Why in God's name is everyone hoarding basic household goods? This is like the 2017 gas crisis all over again, but it's everyone across the country. I'm holding out hope that a day will come in the near future that people will reach a limiting factor in terms of their ability to "stock up" and I'll be able to buy the basic goods (like flour and sugar) that have legitimately been on my grocery list since this whole ordeal broke out. Excessive buying from consumers is creating horrible supply chain issues that retailers are struggling to keep up with. Stop it! Take only what you need and be mindful of those relying on government subsidies to keep their family fed and nourished! I also hope that the supply hoarding doesn't lead to tons of needless waste in the coming months. If you legitimately have more than you need, please please please share the wealth with a friend, neighbor, or a food bank!
***************
Growing up on a farm has its perks in times like this. Only going shopping for absolute needs once every 1-2 weeks was absolutely normal and expected. We kept a good stock of shelf-stable and frozen goods that sustained us in the event that going to town wasn't an option. It required lots of creativity and planning, but we never went without. We had to be mindful of our resources and try to avoid being wasteful with anything we bought since we didn't know the next time we'd go shopping. We weren't always able to have lots of fresh goods, but we always had a rounded meal. We made sacrifices, like getting creative with freezing things or "repurposing", especially starches. Sandwich bread could serve as a makeshift hamburger bun, tortillas could make makeshift sandwiches. Any sort of pasta was used as needed. Buying in bulk and freezing was a way of life, not only to save money, but to save time. Even if something sounded good, we had to use what we had to make a meal. Takeout or delivery services weren't readily available, either. I'm happy all of these ideals have stuck with me as I moved to Dallas. I'm even happier that Thomas agrees and has embraced them as his own.
***************
Yard work, as it turns out, is a phenomenal stress reliever. I've found that few women in my neck of the woods contribute to yard work or anything outside, for that matter. Most people tend to outsource those tasks to outside companies. I have found that I feel the happiest and most productive when I have outdoor work to do. It reminds me of simpler times back on the farm when I was tasked with completing more complex and strenuous jobs. It also makes me feel accomplished to know that I'm willing to do the work that few women are. I have hope that Katherine will learn to appreciate this as she gets older. I also realized why my dad spent so much time tinkering around in the shed. Oftentimes he had lots of tasks to do to keep the farm afloat and on schedule, but I think it also did him good to combat all the things bouncing around in his mind. Sitting idly doesn't come natural to me, just ask Thomas. I always have to have a project to devote my excess energy to or else I'll feel like the world is ending!
When I was younger, my dad and I often butted heads. I always assumed that we were just too different in terms of personality and that's why it was tough to work alongside him. As I grow older, I realize it's just the opposite. When I am completing any sort of manual labor, I find myself defaulting to the things Dad did. The Bernard Hladik method of work mostly consisted of working efficiently and quickly to accomplish the task at hand. Minimal breaks were allowed, and only for the restroom or sips of water from a big jug. He would work until he was done with something, that way he could fully revel and sit in the accomplishment of being done and not having much more to hang over your head. Or he wouldn't want to have to get re-situated with supplies on another day. When tackling projects with Thomas, this becomes obvious to me. His family was more strategic in taking breaks, so to me it seems like we're wasting time. He thinks I'm a madwoman, I'm sure!
This manifested itself when we decided to randomly redo our backyard this weekend. The project entailed digging up a section of standard-sized bricks and some 12x12 concrete blocks, all to be replaced with grass plugs. In a surprising turn of events, I did all the brick/block removal, and Thomas did all the grass planting. It worked pretty well, all things considered. I think Thomas was mildly shocked by how quickly I hefted all of the heavy stones into stacks strategically placed across the yard. It was no more challenging than single-handedly bucketing up a pickup bed full of cattle feed or helping build fences. I genuinely hope I can raise Katherine (and any future children of ours) to be the kind of girl who won't shy away from the honest work and satisfaction of manual labor. I know my father-in-law is always astounded and impressed by my willingness to tackle these sorts of jobs. I'll spare you my spiel on how there's no such thing as "men's work" and "women's work", but only work to be done by everyone who is able-bodied enough to do it.
***************
Going for walks is also good at relieving stress. Movement = medicine for most of the issues that plague my anxious mind. Having a great playlist seems to help, too. Old school R&B has been my preference as of late. Lots of great artistry as well as emotion went into those timeless classics.
***************
I hope you're staying well, wherever you are right now. I'm now in week 2 of an unknown amount of time of online schooling my students. So far so good, but we also have only being completing a basic project. Teaching new material will come next Monday. I'm extending lots of grace to my students and allowing them to "feel all the emotions" as so many people have aptly put it. I teach almost exclusively seniors who are mourning the loss of so many things they've looked forward to for their whole lives. So far graduation is still scheduled, but I sit in fear of what may have to happen. I've also been doing what I can to advocate for them and their desires while being mindful of what's necessary right now. Being a young teacher is helpful in terms of having empathy for my students. After all, it wasn't that long ago when I was in their shoes. The challenging thing, I've found, is adequately communicating all of their needs/feelings to the much older powers that be without sounding like a whiny millennial, as I'm sure those people often see me. Gen Z gets a bad rep so often, but people overlook all the good they're trying to accomplish. They have grown up in a world so decidedly marked with constant upheaval and unrest. I firmly believe they will work to make the world a kinder, gentler, more equitable place to live. We have to have hope in the youth or else they won't want to rise up and take the place of so many who've come before them. I'm glad I held out and kept teaching thus far. I wouldn't trade my students for anything! I'm even more glad that I found a school that aligns so well with my teaching philosophy. That truly makes the difference. Though it comes with its own set of problems, I wouldn't trade them for anything.
No comments:
Post a Comment