We got to visit an old pioneer home today.
It was built in the West, to be a fort of protection for white settlers from Indians in the late 1800’s. It was, in a sense, a simple time to live.
We women listened to our guide tell us that the dozen, five pound bread pans were used every day to bake bread for all of the travelers that would pass through on the stage coach. We heard about the 11 year old girl who was in charge of the milk from 30 cows every day, churning butter and helping in the kitchen and the laundry.
Then there were the gardens! We saw pictures of the little boys and girls playing marble games and looking through spy glasses to see the visitors as they were afar off.
I’ve been thinking of all of the tasks and stresses of our day and how they differ from this representation of this earlier age.
Seems that in many ways we would be better off if we were eating more like they did! Food from their gardens and milk from the cow in the barn. Seems that they had a lot of together time, working and learning and playing together day in and day out.
That said, being under the gun to cook for 30-40 guests every day does not float my boat at all! {I’ve been making bread all summer for just three people and it has been enough to keep me busy along with the usual cooking.}
While I am extremely grateful for my mixer and electric oven, I feel inspired by what I have seen today as far as letting go of the “fluff” and “stuff” that takes my time to care for and keep track of. Less, so often, truly is more!
As you inventory your home and schedule, what things and activities are you identifying as non-essential that might be best discarded so as to free up your time and space?
I hope you’re feeling freer and clearer!
Love,
Jacque
Is that Cove Fort ? If it is I love that place . Also Pipe Springs which I adored visiting .
‘Tis! I love it too! Glad you’re here my friend!
Yes! When we visited there I remember feeling overwhelmed at the thought of baking that much bread every day! It surely makes me take pause at what things fill up my days. Also I was impressed by how even among humble circumstances, they still took pride in making things beautiful and polished.
Ha ha, me too! I think they must have had it down to a science, to say the least. While we were there, I tried to envision that mother in her apron, with such monumental tasks before her, pausing to look at a phone to see what people were posting on Facebook, or checking inconsequential email, then realizing an hour had passed by and the work was waiting… Interesting to consider. She had to have a plan and she had to execute it or she would not have survived. And I’d guess, by the feelings in the history of that family, that she took joy in teaching her children and living her life. So much food for thought when we look back isn’t there?