There is much uncertainty in this world today, I can get overwhelmed and worry if I let myself because so much today is shocking. When we focus on the uncertain, we stop ourselves from doing the things that can bring us and our family happiness. One day I thought about this and realized that I do not remember the type of stress we have today. I asked Charles about this and we compared our experiences from long ago to now, and what would the differences be today?
Pulled from my memory
1968, military, Vietnam war. We received a urgent telegram.
YOUR FATHER HAD A HEART ATTACK NEED TO COME HOME SERIOUS CONDITION.
We had little money, we did not have a telephone, no such thing as a cell phone. The trip was from West Oklahoma to South Alabama. During this time there were road side stop areas with a picnic table. There would be no phone calls at pay phones, no collect call to family because that meant they had to pay. We needed to use our money for gasoline. We took a loaf of bread, a can of potted meat $0.13 cents a can, a jar of apple butter $0.35 cents. We filled our picnic basket and a jug we filled with water. We went to the bathroom and washed up when we filled the car with gasoline. We packed only a few clothes, one set of dress clothes for just in case. This was all we needed.
This was not simple living, just how it was back then. For the trip going back to Oklahoma, family and neighbors packed us well with food and safe travel hugs.
Today we still need family and community, the helpers of the community is very important when someone has no family. If you do not see it happening where you live then you can start it even if you are the only one.
Thankfully there was no funeral to go to, but only two years later another heart attack that was sadly fatal. We were living back home in Alabama at this time.
When I pondered on that rush to home trip, I now realize how present we were during that trip. No cell phones to talk on, no looking down at a screen, just present in where we were going and what it looked like. Talking to each other or just being quiet, I miss that feeling of being present. I also miss seeing people being present.
It is very different now and seems unhealthy, mentally and physically. We have too much information, too often and too fast. There is no time to process all of this information. What is this doing to our children and young adults. Actually I can see what it is doing.
Who have we chosen to be as humans? We really need to ponder on this, again and again.
If we simply do what matters we are going in the right direction.
Food, shelter, clothing. These are the things that are priority and we do what it takes to provide these things by watching our finances carefully. We can help others in many simple ways, it may be a warm meal, or a special treat, it could be a lending hand, sweeping a sidewalk, mowing grass. It might be taking them to the store or a doctors appointment.
We have electricity, sometimes we choose to not use it. We do have a choice, candles cost too, but it feels better. Little joys can feel better than big gifts.
There has always been uncertainty, just look back in history. We truly need to live today, then tomorrow, then the next day. It is good to look forward to things and plan and prepare for gardening and food preservation, this is important for our wellbeing. The more of us that take care of our family, and our community, will make us all stronger and prepared to get over the bumps in the road.
I did keep trying to make clotted cream and I feel the third time was the charm. They all tasted the same but this method worked very well. It took about an hour and half to make. I will do a post when I can in the cooking from scratch section on the blog. I also have been taking pictures and a short video using the treadle machine for those that have asked. I have not figured out how to post the video but I will keep trying.
For the keeper of the home, make your home what you want it to be. Some of us like to decorate with vintage, some modern, some minimal and some full. Just make sure to clean under around and over and then enjoy what you feel is comfortable. Embrace your home and make it a wonderful place to rest, nourish and find happiness.
Our home is our refuge for all that goes on outside our doors, take care of yourself and those living in the home by making that one space, a cozy chair by a window or in a quiet corner just for you if there is only you, for the others if there are others. Everyone needs that one space that is theirs to settle, relax, read, think, sew, knit, it makes for a peaceful home.
This link below is where I realized the importance of that one comfortable chair. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched this over the past eleven years. I hope you find as much peace as I have watching this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZG1XqFUBDQ
Grandma Donna
