar and not |
| not considered green. She has this same problem | | | | as exposed. If you use the glass jelly jars with a |
| when burning kerosene and lamp oil too. | | | | handle, they're perfect for carrying from room to |
| What can she do during an emergency for light? She | | | | room. Very small glass jars can be brought with you |
| needs something that is quick to come by, cheap and | | | | when you go camping. Just put the contents in your |
| easy on her respiratory system as well as the | | | | backpack and set it up when you get there. |
| environment. Thinking about it and missing all the | | | | Soy and bees wax candles are available but they can |
| good fear surrounding this dread-filled story, she | | | | be a bit costly. Olive oil is a good economical solution |
| heads to the hints section of the camp's cookbook | | | | and it provides a nice light. You can also look for |
| collection. | | | | Lampante Oil which is olive oil that is not food grade, |
| One of her grandmothers used to burn fats and a | | | | but instead used for burning in lamps. |
| variety of oils for light back in the day so she | | | | If you'd like to add some drama to those thunder |
| searches for just how that was done. Ah, it's found | | | | clapped nights of scary stories, intensify the |
| and the secret is revealed. | | | | experience by infusing your olive oil with herbs, spices |
| The answer is olive oil. Did you know that olive oil can | | | | or essential oils to nail down that memory in the |
| burn? It's a 99% pure renewable fuel that won't | | | | senses. |
| produce smoke or odor. | | | | |