21 April 2010

The genuine article

You don't see or hear of genuine articles much nowadays.  In my youth, it was a fairly common expression that meant something or someone was authentic.  I don't hear the saying at all connected to things now.  I believe that's because people are less concerned with the genuine now and more concerned with fashion and acquisition.  It matters not that something is true to its type, or that a person is outstanding because they're eccentric, unusual or passionately devoted to their beliefs and values.  Nowadays, it seems to me, that popularity is more important than rarity, it's safer to blend in with the crowd than have the courage of your convictions and that celebrity wins over the genuine article every time.

Shane and Sarndra came up for my birthday recently.  Shane is pictured here reading John Seymour's self sufficiency book while waiting for his mum to load the table with food.  Sarndra and Hanno were outside talking to the chooks.  : - )

I really love it when I come across a name that everyone seems to know but I've never hear before.  Hanno and I were watching the morning news on TV yesterday when the presenters were droning on about someone called Kim Cardasian.  Apparently Kim has millions of Twitter followers and is famous far and wide.  When I come across something like this, I smile and feel like I'm doing something right.  That somehow, even though millions know this person, this famous name has been filtered out of my simple world.  I have no clue who she is, where she lives, what she looks like.  That, to me, is success - I've filtered out a small shard of popular culture - gee it feels good.! I didn't get caught up in the hype or seduced by a need to know.  Even now, I decided not to Google her name to check my spelling.  The less I know about Ms Cardasian, the better.

So what of the genuine article?  Why do I hold high such a concept?  It's because it's easy to go along with the crowd and much more difficult to walk your own path.  In many different ways we are all walking the path less travelled.  We see what is considered "normal" now, we know that consumption is the new way and we have decided to reject it.  Instead of buying all that is new and shiny, in the latest fashion colours, we are standing our ground and going back to basics.  It's comfortable back there.  It's warm traditional oats soaked overnight and cooked slowly rather than cornflakes or all the new designer breakfast cereals; it's home baked bread instead of sliced white in plastic wrap; it's "come over and I'll teach you how to knit" instead of "let's go shopping".  Instead of buying fast food, we have it slow and easy bubbling away in the oven when the family comes home in the evening.  Even the smell of that home cooked food in the air when they walk through the door tells your family that someone loves them enough to make it all happen.  It's sitting around the table with the entire family, talking about today, and tomorrow, and this and that.  It's really knowing your family instead of just knowing what they tell you.

After the spaghetti and meatballs I served this lemon tart.

There are so many things that can be fake now - fingernails, breasts, flawless skin, "home cooking" that is bought over a counter or in a packet, "limited editions" that sell thousands and sometimes millions.  So when you see the genuine article, be that in a person, a way of life, or the ideals they engender, it stands out like a shining beacon.  There has probably never been a better, nor more difficult time, to stand up for the authentic, but doing that, going against the tide of popular opinion, and seeing others doing it too, will help you reject the flim flammery of the popular and hold close the values and beliefs that will help you lead a simpler and genuine life.

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60 comments

  1. You always make the most amazing looking meals! How blessed your family must be to have you!

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  2. nda.I absolutely agree and although I work and do do a lot of volunteer work we only have home made pickles ,relishes, sauces and the house smells lovely in the winter with soups slowly smouldering on the stove,and roasts in the oven.I can't imagine it any other way,we don't do our bread as we eat very little bread in our daily lives anymore ,My 89 year old mum makes the Anzac Biscuits, always does the most fantastic Xmas pud and she is our Pavlova makes..shop bought Never!!!the look she would give us is not worth it lol our home is full of old genuine articles and the warmth they give out is pricelsess,the world of plastic is not a happy place..Carole

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  3. I so agree with your excellent comments!! Enjoy so much coming here to read daily too, by the way!!
    Blessings, Elizabeth

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  4. That would be Kim Kardashian, and yes you should be glad to know nothing about her vapid self. Also, you and I have the same tart dish, lol.

    -Red

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  5. Thank you Rhonda for your post today. I'm only 29 and I too choose to live an authentic life. I refuse to buy magazines that have celebrity gossip in them. I never buy take away etc etc. Since changing to lifestyle my little family have benefited so so much.
    Thank you for reminding us about the important things in life.

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  6. I've never commented before, but I have to say that this is what I needed to hear today. Just this morning I was thinking about why I don't start living out the ideas I have and I came to the conclusion that its because its so against the grain. I need to become "the genuine article" Thanks!
    Kim

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  7. *Fantastic* post Rhonda!

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  8. Unfortunately, I do know who Kim Kardashian is and you aren't missing anything, Rhonda! But, you are right, although it has taken some us many years after our school days to finally be independent enough to not care what others think and just do things our way, it feels good to not be a part of what's the most popular trend right now. Being ourselves is what's real and authentic.

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  9. More than living frugally, or simply, I want most to live authentically. Not to say that there is anything wrong with being frugal or pursuing a simple life. But above all, I want to make sure I'm pursuing those goals on my own authentic path and not what someone else has defined them to be.

    Mary Ellen

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  10. Rhonda
    This is the BEST post you have EVER written. It is the heart of the matter and the shining reminder to avoid the pitfalls so easily a salting the lives we live and the lives around us.
    You have again won my heart over into who you are. It is so easy to forget who I am at times . Thinking or responding to life for others ease or even for my own. Being unique, an alien of sorts on this planet does take the greatest of courage.
    This post is an inspiring reminder of the necessary of keeping the unique available to others in our lives.
    It is in that innate need to affiliate I think that a hole sucks into the false fill of fellowship. When true unadulterated fellowship is found only in intimacy. INTO ME I SEE, and allowing others to see into you as well. This demands a willingness to look into others to really see the hearts of who they are and not just the actions or reactions that may indeed change the true self.

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  11. Well said, and so true. I have a very unique life that was chosen lately for me but I am reminded how blessed I am to be known as eccentric. Their are definite worse things to be in this world. Dare I say Kim Kardashia.n

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  12. Amen Rhonda! I had to laugh when you were trying to spell Kim's name because I do know who she is.. unfortunately. But often times we have to remind ourselves to return to simplicity and not watch t.v. or do the instant gratification things.
    Today, I made ham in the crockpot, an apple pie, potatoes and I just love the smell.. it's a beautiful day and went for a walk with the family. No need to rush out to the mall or do the fast paced life. Loved this post!!

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  13. This is just so true!
    It has always irritated me that people fall into the trap of 'home made' foods from the supermarket.
    And how 'organic' produce is getting popular. If only they knew how easy it is to grow some of these expensive veges themselves!

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  14. Rhonda, this is a WONDERFUL post...I agree wholeheartedly. To be a genuine person, know a genuine person or to live a genuine life is a true blessing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Hugs, Heather

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  15. what a great post. i had a similar moment yesterday when Bear Grylls filtered into my world. He's a very famous person, apparently, but i know nothing about him. A blessing!

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  16. It's funny, I have heard of this Kim Kardashian woman and seen her in mags but I don't actually know what she is famous for...? A show perhaps on Pay TV...? Who knows? Who cares? lol I bet she can't make a loaf of bread by herself.
    PS. Flim Flammery is the funniest saying ever, I love it! :-)

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  17. please send a slice of cake here in Italy!!!
    it looks sooo delicious!!

    ciao
    Ylenia
    http://longuette.blogspot.com

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  18. I heard her name yesterday and was wondering who she was.....but like you I don't really want to know.
    I prefer to have the genuine article too and not some hyped up version.
    The simple life for me

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  19. Who on earth IS Kim Cardasian? No. I have never heard of her, either - lol.
    This is a brilliant and powerful post/message, Rhonda. I could not agree with you more.
    Tracy (Brisbane)

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  20. Hello there, your lemon tart looks delicious - any chance for the recipe?

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  21. I have no clue who she is or why she's famous either. But I have heard her name and same as you, could not be bothered finding out. I guess I've always gone against the grain with what is considered 'trendy' and I know my children feel loved for who they are, not what they have. They know they are loved and don't need things to fill them up with importance.
    It's all about about values. And you're right, you don't hear much about the genuine article. My favourite would be Bob Dylan he's a genuine article. And I met a lady the other week at the craft fair, she is amazing and for sure classified in my eyes as a genuine article. Her name's Prudence Mapstone and she is the genuine article. And of course there's you. You are the genuine article.
    Thank you.

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  22. Hi Rhonda,I couldn't agree with you more. I am really working towards a quiet gentle life. I just love peace. I do enjoy my computer but it must not get in the way of this new way of living. For what its worth I have never heard of this person either.
    Have a quiet and restful day.
    Blessings Gail

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  23. This is both a firm and a gentle reminder. Thank you so much for inspiring me on a daily basis!

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  24. Good morning Rhonda, like so many others I'm here and reading because you are the genuine article. This post is one of your stand-outs.

    PS You tickled my curiosity so I googled that woman's name, she needs to read DTE. :)

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  25. Hear, hear! A simple message (that's a compliment) that needs to be said over and over again.

    I'm wary of giving advice but if asked (and sometimes when not asked too) my message is 'be true to yourself and everything else in life falls into place'. Took me a long time to find this out but, now, every day is so much more straightforward and enjoyable.

    Why follow the crowd when so often the crowd does not know where it's going?

    Johnson

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  26. hello Miss Rhonda,great post lets not talk about that Kim lady but about the recipe of that lemon tart,ok? Love ya :~)

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  27. I love this wonderful post Rhonda, totally relate to it and couldn't agree with you more. Oh, to be able to express my thoughts as well as you do.
    I don't have a clue who Kim Cardasian is either,never heard of her and like you I am not interested.

    Patricia

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  28. You are not missing a thing about this twit in LA called Kardashian.
    She is in the hoard of the self-centered LA culture of so called stars. All talk, no show,no go.
    We, who are here striving for self discovery in our world of simplicity, and wholeness,have more to offer than any culture crazed, materialistic self centered population could even come close to doing. Power to the Simple!

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  29. Lovely post... I want to be the "real thing", "the genuine article". Youa re so inspiring... and Kim Kardashian??? I still don't get it... why she is so famous... she does nothing! Kind of like Paris Hilton!

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  30. Whoever Kim is she has not inspired me as much as you! This is such an inspirational post! I know I'm on the right track, although not 100% authentic yet changes are happening around my home and I'm feeling much better and happier for it! If only we could get the rest of the world to see it this way.

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  31. I believe you're the "genuine article", Rhonda;) Nice post.

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  32. Rhonda,
    Thank you for this post today...it's great to know that there are others out in the world who feel and live as I do! It is truly difficult to find the genuine article today...especially people! Sometimes I get really LONELY for fellowship and friendship with a kindred spirit, but I would much rather feel lonely than settle for the shallowness and inauthenticity I find everywhere around me. Then I read your blog and comments and know I'm not alone! Thanks again!!
    Debbie

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  33. Sheila, North Wales. UKApril 21, 2010 11:06 am

    Hi Rhonda! I haven't a clue who this Kim C is and really aren't bothered to know either. I looked at one of those celebrity mags today for the first time in ages (only cos I was in the hairdressers) and i just couldn't be bothered with it. I just cannot be bothered with the hype that surrounds these "celebrities" and are we really interested? I think not!
    I am really trying to instill in my teenage daughter to be her own person and not feel that she has to "follow the crowd" to fit in, hard when you are a teenager these days.
    Also I am amazing myself on this "journey" I am on, from being "whatever I can throw in oven to cook quickly" to looking at the ready meals in the supermarket and thinking "I could cook that at half the price and it will taste so much better" and leave it on the shelf! As I said yesterday, life is changing in our house and for the good. :-)

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  34. Yes, I saw the sam TV show about Kim What-ever-her-name-is. I didn't know who she was either. Bet she doesn't know who John Seymour is though and I think I'm glad of it.

    http://nandigoatsmilksoap.blogspot.com/

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  35. Ah yes, I can so agree with you. Unfortunately all the other people have the health problems that come with some of that stuff! I saw on the news today about everything that is put into food. Such a shame. But tonight I had some chow chow that my grandmother made, and it was very good, good for the taste buds, and good for the memories!

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  36. All I can say is that post BLESSED MY SOCKS OFF! You are such an inspiration!! I find that I a less and less concerned myself with popular culture.
    I read my dear husband the article and he loved it also...but he really loved the pictures of dinner!!
    Do you have the recipe for the rolls on your blog??

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  37. Ignorance IS bliss....on occasion! Sometimes it's just best NOT to know!

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  38. This is an excellent post - if it is alright with you I will put a link to this post on my next post. That sounds funny. I get caught out so many times with not knowing what people are talking about as I do not buy any popular magazines nor do I buy newspapers or own a TV. I seriously do not know how people find the time. I have no idea why people would want to waste precious time following someones elses tripe on twitter or spend hours wasted on games and drivle on facebook. I had a facebook account but I just had to close it down. Once I worked out what it was all about I just couldn't be bothered. But it did lead me to blogs. I have found writing and reading blogs that interest me has been so much more inspirational and useful and enjoyable than anything else I have come across. I have found a whole world of souls that I can relate to and the world just seems so much smaller and friendlier. Cheers, Wendy

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  39. Hi Rhonda,

    Hmm I'm 34 and had no idea who this Kim woman was either LOL! My mum sends the latest womens mags my way when she has finished with them and I must say they leave me a little cold. Even the recipes are not simple anymore! I think we all would like your lemon tart recipe Rhonda ;-).

    Susieq.

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  40. Lovely post...the lemon tart looks amazing!

    I thoroughly agree with you..it's unfortunate that we live in a time when people are famous for being famous only! Of course, I guess there may have always been a little of this in past times, but i think it's at a whole new level these days. Look at the popularity of reality TV! Sheesh!

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  41. What wise inspiring words. As a young working mom of two it is hard to find time to always use the genuine article and not just grab convenience but i am trying very hard and you are very inspiring!

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  42. This is a great article!
    Thank you,

    Tamarie

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  43. As always,Rhonda Jean,you hit the nail on the head. I love your words of wisdom,and am glad that I am able to benefit from your experience!!!

    Littlecottageinthecountry.blogspot.com

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  44. I've looked in on your blog a few times and each time I do I think - what a wonderful post! Your thoughts on "the genuine article" really speak to me and I agree wholeheartedly. I'm going to send a link to it to a "genuine article" friend of mine because I know whe will enjoy it as well. Thank you.

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  45. Very true, Rhonda, every word. And Kim Kardashian is actually the daughter or a lawyer who was associated with the case of O.J Simpson a few years back. The daughter, mind you; not even a key player in the association. She is famous for her extravagant curves and has had her behind insured, of all things. This is popular culture today----what a sad expression of our world.

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  46. Hi Rhonda,

    It's been a while since I've posted. You wrote about spaghetti and some people at worked discussed what brand sauce they liked best. I always make my own from scratch and they were astounded. They commented on the store having such and such a brand on sale this week so stock up. Not me. We have made huge changes in our purchasing and eating habits and now are fine-tuning them. We are now getting the kids to create a meal without a recipe so that when the parents are pressed for time they can put something together that is not fast food, and not processed and pre-packaged! I still love your posts!

    Alice

    P.S. I have a gift card to a restaurant and I can't seem to use it! I'd like to give it away but the person we got it from will ask if we enjoyed our meal. I wish I could trade it in for the cash.

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  47. I have no idea who this lady is? I almost want to google her but I think it would be a waste of time:)

    Our family has been on a sugar fast we have had no sugar for two weeks and I doubt that we will go back to eating any form of sugar other than fruit. My daughter has been having stomach problems and we found out that it is the sugar in the snack foods we have been eating.

    We are feeling so much better as a family.

    I guess we are now going to be the weird ones no sugar, large garden, trying to not add to our debt, chickens in our back yard...weird!

    We like it that Way!!

    Renee

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  48. Wonderful post. As usual. I'm so jealous that your filters are working a little better than mine. I don't buy the trash magazines or watch the trash shows, but I still know who you are talking about. (How?) I think it's my email host....At any rate, I'm going to think about the genuine article...whoever or whatever that may be!
    xoxo Cassandra

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  49. YES! YES! YES! My husband and I hear and agree will all stated in this post!

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  50. I gave up TV almost a year ago and never watched regular channels anyway, so I am out of the loop as they say on who's popular. Unfortunately I see the names & faces on magazines at the grocery store or on the radio, but thankfully usually ignore it all. Of course I seem pretty dumb to coworkers when I don't know who they are talking about, but I don't really care. You go girl, we are not missing a thing that's important.

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  51. Lovely article, Rhonda. It is difficult for our children who go to school and are over-exposed to this fake culture all the time. I hope that by making home a loving, secure hub for them and filling it with genuine values they will compare our life favourably to what is out there as they grow.

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  52. THat lemon tart looks great. Can you give the recipe? Love your blog. Tonight watching Food Inc. with my kids on American public television. We are on vacation and they had excellent dental and doctor appointments this week. Healthy fresh foods keep us this way. Lots of milk, fruit fresh veggies, lots of milk, no soda. You're an inspiration, thanks!

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  53. You know you have struck a chord right? So I'll say simply thanks for a wonderful post.
    On another matter...and at the risk of sounding trivial in the face of such a post....I hadn't thought to decorate my lemon tart like that. Love it.

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  54. Well said! What a great post! It's better to be tuned in to nature than to be tuned in to what the majority of humanity is (sadly) tuned in to.
    sending love,
    sara

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  55. Yes, well said. Sadly, here in America, through the social engineering of our government school system, worship of pop-culture and enslavement to marketing and advertising, the mere idea of walking one's own path is tantamount to say, jumping off a cliff, to the vast herd of our society. Though there has always been a contingency... and perhaps it might grow! I know that as I've aged and wizened, my own perceptions have tended towards the road less travelled and this is what I'm passing on to my child. Best regards!

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  56. Rhonda Jean,
    We love that expression, "the genuine article" and use it, along with a similar sentiment, "the real deal" to describe our appreciation whenever something/someone possessing authenticity comes our way.

    It's the sort of thing found in your writing and the quality of ideas you so generously share. Thank you.

    Jean
    ps: Coveting the lemon tart! Might a recipe be forthcoming? :-)

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  57. I remember the reaction I got online when I admitted that until the day of her death, when she was mentioned on the ABC, I had never heard of Anna Nicole Smith. (Then I looked her up on Wikipedia. I hope someone writes an opera about her life; it's a classic modern tragedy from beginning to end.)
    I don't quite agree that it's the most difficult time to stand out from the crowd -- after all, we've all found each other via the Internet. I think it was much harder in the 1970s and 80s -- think of the women who founded breastfeeding associations in the early 1970s when most of what first-world doctors 'knew' about BFing was wrong, and you couldn't feed your child in public. They were a determined lot!

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  58. yes, culture had a big drop after all those televisions invaded society, now fame is desired, and so is obedience to trend. Hail all who see past the fake values.

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