The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-12-14
Vocational Column
MAKING THE HOME ATTRACTIVE

There cannot be too much stress
placed on the importance Of max
ing the home attractive. II Is the
one place we should learn 10 love.
II is the place where many OF us
spend 365 days Of the year. We in
voluntarily make our home a part
Of ourselves. II is one OF the things
by which our friends form very i'm
portant opinions OF us.
BY an attractive home I do not
have reference 20 the expensive one
altogether. There is no home,
either rural or urban, that Is so
humble that IL cannot be made 10
have that inviting, home-like ap-
pearance. We must not think OF
the task Of fixing up the old home
and making Il attractive as being
particularly an expensive one. In
fact u Is not the display OF wealth
that makes a home have that cheer
ful appearance, but II is the little
things which we are so apt TO over
look that are most important.
A well-kept lawn is one OF the
first things 10 be considered along
this line. II takes only little
time and expense 10 keep the fences
in repair, the grass mown, and the
walks in order. A few flowers
planted along the fence or walks
add greatly TO the appearance OF
the lawn. A few shade trees plant
ed at suitable places add beauty
and comfort 10 the surroundings. A
few cents or dollars used for the
purchase and application Of white
wash 10 the old fences and build
ings about the premises Is one OF
the best investments we can make.
There is no more cheerful sight
than 10 see nice home with dwell
ings well painted and all out-build-
ings, such as barns, tool houses.
etc. in good condition and possess
ing that clean, inviting appearance
that may be given them by the ap-
plication Of a coat OF white-wash.
Old rough walls, fences, or ugly
porches may be screened and made
beautiful by allowing some nice
vines TO run over them. II II Is pos
sible TO keep few house-nowers
they will help TO make the rooms
more beautiful and cheerful.
Many times il is possible TO have
a tennis court, or croquet ground
for the young people, or the old
either, for I think that the parents
should not allow themselves IN get
so old in their ways as not TO take
an interest in the sports OF the
young. II is one OF the best ways
to cultivate a strong feeling Of az
lection among different members OF
the family.
In this day OF inexpensive pap
ers, magazines. and books there is
but little excuse for the industrious
family TO be without something 10
read during leisure hours. II is
a good plan 10 have some member
Of the family read 10 the others or
To tell stories. n there Is any
musical talent in the family try 10
cultivate il and make Il a source OF
pleasure on the long winter even
.ngs.
In my opinion many people, es-
pecially rural people. are altogether
too neglectful about their homes.
They have become accustomed 10
homes and environ
ments and IL is hard for them TO see
the Importance OF making the
change. They cannot appreciate the
beauty Of things as well as those
who are accustomed TO them. We
naturally grow into our environ
ments whether they be good or bad. |
II should be the aim Of every one
TO have the best they can command. !
We often have a cleanup and
beautify day in the cities and in
many country schools. Why not
have the same thing for our coun-
try honest They certainly are
equally as important.
Burton Kelley.