Sunday, February 9, 2020

On "New Normals"

My Grandmother cooked all the family meals from scratch.  She kept an immaculate household.  She canned produce from her garden and fruit from local fruit trees and fruit that grew wild in the surrounding woods.  She baked her own bread.  She sewed dresses for her daughters and shirts for her son.  She did all this while raising seven children.  She passed this knowledge and way of life on to my mother who in turn, passed it on to me.

Those of us who were raised in the old ways had a tendency to carry on as those before us had.  We worked from dawn to dusk.  And if our home was on a farm, the days were even longer and the work, harder.  But we didn't think about that, for we were young and would undoubtedly live forever.
And now we are old.  Now we know better.

I have a dear friend with whom I exchange frequent emails.  We both have chronic health issues.  Because neither of us feels sorry for ourselves or for the other, we occasionally discuss the 'new normals' of our lives.  It sometimes helps to talk with another person who understands.

Last week I came to the realization that I have reached another 'new normal.'  Having been a home canner since the age of 12 when I helped my mother with that activity as she became the victim of dibilitating rheumatoid arthritis, it is hard for me to accept the fact that canning has become difficult at best.  Lifting the heavy canner, standing at the sink preparing some foods to can, lifting the jars of food from the canner, all are no easy tasks these days.  My 'new normal.'

The point of this post, however, is not to whine about my limitations.  I know there must be others out there who are going through their 'new normals.'  And I am here to offer encouragement.

We were raised to believe we could do it all.  And many of us did, for years.  But life happens.  We thought it shameful to use food from a can or a box rather than cook from scratch.  The shameful thing is if we use our limitations as an excuse not to prep.  Here are some of the things that can be found in my deep pantry:

boxes of Mac & Cheese
scalloped potato mixes
cans of fruit
cans of vegetables
boxes of Bisquick
cans of corned beef hash
cans of Spam
packets of rice and pasta mixes
packets of muffin mixes
boxes of pancake mix

True, I did can up a ton of food while I still could, but these days my canning is limited mostly to canning meat.  And that is due to the cost of commercially canned meats.  And meat is easy to can.  And often my son is willing to give up his day off to help.

Here's the deal.  We may have limitations.  We have to adjust to our own 'new normals.'  But that doesn't mean that we have to give up on preparing.  With everything that is going on in the world around us, failing to prepare could mean the difference between surviving or dying.

Me...I'm going to do whatever it takes to live long enough to be a problem to my children.  It has been said by a somewhat cheeky daughter that I have acheived that goal, but I don't think so.  Not yet!


24 comments:

  1. Getting used to a new normal really isn't much fun. #1 son.

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    1. No, it isn't. No fun at all. But you have kept on going after your stroke a year ago and you didn't give up. You have made your mother proud, Son.

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  2. Vicki,
    I am hoping the new normal will revert to something nearer my old normal. It is my back that causes me not to can. Tommy can still lift things, but my hands and wrists and shoulders are not holding up due to injuries. He is pretty good at cutting and chopping, but my hands once again stop me. I have accepted all this rather than mourn too much. However, I chaff at for the chance to do things again. But, that may never happen. Your are lucky to have a son near and willing.

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    1. Linda...Most times the only thing we can do is accept the new normal and soldier on. I suppose we have a choice. We can sit around and drown in a pool of self pity, or we can get on with it and do the best we can with what we have to work with. I am thinking you have made the second choice. Having someone willing to lend a hand helps.

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    2. No, I said I hope my new normal reverts back nearer to my old normal. Tommy can help, but it is not the same as doing it myself. I have not given up.

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    3. I am not at all surprised that you haven't given up and I hope things improve for you. I think both of us would be happier to be doing for ourselves instead of needing help.

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  3. Something you might consider is getting (building?) a special low table and using a propane "hot plate" one a low stand so you can work at a more comfortable height for lifting.

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    1. Gorges...That is a great suggestion. Sadly, my apartment is small and there is no room for an additional table. But I might be able to adapt something to use at my regular kitchen table. Right now, I am loving my microwave, for it makes heating food from jars really easy.

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  4. Well done. What a great post. And so encouraging. I haven't canned in a few years due to some health issues. But I still prep. I do what I'm able to do and work on my pantry with almost every trip to the grocery store. Today - I picked up sale priced cake mixes and canned frosting. Also more rice, oats and three kinds of beans.

    Thanks for the encouragement. I'm also looking forward to reading the comments.
    Cheers, SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. Thanks, SJ...Sometimes we just need to find new ways to work around the latest new normal. Even if we can not do some of the things like others do, we can still find ways to prep. Personally, I would rather have my own home canned food, but if we are truly hungry, I doubt it will matter much if the food comes from a canning jar or from a can off the grocery shelf. What is important is that we prep - not how we prep. Take good care.

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  5. We are NOT GETTING OLDER dear lady, just more experienced in life..Can you remember when we all had small corner mom n pop stores to buy our grocery's from, canned and dry goods. The local butcher, the bakery..Now we walk into Walmart/Super Target, etc. If you took out everything that was already pre made, pre mixed, pre cooked, frozen those stores would be 1/3 their size.

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    1. Funny thing, Rob...Inside my head I don't feel older. It is just the rest of me that seems to be coming apart at the seams. :)
      I remember the little Mom & Pop grocery. There was one on the corner of my block when I was about 5 years old. As a special treat, Dad would give me a handful of pennies to spend on the penny candy. And when I was older, there was an old fashioned general store that carried everything from sewing needles to tractor parts. It had a for real pickle barrel and another with crackers. I loved that store. Would rather go there than any super center!

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  6. Vicki, we are members of the same club. Shoulders, back, legs, and feet are not as able to withstand the effort it takes without some additional support. I find I must break my food preservation and canning into shorter blocks of time. I am blessed to have a tall, strong son who is very willing to do any heavy lifting when required. I will continue to do what I am able to do and at some point turn it over to him. I am so happy that he knows how to pressure can, garden, and understands the importance of food storage. I am with you on putting food aside regardless of where it comes from. Availability will be #1...keep preparing!

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    1. CW...I think there may be quite a few of us rowing this same boat. The trick is to adapt. I know that I have canned my last 25 lb. box of bacon all in the same day. But I think I can still can in small batches. Not the way I prefer, but the way I can handle it. God bless your son for being willing to help. Half the battle is having grown kids who get it. My oldest son has his own set of challenges since his stroke, but he gets it and is willing to help when he can. Makes all the difference. It is lovely to think about eating all organic produce and grass fed meat only, etc. After the last huge hurricane on the east coast, people were digging in dumpsters looking for food. Me thinks a can of Spaghetti O's might be welcome. Whatever it takes to survive. Now is not the time to slack off.

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  7. Vicki~ I know what you mean. After my breast cancer treatment I was told no lifting over 5 pounds. Then the limitation went to 10, 15 etc. I now do not have limitations though what strength I once had has to be regained. I know mixes are easier to use. I relied on them when I was working and it irked me no end. Since the cancer I need to avoid chemicals and additives. Which leads me back to cooking the way my grandmothers did. At least i don't have to ring a chicken's neck...yet. There are sliced peaches, apple dices and sliced strawberries in the dehydrators.

    Ever have one of those moments when you know you're being led and must speak to a stranger. I did today at the bulk store. A rather large man with a pregnant wife and small child had a basket full of beer, chips of all types, dips, salsa anytizers and frozen pizza rolls. She was looking at ground beef. He said it was TOO expensive. I stopped, looked at him and said "What would your Mom, Grandmothers, Godmothers and Aunts say about you not providing good food for your Wife and Child! They would all take a spoon to your bottom." He was shocked, she smiled and I left.
    Normally I do not do things like that, it needed saying. Red

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    1. Yes, Red...There have been times when I had to say what I thought to a stranger. Not often, but it has happened. That lady needed food - not junk. Good on you!

      I knew you would get it after learning about your bout with cancer. I am glad your ability to carry on has returned. I have learned just how far I can push it before having to pay for the activity the following day. Sometimes it is worth it, as in getting the bacon canned. Other times, not so much. I would prefer to make everything from scratch, but these days that just isn't going to happen. So we do the best with what we have to work with. :)

      The fruit you are dehydrating - is it for storage or for consumption right away? I have apple slices dried and in vacuum sealed bags and they seem to be holding up just fine. I would like to dehydrate more fruit, but am not sure of just how to store it.

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    2. Vicki~ The fruit is for storage. I measure it out then put it in a vacuum seal bag with an O2 absorber and desiccant pack. Some I put in a mason jar and suck the air out. So far, so good. Red

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    3. Thanks for the information, Red...I will give it a go. I have the attachment for the vacuum sealer to seal mason jars and that seems like a good way to do it. I need a way to store more fruit.

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    4. Vicki~ The apples dried nicely, though next time I'll use an ascorbic acid solution first. The peaches are too tough once dried. Now I know why they get freeze dried or canned. The strawberries are leathery though will probably be ok in oatmeal or a scone. Red

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    5. Thanks for the update, Red...I have had good luck with apples. Pineapple didn't rehydrate well, nor did the few strawberries I tried earlier. I wonder if a person could dry some fruit rock hard and then turn it into powder for flavoring. In the meantime, I think I will stick with canned. My money tree out back is as bare as can be. :)

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  8. And speaking of new normals. I've been meaning to ask for awhile and keep forgetting...I know you have a small washing machine that hooks into your kitchen sink. Did you buy a compact dryer? 110volt? If not, what's your system. With my upcoming move, I'll be losing my laundry hookups and needing to use a similar washing machine as yours.
    Cheers,
    SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. SJ...I bought both washer and dryer locally, but many of the big box stores carry them. Both plug into regular household outlets so no additional wiring is necessary. The dryer could either be vented through a window or it has a little gizmo that sits on top and connects to the dryer via a regular dryer hose. The gizmo on top holds a little water in the bottom and the moist air is blown in. Oddly enough, that works, but because the air here is so dry I don't bother using it as directed. Both appliances don't hold a lot of laundry, but they are fine for one person. Hope that helps.

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