In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man. My fat keeps me hot in zero weather. I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing; I can eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the hog. One winter I knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a sledge hammer and had the meat hung up to chill before nightfall.
The speaker in this quote presents herself as a strong, robust woman, emphasizing her physicality and capability in a traditionally tough environment. Describing her appearance with "large, big-boned" features and "rough, man-working hands," she reflects her hardworking nature. She embraces practicality in her clothing choices, wearing flannel nightgowns and overalls, and boasts the resilience to thrive in harsh winter conditions, demonstrating her connection to manual labor and survival skills.
This woman's strength is further illustrated by her ability to perform tasks that require toughness, such as killing and cleaning a hog, showcasing her competence in handling challenging situations. She describes how, despite cold weather, she can persist in laborious work, proving her physical endurance. The vivid imagery of her knocking out a bull calf with a sledgehammer underscores her assertiveness and skill, portraying a life closely tied to agriculture and self-sufficiency.
