History Repeating Itself?

I recall as a child, listening to my grandparents talk about the events and life leading up to WWII. Only one set of them would discuss it around and with me. The other set refused to say a word.

The grandparents who talked to me were born in 1921 and 1922. They did recall many of the depression years. To them it just was how it was. There was not much recollection of “good times” prior to the 1929 stock market crash. They grew up in Hartford CT. I know my great grandfather had a steady job as a city police officer, so I suspect his son, my grandfather, was not in the dire straits that so many others were. My other great grandfather worked as a steam fitter for the railroad, and other buildings during the 1920’s and 1930’s before becoming a stenographer in the 1940’s. Again, a steady paycheck coming in.

Both grandparents said their childhood was good overall, but do recall some deprivations in the 1930’s. Shoes was one thing my grandmother said were often hard to come by. I also recall sugar, coffee, meat, stockings, and new undergarments being mentioned during the war years as being pretty much absent.

WWII came along, and in 1942 my grandfather enlisted. He and my grandmother got married 1944. He was in his uniform for their wedding pictures. He did survive his stint in the war. My grandmother trained as a nurse and remained in CT for the duration. On an interesting side note, my grandmother was working as a nurse when the Ringling Brothers fire occurred in Hartford. That happened on July 6th and she and my grandfather were married on July 15th, 9 days after the fire. She said she never got the smell out of her nose.

I got to see the ration cards they had for their food. Gas was rationed, tires, and so many other things they did without or made do with what they had.

As history says, good times resumed after the war. My grandmother was a stay-at-home mom who never learned to drive a car. My grandfather went to work at the phone company and spent his career there.

As a child I did not much understand the reason why my grandparents always had a garden, and the basement was full of home canned food. I never understood the rationale behind hanging on to every scrap of whatever they had, including things like almost bald tires, old shoes, socks repeatedly mended, and the drawer full of bits of string. Truly, when my grandfather retired and they moved two states away, it was a major undertaking to clean out their house that included multiple trips to the dump. Once they got into their new home, the stashing away of things began again.

As an adult, watching what is going on in the world, I totally get it now.

I see history repeating itself. I never thought in my life, until recently, that I, and the rest of us will be going thru what our grandparents went thru.

Inflation, recession, depression is just the start I am witnessing.

Two bank runs to date, both in California

Things with Russia/Ukraine, and that proxy war between us and China.

China/Taiwan heating up.

China making veiled threats towards us.

Mass invasion from the southern, and now northern borders.

Far too many similarities between now and 1920-1945.

They say that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

I see far too many of our politicians have failed to learn from history.

One very disturbing trend I’ve seen in the news is that there is an increase in burglary and theft. They are not taking your TV and stereo, nor your jewelry.

They are taking flocks of chickens, rabbits, goats, and in 2 instances I’ve seen, all the food in their houses have been taken. Like every last bit from the pantry, freezer and fridge. To date on these instances, I have not heard of any reports of anybody being arrested for them.

While the country, for the most part, came together to survive during the depression and world war, I fear that we will not see this coming together this time around. It’s going to be every man and woman for themselves.

The many divisions in this country between rich and poor, race, immigration status, sexual identity and a whole host of other issues makes this joining together to survive almost impossible. And in all honesty, there is a generation of young adults who grew up believing they are entitled to live on everyone else’s dime and that socialism is the answer. Before you crucify me, no, it’s not all young adults. Many are grown up and making their own lives, paying their own bills, and building careers. But not enough.

I hope, dear readers, that you are ready and watching for the possible incoming shit storm. I hope you have food, water, meds, and extras that you will need to survive this. I hope also that you have a group of likeminded people that you can gather together for mutual survival. I hope that you have adjusted your mindset to deal with what could very well be the downfall of this country of ours.

I hope you are ready for history to repeat itself, but with a twist this time around.

Historically, civilizations have only lasted about 250 years before their demise. And we are rapidly approaching that number now. Only 3 years away.

Blessed Be.