There's poor, and then there's poor. According to the US Census Bureau, over 30 million Americans are living in poverty.

I've known poor, where families heated their home with a makeshift heater in the kitchen made from a stand-up tank of sorts. They had to cut a lid in the top so firewood could be added. The children slept on sleeping bags on the floor.

I have known people who are poor through no fault of their own. Some lacked the thinking ability to be anything but poor. Some just fell on hard times or were unemployed. Others simply chose to overspend.  The economy and recession have a great deal to do with all of these.

Poor is when there isn't a home, fuel, electricity and of course good food. During the Great Depression, there were poor and those who lived on very little. Others used unique recipes to feed their children. They patched the clothes with a purpose, not to be shabby chic. There were men who accepted any kind of work, for any length of time and for any kind of money. That shouldn't be.

I won't say it was easier in those days, but so many were in the same situation. They just did the best they could with whatever they had. It wasn't good, and it was different then because farming was different. Some people were able to have chickens, cows and pigs to raise, which could be later used for food to feed their families.

Coffee wasn't real coffee and tea wasn't strong. Most people made bread at home, baked in a wood burning stove, which also heated the house. Homemade soup, water or coffee could be kept warm on the stovetop, and the heat from the stove helped dry the clothes.

Times change, but some of the things from that time period would not be prudent now. To some, being poor today is a colossal joke. To some, making minimum wage may be a better living than someone making $60,000 a year, if they are able to take advantage of all the government programs. Working part-time at minimum pay may not cover all necessities because taxes, insurance and the like are going to cost so much whether you have money or not. One can eat a half a slice of bread, but can't pay a dollar at a time for necessary charges.

Then there are those who the government defined as poor. Typically they have a car, which they may need. Seventy eight percent have air conditioning, which they may or may not need. Sixty four percent have cable or satellite. Some have two TVs along with a DVD player and VCR. It may be their only entertainment. Some poor households have a gaming system such as Xbox or PlayStation. Thirty eight percent have a personal computer, again necessary or not.

Most poor houesholds have a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, clothes washers and dryers, ceiling fans, cordless phones, a coffee maker and a crock pot. Typically, living space may be considerably more than in European countries. Poor families can usually obtain help for medical care if needed. Air conditioning and cable TV may be a struggle, but food is usually available.

What made me think of being poor? I took my husband’s collection of water and soda bottles for recycling. It had been a long time and most of them were picked up, but it was the recycling center itself that got me thinking. The recycling center was so packed with cans and bottles that somebody had drank. Can anyone really afford the luxury of some habits that contribute nothing to their welfare like pop, candy, tobacco or alcohol? Yet many of the poor, and wealthy, indulge.

Also, I watched a bunch of kids going home from school. Some wore the shabby chic, probably bought that way. Some wore name brand jeans. Some wore ordinary. At any rate, they had to be the in thing, not just what was available. 

Go to garage sales; many do. Very often the best clothes are there because people save the best clothes. They outgrow them or they go out of style. Name brands sell at a fraction of new and, once worn, whether bought new or from a thrift store, the first time worn they are used clothing, so what difference does it make? I'm not that style conscious about jeans, but somehow youngsters know what is in and usually at exaggerated prices. My uncle always said he would think twice about having a prominent name on somebody’s rear end.

No child should have to go hungry, look out of place, wear something that doesn't fit, or feel poor or different.

What is your definition of poor?

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Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, October 6th: Evan Matthew Beckman, Mesa Jo Grace Krause, Jackson Wyatt Lageson, Mark Plunkett, Dick Wacholz, Marlin Beckman, Kaira Glienke, Melissa Horan, Aurie Brighton, Caden Reichl, Gail Turvold, Julie Born Beenken, Scott Holmes, Tat Misgen, Cindy Kasper Johnson, Jayme & Ryan Paulson.

• Friday, October 7th: Candace Lageson Baker, Carolyn Weller, Jason Huber, Todd Wayne, Debbie David, Garrett Briggs, Jill Bergdale, Kris Strenge, John & Ellen Hanson, Denise & Jerry Abbott, Jamie & Brian Riley, Pat & Barb O'Conner.

• Saturday, October 8th: Kay Nelson, Mandy Moon, Lauren Olivia Sommers, her 7th; Haley Hanson, Barb Hagen, Barb Dobberstein, Barb Strenge, Mary Kay Spurr, Brad Anderson, Doug Anderson, Hazel Spiering, Daniel Paulson, Kay Nelson, Mandy Moon, Julie & Brian Dahl.

• Sunday, October 9th: Matt Kubiatowicz, Joshua Kasper, Cheryl Paulsen Wilson, Randy Mucha, Nancy Jo Anderson, Ashley Hove, Keith Neidermeier, Dennis Blouin.

• Monday, October 10th: Pat Goodnature, Trevin Stollard, Aarin Gray Pirsig, his 2nd; Eric Anderson, Nicole Anderson Loken, Luverne Hamor, Harold Reese, Haley Hanson, LeRoy Ingvaldson, Nicole Lonning, Betty DeRaad, Elena Grace Spande, Glenn Beckmann.

• Tuesday, October 11th: Alisha Moody, Reed Michael Kath, Mitchell Edwards, Ebonie Mullenmaster, Earl Klinger, Mayro Leak Kubista, Melissa Otto, Jenna Swearingen, Mike Trumble, Cory McGrath, Shawna Besco, John Cyr, Fred Bowman, Chris Wallace, Alisha Moody, Lee & Jody Loverink.

• Wednesday, October 12th: Katilyn Olivia Crabtree, Les Shawback Jr., Marge Rossing, Christopher Wallace, Beth Spande, Marilyn Dobberstein, Terrie Mullenmaster, Maurice Mullenmaster, Vikki Pence, Roxann Ditlevson, Lewis Kelly, Denise Jensen Bronner, Charlie & Becky Phagan, Larry & Terry Jensen.

May all of your favorite things be within reach. Have a wonderful day!