While on R & R, I watched two British TV series found on YouTube - 'Wartime Farm' and 'Wartime Kitchen and Garden.' Both series dealt with the way the people of England coped with the trials and tribulations of WWII, focusing on how farmers had to increase food production and how the average family dealt with restrictions and rationing.
A couple of things caught my attention. One was how the people were able to find ways of doing things when the normal solutions to problems were unavailable to them. They went to the farm scrap heap for materials to make the tools they needed. The gardeners found ways to use every available square inch of space to grow the much needed food. Homemakers came up with ways to stretch the meager rations to feed their families and other ways to do what needed to be done in the home under difficult circumstances.
Another thing that caught my attention was that one and all were not only willing but happy to "do their bit" in the war effort. They dealt with most circumstances, many of them difficult even in the best of times, without complaint. They were more concerned about their 'boys on the front line' than they were for their own comforts. They were patriotic.
I'm not sure we here in the States, at this time in history, could manage so well. We did cope similarly during that wartime, but we have become spoiled and way too dependent on gadgets for every purpose. We have mostly lost the knowledge our ancestors had that enabled them to make do in dire situations. And I don't think we have come together as nation, leaving our political viewpoints and prejudices behind, since 9/11. We can do better.
So I am off to run bits of fabric through my sewing machine. We had an inch or two of snow last week and a dusting of the white stuff yesterday. Today is clear and cold with temps close to single digits. Quilts need to be finished. And I think a pot of soup is in my future.
Stay warm and keep on prepping.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I fear you're correct in your assessment of many Americans' ability to cope with hardship and deprivation. We are no longer a nation of farmers and manufacturers. May the Lord prevent us from such a necessity again.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Rev. Paul...I think you could cope. I could cope. My kids, ages 49 - 54 could likely cope. My grands - not so much. A disaster in their lives is when they can't text because their phones need recharging. I still maintain that we need to know how to do stuff - and that is all but lost, sadly.
DeleteI have been saying for many years, that I don't see America as being "The Greatest Generation" again.
DeleteI am quite willing to be proved wrong, but the Demonrats are doing quite the job of making the young people into "milksops", I believe the term was.
Good luck with your quilts, Vicki! God bless.
LindaG...You are spot on. Young America, for the most part, has gotten soft and spoiled. Now it is all bout "feeeelings." When adversity reared its ugly head among the older generations, they simply worked around it. Don't think that is possible any more - there just aren't enough of us left.
DeleteI am back to sewing today. It takes time to make the quilts, but I really enjoy the process and the finished product. :)
Like the old TV commercial said.."How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop" "The World May Never Know"" Indeed we may never know, how anyone would react today like our grand parents did back then...
ReplyDeleteRob...We never know until we are tested by circumstance. Our grandparents knew how to do stuff and make stuff and I think much of that knowledge has been lost.
DeleteSad but true about conditions of things in the states these days, Vicki. I hope to live a few more years but not long enough to see What's ahead for this country.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Gorges...I am mightily afraid we will live long enough.
DeleteLord delivers us from evil and "I'm from the government. I'm here to help." Red
ReplyDeleteRed..."I'm from the government and I'm here to help" are the most frightening words in the English language.
DeleteI think my children could cope because, while they enjoy luxury, they all three can be very practical and hard workers who can learn and adapt if necessary. I believe others can, too. Many of us democrats are quite resourceful. However, I know churches full of republicans who would be looking for a handout, They do right now. Laziness knows no boundaries.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, we don't have 'democrat churches' and 'Republican churches' in my area so I would not be able to make that determination. I do know a number of conservatives who 'give' generously to charities tho...CW
DeleteLinda...We are on opposite sides of the political debate and yet we both taught our kids to be hard working, responsible citizens who can likely cope with bad times. I worry more about the college age kids who are being taught to have trigger warnings and safe spaces and to shout down any opposing opinions. They are the ones who will have a really hard time coping with adversity. If there are churches that base their teachings on political opinions, then they have it wrong. I'm pretty sure God doesn't care about our politics. I'm thinking the condition of our souls is what is important.
Delete