I don't watch TV...all the news I need is on the computer when I sign in in the morning..but I do love to read..biographies are my favorite..but anything that is historical and for the most part true.
My dear niece thoughtfully bought me a Laura Ingalls Wilder book~The Long Winter~
She bought it for me 2 years ago and I finally began reading it on one of the hottest days we have had so far this spring...ha ha it cooled me off I must say~I don't think I could have survived the winter Laura describes with such a joyful, let's-make-do-with-what-we-have-and-be-thankful-even-if-we-don't-have attitude! Was she being truthful in her recounting of her life? I like to think so.
It is difficult for us to look back at their way of life and understand it fully because, lets face it...we were not brought up that way. Some of us had more and some of us had less, but I would venture to say that since most of us, if not all that are reading these blogs, have computers. We have not had to sacrifice as much as our ancestors did. Frankly their lives and the living of it make me feel spoiled~I whine about going to the grocery store, or fuss when the furnace isn't heating me enough. How would I like to burn straw because the wood is gone to keep warm?...keep a whole family warm for 8 months and eat nothing but brown bread and if I was lucky little seed potatoes? (I love brown bread and potatoes but that is beside the point) I wouldn't like it in this day and age, certainly. I glance into my pantry and see canned goods..none that I have 'put up'. I made zucchini pickles once..that was my first and only claim of preservation..it was fun and rewarding but I haven't done it since. I do make most of my food from scratch but I certainly don't grind my own wheat to make flour.
So my point of all this is that when I am feeling down and out, I gather up all my pioneer women's diaries and read voraciously and that gives me strength, solace and appreciation that I am where I am today~spoiled but oh so appreciative of what they endured for me to live easier.
6 comments:
I don't know how our ancestors made it. We ARE so spoiled!! Need to read some of those diary's you mentioned, send me the titles!!
They really are such a great source of inspiration, aren't they? I love biographies too for the same reason. I think we are reminded of what we are capable of...these days it is far to easy to forget just what we're made of! It actually makes me have no fear of the great impending technical apocalypse that I've occasionally heard rumblings of - that one day technology will run out of memory or something and collapse. Well, even though that would suck, I know we can get through it. Because we've done it before ;) Great post, loved it :)
ust the other day, while sweeping some staircase, i was thinking, it's not because we have more, that we have more. you know? and now i find you thinking these thoughts, and working up this understandable attitude towards today's chaos.
i sure would loved and tried those pickles o' yours!
n♥
just made a note to refer your mentions.. thank you :)
Wonderful post, Kim. I agree, we have it so much easier and sometimes have to sit back and recall how things used to be. Those were strong women...if you weren't you couldn't survive. My Mom has read the L.I. Wilder books over and over and over. I bet you like Tasha Tudor, too.
Catherine
Hi, Sweet Kim! I've been so out of touch this summer, and I've missed you desperately. I've dropped by to see what you have been up to lately, and I see that it has been a month today since you've posted. I hope you are doing okay, Dear! Perhaps you are on some fabulous vacation and soaking in the sun?! I hope so! Hope you'll drop me a line or two and let me know how you are and how you're enjoying your summer.
Blessings,
Paula
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