Living on the Farm - 1920s, 1930s
Those were the times when families were poor with the Depression. Everyone was poor, and a lot of families lost their farms.
Losing a farm was a traumatic experience, it leaves its mark on the family. The loss of a farm means not only the business and a lifetime saving, but also the home itself.
The women of the houshold would never buy a thing they could bake, make, sew or raise. The men would rebuild the barn using bent nails they had saved. A calf would bring $50 for a 4-H project.
Hired men would hand-pick corn for five cents a bushel, and a good man could make $4 to $5 a day. Firewood was sawed by hand. If there was more than a family could use, it would be taken to town by a team and wagon and maybe get $2 to $3 for the load. Going to Sunday School at Christmas time, the children received an orange, nuts and hard candy.
A laugh is just like music,
It lingers in the heart,
And where its melody is heard,
The ills of life depart,
And happy thoughts come crowding,
Its joyful notes to greet,
A laugh is just like music,
For making living sweet.
Put yesterday behind you,
It's gone and won't come back.
And we cannot see ahead,
Far down tomorrow's track.
Enjoy the fleeting moments,
That come just for today.
The sweet song of a bluebird,
The morning sun's first ray.
A warm and loving hand clasp,
Welcome letters in the mail,
A bunch of fragrant violets,
Rain splashing in a pail.
It might be gone tomorrow,
So enjoy it while it's here.
This is the story of four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Somebody did it; but Nobody asked Anybody.
It ended up that the job wasn't done and Everybody blamed Everybody, when actually Nobody asked Anybody!
Come Dream With Me
Come sit beside my fireside, friend, the lights are glowing there
And there's a log that's burning bright, to warm the winter air.
A heart that's kind and helpful, too, So sure to understand.
And always, in the evening cool, a warm and friendly hand,
Come sit with me and dream, my dear, while twilght fades away.
We've memories we two can share, this happy time of day.
We'll watch the shadows of the night, upon the ceiling dim,
And find a smile in tender thoughts, that we can live again.
— Garnett Ann Schultz
Take time to work, it is the price of success,
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret to perpetual youth.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream, it is expanding your horizons.
Take time to love and be loved, it is a blessing from God.
Take time to look around, the day is too short to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
The dishes are all piled high in the sink,
The garbage pail's filled to o'er flowing,
The hamper is stuffed right up to the brink.
And the carpets all seem to need mowing.
The dust is as high as a chipmunk's chin,
The dens a diaster zone.
The upstairs smells like a hive of sin,
Who dropped the ear de cologne?
The breadbox is empty, the ashtrays are full,
There's a gift from the cat in the hall.
The bathtub's a swamp, the kids all missed school,
And dinner's a hard frozen ball.
Yesterday's papers all over the house,
The dog decided to chew it.
What does a housewife do all day long?
Today I didn't do it!
— Ruth Echeles