How to wear a wolf

Now, I hear enough of this "in this economy," etc. A woman I met, recently divorced, but with salaried job, nice car, house paid off (but now on the market), struggling with being newly one-income (and with kids) "in this economy" turned to me and said "but what do you eat? I mean, how is it possible?" I directed her to two books, James Beard's How to Eat Better for Less Money, and (the sublime) M.F.K. Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf. ("Both should be available at the public library," I murmured, with a small smile.)

But, cooking, of course, points us to the larger question: how can we live well in these troubled and troubling times? Not just live, but live well?

Of course the DIY movement has been about this for a long time, and the crafty ladies of the craft blogs have been trading tips about living the good life on the cheap since we were all in short pants. Now, however, it seems that budget limitations are not just a concern for those of us with bohemian career choices (teachers etc) but something with which we must all contend. Oh! Never fear, ladies. Never fear. 

Just as M.F.K. Fisher could turn a few scraps into a meal worthy of pages of the most loving food writing, we can find a way. Yes, it will involve things like cooking and sewing and repairing... but it always has involved and will still involve that beloved pastime, shopping. On clearance, ladies, on clearance.

To the "New Poor"

While the New York Times and all the rest bemoan the end of the era of decadence, the beginning of a sort of "new austerity," some of us can only sigh....a long sigh, a sign of resignation (or maybe a sigh of recognition). Frugalistas, be aware that you are really nouveaux. But nouveaux what? Hmm. Anyhow. Some of us, my dears, have been at this for a long time, at the business of looking great for, well, peanuts. We've been at it a long time. If there is a "new poor" let's not forget the ancient regime: the "old poor." Call it "old debt," if you like.