A Modern Girl Longing For A Simpler Time

Air conditioning, microwaves, cable tv, Wii video games, internet, and indoor plumbing.  These are just a few things that our family uses on a regular basis.  As we are diligent about how often we watch tv or play on the computer/video games, we still have them in our homes and enjoy them.  However, I find myself teaching my children during our school time about simpler times.  Practical things like placing the harvest in the cool cellar to last longer or working together as a family to enjoy a night by the fire with stories and apple cider.  To make butter, bread, and a fully homemade meal everyday without fail is almost more than I can fathom.  Getting a craving for ice cream and having to milk the cow, go to the ice house and chip away some blocks of lake ice, AND to wait for 6-7 hours for it to freeze in said blocks of lake ice brings us away from instant gratification.Can you just imagine?  "Boy, I'd love some burgers and fries right now.  Well dear, do we have any of the smoked beef left in the attic from butchering time?  No?  Well, I guess it's rabbit stew or veggie omelets than." 
Or how about that Valentine's dance that's coming up?  Most people didn't have the stores to go and just "pick up" a new dress and shoes.  (not to mention accessories!)  The wool fabric would have to be dyed, than weaved on the loom, then cut, and sewn to make a plain simple outfit and the shoes FOR THE YEAR would just have to do.  Boy, and we complain about having to drive 20 minutes to pick up some new pjs! 
Well people, I think we have it pretty easy.  We live in a time of excess.  We take so much for granted and don't take the time to appreciate it.  We all are born at a certain time period for a reason but every once in awhile we need to look back at whom have come before us and be grateful.  I was born at the right time.  I would not make it without AC or flushing toilets and I can spread my thoughts out into the great wide world with the computer but, I need to remember the simpler times when a handful of popcorn took 3 months to grow out in the front yard and a whole day to pick and peel off the ear.  Remember those simpler times when you complain that your Blu-Ray isn't working right!

In his everloving hands,
Lisa