Yes, gardnerGal, Elise was a contented cow. I think one has to realize when happiness is... and why it is. If you are constantly busy, you are happy...or most people are. Aunt Mabel always said 'idle child is in the hands of the devil'...
and it seems so many are expecting so much for doing nothing today and they are not happy with what they get. Some never learn the work ethics, but continue to lie and steal what others have earned. Lack moral fiber.
People who have goals and hobbies, like quilting and doing whole projects, realizing goals and finished worthwhile projects feel good about it and themselves. Yes, I remember days without running water and barely remember electricity coming in the home...radio that ran on tubes...TV coming in the 50s...not our house until late 50s early 60s. We grew a big garden, butchered 2 steers and 4 hogs every year...sold cream, and eggs twice a week for the household cash. Gram canned 300 quarts of beans, and same amount of tomatoes every year. Canned much of the meat, and butchered about 200-300 chickens every year. Carried in water and carried out water for baths, wash day and dish washing...and ran down the path for the toilet. Old dresses made rags, rag rugs. and cleaning cloths, and aprons. Tooth picks were strands of Spaghetti stuck into cakes when carried to family reunion picnics with plastic over them.