I was reflecting today on the pioneers and yet so thankful for today's modern conveniences. We had to drive into the city today, through snow and blowing snow. In some areas, it was almost a white out. As we were driving, I was reflecting on how the pioneers would have done it. Horse and sleigh, all bundled up with blankets surrounding them. They would have arrived at their destination cold and hammering to warm up before a wood burning stove. They may not even have been able to go because of long driveways completely filled in with snowdrifts or it may have been much too cold to go in their sleigh.

Here we were in a new van, warm throughout the whole drive and when we arrived at our destination, it was a hop into the building which was already warmed. No standing around, rubbing our hands and stomping our feet to warm them up from the long drive in.

I was thinking of how fortunate we are to have medications for asthma/bp and such. The pioneers would have suffered much through many illnesses and yet today, we are fortunate to be able to drop our prescriptions off at a pharmacy and in a few minutes pick it up.

On the drive, there are a few old homesteads that always remind me of where we have come from. And although I have a pioneering spirit, I'm ever so thankful for modern conveniences as well.

Do you ever think of the pioneers and what they went through? Have you ever wondered how they survived the cold and harsh winters, the droughts in the summer. It truly amazes me how they did it.

Yes, I do think about the people of long ago and wonder what life was like day in and day out for them. I like to think I have a pioneering spirit too, but like CJ, I'm glad for the conveniences and the modern technology. I love going through old houses and wondering about what life was like back at the turn of the century. I can't imagine doing all the hard work they did - especially in those long heavy dresses!! I especially love walking through old school houses...I can almost hear the voices of the children laughing and playing in the schoolyard. Sometimes I think it would be something else to be able to go back to those days for just one day and experience life in those times. The closest I'll ever come to feeling 'one' with those women of old was when I gave birth to my kids! For some darn reason I had to have them during the period in time when 'natural' child birth was the thing to do! I'll bet even our 1800's kinfolk were given a bullet to bite on! Great topic CJ!

I am so very thankful for modern medicines. Dh is on cholesterol and blood pressure drugs that will extend his health and life, and I am very very grateful for asthma meds that give me "breathing room" in my life too.

My mother died before ventolin was invented. She died of lung cancer at age 39, though she never smoked. She was a severe asthmatic and that plus living for a couple of years in a high radon area, probably killed her. Dad said there were many nights he wasnt' sure if she would live thru the night with her asthma even before the cancer killed her.

I am so grateful that me and my kids can puff on an inhaler and get thru an attack without the lung damage that mum suffered.

It's wonderful to be able to enjoy and preserve what was great about the past, yet move ahead and enjoy the present as well.