And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. – Nicholas Sparks

Christmas and the approach of a new year stimulate a lot of memories and also a great deal of reflection and pondering for many people. The Internet brings us numerous benefits. We can interact with many people from all over the world and marvel over exotic landscapes. However, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the adventures of others that make our own  lives back at home seem rather dreary or mundane. I was feeling a little deflated myself recently after hearing yet another adventurer urge people to give up everything and travel the world. I have family and other responsibilities that keep me here and they take priority for the moment. We are often bombarded with commands such as, “Do it now. Life is short. You only live once!” I’ve never been overseas and have only traveled in two states of my own country, but it’s still been an interesting life, and there is much to be enjoyed in my own region.

Recently, I spent many hours sorting through a box of old family photos and they were a good reminder that overseas travel and in fact, interstate travel, were not common occurrences like they seem to be now. People often had to work long hours, with few of the modern conveniences we enjoy today and yet many found simple ways to enjoy their precious leisure time that gave them contentment. Many lived in one location their whole lives. Although I would not swap my relative life of ease with theirs, I do feel a little nostalgic about the focus on simple outdoor pleasures. I thought I’d share some of these old pictures with you as a reminder of the distant past when electronic media wasn’t the focus of entertainment; when people looked you in the eyes when having a conversation. I invite you to take a hike back in time with me through these images of some Australians in the first half of the twentieth century. Continue reading →