So things have changed for homemakers in the 21st century.
Women rarely do many of the chores and tasks of yore.
The home economics classes of the past promoted some great ideas for those who wanted to live a classy life, but many of those ideas have disappeared from our consciousness.
I watched this hilarious YouTube about some modern-day women who took a 1954 home economics test.
Whatever happened to honor and respect?
Some people don’t care what they say, what they look like, or even live like, much less do they care if it offends you!
You may call it freedom, but it comes with a high price.
I understand some people have real mental issues. There are people who have real problems dealing with their issues, and would like to let everybody know it.
On a different note, many have been enticed into believing the world owes them a living, and they whine to everybody who will listen to garner pity for their feelings, or else make major excuses to justify themselves.
No matter how you slice it, most people have lost touch with two basic human values, honor and respect.
It is evident everywhere you look.
So what’s to be done about it?
The underlying principle is always the same. It boils down to personal responsibility.
And the question to ask is always the same.
Who or what do you want to be?
You decide to be the person who shows honor and respect because your attitude affects everybody in one way or another, including you.
It’s time for an honor and respect wake-up call.
Start with yourself and you are guaranteed you will make your life easier, better and more valuable.
If you show honor and respect for yourself in everything you do and say, others will respond in a very good way.
Don’t tear yourself down, and don’t beat yourself up. Be the change you want to see in the world.
After that, show respect and honor to your family. Show respect and honor with people at work and at play.
I don’t wish to lecture anyone, but I believe the lack of honor and respect is at the core of society’s problems.
Things won’t get better until a sacred sense of honor and respect pervades all the spaces in our minds, hearts and homes.
You may love to shop. You may feel good after you buy an item or two that you love! Just like a drug or a drink, there is a high after you buy.
Especially if you live in the Western world, you can’t escape fashion. It’s everywhere!
You look good, you feel good, right?
The words fast fashion have a negative connotation. It means you consume cheap trendy goods to dispose of them quickly because they don’t last.
Why waste your money?
You may buy a top for $3 made in India or Vietnam or any other place, but the lack of durability and value is the basis of fast fashion. The low-cost is really a high price when you consider the lack of biodegradability of the fabric.
What was the provenance of the top you bought?
The origin of your new top may belie a horrible history in it’s creation, especially if it’s made by underpaid, uninsured workers.
Once you’ve used your purchase to your delight and have consumed it’s considered worth, what will happen to your used-up cast-off?
The top may perhaps be made of a fabric that lacks the ability to disintegrate into the earth, and will only wind up burned or buried under the ground. Fast fashion pollutes.
It’s excellent to look good. It’s excellent to shop thrift stores as well. It’s best if you look for good quality first, low price second.
Recycle your clothes, instead of throwing them into the landfill. Donate them to others. Let them be recycled or upcycled!
When you buy, consider avoiding acrylic and highly-flammable petrochemical-based fabrics, such as 100% polyester and go for biodegradable textiles such as wool, silk and cotton.
However, don’t always consider cotton to be the best, if it pollutes and drains earth’s natural resources, in order to ensure production.
Just like you find out where your food comes from, find out where your garb comes from.
Make sure that it’s not being made by exploited workers paid slave wages.
In order to keep everyone up to standard there has to be more transparency in the fashion industry.
If your favorite brand won’t tell you where your clothes originate from or what is in them, skip the brand and shop local.
There are companies in the world that will tell you where they harvest their textiles and how they make their products.
Find out how earth-friendly they are, and not only will you be better off, the whole world will benefit now and in the future.
Plus, you’ll be able to wear your fashion with confidence. Then like a good citizen of this planet you will really be in fashion!
Today I attended the Farm-city Hub Club Ag Day Parade. I was very disappointed it was not on a Saturday when more people could come and see and cheer on our farmers who feed the world.
Fewer farmers feed more people now than ever before. The American Farmer is a staple to everybody who eats. But the fuel they provide in the form of food not only feeds humans, but animals, and provides energy sources for fuel, such as ethanol.
Perhaps next year they may put it on a Saturday, and then more of the world can show up and cheer on our American farmers!
Indeed, farmers have incredible equipment to work with, and high-tech software, and more pressure than ever to perform; they have to deal with the ups and downs of the markets,
not to mention the variability of the weather.
They do deserve our praise, and we do owe them a lot. Today we celebrate the farmers.
Who doesn’t enjoy fresh corn on the cob with hot melted butter, or a delicious apple or wonderful mashed potatoes?
For all you love: from cheese to milk, from sweet fruits to savory herbs, to crunchy, healthy vegetables and beyond. Let’s think on it, and thank all the family farmers!
Musically yours, Amy Zents
Zents Music Studio 