Ma & Pa Kettle were a series of movies derived from the movie (and book) The Egg and I. https://www.hooktube.com/watch?v=FuRi_NmypbE
I used to watch them with my grandmother and she'd explain why they don't have this or that like all the houses. Why there are chickens in the bed. Now that is poor.
I'm raised in the country and we were about that poor, just a bit cleaner and orderly. Lived all over since but am now back in Appalachia, retired. Went for breakfast at Waffle King in Murphy, NC this morning and oh my, the place was packed with hillbillies. Only hillbillies. Mountain folk. I like these folks. Honest, hard working, non-cussin' people with very well behaved kids. Nice.
Even without a bunch of crap like a fancy tv or super loud stereo or 56 channels just what the roof antenna would get and it was often a lot of noise we were still happier than now with internet, cable 200 channels, smart phones, pizza delivery, or any of the modern shit we take for granted.
I was still happier then than I am in todays word of modern tech. The world has forgotten great neighbors and having real love of the people around you is far better than the 100 friends you have online or in your phone and money or possession do not come close to friends that share feelings and treat each other like family.
Today your family often chooses internet or cable news over family. It's a sad world we live in now compared to the pre80's world that was real people having real friendships and respect of others rights. It's like a race to the bottom for morality and decency in the world and it's a huge % have their pedal to the metal.
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