"If only I had some grease I could fix some kind of a light," Ma considered. "We didn't lack for light when I was a girl, before this newfangled kerosene was ever heard of."
"That's so," said Pa. "These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves -- they're good things to have but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em."
Laura Ingalls, The Long Winter
I laughed to myself as I read this to the kids at lunch today. And just a couple weeks ago I was getting nervous because our electricity had been off for a few hours! I like to imagine life like this, it is such a mystery to me. I can't imagine some all the things Caroline Ingalls had to do, and in a way I envy her. I have come home so many times from Walmart claiming, "That's it! I want to live off grid." My very sweet and might I add very level headed husband just laughs at me because he knows I wouldn't last a few days let a lone a few hours. For example, Clay asked me once if I wanted to try a camping trip with the kids, I asked, "how much is it to rent a motor home?"
I can understand why some people want to go off grid. But for now maybe I will start using my cloths line and wearing an apron while I work. I am thankful for these sweet stories and the thanksgiving we learn from their perseverance.
That's a great quote, and good thoughts! I feel the same way :) Being off the grid and self-sustaining holds such an appeal for me, but then reality hits and I realize how much I love modern conveniences... So for now it's little baby steps towards a "simpler" life and thanksgiving for all that we have.
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