Ma and Pa Kettle

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Thanks to modern technology, I have recently enjoyed revisiting my youth as I have watched a series of movies made in the 1940's and 50's featuring Ma and Pa Kettle.

As a child I have fond memories of Ma and Pa, - from the hat lifting' much obliged' grace Pa used to say, to Ma's droll yet practical outlook on life in times of adversity. Mess was not stress to Ma - she took it in her stride.

My father used to sign our homework Pa Kettle' - much to the dismay of the nuns who thought we had forged the signature and were quick to remind us that we were all hell bound because of it.

Yes, Pa and my Dad enjoyed similar views on life, views that today would not go astray in lifes busy hustle - bustle times.

Pa would always ' try before he would buy' - making sure under the comsumer goods act that the goods were fit for the purpose.

Pa took time to reflect on life - to sit on a porch and think before you act is not a bad thing. He was never in a hurry and nobody died because he took the time to reflect long and hard before he acted.
I daresay that prozac was not on his medication list, just a nip of home brew now and again.
Pa's 15 or so children were not medicated for ADHD,- they enjoyed the simple life having fun and doing what kids do.

Pa took risks, he would enter competitions in the hope of winning things and providing for his family.
In todays PC environment, risk taking is seen as setting yourself up for a fall.

Pa was astute - he always saw an opportunity to get something for nothing in the nicest possible although not in a greedy way and he was always grateful to his fellow man for giving him a hand.

Yes, generation X or Y, or Z or whatever, could learn a lot from Pa Kettle.

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