Could You have Survived 18 Century Life ?

[Nyboy]

Wow Bob would make a great book. I am first to admit, I am spoiled .

 

[so lucky]

@bobm, how old were you when that happened?

 

[catjac1975]

Try having my parents , grandmother and myself escaping the red army, jumping onto a couple horses and fleeing into a forest with nothing but your clothing on your back, no food or water. Then having your horses shot, escaping on foot. Living off the forest for a few years and sleeping behind downed trees covering oneself with branches or grass for heat retention and matress. Being shot at by gunfire, cannon and mortars but escaping with only a few wounds when these weapon fires are comming from two sides. One's thaughts of capture is a cattle car ride to Siberia or the gas chambers as motivation to go on. Then after the war, living off the land in bombed out barns or homes for years. You guys have it easy and still complain of discomfort.

Wow!

 

[bobm]

@bobm, how old were you when that happened?

We migrated to the US when I was 8 1/2 years old in late summer of 1949. While in post war Germany, I would wander all over the countryside and town remnants all by myself looking for anything that was edible as food. Wore any clothing and shoes that we could find or were given. There were no schools available to attend or refugee housing untill less than 8 months before we came here. You know, survival is quite important so one learns fast and then do what it takes.

 

[Smart Red]

My BFFs are from the Czech Republic [then] Czechoslovakia. Their father had orders to accept his commission in the German army when he escaped by making friends with the border guards and getting them to let him ski down one very dangerous, "exciting" part of the mountain. He never stopped at the border -- just kept skiing to the sound of bullets whizzing by. His youngest brother was arrested and shot the next day because of his escape -- his greatest regret.

Wife and their toddlers (twin girls) went "shopping", kept walking, and escaped with nothing more than what they could conceal in a stroller, spending time in refugee camps until they managed to get to England. Since father worked with/for the American army they were allowed into the USA after the war.

Best friends since fourth grade when they arrived at my school, their parents moved out to the country in high school so we seldom got together except at Christmas. Fast forward to when DH and I bought this land and build our house just a mile from their parents. The eldest twin and I both retired from education in 2005 and she returned to purchase her parent's farm. Win-win! Two years ago the younger twin retired so we are back full circle to best friends again. Win-win-win!

 

[so lucky]

@bobm, I bet it is really hard to observe modern America and not say anything. We are a bunch of spoiled whiners.
Do you ever wonder how your life would have been different if you had been born in the US? Possibly you would not have made the successful life you have today.
Our hardships are what make character, not the easy times.
At least we can now better understand where you are coming from when you do your old curmudgeon routine, lol.

 

[Smart Red]

We all are the total of our life experiences. Some complain the A/C went out. Some complain the peppers didn't set fruit this year. Doesn't always mean it's whining. Sometimes it is merely living in the moment. All the bad things, bad memories, bad events get put behind us and we move on.

Perhaps it is just my age that makes it seem younger Americans lack the pride in their heritage -- heck, lack the knowledge of their heritage needed to become good citizens.

 

[Nyboy]

My friend Joanie told me a story how she was on a class trip to Prague when the Germans rolled in. She saw tanks coming down the street and thought it was a parade, started taking photos. A jeep stopped in front of her and this big solider just snatched her camera. LOL

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Wow. Bob. If you want, you may tell us more. I for one, would understand better since I'm a spoiled American.

We used to camp for years in tents, but now at 60, my hips can't take the pad on the ground. We have a 5th wheel now.

I could give up TV and remember not too long ago that the internet was a wonderous new thing. I can make a meal out of anything, over anything. Out house or chamber pot: no prob. I'd have to brush up on poisonous plants, snakes, bugs etc. I have slaughters a chicken at our last place, and since I audited Meat Science/Processing in Grad School, I could try to remember a pig and a lamb. Cow would be too much.

I can grow food. I can wash by hand. I would want deodorant and hair shampoo. I make soap for a hobby/craft shows, so could keep everyone in real soap as long as my lye holds out.

I cannot live without books tho and my Costco reading glasses.

 

[Nyboy]

Wasn't soapwart used for washing before soap became affordable ?