Very, very interesting, Zoe, that 'Time Line' article!

When I read each item listed, I find myself picturing all I know or have heard about the people of the time.

I find I try to see what life was like for early settlers, trying to organize their lives for the common good.

I see many families isolated as folks spread out for land, and that contact with the rest of the 'community' required strenuous trips by horse and wagon, by anyone lucky enough to have these.

'Land' was extremely important because it took so much work to harvest only small amounts of the necessities of life from the wilderness. Too, there were many plants and substances (some rocks, for example) whose usefulness wasn't yet known.

Folks came from countries and lifestyles that had not prepared them for farming or any of the skills needed in this new environment. Many did not do well.

I once read an article that spoke of the psychological development of isolated settlers. The article suggested that it was quite easy for some families to become ingrown, suspicious of everyone who came from 'away', and even 'odd' or 'limited' in their skills and thinking...as they lost, say, their ability to read. There weren't many books or newspapers to practice with.

They also became somewhat reliant on their own choices and methods of managing their foods, for example, and not likely to accept the suggestions of even their closest neighbors, two days ride away.

'Isolated' was really isolated! Man is really a 'pack' animal, meaning that we do better in groups, with others of our kind to balance and share choices.

The article, 'Time Line' doesn't include the influence of 'the press' on the community 'at large'...nor the scarcity of 'money' (coins) to purchase 'anything' printed, just to feel connected to others who could read.

Many a salesman, of one type or another (distributors included) traded their goods for something else of value to them, at the moment. During the Russian revolution, fine pianos, gold, and jewels were traded for sacks of potatoes.

In the 1930's, when the markets crashed and some 'ruined' city folk leapt out of the windows of tall buildings in 1929, the press discovered the sellability of frightening stories and scandals. (Actually, it was known long before then but in the 1920's and '30's stories that scandalized, frightened, and brought tears to the eyes were flogged mercilessly.)

Even at five cents a copy, or five cents a movie seat, that was big business!

'Reefer Madness' was 'news'. So were things like the Lindbugh baby, Prohibition, 'the crash', wars, and so on.

In earlier days, someone had pictures of monsters drawn up to depict the microscopic creatures that inhabit 'unpurified' brown sugar.

I feel that the media, of all kinds, has played a large part in shaping the beliefs and preferences of the people.

Even hemp, found to be the most basic of valuable goods to both industry and home life, succumbed to 'slants' and opinions.

Personally, I find linen (fibers from flax plants) to be a pure luxury. Why isn't it used more?

You'll forgive me, I was born in 1938, and I saw an entirely different style of writing and thinking than many born later than I. Also, I have always liked to read, and have even read legal documents, purely for pleasure and curiosity.

It took me years to get over a few pages, at random, that I read in an oral surgery manual. (That was one of my big reading mistakes! But I was only 17 - 18.)

As I say, isn't it amazing what can be done with words?

My best,

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