Comments on my last post prompted me to add more information.
My Dad was somewhat inconsistent and complex. He was generous to a fault. He worked hard and lived frugally when he had to. He enjoyed life although he had very little.
When he bought things on auction sales they were for very little money for several reasons. He usually bought something that was old. He was quite happy to live with second hand items that had long since passed their prime. Since most people didn't have money to buy things the prices on auction sales were low.
So Dad provided for his family by working hard and doing with second hand items.
Mom and Dad were married in Feb. 1938 and the depression was still a big challenge. They came back to the farm in April 1938. They had $60.00. That had to do them until harvest time when they could sell some of their crop. Dad did get some work over the summer. Dad liked chocolate bars and candy. When they went to the village for groceries and mail they bought one chocolate bar and shared it on the way home. I can picture them riding home in their buggy with a shambling old horse pulling them while they enjoyed their chocolate bar. How do I know this? It was recorded in the account book!
The war came and candy and chocolate bars were no longer available. As soon as some candy became available after the war Dad bought it. He brought a bag of marshmallows home to give his little kids a treat. We'd never seen candy and didn't know what it was. We played with the marshmallows and rolled them on the floor. He was disappointed that we didn't eat the marshmallows and spoiled them so he couldn't eat them.
So depression life was a struggle but if you were willing to do with very little you could get by and be quite happy..
I'm not sure marshmallows are something I would have recognized as food, either, Red. That's a really funny story, thinking of how he must have felt when he saw what you were doing with them! :-)
ReplyDeletebut the marshmallows still gave you fun. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a different world back then. I wonder what I'd think if I could see a marshmallow again for the first time. I doubt I'd eat it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very difficult time back then. We take too much for granted now.
ReplyDeleteRed, these are two wonderful posts. It is such a beautiful little look into your Dad's life. We have so much nowadays - we feel 'depressed' when we don't have the best, newest of everything, but possessions do not bring us Joy - they just bring us possessions. Your gift of story-telling is wonderful - thank you. Love the marshmallow comments - yup I guess I might not have eaten them either. But... chocolate, now that I do understand.
ReplyDeleteIt honed that generation into strong citizens. I worry about our fat and complacent generation now.
ReplyDeleteAnother terrific post, Red! I love reading about your "yester-years" and the memories from that account book.
ReplyDeleteVery nice tale Red
ReplyDeleteIts amazing that depression era stuff is so expensive right now too. I love to hear stories from 'the old guy' about the depression. It makes me appreciate all the little things I have.
ReplyDeleteThat account book is way cool!
Re - Oscar the cow. I was just a little off on my percentage, but here ya go! Its on the internet, so it MUST be true! ha ha!
ReplyDeletehttp://news.discovery.com/animals/dairy-cows-with-names-produce-more-milk.htm
Have a good day!
Your family history (account) book is full of gems - wonderful that you are sharing the stories. I agree 100% with Tabor.
ReplyDeleteHorse and buggy days, eh? Well even that brings back very old memories to me. In the wet and flood season, not every year, we had to leave the car on the road - 4 miles from the homestead and use a horse and buggy to get to the road. No vehicle moved in the black mud of Boomi and Moree. They sure were fun days.
The weather has cooled off - down for the rest of this week here in Brisbane to the high 20's (28 - 29 max. Celsius), unfortunately it is only a short respite, but I am enjoying it and then back to Sauna-ville!
Also we are getting rain - urgently needed. The starving livestock are so distressing to see on the properties over the range - the Great Dividing Range.
That accounting book is a real treasure. Wonderful stories!
ReplyDeleteThe less you have the more you appreciate little things.
ReplyDeleteOne probably ate more healthily and was not prone to diabetes and obesity amongst other things. Would I go back to those times? Of course not. Having seen similar times post-war with rationing and not even sweets available very much I think that I learned a lot.
ReplyDelete