The Golden Days of Long Gone By

His life was deeply rooted in his family, animals, and land.

His workday began at dawn with the rising sun and ended when the sun dipped below the horizon. Sundays and holidays were days when he worked fewer hours so he could attend his local church and enjoy a round of cards at the bar, exchanging updates and news. He never felt the need for periodic breaks to unwind or recharge. Even though his work was physically demanding, and livestock alignments and harvest mishaps caused mental concern, he never took sick days. His honest earnings, while meagre, provided a comfortable lifestyle, allowing him to educate his children and care for his family.

Daily Sustenance and Simple Pleasures

His lunch breaks were a treat, thanks to the simplicity and genuineness of the ingredients. The delicious homemade pies and hearty sandwiches, wrapped in cloth, were satisfying and made with unaltered ingredients. In winter, his thermos kept coffee warm, while in summer, it held a cool orange drink to quench his thirst. He didn’t throw away containers and wrappers but brought them home to be washed and reused.

Produce was local, ripe, and flavourful but not available year-round. The community would take the seasonal abundance and preserve it with sugar, olive oil, and salt for the scarce winter months. Food didn’t come with barcodes or mysterious ingredients and best-before dates were in the mind of the preparer. Expiry dates only occurred on those rare occasions when a jar became contaminated and started to smell funny.

Technology and Sustainability

While nothing was high-tech or fancy, everything was durable and repairable. If something broke, a skilled mechanic with the right service manuals could fix it. If a part was no longer available, it could be machined.

He found joy and solace in the chirping of birds, the buzz of insects, and the presence of creatures that shared his land. When he wasn’t shuffling a deck of cards, his favourite pastime was aiming stones at a makeshift target while silently planning for the next tilling, sowing, or harvest.

Community and Connection

His social life revolved around the local church and the friends he met on Sundays at the bar. His sources of information were the local newspaper, the pulpit, and the town grapevine. His online shopping consisted of picking up the phone to call the local shop to inquire about product availability or delivery times. Same-day delivery would only happen if he went to pick up an item himself; next-day delivery would occur only if it coincided with the delivery man’s weekly route.

Family Life and Entertainment

Dinner was a time for heartfelt conversations with his wife and children about their day. Problems were shared, and achievements were celebrated. The family gathered around their TV, which had a few channels that transmitted for several hours each evening. The broadcasts were local, truthful, and positive, prioritizing community values over audience share.

Community Spirit

The church bells were the community’s alert system that brought out the community in times of happiness or sadness. Whether to celebrate or to grieve, the community came together whenever the situation called for it. They set aside any differences for these occasions and many times, these events provided an opportunity for enemies to bury the hatchet and revive their friendships.

The Changing Times

He and his wife taught their children everything they knew and worked hard to educate them so they would have more options and opportunities. However, the children believed that life beyond the farm was better… They left for factory jobs or desk jobs… And…

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