Maybe it’s time to use Depression-era tips

Published 1:30 am Friday, May 20, 2022

It’s obvious we better hunker down into a Depression-era mode under the Biden administration. They knew about a lack of infant formula back in February, but did not prepare. As we see more and more empty shelves, we better share tips with others on how to survive during this time of high inflation, high gas prices, and bad government policies. Here are a few ideas from my grandparents and parents who lived during the Depression.

No one used baby formula. I was fed on evaporated milk mixed with water. I’m not saying that’s better, but it worked. (Breast milk is best, but not all women can nurse). Cloth diapers were the norm and hung up to line dry.

Depression-era people never threw anything away. Everything was recycled into balls of string and rubber bands and jars of recycled buttons, nails, screws, and bolts. Plastic bags and gum wrappers were crocheted into small area rugs. Scraps of cloth were used for cleaning rags, tampons, and quilts. Flour bags were embroidered into pillow cases. Socks with holes were darned, not thrown away. Gift paper was homemade and then reused over and over. All food was made from scratch. Everyone grew a garden. Tools were treasured, kept clean and in order. People rode bicycles to get places. Broken machines were taken apart and the parts saved. People became experts at making something out of nothing.

One thing I will not do during the Biden years, no matter how bad it gets, though, is eat Depression dandelion soup.

Linda Jinkens

Arlington

Editor’s note: Because whole and condensed milk lack necessary levels of iron and other nutrients, neither is recommended by pediatric health authorities as a replacement for infant formula or breast milk for children younger than six months of age.