In preparation for cross-country skiing last winter I was pulling on my heavy socks when I saw a hole in one of them. “Darn these socks,” I said in frustration. Now if my mother had been around then she’d have said, “OK I will, give them to me.”

What would she mean by that? If you’re over 60 you probably know, if not, I’ll explain. I have a drawer full of socks, 20 or more pairs at any one time, and several more in the wash. Some develop holes or tears from time to time and are chucked away.

But in the homestead farming community where I grew up in the “good old days” of the 1940s and ’50s most people didn’t have drawers full of socks-- “stockings” as they were generally called then. When holes appeared in them they were “darned”. Which means someone took a large needle--a “darning needle”--and attached a length of yarn to it, then used it to replace the missing threads in the stocking. 

To my parents, the other parents of our community, and even to a large percentage of people who lived in towns and cities of 60 or more years ago, there was no automatic decision to replace something that wasn’t serviceable any more and throw the old one away. “Chuck it” was not a term you heard then. Incomes were in general lower than now, particularly in newly settled rural communities. Manufactured goods were more expensive before the automated and technically advanced methods of today. 

So if something stopped working you got it fixed. You fixed it yourself or took it to a neighbour  or to a nearby tradesperson to do the job. Or you found another use for it. Some examples:

Clothing was patched. Everything my brothers and I wore had square or rectangular patches sewed on them, except for perhaps one good outfit used for special visits or formal occasions.

Clothing was “handed down” to younger siblings. I was  a bit lucky with that, being the oldest of three boys. But it was an embarrassing practice for some, especially girls, I would think.

Boots and shoes were worn until in poor shape, then taken to a cobbler for repair.

Large cans, pails and jars in which grocery items came were re-used for storage and--as many my age recall--for carrying lunch to school.

I recall not one case of separation or divorce in any family in our entire district in those days. Cheaper to sharpen up the old spouse and keep him or her I guess. And by the way, there are many people, more power to them, who still cling to those practices. But they‘re rare.

As I write most vaccine and mask requirements are gone. Whether it’s exactly the right time for that I certainly don’t know. Some would like all restrictions immediately gone and OK, they have a right to say so. I sincerely ask them, however, not to continue the foolish and destructive claim that our governments use these restrictions as a means to control us. Scott Moe and Stephen Harper listen to the medical experts and to the wishes of the public, consider each and make their decisions. That’s all there is to it.

To comment on columns contact Esther or me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 306 384 8657 or 110 - 201 Cree Place Saskatoon,  S7K 7Z3