A Tale of Not So Modern Times...
Hello it's Trevor with our July tale. We are going to be doing something so different, that I think will be an eye-opening experience for some.
Brenda has already shared a bit on her Facebook page about her upbringing and heritage. We are going to expound more on that aspect.
Brenda was born in 1960, so you might know where we are going with this. She grew up in a small town and in a farming community, although Brenda herself never lived on a farm. Those of her generation and age will probably understand more of what we are trying to convey, than those who have had all the advantages of modern conveniences.
Brenda is happy to have grown up this way. It taught her to appreciate all that she has and continues to work for. Nothing was handed down except clothes from older siblings, which were a treat, because to the recipient, they were always new. See where I am going with this? BOL
Brenda lived outside the city limits, which meant, that they were not actually living in the town. It wasn't actually the country, but it was more wide open spaces. Brenda had a big yard to play and a sandbox which was actually an old big tire filled with sand. Brenda remembers making mud pies, which she would use the plastic tin Banquet turkey, chicken or beef pie containers. Remember those wonderful pies, warmed up in the oven? Those were a favorite of Brenda's
I'm trying to bring out here that something so simple as that, brought a lot of pleasure for creativity in a sandbox. A lot of their toys were made. Cars for her dolls where made from boxes of where canned goods were stored. Her mother would cut out squares, making it look like car doors and use something to divide from the middle to make it look like, there was a back seat. Her mother even made a cradle once, out of an oatmeal box, where it could actually rock back and forth. Her mother was creative that way.
One year for Christmas her mother surprised Brenda by making a chair and sofa or as they were sometimes referred to as a davenport, for her Barbie dolls. She still has those. They were covered with thick fabric. You could tell a lot of work went into those.
Back then, a lot of your clothes were sewn by hand or on a sewing machine. It was fun picking out patterns and getting new clothes. Like I mentioned before hand me downs were also fun, as it was something different to wear.
Brenda grew up under modest circumstances. She lived in a home where there was no toilet to flush, which meant using what was referred to as a slop pail, you get the idea. They had an outhouse outside, but who wanted to use that unless you had to? That was considered their indoor outhouse. This was normal for many people back then. It was also in their basement, which would get full of water, when it would rain, so they would have to wear boots, while being down there.
There was one place down there that was fun to explore and that was a fruit room or where all the canned goods were stored. Brenda's mother did a lot of canning which consisted of jams, jellies, all kinds of fruit sauces, chicken and cabbage, etc. It was a fun place to hang out.
Their tub was not your typical one, like you see now. It was actually one that you carried as you had to throw the water out when you were done with the baths. Imagine having to share bath water. You wanted to be the first one. We really don't know how good we have it now. BOL The water was warmed up and put in the tub from usually the stove or maybe the sink. Remember there was no indoor plumbing. How did they even do it, but somehow it was managed.
In the early 70s they finally got indoor plumbing. It consisted of a bath tub and a throne. This was living now. The remodeling project was so exciting to see in process. No more having to go down to the basement in boots, if it rained.
Another thing was how clothes were washed in those days. There were no automatic washers and dryers. Remember those wringer washing machines? The dryer was hanging your clothes outside in the summer and using a clothes line down in the basement during the winter months. Brenda loved helping her mother out on Mondays, which was the day of the week when the laundry was done. Remember having to pull the clothes through the wringer? This is a new concept for some of our readers to understand, I am sure. BOL She would help with the little things like socks, as she was still young and this was during the summer months.
They did get an automatic washer and dryer and made it so much easier for Brenda's mother, not to have to be in the basement and stand for all that time.
About a year after the indoor plumbing was installed, they finally were able to get a new house built, which was considered low income. Brenda's father had several jobs besides being the Chief of Police. This was in a small town, so it hardly put enough food on the table. They never starved, but they certainly did struggle. They had a fruit room in this house too, as that was what her mother wanted. She actually designed the plans for the house. She only had an 8th grade education, but she was great with figures and design.
Brenda didn't get everything she wanted and there were things, they simply could not afford. If you wanted something bad enough, you worked for it. Brenda paid for half of her senior photos, as it was a big expense. They already had another daughter in college.
Brenda had babysitting jobs, so she had money saved and was able to help out. She decided not to get a class ring and got a school jacket instead. She made more use out of that, as she helped with tickets during football and basketball games and wore it then. Her mother even crocheted a cap and scarf, which she still has to this day. That is some rough stock, to still be used. BOL
Brenda is of German heritage, something she is proud of. It's where her never giving up attitude comes from. Her father was like a bulldog, never letting anything go. It makes you a fighter. Believe me, Brenda has had to fight some furious battles in her lifetime.
Brenda's parents decided that while in high school, voice lessons would be something that they would let her do. It was a cost, and Brenda made sure that it went to good use. She took those for 3 years and learned a great deal. Brenda still loves to sing and applies what she learned during that time. She was also active in other music activities, chorus, swing choir, triple trio, solo, etc.
Brenda was certainly not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Quite the opposite, but she would not have traded that experience for anything. It has taught her to appreciate what she has today. She still does not have the latest and greatest of those gadgets out there. She got her first smartphone about 2 years ago.
Do you remember having to walk up to the TV to turn it on or to even change a channel? Do you know what rabbit ears are? How about using a tape recorder to get your favorite songs from the radio? A black and white TV, before color was out? A transistor radio before the walkman? Putting a fan in the window before air conditioning was available? Rolling down the windows before air conditioning in cars? Brenda prefers having the fresh air vs. air conditioning, as that air blowing on her, causes her joints to ache or it always seems to blow in her ear. She even rode in a vehicle the other day, that did not have air conditioning. It was great to be able to get that fresh air. Brenda remembers all of this and so many other things, that those of this era would never understand.
Brenda still works for all that she has and is grateful, that her parents taught her the value of a dollar. They also taught her to be kind to those less fortunate and to treat others, like you would want to be treated. It all goes back to the golden rule.
We hope you enjoyed this tale dating back to not so modern times.
~T Man Barking Off~
Source Unknown
Brenda has already shared a bit on her Facebook page about her upbringing and heritage. We are going to expound more on that aspect.
Brenda was born in 1960, so you might know where we are going with this. She grew up in a small town and in a farming community, although Brenda herself never lived on a farm. Those of her generation and age will probably understand more of what we are trying to convey, than those who have had all the advantages of modern conveniences.
Brenda is happy to have grown up this way. It taught her to appreciate all that she has and continues to work for. Nothing was handed down except clothes from older siblings, which were a treat, because to the recipient, they were always new. See where I am going with this? BOL
Brenda lived outside the city limits, which meant, that they were not actually living in the town. It wasn't actually the country, but it was more wide open spaces. Brenda had a big yard to play and a sandbox which was actually an old big tire filled with sand. Brenda remembers making mud pies, which she would use the plastic tin Banquet turkey, chicken or beef pie containers. Remember those wonderful pies, warmed up in the oven? Those were a favorite of Brenda's
I'm trying to bring out here that something so simple as that, brought a lot of pleasure for creativity in a sandbox. A lot of their toys were made. Cars for her dolls where made from boxes of where canned goods were stored. Her mother would cut out squares, making it look like car doors and use something to divide from the middle to make it look like, there was a back seat. Her mother even made a cradle once, out of an oatmeal box, where it could actually rock back and forth. Her mother was creative that way.
One year for Christmas her mother surprised Brenda by making a chair and sofa or as they were sometimes referred to as a davenport, for her Barbie dolls. She still has those. They were covered with thick fabric. You could tell a lot of work went into those.
Back then, a lot of your clothes were sewn by hand or on a sewing machine. It was fun picking out patterns and getting new clothes. Like I mentioned before hand me downs were also fun, as it was something different to wear.
Brenda grew up under modest circumstances. She lived in a home where there was no toilet to flush, which meant using what was referred to as a slop pail, you get the idea. They had an outhouse outside, but who wanted to use that unless you had to? That was considered their indoor outhouse. This was normal for many people back then. It was also in their basement, which would get full of water, when it would rain, so they would have to wear boots, while being down there.
There was one place down there that was fun to explore and that was a fruit room or where all the canned goods were stored. Brenda's mother did a lot of canning which consisted of jams, jellies, all kinds of fruit sauces, chicken and cabbage, etc. It was a fun place to hang out.
Their tub was not your typical one, like you see now. It was actually one that you carried as you had to throw the water out when you were done with the baths. Imagine having to share bath water. You wanted to be the first one. We really don't know how good we have it now. BOL The water was warmed up and put in the tub from usually the stove or maybe the sink. Remember there was no indoor plumbing. How did they even do it, but somehow it was managed.
In the early 70s they finally got indoor plumbing. It consisted of a bath tub and a throne. This was living now. The remodeling project was so exciting to see in process. No more having to go down to the basement in boots, if it rained.
Another thing was how clothes were washed in those days. There were no automatic washers and dryers. Remember those wringer washing machines? The dryer was hanging your clothes outside in the summer and using a clothes line down in the basement during the winter months. Brenda loved helping her mother out on Mondays, which was the day of the week when the laundry was done. Remember having to pull the clothes through the wringer? This is a new concept for some of our readers to understand, I am sure. BOL She would help with the little things like socks, as she was still young and this was during the summer months.
They did get an automatic washer and dryer and made it so much easier for Brenda's mother, not to have to be in the basement and stand for all that time.
About a year after the indoor plumbing was installed, they finally were able to get a new house built, which was considered low income. Brenda's father had several jobs besides being the Chief of Police. This was in a small town, so it hardly put enough food on the table. They never starved, but they certainly did struggle. They had a fruit room in this house too, as that was what her mother wanted. She actually designed the plans for the house. She only had an 8th grade education, but she was great with figures and design.
Brenda didn't get everything she wanted and there were things, they simply could not afford. If you wanted something bad enough, you worked for it. Brenda paid for half of her senior photos, as it was a big expense. They already had another daughter in college.
Brenda had babysitting jobs, so she had money saved and was able to help out. She decided not to get a class ring and got a school jacket instead. She made more use out of that, as she helped with tickets during football and basketball games and wore it then. Her mother even crocheted a cap and scarf, which she still has to this day. That is some rough stock, to still be used. BOL
Brenda is of German heritage, something she is proud of. It's where her never giving up attitude comes from. Her father was like a bulldog, never letting anything go. It makes you a fighter. Believe me, Brenda has had to fight some furious battles in her lifetime.
Brenda's parents decided that while in high school, voice lessons would be something that they would let her do. It was a cost, and Brenda made sure that it went to good use. She took those for 3 years and learned a great deal. Brenda still loves to sing and applies what she learned during that time. She was also active in other music activities, chorus, swing choir, triple trio, solo, etc.
Brenda was certainly not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Quite the opposite, but she would not have traded that experience for anything. It has taught her to appreciate what she has today. She still does not have the latest and greatest of those gadgets out there. She got her first smartphone about 2 years ago.
Do you remember having to walk up to the TV to turn it on or to even change a channel? Do you know what rabbit ears are? How about using a tape recorder to get your favorite songs from the radio? A black and white TV, before color was out? A transistor radio before the walkman? Putting a fan in the window before air conditioning was available? Rolling down the windows before air conditioning in cars? Brenda prefers having the fresh air vs. air conditioning, as that air blowing on her, causes her joints to ache or it always seems to blow in her ear. She even rode in a vehicle the other day, that did not have air conditioning. It was great to be able to get that fresh air. Brenda remembers all of this and so many other things, that those of this era would never understand.
Brenda still works for all that she has and is grateful, that her parents taught her the value of a dollar. They also taught her to be kind to those less fortunate and to treat others, like you would want to be treated. It all goes back to the golden rule.
We hope you enjoyed this tale dating back to not so modern times.
~T Man Barking Off~
Oh T-Bone, You are a baby, you are only repeating what you have been told. You had not even been born yet in 1960. Now if you really want the good goods, call me. I has 3 years old in 1960. Now I have the scoop and for $20.00 I will let you in on the good stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteHa Ha!
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