Bee~ Journal of then...

[Henrietta23]

I love the Farmer Boy book!

One word of advice about the "squirreling". Can in smaller jars!

We used to use a quart of beans or a quart of corn in a meal with few leftovers. We were used to cooking for a horde of young people - always starving. Now we two old duffs find ourselves wondering what to do with all the leftovers!

Case in point. Last week hubby was going to make chili for dinner. A wonderful thing! I walked past him getting ready and OH NO! He had out the big chili pot, two pounds of burger, two quarts of spicy jalapeno tomatoes, two quarts of pinto beans and a quart of tomato juice! I asked him how long he was planning on eating chili, because that much will last him and I a month! I think he was a little mad, but he sized it way down and it was delicious!

PS I suppose I live in a "cultured, interesting social mecca", but what do I do?

I work on pre-season garden plans, prune my fruit trees, talk to you all and consider reading Farmer Boy for the millionth time!

I am reading Farmer Boy with my son right now! I hadn't read since I was 12 or so. I am amazed at the things I remember though. It is inspiring me as well. I want to be a squirrel too! Can I joing the squirrel club? I'm currently researching how to make vinegar. I want a basement full of canned goods and my own vinegar. I've got to go make some bread or something.......

 

[Beekissed]

Have you ever been told you think too much? I've been told that all my life....but how can that ever be? As opposed to thinking too little? Do they mean that my thoughts are trivial or that they wouldn't waste time thinking about these things, so neither should I?

Case in point: As my middle son and I walk into Walmart, a total stranger hands me a cart and says, "Hi! How are you?" I don't object to the "hi" as it is a standard form of greeting a person you do or do not know. But the "how are you?" has always seemed either very intrusive, or a "junk" phrase that has no real meaning but is just offered because its become expected.

Like saying "Bless you" when someone sneezes....I've never done this and for a good reason. That practice started way back when it was believed that one died for a second when they sneezed and anyone in the vicinity should give them Last Rites immediately. BUT....we know better now, surely, and should not feel the need to say it or have to thank someone for saying it for a mere sneeze, should we? Then we have to thank them for the blessing that was a mere knee-jerk response to an uncontrollable bodily function to rid nasal passages of allergens or foreign bodies.

Yeah, I know its considered polite...but in whose book? Not mine. I observe all the traditional politeness bylaws like thank you, please, your welcome, excuse me, etc. But "how are you?" I reserve for those of whom I really wish to know how they are doing.

Same with sneezing....it happens, sometimes its embarassing....do we really need to call attention to it? Would we say "God Bless You" if the person had farted out loud? I know I wouldn't it, but it is indeed a bodily emission that is sometimes loud and unexpected...shouldn't we shout out "Bless You"?

I would dearly have loved to tell the cart person today that my lower back hurts due to an old work injury and my wisdom tooth is killing me. Then I would like to have had the time to inquire about her general health and life and intruded upon her privacy as well.

But I'm way too polite to consider such a breach of etiquette!

 

[freemotion]

Oh you are too funny! I think the same way, just try being in a roomful of massage therapists when someone sneezes. The "bless you's" are deafening. I try to avoid furthering superstitions.....and am acused of thinking too much, too.

Welcome to Walmart!

 

[hobobrando]

That was funny. The other day in my math class a kid sneezed and then another one farted right after and the teacher said "bless you" and then she couldnt figure out why everyone was laughing .

 

[Beekissed]

Henrietta, you are officially in the Squirrel Club! Wanna be the secretary? I think we should really make a commitment, all of us SSers, to see how much we can grow, store, scavenge and just squirrel away this year....sort of like a game or challenge...and then post some serious pics this coming fall/winter of what we've got done. I think it would be an inspiration to others who think it is too hard or too out of reach, somehow.

Hobo....I love Joe Dirt!!! Ya can't have no in your heart!

 

[dacjohns]

Sometimes when someone asks me, "How are you doing?" I reply, "Do you really want to know or are you just being polite?" It takes them aback.

 

[Farmfresh]

Since we actually had a pet squirrel for many years named Squee, I have a great respect for the intelligence and tenacity of those wonderful little creatures. I love the idea of the "Squirrel Club" and the challenge is a great idea! I think you should post it out in the big forum as a new thread and recruit!

I am game for your challenge. I just hope I have a more successful year than last year.

I think we need to show the world what we can do - and this pitiful economy is just the place to show our stuff!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Sometimes when someone asks me, "How are you doing?" I reply, "Do you really want to know or are you just being polite?" It takes them aback.

My mom and I bothused to say, "Do you want me to say fine, or do you want the truth."

Now, if someone asks how I am, I tell them. When I get the "I didn't really want to know" look I say, "Next time, don't ask."

 

[lorihadams]

You guys are too much!

My great grandmother had a walk in pantry and a basement with a dirt floor....makes me sad to think about it cause they will probably tear her house down soon... That pantry is great though, has a window and lots of shelves...painted green with white trim, she used to have those things packed with stuff and dared anybody to touch anything! She would smack you with a wooden spoon for touchin' her shelves. Cooked on a woodstove till she was 85 and couldn't really cook anymore....used to sit at the dinner table and take her dentures out of her mouth, hold them up to see if there was any food in her teeth and pick 'em clean right there at the dinner table! I've seen one of my cousins cry cause he couldn't eat any more of her biscuits with mayo and fresh tomato slices from her garden.

I wish life was more like that nowadays....everyone is so focused on getting things done yesterday that they don't have time to stop and work the land and show their kids where things come from. Little mom and pop stores are being driven out of business by Walmart and every where you turn there's another strip mall being built. It's a sad sad world...

I am trying to figure out where I would put all my stuff too...no basement, no garage, small kitchen, no pantry....tough. I'm gonna try, though. I will plant stuff this year...don't know how much I'll get put up but I'll give it a go! You all are so inspiring!!!

 

[justusnak]

Bee...I think I will take your challenge...LOL We started our second garden for this year. All I asked for for Christmas was canning jars...and was surprised to see several cases under my tree! Now I am telling ALL family members... " when you come to visit, and feel inclined to bring a "gift" , bring canning jar seals. As many as you can get...or afford." If I get 20 cases of them, I will be happy...they never go bad..and I know I can sure use em up!
I agree with the " empty comments" like "how are you" or "bless you" or even the " have a great day" Do they REALLY mean it? Or has it now become a habit? Its sad to think but now days, lots of people are full of "empty comments"...just to make it through the day.