August 18, 2016

Greetings My Friend, When I was learning how to do accounting I learned how to do it with a computer. What my class did was teach me the concept of doing accounting manually and the way that the computer sorted out the various functions for me. I was glad to have the overview into the whole process. The computer has been great for reducing a lot of repetitive things. Lately I have enjoyed learning how to do things manually again like making bread, jam and applesauce. I have picked up sewing again after a long break and I love it the videos and internet help me with these endeavors. My Aunt Pat taught me years ago when she retired the joy of slowing down and doing things manually. At the time I was not so sure but today her ways seem spot on. I love my smartphone especially when we travel because I entertain myself more and talk less which gives Junior a break. I reach out on the internet to others as well so the computer is a very handy tool. I can see how the younger generation can enjoy the internet at their fingertips, the ability to call, take pictures or to text anyone at anytime. The more I watch life unfold I also think that the available connections to the world all at your fingertips is a time hog as well. We have to know right now about everything and then trying to organize your life becomes more of a burden. Letting go of instant gratitification is hard. While cruising through Pinterest today I found myself concentrating on homesteading articles, how to do things manually again. I found how to make vinegar out of apple scraps or even other fruit scraps. I was looking at ways to make a healthy breakfst on the go such as oatmeal in a jar. Recently I have taken up sewing again and started making simple quilts which I am enjoying. Remembering my mother in law Irene canning comes to mind often. Irene and Chuck came over to my house many times to make and can applesauce and she made the best spiced beets to can. The 2 of them loved working in the kitchen together putting up food for their family to enjoy. Sometimes Irene sent food home to her grown children to enjoy and I long to do this myself. I have decided to dehydrate food to put up for winter instead. To me it makes more sense to use what I need as I go through the winter months of the food I have put up. Instead of canning jam for the winter I dried blueberries and then froze them because it takes a long time to dry. Now when I make jam I pull out the amount I want and I make it as I go. By doing this Junior and I are not relying on processed food which we all know is filled with too much salt, chemicals and such. My thoughts today is whether this generation can manage without the computer, processed food and instant answers. I question why Home EC and Shop are not a part of their education anymore. These skills taught young people how to take care of their lives and ways to provide for themselves. Not everyone is college material so learning basic skills are helpful too. Sometimes it is wise to learn to live within your means and it would be helpful for people in general to know how to do these things. Instead I see our society becoming more dependent on the government for all their needs. That is scary to me. If we take God at His Word we should not need to depend on government to provide but for God. Learning that God provides also means He has given us an abundance of knowldge to harvest food for our use, animals to provide meat and it is up to us to go get these things. The more I have gone back to the simple life the more I find Gods ways make sense. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet