tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post7787743823676901702..comments2024-03-28T11:58:31.717+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Bran Tub # 10: Controlled Commodities - "The Two Cheeses” ...Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-34653602636133315542017-03-15T07:25:31.804+00:002017-03-15T07:25:31.804+00:00@ Gattina - I know it's difficult to remember ...@ Gattina - I know it's difficult to remember what life was like, or to know what it was like. Yes we too had special rations for pregnant women and for babies ... yes compared to your life (Britain v Germany) I guess we were in that respect slightly freer. Rough times indeed ... <br /><br />@ Chrys - I know blogger does some funny things - mostly it works just fine - but I can't comment occasionally - so thanks for coming back... appreciate that.<br /><br />As you say we do take too much for granted and forget how much others have gone through for us to be as we are. We also waste far too much... <br /><br />@ Karen - I hadn't taken on board that everything was rationed, I'm sure I knew - but just hadn't realised what it entailed ... no wonder my parents' generation instilled the 'waste not want not' phrase into the way of life. Thanks Karen - just glad you enjoyed the post and snippets of knowledge it contained.<br /><br />Thanks so much for commenting and adding to the conversation - we will learn more as the 100 years anniversary for the end of WW1 next year 2018 comes around ... it's worth remembering ... cheers Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50977889189055162372017-03-15T00:44:51.097+00:002017-03-15T00:44:51.097+00:00I had no idea! How interesting. I knew about the r...I had no idea! How interesting. I knew about the rationing from books and stories from my grandparents. But I guess I was unable to picture how far reaching it was, down to a wedding dress. Appreciate you enlightening us, Hilary. You never fail to inform and entertain me. Thanks so much! Have a great week! :) Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65235909587302398552017-03-14T18:13:39.008+00:002017-03-14T18:13:39.008+00:00Hmm....I commented on this post a while ago but I ...Hmm....I commented on this post a while ago but I don't see my comment. Darn, Blogger!<br /><br />It's amazing to find out what had to be rationed during the war. We definitely take too much for granted these days.Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-36238532866532254512017-03-14T10:47:31.562+00:002017-03-14T10:47:31.562+00:00When I read this I have to think about my childhoo...When I read this I have to think about my childhood. I didn't realize the daily fight for food because I was a little child born in 43. But I always remember that my parents only got milk because of me. It was the same as in your country. Only on the countryside it was a bit better because you could swap food against oriental carpets or jewels ! My mother used to collect remaining potatoes after the farmer had harvested ! Rough times. Fortunately I was a child ! Gattinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636525277807715146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-20803722835890492792017-03-14T07:10:09.177+00:002017-03-14T07:10:09.177+00:00@ Nila - wars are terrible - and as you rightly sa...@ Nila - wars are terrible - and as you rightly say those two wars really affected every last person in every country (near enough) ... so true.<br /><br />We certainly followed on our parents, kept, recycled, re-used in some way everything and rarely bought new ... it was the way it was. Food was used carefully following the seasons ... we had the Depression .... but I'm sure your famine times were far worse ...<br /><br />I'm interested in reading that rationing still forms part of the food distribution in India - I hadn't taken that into account... and obviously living away you don't need to use it. I'm sure it's an essential way of ensuring people have something to eat ... those who can't buy at market prices ... thanks for telling us this ... <br /><br />@ Theresa - yes the States didn't suffer as much as we did over here in the UK or Europe. Thanks for letting us know about "victory gardens" - and the factories 'churning' out items for the war effort ... The Royals had to comply too ... though King George and his wife did stay in London during the blitz ... and visited bombed sites ... <br /><br />@ Silvia - the generations after WW2 are lucky ... and we need to remember those really difficult times. If only ...... if only ..... we could keep the peace and live happily ever after ... by working hard not to put ourselves onto a war footing ... <br /><br />@ Deborah - isn't it a fun symbol ... and I'm glad it's giving you some creative ideas. How fascinating your collaborative art project sounds ... I'm sure some of the ideas would have sunk in and hit home ... it's so difficult think of those lean times when surplus abounds ...<br /><br />Just glad you enjoyed the post - with its reminder for today and remembering the history of that decade not so long ago ... <br /><br />Cheers to you - I'm so glad this post resonated with you all and reminded you of things and past events ... HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-16349889222191619942017-03-13T21:49:03.307+00:002017-03-13T21:49:03.307+00:00Oh I do love the "two cheeses" symbol an...Oh I do love the "two cheeses" symbol and it has now worked itself into my brain inspiring all manner of tales. I organized a collaborative art project some years ago with a few American rationing booklets I managed to get hold of. It was meant to be an invitation to look deeply at resources and limitations and the endless creativity such parameters can engender.<br /><br />Your post is indeed a valuable reminder to count our blessings, as well a fascinating historical look.Deborah Weberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971869506007671786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-42871908303342000322017-03-13T17:19:45.493+00:002017-03-13T17:19:45.493+00:00We should remember to count our blessings, indeed....We should remember to count our blessings, indeed. Thank you for this detailed post on historic events, Hilary. If only we'd treat history accordingly, and work hard not to repeat it. <br />Silvia Writeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14437144517262211712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87592561628039072632017-03-13T15:17:24.925+00:002017-03-13T15:17:24.925+00:00Hilary, this is fascinating. Because (with the exc...Hilary, this is fascinating. Because (with the exception of Pearl Harbor) WWII wasn't fought in the US, so our sacrifices for goods were smaller. We also entered the war later. Many factories were converted to make items for wartime. As a result, people were encouraged to plant "victory gardens" and to recycle. It's hard to believe your queens would have to use coupons. Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60734381594252622012017-03-13T10:12:15.884+00:002017-03-13T10:12:15.884+00:00War times are always tough, and WWI and II both af...War times are always tough, and WWI and II both affected every last person in every country<br /><br />I think my generation just grew up with the idea of reuse and recycle everything - milk in glass bottles, newspapers made into packaging material, clothes handed down, nothing was thrown away if it could be repaired. And wasting one grain of rice on my plate could get me into serious trouble :) that's because my parent's generation went through a famine as children...times were indeed frugal and needs also matched to suit.<br /><br />Rationing of course remains part of the food distribution system in India, just don't use it myself because I live away. It's important for families who can't afford to buy stuff at market prices. <br /><br />Nilanjana Bosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08656370320322301943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-39597738032258912152017-03-13T07:39:26.630+00:002017-03-13T07:39:26.630+00:00@ John - gosh - how amazing ... another commenter ...@ John - gosh - how amazing ... another commenter with a piece of Utility Furniture. Yes I remember looking at furniture and being shown wooden bottoms to drawers ... and how well the furniture was made - proper joints etc ... and again depth - I hate shallow drawers! Fascinating - thanks for telling us ... <br /><br />@ Nick - that's right - the Royals are quite frugal in their own family life and careful ... still known today I think (mainly!). Trouble with Pac-Man ... it was invented in Japan by a Japanese corporation ... so I don't think the two cheeses symbol and pac-man coincided or influenced one another ... but who knows!<br /><br />@ Denise - welcome back ... and I'm fine thank you. Re fixing things - yes it is illegal and often plain stupid in this day and age to fix things ... but so many can be done privately ... not in the public space. <br /><br />Common sense comes into play ... just we don't need to go out and get something new - when an old bowl (for instance), or some string from an old wrapper would do - rather than something brand new that costs ... <br /><br />Planned Obsolescence was around when I started work ... but really I've always hated spending money on something new for the sake of it ... so you've added to the conversation and given us something to think about - and then Apple and similar others fall within the Moore's Law counter-example ...<br /><br />It's an interesting time period ... but I still think we need to know how to do things (safely)/ make a plan and get round the problem ... otherwise we can't get on with life ... <br /><br />But we rely too much on things being done for us, without that knowledge - it's useful to have it available in times of emergency ... <br /><br />Cheers to you all - thanks so much ... so interesting to read the comments and 're-think' things ... have good weeks - Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-75085197327155234942017-03-13T02:52:51.487+00:002017-03-13T02:52:51.487+00:00Hi Hilary
Hope you're well and dry!
I'm ba...Hi Hilary<br />Hope you're well and dry!<br />I'm back from my Outback jaunt and catching up on blogs. While I was away, I saw a tv program on re-using things and how people have lost their 'fix it' skills. You say...'Life and times were frugal … all items were kept to be re-used.' But did you know it's now illegal, yes illegal! to fix many things -- oh we might hurt ourselves or something! It wouldn't have anything to do with wanting to sell you something every few years, now would it? Apple is apparently the worst. I'm glad people are becoming less throwaway now and finding ways to re-use or re-purpose...<br /><br />Denise :-)Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-9719687695931435362017-03-12T14:44:27.871+00:002017-03-12T14:44:27.871+00:00We tend not to think that even the Royal Family we...We tend not to think that even the Royal Family were affected by rationing. Fascinating stuff. I do think the creator of Pacman may have grown up with the Two Cheeses symbol...Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79340473577794936422017-03-11T10:03:13.393+00:002017-03-11T10:03:13.393+00:00My mother still has a Utility Furniture chest of d...My mother still has a Utility Furniture chest of drawers, it's pretty unique these days - the bottoms of the drawers are made of WOOD and you can get a decent amount of stuff in them. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"https://www.blogger.com/profile/00832873074550725579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-4354873674159685012017-03-11T08:19:55.045+00:002017-03-11T08:19:55.045+00:00@ Rhonda – I didn’t know much more than that … but...@ Rhonda – I didn’t know much more than that … but finding out about these controlled commodities gave me a new insight – so am glad the post resonated.<br /><br />@ Elizabeth – couldn’t agree more … I see the things my parents and their parents went through and how they coped, utilising those skills later in life even though easier ways were available … which they did embrace.<br /><br />@ Diane – thanks … I did pop over and will do so again to the photo blog.<br /><br />@ Julie – isn’t the logo just so appropriate “The Two Cheeses”. The Crown I think was made for Netflix (the American Entertainment Group) … I’m sure it’s a very good documentary calling on the old film reels and new information available now. I’ve not seen it and don’t use Netflix … <br /><br />@ Jess –glad you learnt ‘a lot’ – thanks. I’d forgotten about the oil crisis and the ‘rationing’ that ensued … it was tricky here.<br /><br />Yes – Pac-Man raised his head re his look-alike to “The Two Cheeses”. We certainly appreciated everything we had … making sure we looked after things … and as you say being resourceful. I too am now enjoying my coffee … <br /><br />@ Tyrean – we are lucky in the 21st C we do have things … interesting to read about your father and his lack of choice, despite being on a farm … sugar being exciting … yes I remember an orange with a sugar cube in it … and sucking the juice out through the cube of sugar … so good! Lucky parents having the milk, butter and cheese from their dairy herd.<br /><br />@ Keith – so you’re like me … vague remembrances, but not the anxiety about food etc, which our parents had. I certainly don’t remember utility marks … certainly explains the excitement of the Ideal Home Exhibitions when they started. Great – and thanks for the thumbs up … <br /><br />@ Beste – you’re right we appreciated what we had … and were frugal and definitely less prone to commercialism … setting standards for us to follow: I know their attitudes washed onto us and stuck … <br /><br />Thanks everyone – I’m fascinated that you’ve all enjoyed this post … that’s great news – cheers Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-89985596760186201132017-03-11T02:57:54.607+00:002017-03-11T02:57:54.607+00:00I was born after the war too and I was thinking ab...I was born after the war too and I was thinking about this the other day. Having lived in those times made my generation frugal and less prone to commercialism than the following generations I would think.beste barkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002530133068046229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-10548882718053995172017-03-10T19:20:00.987+00:002017-03-10T19:20:00.987+00:00I too was born after the war, just! I remember not...I too was born after the war, just! I remember nothing of the rationing which was going on. I do however remember utility marks, although I will have learned of their significance years later. Another gem of a post Hilary. Thank you.Keith's Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564578491652021492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65877462927871545142017-03-10T18:46:35.329+00:002017-03-10T18:46:35.329+00:00Definitely! We have so much bounty. It's incre...Definitely! We have so much bounty. It's incredible. I've heard stories about all the foods my dad didn't get to eat, just growing up land "poor" on a farm. Sugar was an exciting commodity - although they did have cheese from the dairy farm they had. :)Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-53934686191224522092017-03-10T17:42:14.761+00:002017-03-10T17:42:14.761+00:00Compared to the austerity measures of the forties,...Compared to the austerity measures of the forties, it's hard to believe how many choices are to be found in stores nowadays. Sometimes, I think we have TOO many choices. (I mean, how many different brands of raisin bran do we NEED?)<br /><br />Fascinating post, Hilary. Cheers!Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-19364348734737433812017-03-10T15:03:48.892+00:002017-03-10T15:03:48.892+00:00I can't remember any times when there was rati...I can't remember any times when there was rationing going on since I have been alive. I know there was rationing in the US during the 70s, but I was born in the early 70s- and don't have any memory of gas rationing or anything like that. <br /><br />I had no idea about the Two Cheeses- but easy to see where the name came from (reminds me of Pac Man- the video game character). Times of rationing definitely make people more resourceful and I think it is wonderful that nothing went to waste- but definitely very hard not to be able to get the food and supplies one wanted. We are definitely lucky if we live in an area where we have what we need. Makes me appreciate my morning coffee even more. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing- I learned a lot. :)<br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65581245884877817762017-03-10T12:56:20.328+00:002017-03-10T12:56:20.328+00:00Oh, it's funny that logo came to be known as t...Oh, it's funny that logo came to be known as the Two Cheeses. Easy to see why! <br />I've recently watched The Crown on Netflix so it was interesting to read about Elizabeth's wedding dress and other details about the wedding. <br /><br />Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-89220716436150391482017-03-10T12:45:10.122+00:002017-03-10T12:45:10.122+00:00Hilary you said about photos from Africa, take a l...Hilary you said about photos from Africa, take a look at my other blog, dailydiarydps there are a number of them there over the past couple of weeks. DianeRhodesiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159888599601532530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-61803187708895060542017-03-10T10:05:29.872+00:002017-03-10T10:05:29.872+00:00There's so much I admire about that generation...There's so much I admire about that generation and their positive attitude and willingness to keep their chins up through austerity is one of them. Thanks for sharing this--this is the first I've heard of the 'two cheeses!'Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70802594607779291762017-03-10T09:02:18.037+00:002017-03-10T09:02:18.037+00:00I knew about rationing during the war but not much...I knew about rationing during the war but not much else. Thanks for the interesting history. I think it was a bit different in the states, especially considering the late entry into the war.Rhonda Albomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455873487349816911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-32475926372605361162017-03-10T07:28:15.218+00:002017-03-10T07:28:15.218+00:00@ Murees - yes so many are 'spoiled' by ha...@ Murees - yes so many are 'spoiled' by having it had it relatively easily for the last seventy years. I'd struggle with rations - but would manage ... water is a very difficult subject, and not easy to get around if there are drought conditions ... I guess we need to learn how to conserve water - and always do it ... <br /><br />But thank you for the pertinent comment ... <br /><br />@ Christine - yes anyone in the western world is blessed with most things easy to find ... <br /><br />@ Diane - good to meet you here and thanks for your link ... I'm glad the post has given you 'food' for thought re your parents and grandparents. I think things were very difficult - particularly for us here and on the continent ... <br /><br />@ ACIL - I'm just glad the post enlightened you about rationing in the war -did you have rationing in Cuba?<br /><br />Good to have your comments and to see you ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-86688423898298557942017-03-09T21:35:00.283+00:002017-03-09T21:35:00.283+00:00I've heard so much about the rationing during ...I've heard so much about the rationing during the war. Fantastic and informative post as usual. Thanks.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.com