Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures
I have spent an unforeseen week home this week with a pesky seasonal illness. Thankfully, these days, nothing serious, and I was fortunate to be seen by my Doctor promptly. It is unprecedented for me to "stay home sick", in that, with perhaps the exception of raging tonsilitis as a child, even if I am away from work or school, I still ALWAYS manage a short excursion for a walk or fresh air or similar daily. This week has knocked me, yet provided me the circumstances which I have allowed myself to rest completely- mostly being incapable of much exertion, and just be home. I'm not much for TV, so I have gently pottered, enjoyed having the time to write some more, and read several books!
Two of the novels I have read recently, paired with a brand new book on living a frugal but still luxurious life, have contained such strong themes and messages from a similar post war era, that it is hard not to allow ones mind to wander and imagine how much simpler life may have been.
Please don't misinterpret me here- In many, many ways, the distance we have covered, the progress we have made and the advancements in technology and medicine are mind-blowing and extraordinarily valuable to our modern lives. I would not rush to have to tend to my laundry by hand as my grandmothers did, or to be expected not to work after marriage, or to associate with classes of other people not of my own social standing, or, to potentially die from the flu I've struggled with this week. No no no. BUT;
There is much comfort to be had and, in my opinion, much worth and value to be found in everyday rituals, standards, expectations, to an extent - conformity, and an accepted and well-trodden routine.
One thing I have enbibed in more than usual this week as I have had the time to do so is partaking in tea throughout the day. Pots and pots of it! In these stories and indeed as we know historically- for the British, Tea solved most problems- or at the very least, started the solution process!
Tea was taken to quench, revive, restore, comfort, celebrate, for births, deaths, breaking the ice, to show fortitude, sympathy, on a hot day or to warm a wintry one, because it was 2pm... or anytime of day really up until evening when perhaps some would take a herbal infusion or similar.
There weren't other drinks readily available, and one didn't snack. A substantial afternoon tea may have been enjoyed, but other than that it was 3 modest meals a day- across all classes except maybe the very very impoverished.
Post war, many items were unavailable, unobtainable or unthinkably expensive. Dripping may have been used on bread as opposed to butter- waste was frowned upon, so the added nourishment and (What we'd now would probably call collogen enriched - or rich beneficial nutrients left from the cooking of beef or pork.) vitamins and animal fats were used in their entirety.
Meals were seasonal, often vegetables were home grown, and the leftovers from joint of meet cooked on Sunday after church would be transformed into several other dishes throughout the week.
One description in the novel was hotel guests taking broth on the terrace before luncheon- bone broth has made a justified re appearance in recent years and this inspired me -while feeling under the weather- to make a big pot of chicken soup today. So as I type, it's gently simmering away on the stove in my trusty cast iron Dutch oven, permeating the house with its comforting aroma. Other than the sprinkle of chili flakes and a dash of paprika and turmeric- now we are wiser to the benefits of these spices, its simply some diced carrots and onion and an odd potato along with the chicken frame and the meat left on it, they are humble ingredients indeed. I will finish it off later with some watercress given to me this week and enjoy it as a nourishing, healing supper alongside a crusty roll and butter later this evening.
There is much comfort to be taken from pairing back and living simply- even just periodically or momentarily. During a power cut - candles, book, a roaring fire in the grate and water boiled on the gas stove for - yes- tea, then snuggling up in bed listening to the wind- at a decent time as we are not caught up or sucked into a gripping show on TV or such.
Preparing a simple tart with homemade pastry and fruits form the garden- the joy and satisfaction - and PRIDE- that is felt with such simplicity.
A posy of flowers from the garden- nasturtiums or blousy roses, lavender or flamboyant peonies. The pleasure derived from the picking, the arranging and then enjoying them and their delicate Frangrance in the Centre of your dining table or a bud vase on your nightstand to start and end your days.
Sitting in a peaceful spot at home and reading the Newpaper.
Children playing together in the neighborhood- outside, building dens, climbing trees, dressing dolls. And sweets or lollies were a HUGE treat. Perhaps a Weekly excursion to the shop with pocket money or a sugar mouse at Christmas. Our idea of a treat is a daily occurrence in these modern times. we feel hard done by without!
Heavens- even giving a new life to an item of clothing by repairing it yourself .
Cold cream as a full beauty routine, pressed powder and rouge or lipstick as the only cosmetics. When I think of the lotions and potions stashed in drawers and vanity's between my two daughters and I.....
Many of these activities and rituals can be recreated today, or we can consciously be grateful for the conveniences we are used to in the western, or 1st world- flushing toilets, hot water from a tap, most households own a car, modern medicine, telephones (or not), a washing machine, a dishwasher, and oven which doesn't require coals!
We live lives of abundance, modern abundance- so many of us have more than we could every really use or want. We don't wait for things to run out or break, to fix or replenish is overlooked. We have come to expect things instantly- emails not postal service, online shopping- gosh when I first moved here Sunday trading was newly introduced and many shops and business closed on Mondays. Nothing would have been "late night" and the pharmacy was the local one, where they knew your name- not a place the size of a warehouse.
Sunday best outfits and one pair of shoes. Even my mother and mother in law grew up placing cardboard in the soles of their shoes to eek them out until it was budgeted for a new pair before a new school year.
So while I'm not suggesting we go backwards- I'm suggesting we pause, and just take a moment to think what life may have been like- think back to your ancestors, or more recent past generations- and either develop a new appreciation for something you do or use daily with ease and little effort, or consider how to revive or reinstate an old tradition, ritual or simpler routine into your modern day life.
Many things have faded out I wish were still around- common courtesy's extended- holding open a door, greeting people properly, standing when someone enters a room, respect for your elders, no swearing, news reporters with good diction, table manners. I'm not viewing these olden day times though rose tinted spectacles necessarily- times were tough, brutal for many, post war left millions grieving or injured, food scarcities, all of those harrowing scars. But there were simple, cherished elements we can enjoy and perhaps incorporate today.
At the very least immerse yourself in a book set in those times or other historical fiction- an old copy of Good Housekeeping, or Mrs. Beatons household management, and appreciate the struggle, elbow grease and equally the simplicity of how life was, and what qualities would enrich your life today if you were to introduce one or two..........
Now, I'm off to check my chicken broth, and make another pot of tea. (To wash down my 2024 medically advanced antibiotic!)
