Reminders of slower times

It is amazing what we take for granted each day with access to modern conveniences. We've managed to get to a point to where little physical exertion is a necessity for most of life's requirements and yet what is the trade-off? We're a fast paced society with little unscheduled time to visit ildly with our neighbors, we've traded sore muscles and a well-earned slumber for stress and sleeping pills, and the stories in life revolve around the latest television show, game, or computer issue instead of being involved closely with natural occurrences which can never be duplicated or re-run. Certainly, we deviate from routine on occasion or set up a membership at the gym and that is terrific, but I sometimes think about the marvelous creation called the human body and know that we're not using it for the purpose it was created and that is the reason for the rise in physical, mental, and emotional issues. Perhaps I'm wrong. I often laugh at myself when I discover a new muscle I'd forgotten I had....or perhaps never knew I had. Doing yard work, playing horse for the kids, or whatever simple exertion often reminds me that I don't get the exercise my body really needs and I have a feeling it's going to show up on me one day. Thus far I've been blessed with a good mind, body, and heart but who's to say what will occur for me tomorrow with the stress of the desk job and the inactivity in my off hours? Well, it gives me something to think about anyway.

My maternal family is from Alabama, my Cherokee heritage grandfather a moonshiner in his earlier days, and within the hills of Bama my great-grandmother's home still contained, even in the late 60's, a washtub for a bath and an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing. I remember these things vaguely from early childhood; some experiences sticking in my mind more than others; and it is a life I'd not necessarily want to ever have to return to as my main existence, but I do love the memory of being bathed in the washtub near the open fireplace and I still laugh with the memory of the presence of yard animals in the privy. The part I loved best, however, was the visitng that occured because people still had time; their requirements were few and their responsibilities confined to necessities. I often watch people...the haves and the have nots....and I see the encouragement of a race gone mad in keeping up with one another and trying to be the best whether it be for themselves or society's measure. On the flip side, I see those who have little financial responsibility going off down the road with kids in tow to the local creek or any little excursion that comes to mind and they are laughing and enjoying life. Somewhere there's got to be a middle ground for us all. We should be able to have it all; perhaps it's just a matter of perspective. hmmm

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Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:

This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

WASHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.

Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.

To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water. Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings. ================================================

For those not in the know -wrench means rinse. ;)