I found out that trying to do too much without planning how best to accomplish it was like borrowing from a loan shark–it meant physical bankruptcy sooner or later. Nature may honor an overdraft for a time, but she extorts pay in the shape of wrecked health, discomfort to the family, and doctors’ bills. -Iowa Farm Woman, 1915 Does anyone…

The following letters appeared in The Farmer’s Wife magazine and illustrate the age-long struggle women face in achieving a balanced life. (“Social media” in 1938–in this case, magazines–moved much more slowly. It took 4 months to see the response to the initial letter to the editor!) Although I cannot say that I completely agree with either woman, I do lean…

These letters describe how two young women in 1925 (100 years ago!) decided to spend their money, in both cases, $1. (For reference, $1 in 1925 is equivalent to over $18 in 2025.)  A Gift for Another Mother I am going to tell you about a dollar I spent. It is very seldom I go to the city to trade,…

from 1896– A day in which no breathing-space has been found is a wicked day. Not only is it our duty to the bodies which God has given to care properly for them, but it is, moreover, a positive duty to our fellow-man.  from 1879– People do not know how to divide between the needful and the needless; they forget…