Spring Cleaning Drudgery? Not this Year! 1926

Drudgery! It is an old-fashioned word that we rarely hear today, but a century ago, it was used a great deal to describe housework in general, and often Spring Cleaning. In 1926, a woman from Iowa wrote, “True, we have vacuums, dust mops, electric washing machines, and washable floor coverings…but there always will remain, to…

Continue reading

Simple Ways to Live Out-of-doors (1906)

These recommendations for taking advantage of the outdoors were written in 1906, when people still traveled in open horse-drawn carriages, used outhouses, hung laundry outside, and had minimal conveniences. If they needed encouragement to be outside, how much more do we need the outdoors with our self-contained homes and unlimited technology distractions? Live out-of-doors as…

Continue reading

The Victories of the Flowers (1906)

Written by C. S. Harrison in 1906, this short essay shares the power of “the lovely.” “How precious are thy thoughts to me, Oh God.” The unfolding of the blossom is a revelation of the precious thoughts of God. I am overwhelmed at times with the thought that God has been forgotten in our homes…

Continue reading