Life has sped forward, technology has grown in leaps and bounds, the rat race has pretty much taken over - and I for one am sick of much of it.
I want to keep the old ways alive! I want to teach them to younger people. There may come a day (SOON) that we will most definitely need them!
Sure, I still want some tech - it is how we communicate with our people! Family, friends, old friends, and new friends (you all). I like having reference info at my fingertips. BUT I still have all my books of information on gardening, homesteading, organic gardening, health/medical info., herbs and natural living and so on. I will NEVER get rid of those - they may come in very handy at some point.
Let us keep alive the old ways -
Home cooking, homemade, sewing, crafting, etc.
Keeping family first ALWAYS
Herbs and foraging - there are so many wild plants that are helpful for healing, for food, there are nuts, berries, wild grapes, abandoned fruit trees, mushrooms and even what we call WEEDS that are so helpful and healthy.
Porch and yard sitting - slow down a little
Use 'snail mail' - send a card or note to someone
We all have stories and pictures about the past - pass them on. Log these stories and copy pictures for future generations - they may well love to know about their ancestors. I know I sure enjoy looking back. Pass on grandma's best recipes or yours or any families.
Recycle - everything that you can. Find new uses for anything and everything.
Make a goal of having a simpler life
Forgo big box stores if at all possible. Use farm markets, small shops, farmers (if possible), grown your own if at all possible. Stay LOCAL
Growing herbs and salad greens can be done in your window seals - you don't have to have a big garden.
Slowly start eliminating things from your life - we don't need all the garbage we keep or buy. No plastic, no pop, raise the temp of house, open windows, less car traveling and more walking or biking, and so on. Save water - both rain and inside water for watering the gardens and flushing and whatever you need.
Keep that dehumidifier water - use it for plants, add to laundry, use for canning, etc.
Watch for clearance and mark downs. Go to garage sales or thrift stores if possible - that is the best of recycling.
Barter with family, friends and neighbors. Maybe you have tomatoes and they have eggs. You can plow a garden and they lend you a canner. You mow grass and they pay you with veggies or fruits.
TAKE ANYTHING someone wants to give you - even if you have to get rid of it! Someday you will need something and if you have said no over and over - they may not check with you. I had a wise elderly man give me this advice years ago.
Most of us will never be self sufficient - that is understandable. Maybe if you live out in the country and off the grid you will be self sufficient.
Let us TRY to be COMMUNITY sufficient!!!!!! That is a great goal. Keeping it local, sharing, bartering, growing, foraging, shopping small, learning, sharing...………...what a goal!
Keepers of the old ways!
I have been thinking of the old ways a lot recently, having decided at my last birthday that I wanted to simplify my life more. Using an outdoor clothesline instead of the dryer, washing dishes by hand instead of using a dishwasher, walking down to get the mail instead of driving - all are things I've started doing in the past few months. Now that I'm not employed, I have the time and energy to do these things and actually enjoy doing them instead of seeing them as more chores to be done before I collapse into bed.
ReplyDeleteLast week I made tuna noodle casserole (a vintage, frugal recipe) in a vintage pink Pyrex casserole bowl that I had almost given away when I cleaned out last fall. I also have the yellow/green/red/blue Pyrex mixing bowls and my husband's late wife's pink/white Pyrex dishes from the 50's.
While I'm not ready to give up certain modern amenities (like the computer and internet!), I find a certain satisfaction in doing household things the way my mother did them back in the 60's.
I can't say that my local community and our families are particularly supportive of this simpler lifestyle. I do know that harder times are coming, and may of them are going to have a serious wake-up call in the not-so-distant future. Maybe I'm just ahead of the curve.
Sounds like you are thinking in the same way as I am. Every way we par things back or use less - saves something.
DeleteI love that you have all those old mixing bowls - they sound lovely.
Same here - I like the computer and Internet - but I will do all else that I can.
You are so correct - people are going to get a huge eye opener one of these days and then OOPS! We will be the popular ones then!
I live in a small apt. in a city of 3 million so being self-sufficient is relative. :-)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I could live in a smaller place if needed - I don't drive so either walk or use public transit (an advantage of living in a city).
I cook from scratch about 90% of the time - eating out is more of a social thing. I look for bargains and I do keep a pantry.
I have always been tidy and organized but over the past couple of years I have been meeting more and more items "go". I give away things to friends, I donate to my church and I recycle rather than just throwing things out.
My wardrobe has been more and more scaled down - I prefer a basic uniform look with things like scarves to brighten things up so no 50 pairs of shoes for me.
I have owned that Carla Embry book for years and do not intend to ever give it up!
One positive effect of this pandemic has been the fact that people have turned to things like baking, knitting & crafting - it will be interesting to see if it continues.
You got this 'old ways' of living down pat. Good for you!
DeleteYep, people are attempting to learn some things and that is fantastic. I had a niece ask me a few weeks ago - 'how did you get so smart - and we stayed so dumb'!! LOL
She is now asking questions and learning.
I saw a video on facebook called Hindsight's 2020. It is awesome. I have the link on my blog if you want to check it out. I think you will love it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should have the Encyclopedia of Country Living. I love mine.
I will definitely check that out.
DeleteSure enough - that book is a world of information. I think it covers about everything.
I just requested that as an e-book from the library so I can see if it looks like one I would like to own. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteCool! It is a big old book full of old fashioned wisdom!
DeleteYou are right on Cheryl. We live pretty much like you do by the sounds of it and I have to say, there is a certain satisfaction in being able to do things for ourselves and to teach and encourage others to do the same. I wish bartering/trading were more "fashionable" where I live. As an aside, I have the same mixing bowl set that Frances has - they were a wedding gift to my parents in 1954.
ReplyDeleteIt sure makes one feel better about the 'what ifs' knowing how to do things.
DeleteHow cool on the bowls! I have a set of the Pyrex multi colored mixing bowls (I think that is what the name is). Green, red, blue and yellow - OLD - I got from an estate sale for $10 years ago. I have some of Moms old baking dishes from when I was a little girl as well. It seems everything just 'tastes better' when baked in Mom's dishes!
1954 - the year of my birth!
I found a large Turquoise Pyrex bowl a few years ago in a second hand shop for $12 - saw it on EBay listed for $60! I keep my eyes out for bits and pieces but prices have now skyrocketed. Last Summer I was very tempted by a 3 piece set in pink and white that I saw at a Flea Market - but she wanted $120!!!
DeleteMy goodness, that is a lot especially for a flea market. I think a lot of people are getting into having the nostalgic pieces. There goes affordable prices!!!!!
DeleteGreat post. OUr thrift stores are open and I am so tempted to go just to get out, but then I do not need anything and I am trying not to spend any money, so I can save for the house, and I know I would find something I just had to have. Discipline is hard for me.
ReplyDeleteOurs are still not open - I don't really need anything, but I sure do want to donate!
DeleteI have finally got myself pretty disciplined - I don't buy just to be buying!
I love this life style. Its so interesting and I'm never bored or wondering what to do even now in lock down. Thrift shops all closed though but I don't need anything. Am making masks out of old sheets etc as now having to wear them in shops.
ReplyDeleteSame here. My life hasn't changed much. I just don't go to the store as much - and I am fine and have more money!!!!
DeleteGood for you on making the masks. We can always figure out something to do!
I agree with you on all counts - we have tried to live this way here in rural Wales. I have the Carla Emery book - that just has EVERYTHING in it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a positive post.
Thank you. I would love to live more rural, but that will probably never happen.
DeleteThere is so much wonderful information in those books.
I love living the old fashioned frugal way.My Mam had a old glass Pyrex dish that was a wedding present 68 years ago,which she never used because it had gone brown and marked badly.She didnt want to throw it out for sentimental reasons.I needed one to make cottage pie,so I took it home and dry scrubbed it with sandpaper...a tip from Ilona,Life After Money blog.It came up brilliant!.My Mam couldnt believe it when I showed it her!.Most of my pots and pans are about 60 years old and still going strong.Every thing I own is second hand,recycled,up cycled,reused and thats the sort of life I love!.The thought of ever going shopping for something new horrifies me,lol.Yesterday I planted some sunflower seeds that had been given to me and today I am slicing a tomato to put in the soil..my own compost,lol...and my tomato plants will grow from this.At the min I have celery,cabbage.lettuce,onions and potatoes all growing from my kitchen scraps.I am also going to try conditioning my hair with the last of the Greek yoghurt that went out of date 2 days ago..wish me luck with that one,lol,xx
ReplyDeleteYou sure are embracing it! Great job. I have Mom's stainless steel pots and pans that she got when I was about 4/5. They still look like new (I do use them).
DeleteOh my, I would still be eating that yogurt. I made a smoothie with some 3 weeks past date the other day!
I have heard using yogurt is good for hair as well as mayonnaise.
You are doing great!!!
A BIG yes to the old ways and a gentler slower, less wasteful life! And it's enjoyable too, that's the best part. Blessings, Pam, (in the remote hills, of Norway)
ReplyDeleteLess wasteful life - I love that!!!!!! We sure do need to slow down and basically we have had to recently - that is a good part of this whole mess.
DeleteNorway! I love it. So glad to have you here!!! Blessings
Love this post. I enjoy many of the old ways, but I am thankful for modern comforts too that make our lives easier.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have the old Pyrex bowls, but I do have some of Mom's Corning Ware cornflower dishes.
Have a good weekend.
There are certain things that just make life easier - total agreement there!
DeleteIt is just so neat that so many have many of the old pieces and USE them.
Have a good one
Where we live we have certain locations with dumpsters to dispose of our trash. Last week two of them had to close early because they were full. People say it's because people are at home cleaning during the pandemic and getting rid of stuff. I would love to know if there were any useful things thrown out.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding. It sure would be neat to get a look at it.
DeleteI think everyone I know has been decluttering - they are home and making use of their time.
Our thrift/donation places aren't open - so no where to take right now! Can't have yard sales - BUMMER
We have a pile in our basement!!
DeleteLOL - me too. In the basement, the garage in the spare bdrm....
DeleteI think with everything going on right now, a lot of people could use this advice. My large crock pot died while I was making soup. I had to do 2 batches in the smaller one. The thrift stores are still closed by me so I will have to wait to get another one.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen any clearance at the stores recently. I miss it. There have been no meat and dairy mark downs either. Thankfully I have a stocked pantry. I am shopping but I am just trying to make sure we don't run out of anything.
My garden will be going in this week. The weather went from 30 to 80 in one week. It has been crazy. I can't wait to get everything in. We cleared another small area to garden in this year. I will add more string beans and pole beans there since we can never get enough of them.
Since gas is cheap, Hubby and I have been going for long drives. There is very little traffic which is rare here. It has been lovely. Have a great day.
Put the word out to neighbors, friends and family and see if anyone has a crockpot they don't need. When there is a will there is a way!
DeleteThe pantry is really something to have. I don't need anything, but when I go I get things to replace.
I think next week may be garden week here as well.
I am glad you are able to take those little drives - that has to help with cabin fever.
Have a good one.
I have my moms china, her old casserole dishes, and all her knitting things. I really try to stick to the old ways and often find myself struggling to combine new technology with old.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Totally understandable. Older and simple ways just seem to be best!
DeleteCherish and USE those heirlooms!
Dear Cheryl, That book The Encyclopaedia of Country living... my parents had it and I grew up reading this! I have it here now. It is one of the best books ever! I agree we cant be self sufficient in everything but if we are in some things and we can mend and make do too then I think we can trade and help others and probably get by. Well I pray so. Getting back to basics and what is important is what is needed. This was a very encouraging post! Thanks, love Annabel.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that the book has been popular for so many years. It is basic and common sense and that never goes out of style!
DeleteWe all need to know how to make do with the simple things in the world - then we can handle most anything.
Thank you so much!
Oh Cheryl, I don't think you are around a lot of younger people. :) Most of them have adopted these way for years. It's the X'ers on up that started to forgo those ways. When 2008 recession hit and the Y's & Z's watched their parents and grandparents lose everything they were the gen that decided to be frugal and smart. A lot of these kids had to live homeless or lose everything that was security to them. They never want to go through that again or bring it to their children. Poor babies going through it twice in a decade now. It is surreal for them. It is unfair. What we did to our children and grandchildren is unforgivable. This is our fault. We need to step up and take responsibility for it.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't want to be the keeper of the old ways. I want them to teach me. :) I love reading their blog posts, and forum chats. They are so amazing and insightful about frugality in ways we never thought of. I think at times our frugality can be stodgy and a bit dangerous because it is so outdated.
They are sewing, foraging, snail mail is now happy mail. :) They are preserving food like nobody's business. :) They buy starter homes, they buy homes that are unique like cargo freight homes. They don't drive to save money. Driving is for their parents and old people, lol. They want to heal Earth. I always think "Wow, I wish I was born in the 90's" "I found my frugal tribe." :)
No, I don't think they want us to be the keeper of their old ways. They blame us for getting them into all of this with our big cars, excess spending, big houses we could not afford, credit card debt, having kids in our twenties! We did this, especially the Boomer gen. Peek at some of the Y's & Z's blogs. They read Tightwad Gazette but they don't want to keep her old ways. They want to modernize and update them for survival and longevity.
I actually did a little study in the last two years. The older gen starting at my Generation I was actually wasting money and not saving. Then I started practicing the Y's & Z's I actually saved money. For example I can pay off my home this year and save over $20,000 for all the things they taught me. Trust me we should be keeping their ways and encouraging it.
Well, I don't use labels like X, Y and Z. Couldn't tell you which is what. Don't care. I see people not labels. Your area must be very different than where I live. I have tons of younger people in the neighborhood and family and to be quite honest - most are clueless!! All they want is what there parents worked years to get and they want it now. Most are very spoiled. It is very sad in my opinion.
DeleteI owe my frugalness to my ancestors - my folks and those before who worked their butts off to have anything. They had to or they didn't survive. I don't feel that any ONE is to blame - just each of us.
Young people are taught NOTHING is their fault - blame someone else. Take what you can get. You don't have to be responsible - it will be given. AND it isn't just young people - this has become the world today. I for one am sick of it. We each make our own decisions and we make our choices. I am responsible for me!
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this. I don't blame anyone but me for my life. I make my choices and work for it. I admire the people of the past and look up to them. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be here.
Blessings
I have enjoyed reading this...specially the comments. The last one...I have not seen anyone show an interest in canning in years. Except Roger's buddy wanted to know how I did these hot peppers I used to make. He took to canning once he retired.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple nieces that are getting into it and gardening and ask lots of questions - but other than that I don't see much of it around here either.
DeleteI love teaching them!