Homelife as a Means to Save the World
Last night we had the second half of my two part canning basics class, and as with last week it was a blast. A great group of students, in that they asked great questions and had no real fears of just jumping in and getting stuff canned. The usual fears were present, of course, but I could tell they truly wanted to can and just needed someone to show them the ropes to get over their hesitations. I’m honored to have been that person to help them along the canning path. Beyond great students, they were great people. Peopel I’d love to have a few beers with and just chat. Honestly, every canning class has been that way, each group is very different from the others, but no less wonderful people. People with so many common interests, people that dare I say could make a great community. The folks in this most recent class were so incredibly fun, they had great senses of humor, were light-hearted, adventurous, and serious about taking care of themselves, their families, and their bodies.
As I was driving home from class, it ocurred to me that canning could save the world. Ok, maybe not but I sure don’t think it would hurt the world if more folks practiced canning. Admittedly, I’m a little biased towards home canning. Canning has the ability to empower folks to take charge of their grocery budgets, their cooking / eating habits, and provide a refuge from the fear in uncertain economic times through some level of self-sufficiency. Obviously all methods of food preservation can do this, whether through canning, dehydrating, and/or fermentation.
Doing it in groups provides a sense of community that we can so easily miss in our busy lives, not to mention makes the work go faster and spreads around the various produce windfalls. At home, I rarely can with anyone besides Jeff, my kitchen isn’t suited to have very many people in it at one time. However, I’m determined to make canning more a part of my community of friends. Next canning season I hope to have a few canning parties, and incorporate food preservation into my community a bit more.
The more I think about canning saving the world, it isn’t so much about that specifically. Canning is but one part of the whole of home. As always with me, it all comes back to the home. A good home can save the world and I don’t believe that’s too terribly simplistic. Obviously home can’t solve all the problems in the world, nothing can, the world isn’t supposed to be problem free. However, home and all the good things that should come with it: food preservation, love, kindness, laughter, discussion, education, etc. are the basis for a world population that extend their homes and home life to each other and most especially to those folks who don’t have the good things of home.
Again, it might be too simplistic, a tad too optimistic, but I say what’s the harm in trying. In these uncertain times, when the world is changing fast and some of those changes are hard to understand and could bring about bigger change than we could have imagined, I like knowing that my home is a refuge from all that uneasiness. I hope that I can make my home a place for folks to gather and for just a little while feel empowered instead of hopeless or afraid. In the end its these little things that may not save the entire world, but it just might save someone’s worldview.
PS: The rainbow was spotted as I was unloading my car for the canning class, how perfect was that?
“A good home can save the world and I don’t believe that’s too terribly simplistic.”
At least your little corner of the world. A comfortable home provides a haven in troubled times, both for the spirit and for the body. I like to think we provide that for our friends. And while I don’t can, I do think the homemade bread helps!
“A good home can save the world and I don’t believe that’s too terribly simplistic.”
At least your little corner of the world. A comfortable home provides a haven in troubled times, both for the spirit and for the body. I like to think we provide that for our friends. And while I don’t can, I do think the homemade bread helps!
Great post Kathie, I think it is often overlooked we have to “be” the change, we want to see in others. Whether it is through canning, or whatever avenues of food prep and food preservation. Instead of looking outward and trying to save the entire world, we need to first “save” ourselves, with nourishing food for our bodies, and nourishing thoughts for our minds – Thank you for the food for thought!
Great post Kathie, I think it is often overlooked we have to “be” the change, we want to see in others. Whether it is through canning, or whatever avenues of food prep and food preservation. Instead of looking outward and trying to save the entire world, we need to first “save” ourselves, with nourishing food for our bodies, and nourishing thoughts for our minds – Thank you for the food for thought!
Excellent post! I am SO with you in being the change we seek in the world. Josh and I think that the myth of the ages is that change can happen through elections and legislation. The best way to promote this life? Living it. Educating others. Continuing to educate ourselves.
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Lacy
Great post. I think it is great that you share what you know about preservation! We are fairly to to the preserving way of like and I love it. There is nothing like sitting down to a meal that consists of everything you have grown and raised.
Excellent post, Kathie. It reminds me of a Greg Brown song, “Why don’t you just go home”. Sadly, I have not canned anything this year, although the crabapple trees still beckon me. But I still believe that if even a somewhat larger fraction of people took care of their household food needs, we would all be better off for it. And I like how you talk about the community in your classes; we need that so much. I am inspired by how you are being the change you want to see. I will strive for that, as soon as we get our wiring and insulation done.
I agree!!! Canning could save the world!!!
Well put! Canning parties would be so fun! I think you have a great idea with all of this. Hope you are enjoying a great weekend!
There are a couple of gals where I volunteer that know how to can and they’ve been talking about having a canning party. I’ll have to ask if anything is in motion yet.