Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
GRACE M. ROOD
STORIES
Now I’ve Seen It All

(left to rt) Dr. Little & Nurse Grace M. Rood & Birdie Miniard at Infirmary with newborn infants, 1947. [nace_1_029c.jpg]
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Now I’ve Seen It All
” Well, I don’t know who’s crazy.”, said Joe, our mountain school truck driver, as he deposited a large crate in the middle of the waiting room of our little hospital in the Kentucky Mountains.
“‘ The boss, he insisted that I lug it up here to the hospital. He said he was sure it was where it was supposed to go. But I can read the printing on it as plain as can be.’ and it sure spells. INCUBATOR.”
” Not waiting for a reply, he continues giggling rather shamefacedly. I know you all do some funny things up here, But I still don’t reckon you’ve taken to raising baby chickens.”
“” It’s all right, I replied. “I’ll send for you to come and see it when I have it running.”
“” That I’ll have to see,” He grunted as he left.
Several weeks later, remembering my promise, I sent for him to come up to the hospital.
” I have the incubator all unpacked in one little chicken in it for you to see. You may have a little peek. You’ll have to be quiet and not get near it. It only weighs 2 1/2 pounds.”
” Well, at that, it’s a pretty big chicken,” he said, as I led him through the hospital toward our nursery,
And so I let him take a look into the room where the incubators stood holding our little premature baby.
A look of surprise came over his face as he bent down to get a better look in at a side window.
“I never would have believed one as small as that could ever live. It sure look queer. Its head is so awful big to its body. But it sure is stout! Just look how its kicking. I’m sure proud you called me to see it. Why don’t you put any clothes on it? ”
As looks of wonder, awe, and amazement passed over his face, I explained why we kept the baby naked, how clothes would prevent the heat from getting to its body.
As he started away to return to work, he remarked, “Now I’ve seen it all!”
END
SEE ALSO
GRACE M. ROOD Staff
GRACE M. ROOD Life and Stories 1937-1962
GRACE M. ROOD Life and Stories Amazing Grace
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES My Life at Pine Mountain Settlement School
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Come To The Mountains
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES My God, My Jeep, and I
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Room For Six Strangers
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Now I’ve Seen It All
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Billy and I Go To Asheville For Thanksgiving
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Darrel
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES A Zipper In A Sleeve
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES ‘Lum And Bertha And Little Joe
GRACE M, ROOD STORIES My First Night Trip
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Harlan County in 1955
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES We Take Teenie To Graduation
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Marie Pennington
GRACE M. ROOD STORIES Lonnie McQueen’s Memory of Miss Rood
GRACE M. ROOD CORRESPONDENCE 1940
GRACE M. ROOD CORRESPONDENCE 1960
GRACE M. ROOD PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM One
GRACE M. ROOD PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM Two