At dversepoets.com today, it's about what is in our refrigerators.....this I painted some time ago, thinking I could use it someday with a poem....
Red leaf lettuce, a lemon, apple, organic peas
Gone are the essential eggs, skim milk, and condiments
Must haves include peanut butter, veggies, and cottage cheese,
fruits, nuts, and non GMO bread
Preoccupied with news of hurricanes, fires, our pernicious President,
I am struck by how much we take food for granted.
When kneeling is, to my mind, a prayer for change and resilience;
in dire times, it stands for gratitude for volunteers, supplies, water, medicine,
sustenance
Did our grandparents not scrimp and save,
rationing during WWII?
What are our plans for surviving disaster, the psychology of salvaging vs prejudice,
not simply making do?
Oh I am so VERY glad you posted! Yes -- the "greatest generation" (known as those who fought WWII) lived through rationing and grew up with ice boxes rather than refrigerators. My aunt always told the story of being so very excited as a young bride when a new product arrived on the grocery shelves, Jello. She bought one box and rushed home to make it for her new groom, my Uncle Jim. Only to realize it required a refrigerator which they didn't have! :) Makes my ranting about not having a refrigerator for a few weeks seem quite selfish and privileged. There are many in the world who go without.
ReplyDeleteI'm also reminded of a "movement" that was written about some years ago: Simplicity. Sometimes I get in a minimalist mood and wipe my shelves of knick knacks and go back to the basics. All food for thought. LOVE your painting too!
I can't imagine food lasting long without an icebox. Thanks, Lillian.
DeleteSounds like a well stocked fridge. I agree, we may need to be ready against hard times. The world is getting crazier every day
ReplyDeleteBetter than a lot of sugar & carbs, which I don need. Glad you stopped by.
DeleteI love the painting, Kathy, and the list of fridge contents sounds familiar.I agree that we take food for granted and wonder how the young would cope with the hardships our grandparents faced in WW2.
ReplyDeleteThanks..and watching Puert Rico and Glorida & Texas have to deal with lack of food has been eye opening.
DeleteWe do take food for granted. It's not just the refrigerator, but the well-stocked grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteWe are overly fortunate..
DeleteYes, we eat, often without thought. We satisfy our hunger, without thought of those who have less. Life is unfair and confusing. No we would not last long......and what if the trucks stopped coming to our communities to bring the food?
ReplyDeletePeople pull together, but it would be so hard.
DeleteLove that you had that painting waiting... we do take what we eat for granted. Maybe we should try a bit at least to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bjorn. Yes, an earthquake preparedness kit would be good.
DeleteI like how you took this further. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteYour poem reminds me of how my wife grew up in rural Portugal. Her parents owned an ice box, as her entire village did not have electricity--or indoor plumbing!
ReplyDeleteShe must be very appreciative.
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