About
Construction in progress. . .
Let me just say this first. . .The lifestyle (ie homemaker, housewife, etc.,) I enjoy, and write about, is my choice. It doesn't have to be your choice, of course, and I'm of the opinion that things just click with some and doesn't with others. Much plays into this, such as upbringing, church affiliations, beliefs (both taught, as well as, personal conviction.)
I consider what I write about, and how I live, to be mostly old-fashioned. This has been my way of life for many years. It may not appeal to everybody. And, I realize it isn't possible for some to live this way, but take from it what may help you, or what you might like to do. And I want to add, I'm realizing every day, I'm not as thorough as I should be about researching as well as writing about some of the more touchy topics. I feel a need to give my own opinion about certain things that have affected me, in my life, and others that I'm familiar with, but certainly this isn't written as a set-in-stone guide for everyone.
We've been married for 50+ years, and I've been "homemaking" since 1975!
Just a sidenote here:
Years ago, in the 1980s or 1990s, I wanted to share some of the old-time traditional pastimes (along with cooking, gardening, for example) of my mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and close older relatives and friends. In fact, I wrote a book about this, transferred it to my computer and lost it in a computer crash. I hope I can find my handwritten copy to share soon, maybe try to have it published. I had/have brainstorms, and remember parts of it, and made a list (only) . . . And parts of this website and others I have contain bits and pieces of what I've been able to remember and rewrite, although the inspiration seems at a loss after so many years, health problems, and changes in our living conditions, being somewhat displaced, and/or that which comes with aging. It would be nice to step into that fountain of youth I've written about, if for no other reason than to be fully able to remember the (good parts) of the good old days.
That was one of the reasons I even created this website, was to not only share some of the stories of my relatives, neighbors, friends. . .but also their lives, along with the good and the bad. Albeit, I've been focusing on the good things for most part. There surely could be many, many tales, history, etc., written.
CHANGING SUBJECTS, SORT OF. . .Of course, you know me!
Recently*** I had a sort of an epiphany, that some of these women were doing these things out of a place of necessity, but they were blessed with a soothing and satisfying experiences in the sewing, and even the drudgery (or grudgery, admit it. . .look it up, it IS a word) of the necessary things like gardening, cleaning, cooking, crocheting, mending, etc. (Some enjoy/enjoyed these. I'm one of them. No apologies here!) They worked hard at all of these things, even the things lots of us consider to be just a pastime, and were rewarded for their diligence by, among other things like, blessed, love for the work and the ones they worked for, meaning mostly family - at that time in history, and now with some.) So I knew about something called ASMR,*** but after hearing my granddaughters explain it, It gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation of the hard lives of these precious women, (the Epiphany moment.) But it also gave/gives me satisfaction in knowing they were probably enjoying it, as well, or at least enjoying the benefits, even though they were most likely unaware at the time.
*** I learned from my young granddaughters, age 7, 11, and 13, (now 10, 14, and 16) that there is actually a benefit(s) and meaning for this (ASMR) (FAMILY FRIENDLY, on my site, always). Wow! Young ladies telling an old woman things she “knew” but didn't have an explanation for, all along, that there is actually a term/meaning/benefit(s) for it, it is healthy for us! Has sort of explained why I love/loved it so much! They even have their Pawpaw saying how something like feeding and watching the cats playing in the barn is so very satisfying. That's something, coming from him.
I can imagine some of the things - sounds, as well as, rhythm, movement, and yes, even healing, that may have brought that sense of satisfaction to the older generation. For instance:
And then, I thought about a few examples from the newer generation(s), some good, some bad:
All of the latter example is OK, but in moderation, of course. And honestly, moderation is hard to achieve with the last two, in my opinion, and others' opinions and studies. Ask me how I know. . .Not something I would want to take away, just wanting to add an older way of doing things they might find fun, or interesting. And having done so with my granddaughters, they actually loved learning the skills I've introduced to them.
Note: Please start young, as you would much rather them be addicted to sewing or knitting than all the other options out there. And of course, outside activities are important, as well.
And as a sidenote, yours truly has been guilty of these and more, so don't go getting huffy about it.
I consider what I write about, and how I live, to be mostly old-fashioned. This has been my way of life for many years. It may not appeal to everybody. And, I realize it isn't possible for some to live this way, but take from it what may help you, or what you might like to do. And I want to add, I'm realizing every day, I'm not as thorough as I should be about researching as well as writing about some of the more touchy topics. I feel a need to give my own opinion about certain things that have affected me, in my life, and others that I'm familiar with, but certainly this isn't written as a set-in-stone guide for everyone.
We've been married for 50+ years, and I've been "homemaking" since 1975!
Just a sidenote here:
Years ago, in the 1980s or 1990s, I wanted to share some of the old-time traditional pastimes (along with cooking, gardening, for example) of my mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and close older relatives and friends. In fact, I wrote a book about this, transferred it to my computer and lost it in a computer crash. I hope I can find my handwritten copy to share soon, maybe try to have it published. I had/have brainstorms, and remember parts of it, and made a list (only) . . . And parts of this website and others I have contain bits and pieces of what I've been able to remember and rewrite, although the inspiration seems at a loss after so many years, health problems, and changes in our living conditions, being somewhat displaced, and/or that which comes with aging. It would be nice to step into that fountain of youth I've written about, if for no other reason than to be fully able to remember the (good parts) of the good old days.
That was one of the reasons I even created this website, was to not only share some of the stories of my relatives, neighbors, friends. . .but also their lives, along with the good and the bad. Albeit, I've been focusing on the good things for most part. There surely could be many, many tales, history, etc., written.
CHANGING SUBJECTS, SORT OF. . .Of course, you know me!
Recently*** I had a sort of an epiphany, that some of these women were doing these things out of a place of necessity, but they were blessed with a soothing and satisfying experiences in the sewing, and even the drudgery (or grudgery, admit it. . .look it up, it IS a word) of the necessary things like gardening, cleaning, cooking, crocheting, mending, etc. (Some enjoy/enjoyed these. I'm one of them. No apologies here!) They worked hard at all of these things, even the things lots of us consider to be just a pastime, and were rewarded for their diligence by, among other things like, blessed, love for the work and the ones they worked for, meaning mostly family - at that time in history, and now with some.) So I knew about something called ASMR,*** but after hearing my granddaughters explain it, It gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation of the hard lives of these precious women, (the Epiphany moment.) But it also gave/gives me satisfaction in knowing they were probably enjoying it, as well, or at least enjoying the benefits, even though they were most likely unaware at the time.
*** I learned from my young granddaughters, age 7, 11, and 13, (now 10, 14, and 16) that there is actually a benefit(s) and meaning for this (ASMR) (FAMILY FRIENDLY, on my site, always). Wow! Young ladies telling an old woman things she “knew” but didn't have an explanation for, all along, that there is actually a term/meaning/benefit(s) for it, it is healthy for us! Has sort of explained why I love/loved it so much! They even have their Pawpaw saying how something like feeding and watching the cats playing in the barn is so very satisfying. That's something, coming from him.
I can imagine some of the things - sounds, as well as, rhythm, movement, and yes, even healing, that may have brought that sense of satisfaction to the older generation. For instance:
- Rocking on the porch, or in the kitchen.
- Sewing on a treadle sewing machine, and electric, later on.
- Sweeping the house, porch, and yard - yes, this was/may still be a thing in some places around the world, here too. (It kept the yard clean, bare, and they could spot a snake before getting bitten.)
- Hoeing in the garden, and flower beds.
- Swishing clothes in a washtub, on a rubbing board, and wringing them out.
- Kneading bread, baking it in a woodstove.
- Chopping wood, lightard knots, kindling, and such
- Chopping weeds with a scythe.
- Cutting and chopping broomsage/broomsedge and broomcorn for making brooms.
- More to come---at this point I'll never write a book/the book/another book/, because I can always come up with something else.
And then, I thought about a few examples from the newer generation(s), some good, some bad:
- Bubble wrap
- Chewing, popping, cracking gum
- Tapping a pencil eraser on the table
- Tapping fingers, while waiting for someone.
- Eating yogurt, with crunchy bits of granola
- Playing video games
- Texting
All of the latter example is OK, but in moderation, of course. And honestly, moderation is hard to achieve with the last two, in my opinion, and others' opinions and studies. Ask me how I know. . .Not something I would want to take away, just wanting to add an older way of doing things they might find fun, or interesting. And having done so with my granddaughters, they actually loved learning the skills I've introduced to them.
Note: Please start young, as you would much rather them be addicted to sewing or knitting than all the other options out there. And of course, outside activities are important, as well.
And as a sidenote, yours truly has been guilty of these and more, so don't go getting huffy about it.
Copyright © 2026