I wonder how many of you can relate to this. I often feel caught between different worlds. Part of me is a romantic who longs for the days when women wore dresses all the time—I have a passion for history. At times I feel like I was born in the wrong era. When those times hit, I don a pioneer skirt and petticoat and wear my black granny boots for a few days. Being a homemaker, I have the freedom to do this and walk against our modern culture. These are the times when I long to get rid of all things modern and learn to live a simpler life. No TV or computer or modern kitchen gadgets, just made-from-scratch cooking, a fireplace, communing together in the evening after a hard day’s work...

      Of course, as Merry from Lord of the Rings would laughingly say, “You’ve never done a hard day’s work.” For the most part, it’s true. Have you noticed how many in our generation have not learned to work hard? Our ancestors paved the way for us, and now we live in relative ease. We grew up playing video and computer games and having lots of fun. As adults we still want to have lots of fun. This is another set of worlds I’m caught between:  the traditional, conservative ethics of working hard and serving others before ourselves, as opposed to our modern-day American attitude: have fun, enjoy life and relationships, take care of your own needs first and don’t stress so much over cooking and cleaning, etc. A part of me is attracted to the former but I too often live the latter.