Until Lincoln Turns Blue

I’m looking at the fragile remains of a ration book and ration stamps that my great-grandmother Dolpha Rhea Robertson Armour had during the WWII. I’m pondering about why a group called “The Compactors” have made such a stir in the news.

Have you heard about them? A group of people in San Francisco got together and decided not to buy anything new in 2006 except food and necessities for health and safety. This caused a buzz in the media that ranged from Oprah to the London Times to The Washington Post.

Their noble cause, which as I understand it, is to make less impact on the planet by reducing their consumption. This has struck a chord with enough people that their user group on Yahoo is huge and “SubCompact cells” are sprouting up all over the country.

But, some people have taken offense at their ideas. According to The Washington Post, “Some have called the Compactors un-American, anti-capitalist, eco-freak poseurs whose defiant act of not-consuming, if it caught on, would destroy the economy and our way of life.”

“Un-American?” That’s odd. In Dolpha Armour’s day, the slogan of the day was “Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without!” Not consuming was not only a necessity, but an act of patriotism. Times change, don’t they?

I confess that, although I admire their intentions (and their determination), I don’t aspire to be a Compactor. I went through my phase thirty years ago of being an “Earth Mother.” I made a game of seeing how little “trash” I could generate in a week. I had a vegetable garden and canned fruits and vegetables. I pinched a penny until Lincoln turned blue. Later, when Amy Dacyczyn published her Tightwad Gazette, I read it religiously. That was then.

I still admire frugality. In fact, my favorite blog is Frugal for Life by Dawn Caldwell [this blog no longer functions]. She shares tips and tricks on being frugal. I just like reading her philosophy and sighing to myself, “One day I’ll try that.” There is no way, however, that I can say I’m frugal.

If you come into my house, you will find a variety of treasures from thrift stores and garage sales. Most of my furniture is used (politely called “antique” or “retro”). Much of my clothing is old stuff or “vintage,” as we say around here. But, it’s not because of any need to be frugal or from my sense of social consciousness. It’s because I like it.

I also love the thrill of the chase. I enjoy rummaging through other peoples junk at garage sales (it makes me feel better about my own junk). And, it’s because I like to gloat. I love to put down my colorful stoneware plates and have a guest admire them. Then I get to smirk and chirp, “Oh these? I bought the entire 30 piece set for $13 at the thrift store. They didn’t have a chip on them AND they are microwave and dishwasher safe.”

I’m perverse like that.

Other posts you might enjoy:

1. Throw Away Your “Old” Lotions!!
2. A Penny For Your Thoughts
3. Sailing The Ocean Blue
4. Lavender’s Blue, Dilly Dilly. Lavender Ridge Farms near Gainesville, Texas
5. Thinking Blogger X 2

Tagged as: frugality, Memories