Industry

1 : diligence in an employment or pursuit; especially : steady or habitual effort

2 a : systematic labor especially for some useful purpose or the creation of something of value b : a department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture; especially : one that employs a large personnel and capital especially in manufacturing c : a distinct group of productive or profit-making enterprises banking industry> d : manufacturing activity as a whole
3 : work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author

I've done several industrious things this week which has me thinking: I need to strive to be more industrious on a regular basis. JS Bach said, "Whoever is equally industrious will succeed... equally well." My new found appreciation for industry isn't about success or achievement of the public recognition variety so much as it is about saving a buck and using what I've got.
(JS Bach also said, "Bring me a bowl of coffee before I turn into a goat." If you catch me at 6:15am on any given morning, I will wholeheartedly agree with that second quote... that Johann was a smart cookie.)

The "systematic labor" going on around here includes staining an old table, containment-sewing (dirty diapers, plastic bags, beach gear), weeding of the garden, putting up/putting by/preserving strawberries in the form of freezer jam (yum!), using the sun's awesome bleaching and de-fragrancing powers, and in times of inactive-industry: reading a book that suddenly appeals and inspires.

Make Do and Mend. The UK Board of Trade started this campaign in the 1940s to encourage people to use what they had in the name of conservation and frugality. I love this. And I love the posters I've found out there... wonder if I could find one somewhere to hang in my house?!


And how can you not love this? It's a bit of guidance for the homemaker who sews from Singer (the maker of sewing machines) ca. 1949. I don't know about you, but I *never* sit down to sew anything before making the beds and cleaning the dishes and putting on a little lipstick.


My first sewing machine was the very one this lady is holding. In fact, I still use it. Love that Singer Featherweight (though featherweight it certainly is not.)!