Advice

Seeking a Balanced Life- Opposing Perspectives from 1938
Seeking a Balanced Life- Opposing Perspectives from 1938

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…

Grow Old with Grace by Living Gratefully; 1928
Grow Old with Grace by Living Gratefully; 1928

“Growing Old” is not a very welcome subject in America just now. [Or in 2024, for that matter!] Beauty experts and Keep-young-societies are filling the land with Anti-wrinkle Truth, yet the simple fact remains that our yesterdays do not come back. For most people, the advancing years are a blessing for through them we grow away from the follies and…

A 1930s Housewife Simplifies Her Life
A 1930s Housewife Simplifies Her Life

Well, here we go again. The start of a new year. Actually, we’re nearly 6 weeks into it now, but it takes some of us a little longer to process it. I’ve been thinking about this year and what I can change to make it go more smoothly. To say there’s room for improvement is obvious. Of course the best…

Being a Loyal Wife–Observations from the 1930s
Being a Loyal Wife–Observations from the 1930s

Letter 1, 1937– It seems I am never with some of my married friends–girls my own age as well as those of the older generation–but they are complaining about their husbands, or criticizing them, one way or another. Perhaps you would not call that a lack of loyalty, but I feel that it is. I have been with these same…