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Reading Room:  Radical Homemakers Reading Group  |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 12:43:27 PM
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Hi All! Finished Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 (I know what you mean about not being able to put it down), but I'm just getting to comment today. I love the opening quote by Ellen Goodman about how we live today, and the history that tracks how we have moved away from being home-based. I have always loved being home, working around the house and yard and doing "old fashioned" things like sewing, gardening, baking, cooking, reading, etc. I do a lot of community service and used to do many "field trips" with my children when they were younger. Unlike the average American (or even some of my grown children, I'm sorry to say), I do not believe Corporate America has our best interests at heart. This book--and MJF--confirms that! What I found very interesting was the whole "home economics" thing. Now they call it Family and Consumer (there it is again) Science. In fact, our school district eliminated any type of home ec in the high school and now offers a half semester in the middle school. Most kids don't know how to cook, bake, sew, care for children--but they know how to prepare for the SAT!I also loved the section on prepared foods. I grew up in a home in which most food was made from scratch. My sister and I used to love to go to our friend's house after school because both parents worked and she had prepared foods in her freezer! I won't comment yet on Chapter 4. I'll wait until others have read it. Dianne in the Hudson Valley
Sister #749
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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Catherine L
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Cathy
Newton
Texas
USA
408 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 6:49:34 PM
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I teach what used to be called Homemaking,then Home Economics, then Family and Consumer Science and now, in Texas, it has changed to Career and Technology. What a shame; it is all about going to college and getting a career. When I tell people I am a Home Ec. teacher they all think I am an expert in anything pertaining to cooking, sewing or the home. I have always felt ladies who have been doing all the domestic activities for years are the experts. A few years of book learning and a few labs doesn't make an expert. Why would a college graduate be better qualified than someone with years of experience. Our thinking has become so twisted and muttled.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
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Lindsay C
True Blue Farmgirl
117 Posts
Lindsay
Rogersville
AL
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 05:48:02 AM
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I actually never had to take Home Ec in school, and honestly, I was one of those girls raised to think that it wasn't important. But oh how wrong that is! I wish I'd had the opportunity to learn those skills when I was younger instead of having to teach them to myself when I was grown. I wish people would start to realize that there's nothing wrong with knowing how to sew, bake, etc. Those are life skills that everyone should have. Unfortunately, there's a whole generation of people my age who were taught that "education" was much more important than knowing how to manage a home (as if that's not also learning!). I am certainly trying to learn all of these skills myself now, but it would've made a difference to have been taught.
On a different note, I've also got my husband reading this book too. :) I know in some ways it's geared towards women, but I think it really applies to anyone. He's already on board with this lifestyle, and he's a better seamstress (heehee)than I am. But I know he's really gonna enjoy it and I hope it spurs some good conversations around my house too!
Lindsay
Farmgirl Sister #1452 |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2011 : 04:05:54 AM
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Has anyone read Chapter 4 yet? Dianne
Sister #749
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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the butchers wife
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Kelly
Mo
27 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2011 : 09:00:02 AM
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| Ok, I wrote a long post on chapter 3 last night and for some reason it's not here. So, let's see if I can remember. I thought chapter 3 was really interesting because it told the history of the homemaker. The part I found the most interesting was the homemakers role during the American Revolution. When the housewives boycotted all products from the UK to help stimulate their local economy. Sounds familiar doesn't it. The majority of the country is in a panic over the economy right now. Maybe we should take some cues from our foremothers, to help stimulate our economy. Because is there really anything that we need that we can't get locally? Should we as housewives start a silent revolution to help stimulate our economy? I know that I see lots of "buy local" advertising, but I don't think people really comprehend all that it entails, and the impact it can really have on our community. Add "buying locally" to my list of aspirations. |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 2:36:02 PM
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Kelly, You are definitely on the right track. There's a post on the Reading Room Forum about big book stores and the same thing is discussed there. We need to support the small business owner over Corporate America whenever possible. We need to rely on ourselves more. Not everyone is going to grow all their own food, or stitch their own clothing, but other local people do. I see the tides turning (a revolution of sorts) and I am glad to help make it happen. Dianne in the Hudson Valley
Sister #749
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 07:11:13 AM
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I don't yet have the book, but have been wanting it before it was even released. Can't wait to find it secondhand!
Yes, as a child of the late 70s, it was all about going to college (the most expensive ones) and getting a 'good job'. Guess what? I never finished college, and I absolutely LOVE staying home. LOVE IT. I also realize how blessed I am that I do not need an exterior job, so I am not downing those women who do. I have been there...I worked fulltime for several years with my first daughter because we were BROKE.
What we need to rediscover is what needs and wants are and define them. I don't NEED to take my kids to Disney World to be a good parent. I don't NEED to drive a $50,000 car.
It's a crazy world we're in. Homemakers should be cherished and not condemned. I am the CEO of my home.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 05:18:50 AM
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| I was reading this book also and i like Dianne's comments about self sufficiency. It is scary how many people especially young people cannot do anything for themselves, even basic things let alone make soap or sew their own clothes and such. I think it would be a healthier, calmer way of life and probably elimanate a lot of medical problems as well. all these poor little kids rushing around to everything and eating crap with chemicals and they all have asthma, allergies and ADD |
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TeresaJ25
True Blue Farmgirl
975 Posts
Teresa
Medford
NY
USA
975 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2011 : 6:25:58 PM
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I need to read this book.
~Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #1348
*Anyone can criticize and complain and predict doom and gloom.
Be the person who fills the room with sunshine! |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2011 : 03:54:07 AM
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Is anyone still reading? I finished the first half, but I'm waiting for others to read the rest. Greenwoman, are you still with us? Dianne
Sister #749
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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Catherine L
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Cathy
Newton
Texas
USA
408 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2011 : 08:45:50 AM
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I am still here, but have lost track of where we are in the book.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
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blessedhomemaker
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Tina
West Virginia
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2011 : 08:42:36 AM
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I found this page and wondered if any of these links may be helpful to you. My 9yo is a diabetic ,too.So, we know it is expensive.HTH!
http://www.freediabetestestsupplies.com/free-diabetes-test-supplies-assistance/
quote:
Originally posted by Catherine L
I would quit my job right now if it wasn't for health insurance. My husband if diabetic and his supplies are so expensive. He is self-employed so doesn't have insurance through his job. I am going to do some research about the insurance possibilities, because I sure do want to be home taking care of as much as I can. In the mean time I will be doing what I can and sharpening my skills.
In the book some of the people had a very low view of the importance of home and taking care of things there. I think if we look at our society and consider where we have come to, since a large number of women left the home, we would see how our families and children have suffered.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428
~Tina
My food blog~
http://mysimplenorthernkitchen.blogspot.com
Psalm 62:5~ Find rest, O my soul, In God alone; my hope comes from him.
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Catherine L
True Blue Farmgirl
408 Posts
Cathy
Newton
Texas
USA
408 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2011 : 12:49:32 PM
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Thank you, Tina, I will check it out.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
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vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Reading Room: Radical Homemakers Reading Group |
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Radical Homemakers Reading Group
