Speaking of Farmers, Here's a Trip Down Union Suit Lane...

my agricultural posting back on June 16, 2019. Tis the twelfth in my posting, "Down On the Farm...

Like all agricultural workers, Gardener John toils mightily from sunup to sundown in his garden. Lately he worked so hard hoeing and planting and weeding, he shed his overalls and shirt, deciding he could work just as well in his long johns and be more comfortable. Still, he worked up quite a sweat. So, like millions of other gardeners, farmers, and toiling outdoor workers before him, he learned that his union suit cooled him down in conjunction with a gentle breeze. 

While working he noticed that his bright red union suit kept birds, from crows to sparrows, away from his garden so he decided to spend an hour or two each day as a human scarecrow. 

Garderner John, Union Suit Fan
 and Part-time Scarecrow

Added June 19, 2019:
Clay of Saranac, NY emailed me a photo of a scarecrow with this comment...

"Chris, ole John better be careful standing out in the hot sun in his red union suit or like this scarecrow, it will likely turn pink!  And, notice the crow at the bottom of the picture? Goes to show you that once your long underwear fades it's no longer conducive to keeping the varmints away!  ... Clay"

If I ever try this myself, Clay, I will take heed of your warning. After all, who wants a faded pink union suit?  ...Chris

And Seth of Bangor, Maine sent me this:

"Chris, here's a picture of a hen and a farm boy wearing a sweater over his union suit while washing his feet. Even chickens aren't chicken of this kid... Seth"  

Ha! Thanks Guys ... Chris

Celebrating my friend, Jerry Walters, 

and his extrordinary caricatures in my "Down On the Farm!" series. You can enjoy the drawing of "Old Thornberry" found within Jerry's several books. And others, like a favorite "farmer" posting below, which I featured in my introduction of Jerry to Union Suit Fans back on September 25, 2019. This is the eleventh entry for my warm winter underwear series, Down On the Farm...

 Hey, Union Suit Fans! 

Introducing a very fine, entertaining author, illustrator, storyteller, all around good guy, and fellow Union Suit Fan... Jerry Walters

For several months now I have been enjoying Jerry's books.  He is an exceptional storyteller and illustrator. With his permission, I am featuring some of my favorite characters from those books of his. From his website, Jerry says, "Just love to do fun silly stories."  I think you'll agree. Here are a few book excerpts...

From the Book, Bud. Farmer Fred wades into the mud to grab his prized pig so he can take him to the county fair. In the process, Fred looses his clothes but, oh well, he proceeds to the fair in his union suit anyway:

 
He isn't going to let a little thing like attending the festivities in his long underwear stand in his way of a good time!

n

I'm sure you'd love to check out these stories in more detail and to see other of Jerry's books. So go to:  www.blurb.com
and type in "The Legend of Thunder Cow."  Buy a couple books and enjoy.

Jerry knows, what many of us experience, union suits are warm and comfortable and this type of long underwear is worn by many of us for a good portion of the year. But, possibly even more important for Union Suit Fans, is the fact that Jerry knows one-piece long johns with the escape hatch in the rear are fun to wear, share and draw! 

So, welcome back my good friend, Jerry, and continue to enjoy my series of Down On the Farm....Chris

For a look at winter fun, switch over to my companion blog, Union Suit Fans in the Limelight, to see how Chicago college boys prepare for a ski trip to the Utah Rockies!

Farm Country Can Be A Dangerous Place! 

For the tenth in my series, Down on the Farm, take a look at this re-posting of a city boy who found real trouble out hunting in the country, first offered on September 1, 2023 in Union Suit Fan:

Intruder

Twelve years before my favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, was published in 1960 and the subsequent 1962 unforgettable film starring my favorite actor, Gregory Peck, was released in theaters everywhere, a book by William Faulkner was published, dealing with a similar theme. Intruder In The Dust 
was published in 1948. A 1949 MGM movie was subsequently filmed based on this book as well. Like Mockingbird, Intruder was about a Mississippi black man, in this case a farmer, who was accused of a crime he did not commit. In Faulkner's book and movie, two teenage boys, one white and one black, a small town spinster, and a white country lawyer were shown assisting the quiet and compassionate Lucas Beauchamp in this thought-provoking crime drama wherein he was thought by most white folks as having a killed a white man. Faulkner was paid $50,000 for the film rights. The movie was shot in Faulkner's home town of Oxford, Mississippi.

The book opens with the white boy, Chick Mallison. later played by Claude Jarman, Jr. in the film, racing across the winter landscape, rabbit hunting. Misfortune follows Chick as he trips and falls into a partially frozen creek where he nearly freezes to death. His black friend helps him stumble to the closest shelter possible which happens to be the modest home of Lucas and Molly Beauchamp. Hoping to warm the thoroughly drenched boy before he succumbs to the bitter cold, Chick is saved by being undressed down to his union suit and sat before a warm fire while his clothes dry. Eventually, Molly coaxes Chick out of his wet woolen long underwear too, wraps him in a blanket and hangs up the long johns with his other clothes. Thus begins the saga of working to save the proud, kindhearted Lucas from a conviction of something he did not do.

Like much of William Faulkner's works, I found his book version hard to follow but certainly worth reading. The movie was very well filmed (in black and white), well acted and easier to follow. While not receiving the acclaim of the Harper Lee book and film, Intruder In The Dust made a significant impact on society, the plight of blacks in America before the civil rights movement, and for raising the consciousness of the African American dire straits and white attitudes of the 1940's and 50's.

Every Man Needs a Union Suit

Once again, it's Down On the Farm (in this case, the Ranch), the ninth in my series to help us union suiters bring in the New Year. Pull on your button-down long underwear and join Luke Simons in "Back To The Basics 101." This rancher knows what he's talking about as one of the biggest union suit fans you'll ever run across.

For the utmost in warmth and comfort, this hat and boot wearing agriculturist works often outside in just his bright red union suit! This time, after breakfast on a beautiful winter day, he heads out across an inch of newly fallen snow to his woodpile clad in his, easily seen for miles, long red, one-piece underwear. He'll need the gathered wood later to build a blazing fire for a comfortable evening inside the ranch house, relaxing, like many of us do, in a union suit!

"Folks, you know, if you don't got yourself a union suit, yeah with a flap, you ain't no cowboy. These are the most wonderful inventions known to man. You will love them...nothing more natural than walking around in a union suit on your ranch."

Luke goes on to say that you’re really missing out and that you "won’t wanna take your union suit off. Wear them under your coveralls and you’ll know what I’m talking about, wear them under your clothes and it works great. You will never stay so warm and comfortable; they never bunch up, and the heat flows from your toes to your neck.....I’ve worn them for years now"  

After, collecting his wood, Luke heads to the chicken coup to gather eggs...

Union Suit Testimonials:

Luke is right when he tells his blog viewers "you're not a cowboy if you don't have yourself a union suit." Even if you're not a cowboy, you need a union suit. I have had some for years and they are the best long underwear ever. The suits are warm, comfortable and fun. You can run around in them on a ranch, farm or just about anywhere. BTW: I really like Chris Ayers Union Suit Fan blog. All you need to know about union suits and weren't afraid to ask...Tom Moss

I've worn union suits since I was a boy when I went shopping with my grandma who bought me one at Sears. Then, I was wearing long underwear like the cowboys wore. I like them so much, I started a blog nine years ago, "Union Suit Fan." ... Chris Ayers

Agree 100% ....comfortable and keep you warm. I only wear union suits, no two piece for me. I wear mostly overalls and coveralls, no binding or bunching...Trainman Paul

Growing up in Wisconsin I still have an affinity for the union suit. However, I really think I remember them being far more substantial than these t-shirt thin versions that I have today. The Carhartt one is okay, but I hate the spandex half waste thing they use instead of the flap. Today, I own three union suits and am always on the look out for someone that makes them a bit thicker....Matthew C. 

To view Luke's posting and a gateway to see his other blog postings, copy and paste to see the Ranch King of Union Suits:  https://youtu.be/Rc0rNnLonmg?t=4

A 2026 Union Suit Fan "go to" guide for "How to Prepare for Winter Weather:...

Okay, many of you have already dressed from the inside-out for cold weather. Snow and icy conditions have hit much of the north, high plains, northeast and the Sierra Nevada's already.  I've been wearing my union suits 24/7 here in northern Idaho since this past October. 

But for others of you in the U.S., take heed. Cold weather requiring you to wear long underwear, heavy socks, flannels and parka's is just ahead. I'm talking to you fellas in the southwest, in Texas, Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, in the Carolina's, Georgia and maybe even northern Florida!

Take a tip from two long time union suit fans: Lonestar Mike of the Texas Panhandle and Buckeye Mike of Ohio. They've unpacked their union suits, wool socks and winter clothes so are ready for the cold winds, ice and snow blowing their way. They don't intend, this year, to be caught with their pants down.

The boys start with long red underwear (everyone knows RED union suits are warmer than white, grey, and blue ones. At least, that's what grandpa hammered into my young head!):  

Ready, Get Set, Dress!

Quickly, flannel shirts are a must...

 

A sweater is helpful... 

 

 

Don't forget blue jeans, warm hats...

...parka's and maybe ski pants.

 

 

Next, pull on boots over wool socks and add scarfs: 

  

And so at last, having on your red union suit, wool socks, flannel shirts, hats, scarfs, jeans, and boots, 

you'll be ready for whatever winter throws at you. 

Thanks to "the Mikes," Lonestar and Buckeye, for demonstrating their underwear to outerwear for a good winter look.

Like a true Union Suit Fan, I can always put my hands on my warm, comfortable, fun union suit. Now to find the rest of my winter clothes!  

I'll be ready, how about you? Don't get caught with your pants down!!

Happy Wintering!!