I've enjoyed reading these posts. A.J.s, maybe I identify with you a little. My parents were older when I was born, 42 and 59. I was born in 1970, but in some ways we lived like it was 50 years earlier. We had no running water, no electricity. We used the bathroom in the woods; we didn't even have the luxury of an outhouse. (I think my Mom burned the one we had down. That's the story. ha) Our family of 4 lived in a 1 bedroom trailer. I can remember sleeping in a tent outside one summer. I can't say we didn't know we were poor, like those from the depression, because no one I knew lived like we did. How could I bring friends home to my house and tell them, "You have to go out to the woods to pee." I was so backward and shy at school I just kept my mouth shut all the time. But, it wasn't all bad. I loved living in the woods and I spent my time drawing and writing and taking care of the chickens instead of watching TV. I don't think I would change the way I grew up. It did help me appreciate the things I have now.
I only wish I had been able to change my Mom's situation sooner. We got her electricity after I married, but we didn't have enough money to help her move or get a new place to live. She died while we were still struggling to get established. Daddy was in the nursing home.
I only wish I had been able to change my Mom's situation sooner. We got her electricity after I married, but we didn't have enough money to help her move or get a new place to live. She died while we were still struggling to get established. Daddy was in the nursing home.