Saturday, June 29, 2013

Rural Homemaking

Claussen Inn Rocking Chair

Yesterday, I tried to go out on an errand. I had my grandbaby with me.  We were to do the grocery shopping for the Estate. We drove down the long driveway, then two houses down before the car died.  I pulled into the neighbor's driveway, took baby out of the car, and walked home.

I am home-bound in a rural area.  I no longer have a running vehicle for my own personal use.   Yet, I am okay and at peace with my circumstances. 

I will bake and cook more. . . I will clean more. . . I will sew and knit and read. . .  I will decorate and rearrange rooms to make them more pleasant.  This large old house can always use some extra attention.  I will make the downstairs rooms more guest-ready.   I will spend more time enjoying the grounds, and my humble gardens. 

Rural Homemaking is nothing new.    Cars were not even commonly used until the early 1900's.  People stayed home more, and used horses to get around.   I remember reading this book by a "Yankee" Vermonter about his growing up years.  There was so much common sense wisdom in his experiences.  Adults would scold people who wanted to go out all the time, by saying things like "better off staying t' home where [you] b'longed, and shouldn't ought to go gallivanting all over Creation."   He also described how his Mother (and most other women of the time) did not feel comfortable leaving home in a car.  She wouldn't even go for a drive until she was sure her house was clean from top to bottom just in case she got killed.  She would say, "I don't want someone else to have to clean up the place for a funeral."     His Mother made sure all the children were freshly washed and wearing clean clothes if they even went to the store.  It was an ordeal, which tells us that going out was not a common, daily event.

My mother-in-law spent most of her time at home.  She had visitors, mostly her grown children and grandchildren.  She was a loving hostess, and life-long homemaker.  She had little flower gardens, and enjoyed doing projects like painting an old chair.   Pretty birds frequented her Massachusetts yard.   She did all her laundry in the walk-out basement, and hung the clothes on rows of clothesline that Papa set up for her near the washer.   She loved home, and we always knew where to find her.

In rural areas, without public transportation, or the ability to walk to necessary stores, it is a little more difficult to go without a vehicle.   But we will get by.  We will make do.  It will be my latest challenge, my latest adventure.

Somehow, the needed shopping and errands will be accomplished even if I am completely ensconced at our lovely old home. 

Blessings
Mrs. White





For Home-keeping Inspiration, order my book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking



13 comments:

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Oh Mrs. White,

My condolences. I have felt this week as though I were having a Job week. I am choosing to trust God and pray. I'm trying to be positive and thankful.

I always appreciate your good attitude about hardships.

May God provide everything you and your family need, I ask it in Jesus' Name.

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,

Laura Lane
Carthage, Missouri

Cathy said...

She loved home, and we always knew where to find her. I really like that.

Elle said...

None of your kids or neighbors are mechanically inclined? My cousins were always messing with cars and other motors when I was growing up. Most of the older cars were not that difficult to fix apparently...these with the computerized parts on the newer ones it can be harder and lots more expensive.

I hope you are not homebound too long...even if it isn't a huge trial to you.

I love your attitude regarding hardships. Someday maybe I'll be able to face them that well.

Linda said...

Mrs. White,
I am sorry to hear of your transportation problems. I have that same problem often, as my car is fourteen years old and I live ten miles from town.

I always feel that I must have all my daily jobs done before I go out.
My husband doesn't understand why I must have the house cleaned, laundry and dishes done before we leave on a trip. I tell him if something were to happen while we were gone and someone had to come in our home, I don't want anyone to think I didn't take care of my home.

Hope you get your car fixed soon.
Linda

Jessica Dimas said...

I'm at home without a car as well, so I can relate to my fore-mothers! My great-grandmother was always home my entire life. She rarely left except to be picked up and driven to the vet for her dog. She never drove her whole life. My mother-in-law is foreign and she is similar to Americans a few generations back; she doesn't drive either and is home all the time. Loves to be at home cooking, cleaning, being with her family, etc.

I loved reading about how people used to clean their house from top to bottom before leaving in case they died! Really shows what a big deal it was to leave home.

Tracey said...

It is good to stay home. Sometimes I think I spend too much time in my car and don't get done enough around my home. Your peace brings comfort.

Anonymous said...

My household is a one car family. Husband working, me, housewife at home. My daughter also married with children has a one car household, hubby as bread winner. This set up is less costly, less complicated and make a housewife prepare a fully pantry so that it is not necessary to go out often. I raise alot of our own food and buy in bulk. I like being at home, it is the most fun, comfortable place to be.

Nell said...

I live in town and am blessed to own a car but this morning I hopped in it and the battery was dead. So I sympathize with you. It is good to stay at home. I have often thought it would be good to only have a one car family.. we did it with no car for a long time when our children were little and we were trying to save up for a deposit on a house. It made life tough but we do what we need to at times.
The plans for your house sound lovely.
Thank you for sharing
blessings NEll

Julie Sunne said...

I can relate. I love to be stranded at home! Enjoy your ensconced days. Blessings.

jviola79 said...

Having lived in a more urban setting all my life, I cannot even imagine. And so, I prayed that God would bring someone to repair your car. I was your neighbor at Titus 2sdays this morning.
Blessings,
Joanne

Mrs. B, a very peculiar person said...

For many years we were a one car family. I never minded being at home all the time. Although we now have 2 cars, I still try to stay home as much as possible. Most folks find it strange that I can stay at home for weeks on end and be perfectly content. I like being home so much that sometimes it is a "chore" to go to church - If Mr.B were in agreement, even home church would be find by me.
Blessings,
Mrs.B

busymomof10 said...

I love your attitude Mrs. White! Thanks for the encouragement! :) so many things we think we NEED are luxuries after all. That is why the Bible says that godliness with contentment is great gain!

Jeanna said...

I was rereading this post because I too am without a car as of late. I do live in town but suffer from some medical conditions that make walking very far not within reach. I have been learning how to be content at home, as always before I used the car to escape if I became bored or lonely. But guess what? I have found more to do, have not been lonely or bored since I came to except staying at home.
Thanks for such a great article.

Jeanna M
NC