Thursday, July 19, 2012

19 July “The Joy of Unplugging and My Hopes for the Future”

I believe I am well past apologies at this point. Here it has been well over a month since my last post. As many discovered through my posts that the Depression was far too near to our actual times for comfort. The increasing discoveries of our past through politics and how they shadow and color today began to be overwhelming. It was not unlike an extensive art renovation peeling back the layers of a loved old painting to realize that the foundation of a lovely bucolic scene had been built upon the mad renderings of a Hieronymus Bosch depiction of Hell.

I hadn’t any original intentions to unplug as I have done. It simply happened. One day, guilt free, away from the computer. Another day came and went with meals and cleaning and gardening but no computer. Their were mornings spent watching my new chickens, afternoons weeding the garden and occasional breaks in the days with bike rides to the shore with hubby and friends. It began to feel almost like a delicious decadence, these blog-less days. My chores done and the day stretched before me with no need to touch a key nor sit in front a screen. The earth called and my nails grew rich with dark soil.  There were trips to local garden centers with friends; happily choosing flowers. Dinner parties under the trees lit with candles, our laughter, and the late night crickets. And still no computer. I reveled in a world in which the most advanced technology I needed was my old stove and pad and paper.

So, to say the least, I have used the computer very little. There were very few reasons to touch it. I have taken my break from writing. I have no interest in TV and any movies I wished to indulge in I could do so on our old set rigged to play dvd’s with the black and white feel of the past. What are my plans for the future with this site? I am not sure.

I do know that I love to write and wish to do so again. With the missing part of my day being the discipline of desk/computer/writing/research time, I have looked more to my studio. Dreaming up art projects.

The main thing I seemed to have learned during these past three years of time travel is that if one learns skills one can manage more things. I find having more to do each day makes the day more enjoyable and gives me a better feeling about myself and my own accomplishments.

I think my posts may begin to return to one day a week to get me back into the swing of the things. I have so many things growing in my garden that would be fun to share. And various things I am I always doing or trying that would be good as well. Like my good ole’ fashioned homemaker blogs. I think that might be of interest to all. I shall still touch on the past, of course, in context of that post. And all the while begin compiling my book of my experience.

Well, for those of you out there that have stuck around I hope you continue to do so. For any new followers, simply click the link to start at my 1955 year to see the insanity that has brought me to where I am. And, as always, Happy Homemaking.

38 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading your blog and I hope you will continue to provide a voice of reason in the internet land.

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  2. I followed your blog for a long time, posted in the old forum, and then drifted away for awhile. Now, after major changes in my own circumstances, I am voraciously interested in talking to other secular vintage-living types. So many of the homemaking and homesteading blogs out there are maintained by religious nutters. I was interested to see you retreat further in time to the 30s and sorry when posts diminished. I was also disappointed that the new forum is so quiet. I have a great need at present to talk to other vintage folk and there used to be such a lively group. I hope it revives. I would also like to see more vintage folk getting together offline. I don't know anyone around me who is interested in vintage living but I notice that you are in MA as well. The Internet is useful that way; please do not abandon it.

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  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  4. I am so glad to see that you are still posting, even if on an abbreviated basis. I really enjoy your writings and POV. I have a lot of back reading to do, as i came to your blog late, and I have been doing a little at a time. I would love to read about your garden! When you last wrote, we had just replanted our garden, as the rain had rotted the seeds. The beans I was growing were beautiful...until something ate all the plants last week! I think it may have been a vole. My tomatoes and peppers are doing well, and my lone squash plant is starting to produce.

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  5. Piranha Chicken, you made a good point and that is why I deleted your comment. Better for me to be quiet on the subject as of yet and then blog about it later. Don't be sad I deleted, but that is the reason.

    Oh, and I will check out the chicken group. My latest chickens are new chicks, but chickens are not new to me. And in fact this year I have added some show bantams, which I will talk about in a blog post.

    Debbie-I realized how much has grown since my last garden post. I have one pumpkin that seems to grow an half an inch a day! And my corn is shoulder height!

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  6. Donna, good to know all is well. I have missed your writing, but completely understand the need to take a break.
    I was hoping there was a little rascal involved with your break, but that is the granny in me :0). We are in the middle of a very sad drought here. Our corn is all but worthless, and we are selling off cattle right and left. I just left my garden be, and concentrate on watering new trees in the orchard (worried about the well on this old place). I am thankful my hubby has an off farm job as well, and also thankful not to have to mow the lawn and weed eat. I think I miss your sewing adventures, and recipes the most. Have a terrific weekend, Ma Kettle. (Amy)

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  7. It's good to hear from you again, and I'm happy to hear that you've simply been enjoying day to day life. My garden is not doing well this year. I have one watermelon vine and two squash vines that are hanging on. I hope to at least get one watermelon out of it.

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  8. I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you!

    Hugs

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  9. How wonderful to have a new post from you! I've followed your blog since practically the beginning of 1955, and always enjoy reading about and seeing pictures of your latest cooking, sewing and gardening adventures. The historical tidbits are often interesting, too, but my favorites have always been your day-to-day homemaking adventures. My best to you. :)

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  10. Just because one is religious there is no need for name calling.

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  11. Will wait for your next post with pleasure. I love your posts and have been following your blog for over 2 years and have enjoyed it very much.

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  12. Enjoy your summer but know your posts are missed. I know you place a lot of time and research in your posts but my favorite posts are when you just check in and let the reader know how you're using the past to influence your present. Looking forward to future posts.

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  13. Just know you were missed and certainly not forgotten. Write when and what you like. I will be back to check in often. I have always enjoyed your writing. I really enjoyed learning about the 30s but if that is uncomfortable for you you need to naturally do what is best for you. It is your blog not ours. You have a gift for writing and so anything your care to write about we will no doubt enjoy too. Sarah

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  14. I'm glad all is well. Once a week posting would be lovely, as I'd love to see how your garden is doing! I could use some happy things, even if in someone else's life right now.

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  15. Every now and then I have to take a break from my blog too. A vacation away from writing is very necessary to keep that creative energy going. Glad you've enjoyed your summer.

    I find news extremely depressing and indeed we are watching less and less TV. We bought an antique replica radio and I'm happiest when we sit and listen to that in the evenings. Even the computer can be invasive with things that grate my psyche these days.

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  16. I missed you! I've been a fan of your blog for awhile, and my favorite ones are of your day to day life. You inspired me to start my own garden this year. It is pretty small and since it is my first, it isn't the greatest garden on the block, but I did it and I'm proud! I just wanted to let you know that you inspire me! I did have a question though...since you're not "in the 50's" anymore, and have sort of been floating through time, has your daily routine changed much? Do you still do everything the fifties way, or are you using some things from the past and present? Again, I am a big fan!--L

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  17. Your blog is wonderful!! We all must live each moment to the fullest and if that means we can't "blog" like we want, well so be it!! Being a home economist, gardener, wife, etc is hard work!! My garden had some issues this year due to the heat.My tomatoes didn't do to well but my trusty zinnia's are still beautiful and the zucchini is happy too. Have a wonderful day~ Mrs.Clark ( The Vintage Entertainer)
    http://thevintageentertainer.blogspot.com/

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  18. Donna, I'm so glad to hear you and you hubby are ok and out and about this summer. I know you've had a lot going on with your properties so it's great news that your absence is unrelated to the "joys" of being a landlord but rather the true joys of life.

    I'll peek back when I can so I don't miss a surprise post. Whatever you choose will be interesting to follow!

    Sarah H.

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  19. Thinking of you (and I am doing the same). Better to live each day as best you can than be tied down to something you feel you must do. Share when you will and want to, we will be here.

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  20. Happy to see you post and understand the need to getaway, but please stay in touch when you can. Your posts are always inspiring, thought provoking and fun.

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  21. Glad to know all is well. Look forward to your postings whenever they may come!

    Mary Ellen
    The Working Home Keeper

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  22. What a wise and thoughtful post--and it's the first I've read. I do look forward to more. Best wishes...

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  23. I watched the History Channel over 3 hour 20 min. documentary about The Great Depression. Got it from Netflix. Wow! , I can sure see what you are saying about similarities. Some I hadn't realized till I watched this and studied more later. Just wanted to check in and say hi! Sarah

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  24. Just another long time reader chiming in to say you are not forgotten. I understand the need for a break and hope you can find a happy medium with living your life and blogging about it.

    Someone else asked if your routine has changed now that you're not intentionally trying to stay in any given time period - I'm curious as well. Are you paying attention to current news via radio/newspaper now? Still wearing vintage dress?

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  25. Just came by to say Hi! Hope you are enjoying puttering in your home and hopefully staying cool! Sarah

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  26. I'm so glad you're back, I've really missed you. And I love the new blog design - it looks like we're back to the fifties! :)

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  27. A lot of bloggers are pulling back. Heck why not? It's August! Perfect for being outside and enjoying life. I need to do the same. Anyway I'm keeping you on the roll and always appreciate your posts. Enjoy!!!

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  28. Your posts have been wonderful reading, they enriched my life. Thank you.
    The 50's ones in particular were enjoyable and relevant to today. I hope you time travel to the fifties again if you decide to return to blogging.

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  29. The Apron Revolution Forum has some new discussions, including vintage fitness, so do come back everyone!

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  30. Are you coming back? I sure do miss your posts....

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  31. You make some very good points. It is funny how once you learn how people lived before we had all of our gadgets, you kind of feel a need to break away from them and it is a very freeing feeling. I have gone through something similar. I like vintage and try to live it as best I can. I still plug in sometimes but enjoy black and white tv shows, not being attached to a cell phone or IPOD constantly, being outside and more. I think you are and have been an inspiration.
    I do enjoy your blog and posts but understand your breaking away some.

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  32. is this site closed?

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  33. I do miss seeing your blog posts. Hope you are having a great summer.

    Michelle in Canada

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  34. I recently found your blog and I have to say I have so enjoyed reading about your journey. Your ups and downs and your complete honesty, whether something was good or bad, was very refreshing. I have long felt as though I were in the wrong decade. I'm 44 years old and unfortunately I don't have very many friends who enjoy homemaking the way I do. I have been inspired to intermingle my current way of doing things with some of the old ways. I do hope you will continue to add to this fountain of information!

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  35. Hope all is well...it's been a long time i've missed your posts.

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  36. 50sgal,

    We miss you. Are you doing okay?

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