tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post778039675175778150..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: The soap making questionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66517688648241038372009-10-25T00:21:19.314+10:002009-10-25T00:21:19.314+10:00Great post, Rhonda! It's incredible to read yo...Great post, Rhonda! It's incredible to read your post and realize that you're half a world away (hello from Texas)! And it's disturbing to realize that governments around the world are pushing to regulate every aspect of our daily lives.<br /><br />It's really sad to think that people are losing these simple, satisfying skills. DIY is one of the best ways to keep our independence. It adds a richness and sense of achievement to life that money cannot buy.Paulanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79451078973403144872009-10-21T08:30:20.035+10:002009-10-21T08:30:20.035+10:00I agree with you, Rhonda. So many skills are not p...I agree with you, Rhonda. So many skills are not passed on anymore. My own mother was not (is still not) a confident cook or craftsperson and didn't pass those skills down to me. She's amazed when I'm willing to try things I've never done before, things that have always seem "too hard" to her.<br /><br />I'm also always preaching independence and problem-solving to my kids, who, because of the times we live in, often don't get the experience of fending for themselves and learning from what comes up. On the one hand, protecting them can be good (I don't want them doing all the things I did at their age), but on the other, it can deprive them of experience.<br /><br />I was heartened to see that a teacher at our school has started a knitting club. I'm going to go through my supplies to make a donation, and I'll see if they need any volunteers to help teach.<br /><br />I took a soapmaking class from a woman who has made soap for about 20 years. The question about equipment came up and she said it was fine to use your regular kitchen stuff. She doesn't use wooden spoons herself, though, because she finds that they sometimes leave little wood fibres in the soap.<br /><br />I'm so happy to be able to make my own soap now. This fall is the first time in years that I don't have eczema starting as the weather gets colder.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03853484593347916090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77933692605583925832009-10-19T05:16:01.308+10:002009-10-19T05:16:01.308+10:00The problem with antibacterial cleaners is not so ...The problem with antibacterial cleaners is not so much that they kill good bacteria as that they don't kill 100% of the bad guys and the ones left are the most resistant. These pass on their resistance to new generations until the cleaner becomes ineffective. Bleach and alcohol work differently and don't loose their effectiveness. You may not want to use them regularly but they are useful in serious situations.<br /><br />Someone said that poor children are sick less than richer ones. I have worked in poor city neighborhoods and I ddn't find this to be so. I have read, however, that rural children have fewer allergies and less asthma than urban children, possibly due to exposure to animals and soil.Dianenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68132016965503213582009-10-18T12:39:45.055+10:002009-10-18T12:39:45.055+10:00I heard a friend mention the phrase 'independe...I heard a friend mention the phrase 'independent thinker' the other day. Something our society has put by the wayside for too long. We tend to rely on 'them' to fix or come up with solutions to everyday problems.Mrs. Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644129213141875138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37871086699839223402009-10-17T17:37:23.970+10:002009-10-17T17:37:23.970+10:00Truly, your blog should be part of the school curr...Truly, your blog should be part of the school curriculum! Common sense is also a skill that is sadly lacking these days.<br /><br />Thank you soooo much for your blog, it inspires me so very often, even though I don't comment much.Yarrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06662236319781194283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65159277318360141412009-10-17T13:55:11.277+10:002009-10-17T13:55:11.277+10:00Rhonda well said and I do agree whoelheartedly.
...Rhonda well said and I do agree whoelheartedly. <br /><br />There is no such thing as a stupid question - until you have to ask it twice!!!<br /><br />I am not sure how you go about training the generations that follow us to rely on their common sense , but I think encouraging them to use it - to fail - sometimes spectacularly - might help......just not with caustic soda in the stew!!!!!<br /><br />daisymumAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12934325999406252726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9924839652738975232009-10-17T10:22:39.970+10:002009-10-17T10:22:39.970+10:00AMEN!!AMEN!!Jessamynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82212308027991689882009-10-17T10:17:31.386+10:002009-10-17T10:17:31.386+10:00Very thought provoking. It makes me think about m...Very thought provoking. It makes me think about my mother, who possesses a wealth of homemaking knowledge passed down to her by her grandmother. However, my mother did not have the patience to teach, so I've had to learn those skills on my own. Maybe it would have been easier if my mother taught me. But maybe I'm better off having learned on my own. It forces me to step outside my perfectionistic tendencies and try things I don't already know how to do well. <br /><br />Maybe I can find some balance with my own daughter. Teaching but allowing her to develop her own way as well.The Working Home Keeperhttp://workinghomekeeper.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55441065373466050892009-10-17T09:44:49.274+10:002009-10-17T09:44:49.274+10:00I totally agree with everything you are saying. I...I totally agree with everything you are saying. It is a sad state these days when young people are not taught certain things. Hmm, wonder what would happen if things went haywire. I have seen where power has been out and people do not even know how to make change! It is good though that there are blogs out there such as yours and others that will still teach things. A person can always learn if they set their mind to it.*Ulrike*https://www.blogger.com/profile/15640965012612927392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52746438597792372412009-10-17T08:29:10.953+10:002009-10-17T08:29:10.953+10:00Ha, Ha! I love the
"You can't legislate ...Ha, Ha! I love the<br />"You can't legislate against stupidity"<br />comment. You should make it into a bumper sticker :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21056664571251927872009-10-17T03:08:43.693+10:002009-10-17T03:08:43.693+10:00Great post Rhonda, critical thinking needs to come...Great post Rhonda, critical thinking needs to come back, and people need to learn to accept the consequences of their actions. My MIL was always worried about our woodstove burning the baby, suggesting that we change our heatsource - the baby figured out that the woodstove was hot, and it would be unpleasant to touch. Our child heeded our warnings, and never even came close to getting burned.Throwback at Trapper Creekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12418370592659531735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42897206535453807782009-10-17T01:30:02.038+10:002009-10-17T01:30:02.038+10:00I really appreciated your post today. My family (...I really appreciated your post today. My family (seven kids!) have always been unusually healthy. I can't help thinking part of that is not being afraid of dirt. I have friends who are always wiping down with anti-bacterial wipes and they are noticeably less healthy. I've always suspected they were killing off all the good guys along with the bad guy bacteria.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8978134986394225232009-10-17T00:40:20.763+10:002009-10-17T00:40:20.763+10:00Thank you so much for this guiding post. I used to...Thank you so much for this guiding post. I used to use commercial cleaners and wipes, but I found the chemicals left behind, especially on my floors, actually help accumulate more dirt than would natural, green cleaners. And when you think about baking a pie on a counter cleaned with a lysol wipe? It's quite horrifying! You are quite right- we need to be able to judge for ourselves what is sensible and what is not. <br />CourtneyThe Girl in the Pink Dresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00250837836714463827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-51171067472207520122009-10-16T21:39:41.047+10:002009-10-16T21:39:41.047+10:00Agreed. People should do more thinking for themse...Agreed. People should do more thinking for themselves.<br /><br />About cleaning up after making soap:<br />If you set aside all the messy stuff for 24-48 hours, all the residue will turn to soap and not be greasy anymore. Still, wear gloves when washing but make use of all that nice new soap and wash your other dishes in it. Just put it in the water until the soap residue on the pot and utensils has dissolved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54609974958885282142009-10-16T19:45:02.267+10:002009-10-16T19:45:02.267+10:00I so agree with you. Our lives do not look like t...I so agree with you. Our lives do not look like the typical. We have made and are still making many decisions based on how we believe the Lord is leading us. Many times the way He leads us look nothing like our counterparts. Still we press on. We don't publicize what we do we just do what we do. We are better for it. More at peace and healthier in spirit, soul and body.<br /><br />We have gone away from most store bought medicines, we have ceased using many of the cleaners and disinfectants, we have eliminated most of the processed foods, we homeschool, I stay home. In our country we are far from the norm. If we were not ministers of the gospel maybe many would accuse us of being Rastafarian because of our habits.<br /><br />We just thank God that we are able to follow Him and be better off for it. Our hope is that we would help others to experience a more abundant life as well by observing our example and finding their way in the Lord, taking the courage to step out and be different.<br /><br />Whew! This comment was long but it is something I'm passionate about - accepting what is known as normal when it could be harmful for you.<br /><br />God bless you dear Rhonda. Keep on sharing. Many are learning and are being blessed including myself. Have a wonderful day.Jennifer C. Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03577995017158917173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68901149568763513842009-10-16T19:16:28.922+10:002009-10-16T19:16:28.922+10:00Hi Rhonda,
I was just writing my Aunt an emai lt...Hi Rhonda, <br /><br />I was just writing my Aunt an emai lthe other day on this exact subject. I am a 27 year old new Mum and I have only just started to realize what it is you were talking about here's an excerpt from the email <br /><br />" We live in a society that is obsessed with the new. I often think there are huge generational gaps between parents and children that are really unfortunate. My parents grew up having to see their mothers and fathers physically working hard everyday, doing things from scratch and having a lot less time to relax. Then the 80s and mass consumerism hit and they were able to provide us with quick and convenient alternatives to things which used to take time and patience. As a result a lot of valuable lessons were lost. I never learned to sew, cook or clean. I never really had to budget or be frugal or really learn to pay attention to sales or coupons or food waste in the kitchen. Which I suppose most people would be grateful for, and I am, but in the end a lot of it has ended up kicking me in the butt. I have had to teach myself these simple tasks and break bad habits that I was born and raised with. I don't think my parents intentionally did this, in fact I believe they think you don't really have to "learn" these things, they should just come to you, because they never sat down to learn those things from a book... but they watched their parents and family's by example and learned all of those things without realizing it. "ecoMILFhttp://www.ecomilf.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71473224666791118892009-10-16T17:16:09.135+10:002009-10-16T17:16:09.135+10:00Actually Rhonda, you are being radical. Your gover...Actually Rhonda, you are being radical. Your government (and mine - UK) is encouraging us to spend and wants us to spend. <br /><br />In USA it was practically non patriotic not to spend post 9-11 and I think that attitude still persists to some extent. <br /><br />I think we do live a radical life by breaking away from our dependance on what we are being told we need by big corporates. Just think if everyone acted like we are all trying to do then we would over turn the big corporations and force them to rethink. <br /><br />For me, the slight taste of anarchy on a daily basis - stretching away from patriarchy and corporations gives me a thrill. <br /><br />JenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33785932852980702462009-10-16T15:35:57.634+10:002009-10-16T15:35:57.634+10:00There is a really good book Big babies by Michael ...There is a really good book Big babies by Michael Bywater, he explains how and why we are treated like big babies, and the results are seen everywhere... Rules and laws, more rules and laws, lack of confidence in yourself, on and on, as you said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15683818260852314632009-10-16T15:04:44.135+10:002009-10-16T15:04:44.135+10:00Soap making is something that i am still yet to tr...Soap making is something that i am still yet to try.... i'm so paranoid i'll mix it wrong.<br /><br />Thanks for the post, its given me a few things to think about.<br /><br />I totally agree with you in regards to the "cleaning overkill". Living in a sterile house just seems plain unhealthy to me ;).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2518336481545863662009-10-16T14:50:08.089+10:002009-10-16T14:50:08.089+10:00I do use the antiseptic wipes when I really have a...I do use the antiseptic wipes when I really have a nasty mess on my hands (no pun intended), but most of the time it is soap and water.<br /><br />The American society as a whole is way too sterile. Your body needs germs to survive. I think the children today are sick so much more than my generation was because their little bodies are not use to getting dirty, and are exposed to many, many more chemicals than we ever were! <br /><br />Has any one ever noticed that poor children are sick less often than the well off? <br /><br />OK, off soapbox, but we are, not me, sterilizing ourselves out of existence with way too much "chemical clean".<br /><br />Yvettemtnchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457636624663214696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73655709495623791612009-10-16T14:25:18.403+10:002009-10-16T14:25:18.403+10:00Exactly. This reminds me of a post I read about th...Exactly. This reminds me of a post I read about the death of common sense<br />http://www.seniorsapprove.com/common_sense.html<br />here's the link if you are interested. <br />Luckily there seems to be a revival of common sense.Corrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00835431780884002644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21100389060339960632009-10-16T12:54:41.378+10:002009-10-16T12:54:41.378+10:00Well they do like to say that common sense isn'...Well they do like to say that common sense isn't that common. And you have just nailed the reason why.<br /><br />Congratulations :-DDeborahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43814553196919245442009-10-16T12:36:02.364+10:002009-10-16T12:36:02.364+10:00right on, rhonda. been thinking of this a lot late...right on, rhonda. been thinking of this a lot lately, a 29-year-old who grew up on a microwave and mcdonald's and chemicals for everything, trying to reverse it now with not much to fall back on for guidance, thank god for all the simple living blogs for their invaluable help. i want to be the resource for my own children someday!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16706071409908084910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75467445490648920532009-10-16T12:32:51.043+10:002009-10-16T12:32:51.043+10:00I too use a separate set of utensils and pans for ...I too use a separate set of utensils and pans for soapmaking...<br />I keep it all together and just get it out when I make soap...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69424512272621195832009-10-16T12:20:14.304+10:002009-10-16T12:20:14.304+10:00What a great post! As I'm learning new skills...What a great post! As I'm learning new skills, I just can't understand why these skills have not been passed down. Many are just so simple it makes me feel stupid I have been doing things the "commercial" way my whole life.<br /><br />The lady who asked the question about soapmaking tools is not the only one with that same question. I had the same thoughts on the soap making tools, but could never prove that it was ok. Common sense said it was ok, but I've never made soap before so maybe there was something I didn't know about. But the internet is my only source of learning skills of the past. You are the only one I've come across that came out and said yes. Many others have hedged around it but wouldn't come and say it. The last of my supplies arrived today so I am working on it tomorrow (hopefully nothing unplanned comes up!).<br /><br />Thank you, Rhonda! And also, thank you for the forum....so many things learned on there already!Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12989066727179957867noreply@blogger.com