– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young – - Make do or do without
By Ginna Young
The other day, during a lull at a resource fair, I got to talking with another vendor, about things we used to have and love, such as the Lisa Frank line. That included stickers, folders and stationery, in bright, fun shapes and colors, with adorable animals like horses and dolphins, my two favorite creatures.
I loved Lisa Frank – still do – but had never had anything from that collection, until a distant, but very sweet relative sent me a whole stationary set. Man, I used that until it was all gone and begged Mom to buy more, but we didn’t have the money for that, even though we were better off than a lot of people.
When I was real little, money was very tight and talking about it the other night, I was reminded of that and how different it was then, than it is now. For example, we always bought the cheapest brands of things, which we called generic, and came in black and white packaging. They may not have been the best tasting stuff, but really didn’t kill us...although, flour from the one store came with weevils in it and had to be sifted out before we used it.
I know, it creeped and grossed us out, too, to have to eat that, but like I said, we didn’t have the money to go buy new flour. We didn’t get them very often, because they were a luxury, but we also got potato chips in the “generic” brand; worse things ever! And no dip, only rich people could afford that.
Buns, of course, were out. Our hot dog and hamburger buns were bread, folded over or two slices together. Again, only rich people had real buns. Most of the rest of our food came from raising our own meat animals and hunting, fresh eggs, garden produce and gathering berries, as well as trading produce for things with friends. We had the best blackberries ever when we lived in Mellen; they were bigger than a man’s thumb and so juicy!
We didn’t go out to eat, maybe to McDonald’s a few times a year, splitting our food and fountain drinks. Until I was in my early 20’s, I still ordered a happy meal, because it was cheaper than the adult food. I remember when our finances had improved, that Mom said, “You know, you can order whatever you want.”
Those 20-piece chicken nuggets (with sweet and sour sauce) and large fries, were the best thing ever!
I don’t want it to sound like we never had any treats, because we did get ice cream now and then, but chocolate syrup was too high-priced, so we made our own. We either poured it liberally over the scoops of ice cream, or added it with the ice cream and milk to the blender. Still the best milk shakes I’ve ever tasted...thick, rich, chocolaty...is it hot in here or is it just me?
Although we bought the cheapest brands we could and trust me, we sometimes had a fight on our hands, with Dad, who had a “rich man’s tastes on a poor man’s salary” (I’m looking at you, Gustafson’s ice cream and Del Monte peaches), we strictly kept to that policy, unless Mom had a really good coupon. Really, the only exceptions, were Jif peanut butter, of which we ate a lot and could be why I despise it now, and Crisco shortening.
Some things, Mom said, you just can’t go generic with.
One of the things, as far as I’m concerned, is Heinz ketchup, the only brand I will (now) eat. Growing up, the only time I had Heinz, was with the very infrequent diner meals we had and I was head over heels for it. Mom said you couldn’t taste the difference and refused to buy it, because it was so much more expensive than off-brand ketchup or “catsup,” as she called it. (She’s from Illinois, give her a break.)
That was, until a few years ago, when we ran out of her brand and she had to use some of my Heinz, much to her chagrin. As soon as she possibly could, she bought her brand and guess what? Yuck, this stuff sucks! Yep, she got spoiled by the Heinz and we bought that ever since, for both of us to use.
Well, anyway, we never used to throw anything out. If it was a little burnt, so be it. Stale? Too bad, eat it anyway. Didn’t like it? Tough cookies.
As we got a little more money over time, we grew lax about not wasting stuff and about buying brand name, if we liked it. It really shows how far we’ve come, but I know many still struggle to put food on the table and wonder how they’re going to pay the bills.
I’ve been there, sometimes, I’m still there, when unexpected expenses arise, although I’m blessed to have a very nice car (only 30-some payments to go), a house that is paid for (thanks, Mom and Dad), clothes on my back, food on my table and tiaras to get me through my sad times.
If anyone has ever felt like that, I ask you, if God has smiled on you financially, to consider donating money to your local food pantry. They can get discounts to purchase staples that families and elders need to survive, or supplement their grocery bill.
Some churches also hand out food and many school districts send backpacks of food home with kids over the weekend, so they have something to eat. It’s heartbreaking, but there are a lot of homeless kids in the school system, even right in our area, and some elderly struggle, as well.
There are also other avenues to donate nonperishable items, like the two community boxes in Cornell. One is at the city park on Main Street and the other is by The Main Scoop. People can take what they need or leave some in the unlocked boxes, and it’s hard to keep them full, with kind-hearted private citizens buying groceries to leave in there.
Maybe your town has something similar, but if not, maybe you could be the catalyst to get some installed. I feared vandalism when we first set them out, but they remain unscathed and I think that shows the great need out there, that even ornery, bored kids won’t wreck the tempting white, glass-fronted cases, on a pole, no less!
One day, I pray everyone will have enough food to eat, and while it didn’t kill my family to make do or do without, until that great day comes, it’s not fun worrying about being hungry. If we can do anything to solve that, I think it’s our duty to try. I hope you agree.
